Arts and social hub opens at Stella Dore
MERLIN BETTS
Some of you will have wandered into St Andrews Mews of an evening only to stumble across a bustling night of art, performance and music, dripping with delectable cocktails and buzzing personalities – if so, you’ve been to Mo’s Lounge.
The last time I went was in the cold of winter, a warm fire burning in a metal pit at the centre of the Mews, music in the air. I saw ghosts at the gallery upstairs, chanced upon a fellow anarchist as we lurked among fishy plastic testaments to autocannibalistic excretion … and did I have a personalised cocktail mixed by Mo himself? Who knows? – the right cocktail is probably one you shouldn’t remember. And anyway, the Lounge’s time at St Andrews Mews has come to an end.
HIP last covered the eponymous Mo El-Kadey just after he’d moved to Hastings (Renewed Talent and Life Expressed, August, 2020). I say HIP, it was me, but I wrote a bit differently back then. The impression I had of him was this: “Mo has a relentless energy and drive to achieve. His works are remarkable for their honesty: even if swirled through vibrant colours and geometric abstraction, the scenes depicted are true to life and true expressions of Mo’s experiences and worldview.”
That same relentless energy and colourful mix of influences has created an enticing celebration of Hastings culture in Mo’s Lounge, spotlighting local artists, comedians, poets, beers and wines. Mo says: “Its purpose is to be an artist hub providing creatives in St Leonards and Hastings with a platform to get their voices heard, and for patrons to immerse themselves in this creative space whilst enjoying their choice of beverage.”
At Easter, Mo’s Lounge had to migrate from St Andrews Mews, and now hopes to re-establish itself in Stella Dore, St Leonards. The move has not been without expense however, so Mo’s set up a GoFundMe for anyone who wants to support his hub and get it running again in St Leonards: gofundme.com/f/help-mos-lounge-back.
Mo’s Lounge will be hosting a fundraiser and reopening at Stella Dore on 23-24 May (that’s probably tonight and tomorrow if you’re reading this on the day it’s out). Every £1 you donate to the cause gets you £1.05 behind the bar – so go ahead and drink down your own generosity. It’ll be Brewing Brothers beers, Sussex wines and signature cocktails, and as to the entertainments
On the Thursday, it’s a comedy and poetry night hosted by Tara Valentine, featuring drag and comedy from Nik Pope (aka Persephone), and poetry from Hastings Book Festival slam winner, Yellow and Green. That’ll be followed by an art auction featuring five local artists. All this plus drinks, music and social runs from 5.30-1100pm, with happy hour on cocktails from 5.30-7.30pm.
On the Friday, it’s a little more relaxed with an art workshop from 6.30 to 8.30pm followed by drinks and a DJ until 11.00. If Mo’s fundraiser is successful, the Lounge can only expand, with the potential to host bigger performance and party nights at venues around town.
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