Get ready for ReggaeFest at Spellmans’ Social

Co-owners and siblings Ryan and Emily Spellman took over the Stir It Up Café premises during some trying times.

“We relocated from Queensland – all of our extended families from down this way [in Adelaide] – and when Covid hit obviously things were up in the air,” Ryan says. “We made a decision to come down and be closer to family.”

“The opportunity came up to take over the lease of the venue here in Glenelg East. So it was a reasonably quick turnaround – we had two weeks from when we said yes to opening doors pretty much – and that was in the midst of a lockdown as well.

“We didn’t know if we could get the same opportunity again so we jumped at it. Obviously going through those trying times [and] looking back, obviously yes, it’s been all worth it.”

Ryan says building a community through their café along with events they run has been “fun”.

“It keeps it interesting for us and enjoyable and also just gives the wider community something else close to home as well, rather than all the action [going on in] the city,” he says.

“It’s a little bit niche some of the events that we run, but it’s taken a while to get a bit of a following, but I feel like we’re slowly getting there, which is good.”

“Other than obviously having a love for it, the inspiration came from my time when I lived in London and the Notting Hill Carnival, which is a Caribbean festival in London,” Ryan says.

“I attended that for a couple of years and just really liked the atmosphere.

“It’s enjoyable, uplifting, soulful music. Everyone’s happy and really keen for a good time. Everyone can let their hair down, forget about the day-to-day.

“Everyone who rocked up last year are all good people and are there for the same reasons – it just felt like a big house party last year so we’re anticipating the same vibrations this year.”

R&B and reggae singer-songwriter Elena – now based in Adelaide – is set to play at Spellmans’.

Along with touring all around the Pacific, Elena is best known for contributing choir vocals to Disney’s Moana movie.

“She’s extremely talented,” Ryan says.

Fiji born blues artists, Joe Amputch, also now now based in Adelaide, is also set to perform this weekend, bringing his traditional island, blues, gospel and reggae music to Glenelg East.

Ryan says the team also have a “tailored Caribbean cocktail and food menu”.

“We’ve got jerk chicken rice and peas – traditional Jamaican dish – and then for our vego and vegan friends, our take on plantain fritters with rice and beans as well,” he says.

“So we’ll have a couple of satellite bars set up, and everyone who buys a ticket will get a [Pirate Life] South Coast Pale Ale on arrival to kick proceedings off.”

ReggaeFest Vol. 2 will take place this Saturday, October 26, at Spellmans’ Social which is located at 37 Maxwell Terrace, Glenelg East from 3pm until 9pm.

Final release tickets are $45, and the beer, wine and meal inclusive tickets are $95 which can both be purchased through the website.

Connect with the business on Instagram for more.