Talalaland – Creating a Buzz in Tala Square

A few years back I interviewed and featured the fascinating man that is Joep Klinkenbijl: Chef; artist; rock n roll pianist;  entertainment agent; website, electronic cigarette and ink recycling impresario; and event and radio DJ. I caught up with Joep this month to find out what new strings he has added to his groaning bow.

We met in the transformed Tala Square – in the last couple of years this area has been completely revamped and is now fully pedestrianised with beautiful landscaping on several levels of paving, an interactive fountain and coloured atmospheric lighting: a real square to be proud of, boasting several eateries, craft shops and an upmarket charity shop, just around the corner from the new church, evangelical shop and event hall.

Joep appears to be treating the new square as something of a Monopoly board. Last summer – on the 7.7.17 to be exact – he and his enterprising partner Johanna opened J & J’s Artworks at the top end of the square: an art gallery–cum-emporium selling creations by both Js (he paints and sculpts; she hand makes jewellery and mosaics; and they display and sell works of all kinds by other artists, including regular exhibitions focusing on one or two  local artists, usually with a gala opening evening with live music and refreshments).

Joep, a resident of Tala, has been instrumental along with Councillor Cathi Delaney in creating the hugely popular Tala Square Affair events, held outside  in the square with a wide variety of live entertainment, bringing all sections of the community together and raising large amounts for local charities. Red tape is currently holding back plans for these, but knowing Joep and Cathi, these will soon be overcome. Meanwhile Joep continues to support local artistes as well as artists by planning live music nights at his new venture.

This month brings – on the 8.8.18 – the official opening of J&J’s inspirationally named Talalaland – the premises previously known as Yesemi Tavern, exactly next door to Artworks (neighbouring shops should perhaps be a little afraid as 9.9.19 approaches).  Whilst the J&J touches are already appearing, this is still operating like Yesemi  as a friendly neighbourhood cafe bar, with the menu unchanged, but plans are to gradually introduce new items to the menu from all around the globe. Don’t forget Joep is a trained chef! The furniture is getting a Johanna-style revamp, and I sat at a beautiful aqua marine washed table. Everything in Talalaland – with a few exceptions such as the Js themselves – will be for sale, so when you order a cup of tea, that could literally include the cup, should you take a fancy to the unique crockery. A great place to work as a plongeur.

Those who miss The Double Dutch Show since this Dutchman flew from Rock FM last summer, will be delighted to learn that he intends holding regular discos as well as music nights with a kind of jukebox theme – he wants to book the evenings his customers want, so if jazz or blues is your thang, let Joep know. Likewise the menu!  Look out also for the regular Wednesday Quiz nights.

Joep is pronounced ‘Yoop’ and he was mercilessly teased by Lisa-Marie and me after admitting in our last interview that his mother called him Yoopi-poopi.  The name of the new venue is likely to attract similar attention but will certainly place it firmly on the map.

Monopoly jokes aside, Joep and Johanna have been welcomed into the Tala community which is fully evident in the warm buzz that the square now exudes. The variety of eating and drinking venues beats any nearby village and each one bears groups of happy table dwellers.   Once one gets over the shock and frustration of not being able to drive through or park in the square anymore, it really is a delight.