Donnybrook Writing Academy

Launched	August 2007
Based in	Denver, Colorado, US
Created by	Erin Barnes
Owner	Erin Barnes
Registration	No
Type of website	Music and the Arts webzine
Status	Active
URL	GoDonnybrook.com

The Donnybrook Writing Academy is a collective of writers, musicians, and journalists writing under preposterous pen names under the guise that they're rich, notorious, and belligerent members of an upper class circa the 1920s. Formerly called Elitist Hipster Snob, the collective and subsequent internet publication was founded under a new name in August 2007 and redesigned in March 2008. Beyond publishing an internet publication, www.GoDonnybrook.com, the group throws decadent parties^[1] and is known for their tennis and Ivy League-inspired photo shoots.^[2]

Description

There are roughly 20 writers, photographers, and artists in the collective, including integral members Danny and Nina of the internet art project^[3] in which over 1 million people voted on what city the couple might move based on their interests. Other founding members include Cliffton Thompson (a.k.a Guido Sarducci IV), Annie Cohen (a.k.a Ivyy Goldberg, esq.), Nathan Warren (a.k.a. Colonel Hector Bravado, Christopher Gilmore (a.k.a. Fritz Godard), and Patrick Kelly (a.k.a. Benjamin "Benny" St. Maur). Erin Barnes (a.k.a Angora Holly Polo) is founder and Editor-in-Chief.

Features

The Donnybrook Writing Academy features a variety of previews, reviews, podcasts, and interviews on the categories of music, film, photography, politics, sex, and society. "On the Record" is a daily-updated record review column; "Soundcheck" is a local concert calendar and podcast; and the "Snobcast" is a podcast created by elitists. Other columns include "Bartender Blogs," "A Night Out With," "the Problem of Leisure," and "Handjob and a Reuben."

Content and Style

Donnybrook's mission, to create "a society for cultural advancement," also draws heavily on indie and local Denver music scenes for content and inspiration. Stylistically, the site is a satire of classic writings that describe upper-crust society - from Fitzgerald to Jane Austen to the French salon culture - and since it is made up of somewhat young and destitute artists, writers, and musicians, it could be considered an ironic comment on the socioeconomic status of artists in contemporary American society. In that vein, the group is known for throwing such parties as "The Fundraiser for the Rich" to "replace Donnybrook's pool filter."^[4] in venues that are notoriously divey, such as the Larimer Lounge. Donnybrook paradoxically embraces and pokes fun at elitism[5], as a phenomenon that is relevant in today's culture - where too much access to art, music, and the means to create it has created a backlash of cultural policing.

External links

• The Donnybrook Writing Academy website

References

1. ^ Elitists, Unite!, page 1 - Calendar - Westword - Westword
2. ^ Donnybrook #1 - a set on Flickr
3. ^ Danny and Nina: Our Lives Are in Your Hands » Press Coverage
4. ^ Writers to stage tongue-in-cheek fundraiser with barbecue, local bands - The Denver Post
5. ^ {Don't you know who we think we are? a guide to etiquette and the art of snobbery} the Donnybrook Writing Academy

• Westword, Best of Westword 2009: "Best Blog"
• The Denver Post: "Writers to stage tongue-in-cheek fundraiser with barbecue, local bands", by Kathleen St. John, June 5, 2008
• Reverb: Review of Donnybrook BBQ, by Laurie Scavo, June 11, 2008
• Westword: "Elitists, Unite!", by Cory Casciato, July 12, 2007