Volume 4, Issue 19
10-16 MAY 2007 The city’s only monthly. Every week.
‘And yeah, vandalism... What’s vandalism?’ page xx
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SECONDHAND STORIES page 6
A reconditioned Clockwork Orange page 8 The end of Hedonia page 4 / Cell phone rock page 4 Lit mag V turns V page 5 / Sticking it to the streets page 18 ART: The age of recyclage p. 11 / FILM: Steve Buscemi’s Interview p. 21 / Mira Nair’s The Namesake p. 23
Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Music/Clubs . . . . . . . . . .12 Gay & Lesbian . . . . . . . .15 Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Classifieds/Comics . . . .26
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007
CITY SECOND BY PETER CLEUTJENS In this issue and... As the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, with April showers replaced by July-style sizzling and May looking set to become the monsoon season, it’s nice to know there are some things you can always rely on. Like Arnon Grunberg winning yet another literature prize... Like riots in France, the result of immigrant-bashing immigrant Nicolas Sarkozy winning the presidential elections... And of course, like football hooliganism. After celebrating Ajax winning the national cup on Museumplein, of course the red-and-white clad meatheads ran over the road and rioted on Leidseplein. You can count on that. But enough of those hoods and scarves already! Why can’t the rabble rousers get the stylish dress sense of that most iconic of thugs, Alex from A Clockwork Orange—the book, the film and now, the play. Perhaps it’s too much to ask Ajax’s fighting squads to actually attend a theatre or read a (good quality, second-hand) book. But really: they should realise they’re giving vandalism a bad name.
On the cover THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THIS STORY Photo by Corriette Schoenaerts www.corrietteschoenaerts.com
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06/05/2007 - 17.08 - VONDELPARK
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Amsterdam Weekly
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10-16 May 2007
AROUND TOWN
SIMON WALD-LASOWSKI
Sun sets on Hedonia.
Paradise lost in A’dam Hedonia hideaway becomes a dumping ground for canals. By André Dryansky ‘Don’t go mad—go nomad!’ Dado says, over a glass of sour-cherry juice—a Balkan specialty—mixed with some Portuguese rosé. It is dry, midsummer weather—even though it’s only the end of April—and the vision before us is apocalyptic indeed: 20 to 30, mostly abandoned, caravans peppered across a lot ravaged by bulldozers contracted by NS, running alongside railway lines, a little past the HEM power plant. Dado, 52, has fond memories of two years ago, when he accidentally spotted
two girls posing for an erotic magazine in what used to be the woodlands of Hedonia. A bucolic place, indeed. In 1992, the Serbian refugee from the recent Yugoslav wars put down his caravan in this patch of wilderness in the Westerlijke Havengebied, and began a colony of stadsnomaden on ground belonging to NS. Then, out of discarded planks, he built himself a comfortable home between two trees, into which he was able to fit a piano and a bar. The piano-bar was nicknamed the kroeg by his fellow Hedonians—also mostly Serbian refugees. Dado himself calls it ‘a museum of alternative living.’ Now, however, NS wants the land back, so that they can rent it to the Grondbedrijf, which wants to use it to dispose of canal sludge. Carola Belderbos, spokeswoman for NS, explains the current situation: ‘At first, we didn’t see the caravans coming because of the woods. Then we began to ask the people to leave, but they wouldn’t. So, unfortunately, we had to take legal action. They saw a piece of ground, and they said that they could just come and put down caravans. But that ground doesn’t belong to them!’
Legal proceedings began two years ago. At the time, Dado commented: ‘They can’t win. We’ve been here for too long a time. Nature has taken over!’ On 18 April, Dado lost the case. On May 16 he and his fellow Hedonians, about 10 people in total, will have to leave. ‘Nature has been sacrificed to city interests,’ says Dado’s lawyer, Joop van Broekhuysen, who is also the lawyer for the similar ADM case not so far away—a warehouse that has been turned into a cultural free-zone is being threatened by the harbour authority, which wants to build throughways for boat traffic. It’s Bevrijdingsdag, and Hedonia is throwing a farewell party. Dragan, a Serbian compatriot of Dado, is taking down the Hedonia flag from the top of a 25metre heap of uprooted trees. ‘The flag is going down at eight, out of respect for Liberation Day. We are enjoying freedom. In a couple of days it will be over. This is the grey terror against the green terror!’ Dado explains that the trees were all cleared within a week, just a month ago, even before the court’s final decision had been made.
There is one last thing He is still fighting for at Hedonia—the apple trees. These are still standing in front of Dado’s treehouse dacha. While the trees were being cleared, he claims that he threatened workers with an axe when they came for his apple trees. So, it was finally agreed that Dado could pull the apple trees up and plant them elsewhere. They have special meaning for him, since he brought the seeds with him from Serbia. Now, the barbecued pork chops with a sliver of red pepper—an unavoidable touch from the homeland—are ready. The party is in full swing. Serbian is mostly being spoken, but there are other voices: an Israeli couple, a French woman and her son, an AT5 camerawoman... Ronald, one of the Dutch Hedonians and a former squatter, says: ‘No culture can exist without subculture. That is the power of Amsterdam, and they are killing that.’ Across from the heap, the flag is flying at half-mast on the towering decapitated tree trunk, the limbs of which are also freshly sawn off. ‘A monument to a tree,’ Dado calls it. He won’t give up the fight, though. ‘They’re going to put the house on a truck and a whole new Hedonia is going to rise up.’ The place where that will happen is still being kept secret. The sun is going down. A fire has been lit on the ground, and is surrounded by a circle of protective bricks. The flames sway in the gentle wind, a little dangerously. A jet roars overhead. Again, the feeling of apocalypse, like a scene in an experimental science-fiction film. Dado is leaving the party. He has a headache. Five days earlier, on Koninginnedag, he said: ‘The Royal Family never goes to work. They never pay taxes. They just enjoy! We should do the same. Long live Hedonian life!’
Rock ’n’ ring Mobile devices and music beyond the mp3-player. By Floris Dogterom ‘In my work, I raise questions about space, place and movement with respect to mobile music. In other words—sound as a frame for landscape.’ There is little room for light-heartedness in Teri Rueb’s keynote speech marking the opening of the three-day Mobile Music Workshop at De Waag. In fact, the highly abstract and academic talk is pretty much impossible to comprehend for the uninitiated. This reporter seems to be the only one falling into that category, judging from the questions Rueb receives from the rest of the audience. An international group of about 20 people have showed up at the beginning
Amsterdam Weekly
late that, and then I speed the sound up, slow it down, and generally improvise with it.’ The afternoon is reserved for the demos of participants’ ideas. In one of the studios, an American is playing a futuristic guitar that is connected to a computer, while he himself is covered with all kinds of wires and electronic equipment. Posters on the walls show inventions like the ‘Extended Enviro-Guitar’ and the ‘Creative Use of Virtual Sticky Notes in Art’. Irad Lee is sitting under a poster with a diagram of his ‘Egotone’, a ‘generative ringtone engine’. Tel Aviv-born Lee explains how he’s developed software that uses statistical information from mobile phones to generate ringtones. ‘I translate the model, the memory usage and the loudness level into a ringtone. Cell phones reflect to a great extent the way we live, but the ringtone industry is very boring. There is a potential for phones to be used more creatively. Currently, I am looking for companies to work this idea out.’ Then it’s time for the Austrian mediaartists Handydandy to take the ground-floor stage. The five members fix their mobile phones to guitar slings, and walk about pushing the buttons. Using Bluetooth, the phones are wirelessly connected to a network of laptops. It’s hardly music in a traditional form: rather, it’s a series of noises and samples. The only female member makes wild rock guitarist movements. There’s a lot of irony involved, but after 10 minutes, Handydandy start repeating themselves. For all you know, they could be taking the piss while playing a tape. TokTek is a far better deal. The shy, long-haired and bearded man takes his place behind a table with a laptop, a turntable, two extensive joysticks and a number of other electronic devices. With the turntable he creates a loop, a beat sets in and the artist starts rocking his joysticks, producing highly rhythmic percussive sounds. It’s great watching him play, sitting on his chair, while the upper part of his body is swinging like mad. The applause is long, TokTek does an encore. He’s a phenomenon.
Rocking out with Handydandy.
SIMON WALD-LASOWSKI
of the congress organised by the Waag Society and STEIM, the studio for electroinstrumental music. This year’s workshop aims at investigating how to push forward the already successful combination of music and mobile technology. Later in the day, Rueb, who is known for her largescale responsive spaces and location-aware installations, will explain how, given the multitude of mobile devices like cell phones and iPod’s, critical questions emerge about public spaces. ‘All these devices have a notion of connecting people, but at the same time they are disconnecting people,’ Rueb says. ‘With an iPod, you shut yourself off. To what extend is that a danger? My own work operates in this space of contradiction.’ After the lecture, participants gather outside De Waag, forming a group around Cathy van Eck, who seems to have taken the mobile music concept quite literally. Her ‘Hearing Sirens’ are old-fashionedlooking sirens made of cardboard and papier-mâché. They are yellow and they are big, and when Van Eck straps them on her back, they stick out almost three-quarters of a metre on each side. Inside them are two speakers, which are connected to an mp3-player. Van Eck switches a siren on as she starts the walk to the STEIM building on Achtergracht, the group following as though she were the Pied Piper of Hamelin. It’s an amusing sight, seeing the terrasje-dwellers turn their heads, and watching cyclists avoid the slender woman with the yellow thing on her back. A thing which produces something that can only be described as a soundscape of distorted noise, bleeps and clicks. At STEIM, Van Eck says that she’s a composer who developed an interest for electronic music. ‘However, I don’t call this music, but rather “performative sound art.” Originally, the “Hearing Sirens” were designed for a performance with three dancers. This was the first time I walked the streets like this, although I did perform in a forest and in the mountains. It was fun today. In Amsterdam, you can basically do what you want without annoying people.’ Van Eck uses a technique called physical modelling for composing. ‘It’s based on the sound of a mechanical siren,’ she explains. ‘I programmed software to emu-
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V for five and Versal Literary mag’s five years on page and stage. SIMON WALD-LASOWSKI
10-16 May 2007
By Shyama Daryanani Every month since 2002, local and international artists have been invited to perform their work on stage—whether it be poetry, prose, music, or any other art form—at The Open Stanza, a sort of turbo-charged salon hosted by the literary collective wordsinhere. The next Open Stanza, on 10 May, will be special, since it also marks the launch of Versal V, the fifth edition of the annual literary magazine published by the collective. On this occasion, the format will differ from the usual evening programme of original work presented by the artists themselves. To mark the anniversary of Versal, this time the performers will be the editors, who will read their favourite pieces from the current edition. Readings will take place sporadically throughout the night—it’s a party, after all, and the focus is on meeting, talking and celebrating with other kindred spirits. Megan M Garr is the editor of Versal and founding curator of wordsinhere. Her poems have appeared in journals around the world, such as Upstairs at Duroc and Southern Poetry Review, and she frequently writes articles on the Amsterdam literary scene. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, she perfectly fits the ‘local international writer’ profile of wordsinhere. Garr recently relayed the highlights of the collective and magazine, and their shared future. ‘When I moved to the Netherlands six years ago, I’d just graduated from university in English and creative writing and I wanted to continue my writing career. I expected to find a community of writers here as international as the city itself— but there was only an open mike, and a scattering of rumours about stuff that had happened in the Seventies. I began a workshop with other writers I’d met— Prue Duggan among them—and things began to build. The city needed a community for its writers: Versal and The Open Stanza came naturally. ‘Growing up in academic settings, I was used to poetry readings in lecture halls, with no clapping, no audience reaction—just the simple reading of one poet to a room of poets. When we started The Open Stanza, we decided to have it for everyone instead of only writers. We wanted to ‘get things off the page’, span the range from slam to formal, but do it in a way that was audience-aware, audience-friendly. Present great writing, laugh, cry, shiver, have fun! ‘The Open Stanza and Versal are two sides of a literary community. The two
Editor Megan M Garr hits the V-spot.
