Volume 3, Issue 49
WEEKOF 14 DECEMBER TO 20 DECEMBER 2006 Inside: Music, Film, Art and Events
FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY
TOTALLY WIRED
CHARTING THE AMSTER.ALT.ROCK SCENE
JAAP SCHEEREN
PAGE 6
BELGRADE,A ROUGH RIDE PAGE 8 / ICH BIN EIN AMSTERDAMMER PAGE 4 / BMX XPRESS PAGE 4 CONS-DAM-TINOPLE PAGE 5 / THE SMELL OF HITLER’S KEBAB PAGE 11 / PRETTY PINK FILMS PAGE 23
14-20 December 2006
Amsterdam Weekly
CITY SECOND BY PETER CLEUTJENS Contents: On the cover Unravel the scene. Photo by Jaap Scheeren.
Features Forum Amsterdam. . . . . . . 4 BMX Flatland . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Istanbul in Amsterdam . . . 5 A’dam rock ’n’ wall chart. . 6 Rough Guide to Belgrade . 8
Going out Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 German Night . . . . . . . . . . 11 You are what you make . . 11 Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Gay & Lesbian . . . . . . . . . . 16 Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Roze Filmdagen . . . . . . . . 23 Film Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Plus The Glutton . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Eefje Wentelteefje . . . . . . 27
Amsterdam Weekly is a free cultural paper distributed every Wednesday in Amsterdam. Paid subscriptions are available on request. For details, write to info@amsterdamweekly.nl. Contents of Amsterdam Weekly are copyright 2006 Amsterdam Weekly BV. All rights reserved. Winner of 3 European Newspaper Awards Amsterdam Weekly BV De Ruyterkade 106, 1011 AB Amsterdam Tel: 020 522 5200 Fax: 020 620 1666 www.amsterdamweekly.nl General info: info@amsterdamweekly.nl Agenda listings: agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl Advertising: sales@amsterdamweekly.nl PUBLISHER Todd Savage EDITOR Steve Korver ASSISTANT EDITOR Kim Renfrew AGENDA EDITOR Steven McCarron FILM EDITOR Julie Phillips PROOFREADER Mark Wedin EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah Gehrke ART DIRECTOR Bas Morsch PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Mattijs Arts, Rogier Charles, Monica Ragazzini SALES ASSOCIATES Haitske van Asten, Alexander Gan, Simon Poole, Justin Rink, Carolina Salazar OPERATIONS MANAGER Monique Gruter OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Desislava Pentcheva DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Patrick van der Klugt DISTRIBUTION INTERN Chris Tian FINANCIAL ADVISER Kurt Schmidt, Veresis Consulting PRINTER Het Volk Printing ISSN 1872-3268 THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS Peter Bartlema, Willem de Blaauw, Anuschka Blommers, Leon Caren, Peter Cleutjens, Dara Colwell, Floris Dogterom, Matt Groening, Monique Gruter, Bas Jacobs, Johanna Ketola, Steve Korver, David Lee, Jeroen de Leijer, Nick Leslie, Steven McCarron, Kim Renfrew, Marinus de Ruiter, Jaap Scheeren, Niels Schumm, Shain Shapiro, Linawati Sidarto, Yvo Sprey, Nenad Vukmirovic, Mark Wedin and Woek.
08/12/2006 - 15:20 - DAPPERMARKT
3
Amsterdam Weekly
4
`z
AROUND TOWN
YVO SPREY
From A to B and back again.
Which is shittier: Amsterdam or Berlin? By Linawati Sidarto ‘Artists go to Berlin, then leave again. But they stay in Amsterdam.’ That’s what some cultural pundits say. Or is this really just another way of saying that Berlin is currently the dynamic, ‘It’ place for art and its players, while Amsterdam clamours to hold on to the status it once had? ‘Both are cities with a lot of creative people,’ says urban economics expert Giovanni Padula, keynote speaker at the Forum Amsterdam seminar, The Role of the City in Building Europe, which was held at Felix Meritis this weekend. One central topic was the comparison of Berlin with Amsterdam, and both cities’ status and roles within the art and cultural world. The panel members—all active within the cultural sphere—were in agreement that both places are in Europe’s so-called ‘second league cities’, together with Barcelona and Vienna. In the premier league, naturally, are Paris and London. Jan Heeren, responsible for cultural affairs for the City of Amsterdam, points out that both cities are ‘liberal and tolerant,’ two qualities which are essential for attracting creative souls. However, Heeren and others were also quick to underline the vast differences between the two neighbouring countries’ most important cultural centres.
‘The history of Europe in the twentieth century has played out in a very dramatic way in one city: Berlin,’ said Joachim Umlauf of the Goethe Institut. ‘Berlin is Germany’s art and political capital.’ Decades of kinship that one half of the city had with the Eastern Bloc—formerly seen more as a curse—is now also looked upon by many as an advantage. ‘Berlin is a combination of Western and Eastern Europe,’ said George Lawson of SICA, the Service Centre for International Cultural Activities, based on Keizersgracht. ‘The eastern part of the city is still a showcase of the science and culture of Eastern Europe. It’s an interesting tension, and one still feels this every day,’ added Lawson, who also used to be the Dutch cultural attaché to Berlin. In comparison with Berlin, Amsterdam has known relative peace and prosperity in the past centuries, and has boasted of its status as a financial and cultural centre. ‘With this relative stability also comes a lack of urgency. There is this sort of arrogance that we are doing very well,’ said Ferry Houterman of MKB, the association of small- and mediumsized enterprises. Umlauf admitted that many artists go to Berlin because of the relatively low cost of living, and that they often leave again after a certain period of time. ‘But maybe this is not always a bad thing. They spread the good image of Berlin elsewhere,’ he said, adding that Berlin’s population has been constant in the years following the fall of the Wall. Even prior to reunification, both of Germany and the city, Berlin was already trying to attract budding artists. ‘Berlin offered residency to unknown young artists. This, I think, is very important: to create an atmosphere and a context in which people feel free to be creative.’ Lawson pointed out that presently in Berlin there are ‘very strong definitions of the quality of art. People are very critical.
For Dutch artists who live there, it is very inspiring to be judged immediately by the public.’ Amsterdam, in a way, suffers from its own success. ‘Sometimes it seems like we lack the drive towards excellence,’ said Houterman. ‘We’re good at everything, but we’re not the best at anything.’ Take the city’s Rietveld art academy. ‘It certainly has the potential to become one of the world’s leading art universities. But why isn’t it?’ he asked. Criticism aside, Amsterdam’s image as one of Europe’s most important art capitals remains etched in the minds of the international circuit. One of the seminar’s attendees said that he now lived in Shanghai, which is preparing itself to be the host of the 2010 World Expo. ‘The Chinese clearly look towards Amsterdam as one of the cultural centres of Europe, aside from London, Madrid, Paris and Rome. Berlin hardly gets mentioned.’
Flatland NL BMX bandits battle out shitloads of moves. By Mark Wedin It had been raining earlier in the day; the sun has just set and a nearby heron stands motionless, staring at the water. Artificial light from the Holland Casino, near Leidseplein, pours onto a wet terrace where Hoite Polkamp is spinning around, attempting a complicated trick on his little BMX bike. The bike slips from under him, slides across the cement, and plunges into the adjacent canal. Polkamp
JOHANNA KETOLA
Ich bin ein Amsterdammer
darts after it, letting out a few expletives, barely grabbing the handlebars before the bike can sink out of reach. ‘That was horrible,’ he sighs, then rolls his bike back to the centre of the patio and tries another manoeuvre. The heron continues to ignore him. For years, Polkamp and other local BMX enthusiasts have been meeting on this smooth bit of concrete outside the casino to practice their moves, show off new gear or simply talk shop with their friends. ‘We pretty much come here every day, unless it’s raining or snowing,’ says Polkamp. ‘They even added us to the canal boat tours. They’ll say: “On your right are the BMX stunt guys,” and everyone will wave. But that’s more in the summer, when there’s a shitload of tourists.’ The popularity of BMX freestyle biking in the Netherlands has been steadily growing, particularly since Polkamp and his friend, Michiel Verberg, initiated an annual competition called Flatground— the latest of which will be held this weekend at NDSM. ‘It started out really small,’ recalls Polkamp, ‘just a handful of us in a gym in Amsterdam West. We didn’t even think to make flyers until about two weeks before the event.’ But now, six years on, Flatground has grown to a large, well-sponsored event, with over 200 competitors representing 25 different countries. ‘It’s pretty wild how it grew: from completely informal, to totally international. And we have a shitload of volunteers helping out.’ (Like surfers and their regular use of ‘dude’, BMX riders seem to love the word ‘shitload’.) An important distinction of the Flatground competition is that it’s strictly intended for the BMX style known as ‘flatland’, where riders perform tricks on a level surface. ‘It’s a bit like breakdancing on a bike,’ explains Polkamp. It started in the early 80s, ‘with guys just fooling around while waiting for the BMX dirt races to start. From there, different disciplines evolved, like street riding, where
14-20 December 2006
you use the city as a playground, grinding rails and jumping. Or park riding, where you ride in the skate parks. But I like flatland,’ continues Polkamp, ‘because it offers more freedom for creativity, and the technical aspects of tricks are more appealing to me.’ He calls over 15-year-old David Linszen to demonstrate a few moves. To the untrained eye, it looks like Linszen is merely standing on different points of the bike and spinning in circles. But in fact, he’s executing several subtle transitions between a variety of manoeuvres. ‘Yeah,’ says Polkamp, ‘he’s doing a shitload of combinations.’ One of his moves is called the steamroller: he stands on a peg of the front wheel while rolling forward and holding the back wheel off the ground. Another, called the hitchhiker, has Linszen lifting the back wheel directly above the front wheel, leaving the bike perpendicular to the ground, while rolling along with one hand in the air and standing on the front pegs. Polkamp has high hopes for the young biker, who’s competing in the master’s rounds this weekend. ‘I started riding flatland because of the third Flatground competition,’ says Linszen. ‘I really liked the tricks they were doing.’ Since then, he’s been practicing on the casino terrace almost every evening after school. ‘Because of the event, many more people try riding and try to progress,’ adds Polkamp. ‘It’s pretty hard to get into it if pros aren’t coming here every year and inspiring everyone. There’s probably about two hundred serious flatlanders in the Netherlands—I mean guys that are doing it everyday.’ Along with the home team, Polkamp also recommends keeping an eye on the Japanese riders. ‘They come every year— always with a bunch of guys. They have a distinct style: fast and furious. Really spectacular.’ The newest aspect of this year’s Flatground is the addition of a direct, head-to-head battle between the pros in the final rounds. ‘Nobody’s ever done this before,’ beams Polkamp. ‘You’ll get weird interaction this way. There’s always guys who don’t want to ride against each other. It can be a bit political.’ Typically, one rider would perform tricks for a few minutes, then the next rider would do the same. But now they must execute their moves simultaneously, improvise off each other, and directly compete to go onto the next round. ‘It should get the audience more involved as well.’ Until then, those representing the Amsterdam crew will continue to practise on the same concrete patio. And they’ll continue long after the event, as well. Flatground06, 10.00-18.00, 16-17 December, NDSM, Neveritaweg 15, €6 day, €10 weekend pass, €20 weekend pass including Melkweg party on 16 December, www.flatground06.com
I keep tripping over this dang thing.
Amsterdam Weekly
Back and forth to Turkey Prosperity, like shit, smells the same everywhere. By Floris Dogterom Sadik Yemni shows a picture of himself as a baby, sitting in his mother’s arms. They are surrounded by other women and children. The photograph was taken 55 years ago, in the Istanbul neighbourhood of Tatavla. Sadik points at the women: ‘That woman is Greek, that woman is Armenian. It was a cosmopolitan neighbourhood; I liked it a lot. Although we moved to Izmir when I was three years old, I went back there every year—and I still do.’ Yemni is a Turkish writer who came to live in Amsterdam back in 1975. He writes in Turkish, but many of his books have been translated into Dutch. ‘Amsterdam was, and is, one of the most special cities in the world,’ Yemni says. ‘In the Seventies, the hippy area was still going. There was an atmosphere of freedom. The Melkweg symbolises that period for me. There, I got my share of hash cake and I could see bands play that I knew from the cheap Czechoslovakian records we used to play in Izmir. That’s unforgettable. I knew all those bands, but they never played in Izmir. I still remember seeing this poster with the announcement of a Pink Floyd show in Rotterdam, only eighty kilometres away! To me, that show was like an encounter with a UFO.’
To support himself, Yemni did many odd jobs, until 1981, when he found a position as bridge man. Later, he developed his writing skills. Unfortunately, he doesn’t make enough to live off his work, and has to rely on an uitkering for the moment. Next year that situation will change, when Yemni coordinates a wave of lectures and other activities around the work of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the great medieval philosopher and poet from Anatolia. Yemni says: ‘His books are still best-sellers in the US, eight hundred years after they were written.’ Yemni says that, as he sees it, there are actually three Istanbuls: ‘For the first forty years of my life, Istanbul was the Istanbul of my uncle. He was a dermatologist, a rich man, who lived in a villa on the Bosporus. When my writing career got off the ground, I got to know another Istanbul: that of the less-rich people, intellectuals and artists, who threw parties and were submerged in the nightlife. I liked that Istanbul even more. The third Istanbul is in the making. Like every other expat, one day I want to go back and live there. Incidentally, I tried to leave the Netherlands permanently before, twice. But I also came back twice.’ The first thing Yemni notices when he returns from Istanbul to Amsterdam are the relatively quiet streets. Life in Istanbul takes place in the public arena. ‘And everything is so well organised here,’ Yemni adds. ‘Squares and rectangles are essential patterns in this country. That goes for the layout of the streets, the houses and so on. Even the trees are neatly lined up. In Istanbul, life is less orderly.’ In places, though, the two cities are also alike. ‘Amsterdam-Zuid looks pretty much like the prosperous neighbourhoods of Istanbul,’ says Yemni. ‘Prosperity smells the same everywhere, just like shit does.’
5
A happy family in Istanbul. We talk with the baby.
Over the years, he has seen the two cities he loves change. ‘The house where I was born does not exist anymore. A luxury—but ugly—apartment block has taken its place. I don’t recognise a thing anymore in Tatavla. That hurts. Amsterdam has changed as well. The atmosphere of the city is different from before. Amsterdam used to be a prime representative of the free spirit; that spirit still exists, but to a much lesser extent. But I don’t think Amsterdam is unique in that. The whole world has changed. People are not so much into political ideals anymore as they are into technology. In Istanbul I notice the same. There’s a different kind of energy around now. I don’t say that’s bad or good, it’s just different. Trying to adapt to modern times confuses people. I think that’s also a difference with Amsterdam. Modern times have already settled in here.’ Modern times have also caused the last sex cinemas in Amsterdam to close down, something that Yemni regrets. ‘There used to be two sex cinemas in the middle of town: Central and Parisien,’ says Yemni. ‘Sure, you can still see porn movies in the Wallen area, but that’s a different thing. In the Seventies, people used to watch porn movies together in a public building. These days they rent a DVD. All big cities like Paris and Istanbul still have sex cinemas. Amsterdam doesn’t. That’s a sign of the times, although I don’t know what that sign means.’ From Saturday, another slice of Turkey will find a home in Amsterdam: the Nieuwe Kerk will be hosting the exhibition Istanbul—The Ottomans. Nearly 300 treasures of the sultans from many museums in Istanbul will be on display. But no sex cinemas.
Amsterdam Weekly
6
14-20 December 2006
THE AMSTERDAM ALT. ROCK STAR CHART THE BENT MOUSTACHE
What do you do? We are a band. Day jobs? Sound engineer / tour manager for different bands. Are you part of a scene? Definitely not. Best band in Amsterdam? Dusty Blinds. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? Let’s not get into that. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Nope. Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Not yet. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? Amsterdam is a very rocking town. Or is it all too gezellig? Rockingly gezellig. Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? Your enemy. Then you won’t get mummed up the ass by corporate whores. Biertje? Oh why not (NO Heineken!)
ZANY
ZEA
THE IK JAN CREMERS
What do you do? We are Clarice, Clemens, Clint & Clarence Cremer and we get together whenever we feel like it and make pieces of wood cry and our ears bleed. Sometimes people stand in front of us voluntarily and we make them cry and/or bleed as well. Day jobs? Necessary evil, there has to be bread on the plate every morning to feed our hungry families. We are teachers, secretaries, carpenters and professional lanterfanters. Are you part of a scene? We are frequently kicked out of scenes for causing scenes we are scene and have been scene. So no, not really, but thanks for asking. Best band in Amsterdam? I Bomberi dell’ Hospitale. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? Persil. Ariel washes so much whiter. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Sorry, no, but thanks for asking. Although we might announce something very special on stage on 19 December. Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Trevor H, our sound man. He’s a grumpy old tosser and f*cks with our sound, but oddly enough it does help somehow. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? Amsterdam Rock Party is what we say! Or is it all too gezellig? Noooo. Oudhollandse gezelligheid mot der ook weze, niet dan nou dan? Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? Jan Schenk, just because he is the one and only Jan Schenk. Biertje? Paint thinner on the rocks please.
BLUES BROTHER CASTRO
OIL
DAVID GILMOUR GIRLS
What do you do? I play guitar and entertain the band with funny anecdotes while on tour. Day jobs? Primary school teacher. Are you part of a scene? Well... there is a booming scene in Amsterdam of rocking teachers... In a few years it will pay off and all the kids will make and listen to indie rock music again. Best band in Amsterdam? Morrissey, even though he is not really from Amsterdam. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? For sure, the Hospital Bombers. First all tough talk and then record a sissy album which will be released who knows when. Sad and disappointing. Really, the shame of the town. Any hot steamy scene gossip? In Barcelona I saw the guys from zZz drinking a beer. Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? I try to offend them all but they know they’re crap so they take little or no offence. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? Our last show outside Amsterdam was in Zwolle. Compared to that town Amsterdam is quite funky. Or is it all too gezellig? The second B in BBC stands for gezellig. That says it all, doesn’t it? Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? The doorman at the Korsakoff. He always lets me in for free. Biertje? Why not?
SELY FRIDAY IRITANTO
STALLONES
JONUS
VOICST SAL
ABOUT
THE MOI NON PLUS
What do you do? We make pop music. GOTTHARD Day jobs? Two days a week, as a database analyst. Are you part of a scene? I’m not an actor. Best band in Amsterdam? Every dog has its day. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? The Shizzle Sisters. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Sven from Voicst hugs trees. Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Yes. Pete Doherty. Yes. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? As far as bands go: yes. Or is it all too gezellig? Dunno. I stay in working a lot. Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? The guitarist standing on my left, your right. Biertje? Where?
SYKOSONICS
SEEDLING
DE JEANETTEN
What do you do? We play stadium anti-folk. Day jobs? Yes, shitty part-time ones that pay the rent. Are you part of a scene? Yes, (a series of) flash back scenes. Best band in Amsterdam? The Mountain Goats, come April. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? Aux Raus. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Everybody’s dying. Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Yes. Dick Dale. Yes, it gives us focus. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? We wouldn’t know; we mostly stay inside. Or is it all too gezellig? Well it’s gezellig inside. We play boardgames. Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? Leon Caren. He knows things. And has a van. Biertje? Okee, maar dat is echt de laatste.
NORMA JEAN
SEESAW
LUL SOLBAKKEN ROCK LEGENDA
BAND NAME BAND NAME BAND NAME
band performs at subbacultcha! band still exists band no longer exists direct link through shared band members other link (e.g. guest appearance, accountant, etc.)
KANIPCHEN FIT
DRESS
ALPACA
ZOPPO CEASAR
GHOST TRUCKER THE HEIGHTS
WOUNDED KITE
TOM CAT
MISS ANTARCTICA
AVEC AISSANCE
THE TENNANTS
SOLEX
GRAM
HOSPITAL BOMBERS
BETTIE SERVEERT
PFAFF
KOPNA KOPNA
What do you do? I’m a musician, I play in two bands: Caesar and Ghost Trucker, and I write music for film. Day jobs? I’m a part-timer at GET records, a dusty little record store. Are you part of a scene? Dunno. Some people would say the Excelsior Recordings scene I guess. Our label is pretty stigmatic ; ). Best band in Amsterdam? Well, I’m really impressed by Alamo Race Track. Their music is exciting, they look very cool on stage and they sing about cats. Also the Hospital Bombers. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? None, it’s the Den Haag bands that are really overrated. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Well, hey, I can only say: it wasn’t me. Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Hmm, I don’t think so. I’m a friendly guy. Too friendly maybe! Is Amsterdam a rocking town? Yeah, it kinda rocks. I still like the rockiness of it. I mean, people are getting to be more creative, nice underground gigs... grrrrreat bands Or is it all too gezellig? Yes, yes gezellig. That too. Gezellig rock. But I like that. Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? Jan Willem Sligting. He’s the booker at the Paradiso and a great guy. And every musician should try to play the Paradiso main hall at least once in their life. And then die. Or maybe a bit later. Biertje? yesss.
Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006
7
AMSTERDAM.ARE YOU READY TO ALT.ROCK? It’s in the stars. It’s in the bars. It’s in the nature of village life: seven degrees of separation become one. We tracked down the hottest bands (read: the ones that returned our emails) to share their most intimate secrets before rocking out at the subbacultcha! party on Tuesday 19 December. You can almost hear the theme to Deliverance providing the basic background track... But at least it rocks. Oh and sorry that you have to tape these pages together before hanging it up— but that just makes it more DIY! And remember, this just the tip of the inbred iceberg...
T-99
DONKEY
Did you know that...
What do you do? I’m guitarist and vocalist in T-99. We play alternative roots rock; a mixture of American roots styles like rock ’n’ roll, country, blues, jazz and surf. We like to add some European influences like klezmer and gypsy music to it as well. Day jobs? I do a lot of things, but playing music is my first profession. Are you part of a scene? Are there scenes in Amsterdam? I have never noticed that. I like to hang out with friends who share the same interests of music. Best band in Amsterdam? There are a lot of great bands in Amsterdam which I like. For instance the Anaconda’s, the 69-ers, Superbird, zZz, Pedro Delgados and The Blue Grass Boogiemen, although most of them live in Utrecht. Does that count too? Most overrated band in Amsterdam? I don’t have a clue, seriously. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Yeah! Besides the Subbacultcha! show we will be playing on New Year’s Eve at Maloe Melo together with three other great bands! Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Although I can call myself a happy dude, I have to fight some demons sometimes. They tell me to write dark songs which turn out to be all killer songs. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? Hell yeah! Or is it all too gezellig? For my feeling, the live band-circuit was a little dead for a while but it seems that it’s coming back again. Of course it is what you make of it. If you look properly, there are so many great spots to catch good bands playing. Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? My colleagues in T-99... They are honest and conscious pals and brothers... Biertje? Yes please, dank je...
NUFF SAID THE AMOKS
THE EX
T-99’s Mischa den Haring is keeping a big part of the scene out of trouble with the belastingdienst ?
CHECK 1-2
We didn’t include sexual relationships in this scheme because that would have made the whole thing way too complicated?
THE PEDRO DELGADOS
FAT PETE & THE SHERPAS ZZZ
BINGO TRAPPERS
DE JEUGD VAN TEGENWOORDIG
13
THE OUTSIDERS
THE ANOMALYS
HALLO VENRAY LOS TIKI BOYS
JOHAN
THE DAM
DE KIFT
RON & THE SPLINTERS
DO THE UNDO
PAULUSMA DARYL ANN FATAL FLOWERS REX
SCRAM C BABY
REIZENDE VERKOPER
ALAMO RACE TRACK
TREBLE SPANKERS ELLEN TEN DAMME
SILVERSHED
THE GATHERING MAKAZORUKI GEIGERCOUNTING
BAUER
CLAW BOYS CLAW COPARCK
AUX RAUS
Michiel Verburgh played drums in Zea, Seedling, Pfaff and Blues Brother Castro and is currently the drummer for The Ik Jan Cremers? He could also have been the new drummer with Scram C Baby, but was too busy playing tennis? Rumour has it that Leon Caren (Blues Brother Castro) beat Michiel Verburgh 6-0 on the courts and he definitely played drums in Scram C Baby for a short while, later being replaced by Henk Jonkers, who claims ‘not to play tennis at all’ as he is too busy playing drums in Hallo Venray, 13, Do the Undo, Los Tiki Boys and Scram C Baby? A group of four individuals pretty much glue the whole thing together: Jeroen Kleijn, Geert de Groot, Henk Jonkers and Bas Jacobs? Remco Frijns is famous for knowing where to find the best sandwiches in the remotest areas of both Europe and the United States? Hospital Bombers’ Jan Schenk was once the driver for the Ellen ten Damme band, and at one time ended up on stage during a show they did on national televison, though it was a playback performance, so no harm was done?
SHINE
SONETIC VET
Transformed Dreams and Excelsior appear to be the two dominant clans in this community? Marcel Hermans from Transformed Dreams is also known as de neus?
SKIDMARKS
NINGINKATA DOLLYGRIP
Aux Raus are the only band that openly admit to being part of a scene but can’t, for some reason, be linked to any other band in Amsterdam?
GONE BALD
What do you do? We make gabberpunk. Day jobs? Yes, sometimes. Are you part of a scene? Yes. Best band in Amsterdam? Tieten. Most overrated band in Amsterdam? The Missing Organs: pathetic songs and a boring live show. Any hot steamy scene gossip? Yes, the knife has a wife who has a fork that can talk, and then the cat died! Do you have an enemy? Who? Does it help? Greyskull, Lord of the Darkness. It helps to profile yourself as the exact opposite of him. Is Amsterdam a rocking town? Very much so. Or is it all too gezellig? Jesus... Who is the best person to know as far as music goes? Why? Sanne Groeneveld, the best producer in town. Biertje? No, give me a toppertje and a Breezer, pineapple.
The Amoks toured through Europe in the lap of luxury: their van broke down in Holland and the ANWB didn’t have any spare vans, so supplied the band with two brand new Mercedes? That you can find more juicy gossip on NPI’s extensive pop encyclopedia at www.npi.nl? A lot of Amsterdam bands were not mentioned in this chart, simply because it would be an impossible task. This only gives a hint of what’s out there. So if you want to know what it all sounds like, visit Subbacultcha! on Tuesday. Subbacultcha! Second Anniversary Party, 19 December, Paradiso, Weteringschans 6-8, 626 4521, €10 + membership, www.subbacultcha.nl This Chart was made with the help of Leon Caren and Bas Jacobs.
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elgrade is scenically located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers where cliffs rise to form the fortress Kalemegdan, the perfect setting to enjoy some ‘liquid of the soul’, slivovic, while the sun sets. The city has been an East-meetsWest crossroads for millennia, which made it one of the more cosmopolitan cities in its region. It is also home to the hottest peppers, the meatiest mixed grills and the wickedest Romani brass tunes. The cultural scene is vibrant and fuelled by a large student population. Hell, it’s even home to the Nikola Tesla museum! ‘That’s very romantic of you,’ Vladimir Jeric, AKA Vlidi, says over smokes and coffee; obviously the bespectacled Serbian rock musician and media pundit comes equipped with a good dose of jaded Belgrade humour. He’s in town for this week’s ‘Rough Guide to Belgrade’, hosting a media programme at De Balie and playing with his legendary underground band Darkwood Dub in the Melkweg. However, he’s not much help at providing a nice fluff piece that champions Belgrade as a new central European hotspot: ‘Belgrade is ugly; don’t go for the architecture. I only return for the people.’ Since the civil wars broke up the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Belgrade —the ‘White City’—continues to reflect a full spectrum of greys (but it’s still cooler than Prague).
Amsterdam Weekly
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A distinct marketing problem Belgrade as a brand has been battling a marketing problem ever since Geert Wilders look-a-like Slobodan Milosevic used it as a base for his populist Serbian nationalist agenda. But, even while manipulating elections both directly and through the state-controlled media, he would never win an election in Belgrade itself. The ensuing wars, UN sanctions and NATO bombings created both monetary and cultural poverty. Later hot-housing of gangsters by Milosevic only cemented its status as pariah in Europe. The immediate fall-out was that hundreds of thousands of residents left— thousands came to Amsterdam alone. Those who stayed—and who did not succumb to drug or alcohol addiction in those dreary times—were forced to be creative. Vlidi stayed. ‘I was just stubborn... What happened cannot be summed up in a few words. The basic info is out there. But who’s to blame? You can interpret much by looking at the groups of people who now own the region: follow the money and the distribution of power. But what happened has not been studied enough. A multi-ethnic nation fell apart— with definite warning signs. I’m still puzzled why the EU isn’t interested in researching these signs, so these things don’t repeat. ‘The increasing influence and power of media were fundamental. Political agendas were channelled through pop culture and media. On that level, it became a battle between “strategic media”, owned by the businesses and government, and “tactical” media, based on ground-up and self-organised networks of resistance. Media was key to the sustainability of the regime at the time, and the same media machine is still being used by the post-5 October [2000, the date Milosevic was ousted] government.’ The former Yugoslavia already had both types of media in place: a state appa-
WELCOME TO BELGRADE IN ALL ITS SHADES OF GREY Darkwood Dub’s frontman sings a soulful song of Serbia and its media wars. BY STEVE KORVER ILLUSTRATION BY NENAD VUKMIROVIC
ratus which governed very much from above—but there was also personal freedom relative to its Eastern Bloc neighbours—that helped create its famed underground music scene and network. Darkwood Dub formed in 1988 and Vlidi remembers the tail-end of those glory days. ‘Belgrade bands would hold their biggest shows in Zagreb. And vice versa.’ In the 1990s, that network was destroyed by war. The nationalists started exploiting popular music to romanticise both Serbian identity and the gangster lifestyle. It came to be called ‘turbofolk’, though the term was appropriated from Montenegrin musician Rambo Amadeus, who used it satirically. A merry dance indeed. Belgrade as export product There was a resistance movement, however. Student group OTPOR did the organising, Radio B92 provided the news and soundtrack and, thanks to modems,
Real Audio and server space volunteered by Amsterdam’s own—and then still more hacktivist—XS4ALL, it could continue broadcasting even when Milosevic tried to ban it during the three-month-long student uprising in 1996-7, where between 100,000 and 200,000 people a day stormed the streets to protest and party. But Vlidi believes Wired magazine was premature in describing it as the first ‘Internet Revolution’. After all, in the end, Milosevic ended up consolidating his power, UN sanctions continued and NATO bombing began. It was only in October 2000 that dissident forces, along with a united front of democratic parties and businesses, protested Milosevic’s refusal to accept his election loss. In the prelude to these elections, Darkwood Dub—if you like the name, you’ll like their music—played 26 Serbian cities to rally disillusioned youth into registering their votes. It worked. ‘October 2000 was great. It was
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charged with optimism and seen as the long-awaited award. But it was in fact just the beginning—all the structures and most of the people were still in place. Everyone was exhausted already and so disappointment was inevitable.’ But did the revolution succeed? Milosevic did end up at The Hague Tribunal. Student activists were sent off to spread their version of noisy, peaceful and internet-fuelled revolution to Georgia in 2003—where they even used much of the same branding, including OTPOR’s raised fist. This was the same year as proEurope and democracy Prime Minister Zoran Dindic was assassinated as a reprisal for his battle against organised crime. His death formed the impetus for mass arrests and finally, the jails were getting full. ‘The revolution was a failure,’ says Vlidi. ‘And one should not export failure. Anyway you cannot just directly cut–and–paste an approach on another situation. In Belgrade, the real gangsters are still in power. They just got rid of the competition. Big business won. Heineken. Tuborg. People are now distracted with loans and mortgages. You can actually say nothing has changed. ‘Belgrade is the largest city in the region. It would be natural if it became a major node for ideas and culture again. We could have caught up much more quickly if we studied other countries in transition. We could have cut and paste what worked there to save time. For instance, Slovenia’s government now runs forty-two per cent of its software on open source Linux operating systems. We could have been inspired by what is going on in Brazil. We needed a culture minister like Gilberto Gil!’ Belgrade today Meanwhile, broadcaster B92 has gone mainstream: the radio plays the Billboard chart, the TV is launching Big Brother. ‘[It] equally aligns videos, silicon tits and deaths in Iraq—you can’t take it seriously,’ says Vlidi. Meanwhile liberal-intellectual magazine Vreme, another beacon of light in those times, ‘now only speaks to the two hundred people who are mentioned in it’. On Wednesday in De Balie, Vlidi joins a panel that includes the director of B92 and a Vreme columnist. Sparks will fly. There’s good news, too: underground music scenes from the old republics are reuniting and festivals like Exit attract 150,000 visitors, many from the other former republics. But the political reality remains: in Novi Sad, where Exit takes place, 80% of the population support the Serbian Radical Party, fronted by Vojislav Seselj who said: ‘We will scoop Croat eyeballs out with a rusty spoon’ and who is currently recovering from a hunger strike while awaiting trial in Den Haag. So, go to Belgrade, but not as a disaster tourist. Otherwise you might as well stay home and read stories about DutchBat’s medals for Srebrenica. But even then, keep a sense of proportion: ‘If you think Dutch politics are going through rough times at the moment, check out Serbia’s,’ says Vlidi. ‘Then take an aspirin.’ A Rough Guide to Belgrade, 13-15 December, De Balie, various times and prices, www.a-rough-guide.net. Belgrade Beats night w/ Darkwood Dub and Belgradeyard Sound system, 14 December Melkweg, 21.00, €10.
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Amsterdam Weekly
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SHORT LIST
Sonic Youth (State-X New Forms 2006), Friday, Paard van Troje
THURSDAY14 DECEMBER
FRIDAY15 DECEMBER
Dance: Sleepless
Festival: State-X New Forms 2006
It’s no accident that NDT II’s premiere of Jirí Kylián’s Sleepless is a hands-down triumph which belongs to the elite of choreography. Without exception, all of Kylián’s works are mini masterpieces which steadfastly remain on the most wanted lists of commisions from contemporary and classical dance companies. In Sleepless he has created a hallucinogenic effect by weaving his dancers in and out of the décor, making them invisible and then unpredictably reappear. When his elegant creatures re-emerge, dancing without boundaries, you witness their deep connection with and command of their instrument. They are liquid, languid, dazzling and poised for more. Left and centre on the programme are two works by choreographic-duo Lightfoot and Leon, the first of which, is Subject to Change, an expressive number performed to Schubert’s Der Tod und das Mädchen. This is followed by Shutters Shut, a piece built on Gertrude Stein’s poem ‘If I Told Him’, which merges gestures with floods of the spoken word. (Monique Gruter) Stadsschouwburg, 20.15, €11.50-€22.
December is as far from the festival season as it gets. Switching from summer to winter last year, State-X New Forms has only grown stronger—not least because they’ve enticed New York experimental rockers Sonic Youth into headlining this year. It doesn’t matter what age you are, or that the music media barely bothers to blink when a new Sonic Youth album comes along. As soon as the feedback starts and Kim Gordon spins, Den Haag will be putty in their hands. And don’t let the presence of indie legends overshadow the rest of this indoor two-dayer. It’s built upon three foundations: ‘X-Plore’ tackles new developments in experimental pop; ‘X-Plain’ deals with the history of experimental music; and ‘X-Pect’ focuses on the future. Spread across four rooms, the fantastic line-up includes Mono, Danielson, Aavikko, Dream/Aktion Unit, No-Neck Blues Band, Love is All and many more. See www.state-xnewforms.nl. (Steven McCarron) Paard van Troje, 20.00, Den Haag, €27.50 Fri, €17.50 Sat, €35 festival pass.
Gay & Lesbian: Pink-O-Rama Lights, camera... action! Yep, it’s that time of year, sweetie, when Amsterdam turns pink for 10 days as the Roze Filmdagen festival hits town. Those who prefer to dance and look—rather than just sit and watch—head for the Pink-O-Rama opening party, this year in the rather glam environs of 11. DJs Toon & Martijn from Spellbound, Lupe from UNK and Acid Nouveau join dyke’s delight Sandrien from MAD & Vreemd. Name that film. Cut! See also article on p. 23. (Willem de Blaauw) 11, 22.30, €8.
Pop: Love is All Love is All are a shoe-gazy, new-wavey pop band that obsessively disseminate their own version of what a love song should sound like. Sure, 99% of all songs are love songs, but their interpretation of the pop music standard is lovely, conjuring up comparisons to Blondie, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Oohlas. Unlike acts that shroud their romaticism in useless metaphor, Love is All, in moniker, theme and intent, are doing it for love, no more, no less, as exemplified by their honest debut, Nine Times the Same Song. By rolling out just over thirty minutes of punchy, synthesised love ballads, the album proves it’s how well you perform, not how long you last. There is no need for the album to be any longer as, instead of over-sating the palate, the band leave you guessing, wondering how all this glee went by so fast, and when the next batch of loveliness is en route. (Shain Shapiro) Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.30, €9 + membership.
Rock: Gone Bald If you ever thought Amsterdam’s noise rock scene was grumpy, solitary and buried underground, you’d be wrong. In reality, the scene loves a party, and Amsterdam-Croatian noise mongers Gone Bald love nothing more than providing the excuse—this time with their 12-and-a-half year anniversary. Formed in Zagreb in 1994 by guitarist/vocalist Razorblade Jr, the band have faced many transitions and relocations over the years. But they’re firmly an Amsterdam trio now, and have never sounded so good. Along for the ride are Louisa Lilani & John Prop, Wolfling, Petrified Host, Coen Oskar Polack, Misantropicana and Brown vs Brown—some playing original experimental material, some even reworking the history of Gone Bald. But you needn’t be a fan of noise rock to make the most of this party. Feeling and expression are at the core of all the artists performing and, most importantly, they all do what they do because they love it. (Steven McCarron) Zaal 100, 20.30, €8.
SATURDAY16 DECEMBER Festival: ID3000 Pakhuis de Zwijger, although just opened, is already loud and proud about being the new, hip, crossmedia kid on the block. Fresh off the Brainspotting conference, they
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are now debuting this festival that spins on the ‘clash between subcultures and new technologies, with up-and-coming talent from the world of music, dance, fashion, art and technology.’ It sounds ho-hum nice-enough—maybe they didn’t have time to fulfil hype potential since a robbery of a lot of their tech stuff last week—but it certainly ain’t all talk. They’ve even freaking booked Grandmaster Flash—not exactly up-andcoming but still the ultimate poet for our ‘broken glass everywhere’ times. Mutant multimedia theatre collective PIPS:lab will be on hand to represent our cut-up times. C-Mon & Kypski, Aardvarck Live, Jawat! and La Melodia will be some of the tunesmiths on hand, while Shoe, Delta, Machine & Parra will be visualing up the expo room. Watch as the beats and the streets start to blur. See www.id3000.net for the full line-up. (Steve Korver) Pakhuis de Zwijger, 20.00-03.00, €17.50/€25 weekend pass. Also Sunday.
Club: Labrynt Clubbers with cosmopolitan leanings will probably be familiar with the Labyrint club nights, which are regularly held at a few venues around the country, including our very own Paradiso. As the event’s organisers have strong ties with Istanbul’s thriving club scene, they’re on a mission to get their audiences acquainted with the sounds of modern Turkey. A fine instance of this would be a set by DJ Yakuza AKA Can Utkan. The son of a diplomat, he began his career playing jazz and Brazilian sounds in several clubs in Tokyo, but soon came to focus on styles like drum ’n’ bass, breakbeat and downtempo. After his return to Turkey in 1999, Yakuza began working for Istanbul’s stylish Radio Oxi-gen, while he also expanded into making records and collaborating with jazz musicians—under the guise of Orient Expressions—to create a synthesis of Turkish melodies, electronic and jazzy sounds. Slightly less exotic are prime Dutch musical exports Kraak & Smaak, whose DJs make an appearance here before heading off to some faraway destination. (Peter Bartlema) Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.30, €10.
SUNDAY17 DECEMBER Pop: The Red Crayola I discovered The Red Crayola when I quizzed my cousin about cult bands from the 1970s which he, for some reason, continues to listen to. While he listed many bands, the one that stuck out was The Red Crayola. Formed in 1966 by Mayo Thompson, the band crafted extraordinarily odd music, so strange that critics refused to believe the band knew how to play their instruments at all. Yet they did, as the band’s slew of recorded material shows, whether by Thompson as a solo artist or as a collective, from avant-garde noise-rock dross to psychedelic, exploratory musical gibberish gold. It takes a while to get to know The Red Crayola, not least because their catalogue is so enormous that digesting all of it would take months. After some patience, the brilliance behind the insanity smacks listeners square in the face. So conceptualised it is almost anti-conceptual, one cannot even begin to fathom how it will translate live. (Shain Shapiro) Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.30, €10 + membership.
MONDAY18 DECEMBER Classical: Weihnachtsoratorium Weihnachtsoratoria are musical works that tell the story of Jesus’ birth as set out in the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Many composers have written them, but only one is known as das Weihnachtsoratorium: JS Bach’s version, from 1735, considered by some to be the crowning achievement of Baroque music. Choruses, arias and recitatives from four of the six cantatas that make up the composer’s magnum opus will be performed by the Collegium Ad Mosam from Limburg, a group who specialise in 18thcentury music. Even more divine when performed in Amsterdam’s acoustically charming Westerkerk, these sublime sounds are quintessentially Christmas. (David Lee) Westerkerk, 20.15, €30.
TUESDAY19 DECEMBER Gay & Lesbian: Morrissey Night Morrissey should consider a career in politics. The pedantic populist was recently voted by the British audience into the Top 3 of the BBC’s Living Icons competition, alongside David Attenborough and Paul McCartney. According to one of his later singles, ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’, he doesn’t like Labour or Tories, so he would have to found his own party. This could be an English version of Partij voor de Dieren, elaborating on his vegetarian anthem ‘Meat is Murder’. And, whether he likes it or not, he has always been co-opted onto the gay side of the fence, by swooning fans who adore his Wilde-style wit and fey antics, as this tribute night at straight-friendly gay bar Prik testifies. Potential campaigners can start by testing their knowledge in the quiz, whirl like a dervish to DJs Raf and Herman’s songs by the Mancunian maestro and take a chance at bagging some free tickets for tomorrow’s gig at the Heineken Music Hall—Morrissey’s third in the Netherlands this year. (Marinus de Ruiter) PRIK, 19.00-01.00, free.
