Following  much discussion of what an evening of arts could be and what London’s arts scene was missing, they decided that as young artists themselves, what they wanted to create was an informal café environment that would allow for fellow young artists to perform and display new work without commercial pressure.

They hit the ground running on September 25th, 2008, which they called First Part Deux. During the next few months they developed the model, thinking up new ideas of how to make it better, finding new artists that thrilled them and picking themes that tickled and challenged them.

Audience numbers started well and got better through word of mouth. They now have over 130 regulars every month. Not only have they received outstanding feedback from audiences, the response from the artists who have performed or displayed work has been overwhelmingly positive. They continue to source interesting artists from all media and are continually opening their door for new submissions.

Jeneration got in touch to find out more about the two and what makes them tick.

Who are you?

Maya: Maya Levy.

Tyne: Tyne Rafaeli.

What do you do?

Maya: Well, I am trying to survive doing things I love: I am a singer, songwriter, actress, theatre maker and music educator. I also have the good fortune of being the artistic director for interfaith performance events at West London Synagogue.

Tyne: Actress, director, producer (more specifically co-director of Open Arts Café).

What’s been the most significant Jewish experience in your life?

Maya: Pesach with my family in Israel when my grandfather was still alive.

Tyne: Going to Israel with my non-Jewish boyfriend.

Describe your perfect day

Maya: It would have to be outside. Hiking, canoeing or on a beach somewhere.

Tyne: A triathlon with my friends Becks and Elise... oh wait... I am doing one... please sponsor us ...

If you could invite anyone to dinner who would it be?

Maya: Barack Obama, obviously. I would quite like to have a dinner time chat with Cate Blanchett too.

Tyne: Emily Bronte, Neal Cassady, Barack Obama, Joel and Ethan Coen, Frederico Fellini, Pedro Almodovar, Dario Fo, Benicio Del Toro, Larry David, Penelope Cruz, Bill Gates my parents and my brother.

What’s your greatest fear?

Maya: Giving up.

Tyne:  Tarantulas.

You have 3 wishes, what are they?

Maya: a) I would have the gift of flight. Or at least unlimited plane tickets to visit home and scattered family members around the world. b) Loads of money, or at least enough to fully pay off my student loans in the States. c) World peace (credited to me).

Tyne: Peace in the Middle East, health for my family, emancipation for the women of Afghanistan.

Optimist or pessimist?

Maya: Optimist.

Tyne: Depends what mood I am in.

What do you think is most over-rated in today’s world?

Maya: Opinions.

Tyne:  Today's world.

And what’s under-rated?

Maya: Subjectivity.

Tyne:  Today's world.

What makes you happy?

Maya: Golly. Currently: Swashbuckling aboard the Golden Hinde and that funny looking animal called the long beaked echidna. They had an article with a picture in the NY Times . Made me laugh out loud.

Tyne: Swimming in the sea, my friends.

How important is your Jewish identity?

Maya: Quite important.

Tyne: Crucial.

What really winds you up?

Maya: Unreasonable people. Apathetic attitudes. Mediocrity.

Tyne: Being patronized, drivers who hate cyclists.

Favourite ice cream – and what does this say about you?

Maya: Chocolate. It says that at least when it comes to ice cream; I know exactly what I want.

Tyne: Dairy and sugar free. Everything.

How will people remember you in the future?

Maya: I would love my current students, ten years from now to say ‘I had this great teacher once who...’ and actually remember things that I told them.

Tyne: Courageous.

What can’t you live without?

Maya: Music.

Tyne: Laughing.

What’s the most controversial thing you’ve done?

Maya: Controversial. Not too much controversy in my life, I’m afraid. I have been to nudist beaches many times. Does that count?

Tyne: Responding to Caryl Churchill's play 'Seven Jewish Children' by writing a play with my brother called 'Seven Arab Children'. It has yet to be produced.

What’s your greatest achievement?

Maya: My music degree.

Tyne: Doing this survey.

Any embarrassing secrets? (don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone…)

Maya: I suspect that you will, in fact, tell everyone.

Tyne: Doing this survey (but you aren't gonna tell anyone right?).

Why did you agree to answer these questions?

Maya: We want everyone to know how much fun we are and to come to Open Arts Café. And that is why I agreed to answering these questions. Also, being interviewed makes me feel famous.

Tyne: Because Open Arts Café rocks and I wanted to share the love.