locations where poets and writers traditionally aim to achieve: a successful literary community is therefore built through these kinds of media. But wordsinhere takes a third track, simultaneously, through its workshops series. So essentially, writers here are supported and challenged from all sides. ‘I think if we did it more often than once a year, it would become a deadline project as opposed to a year of a lot of conversation on how to make it work: where do we get our money, who will the artists be, arguments over poems or lines in poems, et cetera. The year that builds it is partly what makes it special. ‘The Netherlands is a place where an artist can stretch her arms out and experiment. Versal is independent, so we’re not caught by university or publisher agendas, or by regional or literary politics. Here, we have the freedom to open the aesthetic realm of the magazine, to put in one book the wide range of work in the world today. Amsterdam’s merchant history parallels this project, and literary exchange in general. We are trying to communicate with all the different worlds, and find poets and writers who are putting that down on paper. ‘When we began Versal, we knew that literary magazines tend to die fast, so we didn’t officially launch the first issue, which came out in 2002. But when we got to the second issue, we had something to celebrate. This one is the fifth, so it’s an anniversary, a milestone.’ VTH!, the evening at Sugar Factory, provides the usual mash-up of disciplines. It starts with the premiere of the short film By-Standing: The Beginning of an American Lifetime by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai. DJ Sudomodo will be spinning during the breaks and local rock band Too Many Chiefs will add live music to the mixture. The evening climaxes with a performance from drag queen Gayle Force. And in amongst it all is the driving force of the collective: the words. VTH!, 10 May, 19.00-23.00, Sugar Factory, Lijnbaansgracht 238, 627 0008, €5, www.wordsinhere.com
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Amsterdam Weekly
SECONDHAND STORIES AS BOOK TRAFFIC THROWS OUT ITS LAST STOCK AND PREPARES FOR CLOSURE, LOVERS OF USED BOOKS ARE LOSING A FAVOURITE HAUNT. BUT THE BOOK EXCHANGE, WITH WHICH IT’S HISTORY IS ENTWINED, REMAINS A SECONDHAND REFUGE. BY SARAH GEHRKE PHOTO BY CORIETTE SCHOENAERTS
10-16 May 2007
10-16 May 2007
GONE—BOOK TRAFFIC
E
ntering Book Traffic on Leliegracht these days, one is faced with a room full of nearempty shelves. Since its owner Herbert Lewitz died last year, the store has been in everything-must-go mode. Now, all that remains are unwanted leftovers—too obscure even for those normally hunting for obscurities—and several rows of empty wooden shelves. The man who has been running Book Traffic for the greater part of its existence is known simply as ‘Basil’. Born in Belgium to Ukrainian parents, Basil grew up in New York City, and moved to Amsterdam in 1972. ‘I loved New York in the Fifties and Sixties,’ he says, ‘but then it became not a good place to be anymore. Nixon was just running for his second period, and I knew he would win. So I decided it was time to leave the States.’ Like so many of the people who come to stay in Amsterdam, and who constitute such an important part of the city’s soul, Basil had never planned to live for a long period of time. ‘Originally,’ he says, ‘I was just travelling through. But you know how it is with Amsterdam. You come here, you sit down in a café, and the next thing you know is you’ve been here for thirty years. ‘In the late Eighties, I helped Herb set up Book Traffic,’ says Basil. Before that, Lewitz had owned another store for used English-language books, together with a man called Barry Klinger: The Book Exchange on Kloveniersburgwal. But the two parted, and Lewitz went on to open Book Traffic. ‘We opened on 5 March 1988. I worked there for ten years, then took a year off to travel, came back in 2000 and stayed for another five years,’ Basil says. Then he moved to Antwerp, where he still lives today. Basil is a book person in hart en ziel. ‘The first time I ever walked into a library, I was sold,’ he says. ‘I loved everything about it: the shelves laden with books, and the smell. And there’s a social aspect about it, too—at a bookstore, you can meet the most interesting people.’ Book Traffic was frequented by a diverse set of customers. ‘All sorts of people came in, from professors to near clochards, who would pay me with the pennies they had just begged off someone on the street. A few writers and poets came in regularly, too. Cees Noteboom was here sometimes. And Boudewijn Büch used to come by on his bicycle, and sit down for a chat. ‘I had a great time at Book Traffic. It was a fun place to be. We used to play music all the time, everything from classical to country and western, and from jazz to fado. And people used to come by for a chat, as well as for buying books. I’ve had some great discussions there. And I made some of my best friends there, too. One day, a guy walked in and asked for Colin Wilson’s Rasputin and the Fall of the Romanovs. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that book, but I told him I could make him a cup of tea and we’d just talk about it. He remains my best friend to this day. ‘Another day, a man walked in. He was wearing a baseball cap and looked like a typical American tourist. After looking around for a while, he came up to me. “I see you’ve got a few of my
Amsterdam Weekly books,” he drawled in a broad American accent. “Do you want me to sign them?” It turned out it was Saul Bellow. And he signed all of his books—even the paperbacks. He said he had had a nostalgic hit when he walked into the store, because it reminded him of the book stores in Chicago in the Fifties.’ But things have changed, and times are hard for the used-book trade. Basil blames it on several factors. ‘Of course, the internet does a lot of damage to shops like this. But the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the recession that followed had an impact, too. There were much [fewer] American tourists, and the locals got a bit tighter with their money, too. ‘And the city has changed so much, too. Like what they’re doing now with the Noord-Zuidlijn. They’re cutting the heart of the city right out. It’s one of the
STAYING—THE BOOK EXCHANGE
T
he Book Exchange is a shop of four rooms divided across several floors. According to their business card, the stock consists of more than 80,000 books, with genres ranging from literature to social sciences and art books to science fiction—surely every book lover’s paradise. Jeff Stone has been the owner of The Book Exchange only since 2005, but he’s been there from the very beginning. ‘Barry Klinger and Herbert Lewitz opened up the store together,’ he says. ‘And I helped them set it up. Since that time, I worked there until about 1997. Then I quit, but came back to help out in 2002, because Barry fell ill.’ Sitting on a barstool in De Engelenbewaarder, the jazz café opposite his shop,
‘EVERY SINGLE BOOK I OWN, I REMEMBER WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THAT ROMANTIC ASPECT IS LOST WHEN YOU BUY BOOKS ONLINE.’
reasons I left Amsterdam. We all felt it wasn’t our town anymore. Especially the city centre—it’s becoming like some sort of theme park. ‘Back then, I always said that Amsterdam was like the Times Square of Europe. Everybody came through at some point. And Book Traffic was like a microcosm of it all. Sometimes it was really busy, sometimes it was dead all day—and I’d sit inside, like in an aquarium, and watch the world go by.’ To handle the increased competition created by internet booksellers, Book Traffic started cooperating with a centralised online dealer. ‘But we only sold a small percentage of our stock through them. Of course, it’s a completely different thing,’ Basil says. ‘The tactile part of dealing with books is lost, and that’s the part that’s so important to any true book lover. Every single book I own, I remember where I bought it. That romantic aspect is lost when you buy books online. And online, you also only buy books you specifically look for. In proper bookshops, especially secondhand ones, it’s all about serendipity. You don’t look for something—you find something.’
Stone describes The Book Exchange’s former owner. ‘Barry had an amazing knowledge of books. He put his whole life into the store. And when he wasn’t there, he was here.’ Stone taps his stool. ‘This was his chair. Barry was a big jazz fan. He could recognise any saxophone player after hearing three notes.’ The shop has a long history, as Stone explains: ‘The Book Exchange opened up in 1978. Back then, it was the only place in town to get English-language books. Barry and Herbert had discovered a real hole in the market. More and more foreigners started to live in Amsterdam, and English-language books became increasingly popular with the Dutch public as well. We had—and still have—tons of regular customers. ‘So, things were going good,’ Stone continues. ‘But pretty soon, after a few years of running the shop together, Barry and Herbert fell out, and Herbert went on to open up Book Traffic.’ What follows is a long and turbulent story. It includes personal altercations, torn-up wills, with a bit of bad blood thrown in for good measure. And it ends with Stone taking over the running of The Book Exchange after
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Klinger’s death. ‘Upon Barry’s death, The Book Exchange was left to Herbert Lewitz, and I had to buy it off him,’ Stone says. ‘Barry had asked me to be his partner for years, but I had always refused. You see, I never aspired to be a businessman. But in the end, you know... Barry was one of my best friends. And I had been there all the time—I knew how to handle things. It’s a very specialised trade, this. ‘This shop wouldn’t exist anymore, had it not been for Jeff,’ Ralph Kats agrees. Kats has been working at The Book Exchange for the past six years. Having begun working at the shop as a part-time job to supplement his studies, Kats is now, according to Stone, the ‘main man’ at The Book Exchange. ‘Jeff saved the shop,’ Kats says. ‘You see, to run a store like this, you need to have a passion for it. It’s not like there’s much money in it—you need to put your heart in.’ ‘The heyday of secondhand bookshops has gone,’ Jeff says. Kats agrees. They, too, blame the internet. ‘The internet means the death of businesses like this,’ Kats says. And it’s not only because rare books are more easily accessible these days. Internet shopping has also had an impact on customers’ behaviour in regular book stores. ‘The fact that you can order nearly every book online has changed people’s attitudes,’ says Kats ‘People used to come here and rummage around for hours. Nowadays, they usually walk in and ask for a specific book. And if we haven’t got it, they walk straight out again.’ One of The Book Exchange’s regular customers, a small, red-haired woman who has just walked in, agrees. ‘People don’t nose around anymore,’ she says. ‘Although that is the great part of it!’ ‘Exactly!’ Kats agrees. ‘You never know what you will find. Sometimes people come by and discover, by chance, that one rare book they’ve been looking for, for the past twenty-five years. You wouldn’t believe how happy that makes some people! And that’s what I love this job for.’ There is still a large number of regular customers. And they aren’t just restricted to locals. ‘There are people coming over from Germany and Belgium to buy books here,’ Kats says, ‘often books from our science fiction department, which is quite large. Those customers only come once a year or so— but then they walk out with two Albert Heijn bags full of books.’ Still, the store is not afraid to move with the times: The Book Exchange, too, is planning a joint venture with an internet bookseller. ‘That way, you can easily expand your customer bases to include those people who can’t be bothered anymore to rummage around in a store,’ says Kats. But the shop proper will remain the heart of the trade, both Stone and Kats confirm. ‘This has always been—and will always be—a bricks and mortar business,’ Stone emphasises. ‘It’s about being in contact with the customers. You meet all sorts of people here. Once I have to sit behind a computer, selling books out of a garage—that’s the point where I’m going to stop.’ Back at Book Traffic, meanwhile, the shelves are almost bare. In the store a customer can be heard asking to buy a few of them. He gets them at a good price. Everything must go.