Send details and images for listing consideration at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl.
Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006
HANNEKE KUIJPERS
A message to you, Der Rudi...
What’s blond or Turkish, only comes for one night, and spreads laughter, joy and the scent of Hitler’s aftershave?
THE GERMANS ARE COMING! By Willem de Blaauw Is Germany sexy? Do the Germans have a sense of humour? And, more importantly, do their jokes tickle the funny bones of the Dutch? All three of these questions can be answered with a big smile and a resounding ‘Yes!’ The proof of the pudding is when you go and taste a bit of De Duitse Nachten at the Sugar Factory, an initiative from performer Sven Ratzke, who is half-German, half-Dutch. The fourth instalment of his Deutschland ist Sexy evening on Friday provides a blitz of the hottest German performers. So what’s the motivation behind these German nights? ‘I would like to get a medal from Queen Beatrix,’ Ratzke jokes. ‘Seriously,’ he continues, ‘the idea behind it all is not that deep. I work and live in Berlin and Amsterdam, and I noticed that the cultural climates in Germany and the Netherlands differ a lot. My genre, kleinkunst, is very different in Germany. I thought: what would hap-
pen if you brought interesting German artists, who I like a lot, to Amsterdam and let them perform for a Dutch audience? You know, in Holland there are a lot of prejudices about the Germans and Germany. Things like Germans have no humour and are too serious. Not to mention that love-hate thing between the two countries.’ Though each night has a different theme, with different styles of singers and performers, each Duitse Nacht does have the same setting: a sexy nightclub full of plush and glamour. There a small tables, you can order Champagne from candygirls, and the setting evokes memories of the musical Cabaret. ‘You don’t really have these kind of nightclubs in Amsterdam,’ says Ratzke. ‘And there aren’t many like them any more in Berlin. It’s a cliché to think there’s still a nightclub on every street in Berlin with an interior and shows like this one. Indeed, blame Cabaret! Having said that, it’s not unlike the movie, in the sense that I’m the MC for the evening and will
sing and do a few speeches myself, in German, Dutch and English. ‘It’s not really my intention to say: oh look how funny Germany and the Germans are,’ Ratzke explains. ‘The performers I select have something weird, wicked, wacky or interesting to say. They go against convention. I bring together a selection of artists and present an evening full of great entertainment, liked by a young audience. Something I would like to go and see myself.’ In the past, this has included a Catholic children’s choir singing socialist songs, underground chansteuse Cora Frost, and a band fronted by Gustav Peter Wohler, actor in the long-running German crime series Tatort. A wicked sense of humour is also present on flyers for the shows, with pictures of German icons like TV detective Derrick, East German leader Erich Honecker and bespectacled Schlager singer Heino artfully mixed with images of Ratzke himself. This time round Rudi Carrell—‘Der Rudi’, the recently-deceased Dutch TV presenter who moved to Germany in the 1960s and became a huge celebrity in his adopted country—is given the Ratzke treatment. ‘This edition we have the famous duo Pigor und Eichhorn, with Ulf on samples. They do something which is best described as ‘hiphop chanson’. Their lyrics are also understandable for people who don’t have a huge working knowledge of German. Pigor und Eichhorn are fantastic wordsmiths, and their play on words is hilarious—and very vicious.’ Their songs ‘Hitler, das Aftershafe’ and ‘Heidegger Rap’ are firm favourites in their native country. An animated video of Pigor’s parody of Hitler, ‘Ich hock in meinem Bonker— Adolf du alte Nazisau’, a daft—yet pointedly satirical—reggaefied account of the dictator’s last days, is gaining lots of viewers on Youtube. Erm, yes. It was only a matter of time before the W-word that Basil Fawlty didn’t want mentioned would pop up. And Germany’s historical burden is also part of Serdar Somuncu’s performance. ‘He’s a German of Turkish descent who, incidentally, studied in the Netherlands,’ says Ratzke. ‘He won a prize in Germany—which led to a big scandal— for his tour in which he read Mein Kampf. His idea is that this book shouldn’t be forbidden, so that every one can read for themselves that it’s full of bullshit.’ On Friday he will take matters even further—or should that be Furher?—in his piece Hitler Kebab. De Duitse Nachten, 15 December, 20.0005.00, Sugar Factory, Lijnbaansgracht 238, , 627 0008, €12,50.
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Exhibition shows steps taken towards finished product.
FINALLY, NO MORE ART By Mark Wedin This never happened before. But it’s true. Without nit-picking over details, one could say, with an honest face and no guilt afterwards, that for the first time since its opening in 2002, the Chiellerie will show absolutely no art this week. It’s something of a momentous occasion. ‘People often find my sketches better than the final artwork,’ says Aquil Copier, organiser of the exhibition and cherished ex-production manager of this paper. ‘To me, they’re both important. Sometimes my drafts look silly or ugly. But in the end, they led to an artwork.’ For this week’s show, What You Need To Make It, Copier culled over 20 artists to show anything but a finished product—specifically, the things made, found, seen, or felt on the way to creating a key piece of art. ‘In galleries, you only see the best works that people ever did,’ says Copier. ‘This is not about perfect paintings, but more about the life of an artist.’ Thus, artists will display various drafts, ideas, colour filters or even sound recordings. Isabel Cordeiro, who combines her paintings with concepts of construction, will show initial tests with epoxy and cement. ‘Quite often these materials are hard to control,’ she says. ‘So you need a lot of experiments with it.’ ‘But it’s not just about the initial sketches,’ she adds. ‘For some people, the [final] work is meant to look unfinished. For others, there’s a point in development where it looks like a finished work. The question is: what do you consider finished? It’s a completely different meaning for every artist.’ Indeed. Menso Groeneveld considers most of his final work unfinished. ‘It’s difficult for me to say what is a tryout and what is a work. For me, every work is a tryout.’ He rarely looks at objects or specific images for inspiration. ‘Most of the time I paint from my head.’ And he laughs at the idea of showing an X-ray of his head. For Groeneveld, inspiration seems to come purely from the paint. ‘The individual is not really that important, but you’re in service of a bigger thing.’ He thinks for a moment and adds: ‘I suppose I could hang my painting palette on the wall.’ What You Need To Make It opens Friday, 17.00 - 22.00, Chiellerie, Raamgracht 58, 320 9448. Also Sat, Sun, Wed, Thurs, 14.00-18.00.
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MUSIC Send listing suggestions at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl
Thursday 14 December Pop/Rock: Het Muziekpakhuis Pakt Uit Presentations by diverse bands from the local music school. Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 20.00, €5 Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Joined by the Nederlands Kamerkoor and conducted by Ed Spanjaard, the orchestra will be performing De Leeuw’s ‘Nritta’, Poulenc’s ‘Sécheresses’, Lutoslawski’s Trois poèmes d’Henri Michaux and Dutilleux’s Symphony No.2. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €25/€35 Electronica: Micro Jamboree Hybrid forms of ‘electroacoustica’. Guests include DJ Sniff, Shackle (Anne LaBerge & Robert van Heumen), Atau Tanaka and Joel Ryan & Mazen Kerbaj. STEIM, 20.30, €5 Jazz: Amina Claudine Meyers Gospel tinged jazz in this solo performance from the American singer, pianist and Hammond player. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Jazz: Andy Bruce & The Rigidly Righteous Modern jazz improv merged with traditional Scottish songs. Badcuyp, Bovenzaal, 21.00, €8 Electronica: Belgrade Beats: Darkwood Dub A night of electronic music from the Serbian capital with a live set from Serb electro-noise-dub heroes Darkwood Dub. Tied in with De Balie’s ‘A Rough Guide to Belgrade’ festival, the party is set to roll on into the early hours of the morning with DJ sets from the Belgradeyard Sound System. See article on p. 8. Melkweg, 21.00, €10, free for year members World: The Bar at Buena Vista There’s a little bit of a stage musical feel to these performances which will be bringing steamy weather to Zuidoost over the next few weeks. Take away the scripted elements, however, and you have the sharpest musical moves from some true legends of Cuban son, as well as some younger discoveries. Whatever your age, son is all about dancing, rejoicing and sexiness, so the audience will be asked to find the groove and lose those inhibitions. Pepsi Stage, 21.00, €32.50/€37.50 Americana: Denvis & The Real Deal AKA the frontman with rock ’n’ roll daredevils The Spades, Denvis recently cleaned up his lifestyle. The alcohol and drugs went up on the shelf and down came the tea and pedal-steel guitar. So, Rosa Records are happy to present a new side to this spirited singer: a soulful country variant with an underlying layer of grit. Melkweg, 21.30, €10 Pop/Rock: Flex Yourspace The hip Westerpark bar branches out into live music tonight, starting off with a set from Sinas. Flex Bar, 22.00, €5 Pop: Love is All Yeah Yeah Yeahs-style dance punk. See Short List. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.30, €9 + membership
Friday 15 December Classical: Lunch Concert Featuring students from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Bethaniënklooster, 12.30, free Punk: Disco Ensemble What’s in a band name anyway? This Finnish bunch play energetic and melodic punk rock, combined with bold electronic effects and samples. There’s not too much disco in the prescription but they still get audiences dancing. Support from San Andreas. Melkweg, 20.00, €9 + membership Festival: State-X New Forms 2006 Experimental noise fest. See Short List. Paard van Troje, Den Haag, 20.00, €27.50 Fri, €17.50 Sat, €35 festival pass Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (See Thursday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €25/€35 World: Slavuj olv Ivo Boswijk A 20-piece Balkan choir keeping Slavic folk traditions alive and well. English Reformed Church, 20.15, €8 Classical: Conservatorium van Amsterdam An ensemble performance of works by Alban Berg, Anton Webern and Alexander Zemlinsky; conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €15 Rock: Gone Bald Neder-Baltic noise punks. See Short List. Zaal 100, 20.30, €8 Jazz: Corkestra Building blocks jazz from this ensemble led by Cor Fuhler and starring such Amsterdam jazz scenesters as Ab Baars, Wilbert de Joode and
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Amsterdam Weekly Classical: Magali Mosnier The world-renowned French flautist will be performing Beethoven’s Quintet in E Flat, Mozart’s Quintet in E Flat and Poulenc’s Sextet. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €25 Jazz: Fundbüreau Progressive experimental jazz. Badcuyp, Bovenzaal, 20.30, €6 Jazz: Sunday Night Jazz Band leader René van Beeck’s special guest in this edition is stage star and jazz singer Lils Mackintosh. Cristofori, 20.30, €17.50 Pop: Benny Sings Party pop with sprinklings of soul, jazz and hiphop. Sugar Factory, 21.00, €8.50 Pop: The Red Crayola Psychedelic? Avant-garde? Experimental? This lot have been called it all throughout their career, which started all the way back in 1966. See Short List. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.30, €10 + membership Rock: The Machine Stratocasters... check. Lasers... check. New York’s premier Pink Floyd tribute are set to recreate two classic albums: Wish You Were Here and The Wall. Pepsi Stage, 20.00, €34.50/€39.90
Monday 18 December Classical: Messiah Händel’s masterwork, as performed by The Academy of Ancient Music and The Choir of New College, Oxford; conducted by Edward Higginbottom. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 19.30, €50
Corvus Corax, see Wednesday
Tobias Delius. A contemporary and creative vision of jazz improvisation based upon scripted blocks of ideas, and then later their deconstruction live on stage, Corkestra blends colourful and witty jazz with electronics and fresh ideas. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Rock: Imogene, Absinthe Dark, psychedelic and melodic stoner rock from Imogene, while Amsterdambased UK outfit Absinthe deal in chemically enhanced rock ’n’ roll. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 World: The Bar at Buena Vista (See Thursday) Pepsi Stage, 21.00, €32.50/€37.50 Hiphop: Def P The Osdorp Posse frontman and special guests. OCCII, 21.30, €5 Pop/Rock: Hallo Venray Melodic rockers who’ve been going for 20 years now. Singer Henk Koorn will also be performing a solo set. Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 22.00, €7.50 Rock: Los Tiki Boys Amsterdam’s surf rock supergroup, featuring members of Treble Spankers and The Firebirds. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5 Jazz: Leslie Nielsen & Shirma Rouse Organ-based jazz funk from the trio, joined by future soul diva Rouse. Badcuyp, Bovenzaal, 22.30, €8
Saturday 16 December Classical: Marcel Worms Presenting his new CD, the pianist will be performing works by Catalan composer Federico Mompou. Bethaniënklooster, 15.00, €10 World: The Bar at Buena Vista (See Thursday) Pepsi Stage, 17.00, €32.50/€37.50 World: ZeleMele & Ahmet Aslan A double dose of top Kurdish talent, mixing contemporary pop and blues with traditional folk music. KIT Tropentheater, 19.00, €20 Rock: Living Colour A monumental rock outfit in the late ’80s and early ’90s who mixed hard rock with funk, soul, hardcore and jazz. These days you’re more likely to find the members channelling their efforts into more specialist jazz and funk projects, but having officially reassembled in 2001, the classic line-up still retain their magical chemistry when they hit the stage. Patronaat, Haarlem, 19.30, €25
Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest A traditional Christmas concert, featuring fragments from Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and Strauss Jr’s waltzes and polkas; conducted by Yakov Kreizberg and joined by soprano Sally Matthews and mezzo-soprano Dagmar Peckova. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €30 Classical: Noord-Hollands Byzantijns Mannenkoor A vocal Christmas programme from the Russian Orthodox liturgy and Slavic folk music. English Reformed Church, 20.15, €10 Hiphop/Jazz: Crime Jazz With a live set from energetic Rotterdam crew Coalition of the Wicked, who’ve quickly been gaining a reputation for their explosive genre-defying live shows. Bitterzoet, 20.30, €8.50 Hiphop/Electronica: Flatground Party: DJ Yoda This English DJ has already reached cult status thanks to his super cool mixtapes combining hiphop samples with all sorts of silliness—similar to how Australian sample lords The Avalanches first came to prominence. But now he actually has a real product to shift in the form of his debut album, The Amazing Adventures of DJ Yoda, and arrives in town to dazzle those fresh from the International BMX Flatland Contest at NDSM. See article on p. 4. Melkweg, 21.00, €12 + membership
Singer-songwriter: Christopher Bernard & The Bowmans Anti-folk and lo-fi pop from the US. Eetcafé Bax, 21.30, €30 Soul: Juice Box ’60s soul, with kitsch back-up from DJ Piet Popcorn. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5
Sunday 17 December Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 14.15, €30 Classical: Christmas Concert Festive works by Berlioz, Huybrechts, Gaubert and Debussy, as performed by members from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Bethaniënklooster, 15.00, €15 Classical: Osiris Trio Performing Schubert’s Piano Trio in B Flat and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A. Cristofori, 15.00, €15
Rock: Golden Earring Is there any town these radar lovin’ rock ’n’ roll oldies haven’t hit already this year? Working pretty much solidly, they’ve played in arenas, theatres, pubs and fields, and now that it’s almost Christmas, they’ve got a new live DVD to push too. At least you can expect some extra special production efforts for this party. Heineken Music Hall, 20.00, €25
Singer-songwriter: Danny Guinan The Irish folk singer presents his new album The Rise and the Fall of John Doe. Patronaat, Haarlem, 17.00, €5
Contemporary: Asko Ensemble Future classics by Van Baaren, Schat, Andriessen and Berio via a collection of seven short compositions; with mezzo-sopranos Barbara Kozelj and Marieke Koster. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €23.50 Classical: Ensemble Caméléon A Christmas programme including works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Telemann and Bach. Felix Meritis, 20.15, €22.50
World: Barbara Furtuna Corsican polyphony. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €27.50 Classical: Weihnachtsoratorium Bach’s classic Christmas oratorio. See Short List. Westerkerk, 20.15, €30 Jazz: Monique Klemann An evening of jazz and easy listening presented by one of Holland’s leading ladies in the biz. Sugar Factory, 21.00, €9 Jazz: Taksim Trio Clarinet virtuoso Hüsnü Senlendirici is a true phenomenon in Turkey, and together with his fellow countrymen, Ismael Tunçbilek and Aytaç Dogan, he formed the Taksim Trio, which produces a unique combination of Turkish classical and folk music. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14
Tuesday 19 December Classical: De Nederlandse Bachvereniging Performing Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 19.30, €34/€40
Pop/Rock: Oops-A-Daisies Retro-rockin’ all-girl troupe—1930s style. Also with Blood, Sweat & Kiers. Cruise Inn, 21.00, €11
Heavy: Creative Explosion Hard rockin’ sets from Artery, Mindscan, Audacious, Half Minute and Break Track. Winston Kingdom, 20.00, €5
Festival: State-X New Forms 2006 See Friday and Short List. Paard van Troje, Den Haag, 20.00, €27.50 Fri, €17.50 Sat, €35 festival pass
Flamenco: Alma Flamenca One of the UK’s newest flamenco dance companies, focused on the choreography and music of Felipe de Algeciras and guests. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 20.00, €10 + membership
Jazz: Prinses Christina Jazz Concours The focus of this jazz and improv prize ceremony is on the young musicians between 12 and 20 who have the potential to become the future of the Dutch jazz scene. Over the past couple of days they’ve been knocking out numbers non-stop in Bimhuis and Muziekgebouw, but now they’ve been whittled down, and the eight finalists will be on hand to perform their own programmes. Later in the evening—before an overall winner is announced— the New Cool Collective with Benjamin Herman will blast out a set too. Muziekgebouw, 19.00, €13 Soul/Hiphop: Taylor McFerrin The son of Bobby, Taylor is a master beatboxer specialising in soulful hiphop. Bitterzoet, 20.00, €8
Hospital Bombers (Subbacultcha!) Pop/Rock: Subbacultcha! Amsterdam’s indie mafia is coming out in full force for this one. Marking the second birthday of gig promoter Subbacultcha!, loads of wee local bands and DJs are taking over Paradiso for the whole night. Live acts include About, Ghosttrucker, Blues Brother Castro, The Ik Jan Cremers, Lucky Fonz III, Major B, Tomcat and many more. Plus there are DJ sets by the likes of zZz, David Gilmour Girls and the Robotrock DJs. If all those names have you feeling like you’ve lost touch with the local scene, visit www.subbacultcha.nl for a free album sampler that will bring you up to speed. See article on p. 6. Paradiso, 19.30, €10 + membership Classical: Kerst-Chanoeka Featuring soprano Irene Maessen, flautist Eleonore Pameijer and pianist Marja Bon. Amstelkerk, 20.15, €17.50
Wednesday 20 December Classical: Lunch Concert A rehearsal performance by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in preparation for tonight’s concert; conducted by Mariss Jansons. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 12.30, free Rock: Morrissey Proving that you can take the Morrissey out of Stretford, but you can’t take the Stretford out of Morrissey, this English great is looking more like a miner with a quiff every day. But even that hasn’t prevented the big-mouthed singer from enjoying a huge resurgence of attention with his solo works over the last couple of years. Plus he’s playing some favourites from The Smiths years, so fans can’t lose out. Heineken Music Hall, 20.00, €39
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IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN... THE PICK SOMETHING-REALLY-SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Wish upon Aveda Transport friends, family or yourself to exotic lands with our new gift sets. Be mesmerized by hypnotic aromas, exotic textures and mysterious flavours from traditional and indigenous cultures around the world. Dreams come true in a journey of imagination. Give Aveda Dayspa gift sets or gift certificates.
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The exclusive jewelry store MK Jewelry, located apposite the Pulitzer Hotel in the 9 streets, boasts a classic yet trendy interior. Next to brand names such as Pianegonda, Nanis and Tamara Comolli, the store has its own special designs. Lots of choices in rings! You can also choose a diamond and create your own design. This store is a must for every jewelry lover! MK Jewelry | Reestraat 9 | 020 427 07 27 | www.mk-jewelry.com
Bagging you out All your stylin’ baggy needs fit under a single roof - just visit your local Crumpler store for evidence and proof. The whole wide world of Crumpler is waiting for you there, a-tremblin’ on the shelves in anticipation of you trying something on and finding the one that makes your bum look just the perfect size. Crumpler | Haarlemmerdijk 31 | 020 625 14 63 | www.crumpler.nl
The Micaleff Collections Les 4 saison, a quartet of unique perfumes which symbolizes the moods of the four seasons. Classy glass flacons which reflect their season in the Swarovski stones with which they are decorated. Whether individually or as a complete set, each fragrance captivates with distinctiveness of its symbolic character. Only available at
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Artist supplies Hoopman is the address for all your artist supplies. We carry an extensive range of paint boxes with oil or acrylic paint, pastels sets, pencil sets, painting easels, canvasses, brush sets and all other materials required to create your own work of art.
