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You can never have too much Kate Bush in your life. Just ask Bryan Lynagh, co-owner of The Coffee Pot, a historic little bar above James Place in Adelaide’s CBD. Every Wednesday night, Lynagh hosts the Kate Bush Drawing Jam, an evening of sketching the English singer.
“Some of the people who come along are really great artists,” he says, pointing at portraits strung above the bar. “But quality isn’t important. The idea is to come in, have a drink and get the creative juices flowing.”
It all started as a bit of fun, but as demand grew, Lynagh realised he was onto something special.
Art materials are supplied, everyone is welcome and entry is free. As people draw, non-stop Kate Bush tracks play through “hard rubbish speakers” and rare footage is beamed onto a large screen.
The results are impressive and will be displayed in an exhibition at The Coffee Pot’s upstairs gallery on August 31.
It’s all part of Lynagh’s mission to keep the venue alive.
In its eighties and early-nineties heydays, the then cafe was abuzz with coffee drinkers. It closed in 2000 and was left empty until 2014 when Lynagh and his partner Cassandra Tombs took over. As the duo behind Adelaide Fringe venue Tuxedo Cat, they are well accustomed to breathing life into dusty old spaces.
Lynagh stayed true to The Coffee Pot’s history and changed little decor-wise. The effect is one of stepping into a time capsule: red leather booths, old wooden newspaper stands, patterned carpet, antique light fittings, cheap booze and Kate Bush drawings. Lots of Kate Bush drawings.
It’s not all Wuthering Heights and Cloudbusting, though. Thursdays are devoted to heavy-metal singalongs, Fridays are all about eighties music and on Saturdays anything goes with one-off nights, alternative nineties music and special requests. One corner of the bar is filled with books, and a spoken-word event is held on the last Sunday of every month.
The Kate Bush Drawing Jam is held at The Coffee Pot, Level 1, 27 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, on Wednesday nights. Doors open at 4pm, and entry is free.