Amsterdam Weekly
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10-16 May 2007
DROOG DESIGNS A CLASSIC OF POST-WAR BRITISH LITERATURE. A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MASTERPIECE. AND NOW A ROUGH-EDGED THEATRE GROUP HAVE TURNED IT INTO A STAGE PLAY. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE STILL HAS THE POWER TO SHOCK. BY FLORIS DOGTEROM
I
n 1944, a horrific incident took place in a London street, when the wife of writer Anthony Burgess was sexually assaulted by four American soldiers. She had a miscarriage as a result, and also began to suffer from chronic gynaecological problems. The attack inspired Burgess to write A Clockwork Orange, the 1962 novel in which violence plays a central role. It’s a nihilistic, anti-utopian piece of literature and, as such, is successor to the other dystopian classics, Huxley’s Brave New World and Orwell’s 1984. If the book was a shock, then Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 film adaptation starring Malcolm McDowell was nothing less than an earthquake, in terms of both artistic value and the stir it caused. A Clockwork Orange is the story of a gang of youths, called droogs, who dress in fetishistic costumes and make-up, and stage sadistic beatings and sexual assaults. Their leader, Alex, is arrested and subjected to grotesque psychological experiments. In the Stadsschouwburg’s Dutch-language stage version, Ko van den Bosch, of the theatre group d’Electrique, plays the protagonist. We asked him about the role, the play and the reactions the book and movie have received. Is the play based on the book or on the film? The book. Director Ola Mafaalani and dramaturg Dirkje Houtman have brought it back to a number of key scenes, while I reworked the texts and added some more. It’s kind of odd: the movie is an icon of the
Sixties. You know, it has a reputation for being the perfect movie. I think the general idea is not to touch that. But the questions that Burgess raises in the book are really interesting. They deal with the violence that exists in our society, as well as with the issue of how to stay human. The first two times I watched the movie I didn’t make it to the end because of the revolting violence. The film doesn’t leave much to the imagination; the book is much more philosophical. The key question in the book—and in the play—is: why do we always question the origin of depravation and not of respectability? The answer is that respectable people take their respectability for granted; they are conditioned. The book also asks whether you can only be a good person if you have the possibility to choose between good and bad behaviour, and not if you are a conditioned person who doesn’t reflect upon these things. So is the book an indictment of civil society? Yes. As well as a horrifying story that, at the same time, shows there is a positive side to humankind. But when Alex is in the institution, they show him pictures of concentration camps while playing classical music. He learns how to detest violence, but at the same time gets an aversion to classical music. His human side is destroyed. That is only considered to be collateral damage within the experiment, though. When Alex is allowed to
leave the institution, he has no ambition anymore. His creativity is dead: they conditioned him. Before you started d’Electrique, for years you were the frontman of Alex d’Electrique, a group known for its physical theatre, with lots of shouting and things flying about. Are you still working the same way? For years I have proclaimed loudly that, after our performances, the audience should leave with a higher energy level than when they came in. You can produce that effect by means of text, unexpected events, music or anything else. I want to generate excitement. In the Netherlands, we were pretty much the first group working that way. What I liked about Alex d’Electrique is that the whole collective decided to create a big mess in one-and-ahalf hours’ time. My contribution to Alex was very big. But now we work in groups of different constitutions, which determine what the performance will look like. What I mean by that is that the kind of texts I write are pretty much the same as before, but the message gets across more clearly. With Alex, the whole thing was multi-interpretable. The audience had to sort it out for themselves. You staged the performance at NDSMwerf in 2005. Is the 2007 version different? Well, in Noord, it was a location theatre production with a thirty-by-one-hundredfifty-metre floor. In theatres, we have limited possibilities, so the text is more
important. Will you follow the book, in that you’ll make it a linear story? No. In my role of Alex at an older age, I am talking about the early days of the gang, and why I was thrown in prison—so there are lots of flashbacks. The band The Ex are standing in the middle of the stage— or rather, jumping, knowing The Ex. To a beat, singer Jos narrates parts of the story, as well as [reading] political and philosophical texts from the book. At the end of the play, we talk about whether a society can look itself straight in the eye if it declares people sick, and then tries to heal them using the methods that are described in the book. How do you deal with the violent passages? The raw energy of the music takes over for the better part, in combination with the performance. At the end of the play, I’m standing in the rain for fifteen minutes, while Jos is reciting a text of mine, in which I list the madness that is going on these days, in this country: Verdonk, refugees burning to death in a prison at Schiphol, et cetera. That passes for normal society! The book is asking the same questions. It is a rock-hard pamphlet against respectability, and in favour of the ones resisting that. As Alex does. A Clockwork Orange, 20-21 May, 20.15, €10-€20, in Dutch, Stadsschouwburg, Leidseplein 26, 523 7700, www.stadsschouwburgamsterdam.nl
10-16 May 2007
Amsterdam Weekly
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ERIK CHRISTENHUSZ
SHORT LIST
De Kift, Saturday, Tolhuistuin Festival
THURSDAY10 MAY Architecture: Amstelhof Open Day Did the Rijksmuseum set a trend, with its hard hat tours, for allowing the general public to see an empty building before its complete renovation? It seems that way, since another monumental building is opening its doors, albeit this time for only four days. Dating from 1683, the Amstelhof was built for elderly people in need of care, and remained in use as a nursing home until a month ago. For a few years, part of the complex had also been serving as accommodation for the Amsterdam branch of the St Petersburg Hermitage, and now the museum will be expanding into the rest of the building. But before that happens, you’ll have a unique chance to take part in a guided tour: experience how low the ceilings were in those days, inspect the enormous lead and brick cooking pots in the historical kitchen and discover one of the best-kept secrets in the city: the heavenly garden with chestnut trees. The programme includes extensive documentation about the history and future of the building, with some musical performances thrown in. And it’s all free of charge. (Floris Dogterom) Amstelhof, 11.00-17.00, free. Until Sunday.
Art Fair: Art Amsterdam RAI conference centre, whose ever-changing programme normally appeals to mothers-of-the-bride, dog fanciers, ice-dancing divas and caravan-nuts, has gone all upmarket to host Art Amsterdam 2007. The art fair formerly known as KunstRAI is now modelling itself along Rotterdam lines, and is hoping to pick up some cool points in the process. So, once they’ve hoovered up the Alsatian fur and sequins, the vast hangar-like hall will make way for the best in mainly European contemporary art, with the emphasis on up-and-coming talent from the Netherlands. So, marvel at the cute squashy figures cooked up by ArtKitchen and puzzle at the intriguing offerings from Galerie A, both of which have stands at the show. As a bonus, a passepartout will entitle you to get in free to the likes of the Stedelijk, Foam and Huis Marseilles during the week of the exhibition. Not a bad return for 15 euros. (Jane Cavanagh) RAI, 11.00-19.00, €15. Until 13 May.
World: Omar Pene et le Super Diamono The Gold Coast of Western Africa has some of the richest musical heritage on the planet. While each tribe within each country creates different types of tunes, a crossstitching does exist to link the many forms together, be it through language, geography or instrument. Senegalese mbalax music is one such example. Mbalax is the main indigenous language in Senegal, and it weaves through myriad forms of
music, like jazz, blues, hiphop and funk. Thankfully, Amsterdam is getting an authentic blast of the sound, with Omar Pene et le Super Diamono. Pene has been performing in Africa—and beyond—for almost 30 years, and he is one of the most popular home-grown griots, or singers, in Dakar. His music mixes up all of the aforementioned elements in true West African spirit, to produce a melee that makes you dance, think and marvel at the musicianship all at once. Pene has won numerous awards from America to South Africa, and his band Super Diamono is a household name throughout their home country. This rare trip to Amsterdam is sure to be a treat. (Shain Shapiro) KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €19.
Literature: W139 Reading Groups W139 is an antidote to Googleworld, the place where we can acquire tons of knowledge at the fastest rate possible irrespective of whether it’s true or not, and then forget it all again. Instead, W139’s twice-weekly reading groups, lasting an average of three months, will help you really get to know and understand a book. And we’re not talking fiction lite or thrilling page-turners: the selected tomes will be challenging, and the reading groups will be hosted by a guide who will give explanations and help spark debates. Among the chosen few are The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels; Nietzsche’s On the Genealogy of Morals and Andrei Tarkovsky’s Sculpting in Time. The sessions are all in English (unless everyone present can speak Dutch). To join, simply check out the reading list at www.w139.nl/reading, select a book and join in. (Jane Cavanagh) W139, various times and prices.
FRIDAY11MAY Club: Kindred Spirits As part of the multimedia course by design collective Machine, 15 students from the Rietveld Academie were assigned to create a music video for ‘Your Shit’, the new single by Rednose Distrikt. The funky, fragmented beats of the electronic duo comprising DJs Aardvarck and Steven de Peven inspired a range of clips wildly divergent in quality and content. All of the entries will be shown earlier this evening, with the winner becoming the official promotional video. Art collective PIPS:lab will warm up the performance by Rednose, who tonight are launching their new album Poes. Released on the Kindred Spirits label, the record features collaborations with Dutch vocal talents like U-Gene and Benny Sings. The evening is rounded off with a show by the funky Brazilian sensation Bonde do Role, an electro trio who create wild dance music by combining tropical rhythms with samples by AC/DC and the Grease soundtrack. (Marinus de Ruiter) Paradiso, 23.59-04.00, €10.
