Cozy Charcoal

Art and coffee.Two things that warm the senses of any free spirited soul. Charcoal Gallery Café promises both. Tucked away in its own cozy nook in Hotel Road, (before the Mount Lavinia Hotel and just opposite St Francis of AssissiChurch,) the café is a place where all forms of creativity gather around to be admired and appreciated. Scattered with paintings and foliage, its first floor terrace opens up to the skies to let creative vibes seep in. Shades of brown and orange and green paint the inside of the upper terrace and make up the perfect setting for good music to create its magic.


Featured on the 'Saturday Night Gig' are artists who wish to share their feelings through precious mediums of music of all genres. Hamia, Music Matters, Prasanna, Wagon Park, Imaad Majeed, Kenneth Rozairo, Simon Korsak and the J.J. twins are some of the local and foreign artists who have been featured so far. Tickets are priced at Rs 200 for each concert and all of it goes to the artists. "It's very difficult for budding artists to express themselves because they can't afford galleries or studios to play their music or display their art. They do it simply because they love it. We want give them this space," says Priscilla Caren who runs her own art studio themed 'Secret Garden'. Charcoal offers guitar lessons, voice training, creative writing,Argentinian Tango and fitness lessons. Charcoal is also often home to a periodical Colombo Book Swap Meet where book lovers can meet up and exchange books and stories.

 
The charming little coffee shop compliments the artistic mood and has on offer, some of the most yummiest tummy delights. Ifit's for a gentle chill time after work, or a stroll down to the beach, Charcoal is definitely worth a drop by.

For more updates on gigs or to reserve a space for your art, stay tuned to their facebook page
 https://www.facebook.com/CharcoalGalleryCafeSriLanka


Original article appeared on Ceylon Today Features on April 2nd