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Look for our next Gift Guide on 13 December. To advertise here, call 020 522 5200 or email sales@amsterdamweekly.nl.
14-20 December 2006
Amsterdam Weekly
Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Joined by the Groot Omroepkoor, the orchestra will perform Mozart’s Symphony No.33 and Beethoven’s Symphony No.9. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €55
Electronation With Belgian electromeister Dr Lektroluv, noise terrorists Nid & Sancy (live), Dion and Electronation regulars Dax vs Clockwork. Melkweg, 23.00, €15
Contemporary: Wilde Bloesem: Night of the New Harvest A dynamic evening of contemporary music, film projections and electronics, as winners of the Proms in Paradiso Programma Prijs perform their work. Performances include ‘Koraal’ by Janco Verduin, David Benque and Het Reflex String Quartet; ‘The Expected’ by Wilbert Bulsink, Thomas Myrmel and Karen Cytter; ‘gAte’ by Roi Nachson; and ‘Paradiso Pendulums’ by Miguelangel Clerc Parada and Grzegorz Marciniak. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €12.50
Fashion Radio & Britt Club Guests include Sanyi (Disco Twins), Lupe, Les Deux d’Electrique, Uit de kast, Sandra Zet, DJ Himmer 2000 and Jack Female. Studio 80, 23.00, €7.50
Big band: Conservatorium van Amsterdam Students from the music school are playing all over town this week, and this event sees a selection of master students performing as the school big band, which will be led by Justin DiCoccio, head of the jazz department of the Manhattan School of Music. Along the way they’ll be performing songs by Bob Mintzer, Michael Abene, Bob Brookmeyer, Vince Mendoza, Charles Mingus and Bill Holman. Bimhuis, 21.00, €10 Rock: Corvus Corax It wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of goth and darkwave, and thankfully Corvus Corax are more than willing to go the extra mile. These Berliners entertain medieval style, standing half-naked on stage while performing tribal folk and rock songs on authentic period instruments. They’re certainly unique, and what could put you in a holiday mood more than Germans playing bagpipes on a Wednesday night? Melkweg, 21.00, €13 + membership Reggae: Jam Session Led by Ghettowish. Volta, 21.00, free Jazz: TryTone Festival Experimental jazz concepts, featuring sets from IKKI, KLAX and Duo Goudsmit & Van Geel. Zaal 100, 21.00, €4 Pop/Rock: Locals Only! With sets from Erik Vandenberghe, Leine and SAT2D. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.30, €6
CLUBS Thursday 14 December Moonbase A Thursday night electro hang-out with DJs Gstring and Funknoir. Twstd, 20.00-01.00, free Electrorated Kicking off with a live performance by Kitty Got Sued—the ’80s synth pop electroclash duo from Amsterdam—the night programme is later dedicated to Amsterdam electro imprint Blacklabel, with DJ sets from Kid Goesting, Rodger Mettenday and Clockwork. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-03.00, €5 JeWeet... HoeWeDoen Prime Dutch hiphop with a live set from Dion and DJs Koenani and Jay-P. Bitterzoet, 22.00-03.00, €5 Poptrash Three decades’ worth of rock, electro and hiphop with The Punchout DJs. Melkweg, 23.00, €4 Electric Xchange #2 One of the hippest underground dance parties in town, this new monthly event plans to bridge the electronic void between Amsterdam and key international musical hubs. Special guests tonight are Matthew Styles (London) and Prosumer (Berlin), and whether you’re gay, straight or bi, it’s all about quality electro beats. Studio 80, 23.0004.00, €6 België is ook Vreemd Outlandish electro and live performances, tonight brought to you with a Belgian twist. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €7.50
Friday 15 December 15 Minutes Eight DJs given 15 minutes each to blow away the audience. At the end of the night, the tunes are compiled onto a double album mixtape which you can take home. Bitterzoet, 21.30-late, €5 Extravers A new electro concept promising minimal techno, live electronica from The Beamers and a new union between music, visuals and art. Club 8, 22.0004.00, €6 The Zoo With Frederik Abas, Marnix, Raymundo, Jeremaine S and more. The Zebra, 22.00-04.00, €10 #802 A new genre-defying club night inspired by the likes of The Beach Boys, CMYK, Planning to Rock, RGB, The Angry Samoans, Quark Express and MF Doom. OT301, 22.30-late, €5
¿Que Pasa? Latin-crossover night with reggae, folk, ska, punk and mestizo. Melkweg, 23.00, €7 + membership 80’s Verantwoord Blasts from the past, if that’s the way you like it. Hotel Arena, 23.00-04.00, €12 Paradisoul Hiphop and soul favourites. Paradiso, 23.59-05.00, €10
Saturday 16 December Other Stuff To Dance To A fine selection of underground artists operating within the dusky crossover area between IDM, instrumental hiphop and leftfield breaks. Studio 80, 20.00, €5 Versch: Electronic Music Abstract electronic experimentations from Ard Bit, Tundra and HOBBYDELUXE. Sugar Factory, 21.30, €10 Club Rascal Christmas Party Indie rock to dance to with DJs Dash and Bx. Club 8, 21.30-04.00, €5/free before 23.00 Innercity 2006 An industrial-sized dance event broken down into five separate areas and promising to fulfil all your techno, electro, house and minimal needs. To this purpose, hordes of Amsterdam DJing regulars are signed up, including Felix Da Housecat, Benny Rodrigues, Joost van Bellen, Bart Skils and Shindoe. RAI, 22.00-07.00, €47.50 Ein Disco am Eiselsee With DJs Steffi, Intergalactic Gary, Tako and Loud-E. Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 22.00-late, €5 Power Versus Power Electro breaks from Dende (France), FTOTD, K (Poland) and Maciek (Poland) as the project celebrates six years of power. OT301, 22.00-late, €4 De Shit! Electro disco, uplifting minimal and tech house, with DJs Rosso, Lava and Lupe. De Kring, 23.00-04.00, €5 Be Exclusive With Sidney Samson, Sir Edward, Lucky Charmes and Ricky Montel. Sinners, 23.00-05.00, €12 House Arrest Unsurprisingly, a celebration of house music, with Lucien Foort, Ricky Rivaro, Leroy Styles and Rishi Bass. The Powerzone, 23.00-05.00, €15 Labrynt Get acquianted with the sounds of modern Turkey. See Short List. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.30, €10 Labyrint Featuring a Kraak & Smaak DJ set. Paradiso, 23.30-05.00, €10 Crossfader Hiphop and dancehall favourites. Melkweg, 23.59, €10 + membership Dance Arena Alternative dance, pop and rock. Melkweg, 23.59, €7 + membership
Sunday 17 December Salsa Lounge Classic salsa, Latin house and Latin eclectic for all your saucy Latin dance needs. Hotel Arena, 17.00-01.00, €15 HushHush With De Rockejagers, Manga and Jaziah. Jimmy Woo, 22.00-03.00, €8 Rock Hard High voltage rock ’n’ roll, including a live set from Dead Ringers. Winston Kingdom, 22.0003.00, €5 WickedJazzSounds Jazz, hiphop, broken beats, nujazz, funk and Afro sounds, as classic vinyl collides with live musicians. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €8.50
Monday 18 December Cheeky Monday Drum ’n’ bass and jungle night. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-03.00, €6
Tuesday 19 December Bass Culture Roots rockin’ reggae night. Bitterzoet, 21.00-03.00, €5
Wednesday 20 December Rock the Pop! An intoxicating mix of cocktails and pop music, temporarily infused with a punky pop and rock spirit. Sugar Factory, 23.00-04.00, €5
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Amsterdam Weekly
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GAY& LESBIAN
SCMS op 11 series, the film features material inspired by the BUTT community, and work from the magazine’s contributors, who number among them Wolfgang Tillmans, General Idea and Walter Pfeiffer. 11, 19.30, free Prisoners of SEX Aputheatre present John Roman Baker’s penetrating exposé of male sexuality at the beginning of the 21st Century. Pleintheater, 20.30, €10
Thursday 14 December CliQue Dancing for free, on a Thursday night. DJ No 5 plays electro, classic ’80s pop and rock, and funky techno. With fashion catwalk and lounge area. Happy hour from 01:00 to 02:00. Exit, 00.00-04.00, free BUTT film screening To tie in with the fifth anniversary of the seminal—in every sense of the word—lad’s mag and Taschen’s publication of the BUTT BOOK, editors Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom are screening BUTT, the movie. A part of the
Club Avond Gay-minded meet and greet. Mix Café, free
Twister Tunes Tonight’s twister is Adrian T. PRIK, 22.00-03.00, free
Pimp My Drink Cheap shots to raise your spirit level. PRIK, Tues-Thur 16.00-01.00, Fri-Sat 16.00-03.00, free
Flirtation Angels and Devils The biggest womenonly party in Amsterdam—the Netherlands? The world?—is back in a wicked/innocent Angels & Devils incarnation. Dress up appropriately, and you might bag VIP tickets for the next Flirtation. The main devil’s room is heated up by DJs Promiss and La Ona. In the studio, DJ La Niña is behind the wheels, with another angel-devil duo, When Harry Met Sally, in the small room. Panama, 23.00-04.00, €15
Friday 15 December Goldrush Jerry Black plays remixed and pumped-up dance classics, while Tara Montana hosts the Champagne bar. There is a special treat for every visitor, too. Exit, 00.00-05.00, €7; under-21s free before 01.00, then €3.50 Vrijdagmiddagborrel With Francis at 5 p.m. and Palma’s Party at 8 p.m. Mix Café, 17.00, free
Pink-O-Rama Pink-O-Rama Opening party for the Roze Filmdagen film festival. See Short List and article on p. 23. 11, 22.30, €8
14-20 December 2006
Prisoners of SEX (See Thursday) Pleintheater, 20.30, €10 Vrouwenavond Lesbians and their friends of every gender and sexuality come to worship at the shrine of the seventh muse, and dance to some mainstream pop, too. Café Sappho, 21.00, free
Saturday 16 December First Anniversary The newest lesbian bar on the block celebrates its birthday with ‘chicks, booze and music’ and four exclamation marks. Custom Café Sugar, 22.00-03.00, free Disco Hospital Top-notch queer underground dance party. DJs Trashling (Spellbound Productions), Kaseta (House of Shame), Martijn (Black Box), Toon (eXcessive Machine) and Tyarasonic (Instant Removers) play electro, techno, acid, minimal and wave, backed by images from—who else?—AlexEtJeremy. With chill out bar and movie zone upstairs. OCCII, 23.00late, €7 F*ng POP Queers Launch of a new night—Studio 80’s first queer night proper—which will go weekly from 3 January. And the music policy? It’s all about pop music. Studio 80, 23.00-late, free before 00.00, €7.50 after SaturGAYnight Fever With DJ Alfred playing Top 40 hits. Mix Café, free
Sunday 17 December Female Sensual Lounge, food, and music among like-minded ladies. Café Sappho, 17.00, free Double Bubble Happy Hour DJ No 5 plays dance classics, TV tunes, Nederpop and disco, as soundtrack to hundreds of gay men knocking back cheap, happy hour booze. April, 18.00-20.00, free Furball Café Where the hairy Marys love to linger. PRIK, 19.00-01.00, free Chicks with Dicks The drag troupe present KerstKlokkenSpel, a cross-dressing Christmas extravanganza brought to you by Coco Coquette and Jet Lag, with help on the singing, dancing and cabaret front from their TV diva friends. Winston Kingdom, 20.00, €10 Xmas Quiz Pit your general and festive knowledge against other teams of competitive lesbians. Saarein, 20.00, Live Jazz en Soul Smooth weekend wind-down. Soho, 20.30, free Twisted Tunes Tonight, Bo is the selecta. PRIK, 22.0003.00, free Ho-La-Di-Gay Avond Ho-La-Di-Gay for an HoLeBi crowd, with lots of Dutch singalong music from DJ Francis. Mix Café, free
Tuesday 19 December Morrissey Night Be-quiffed, bewildered and beloved of benders, Morrissey gets his own tribute night. See Short List. PRIK, 19.00-01.00, free
Wednesday 20 December Bückstück - Brutale Musik New weekly night with a sharp edge. PRIK, 21.00-24.00, free
STAGE Thursday 14 December Theatre: Frozen Silence John van Gelder brings to life the painting ‘Winter Landscape, A Good Time on Ice’ by Hendrick Avercamp. Standing out from the crowd, the piece will be performed entirely in sign language. Frascati, 19.30, €12 Festival: Likeminds Bedankt! The Likeminds group presents a festival built upon cinematic, theatrical and musical disciplines, with their spirit firmly inspired by comedy. In Dutch. See www.likeminds.nl. Het Rozentheater, 20.00, €10 Dance: Sleepless Jirí Kylián’s masterpiece ‘Sleepless’, accompanied by works by Lightfoot Leon and
Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006 Alexander Ekman. See Short List. Stadsschouwburg, 20.15, €11.50-€22
Theatre/Dance: Fantasten (See Friday) Melkweg, 20.30, €8, free for year members
Ballet: Nutcracker & Mouse King During the Christmas season Het Nationale Ballet dances the fairy-tale ballet Nutcracker & Mouse King. A festive staple, the old favourite is given a Dutch twist in this interpretation by Wayne Eagling and Toer van Schayk, playing out the story in an Amsterdam canal-house around 1810. No matter the setting, audiences love the music by Tchaikovsky. Het Muziektheater, 20.15, €20-€50
Music/Theatre: ’n Pikketanissie (See Thursday) De Roode Bioscoop, 20.30, €15
Music/Theatre: ’n Pikketanissie Songs straight from the heart of the Jordaan performed by Theater Group Flint. De Roode Bioscoop, 20.30, €15
Ballet: Nutcracker & Mouse King (See Thursday) Het Muziektheater, 14.00, €20-€50
Friday 15 December
Music/Dance: Wonderland #2 With dancers Makiko Ito, Sylvain Meret and guests, accompanied by Richard Haynes. OT301, 16.00, €4
Theatre: Frozen Silence (See Thursday) Frascati, 19.30, €12 Festival: Likeminds Bedankt! (See Thursday) Het Rozentheater, 20.00, €10 Performance: Duitse Nachten Get ready to be Germanified with kunst, kitsch, and cabaret during this long, long evening. Host Sven Ratzke has searched relentlessly to uncover the most tantalising and provocative acts from his motherland and beyond to share the stage. Leave your inhibitions at the door. See article on p. 11. Sugar Factory, 20.00-05.00, €12
Festival: ColourDance Festival 2006 (See Friday) Muiderpoorttheater, various times and prices
Sunday 17 December Theatre/Dance: Fantasten (See Friday) Melkweg, 16.00, €8, free for year members
Dance: Spiegel (The Best of 20 Jaar) Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his dance company Ultima Vez, Flemish choreographer and director Wim Vandekeybus has compiled a retrospective programme featuring highlights of his works from the past two decades. Stadsschouwburg, 20.15, €11.50-€22 Music/Theatre: ’n Pikketanissie (See Thursday) De Roode Bioscoop, 20.30, €15 Festival: ColourDance Festival 2006 (See Friday) Muiderpoorttheater, various times and prices
Monday 18 December Music/Dance: Songs from the Roof Based on Shostakovich’s song cycle From Jewish Folk Poetry, this production combines singers, dancers and musicians from different cultural backgrounds and reflects on the universal theme of migration. Stadsschouwburg, 20.15, €10-€22.50
Ajax Theatre: Ajax A production of Sophocles’ tragedy about the Greek war hero Ajax, who is going insane and driven to suicide upon his return from Troy. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, 20.15, €11.50-€22 Theatre/Dance: Fantasten New theatre/dance company Fantasten present their debut piece about a man and a woman living in neighbouring houses. They observe each other closely but never meet—until one day. In Dutch. Melkweg, 20.30, €8
Performance: True Gifts A truly festive night out for anyone aged 12 and up. Jon Jordan and Branwen Spence read Christmas literature favourites, accompanied by Ken Parsons on Celtic Harp and guitar. Reservations are recommended. Casablanca Variété, 20.30, €10
Tuesday 19 December Theatre: Scènes uit een huwelijk A stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s mini-series/film Scenes From a Marriage, about a married couple—Marianne and Johan—whose relationship slowly disintegrates into divorce. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, 19.30, €25
Music/Theatre: ’n Pikketanissie (See Thursday) De Roode Bioscoop, 20.30, €15 Dance: Ziya Azazi A blend of traditional and contemporary Sufi dance from the Turkish choreographer and dancer. Part of ColourDance. KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €14
Comedy: easyLaughs Comedy improv in English. Two different shows every Friday night. Crea Muziekzaal, 20.30, 22.30, €10, €5 (late night)
KOEN BROOS
Performance: Placebo A theatresport contest. In Dutch. Crea Theater, 20.30, €6
Festival: ColourDance Festival 2006 The sixth edition of this vibrant dance festival invites choreographers and dancers from around the world to work within the theme ‘Metamorfose’. Focused on non-Western techniques, influences include flamenco, African dance, Balkan folk, and Eastern European traditions, but all emblazoned with a contemporary twist. Alongside key performances are workshops, a Cinedans film programme and an occasional overspill into the streets around the theatre. See www.muiderpoorttheater.nl. Muiderpoorttheater, various times and prices
Music/Theatre: Merg A terminally ill man searches for his brother, who can save his life by becoming an organ donor. In Dutch. De Brakke Grond, 20.30, €12
Saturday 16 December
Theatre: Scènes uit een huwelijk (See Tuesday) Stadsschouwburg, 19.30, €25
Ballet: Nutcracker & Mouse King (See Thursday) Het Muziektheater, 14.00, 20.15, €20-€50 Theatre: Frozen Silence (See Thursday) Frascati, 19.30, €12 Festival: Likeminds Bedankt! (See Thursday) Het Rozentheater, 20.00, €10
Merg
Wednesday 20 December Ballet: Nutcracker & Mouse King (See Thursday) Het Muziektheater, 14.00, 20.15, €20-€50
Music/Theatre: Merg (See Tuesday) De Brakke Grond, 20.30, €12 Music/Theatre: Ladies First: The Whole Shebang A special Christmas show, including sweet angels, German divas, lipstick, matches, sheep, and maybe also an exploding turkey. Sugar Factory, 21.00, €12.50
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Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006
Paul Kooiker: Paradise Twenty-One, see Opening
ART Opening Beauty Unrealized A new research project dedicated to the investigation of beauty and the status of objects. So during this project, the gallery space will become a library, containing lists of items (books, films, articles, music, etc) submitted by different artists, film-makers, writers and composers, whose works have been influenced by the items. Public Space with a Roof (Thur-Sun 15.00-19.00) opens Thursday until 8 April 2007 Eva’s Story Showing paintings by Erich and Heinz Gieringer, made while they were in hiding from the Nazi occupiers. Verzetsmuseum (Tues-Fri 10.0017.00), opens Thursday, until 6 April 2007 In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni ‘First of all, the world must be changed’. Paintings, pamphlets, films, and letters by members of Situationist International, a movement that rebelled against consumerism, mass media and existing social and artistic norms and pleaded for making art an integral part of everyday life. This exhibition will give an overview of the 20th century’s last avant-garde movement, including works by Guy Debord, Asger Jorn, Guiseppe Pinot Gallizio, Ivan Chtcheglov and others. Centraal Museum (Tues-Thur, Sat, Sun 12.00-17.00, Fri 12.00-21.00), Utrecht, opens Thursday, until 11 March 2007 Paul Kooiker: Paradise Twenty-One Various photo sets from the last 10 years and new video works made by Dutch photographer Kooiker. Reflecting his fascination for perception, he focuses on the female form, which he captures in many different ways. His oeuvre is a contemporary continuation of a traditional theme: the relationship between artist and model, viewer and viewed, object and subject. Foam (Sun-Wed 10.0017.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), opens Thursday, until 11 February 2007 Dirk van Lieshout Models, drawings and video by the Rotterdam artist. Upstream Gallery (Wed-Sat 12.0018.00), opens Friday, until 22 January 2007 Foam_3h: Diederik Meijer—1900 Groom Road A series of vivid portraits of inhabitants of a New Orleans trailer park whose belongings were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Foam (Sun-Wed 10.00-17.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), opens Friday, until 26 January 2007
Beauty and the Bead: From Madonna to the Maasai The first exhibition ever to focus on beads as a worldwide phenomenon, Beauty and the Bead features beaded costumes from every epoch and all corners of the earth. Among the exhibits are a royal robe from Congo, a parka from the North Pole and a mummy from Ancient Egypt, as well as a glamorous dress worn by Marilyn Monroe, shoes worn by Madonna, and haute couture by Versace and John Galliano. Tropenmuseum (Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00), opens Saturday, until 13 May 2007 Buning Brongers Prijzen Prize-winning artworks from the 10 finalists of the prize. Artists include Miranda Cleary, Nathan van Heynsbergen, Rijnder Kamerbeek, Henrik Kröner, Anna Niederbremer, Pauline Niks, Jack Ruebsaet, Lucy Stein, Evi Vingerling and Rozemarijn Westerink. Arti et Amicitiae (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), opens Saturday, until 24 December Istanbul From Byzantium to the Ottomans, from Constantinople to Istanbul: the pieces from the Nieuwe Kerk’s winter exhibition are born of one of the richest and most diverse histories in the world. The exhibition focuses on Ottoman heritage, displaying nearly 300 treasures of the sultans—including exhibits from Topkapi Palace Museum. Nieuwe Kerk (Thur 10.00-22.00, Fri-Wed 10.00-18.00) opens Saturday, until 15 April 2007 Nouriman Manuchehri The final instalment in the series De Kleur van Iran features a solo exhibition from acclaimed contemporary Iranian artist Manuchehri. De Levante (Wed-Sun 13.00-17.30), opens Saturday, until 30 December Hot Rod Kustom Art Exhibition Cars, tattoos and rock ’n’ roll. De Cantine (Daily 12.00-17.00, 18.0022.00), opens Sunday, until 21 January 2007 De Kunstfabriek Goes Warhol! Exhibiting 30 realistic oil-on-canvas Warhol-style paintings inspired by wellknown supermarket products. De Kunstfabriek (Tues-Fri 12.00-18.00, Sat, Sun 12.00-17.00), opens Tuesday, until 15 January 2007 Tour de France 1646 Drawings by Rembrandt’s student Lambert Doomer and his friend Willem Schellinks, made during a trip along the River Loire. Rembrandthuis (Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun 10.00-17.00, Fri 10.00-21.00), opens Wednesday, until 11 February 2007
Museums
Gallery Cover An installation by Ryan Gander, winner of this year’s Baloise Art Prize. Annet Gelink Gallery (Tues-Fri 10.00-18.00, Sat 13.00-18.00), opens Friday, until 13 January 2007
Alex Kals: Les Quartiers Nord de Marseille Inspired by French hiphop music, Alex Kals’ fascination with Marseille’s dangerous northern suburbs resulted in a photographic series about youths living in a hopeless situation, where crime often seems the only way out. Foam (Sun-Wed 10.00-17.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00)
