Last Sunday morning when we all rolled in, she was grooving around her espresso machine to My Cherie Amour (she'd been to see Stevie Wonder the night before, and was still in the zone). Madonna's gallery may be cosily proportioned but it's packed with energy and attitude and a riot of colourful 20th century collectables, set to a 60s vinyl soundtrack. Once we'd played with everything, and posed in all the retro armchairs, we settled around the big laminex table on the back verandah to celebrate Ellen's significant birthday.
Madonna served us coffee and heart-shaped chocolate petit-fours, served with berries and fresh cream (possibly from the cows in the paddock downstairs - at least, I like to think so). Part of the fun is waiting to see what your cup and saucer will look like. Red and white polka dots anyone? Wedgewood blue? 1950s green glass? Somehow it makes the coffee taste better. The sun shone and everyone was in a fine mood, and Ellen opened presents and Dawny and I annoyed everyone near us by singing along to Stevie. What a fine way to spend a Sunday.
The Black Madonna Art Lounge and Workshop can be found in an old timber mill at 30 King Street Cooran. Madonna opens the doors and turns on the coffee machine Thursday to Sunday: 10am to 3pm. She also holds workshops and special events.
Her place is not hard to find - this town is so small there isn't even a pub. No, I'm not kidding. There is, however, an excellent second-hand barn, where Loani bought a handful of retro knitting needles to add to her collection.
Cooran is some 30km north of Eumundi, and if you head west to Kenilworth, makes for a great round trip. And you can lunch at the pub, which is what we did, but that's a story for another day.
Postscript:
Since this article was posted, Madonna's gallery has sadly closed. No doubt she's off somewhere creating something wonderful. As soon as I find out, you'll be first to know!