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10-16 May 2007
SATURDAY12 MAY Dance: Masters of Bali Once again, an honoured emissary of world culture is gracing us with a visit—and once again, the Tropentheater is making it possible. I Made Djimat has been declared a ‘living treasure’ by his homeland of Indonesia, having earned his stripes over a 50year career performing and teaching traditional Balinese dance all around the world. He’s a purist in the best sense of the word, applying rigorous technique and in-depth character creation to the process of revivifying ancient dance narratives about life in Bali. With four other dancers (all, as it happens, part of the Djimat dynasty) and a five-man gamelan orchestra, the Masters of Bali will incarnate clowns, fools, priests, wise men and other archetypes, in a series of classical Mask dances and more. (Steve Schneider) KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €25.
Workshop: Muzikantendag 2007 So you wanna be a rock star and eat hamsters? Or possibly a scrupulous agent who turns your pals into guitar legends, only to swindle their cash? Muzikantendag is the annual event where you can learn every trick of the trade from those who’ve been there and done that—or at least are doing it. For example, take in musician workshops with the likes of Ellen ten Damme, Blaxtar, The Apers, Lucky Fonz III and Kirsten, have your demo tape critiqued by the people from venues and labels who bring themselves to listen to dozens of awful tracks each day. Then there’s all the elements of the industry that aren’t so much about the music: financing, promotion and all those dry contract details that crush your soul. Fortunately, just when you think you can’t face stepping onstage again, there’s the guitar-smashing competition. Kurt Cobain, Pete Townsend, Paul Stanley all loved the destructive moves. (Just remember that these guys could afford to smash their stuff. There are consequences to launching your instrument across a stage—such as, speaking from experience, the discovery that replacement parts for your rare ’80s bass are in short supply, so that it will forever be held together by tape.) Anyway, tonight’s winner gets a brand new guitar. But as for the others... (Steven McCarron) Melkweg, Sugar Factory & Cinecenter, 11.00, €16.
Festival: Tolhuistuin Festival The late great Dutch poet and painter Lucebert once wrote that he didn’t want his work to end up in a museum, but rather in a creative centre that acted as a kind of laboratory. A place where poets, artists and composers could meet and develop projects together. This year’s re-badged Overhoeksfestival—now called the Tolhuistuin Festival—might be just the thing Lucebert envisioned. On the northern shore of the IJ, music, theatre, literature and art will press for the public’s attention. Eternal hippy Simon Vinkenoog blends his wild poetry with the jazz of Quincey; poets, musicians and composers recite from the work of the experimental New Yorker Jackson Mac Low and John Cage; and in the beautiful Tolhuis garden itself, dozens of artists will present their work. Whatever happens, Lucebert will never be far away. And yes, his work is also on display. See www.tolhuistuinfestival.nl. (Floris Dogterom) Tolhuistuin, 14.00, €4.
MONDAY14 MAY Hiphop: Nas Nas’ new album Hip Hop is Dead is a statement. For a man who has been at the top of conscious (and less-than-conscious) hiphop for over a decade, his words speak the truth, and speak it very loudly. A genre that began as a political tool has ended up in the hands of misogynists, and this new album reminds us that good hiphop is everywhere: there’s no need to listen to all that crap harking on about bitches and hos. A true legend in modern music—and the son of another legend, the jazz musician Olu Dara—Nas has been at the crest of all that is good in hiphop since he dropped Illmatic, his epochal debut of 1994. Nas’ new album proves the man is just getting better. Tonight he’ll remind us that hiphop is not dead: it just needs a few caring souls to use it properly. (Shain Shapiro) Melkweg, The Max, 21.00, €39.50 + membership.
TUESDAY15 MAY Literature: Amsterdam Literary Festival A call to international bookworms, writers and wordsmiths, the third edition of the Amsterdam Literary Festival comes to town today. The festival showcases diverse, award-winning talent, such as Toby Litt, author of Adventures in Capitalism and Exhibitionism, crime novelist Stella Duffy and the witty BBC Radio 4 travel presenter Sandi Toksvig. For expats, the work of international journalist David Winner, author of (hold your breath!) Those Feet: An Intimate History of English Football and Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football, might give insight into new Dutch compatriots—or at least their sports ethic. Workshops, discussions, poetry and a books-and-booze cruise are also on the agenda. (Dara Colwell) Various locations, times and prices. Until 20 May.
Send details and images for listing consideration at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl.
Amsterdam Weekly
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VELA ARBUTINA
10-16 May 2007
9,761 glass bottles standing on a wall: Flemish and Dutch art exhibition breaks new ground with recycling.
A LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP ART Recyclage De Brakke Grond, until 27 May By Mark Wedin
Of the four artists participating in the Vlaamse Cultuurhuis De Brakke Grond’s exhibition Recyclage, Kris Vleeschouwer’s piece ‘Glass Works’ is perhaps the most eye-catching. In the middle of the Brakke Grond’s large hall, 14 long shelves have been constructed by Vleeschouwer to hold a total of 10,000 glass bottles. Since the exhibition’s opening a couple weeks ago, the number of bottles has dwindled to 9,762. Crash! Make that 9,761. Vleeschouwer linked his installation with a glass recycling container in Brussels. Every time someone throws something into the container there, one of the installation’s bottles is pushed off its shelf. On a nearby monitor, visitors can watch a live-streaming image, via webcam, of the container in Brussels, which is located near the train station Gare du Nord. ‘If you have patience and watch carefully, you can see the Amsterdam-Brussels train passing by,’ says Vleeschouwer. He explains how ‘Glass Works’ is an interactive piece, but one in which the interaction is long distance. And with modern technology, this is not so difficult to achieve. ‘In the container itself, there is
a sensor and a sender,’ says Vleeschouwer. ‘If somebody throws a bottle of wine into the container, the sensor is activated by the noise and the sender is switched on. This sender sends an impulse to a receiver connected to a mobile phone nearby. From there, the impulse of the life of falling glass goes to Amsterdam.’ The art installation is then triggered, and a machine, which travels on vertical and horizontal tracks between the bottles, randomly moves to one, pushing it off. Depending on the time of day, the installation may or may not be very active. During the opening, for example, there was not a lot of interaction. ‘On a Friday night people from Brussels are not so into recycling,’ smiles Vleeschouwer. But he does admit that someone had been sent down to Brussels that night to throw bottles into the container. ‘That’s always nice at an opening. But the idea is, of course, that “Glass Works” lives its own life on the rhythm of the city, on the rhythm of coincidence, on the rhythm of maybe just one person who wants to get rid of his jars or bottles.’ In a nearby room, Dirk van Lieshout has constructed a different sort of installation, entitled ‘Billboardscape’. The room contains a tent-like shelter, some venetian blinds, a round ball for sitting, and has a low ceiling—all made of old billboards and posters he peeled off walls around town. ‘I wanted to make a landscape from billboards,’ explains Van
Kris Vleeschouwer’s shattering experience.
Lieshout, ‘one where, as a viewer, you are drawn into this new world which is dominated by found objects. The point of view could also be from an alien who looks to another world and makes another setting from these materials he found on the street.’ The most enjoyable part of the installation is probably the so-called ‘house pet’. Van Lieshout took an automatic vacuum cleaner, removed the sucking action, and covered it in found billboards. ‘It’s kind of like a dog,’ says the artist. ‘It’s on its own programme to clean the floor, so it’s busy for three hours.’ As Van Lieshout talks, the device rolls around, busily attending to each square metre. (For anyone interested in this kind of handy cleaner, it’s called a Roomba and, as you might guess, comes from America.) Though individual viewers can derive a number of meanings from any artwork, this exhibition, particularly with the title Recyclage, seems to suggest a strong environmental statement. But, as curator Fleurie Kloostra explains, none is intended. ‘There are, however, underlining questions,’ she explains. ‘What is the role of the artist in the year 2007? On what ground does he make his choices for us? We watch television every day. A director or web designer makes a selection of images for us. Artists are doing precisely the same thing. But they do it rather cautiously. Performing artists require much more time for reflection. But by intellectualising exhibitions—which is often the case—we find ourselves going in the wrong direction. And you force a wedge between the public and the presentation.’ Kloostra also points out that the recycling theme ‘did not arise from environmental problems.’ In her words: ‘I do not believe that art will change the world. The power of money, no matter how common, remains king.’
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Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007
Rodrigo y Gabriela, see Wednesday
MUSIC Send listing suggestions at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl.
