Good news for thirty somethings, art cafes

Within the next two weeks itself, an offbeat cafe8217; will open up at the Co, as the Bowling Company at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, is known. It is to serve desserts, appetisers and several coffees, including coffee laced with alcohol. A D Singh, CEO of Co, said, 8220;It8217;s a wide theme that covers a multitude of sins. The cafe will be about performing arts from theatre to jazz.There has always been a market for live performances, but the problem is finding the talent. We hope to generate it.8221;

The Momayyas of Fashion Bistro near Sterling Cinema too will look to expand their business in south Mumbai by opening an art cafe by the end of the year. The clientele they have in mind are the thirty-somethings who want more than just a pub that blares ear-splattering music. 8220;There are too many places already that look at the younger crowd. Nobody has scratched the market for thirty-somethings,8221; said Momayya.

Samir Sheth, construction and textile businessman, also hopes to open a 1,700 sq ft art cafe in Tardeo by mid-October. 8220;There are no places that attract only the post-30 crowd. And we will be looking at all forms of art, from paintings to fashion designing,8221; he says. Helping him on the project is fashion designer James Ferreira, and Sanjay Narang of NJ-Jazz by the Bay and Just Around the Corner fame will handle the food. 8220;It will serve just vegetarian food, mainlydesserts and no alcohol,8221; says Sheth.

The idea of meaningful fun is not new to Mumbai; just two years back, and film-maker Anuradha Tandon had set up the Adda, at Goa Portuguesa, Mahim. 8220;Art forms are to be enjoyed. The Adda is basically a place to get together and share works and ideas,8221; says Tandon. Among those who have shared their work there are Deepti Naval, who read some of her poetry, and artist Jaideep Mehrotra, who spoke about his paintings and sculptures. Adda8217;s visitors include directors Govind Nihalani and Subhash Ghai and diplomats like Sanjeev Chowdhury and Sheldon Austin. Chowdhury says he looks forward to dropping in at the Adda every month. 8220;It is unlike any other social event. You8217;re somewhere where you can just be yourself without dressing up. I think all these art cafes are a great idea, the city needs more informal places,8221; he told Express Newsline.

According to Jules Fuller, former General Manager of CHanneL V, the opening of such places in the cityhas been long overdue. 8220;For a while now, everything has been geared towards teenagers. Now, the entertainment industry is looking at the 20 and 30-somethings who feel they are too old to rock n8217; roll and too young to retire.8221;