What You Need to Make It The items presented in this show are not meant or made to be artworks. Artists include Apostolos Ntelakos, Luciënne Köhler, Imke Ruigrok, Panos Mitsopoulos, Menso Groeneveld, Aquil Copier and many more. See article on p. 11. Chiellerie (Wed-Sun 14.00-18.00) opens Friday, closing Thursday
The Clouds Are More Beautiful From Above Guido van der Werve’s two films are concerned with ardent ambition that is doomed to failure. Number Six couples Van der Werve’s characteristically sombre narrative with romantic classical music, and Number Seven charts an experiment in which a rocket is used to shoot a meteorite back into space. Stedelijk
Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006 Museum Bureau Amsterdam (Tues-Sun 11.00 17.00), until 31 December Pierre Bernard: Erasmus Prize 2006 Marking the award of the Erasmus Prize 2006 to the French graphic designer Pierre Bernard, this collection features over sixty posters and other works by the artist. Stedelijk Museum CS (Fri-Wed 10.00-18.00), until 7 January 2007 Beelden van Zwartboek An exhibition on set photography, storyboards and other ephemera documenting the creation of Paul Verhoevens’ wartime drama. Filmmuseum (Daily 13.00-17.00), until 8 January 2007 KK Outlet To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Amsterdam communication agency KesselsKramer, the Kunsthal is presenting a retrospective of the agency’s self-willed works. Kunsthal (Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.00-17.00), Rotterdam, until 14 January 2007 If I Can’t Dance, I Don’t Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution The famous quote by anarchist Emma Goldman is the departure point of this travelling visual arts collection. This year’s programme borrows from the language of dance, music, theatre and archived visual material to create a series of performances rethinking the representation of women today. De Appel (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 14 January 2007 Jesper Just: Something to Love Three short films by the Danish artist, whose films deploy a highly stylised visual language that references Hollywood cinema with which he scrutinises notions of masculinity in popular culture. Stedelijk Museum CS (Fri-Wed 10.0018.00), until 14 January 2007 Le Nouveau Siècle Work of contemporary artists inspired by and presented in the stately mansion on Keizersgracht. Museum van Loon (Wed-Mon 11.0017.00), until 15 January 2007 Erik van Lieshout: This Can’t Go On (Stay With Me) An overview of the Rotterdam artist’s commentary on modern life in all its varieties, expressed in installations, films, drawings and paintings. Van Lieshout’s newest film, Rock, is shown in a drive-in cinema that has been erected in the museum’s hall. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.00-17.00), Rotterdam, until 4 February 2007 Geroofd, Maar van Wie? Hosted in the Amsterdam theatre that became a Jewish deportation centre during World War II, this exhibition’s focus is on works of art taken during wartime, and later returned, though remaining unclaimed. Hollandsche Schouwburg (Daily 11.00-16.00), until 4 February 2007 Facts, Fictions and Stories The first solo exhibition in the Netherlands by the South African photographers Adam Broomberg (1970) and Oliver Chanarin (1971), featuring their most recent work, Chicago . This collection shows various aspects of the war and propaganda in Israel, as well as the series Mr. Mkhize’s Portrait, which casts a glance at South Africa 10 years after the end of apartheid. Stedelijk Museum CS (Fri-Wed 10.00-18.00), until 25 February 2007 Anton Rooskens A tribute to Anton Rooskens (19061976), co-founder of the CoBrA movement and one of the Netherlands’ leading post-war experimentalists. This extensive exhibition features painterly highlights from his body of work. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 25 February 2007 Gregory Crewdson: Retrospective 1985-2005 Since the mid-’80s, New York photographer Crewdson has created six carefully staged photo-series in which he presents the world as an obscure cinematographic dream. Against the background of suburban America, he explores the fears, neuroses and desires that are deeply rooted in everyday modern life. Fotomuseum (Tues-Sun 12.00-18.00), Den Haag, until 25 February 2007 Bert Teunissen: Domestic Landscapes Taking more than 300 photos for this project over the last decade, Teunissen has been in search of the light that he remembers from his parental home, while also documenting an authentic way of life that is disappearing. Focused on houses built prior to World War II, before electricity started to have an influence on the rhythm of life, he has sought out the interiors of homes in which daylight still determines the furnishings, the atmosphere and the daily existence of their inhabitants. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 4 March 2007 Just In Time The annual Municipal Art Acquisitions exhibitions allow for an overview of cultural activity in Amsterdam in the areas of visual art, photography, design and applied arts. Each year the show pivots on one discipline—or a combination of various disciplines—and works are acquired from it for the Stedelijk Museum collection. This year’s guest curator is Maxine Kopsa, freelance curator and associate editor of the contemporary art magazine Metropolis M. Stedelijk Museum CS (Fri-Wed 10.00-18.00), until 11 March 2007
Objects for Eternity: Egyptian Treasures from Antiquity Approximately 150 objects from ancient Egypt, detailing how intensively and carefully the Egyptians prepared for the eternity they believed was in store for every decent person following death. Allard Pierson Museum (Tues-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 13.0017.00), until 25 March 2007
Galleries Lu Luo Recent paintings and works on paper. Chinese artist Lu Luo draws inspiration from traditional Chinese theatre and opera, recreating the highly-detailed and colourful costumes in two dimensions with materials such as rice paper, traditional prints, ink and acrylic paints. Galerie Krijger + Katwijk (Wed-Sat 12.0018.00), closing Saturday Natural Habitat Artists explore the boundaries between nature, culture and technology. What happens if the three come together? Is the difference between nature and technology still recognisable or do they merge into each other? Montevideo/Time Based Arts (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), closing Sunday Exhibition #3 Drawings and mural paintings by Elena Davidovich (Belarus), prints, drawings and live art by Dick Tuinder (US), mural drawings by Jantien Jongsma and floor sculptures by Wouter Klein Velderman. W139 (Tues-Sun 13.00-19.00), closing Sunday Holy Grail Works by duo Tomas Adolfs (NL) and Monica Tormell (Sweden), and David Jablonowski (DE), playing with modern and classical holy grail myths. Horse Move Project (Fri-Sat 14.00-20.00), closing Sunday Le Dernier Cri Exclusive silkscreen prints from Pakito Bolino, Ota Keita, Reinhard Schneibner, Fredox, Stumead and some 40 other graphic designers associated with the Marseille group. iLLUSEUM (Sat, Sun 15.00-20.00), closing Thursday Andreas Gefeller: Supernatural Large-scale abstract photographs by the German artist. Dubbelbee Galerie (Wed-Sat 12.00-17.30), until 22 December Living Room 2 An interactive installation based upon huge wall drawings by interior designer Matali Crasset—winner of the Designer Prize 2005 at Salon du Meuble of Paris—in collaboration with the artists Petra Mrzyk and Jean-François Moriceau. Maison Descartes (Mon-Thur 10.00-18.00, Fri 10.00-17.00), until 22 December Happy Hour Group exhibition featuring works by Jan Pieter Fokkens, Daniel Hofstede, Sander Reijgers and Jasmijn Visser. De Praktijk (Mon-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 23 December Much Ado About Nothing Mixed works by Matthias Hoch, Edwin Zwakman, Ilya Rabinovich and Lea Asja Pagenkemper. Akinci (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 23 December Sibylle Eimermacher: House_in_space Drawings and paintings from the German-born artist, recently nominated for the Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst. AYAC’S (Fri, Sat 13.00-17.30), until 23 December Guilliaume Bijl Installations from the Antwerp artist. Lumen Travo (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 23 December Raw Footage/Scapegoats A solo exhibition by Groningse multimedia artist Aernout Mik, this two-part video installation focuses on the experience and depiction of war, showing how normality and extremity become interwoven in wartime situations. bak (Wed-Sat 12.0017.00, Sun 13.00-17.00), Utrecht, until 24 December Wendell Gladstone New paintings rendering both the natural and the fantastic in landscapes dotted with animal and human life, and often hybrids of the two. Artspace Witzenhausen (Thur-Sat 12.00-18.00), until 30 December
Spool II Spool II A multimedia exhibition featuring adventurous sound and film installations and live performances. Artists include Semiconductor, James Beckett, Pleix and Richard T Walker. Consortium (FriSun 14.00-18.00), until 31 December Manfred Wirtz While Romania is on the brink of joining the EU, this photographic essay ties in with the winter festival in Maramures, detailing a daily existence in a remote province where life remains sheltered from external influences. Shirdak (Mon-Fri 11.00-17.30, Sat 10.00-17.00), until 7 January 2007
19
20 Grind An exhibition aiming to unearth the underlying layers of contemporary society. Four different artists/groups pick at our common perceptions and preconceived notions of contemporary life, reconstructing and dismantling them into a palette of new experiences that ultimately formulate positive solutions. Studio Apart (Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur 10.00-21.00, Fri 10.00-18.00, Sat 12.00-17.00), until 12 January 2007 Iconography I A series of large format canvases representing two famous 19th-century French saints. This is the first of a two-part exhibition tackling the issue of the centrality of images in the making of a collective religious identity, and the politics of perception and identity. Motive Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 13 January 2007 Gé Karel van der Sterren: Point of view Recent works by the Amsterdam artist whose paintings are renowned for their vivid colours and exuberant paint use. Galerie Fons Welters (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 13 January 2007 Fumus Fugiens The former Pathological Anatomical Laboratory is explored and deconstructed. The exhibition focuses on dissection, forensics and other elements that are relevant to anatomical practice. SMART Project Space (Tues-Sat 12.00-17.00), until 13 January 2007
Amsterdam Weekly studded cameo appearances. Galerie Wouter van Leeuwen (Thur-Sat 12.00-18.00), until 13 January 2007 Ghosts and Other Stories New drawings and mobiles from artist—and erstwhile Amsterdam Weekly columnist—Jan Rothuizen and collaborator David Miles. Ellen de Bruijne Projects/Dolores (Tues-Sat 13.0018.00), until 13 January 2007 Nick Ervinck The young Belgian multimedia artist combines technological ingenuity with creative experiments, resulting in striking sculptures and mesmerising 3D animations. De Brakke Grond (Mon 10.00-18.00, Tues-Fri 10.00-20.30, Sat 13.00-20.30, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 14 January 2007 Monsters Recent drawings and collages by Tom Lenders, and new aquarelles by Reiko Nak. Suzanne Biederberg Gallery (Wed-Sat 14.00-18.00), until 14 January 2007 Koen Delaere New paintings by the artist from Tilburg. Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries (Wed-Sat 12.00-17.00), until 21 January 2007
14-20 December 2006 Jordaan, 19.00, free
EVENTS Thursday 14 December Poetry/Music: The Open Stanza A mishmash of poetry, spoken word, music and performance, which offers an international collection of literary guests. Hosted by Australian poet Prue Duggan. In English and Dutch. Sugar Factory, 19.00, €5 Festival: A Rough Guide to Belgrade A three-day long celebration of the Serbian capital, culminating in debates, live music, art, photography, films, performance, multimedia, food and drink. In English. See article on p. 8 and www.debalie.nl. De Balie, 19.00, €3 per item Art/Walk: Gallery Route by Night Organised by JordaankwARTier, seven local galleries will remain open till midnight with special night programmes. See www.jordaankwartier.nl for route info. Jordaan, 19.00, free
Saturday 16 December Talk: Urban Myth: What’s next? A talk show designed to explore the concept of ‘body manipulation’. Speakers include body builder and Mister Universe 2006, Necet Icli, biologist Alex Verkade and health food guru Keung Man of The Chocolate Club. There’s musical performances by upcoming R&B star Ninthe and soul diva Giovanca too. But don’t forget the live Botox party also: ideal if you’re feeling a little droopy before your office Christmas party. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, 18.00, €12.50
Monday 18 December Dining: Nomadic Restaurant Escape the cold and enjoy some Mediterranean food and music this festive season. Taking over the Machinegebouw, Rainarai will be serving food and entertaining guests every day between 09.00 and 02.00 until 3 January. This evening marks the official opening ceremony. Westergasfabriek, 18.00, various prices
Terry Rodgers: The Apotheosis of Pleasure Paintings showing a hedonistic vision of the upper classes. Torch Gallery (Thur-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 13 January 2007
The Bridge: The Visual Language of Reza Abedini Platform 21 presents this overview installation of the Iranian graphic designer, who was recently given the Prins Claus Award in acknowledgement for preserving Iran’s artistic heritage while still making contemporary and innovative creations. Dutch graphic designers Irma Boom and Hans Wolbers assist Abedini in curatorship. Platform 21 (Wed-Sun 12.00-18.00), until 21 January 2007
Ron Galella: Disco Years A colourful collection of images by renowned American nightlife photographer Ron Galella. The exhibition reads as a visual diary of the New York club scene in the ’70s, with plenty of star-
Lloyd History Graphical works by V Wiertz, the calligrapher of the Lloyd Hotel, and photo portraits of the builders of the hotel by S van den Horst. Lloyd Hotel (Daily), until 31 January 2007
Festival: A Rough Guide to Belgrade (See Thursday) De Balie, 18.00, €3 per item Art/Walk: Gallery Route by Night (See Thursday)
Party: SilentDating Taking the concept of a ‘Silent Night’ to the limit, this new version of speed dating removes the inane chatter about jobs and ocular prettiness, leaving you exactly one minute to stare into the soul of the person in front of you, as you search for that perfect mate. Spaces are very limited. Sign up at www.silentdating.nl. Strand West, 20.00, €25
Galerie Jos Art KSNM-laan 291, 418 7003 Galerie Juliette Jongma Gerard Douplein 23, 463 6904 Galerie Krijger + Katwijk Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198200, 627 3808 Galerie Wouter van Leeuwen Hazenstraat 27, 06 5203 1540 Gallery Vassie 1e Tuindwarsstraat 16, 489 4042 Heineken Music Hall ArenA Boulevard 590, 0900 300 1250 Hermitage Amsterdam Nieuwe Herengracht 14, 530 8751 Hollandsche Schouwburg Plantage Middenlaan 24, 531 0340 Horse Move Project Oosterdokskade 5 Post CS Hotel Arena ’s-Gravesandestraat 51, 850 2400 Huis Marseille Keizersgracht 401, 531 8989 iLLUSEUM Witte de Withstraat 120, 770 5581 Jimmy Woo Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18, 626 3150 Joods Historisch Museum Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4, 531 0310 KIT Tropentheater Mauritskade 63, 568 8711 De Kring Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 7-9, 623 6985 De Kunstfabriek Polonceaukade 20 (Westergasfabriekterrein), 488 9430 Kunsthal Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, Rotterdam, 010 440 0301 De Levante Hobbemastraat 28, 671 5485 Lloyd Hotel Oostelijke Handelskade 34, 419 1840 Lumen Travo Lijnbaansgracht 314, 627 0883 Maison Descartes Salle André Citroën, Prinsengracht 644A, 531 9500 Maloe Melo Lijnbaansgracht 163, 420 4592 Mediamatic Post CS, Oosterdokskade 5, 638 9901 Melkweg Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 531 8181 Melkweg Galerie Marnixstraat 409, 531 8181 Mix Café Amstel 50, 420 3388 Montevideo/Time Based Arts Keizersgracht 264, 623 7101 Motive Gallery Elandsgracht 10, 330 3668 Muiderpoorttheater 2e van Swindenstraat 26, 692 5421 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Museumpark 18-20, Rotterdam, 010 441 9400 Museum Hilversum Kerkbrink 6, Hilversum, 035 629 2826 Museum van Loon Keizersgracht 672, 624 5255 Musk Groest 53, Hilversum, 035 628 9374 Muziekgebouw Piet Heinkade 1, 788 2010 Het Muziektheater Amstel 3, 625 5455 Nederlands Architectuurinstituut Museumpark 25, Rotterdam, 010 440 1200 Nieuwe Kerk entrance on the Dam, 638 6909 OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134, 671 7778 Ostadetheater Van Ostadestraat 233 D, 679 5096 OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 OUTLINE Oetewalerstraat 73, 693 1389 Paard van Troje Prinsegracht 12, Den Haag, 070 750 3434 Pakhuis de Zwijger Piet Heinkade 179-181, 788 4444 Panama Oostelijke Handelskade 4, 311 8680 Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8, 626 4521 Patronaat Zijlsingel 2, Haarlem, 023 517 5858 Pepsi Stage ArenA Boulevard 1, 0900 0194 Platform 21 Prinses Irenestraat 19, 344 9449 Pleintheater Sajetplein 39, 665 4568 The Powerzone Spaklerweg, 681 8866 De Praktijk Lauriergracht 96, 422 1727 PRIK Spuistraat 109, 06 4544 2321 Public Space with a Roof Overtoom 301, 06 1117 4239
Queen's Head Zeedijk 20, 420 2475 RAI Europaplein 22, 549 1212 Reflex Modern Art Gallery Weteringschans 79A, 627 2832 Rembrandthuis Jodenbreestraat 4, 520 0400 Rijksmuseum Jan Luykenstraat 1, 674 7000 De Roode Bioscoop Haarlemmerplein 7H, 625 7500 Het Rozentheater Rozengracht 117, 620 7953 Saarein Elandsstraat 119, 623 4901 SBK KNSM-eiland KNSM-laan 307-309, 620 1321 Shirdak Prinsengracht 192, 626 6800 Sinners Wagenstraat 3-7, 620 1375 SMART Project Space Arie Biemondstraat 107-113, 427 5953 Soho Reguliersdwarsstraat 36, 422 9936 Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26, 624 2311 Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam Rozenstraat 59, 422 0471 Stedelijk Museum CS Oosterdokskade 5, 573 2911 STEIM Utrechtsedwarsstraat 134, 622 8690 Strand West Stavangerweg
Studio 80 Rembrandtplein 70, 521 8333 Studio Apart Prinsengracht 715, 422 2748 Sugar Factory Lijnbaansgracht 238, 627 0008 Suzanne Biederberg Gallery 1e Egelantiersdwarsstraat 1, 624 5455 Theater Bellevue Leidsekade 90, 530 5301 Torch Gallery Lauriergracht 94, 626 0284 Tropenmuseum Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8200 Twstd Weteringschans 157, 320 7030 Under the Grand Chapiteau Next to ArenA, 621 1288 Upstream Gallery Kromme Waal 11, 428 4284 Van Gogh Museum Paulus Potterstraat 7, 570 5200 Verzetsmuseum Plantage Kerklaan 61, 620 2535 Volta Houtmankade 334-336, 628 6429 W139 Oosterdokskade 5, sixth floor, 622 9434 Westergasfabriek Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 586 0710 Westerkerk Prinsengracht 281, 624 7766 Winston Kingdom Warmoesstraat 129, 623 1380 Zaal 100 De Wittenstraat 100, 688 0127 The Zebra Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 14, 330 5266
ADDRESSES
't Hoogt Hoogt 4, Utrecht, 030 232 8388 11 Oosterdokskade 3-5, 625 5999 66 East Sumatrastraat 66, 06 4475 4773 Akinci Lijnbaansgracht 317, 638 0480 Allard Pierson Museum Oude Turfmarkt 127, 525 2556 Amstel Taveerne Amstel 54, 623 4254 Amstelkerk Amstelveld 10, 520 0060 Amsterdams Historisch Museum Kalverstraat 92, 523 1822 Annet Gelink Gallery Laurierstraat 187-189, 330 2066 De Appel Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10, 625 5651 April Reguliersdwarsstraat 37, 625 9572 ARCAM Prins Hendrikkade 600, 620 4878 Arti et Amicitiae Rokin 112, 624 5134 ArtOlive Polonceaukade 17, 675 8504 Artspace Witzenhausen Hazenstraat 60, 644 9898 Aschenbach & Hofland Galleries Bilderdijkstraat 165C, 412 1772 AYAC'S Keizersgracht 166, 638 5240 Badcuyp 1e Sweelinckstraat 10, 675 9669 bak Lange Nieuwstraat 4, Utrecht, 030 231 6125 De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 553 5151 Beeldend Gesproken Borgerstraat 102, 612 1847 Bethaniënklooster Barndesteeg 6, 625 0078 Beurs van Berlage Damrak 277, 530 4141 Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3, 788 2150 Bitterzoet Spuistraat 2, 521 3001 De Brakke Grond Nes 45, 626 6866 Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina Veemkade 576, 419 3368 Café Sappho Vijzelstraat 103, 423 1509 De Cantine Rietlandpark 373, 419 4433 Casablanca Variété Zeedijk 24, 625 5685 Centraal Museum Nicolaaskerkhof, Utrecht, 030 236 2362 Chiellerie Raamgracht 58, 320 9448 Club 8 Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B, 685 1703 CoBrA Museum Sandbergplein 1-3, Amstelveen, 547 5050 Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6, 671 8345 Consortium Veemkade 570, 06 2611 8950 Crea Muziekzaal Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 Crea Theater Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 Cristofori Prinsengracht 581-583, 626 8485 Cruise Inn Zuiderzeeweg 29, 692 7188 Custom Café Sugar Hazenstraat 19, 06 1401 3143 Dubbelbee Galerie Gerard Doustraat 142-144, 623 2884 Café Bax Ten Kate Straat 119, 612 2343 Ellen de Bruijne Projects/Dolores Rozengracht 207A, 530 4994 De Engelenbak Nes 71, 626 3644 English Reformed Church Begijnhof 48, 624 9665 Exit Reguliersdwarsstraat 42, 625 8788 Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324, 626 2321 Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 Flex Bar Pazzanistraat 1, 486 2123 Foam Keizersgracht 609, 551 6546 Fotomuseum Stadhouderslaan 43, Den Haag, 070 338 1144 Frascati Nes 63, 626 6866 Ferdinand van Dieten-d'Eendt Spuistraat 270, 626 5777 Galerie Fons Welters Bloemstraat 140, 423 3046
Film/Music: Beauty Unrealized A performance in collaboration with seven composers and filmmakers for percussion, electronics, musical saw and two feet. Public Space with a Roof, 21.00
Friday 15 December
Wednesday 20 December
14-20 December 2006
Amsterdam Weekly
Seven Invisible Men
FILM
Edited by Julie Phillips.This week’s films reviewed by Floris Dogterom (FD),Angela Dress (AD),Shyama Daryanani (SD),Laura Groeneveld (LG), Andrea Gronvall (AG),John Hartnett (JH),Luuk van Huët (LvH),JR Jones (JJ),Terri J Kester (TJK), Steven McCarron (SM),Marie-Claire Melzer (MM),Mike Peek (MP),Jaro Renout (JRe), Jonathan Rosenbaum (JR) and Bregtje Schudel (BS).All films are screened in English with Dutch subtitles unless otherwise noted. Amsterdam Weekly recommends.