Thursday 10 May Classical: Lunch Concert Classical students from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Bethaniënklooster, 12.30, free Opera: Hercules What’s an opera without jealousy? Fortunately, Handel’s interpretation of the Hercules myth has it in bucket loads, not least drawing on the confused emotions of his wife Dejanira. Performed by De Nederlandse Opera. Het Muziektheater, 19.30, €20-€85 Classical: Amsterdam Sinfonietta Performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D, Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, and Aaron Jay Kernis’ Musica celestis; featuring violinist Leila Josefowicz and conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €25
World: Omar Pena et le Super Diamono Mbalax, jazz and blues from Senegal. See Short List. KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €19 Pop/Rock: Airbag, Rolf Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 21.00, €5 Singer-songwriter: Charlie Dée One day she could be headlining Ahoy. For now, more intimate surroundings will suffice as the local pop singer launches new album Love Your Life. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 21.00, €6 + membership Jazz: Jacky Terrasson Trio Vibrant and rhythmic Blue Note pianist who won the Thelonious Monk Award in 1993. Backed by bassist Sean Smith and drummer Leon Parker. Bimhuis, 21.00, €16 Singer-songwriter: Richard Beukelaar Skek, 21.30, free Electronica: Coldcut presents Journeys by VJ Their 1996 compilation Journeys by DJ is often regarded as one of the best mix CDs ever. Consider, then, that Coldcut were pioneers of the VJ concept as far back as 20 years ago. Now just think of how much damage these producers can do combining all their wild audio and visual mixing skills. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership Festival: [H]ot Scenes Festival An electro, dance, rock and pop feast with 40 acts on four stages, spread across four days. Highlights should include Alfredo Genovesi, Matik, Scram C Baby, Tomcat and Eva Braun. For schedule see www.ot-hot-tot.com. OT301, 22.00, €5
Friday 11 May Septeto Turquino World: Septeto Turquino A healthy dose of Cuban jazz, led by bassist and singer Rolando Ferrer Rosado. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €27.50 Heavy: Alexisonfire Screamo emo hardcore from the angsty Canadians. Support from Attack in Black. Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, €13 + membership Experimental: Dubbelconcertino An experimental theatrical performance of two works. In the first, cellist Jan Kuijken forms a dialogue with six speakers. In the second, actress Marlies Heuer recites dialogue in which she interacts with the speakers. De Brakke Grond, 20.30, €12
Singer-songwriter: Lisa Germano Melancholic and haunting works from the magical violinist/pianist. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 19.00, €9 + membership Ska: Rotterdam Ska Jazz Foundation Blijburg, 20.00, free Classical: Residentie Orkest The Den Haag-based orchestra is joined by pianist Eliane Rodrigues for a romantic programme, featuring favourites by Brahms, Beethoven and Strauss. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €32.50 Pop/Rock: 3xLive You wouldn’t know it from the band names—Tunnelfist, Wounded Kite and Board of Directors—that sound decidedly heavy metal, but tonight is for fans of indie rock, pop and maybe a little alt country, for good measure. Winston Kingdom, 20.30, €5
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007 Rock: Hell is For Heroes Ten years ago they were the manic pop-lovin’ rockers Symposium. After a spiky break-up, Hell is For Heroes was born and they’ve already been rocking heavier and harder for almost seven years. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 20.30, €11 + membership Flamenco: Media Luna Flamenca A quartet reinterpreting the relationship between flamenco and Andalusian-Arab music by combining the characteristically dark sound of the flamenco guitar with the Arabic lute, violin, darbuka and tambourine. KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €20 Classical: Nederlands Kamerkoor With Robert Hollingworth as fearless leader, the choir will be tackling 17th-century English masterworks by Orlando Gibbons, Henry Purcell, Michael Wise and Thomas Tomkins. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €19 Singer-songwriter: Tom McRae Melancholic and emotional acoustic song-crafting from the Englishman, always popular on visits to the Melkweg. Tonight’s show will be ballasted by material from his new album King of Cards. Support from Steve Reynolds. Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, €16 + membership
Contemporary: Schönberg Ensemble A bundle of Dutch premieres from Dmitri Kourliandski, Valery Voronov, Boris Filanovski, Anton Safronov Chronos and Alexey Sioumak. Together they call themselves the ‘Structural Resistance Group’, uniting in a common goal: touching society’s exposed nerves, taking on the fight against academism, rethinking tradition and evolving to surpass one another. They even claim to be the best Russian composers of their generation. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €20 Jazz: Masha Bijlsma Super Band Singer Bijlsma is already pretty well known for tackling works by the likes of Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller, Charlie Haden, Jasper van ’t Hof and Kate Bush. Tonight her regular band is extended with Hungarian saxophonist Tony Lakatos, whose songs will also be on the agenda. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Festival: [H]ot Scenes Festival (See Thursday) OT301, 21.00, €5 Pop/Rock: The Dam Nederpop in ’60s style. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5
Sunday 13 May Classical: Musica Amphion Authentic baroque renditions of works by Bach, Händel, Vivaldi and Locatelli. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 11.00, €14 Jazz: Aurelia Saxofoon Kwartet (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 13.30, 15.30, €15 Classical: Mother’s Day Concert Popular classics and favourites from musicals. Westergasfabriek, 14.00, free Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 14.15, €30 Festival: [H]ot Scenes Festival (See Thursday) OT301, 15.00, €5
Sean Noonan Jazz: Sean Noonan’s Brewed by Noon Best known for his role with New York jazz punks The Hub, drummer Noonan has moved forward in his new band Brewed by Noon, mixing up previous ways with West-African folk music. Joining him are bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, violist Mat Maneri, singer Abdoulaye Diabate and guitarist Aram Bajakian. Bimhuis, 21.00, €16 Festival: [H]ot Scenes Festival (See Thursday) OT301, 21.00, €5 Rock: Surf Party Featuring The Side Men (DE) Stronzo Gelantono & The Boo Men (Italy) and legendary DJ The Casbah (US). Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5 Electronica: Ringel-S Electro dance outfit from Belgium. Can ’80s synth rock finally be brought into the 21st century? Find out at this Discocult event. Sugar Factory, 23.00, €10 Jazz: Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band AfroCaribbean jazz. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.30, €12.50 + membership
Saturday 12 May Jazz: Aurelia Saxofoon Kwartet Circus jazz with saxophones. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 13.30, 15.30, €15 Classical: Jean-Guihen Queyras French cellist JeanGuihen Queyras leads a masterclass. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 19.30, €22 Pop/Rock: SENA Performers POPnl Award 2007 Yet another musical battle. Finalists of this competition include: Karmakonga (Amsterdam), Woordlooiers (Brabant), The Girls (Drenthe), Ape Dirt (Flevoland), New Sense Memory (Friesland), Diggeth (Gelderland), The Swains (Groningen), Alize (Limburg), Ten-Hut (Noord-Holland), Swamp Nouveau (Overijssel), Findel (Utrecht), Incarnate (Zeeland) and Phat Groove Phoundation (Zuid-Holland). Melkweg, 20.00, €10 + membership Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest In a programme entitled ‘It’s a Machine’s World’, Yakov Kreizberg leads the orchestra through some memorable rhythmic works, including Beethoven’s Symphony No8, Haydn’s The Clock, Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Fanfare for Orchestra and Ravel’s Bolero. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €30 Singer-songwriter: Gé Reinders Eighteen months ago, this songwriter from Limburg released his album Bloas Mich Nao, and he’s toured the land non-stop since. Tonight Reinders is backed by the Amsterdamse Tramharmonie. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €15 + membership
Jazz: Olthuis & van Veenendaal and The Mystery of Guests A Jazz at the Monastery series performance starring bassist Wilbert de Joode. Bethaniënklooster, 15.30, €15 Singer-songwriter: Roots of Heaven One of the most impressive celebrations of rootsy Americana and singer-songwriters ever to be held in Noord-Holland. Roots of Heaven VIII promises sets from Magnolia Electric Co (Jason Molina), Do-the-Undo, Elliott Brood, David Childers & The Modern Don Juans, Duane Jarvis, Richmond Fontaine, Whip, The Sadies, Rosie Thomas and Herman Düne. If only all festivals could maintain such high standards of quality. Patronaat, Haarlem, 15.30, €25 Heavy: Artery Balkan metal. Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 20.00, free Rock: Le Club Suburbia Featuring the experimental post-hardcore noise of Die Princess Die (US), White Circle Crime Club (BE) and Ponypack. OCCII, 20.00, €5 Classical: Jean-Guihen Queyras The cellist is joined by pianist Alexandre Tharaud, performing works by Debussy, Poulenc, Berg and Schubert. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €28 Heavy: Boysetsfire A lot of fury mixed with a little bit of melody. So many bands attempt it, but few have been as successful—and sounded as good—as Boysetsfire in the last decade. It’s a shame, then, that they’re calling it a day, with tonight pegged as their final Amsterdam show. Support from Dear Tonight and The Blackout Argument. Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, €15 + membership Electronica/Jazz: Brand New Heavies Acid jazz, soul and funk from the English outfit, who’re back with original vocalist N’Dea Davenport. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €22.50 + membership Gospel: Campbell Brothers Afro-American gospel and blues built upon some amazing pedal steel guitar-playing by the brothers. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Soul: Rose The Dutch soul-singer presents her second album, Livin’ It. Sugar Factory, 21.00, €8.50 Electro rock: The Young Gods In 2005, these Swiss noise terrorists celebrated their 20th anniversary with a greatest-hits album and extensive touring. Contemporary and challenging as ever, whether composing ambient soundscapes or hard-hitting industrial Euro rock—à la new album Super Ready/Fragmenté—the trio still warrant your attention. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €14 + membership
Monday 14 May Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €30 Classical: Piano Trios With pianist Alexander Melnikov, violinist Isabelle Faust and cellist Jean-Guihen
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Queyras performing trios by Haydn, Dvorák and Beethoven. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €32.50
tonight are the Duitse darling Sven Ratzke and Gerrie van der Klei. Sugar Factory, 21.00, €9
Classical: The Lonely Urubu Performance of works by Rodrigo, Mompou, Vitezlava Kapralova, Leo Smit and others. Uilenburger Synagogue, 20.15, €15
Hiphop: Nas Last year this superstar rapper proclaimed Hip Hop Is Dead in his most recent album title. So why is he here? See Short List. Melkweg, The Max, 21.00, €39.50 + membership
Rock: Interpol They’ve taken their time recording a follow-up to the extremely successful Antics, but the shadowy American indie icons are back. OK, so Our Love to Admire won’t actually be out till July, but beyond this preview tour, Interpol will be hitting every major festival in sight. If you weren’t quick enough to grab tickets for tonight, they’ll more than likely to be back before the year’s end. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, sold out Electronica/Jazz: De-Phazz Lounge-y, eclectic and electronic poppy grooves as the German dance act showcase their seventh album, Days of Twang. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €16 + membership Big band: Konrad Koselleck Big Band Jazz pop dance fusion—big band style. Joining Koselleck