Festivals A Rough Guide to Belgrade This three-day programme on the beleaguered cool of the Serbian capital includes a series of new Serbian films. In Seven and a Half the deadly sins are played out, with deep irony, against an amoral Belgrade backdrop. The documentary Vukovar: The Final Cut profiles witnesses of the Croatian civil war. And in the feature Tomorrow Morning an exile returns to Belgrade after 12 years abroad and gets drunk with old friends. All films are subtitled in English. See article on p. 8. De Balie Australische cinema This minifest of new Australian films continues with Japanese Story, in which Toni Collette takes a Japanese tourist to the Outback; Look Both Ways, Sarah Watt’s prize-winning live-action/animated film about a woman who can predict disasters; Opal Dream by Full Monty director Peter Cattaneo; and Cate Shortland’s visually haunting coming-of-age drama Somersault. Filmmuseum Roze Filmdagen See article on p.23. De Balie, Cavia, Pathé City, De Uitkijk
The Holiday
Christopher Paolini’s best-selling medieval adventure fantasy. Sienna Guillory plays the elf Arya, the guardian of the dragon’s egg; Rachel Weisz is the voice of the dragon Saphira. 104 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé City, Pathé De Munt The Holiday Iris (Kate Winslet) lives in London and faces the same problem as Amanda (Cameron Diaz) in Los Angeles: men. In order to get away from it all they switch houses for two weeks, only to find out that love can’t be avoided. Iris runs into local film composer Miles (Jack Black) and Amanda hooks up with Graham (Jude Law), Iris’ brother. Essentially director Nancy Meyers has Bridget Jones meeting Posh Spice in a bittersweet Christmas fairy tale that works mainly thanks to its incredibly charismatic cast. Winslet once again shows her excellent range, Diaz outdoes herself and, for once, Jack Black truly seems a nice guy. Check your cynical self at the door and enjoy Hollywood at its cutest. (MP) 135 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé City, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man The trick of a true ladies’ man is that he knows how to act out the part of a sad and lonely one. No woman with a heart can resist that. Leonard Cohen knows the trick: he has written numerous sad songs and slept with numerous beautiful women. Just admit it, a line like ‘I said that I was curious, I never said that I was brave’ (from ‘So Long, Marianne’) is a very romantic way of saying, ‘Sorry babe, I found someone more interesting than you.’ And now, in his seventies, the Canadian bard has had a beautiful blonde, Lian Lunson, shoot a documentary about him. The film contains footage of a recent concert in Sydney, as well as old material and interviews, both with Cohen himself and artists such as Nick Cave, Beth Orton and Rufus and Martha Wainwright, who all talk about his influence on their music. (MM) 105 min. Het Ketelhuis Seven Invisible Men A group of Russian dropouts take a long, alcohol-sodden and largely silent road trip across the Crimean steppes, stunningly filmed by
Dutch Touch Ulrike Helmer’s documentary celebrates the state of hiphop NL style, as she follows three players of different stature and style over the course of a year. Brainpower is the fully arrived professional, the DuvelDuvel collective represent raw shit from Rotterdam and Jay Colin embodies the struggling young artist from Amsterdam Zuidoost. Helmer specialises in street culture, and this is a film made with passion— for the game, the truth and the players. Though it has its occasional longueurs, among them lurk some mighty fine surprises. In Dutch. (JRe) 76 min. Het Ketelhuis, Kriterion Eragon Farm boy Eragon (Edward Speleers) happens upon a dragon’s egg and discovers he has been chosen to defend his land against the evil king Galbatorix (John Malkovich) in this adaptation of wunderkind
Lithuanian director Sharunas Bartas in full Sergio Leone mode. With Dutch subtitles. Rialto Unaccompanied Minors Like many holiday packages, this family comedy is most fun when it’s still wrapped: director Paul Feig created the sublime but short-lived TV series Freaks and Geeks, making his new feature film sound promising. Once the paper’s torn off, however, this tale of six kids stranded in an airport on Christmas Eve turns out to be entertaining but shticky. The sardonic humor in Freaks and Geeks grew out of the frustration and heartache of high school, but here, though there’s some emotional truth—the kids, most of them in transit from one divorced parent to another, are treated like lost luggage—most of the comedy consists of one-liners and wacky slapstick. (JJ) 89 min. Pathé ArenA
Still playing 4 Elements Documentarist Jiska Rickels portrays the four elements by linking each one to man’s efforts to use—or fight—them. Each element has its own landscape, atmosphere, language and protagonists, hard workers making a living in the face of adversity. Earth is represented by a coal mine, water by crab fishermen in the Bering Strait, fire by firefighters in Siberia and air by a crew of astronauts in training. Narration and dialogue are in Russian, English, German and Kazakh, with sparing use of subtitles; but in this beautiful, thought-provoking film, the challenge to the audience is amply repaid. (TJK) 100 min. Het Ketelhuis, Rialto After the Wedding Jacob Petersen has dedicated his life to helping street children in India. When the orphanage he heads is threatened by closure, he receives an unusual offer from Danish businessman Jørgen who offers him a donation of four million dollars. There are, however, certain conditions: not only must Jacob return to Denmark, he must also take part in the wedding of Jørgen’s
Five-Word Movie Review
BOY MEETS EGG, GETS DRAGON Eragon Pathé Arena, Pathé City, Pathé De Munt
daughter. This proves to be a critical juncture between past and future and catapults Jacob into the most intense dilemma of his life. In Danish with Dutch subtitles. 120 min. The Movies, De Uitkijk An Inconvenient Truth This souped-up slide show by former US VP and presidential candidate Al Gore is brought to you in full Lecture-Vision, as the man bashes you over the head with statistics, pictures, scientific facts and cute computer-animated polar bears to make you understand the importance of his mission. Gore is out to save the world from global warming and Uncle Al needs you! If you’re already in the know, it might be a sermon to the converted, but that doesn’t detract from the importance of this documentary and how it inspires people—maybe even you—to make a difference. (LvH) 100 min. Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé ArenA Ave Maria Veteran documentarist Nouchka van Brakel explores the cult of the Virgin Mary in the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Turkey. Van Brakel portrays people who worship Mary, who claim to have seen her and who find solace and even healing in her image; a muslim theologist also contributes her views. 77 min. Het Ketelhuis The Departed Director Martin Scorsese’s latest finds him once again in top form and at home in his
Special screenings
New this week ’N Beetje Verliefd Martin Koolhoven (Het Schnitzelparadijs) brings us another multicultural comedy with a multinational cast. Cute 19-year-old rapper Yes-R stars as Omar, who can marry his Turkish sweetie only if he oil-wrestles her brother first (figure that one out). He goes for help to his grandfather Thijs (Ad van Kempen), who used to be a wrestling champion. Also with Plien van Bennekom, Tjitske Reidinga and Sabri Saad El-Hamus. In Dutch. 82 min. Het Ketelhuis, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
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Benefit for Sarajevo Stichting Young Urban Achievers (aren’t we all?) is helping start up an arthouse cinema in Sarajevo, dubbed Kriterion Sarajevo and inspired by the Amsterdam institution. For just 10 euros you can drink slivovitz, listen to Balkan music, win prizes in the Big Bosnia Benefit Quiz and support a good cause. Kriterion Corpse Bride A young groom-to-be who accidentally weds a corpse in the woods while practising his wedding vows is suddenly swept into the land of the dead. The pace picks up and the movie properly comes to colourful and musical life. With the technical aspects spot on, a talented voice cast shared in part with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee), and a darkly funny story, this animated flick may not stand as Burton’s best work ever, but it’ll still leave you with a ghoulish smile. (SM) 77 min. Melkweg Cinema Elena et les hommes Jean Renoir’s 1956 comedy is set in Paris just before World War I and is a stylised, impressionist period piece as well as a parodistic gloss on Rules of the Game profundity. The comic orchestration has a fine commedia dell’arte energy and line, and the film is ravishing to look at, with Ingrid Bergman—as a Polish princess who uses love to help her men get ahead—radiant at its centre. With Mel Ferrer, Jean Marais and Juliette Greco. In French with Dutch subtitles. (PG) 95 min. Rialto Hercules in the Center of the Earth Hercules (body-builder Reg Park) descends to Hades in this cult film from directors Franco Prosperi and Mario Bava. Plenty ’60s spectacle, plus Christopher Lee as the vampirical villain. In Italian with Dutch subtitles. 84 min. Melkweg Cinema Der Krieger und die Kaiserin This 2000 feature by Tom Tykwer (Perfume) tries to combine the racy
appeal of his earlier Lola Rennt with the more mystical ambitions of Winterschläfer, but the mix doesn’t succeed. An obscure tale about a psychiatric nurse (Lola’s Franka Potente) trying to track down a failed robber who saved her life, it lasts 130 minutes, most of them relatively forgettable. (JR) Kriterion Look Both Ways Death comes ripping in this novel debut feature by Melbourne animator Sarah Watt, who integrates live-action drama with an endless array of kinetic, hand-drawn fantasies. Beset by fearful visions, a bohemian artist (Justine Clarke) witnesses a man being killed by a train, an event with profound repercussions not only for her but for the guilt-ridden engineer, the victim’s shell-shocked wife a callous tabloid reporter, and a photographer who’s just discovered he has terminal cancer (William McInnes). The convincing characters and hearty examination of mortality make this fresh and oddly uplifting. (JJ) 100 min. Filmmuseum Odd Man Out A wounded Irish revolutionary (James Mason) on the run in Belfast encounters a cross section of human responses—self-interest, indifference, empathy, and charity—in this arty 1946 English thriller directed by Carol Reed. Odd Man Out gave Reed his international breakthrough; it may be his most pretentious film, but it also happens to be one of his very best, beautifully capturing the poetry of a city at night. (JR) 116 min. Filmmuseum Our Man in Havana The Filmmuseum’s Carol Reed retrospective continues with this 1960 satire, adapted by Graham Greene from his own novel. The film always seems to be verging on high comedy but never quite makes it; still, there are some gentle laughs in this story of a British vacuum cleaner salesman (Alec Guinness in high form), recruited by British intelligence to spy on the Batista regime in Cuba, who finds he never has anything to report to London and so
begins fabricating information. 111 min. Filmmuseum Religions Sauvages iLLUSEUM’s Metamorphosis season draws to a close tonight with this screening of a compilation of animations by artists from the Marseilles design group Le Dernier Cri. Created by a huge selection of international artists, the clips are sure to leave no fantasy or taboo untouched. iLLUSEUM The Nightmare Before Christmas Tim Burton’s 1993 stop-motion animated film is a tale about the havoc that ensues when Jack Skellington, the pipe-cleaner hero of Halloween Town, decides to take over the duties of Santa Claus. The result is at worst a macabre Muppet movie, at best an inspired jaunt. The songs (music and lyrics by Danny Elfman) are fairly good and the set designs are ingenious. (JR) 75 min. Melkweg Cinema Romance and Cigarettes John Turturro directed this oddball musical set in working class New York. Nick Murder (James Gandolfini, a.k.a. Tony Soprano) stars as a man who makes a journey into infidelity and redemption. All revolves around the repercussions of his adultery and doomed fascination with the flame-haired seductress Tula (Kate Winslet). For Kitty (Susan Sarandon), Nick’s long-suffering wife, his treachery is the final straw. The all-star cast includes Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Barbara Sukowa, Elaine Stritch and Amy Sedaris. 115 min. Rialto
Svankmajer short films More work from the
Czech master of stop-motion animation, including The Ossuary, Darkness Light Darkness, Historia Naturae and Dimensions of Dialogue. A half-hour BBC documentary about Svankmajer in Prague will also be screened. Not all the films have dialogue; when they do, it’s in Czech with English subtitles. De Nieuwe Anita
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Amsterdam Weekly favourite subjects: the underworld, money and clan loyalty. The Departed is based on the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs and set in Irish-Italian South Boston. Mob boss Frank Costello (an exuberantly evileyed Jack Nicholson) runs the show; Matt Damon, as Costello’s police department mole, alternates between a poker face and a winning smile. But the police have their own double agent, Leonardo DiCaprio, whose slow disintegration is at the heart of this drama about doubling and deception. (JH) 152 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé City, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski Dhoom 2 Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and Ali Akbar Fateh Khan (Uday Chopra) are back to chase another thief, Mr A (Hrithik Roshan). Dhoom 2 offers the viewers a chance to get lost in a story with daring stunts, hi-tech gadgets, diverse chase scenes with narrow escapes, eye candy and of course, love. In Hindi with Dutch subtitles. (SD) Pathé ArenA
Flushed Away A collaboration between Dream-
Works Animation and Aardman Features, this delightful computer animation is less twee than Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, with more action. A posh pet mouse (voiced by Hugh Jackman) is booted down a Kensington sewer to an underground replica of London where he helps an intrepid rat (Kate Winslet) battle a loathsome gangland toad (Ian McKellen). Bill Nighy and Andy Serkis are the toad’s dim henchmen, and Jean Reno is hilarious as Le Frog, leader of some inept Gallic ninjas. But they’re all upstaged by the Greek chorus of stem-eyed slugs, who emit sound effects and chirp pop standards with insolent glee. (AG) 82 min. Het Ketelhuis, Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Forever Heddy Honigmann’s latest film documents the life of the Parisian cemetery Père-Lachaise. But the film-maker can’t seem to make up her mind whether to make a film about Proust (one of the cemetery’s residents), a statement on art versus mortality, or a portrait of the living visitors. Her quiet style of filming, using long shots and a static camera to allow the action to unfold, has worked well for her in the past, when you felt she had a connection with the people she filmed. But in Forever, none of these approaches brings the talented Honigmann onto familiar ground. In French with Dutch or English subtitles. (MM) 95 min. De Uitkijk Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek/Crusade in Jeans An English-language film, with a largely Dutch cast, of Thea Beckman’s beloved Dutch children’s book. Fifteen-year-old Dolf (Joe Flynn) misuses a time machine and gets sent back to the 13th century, just in time to get caught up in the Children’s Crusade. Uneven, but entertaining. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Little Miss Sunshine In this offbeat comedy, a frac-
tious family of misfits piles into an ailing VW bus and sets off for California so the youngest can compete in a children’s beauty pageant. This isn’t much more than a glorified sitcom, but it deftly dramatises our conflicting desires for individuality and an audience to applaud it. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris directed. (JJ) 102 min. Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski Maybe Sweden Five friends rent a house in Spain for a holiday. They plan to have a quiet read—until they find a Muslim African refugee in their garden. Each of the friends reacts differently to this ‘invasion’: one likes the idea of a multicultural society but refuses to share the bathroom, another is glad to have more players for a football game, while yet another finds a role for herself as do-gooder. Politically engaged films often suffer from one-dimensional characters, but this feature debut from director and scriptwriter Margien Rogaar is complex and assured. In Dutch. (MM) 85 min. Kriterion
14-20 December 2006 happens to be the main character of a manuscript in the making. Reality and fiction coalesce even further when the badgered Edgar complains to his creator about all his mishaps and demands restitution. Van Warmerdam’s characteristic grim sense of humour and the many hilarious guest appearances by renowned Dutch thespians make this a film you’re not likely to forget. In Dutch. (BS) 97 min. Het Ketelhuis, Kriterion Perfume: The Story of a Murderer One of the most expensive European films ever produced, Perfume, based on Patrick Süskind’s book, is a sinister fairy tale about Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), who is born with an unusually sensitive nose and becomes obsessed to the point of murder with making the perfect scent. As long as you’re not allergic to Tom Tykwer’s mysticism, it’s an incredibly sensual film. With Dustin Hoffman as master perfumer Giuseppe Baldini and Alan Rickman as the father of endangered love interest Rachel Hurd-Wood. In English 147 min. Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski The Queen Helen Mirren’s flinty performance as Elizabeth II is getting all the attention, but equally impressive is Peter Morgan’s insightful script for this UK drama, which quietly teases out the social, political, and historical implications of the 1997 death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Shortly after the shocking news reaches Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) scores a PR coup by memorialising Diana as the ‘people’s princess’, while the royal family’s obstinate silence angers their grieving subjects. But Blair is more sympathetic to Elizabeth than many of his staffers, and he instinctively understands what she cannot: that in the tabloid age, celebrities are dangerously usurping the monarch’s hold on the public imagination. (JJ) 97 min. Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé Tuschinski
The Science of Sleep Michael Gondry’s latest flick
is a bit more lightweight than his previous efforts, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The Science of Sleep is a rumination on love and longing, in this case the love felt by the dopey Stéphane for his lanky neighbour Stéphanie, which he expresses by presenting all kinds of inventive doodads for her. While Stéphane is a cocksure and confident dude in his cardboard-riddled dreams, he turns into a clunky kid in real life. Gondry’s inventive low-fi aesthetic is always appealing, as are the two leads, Gael García Bernal and Charlotte Gainsbourg. In Spanish/English/French with Dutch subtitles. (LvH) 105 min. Kriterion La Tourneuse de pages A young, working-class girl with a talent for the piano sees her chance at further education ruined by the thoughtless arrogance of a well-known concert pianist. Ten years later, she goes to work for a lawyer who turns out to be the husband of the woman who changed her life. A taut thriller with a strong performance from Déborah François as the embittered Mélanie. In French with Dutch subtitles. 85 min. Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski The US vs John Lennon Another instalment in the singer’s deification, this one focusing on his career as an activist. Writer-directors David Leaf and John Scheinfeld aren’t about to admit that, but they’ve assembled interesting news and performance footage to trace Lennon and Yoko Ono’s anti-war activism from their wacky bed-ins through their persecution by FBI chief J Edgar Hoover. (JJ) 96 min. Kriterion, The Movies
Nachtrit Cool film about a taxi driver who gets
caught up in the Amsterdam taxi war of 2000. Dennis (Frank Lammers) takes on a huge debt to finance his own taxi permit. Little does he know that a new law is about to come through that will make his permit absolutely worthless. With good acting, great dialogues and a convincing sex scene, the film makes perfect use of the darker side of the city. And who would have guessed that Rembrandt: The Musical star Henk Poort was such a badass? In Dutch. (LG) 104 min. Cinema Amstelveen
The Nativity Story The first movie to premiere at the Vatican, this Biblical drama was directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen), who knows something about teenage girls getting in trouble. Keisha CastleHughes (Whale Rider) makes an appropriately soulful Mary, and the movie’s most engaging scenes involve her mortified parents and mystified husband, Joseph (Oscar Isaac), trying to come to terms with her miraculous pregnancy. The journey of the Three Wise Men supplies a warm comedic subplot. (JJ) 93 min. Pathé De Munt Ober Absurdity reigns once again in Alex van Warmerdam’s latest feature, a hysterical tale about the many bizarre misfortunes of a waiter named Edgar (played by the director himself), who also
The White Planet The White Planet This French documentary, made for the World Wildlife Fund, means to do for the North Pole what March of the Penguins did for Antarctica. The camera ducks below the ice to film Beluga whales and into the sky to capture the aurora borealis in this portrait of the Arctic’s remarkable—and fast disappearing—diversity. 86 min. De Uitkijk Wild Romance With his greased quiff and tight leather pants, singer Herman Brood was the ultimate marketing concept: the boys wanted to be like him, the girls lined up to sleep with him. In Jean van de Velde’s biopic, Daniël Boissevain does a good job of evoking the self-proclaimed rock ’n’ roll junkie: half sweet, sentimental man, half big, selfish kid. But the real star of the movie is Marcel Hensema as Brood’s manager, Koos van Dijk, with his high energy and don’t-worry-I’llget-us-out-of-this approach. Wild Romance is not so much about the life and times of Herman Brood as it is about how his manager succeeded in keeping his unruly star on the right track—most of the time, that is. In Dutch. (FD) 103 min. Het Ketelhuis
Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006
Gay and lesbian film-goers bend the agenda and tint the silver screen pink at Roze Filmdagen.