Jazz: Toots Thielemans Quartet An 85-year-old accordion legend who’s spent more than 50 years with his lips wrapped around blocks of metal. Bimhuis, 21.00, €24 Experimental: DNK-Amsterdam Weekly concert series for electro-acoustic experimentation. Participants tonight include Tom Johnson, Mike Schmid, Carlos Galvez Taroncher and Diederik Peeters. OT301, 21.30, €4 Rock: Battles Severe math rock. This American quartet ain’t exactly big on vocals, but they’ll rapidly warp your mind with their avant-garde guitar, synth and drum wanderings. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership
Thursday 15 May Singer-songwriter: Rosie Thomas This songwriter and stand-up comedian from Seattle joined the Sub Pop revolution six years ago, just as the grunge-loving record label began exploring its mellower side. Sweet, funny and sincere, Thomas is out on tour promoting new recording These Friends of Mine, and album guest Denison Witmer is along for the ride. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 18.30, €6 + membership World: Me Naiset, Toorama A vocal collaboration drawing on folk music from Russia and Finland, particularly from the Mordovia region. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €27.50 Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €30
Wednesday 16 May Classical: Lunch Concert With violinist Sanne Hun-
10-16 May 2007 feld and pianist Maarten den Hengst. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 12.30, free Pop: Fun Lovin’ Criminals Funky party rock from New York. Admittedly, they haven’t progressed much musically since their Tarantino-inspired conception in the mid-’90s, but whether they’re selling records or not, fans still flock to bouncing FLC shows. Melkweg, The Max, 20.00, €20 + membership Classical: Piano Trios (See Monday) Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €32.50 Reggae: Jam Session Led by Ghettowish. Musicians and vocalists welcome. Volta, 21.00, free Jazz: James Carter Organ Trio A clue is in the name. Expect warm organ-driven jazz, led by American sax virtuoso James Carter, who’s known for his energetic diversity across all of the instrument’s tonal families. Bimhuis, 21.00, €18 Singer-songwriter: Mooie Noten 2007 Pop competition for singer-songwriters and small ensembles. Tonight’s semi-final includes Rina Mushonga, Charles Frail, Coleta, Monique, Susan Zeegers, Habiba and Hartog. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 21.00, €7 + membership Soul: Nneka Smooth grooves come from the vocalist promoting her album Victim of Truth. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 21.00, €15 Latin: Rodrigo y Gabriela A Mexican duo—though based in Europe—mixing Latin harmonies with typical rock structures. Already huge in Ireland, Rod and Gab are now aiming for the rest of the continent, throwing in covers of Led Zeppelin and Metallica amidst their own rapid and rhythmic Latin grooves. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €10 + membership Jazz: TryTone Festival Experimental jazz concepts, with sets from Knalpot, Fliegen und Surfen (DE) and Celano Bagianni Schuster. Zaal 100, 21.00, €5 Pop/Rock: Club 3voor12 Live radio and TV session featuring sets from Wudstik, Jay Reatard and The Mighty Roars. Desmet Studios, 22.00, free, tickets: www.3voor12.nl
Jhelisa Singer-songwriter: Jhelisa Soul, blues and R&B from the established vocal star. Over the years, Jhelisa has collaborated with big names like Jeff Buckley, The Shamen, Courtney Pine, Björk and Massive Attack. Sugar Factory, 22.00, €14.50
CLUBS Thursday 10 May Just Get Electrorated Featuring Alexander Technique (US), Tron, Fokko Versloot & Koen Lebens, Nina, Steam Supreme (live) and DJ Wurtz. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-03.00, €5 Wildvreemd Outlandish electro and live performances. The party’s getting a little wilder tonight as it’s also the birthday party for core member Carlos Valdes. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €9 Poptrash Three decades’ worth of rock, electro and hiphop with The Punchout DJs. Tonight’s special live guests are The World Domination. Melkweg, The Max, 23.00-late, €5 ¿Que Pasa? Latin-crossover night with reggae, folk, ska, punk and mestizo. Special guests are Panteón Rococó. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.00-late, €7
Friday 11 May Discocult A trend-setting, free-styling mix of melodic dance electronica, with voyages into breaks, hiphop,
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007 disco, pop, post punk and all that jazz. Featuring DJs Smoove, Graham B, Rubedo and Martin Duvall. Sugar Factory, 01.00-05.00, €10 WDGEVG A special wee party with DJs Ruby Wax and Missing Links. Club 8, 22.00-04.00, free Parkroom With Lupe, Eva Maria and Marc Schneider. Flex Bar, 22.00-late, €8 Rauw With Yuksek (Berlin) and DJs Headman/Manhead (Berlin) and Joost van Bellen. 11, 22.30-04.00, €15
Monday 14 May Cheeky Monday A jungle and drum & bass night featuring players from local and international scenes. Winston Kingdom, 22.00-03.00, €6
Tuesday 15 May Beatskool Hiphop, reggae, dubstep, grime and drum & bass. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-03.00, €5
Timezone Monster munch hits from the last few decades. Odeon, 23.00-05.00, €10
Bass Culture Reggae and dancehall party hosted by the Black Star Foundation. Bitterzoet, 21.30-03.00, €5
ADHD Sessions presents: Stadstechno With Takaaki Itoh (Japan), Inigo Kennedy (UK), Steven Engelmann (DE), Dia.chro.na, Recovery Sounds, Invite, Paul Boex and Kyoshi. Studio 80, 23.00-late, €10
Wednesday 16 May
Balkan Beatz Dance Night Eastern Bloc-rockin’ beats from DJ Shantel, Caspian Hat Dance and DJ Tommi & the Hoppa! Collective. Melkweg, The Max, 23.00-late, €12 + membership Kindred Spirits With Rednose Distrikt launching their new album Poes, plus a performance from Brazilian star Bonde Do Role. And, of course, there are DJs blasting out tunes in every crevice of the building. See Short List. Paradiso, 23.59-04.00, €10 Club Rascal The fastest growing indie dance night in town? Expect the likes of Bromheads Jacket, CSS, Maxïmo Park and Editors. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.59late, €6 + membership
Electronation A Hemelvaart special featuring Jori Hulkkonen (Finland), Terry Toner, Tundra (live) and Roel H. Sugar Factory, 01.00-05.00, €13 Voltt A techno-friendly trip to heaven with Digitaline (live), Anja Schneider, Troy Pierce and Bart Skils. Westergasfabriek, 22.00-late, €19.50 Save Me In Heaven Dancing for orangutans—not with them, unfortunately. This benefit night features spinning from Terry Toner, Nuno dos Santos, Philip Young, Future Groove Express and Mal Borrowed & Frei Bauwerker. 11, 22.30-04.00, €15 Housequake Hemelvaart! With Jeroenski, Born To Funk, Baggi Begovic, Roog vs Erick E and the WickedJazzSounds crew. Panama, 23.00-03.00, €15 GirlsLoveDJ’s DJs play their favourite tunes. Girls love it, apparently. Hotel Arena, 23.00-04.00, €16
Saturday 12 May Sencity A multidisciplinary party that aims to dazzle your senses. Besides the music from Don Diablo, Luie Hond and Victor Coral, there’s acrobatics, holographics, massage, hairdressers and a photo competition organised by Foam. Westergasfabriek, 19.00-04.00, €17.50 Passion vs On the Brink Preview of a new monthly fashion show, with DJs Wiebthroat and Martijn van Dishoek. Odeon, 21.00-05.00, €10 Pandemonium—The Masquerade A baroque-style dance party. Who’d have ever thought it possible? Westergasfabriek, 21.00-07.00, €30 Molotov Cocktail Lounge Anarchodisko and lounge punk extravaganza hosted by the Moskow Diskow crew. Guests include The Beamers (live), Dr No and Wiertz. Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 21.00-late, €5 Plan West Amsterdam Weekly promotes eclecticism and eclecticism promotes Amsterdam Weekly. Expect a cacophony of diversity from the decks of Intifida Soundsystem, Drogba and Bobby Wombat. Club 8, 22.00 -04.00, €6, free before 23.00 Planet Delsin With Octave One featuring Random Noise Generation (US) and DJs Newworldaquarium, Raymon Hollander and Tim Nieburg. 11, 22.00-04.00, €12 Dutch Soil Rotterdam hiphop from the Pan Africans, driven by African culture and Rastafarianism. Sugar Factory, 22.30, €10 Jamrock Explosion Reggae and dancehall. Paradiso, 23.00-04.00, €20 Molotov & The DirtyDirtyDirty Dirty electro, hiphop, breaks, garage and more. Spinning across the two rooms are Victor Coral, Terry Toner, The Flexican and other guests. Hotel Arena, 23.00-04.00, €15 Digitalsoul Diverse genres brought to you by new and established DJ talents. Tonight’s guests include Dekky, Jeff Alexander, Steve Boomselecter, La Ona, Miss Sugarwave and Carita la Nina. Sugar Factory, 23.59-05.00, €12 Gemengd Zwemmen Two rooms of swimmingly diverse noise. Melkweg, 23.59-late, €8
GAY& LESBIAN
Theatre: Overwinteren Opium voor het Volk’s new production sees three old friends struggling with their personal lives, their careers and the fact that they’ve turned 30. In an endeavour to sort through it all, they lock themselves up in a house for a few weeks. An illustration of how well friendship can sometimes alleviate the nuisances of modern life. In Dutch. Wibautstraat 150, (Thur-Sat 21.15), €12 Performance: PIPS:lab Multimedia-friendly performances of Wortel Combat 3 and The Washing Powder Conspiracy. Paradiso, (Fri 21.00), €10 + membership Theatre: We Save No Lives This one’s about the biggies: youth and ageing, well-being and sickness, life and death. Inspired by Buñuel, with quotes from brain physiologist Gary Lynch, the play also ponders whether these themes are approached differently by artists versus scientists. In Dutch. De Brakke Grond, (Fri, Sat 20.30), €12 Theatre: Wij willen ook naar huis In this tragi-comic performance, theatre and radio writers Alkemade and Bloemen combine happy slapstick with a sense of the ‘beauty of misery’. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (Fri-Sun 20.30), €12.00 Music/Dance: Friday Night Featuring a musical and theatrical Max Beckmann-inspired piece by jazz musician Marcos Baggiani, composer/performer Daisuke Terauchi and dancers Valeria Primost and Marisa Grande. There’s also a performance by Paul Koek’s Veenfabriek and music from DJ DaanModern. Van Gogh Museum, 18.30, €10
Vrouwenavond Popular lezzie night for gay girlies and their friends. Café Sappho, 21.00, free
Saturday 12 May Twisted Song Festival Tunes DJs Nicole and Gina find new ways of assualting your ears with mixed-up Eurovision trash. PRIK, (Tues-Thur 16.00-01.00, Fri-Sat 16.00-03.00), 22.00-03.00 Eurovision Finals The big, big cheesefest on a big, big screen. Rouge, 21.00-00.00, free F*cking POP Queers Extra Manga, Claudette, Kmart and The Sophisticated Faders enure the dancefloor resounds with an almighty POP, in a special Friday night outing for the midweeker. Studio 80, 22.0005.00, €5 before 00.00, €6.50 after
Sunday 13 May EurosongTravestival Chicks with Dicks celebrate the Eurovision Song Festival in cross-dressing style. But can they explain once and for all why Israel participates? Winston Kingdom, 20.00-03.00, €10, €5 after 22.00 Sweet Sin Sunday Made sweeter still by the fact that the bar is open from midday for Prosecco brunch, tostinis, smoothies, Ben & Jerry’s and so on. PRIK, 12.00 Happy Hour Cheap drinks + sunshine ÷ gay men = cruise central. April, 18.00-20.00
LaZiz Lounge A healthy blend of Arabic pop, disco, funk and R&B, with a live set from focal point of the night Samira Karam. Akhnaton, 20.00-02.00, €7.50
Tuesday 15 May
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
Theatre: Surrender Every day a man stands outside an office building without any apparent reason. One day, two workers take him inside and subject him to a fierce interrogation. Played by Kees Rourda’s theatre group The Glasshouse, Surrender deals with paranoia and the blurring border between good and evil. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €15
Happy hour and bingo Happy hour from 17.00-19.00. Then blow all the money you saved on a round of bingo, from 19.00-20.00 Saarein, 17.00-20.00,
Sing-a-long afternoon Dust down your songbooks and stretch out your vocal cords. Saarein, 18.00-21.00
Vuur, Gijs, Lam Benefit party with music from DJs Dick Beslag & Anne-Crepe, Meneer de Bruin, Discotwins, Les Deux D’electrique and Wannabeastar. Club 8, 22.00-03.00, €10
Opening
Friday 11 May
Sunday 13 May
E.N.D. Electronation’s weekly Sunday night slot. Bitterzoet, 21.00-03.00, €5/€8
STAGE