GLOSSY DYKES AND SCREENING QUEENS By Kim Renfrew Ten years old, 10 days long, and completely homo. That, in a nutshell, is Roze Filmdagen. What started as a stopgap replacement for the ill-fated Internationale Gay en Lesbian Filmfestival Holland now attracts 5,000 visitors and has become an annual fixture that’s up there with Pride. Although there is a rash of film festivals around this time of year, there’s something about the Pink Film Days that sets it apart. Marjolein Veldkamp, one of the programmers, ascribes it to the filmgoers themselves: ‘The festival doesn’t compare with the IDFA or Rotterdam whatsoever; it only compares internationally, because the atmosphere is quite different. There are not so many film freaks—our audience goes because of the subject, not because of the film, and therefore we tend to choose more commercial films.’ Go to a Roze Film, then, and you’ll be surrounded, not by buffs coo-ing at the use of rostrum camera, but by LGBT people delighted to see themselves onscreen. Because, although it may seem like we live in enlightened times, gay film is still viewed askance. Veldkamp sees this sometimes in the reactions of sponsors, and of staff venues where the festival has played: ‘Nobody felt that they had to attend even one screening, because it’s for gays—that’s it. You can have a Japanese film festival and that’s not just for Japanese, but a gay film festival is only for gays.’ She is also acutely aware that this thinking seeps into the programming at other festivals, drawing this analogy: ‘It’s like: “No, we’re not taking you on as a model because we already have two black girls out of the hundred.” It’s the same thing for us: there’s a quota for Rotterdam; IDFA doesn’t do anything at all...’ While it’s a shame such attitudes still prevail, Roze Filmdagen makes a virtue of
necessity, providing a place where gay people can watch films and be in the majority for a change. ‘It’s fun because you all go together,’ she says. ‘It’s a communal experience, not like when you go to Brokeback Mountain and you’re the only two gay people in the cinema.’ Although the success of Ang Lee’s film—‘because it was a big director, they took the risk’—shows that distributors are thawing, there is still a hell of a lot being overlooked. And this is the other function of Roze Filmdagen: it is a free space to air LBGT concerns. This year, one theme is ‘Blood Relatives’. ‘Over the last few years we’ve had quite a lot of family stuff,’ says Veldkamp. ‘Family stuff has always been there, but we wanted to lift it beyond coming out.’ So there is Tina Maybry’s Brooklyn’s Bridge to Jordan, which packs the emotional punch of a feature into just 20 minutes. In the aftermath of a fatal carcrash, a dead woman’s partner has to deal with bereavement, animosity from her inlaws—but is it homophobia?—and the agony of self-definitions of family crumbling in the face of red-tape: she’s not allowed any involvement at the hospital because she doesn’t count as a relation. Coming out will never go away, of course, but directors now tend to tackle it differently: the coming-out drama has become the coming-out comedy. Sherry Horman’s Männer wie wir is the gay, German love-child of The Full Monty and Bend It Like Beckham (if Gurinder Chadha hadn’t ditched the lesbian sub-plot). Ecki has been goalkeeper in his smalltown team for years, but a drunken tussle with a team-mate sees him ridiculed by the rest of the Mannschaft. So he heads to the city to assemble a gay team to challenge the bigots. It’s not deep, but it manages to deal with many aspects of masculinity— particularly that thin line between homosocial and homosexual—and has fun
Abe Sylvia’s four-minute melodrama.
playing with gay stereotypes. It’s also peopled with fully-developed characters who flesh out the film with proper subplots. Even non-football fans will care whether the Crossbar Bangers win or not. There’s been a sea-change in lesbian film-making, too: dykes aren’t afraid of selfparody anymore, nor are they scared of gloss—lip- or otherwise. Veldkamp predicts two films will win women’s votes this year: ‘There’s El Favor, a comedy of errors with very gorgeous women. I’m not one for The L Word, but that’s exactly what the dykes want to see and I think The Gymnast might be a slick one.’ Go to Ned Farr’s old-school romance expecting sexual fireworks and you’ll be disappointed—the crucial moment is represented by a glass floating in a swimming pool—but fans of girl muscle and Cirque du Soleil will leave smiling. A defining experience of gay film festivals is shorts programmes; grab-bag affairs, they’re among the few chances you get to see truly varied, international programming in one sitting. Gems this year include Abe Sylvia’s Guess Who I Saw Today, which makes a four-minute melodrama from a Nancy Wilson song. If Douglas Sirk had directed pop videos, they would have looked like this. Meanwhile, Maya Kenig’s Top of the World, about flatmates in Jerusalem about to part company, has a hazy, My Summer of Love feel, and keeps you guessing whether girl keeps girl, or if she ever had her in the first place. And Promtroversy, Leanna Creel’s mockumentary about a baby butch who wants to take a girl to the prom, lampoons both neo-cons and hand-wringing liberals, boasts a bona fide film star, Jane Lynch (Best in Show, The L Word) and debuts a new lesbian pin-up, Heather Habecker. Over the last decade, the festival has acted as debating chamber for what gay people are talking about. What will fire up directors over the next 10 years? Veldkamp says family will still be big: ‘There’s a fashion now in North America for white guys to have black babies. I would have liked to have something on that this year... But that’s to come. And it will get picked up on, no doubt about it.’ Roze Filmdagen, 14-23 December, De Balie, De Uitkijk, and Cavia, various times and prices, www.rozefilmdagen.nl
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FILM TIMES Thursday 14 December until Wednesday 20 December. Times are provided by cinemas and are subject to last-minute changes.Film times also at www.amsterdamweekly.nl. De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 553 5151 A Rough Guide to Belgrade Thur, Fri A Rough Guide to Belgrade: Pretty Diana Fri 19.00 A Rough Guide to Belgrade: Tomorrow Morning Thur 22.00, Fri 22.00 A Rough Guide to Belgrade:Vukovar - The Final Cut Thur 19.00 Roze Filmdagen Sat-Wed. Cavia Van Hallstraat 52-I, 681 1419 Roze Filmdagen Fri-Sun. Cinecenter Lijnbaansgracht 236, 623 6615 Babel daily 16.00, 19.00, 21.45, Sun also 11.15 Perfume: The Story of a Murderer daily 15.15, 18.30, 21.45, Sun also 11.00 The Queen daily 16.15, 19.15, 22.00, Sun also 11.00, 13.45 La Tourneuse de pages daily 16.15, 19.30, 21.45, Sun also 11.15, 14.00. Cinema Amstelveen Plein 1960 2, Amstelveen, 547 5175 Flushed Away (NL) Sat, Wed 13.30, Sun 11.30 Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek (NL) Sat, Wed 15.30, Sun 13.30, Wed also 20.30 Nachtrit Thur-Sat, Tues 20.30, Thur also 15.00. Filmhuis Griffioen Uilenstede 106, Amstelveen, 444 5100 C.R.A.Z.Y. Thur, Fri 21.00, Tues 19.00 China Blue Thur, Fri 19.00, Tues 21.30. Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 Australische cinema daily Frozen Land Thur-Sat 21.45, Mon, Tues 17.05 Hopsi Topsi Land Sun 16.30 Japanese Story Thur 19.30 Lang leve de Koningin Sun, Wed 14.00 Little Fish Fri, Sun 19.30 Look Both Ways Sun 22.00, Tues 19.30 Odd Man Out Thur, Fri, Sat 19.45, Sun, Tues 17.30, Wed 17.15 Opal Dream Sun 15.45, Mon 19.30 Our Man in Havana Mon 19.45 Le Petit Lieutenant Thur-Sat 17.15, Mon-Wed 22.00 Pettsons belofte Sun, Wed 13.45 The Proposition Thur, Fri, Wed 22.00 Somersault Mon 21.45, Wed 19.30 The Way Ahead Sun, Tues, Wed 19.45 Wolf Creek Thur 19.30, Wed 21.50 Zwartboek Thur-Sat, Mon, Wed 17.00, Sun, Tues 21.45. iLLUSEUM Witte de Withstraat 120, 770 5581 Religions Sauvages Wed 20.00.
Amsterdam Weekly Het Ketelhuis Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 684 0090 4 Elements daily 20.15 Ave Maria Sat, Sun, Wed 14.00, Sun also 11.00 Dutch Touch daily 22.00 Flushed Away daily 16.00 Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man daily 21.45 NFTVA: Reunie 2001 Sat 23.30 Ober daily 19.45 Pretpark Nederland daily 17.15 Schoffies daily 19.00, Sat, Sun, Wed also 12.30 Wild Romance daily 17.45 Zwartboek Thur-Mon, Wed 21.15 ’N Beetje Verliefd daily 17.45, Thur-Mon, Wed also 19.30. Kriterion Roetersstraat 170, 623 1708 An Inconvenient Truth daily 17.45 Benefit for Sarajevo Sun 15.00 Buddha's Lost Children Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 15.45 Dutch Touch Thur-Sun, Tues, Wed 22.00, Sat also 23.45 Flushed Away Sat, Wed 14.00 Der Krieger und die Kaiserin Mon 22.15 Little Miss Sunshine Thur-Sun 20.00 Maybe Sweden Sat, Sun, Wed 14.15 Ober daily 16.00 The Science of Sleep daily 19.45, Thur-Mon, Wed also 22.15, Fri, Sat 0.15 Sneak Preview Tues 22.00 The US vs. John Lennon daily 18.00, Mon, Tues, Wed also 20.00. Melkweg Cinema Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 624 1777 Corpse Bride Fri, Sat, Wed 20.00 George Michael:A Different Story Mon, Wed 22.00 Hercules in the Center of the Earth Mon 20.00 The Nightmare Before Christmas Thur, Sun 20.00. The Movies Haarlemmerdijk 159-165, 638 6016 After the Wedding Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 17.15 An Inconvenient Truth Fri, Sat 0.15, Sun 13.15 Babel daily 19.00, 21.45, Sun also 16.00 Flushed Away (NL) Sat, Sun, Wed 14.45, Sun also 13.00 Lights in the Dusk Sun 17.30 Little Miss Sunshine daily 21.30, Fri, Sat also 23.30 Perfume:The Story of a Murderer daily 16.30, 19.15, 22.00 Pettsons belofte Sat, Sun, Wed 15.15 The Queen daily 16.45, 19.30, 21.45, Sat, Sun, Wed also 14.00 La Tourneuse de pages daily 19.45, Sat, Sun, Wed also 15.30 The US vs. John Lennon Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 17.00, Fri, Sat 23.45. De Nieuwe Anita Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 06 4150 3512, Svankmajer short films Mon 20.30. OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 Burroughs Night Sun 20.30 Cinema Total Tues 20.30. Pathé ArenA ArenA Boulevard 600, 0900 1458 An Inconvenient Truth Thur 15.30 Borat daily 17.15, Thur, Mon also 12.55, 15.00 Burt Munro:The World's Fastest Indian Tues 13.30 Casino Royale daily 14.15, 17.25, 18.15, 19.20, 20.30, 21.25, Thur-Tues also 12.05, 15.10, Sat, Sun also 11.05 Charlotte's Web Wed 11.50, 13.55, 16.05 Charlotte's Web (NL) Wed 13.45, 15.55, 18.00 Déjà Vu: D-4 daily 15.40, 18.45, 21.45, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.50 The Departed daily 21.15
Dhoom 2 daily 20.15, Thur-Tues also 17.00 Eragon daily 12.10, 14.30, 17.10, 18.30, 19.30, 21.50, Thur-Mon, Wed also 20.50, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.40, 16.10, Sat, Sun also 10.00 Flushed Away Thur-Tues 12.40, 14.45, Sat, Sun also 10.25 Flushed Away (NL) Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues 12.15, Sat, Sun, Wed 12.00, 13.55, 15.55 Happy Feet daily 13.20, 15.50, Thur also 21.20, Fri-Wed also 18.35, 21.10, Sat, Sun also 10.45 Happy Feet (IMAX) daily 19.00, 21.35, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.30, 16.05 Happy Feet (NL) Fri-Sun, Wed 13.40, 16.10, Sat, Sun also 10.15 Happy Feet (NL) (IMAX) Fri-Sun, Wed 13.30, 16.05, Sat, Sun also 11.00 The Holiday daily 13.50, 16.45, 18.25, 20.00, 21.35, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.35, Fri, Mon, Tues also 15.30, Sat, Sun also 10.55 Ice Cream, I Scream daily 18.50 Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek (NL) Fri-Sun, Wed 12.05, 14.40 Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek/Crusade in Jeans daily 13.15, 16.00, Sat, Sun also 10.30 Perfume: The Story of a Murderer daily 15.35, 21.00, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.25 Plop in de stad Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues 12.00, Sat, Sun, Wed 12.20, 14.00, Sat, Sun also 10.35 Prettige kerst, Mr. Moose Sat, Sun, Wed 13.10, 15.20, Sat, Sun also 11.00 The Queen daily 18.40 Sneak Preview Tues 21.00 Unaccompanied Minors Fri-Sun, Wed 13.25, Sat, Sun also 11.05 ’N Beetje Verliefd daily 17.40, 19.50, 22.00, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 13.10, 15.20. Pathé City Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 15-19, 623 4570 Casino Royale daily 20.15, Thur-Tues also 16.30 Charlotte's Web (NL) Wed 15.30 Déjà Vu: D-4 daily 18.20, 21.20, Thur-Tues also 15.30 The Departed Fri-Mon, Wed 20.45 The Devil Wears Prada daily 21.20 Eragon daily 16.00, 21.30, Thur also 18.30, Fri-Wed also 19.00 Flushed Away (NL) Sat, Sun 12.10, 14.20 Happy Feet daily 18.10, Thur-Tues also 15.20, Sat, Sun also 12.50 Happy Feet (NL) Sat, Sun 13.00, Wed 15.20 The Holiday daily 15.00, 18.00, 21.00, Sat, Sun also 12.00 Plop in de stad Sat, Sun 13.30, Wed 14.20 Roze Filmdagen Thur 21.00 Sneak Preview Tues 21.30. Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 Babel Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.15, Thur, Sun-Wed also 17.00, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.15, Fri also 17.05, Sat 18.30, 21.45 Borat Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.20, 19.40, 22.00, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.45, 14.55, Sat 16.40, 18.55, 21.10, 23.25 Casino Royale Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 14.15, 17.30, 20.00, 20.45, Sat 12.30, 15.45, 19:00, 21.15, 22.15, Sun also 11.00 Charlotte's Web Wed 14.00, 16.20, 18.40 Charlotte's Web (NL) Wed 12.20, 14.35 Déjà Vu: D-4 Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.30, 15.30, 18.30, 21.30, Sat 10.45, 13.40, 16.40, 19.40, 22.45 The Departed Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.35, Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues also 12.55, 16.20, Sat 16.00, 19.20, 22.40, Wed also 14.00, 17.15 The Devil Wears Prada Thur, Sun, Mon, Tues 16.25, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.40, Fri 16.45, Sat 17.15 Eragon Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 16.45, 19.15, 21.45, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 13.45, Sat 10.50, 13.15, 15.45, 18.15, 20.45, 23.15, Sun also 11.45, 14.15 Flushed Away Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 18.55, 21.55, Thur, Fri,
14-20 December 2006 Mon-Wed also 16.25, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.00, 14.05, Sat 16.15, 18.30, 20.40, 22.55, Sun also 16.45 Flushed Away (NL) Fri, Wed 13.40, 15.55, Sat 11.40, 13.55, 16.10, Sun 11.15, 13.30, 15.45 Happy Feet daily 12.35, 17.50, 20.30, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 15.15, Sat also 15.10, 23.05, Sat, Sun also 10.05 Happy Feet (NL) Fri, Sun, Wed 12.00, Fri, Wed also 14.30, Sat 10.35, 13.10, 15.50, Sun also 14.25 The Holiday Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.05, 15.05, 18.15, 21.15, Sat 12.40, 15.45, 18.55, 22.00 Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek (NL) Sat 12.10, 15.00, Sun 11.05, 13.55, Wed 13.15 Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek/Crusade in Jeans Thur, Fri, SunWed 20.55, Thur, Sun-Wed also 18.00, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.10, 15.00, Fri also 18.05, Sat 18.20, 21.15 The Nativity Story Sat 11.05, 13.35, Sun 10.35, Wed 12.00 Perfume: The Story of a Murderer Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 21.00, Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues also 13.30, 16.30, Sat 12.45, 16.00, 19.15, 22.30, Sun also 10.25 Plop in de stad Sat 10.55, 12.50, 14.45, Sun, Wed 13.30, 15.25, Sun also 11.35 Prettige kerst, Mr. Moose Sat 11.35, 13.55, Sun 10.10, 12.20, 14.30, Wed 12.05, 14.10 Zwartboek Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed 16.10, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 13.00, Sat 18.00, Sun also 16.50 ’N Beetje Verliefd Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 16.55, 19.20, 21.40, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.15, 14.35, Sat 11.30, 13.45, 16.10, 18.30, 20.50, 23.10, Sun also 10.15, 12.25, 14.40. Pathé Tuschinski Reguliersbreestraat 34, 0900 1458 Casino Royale Thur, Sat 14.00, Thur also 17.15, 20.45, Fri-Wed 18.30, 21.45, Fri, Sun-Wed also 15.15, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed also 12.00, Charlotte's Web (NL) Wed 12.30, 14.50, 17.10 The Departed daily 20.45, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.20 Flushed Away (NL) Sat, Sun, Wed 12.15, 14.30 Happy Feet (NL) Sat, Sun, Wed 12.45, Sun also 16.30 The Holiday daily 12.00, 15.00, 18.00, 21.00 Little Miss Sunshine daily 15.45, 18.15 Memoirs of a Geisha Thur, Tues 13.30 Perfume:The Story of a Murderer daily 13.00, 16.30, 20.00 The Queen daily 22.00, Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed also 19.30, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 17.00, Fri-Mon 12.10, Fri, Sat, Mon also 14.30 Thank You for Smoking daily 21.15, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 14.00 La Tourneuse de pages daily 19.00, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 16.30, Sat, Sun, Wed also 16.45. Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338, 676 8700 4 Elements daily 20.00, 21.45, Fri, Sun, Wed also 15.30 Babooska Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 18.00, Sat, Sun 13.30 The Cave of the Yellow Dog Sun 11.15 Derek Jarman: Music Videos Sat 16.00 Derek Jarman: Retrospective Fri, Sat Derek Jarman: Super 8 Shorts Fri 23.00 Elena et les hommes Sun 11.00 Garpastum Sat, Sun, Wed 16.15, Sun also 11.30 Harvest Time daily 21.15, Sat also 13.15 Into Great Silence daily 18.15, Fri-Sun, Wed also 15.00 Romance and Cigarettes Fri 16.00 Seven Invisible Men daily 19.15, 21.30, Sat, Sun also 13.45 The Story of the Weeping Camel Sun 13.15. De Uitkijk Prinsengracht 452, 623 7460 After the Wedding Thur, Sun-Wed 21.15, Thur also 19.15 Forever Thur-Sun 17.00 Roze Filmdagen Fri-Wed The White Planet Sun 15.00, Mon-Wed 17.00.
14-20 December 2006
Amsterdam Weekly
Full up o’ Falafels Leidsestraat 85 and branches throughout Amsterdam Open Sun-Thur 11.00-01.00, Fri, Sat: 11.00-03.00 Cash The Glutton apologises for his arrogance with respect to vegetarian food. To be sure, the mere thought of a life being lived without its daily ration of meat—and lots of it!—is capable of making his carnivorous soul wilt. The association of abstention from flesh with drumming, chanting, healing, robe wearing and white-skinned middle class ne’er-do-wells instantly sends him out to seek meat-tearing thrills in retaliation. But today finds him sitting at one of the five Maoz branches in the city, contentedly munching on a falafel-filled pita, and not a morsel of meat in sight. You see, he had begun to contemplate his growing belly with alarm. And what a splendid alternative to the Big Mucks, the whopping, zinging, griddled-fat burgers filled with killer cholesterol, which this temple to the humble chickpea provides. (Thought bubble of Glutton’s cardiologist with one ironically raised eyebrow, as he wonders if his patient has had a Damascene conversion.) But rest assured, dear readers, my transformation is not complete: my forthcoming Christmas will not include a traditionally stuffed roast cabbage—imagine Delia Smith or Nigella Lawson demonstrating how to do this! But yet, there I was, greedily re-fuelling my now-ravaged pita bread from Maoz’s wonderfully fresh helpyourself-as-many-times-as-you-like salad bar. I
THE UNDERCOVER GLUTTON He had begun to contemplate his growing belly with alarm. What a splendid alternative to the Big Mucks and the whopping, zinging, griddled-fat burgers. was happily reminded how appealing vegetarian fast food can be. Since opening in Amsterdam in 1991, Maoz has expanded to 18 branches; most of them are
in Europe, but there is one outpost as far away as Philadelphia. The shops are spotlessly clean, reflecting the health-consciousness behind the product.
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Their formula is as basic as that: no meat, no problem. If you haven’t eaten at Maoz before, leave your palate politics outside, put on your bib and tuck into something fresh, healthy and nutritious. The eye-attracting colours of the salads are a treat, all fresh and glistening in their dishes, their aromas curling up invisibly. Sweet red and yellow paprika sit next to black and green olives. These are bursting with flavour and not drowned in brine or mushy dressings. One unusual treat is the pickled, purple baby aubergine, which nestles next to creamy coleslaw, fresh cucumber slices with dill, and couscous with chopped celery and mint. There are also the usual tomato slices, lettuce and pickled chilli. There is coriander sauce—one mild one, the other sharp enough to melt Uri Geller’s spoon—a tomato salsa purée and squeezy bottles holding palatesoothing yoghurt and mint sauce. Maoz’s chickpea balls are fried in a healthy type of oil, which they change every other day to ensure a fine, crispy falafel. I was informed by a staff member that every branch is independent, and each has its own production kitchen. Only the pita breads are made at a central bakery, supplying all the Amsterdam branches. Outside, on the slick wet pavements, the congested crowd surged to and fro. Who were they, where were they from, and where did they disappear to when I couldn’t see them any more? Sometimes the glass door swung open and customers came in. Foreign tongues speculated on what they wanted. I hurried up my chewing so I would be able to see Patrick Süskind’s glorious book Perfume transferred to the big screen. The movie reminds one how important the power of smell is; after all, food needs to look good, but if it doesn’t smell great, forget it. Mercifully, Maoz meals do.
Amsterdam Weekly
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WEEKLY CLASSIFIEDS Ads are free, space permitting. They will be posted both to the paper and online. Guaranteed placement is available for a small fee; see our website for details. Ads may be published in English, het Nederlands or whatever language is best for you to communicate your message. How to submit an ad: via our website at www.amsterdamweekly.nl, by fax at 020 620 1666 or post to Amsterdam Weekly, De Ruyterkade 106, 1011 AB Amsterdam. Deadline: Monday at 12.00, the week of publication. AD OF THE WEEK ACTIVE LIVING Need a rock climbing partner or maybe a kite surfing partner? Email thexyboy@rocketmail.com.
HOUSING OFFERED AMSTEL RIVER Ground floor, 2 large rooms, spacious garden, internet, DVD, UPC Film Net, fully and classically furnished. Located on Amstel River, beautiful view. Walking distance to Amstel Station. Suitable for one person or couple. Available immediately. €900 all incl. One month deposit. Call 06 1294 1029. RENT ROOM IN in Uilenstede, A´dam for Jan, Feb and Mar. Big room with private bathroom and balcony. All furniture incl (bed, mattress, wardrobe, chairs, desk, TV etc). Cable TV and internet installed. Kitchen shared with floormates. Washing machine operates freely. dre_bakker@yahoo.com.br. HOLIDAY ROOM in Westerpark offered from 18 Dec-4 Jan, maybe 4 Feb and longer. €100 til 4 Jan. After that €300/mth incl. Call 06 4805 3136 after 17.00.
BEAUTIFUL MAISONETTE apt in A’dam centre. 95m2, new kitchen, balcony to the south, €1200/mth excl. Available immediately. Contact Thomas +49 163 924 8588. FOR RENT Industrial studio apt (85m2 ) near Jordaan. Beautiful location on 1st floor of old warehouse. Nicely furnished, shower, cable, ASDL, washer, dryer, parking permit, €1095 incl electric, gas, ASDL. Email art@madebykate.com. 3 PERSON, 9M2 APT3 bedroom apt for rent in Buitenveldert, close to tram and shops. Street: Brittenburg. Available 15 Jan. New wooden floor. Can be furnished if required. €1500/mth. Email maarten@nawp.nl.
HOUSING WANTED APT REQUIRED Starting Jan’07. Two friends (28, female and 25, male) need an apt in A’dam (2 rooms or more). Both of us work and study. Easy-going, responsible and neat. Max rent €700. Daniela 06 4806 8538 or dgavidia@gmail.com. SHORT TERM RENTAL Single
prof male looking to rent furnished apt in A’dam for 2 or 3 months starting early Jan. Please call 06 4674 3717. Email geoff.bray@intel.com. URGENTLY NEED FLAT We are young couple of students urgently looking for small (possibly non-furnished) flat from the 1 Jan. We are quiet, clean and non-smoking. Max €600. 06 4306 2021. APT SEARCHCouple searching for nice apt in A’dam. €400-600. Contact Lynn at kiwi74@hotmail.com or 06 3398 2556.
HOUSING TO SHARE ROOM WANTED G’day! 28, male, Australian professional. Easy-going, cooks, cleans and drinks is looking for interactive but also independent share house. €650/mth. De Pijp, Vondelpark, Museum Quarter. Shalin. 06 2538 6094. naik@wehi.edu.au. CHEAP ROOM WANTEDHi! Portuguese biologist working in Science Park, A’dam in need of furnished room for short period, from 15 Dec until end of
Jan, preferably in East or South. I’m 31, male, quiet and hardworking, but sociable and easygoing. Israel: 06 2331 0862. SEEK SIMPLE ROOM Creative Celt, 40, philosopher, poet and painter seeks simple room in relaxed and mature household. Call 06 1488 9377.
OTHER SPACES PHOTO STUDIO TO RENT for amateur and prof photographers. Can also be used as meeting or gathering space. 100m2, €150/day. Also possible to rent photo equipment. Studio has high ceilings, good natural light and located on WG Plein, adjacent to Overtoom. For appt and more info, contact D. Ingel on 06 2883 4224. MUSIC STUDIO TO RENT in De Pijp in A’dam. Private use of rehearsal space7 days/wk, ideal for conservatory students. Space to be shared with 1 other musician. €300/mth, longterm lease preferred. Email studio_amsterdam@hotmail.com. MOTORBIKE PARKINGI am looking for a dry place to park my
motorbike. Ideal place has easy street access and is located in A’dam Oud West, but please offer all! Thnx! Email patrick@ amsterdamweekly.nl.
WORK OFFERED FANTASTICWRITERPart-timestaff writer/text editor wanted for Fantastic Man magazine, the men’s style journal based in A’dam. Excellent writing skills in English required, plus suitable work experience in editing and interest in fashion and style. Please contact the publishers at info@fantasticmanmagazine.com. TRANSLATION WORK Company looking for native Czech, Romanian, Turkish and Greek people who speak fluent English for part-time translation job. If interested, write to michal@ staff. onehello.nl. COMPUTER HANDYMAN Company looking for part-time administrator of computer network in small office. Tasks include formatting, installing programs, virus protection and other similar tasks. If interested, write to michal@staff.onehello.nl. TULIPANYAre you thinking about starting a business? Do you have a business but administration and papers are not your thing? Call Tulipany on 061021 8271 or send an email to gierkelder@hotmail.com. MENTOR STUDENTS? Are you working as professional artist? Would you like to volunteer mentoring students of audio visual department at Gerit Rietveld? For more info email short presenta-
14-20 December 2006 tion and CV to m.kruyver@rietveldacademie. nl. NICKY BEE ASST Nicky Bee studio apt, www.nickybee.com, looking for assistant for approx 20 hrs/wk. Flexible, friendly, communicative & independent working person for both client (expat) contact and admin. Please mail your details to info@nickybee.com.
WORK WANTED DATABASE/OFFICE MGMTContact Sindel1967@hotmail.com or 06 4406 1660. WORK WANTED Female who wants 2 use her brain, not her body 2 earn money! Experienced database & office manager, website designer and secretary needs good-paying job with supportive environment. Please only sincere inquiries. Contact sindel1967@hotmail.com. STUDENT FOR JOB English speaking Liberal Arts student prepared to work f/t through holiday season. Work experiance ranges from the Albert Heijn and babysitting jobs to ‘runner’ work at the NRC Handelsblad. Salary negotiable. I also speak Dutch. Please call Yolande van der Heide: 06 4897 3027.
FOR SALE WINEUnique South African qualitywines.Pricesrangefrom€4.95€15.75. We do B2B and B2C wine tastings. Website www.coza.nl or email info@coza.nl. COLOURFUL HOME FURNISHINGS Recently opened bright & colourful little home furnish-
ings store. Many nice home accessories for yourself or for a gift. Opposites Attract, Marnixstraat 65D, 612 2605, Open Tues & Thur-Sun. LADIES MOUNTAIN BIKEfor sale. URGENT! (Leaving NL - end of studies)! Brakes, lights & tires in good condition. Comes with back wheel lock & 1 extra lock. €80/negotiable. Requires pickup. Call Nicole on 06 43627477.
Experienced web designer builds professional, unique sites for very reasonable prices. Online links to past projects available. Jordan: jordangcz@yahoo.com, 06 3034 1238. TEXT / PROOF READING Original and word perfect text for your website or print work. Affordable copy, editing & proof reading service. Email proof.work @gmail.com.
FUN ENGLISH BOOKS A Tail of Two Kitties by Sophie Burnham. Illustrated funny English book about 2 kitties from Clapham Entirely. Suitable for children. Can easily finish within an hour or less. Asking €7. Best offer accepted. Email ejgbeadngift@yahoo.com.
CAT/HOUSE SITTERAre you going on holiday? Quiet non-smoking yoga teacher willing to cat/house sit. I am trustworthy, clean and come with good references. Email PenJJay@ 12move.nl or leave message on my answering machine: 620 3644.
SERVICES
THINKING ABOUT THERAPY? Heighten your quality of life and improve your relationships with the help of a native English speaking therapist. My 20 years of professional experience and understanding can help you better cope with feelings and sort through stressful thoughts. Sagar: 06 4626 5412.
ENGLISH MAN WITH VAN can help with removals big or small, in or outside of country. Reasonable rates, quick service. Contact Lee on 06 2388 2184 or isabelleandlee@planet.nl. BEST MOVINGSERVICE IN TOWN Driver with van (10m3) or truck (40m3) available. Plus extra moving men, hoisting rope and elevator. Any combinations possible. Call Taco on 06 4486 4390, email info@vrachttaxi.com or check out www.vrachttaxi.com. FRED'S PET CARE Friendly dogwalker with references, available from 07.00-20.00 to take care of your pets. Also possible to keep them during the day and overnight. Reasonable rates. Call Fred 06 1649 1359. NEED A STUNNING WEBSITE?
HEALTH & WELLNESS
POLE DANCING WORKSHOP It’s a girly thing. Dance school in A’dam specialised in pole dancing classes & workshops. Whether it’s a private gathering for the girls, wedding celebration or wild moment out, our bachelor parties are designed to provide a unique experience. www.sexyinstructors.com. BRITISH BEAUTY THERAPIST 25 years experience. Cidesco, bab-
Amsterdam Weekly
14-20 December 2006 tac, anbos, laser hair removal, adv electrolysis, Brazilian waxing: P8N8 oxygen skin care, antiage facials, gift vouchers, etc, at McTavish Hair Salon, Quellijnstraat 80, (De Pijp) A’dam. Call 06 4079 9921 or visit www.lindayoungaesthetics.com. PILATES STUDIOFully-equipped Pilates studio with Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and Spine Corrector. Improve your strength, flexibility, posture, body awareness and more! Visit www.pilatesamsterdam.nl or call 06 2893 2706. Private lessons only, from fully-certified instuctor. NUTRITION GUIDANCE counseling for wellness and success. Holistic aproach for general wellbeing. Make the change of your life. 06 2913 0578. HEALERLife coach, yoga teacher and reiki healer available for all types of sessions. Visit www.empowerall.eu or call 06 5210 1547.
HOME IMPROVEMENT PAINTER + HANDYMANI’m available to paint inside and outside + lend a helping handy hand. Reasonable rates. Lots of practical and professional experience. Good references available. Dacho: 06 4275 6045.
COMPUTERS NEED HELP WITH YOUR MAC? MAC-lover helps you with basic setups, minor troubleshooting, install, networking, basic MAC lessons, setting up programs, MS Word, QuarkXpress, etc.
27 cy brushing up your French? Conversation sessions offered by former University lecturer and French native speaker! These sessions are meant for intermediate/advanced levels. Email marc@fermin.fsnet.co.uk.
Help with purchasing the right MAC, call Sagar at 779 1926. PC HOUSE DOCTORSpecialised in virus/spyware removal, H/W, S/W repair, data recovery, wireless, cable/ADSL installation and computer lessons from friendly and experienced Microsoft professional for reasonable price. Contact Mario at 06 1644 8230. TÉCNICO INFORMÁTICO Eliminación de virus, reinstalación del sistema, reparación hardware, LAN, wireless, ADSL, recogida ordenadores viejos. Tel 06 5205 5383, Joaquim.
MASSAGE 3 KINDS OF MASSAGE Relaxation, tantric or chakra healing. More information at http://franciscos.pimp-my-blog.net or f27036@hotmail.com or mobile 06 2022 4973. MASSAGE in central A’dam. Friendly setting, good rates. Different types offered: one to help you breath more easily, one for legs and feet, relaxing back massage to relieve tension, or combination of all three. For details see http://massageams.spaces.live.com or contact massage_hotmail.com or 06 2159 1867. PURE PEARL,Pleasure, perfectly pandering to Eve. Tantric touch therapist for women only. Ring Glen for resume. 061410 3234. INTUITIVE MASSAGE Chakra healing and personal couching as side dish. Find the source of your pains and problems.
MUSICIANS SINGER SEARCHES BANDsinger & lyrics writer searches band. Alternative & Indie. Contact selkesiddhe@yahoo.co.uk.
PERSONALS Strong hands, reasonable price. 06 2913 0578. XMAS TIME for Thai massage. Need an original present? Or maybe you need to treat yourself after all the Christmas preparations? Have a merry Christmas with www.TimeForThai Massage.com.
COURSES SIVANANDA HATHA YOGA Beginners course starting in A’dam at ABC Treehouse. Always wanted to experience yoga and didn’t know where to start? Join this 8-week course, starting Mon 29 Jan from 18.00-19.30. €100 incl textbook. Contact Susan Nicolas on 06 5176 4621/nicolas@planet.nl/www.yogaadvaita.org/amsterdam. TRANSFORMATIONAL HATHA YOGA for all levels in Oud West. Yoga postures, meditation and relaxation. Call 612 1236 or visit www.yogatha.nl. CHILDREN'S ART CLASS Join
our art classes for kids from 412 y.o. in middle of Vondelpark at the Groot Melkhuis. Every Wed from14.00-16.00. Contact Samma on 683 4069 or sammamutsaers@hotmail.com. BELLY DANCE WORKSHOP A way to generate, shift and release energy from and into the body. Use mental imagery and rhythm to stimulate and create movement. Bodily isolations and fluid sensual phrases. 1617 Dec. Limited places. Please call Lina on 06 4274 6470. VOCAL COACHINGSinger/songwriter offers vocal coaching/confidence and song writing skills sessions. Call 06 5210 1547 or visit www.dvoradavis.com. BASSGUITARLESSONSBeginners and advanced, all levels music theory and techniques, and all styles. niroded@yahoo .com. COMPUTER LESSONSon music software Cubase from experienced music producer. Contact 06 2925 3753 niroded@
yahoo.com. VIVA BRAZIL! Brazilian dance instructor direct from Bahia, Brazil available for group/private lesson and parties. All dances: samba, lambada, zouk, forro, axe. Great exercise and fun way to de-stress from busy day. Call 06 1453 9123. SELF-DEFENSE Tues 20.3022.00 at Bellamystraat 49-51. Free trial lesson! Contact 06 1892 0549 or wingtjun_amsterdam@yahoo.com.
LANGUAGES LANGUAGE COACH Would speaking Dutch make you feel better? Call 625 3231 or go to www.talencoach.com. IMPROVE YOUR DUTCH Link Taal Studio, a professional way to learn Dutch in private & small groups, starting every week, Vijzelgracht 51-55. For more info contact 06 4133 9323 or linktaalstudio@gmail.com. LEARNING DUTCH? JOOST WEET HET! €7/hr. Don’t go to
sleep in winter time, improve your Dutch at Joost Weet Het! Courses on all levels and real quality. 2 x 2 hrs/wk, €7/hr. Visit our website www.joostweethet.nl or call 420 8146. Email: info@aprenderholandes.nl. PRIVATE DUTCH LESSON €25 for 90 min. Simon 638 4960. APRENDA PORTUGUÊS! Learn portuguese with experienced teacher. University level and experience. Costs: €11/hr private and €7/hr group. Contact online.portugues@gmail.com or 06 1115 5859. INTENSIVE DUTCH COURSES €7/hr. 4 x 4 hrs per wk. 2, 3, 4 and 8 wk courses. Do you want to learn Dutch? Take your classes at Joost Weet Het! We have an unconventional and very clear learning method. You learn fast and we put emphasis on conversation. And, it’s not expensive! Email info@ aprenderholandes.nl. FRENCH CONVERSATION Fan-
LUSCIOUS YOUExciting attractive couple (35, slender, cultured, well-read) looking for great girl to explore mutual desires and enjoy sheer luxurious physical love. Do you want to be seduced by us? Please mail libertijnselessen@ live.nl. SEX IS FREEDOM Portuguese male, 38, living in A’dam looking for women (20-50) to have sex. No money involved, just for pure pleasure and fun. If you are a free-minded thinking person, please email me at doninha333@yahoo.com. LOOKING FOR DATE Charming, well educated, athletic man, living in central A’dam, financially independant, looking for good looking,slimgirlfriendwithg.s.o.h. Mail amsterick@hotmail.com. MISTRESS REQUIRED Regular visiting businessman wants to meet interesting, good looking lady, age between 20 and 35 for exciting and fun relationship. Must be honest, gsoh and with genuine interest in life. Email harryadonis@ lycos.nl.
ANNOUNCEMENTS GREGORIAN CHANT Want to sing Gregorian chant? Men and women welcome. Check out www.gregoriaanskoor.nl or come and listen on Sundays at 17.00 in the Nicolaaskerk near Centraal Station. WANT TO PARTY? Creative Explosion @ Winston Kingdom, 16 Dec from 19.00 till 24.00! Yanko’s band, Audacious, Mindscan and Half Minute Man will bring down the house for measly €5 per person. HOUSE CHURCHChristian house church: www.housechurch.nl. STUPID AMERICAN Gratitude and gifts come from love in form of wonderful advice and Illuminating Kombucha. Thank you and your wonderful familyfriends for the love-light shared with the Stupid American honeymooners. We appreciate everyone’s kindness in the face of our ignorance. stevenbosch@myway.com. NETWORKING Join for free online global business community where nice people go! www.network2connect.com. Use referral code 102670. SEEKING ART SPACES React... Do it! Seeking artspaces for interactive exhibition; young autodidact artists; comedians (M & F) with experience in dubbing (ENG & NL) for short movie project; 2nd-hand A’dam index 2007; partners, technicians, cameramen for next movie: arnojullien@gmail.com.