Movie Night Tonight’s film is Shortbus, John Cameron Mitchell’s sexually explicit film about New Yorkers. Lesbians: look out for Daniela Sea and Bitch. PRIK, 19.00, free
Wednesday 16 May F*cking POP Queers Special For the second time in five days, it’s Manga, Claudette, Kmart and The Sophisticated Faders. Studio 80, 22.00-05.00, free before 00.00, €5 after
Masters of Bali Dance: Masters of Bali Master dancer I Made Djimat and his collective of dancers and musicians perform the five best-known mask dances from Bali. See Short List. KIT Tropentheater, (Sat 20.30), €25 Music/Theatre: Stories of Europe Five actors from different countries tell their own personal stories about the continent. Accompanying musicians and artists supply their own interpretation. In English. Stadsschouwburg, (Sat, Sun 20.15), €22.50 Theatre: Wees ons genadig This new play by Alex van Warmerdam and De Mexicaanse Hond features three men—all artists—and one woman who wants to be their muse. However, the artists’ lack of success raises the question of who’s talentless—the men or their muse? In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, (Mon, Tues 20.15), €11.50-€22.50 Theatre: Playtime Until 20 May mime students present their self-conceived performances and projects as part of the Playtime festival. Tonight’s three are Life in a Crumble, Het had niet moeten zijn and 4 Etudes. Hetveem Theater, (Tues, Wed 20.00), €8 Theatre: De Eenzame Weg The Dutch premiere of Tg STAN’s new work, inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s Aphorismen und Betrachtungen. In Dutch. De Brakke Grond, (Tues, Wed 20.30), €12 Theatre: Mightysociety4 Part of a social consciousness-raising theatre project, this fourth installment is a political thriller about globalisation and personal happiness. In Dutch. Frascati, (Tues, Wed 21.00), €12 Theatre: Kwaad Bloed Rotterdam’s Lef present a play about friendship and betrayal amongst a group of adolescents. In Dutch. Rozentheater, (Wed 20.00), €7.50 Dance: Heartland Three new choreographies for Rotterdam’s Scapino Ballet by Ed Wubbe, Marco Goecke and Georg Reischl. While Wubbe is the artistic leader of
15
Amsterdam Weekly
16 the company, Goecke and Reischl are relative newcomers who’ve been proclaimed the new talents, home and abroad. Stadsschouwburg, (Wed 20.15), €11.50-€22
Museums Vergessene Fahnen (Forgotten Flags) German artist Florian Thalhofer presents an interactive road movie and photos as he gives an account of fellow countrymen who, months after the World Cup football in 2006, are still displaying the national flag proudly— an act previously feared for its association with right-wing nationalism. Also enjoy specially imported Bavarian beer and learn how to eat Weißwurst. Mediamatic (Wed-Fri 18.00-23.00), closing Friday
Ongoing Theatre: Vuile Handen Theatre group EA stage a relatively unknown play by Jean-Paul Sartre. About hypocrisy in politics. About the tragedy of a man whose act of heroism is completely pointless. About love. And about terrorism. In Dutch. Compagnietheater, (Thur, Fri 20.00), €18
Beauty and the Bead: From Madonna to the Maasai This first exhibition ever to focus on beads as a worldwide phenomenon features beaded costumes from every epoch and all corners of the earth. Tropenmuseum (Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00), closing Sunday
Music/Theatre: Black in Bakkum A performance by spoken-word artist and singer Jeannine Valeriano, about growing up in a Dutch-Indonesian family in a small farming town where she feels an outsider. Travelling to Curaçao as a teenager, she finds herself being treated as an outsider there, too. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (Thur, Fri, Sun, Tues, Wed 12.30), €10
The Rise A work by German artists Nina Fischer and Maroan el Sani, realised during their five-month residence in Amsterdam’s Zuidas. Dealing primarily in the medium of film, they concentrate on the complex relationship between the visual language of a building, its psychological effects and the political-economic reality in which it functions. Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), closing Sunday
Music/Theatre: De negen heksen van Macbeth Shakespeare’s drama with an added epilogue that follows the witches as they hatch their plans. Each witch is accompanied by two instrument-bearing musical shadows. In Dutch. Frascati, (Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 20.30), €16 Theatre: Irish Tigers Theatergroep Flint’s celebration of Irish culture and music. De Roode Bioscoop, (ThurSat, Wed 20.30), €15 Theatre: Jeanne d’Arc On the eve of her execution, Joan of Arc gets the chance to escape her ugly fate of being burnt at the stake, provided she delivers a full confession. While pondering her dilemma, both God and the hangman pay a visit to ask the ultimate question: ‘What’s better, dying in honour or living without?’ In Dutch. Frascati, (Thur-Sun 21.00), €12 Performance: Placebo Theatresport improv. In Dutch. CREA Theater, (Fri 20.30), €6 Comedy: easyLaughs Comedy improv in English. Two different shows every Friday night. CREA Muziekzaal, (Fri 20.30, 22.30), €10, €5 (late night) Music/Dance: Band IN [a [box] A multidisciplinary dance performance with interactive installations and music and dance offshoots. NDSM-werf, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €5 Comedy: Improphecy Stand-up improv. Club Meander, (Tues 20.30), €4
10-16 May 2007
Awoiska van der Molen, see Opening
ART Opening Amanda Besl In this exhibition entitled I Want to be the Girl With the Most Cake, Besl creates oil paintings that capture both the documentary quality of photography and the language of fashion photography. Artspace Witzenhausen (Thur-Sat 12.00-18.00), opens Thursday, until 16 June Awoiska van der Molen: Maintained Ground Van der Molen photographs in and around cities that lack liveliness, to the point of leaving one feeling uncomfortable. These works show an awkward world that has a strange atmosphere, carrying a theatrical tension.
Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), opens Friday, until 20 June Fact & Fiction An exploration of staged photography and how such an art form can be used to create a world of fantasy and illusions. Participating artists include Jasper de Beijer, Ellen Mandemaker, MariaMaria, Diana Scherer, Raymond Taudin Chabot and Tessa Verder. Arti et Amicitiae (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), opens Friday, until 10 June La forme des plats dans le monde Exhibition of 12 ceramic dishes made by international designers. Maison Descartes (Mon-Thur 10.00-18.00, Fri 10.00-17.00), opens Friday, until 23 May Amsterdam in de wereld—De wereld in Amsterdam A collection of immensely rare treasures owned by the Universiteit van Amsterdam, including handwritten scriptures, printed books, pictures and objects. UvA: Special Collections Library (Mon-Fri 09.30-17.00), opens Saturday, until 16 September
25 Uitvergrote Stills Uit De Nooijer-films Alongside the exhibition of Nooijer film stills, the video installation ‘100 Years of Beauty’ is on display. Matching this are photographs of 100 people born between 1902 and 2002, illustrating the human circle of life. Filmmuseum (Mon-Fri 09.00-22.15, Sat, Sun one hour prior to show-22.15), closing Sunday Tijdelijk Museum Amsterdam Ephemeral art experiences which can be found all over town in prominent art institutions like Foam, Montevideo, Stedelijk Museum and W139. To figure out what’s happening where before they dissolve once more, see www.tijdelijkmuseumamsterdam.nl. Various locations and times, closing Sunday SIZE matters! Images of buildings and constructions from 1955 to 1985, illustrating Amsterdam’s unique urban development. Zuiderkerk (Mon-Fri 09.00-16.00, Sat 12.00-16.00), closing Wednesday Mapping the City This group exhibition focuses on the relationship between artists and the city from 1960 to the present day. The show revolves around the way in which artists perceive urban space, with emphasis
10-16 May 2007 on the city as social community, its behaviour, poses and urban rituals. Participating artists include Doug Aitken, Francis Alÿs, Stanley Brouwn, Matthew Buckingham, Philip Lorca diCorcia and many more. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 20 May Ten Klooster: A Man With Two Lives Showing over 50 works by the Indonesian-Dutch artist Ten Klooster, varying from paintings to wood engravings. Tropenmuseum (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 20 May Robert Capa: Retrospective Taking a broad look at the work of Robert Capa (1913-1954), the legendary war photographer and founder of modern photojournalism. His photos of the Spanish Civil War and D-Day are etched in everyone’s memory and have shaped our image of the 20th century. Joods Historisch Museum (Daily 11.00-17.00), until 20 May Eva Besnyö: Unknown Photos Work by Eva Besnyö (1910-2003) has featured in countless publications and exhibitions. Yet after her death, many still unknown and previously unpublished photos were discovered in her archive. This exhibition presents a selection of these photos, underscoring her reputation as one of the greatest photographers in the Netherlands. Joods Historisch Museum (Daily 11.00-17.00), until 20 May Joan Colom: El Raval A selection of work by the Spanish photographer, featuring 84 black-and-white pictures from 1958 to 1961, all taken during Colom’s nearly daily visits to Barcelona’s Barrio Chino district. Known today as the Raval, the neighbourhood was once a centre of prostitution and crime. Foam (SatWed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 20 May Rembrandt in Berlin Excerpts from the worldrenowned collection of Rembrandt drawings from Berlin’s Kupferstichkabinett. Rembrandthuis (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 27 May Miriam Bäckström & Ursula Mayer Films by Austrian artist Mayer and Swedish artist Bäckström in collaboration with the Impakt Festival. Centraal Museum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), Utrecht, until 28 May Hertzberger’s Amsterdam Definitely having attained éminence gris status, the architect Herman Hertzberger will be 75 this year. Displayed in this exhibition are the maquettes of all his Amsterdam projects, thus presenting a cityscape in miniature that shows not only the realised plans, but also unexecuted designs. ARCAM (Tues-Sat 13.00-17.00), until 2 June
Amsterdam Weekly Moderniteit in de Tropen: Architectuur in Nederlands-Indië In the beginning of the 20th century, architects working in the Dutch East Indies created a unique style that combined their Dutch background with local traditions and influences from modern American architecture. This collection features photographs, drawings and maquettes from Indonesia between 1850 and 1950. Nederlands Architectuurinstituut (Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.00-17.00), Rotterdam, until 3 June Lucebert. Drawings Gouaches, drawings in Indian ink and works on paper in mixed media, dating from 1948 to 1993. There’s also an accompanying publication with text (in Dutch and English) by the Dutch author Cyrille Offermans. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 3 June Flowers Under the Magnifying Glass: A Homage to Linnaeus A celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), who studied and worked in the Netherlands from 1735 to 1738. In collaboration with the National Herbarium Nederland, this exhibition provides an overview of depictions of flowers, mainly by Dutch artists or artists who worked in the Netherlands. Teylers Museum (TuesSat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00), Haarlem, until 3 June Brave New World Works by contemporary Spanish, Russian and Dutch artists, who level criticisms at Western society and its democratic system in a disturbing, ironic or sarcastic manner. Participating artists include El Perro (SP), AES+F (Russia) and the Dutch artists Marc Bijl, Jeroen Jongeleen and Renzo Martens. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 3 June Sacha Weidner: Bleiben ist Nirgens Works by the young German photographer dealing with the basic elementary forces of human existence: beauty and decay, joy and fear, life and death. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 3 June Lights & Drawings Light and shadow are the literal and figurative focus of this exhibition by the New Yorkbased artist and activist Paul Chan. His projections, together with charcoal drawings, collages and digital studies are presented in six rooms. The works all revolve around the digital animation series The 7 Lights, which Chan has been working on since 2005 and which will ultimately consist of seven pieces. This first major museum presentation in Europe presents all the Lights completed so far. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 10 June
Enrico David: Chicken Man Gong A Docking Station installation by London-based artist Enrico David, a twopart work consisting of a gong and a display case. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 10 June De Engelse Kerk op het Begijnhof: 1607-2007 Exhibition marking the 400th anniversary of the English Reformed Church. Amsterdams Historisch Museum (Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 11.00-17.00), until 17 June Raimond Wouda: School The photographs in this exhibition were taken at secondary schools in the Netherlands. Yet remarkable is Wouda’s conscious choice to avoid capturing images from classes, instead focusing on places where the pupils relax between lessons. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 17 June World Press Photo Exhibition of winning photos from the 2006 World Press Photo competition, including Photo of the Year, the image of Lebanese youth driving through a bombed neighbourhood by US photographer Spencer Platt. The Oude Kerk features Platt in an additional exhibition, and also shows the collection Africa=Hot!, which examines climate change in Africa. Oude Kerk (Mon-Sat 10.30-17.30, Sun 13.00-17.30, until 17 June Testimony One of the most influential—and published—photojournalists, Nachtwey has spent more than 20 years visiting crisis areas like Rwanda, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. This exhibition reflects his sense of responsibility to give a voice to victims. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 20 June Van Gogh’s Friends This print room exhibition features drawings by artists from Van Gogh’s circle of friends. These include painters who later acquired fame, including Paul Gauguin and Henri ToulouseLautrec, but also others who unjustly remained lesser known, such as Hans Olaf Heyerdahl and Meijer de Haan. Van Gogh Museum (Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun 10.0018.00, Fri 10.00-22.00), until 8 July Summer in the Church While the winter programmes offer magnificent glances into distant cultures and insights into world religions, the Nieuwe Kerk offers up a summery alternative: a programme paying tribute to the church as a special monument in its own right, with many local treasures to admire. Nieuwe Kerk (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 16 July
17 Light of Zeeland In the early 20th century, the resort of Domburg in Zeeland had a strong appeal for wellknown Dutch artists like Jan Toorop, Jacoba van Heemskerck and Piet Mondriaan. This exhibitions shows how the area sparked one of the most important developments in Mondriaan’s career, with its unparalleled light, rugged dunes and ancient woods. Gemeentemuseum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), Den Haag, until 5 August Genesis An examination of the similarities between art and science. While the two fields may have entirely different objectives, the results of their work on information look remarkably alike. Participating artists and scientists include Ad Dekkers, Mark Dion, Edo Dooijes, Erwin Driessens & Maria Verstappen, Charles & Ray Eames, Ed Emschwiller and George Gessert, amongst others. Centraal Museum (Tues-Thur, Sat, Sun 12.0017.00, Fri 12.00-21.00), Utrecht, until 12 August The Apocalypse of Max Beckmann A nice companion piece to the collection on display at the Van Gogh Museum, this series features 27 lithographs from the German expressionist, all inspired by the Biblical apocalypse. Featured are two versions: the series of original lithographs in black and white and the lithographs that Beckmann himself painted in watercolours. Bijbels Museum (Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.00-17.00), until 19 August Max Beckmann in Amsterdam, 1937-1947 An extensive retrospective of the work produced by the artist during his years in Amsterdam. One of the most distinguished German artists of the 20th century, Beckmann fled to the city in 1937 after the Nazis had labelled his paintings Entartete Kunst. His works bear witness to his interest in the world of cabaret, Dutch landscape and life in Amsterdam, and works featured here include the four impressive triptychs ‘Carnival’, ‘Acrobats’, ‘The Actors’ and ‘Perseus’. Van Gogh Museum (Sat-Thur 10.00-18.00, Fri 10.00-22.00), until 19 August Dutch Eyes The relocated photography museum reopens with a broad overview of Dutch photography. Nederlands Fotomuseum (Tues-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 11.00-17.00), Rotterdam, until 26 August Fashion Palaces 1880-1960 The emergence of the first chic fashion houses in Amsterdam at the end of the 19th century is the focal point of the exhibition. Grandeur and temptation typify the atmosphere of these magnificent, luxurious Amsterdam fashion
18 houses and department stores. From that time the Dutch elite could buy fashionable French clothes not only in Paris and Brussels, but also in Amsterdam— from huge, impressive shops with illuminated windows. Amsterdams Historisch Museum (Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 11.00-17.00), until 26 August To See or Not to See Hortus celebrates the 300th birthday of Carl Linnaeus, the most famous botanist ever, who wrote his major works in Amsterdam. Hortus Botanicus (Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 10.00-17.00), until 30 September
10-16 May 2007
LEKKER BEZIG
but goes on to prove that, correctly following the rules, anyone can become a figurehead. Motive Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.00 -18.00), until 2 June
‘But I don’t think ‘I think around 2001 I HUGO MULDER it’s a big deal. Most of got back the itch to do Sticker man my stickers are handsomething on the cut paper stickers. street. I started out They don’t last that with animals that you long. When they stick, normally don’t see in a if the sun and the rain city. In the South of work on them, then France, in little vilthey can last for years. lages, you’ll see geckos But usually when I go running up the wall. out and do some stickThat’s pretty cool, but ers, the next day, let’s you don’t see that here. say, thirty per cent are That’s sort of why I do gone. People peel them the animals. off, probably. I hope it’s ‘Sometimes I plan people that like the them. For instance the stickers and want to frog I got, that’s comtake them home, but pletely planned. I other times it’s probasearch for images and put them together to ‘And yeah, vandalism... bly people that say, like: “I have to clean make them exactly as I want them. Other What’s vandalism? I call it my neighbourhood.” ‘But it’s how you times, I’m constantly “street art.”’ look at it. I call it doodling, and stuff just “street art”. If you look happens. I put differat the stickers I do, a ent doodles together lot of time goes into creating them. There’s and then a character comes out. Some are one of a snake—it took me two weeks just pre-thought and others are straight from to draw that. freestyling. But now I’m looking further ‘And yeah, vandalism... What’s vanthan animals. I’ve done the animals I dalism? The advertising posted up wanted to do. everywhere: is that vandalism? Everyone ‘Officially, I never say I put them up has to take that also. I’d rather show them myself. People buy stickers on my site, I something that they might think is beautigive away stickers. The idea is that other ful or they have to laugh about, rather than people can put them up. It’s not really seeing everything pasted with the same risky. I do it in the daytime, and usually poster about the next party that’s coming people don’t react. Or people react positiveup.’ ly. Like: “Oh, that’s cool. Do you have a sticker for me?” Or I got grannies going: www.dhmdesign.nl “What does it mean?” The only thing you have to look out for is cops. By Mark Wedin
Glamour Bigger-than-life paintings of ’50s film stars. De Kunstfabriek (Tues-Fri 12.00-18.00, Sat, Sun 12.0017.00), until 2 June
SIMON WALD-LASOWSKI
Liberation Music: Songs After Five Years of Occupation A musical memorial to the emotional release that followed the end of the occupation in 1945. Verzetsmuseum (Tues-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat-Mon 12.0017.00), until 30 September
Amsterdam Weekly
Piet Hein Eek, Scenes and Traces Scenes and Traces A lengthy exhibition focussing on three parts of the Stedelijk Museum collection: design, video and photography. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 25 November
Galleries New Horizons Subtitled Room for New Jewellery, this new gallery aims to cross borders both physical and metaphorical, and makes a start with the aptly named first exhibition. Galerie Rob Koudijs, closing Saturday 50 jaar Galerie Espace Holland’s oldest gallery for contemporary art celebrates its 50th anniversary with an exhibition featuring a large number of their regulars, including the likes of Karel Appel, Lucebert, Roger Raveel, Lucassen and Jan Roeland. Galerie Espace (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), closing Saturday John Lurie: All-Stars of Voodoo Voodoo-inspired paintings by the American all-rounder. Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00), closing Sunday Slumberjack Flash Revisited Featuring new works by Gerbrand Burger and Tarja Szaraniec. Plan B (Fri-Sun 13.00-17.00), closing Sunday Be Cointreauversial Gallery With a theme of ‘Illustrate and Embody the Cointreauversial Woman’, this multi-location exhibition features famous photographs from GettyImages. Hosts to check out: Spoiled, Café Brix, Van Harte and Mendo. various locations, De 9 Straatjes, until 17 May Dark Mirror The differences between the actions of man and beast are not always as great as we like to think. This group exhibition of video art and film explores the relationship between our social conditioning and animal instincts, often depicting the prominence of human emotion and instinct over rational thought. Montevideo/Time Based Arts (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 19 May Ingo Meller New works by the conceptual German painter. Slewe Gallery (Tues-Sat 14.00-17.00), until 19 May Modern Solitude A group exhibition dealing with various facets of the modern individual’s solitary existence. These include the urge to inject meaning into life via spirituality, sexuality and physicality. Participants include Eylem Aladogan, Natalia Benedetti, Job Koelewijn, Gabriel Lester, Renzo Martens, Shana Moulton and Berend Strik. Galerie Fons Welters (TuesSat 13.00-18.00), until 19 May Real Genuine Blend Celebrating the first birthday of the compact art space, Willum Geerts and Jan van der Ploeg present a sensory installation that extends to the
outside of the HMPS, as well as the inside. Horse Move Project Space (Fri-Sun 14.00-20.00), until 20 May Polska Seven artists present a contemporary vision of Poland through photography, video and music. WM Gallery (Thur-Sat 14.00-18.00), until 26 May Jim Harris: Constructies en gebouwen Recent oil paintings from the English artist, exploring the theme of structures and building projects. Galerie Krijger + Katwijk (Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00), until 26 May Every Wind That Blows Video works by Kostana Banovic, Ergin Cavusoglu, Esra Ersen, Ivan Grubanov and Ahmet Ögöt, in which the artists present personal points of intervention regarding their past, present and cultural traditions. SMART Project Space (Tues-Sat 12.00-17.00), until 26 May Reality Check: Notes on Tourism Following a residency in Berlin last year, Delphine Bedel presents a series of photographs and texts in relation to three potential tourist sites: a natural viewpoint made popular after a famous painting of Caspar David Friedrich, an architecture complex, and a memorial located in former East Germany. Lumen Travo (Wed-Sat 13.0018.00), until 26 May The Day After Yesterday A solo exhibition by Slovakborn artist Roman Ondák. It features three new video and photo works, which try to engage the viewer in a dialogue about what might happen if one takes another route, both literally and metaphorically. bak (Wed-Sat 12.00-17.00, Sun 13.00-17.00), Utrecht, until 27 May
Recyclage The artists in this exhibition reinvent cultural objects and artefacts to give them new meaning. De Brakke Grond (Mon 13.00-18.00, Tues-Fri 10.0020.30, Sat, Sun 13.00-20.30), until 27 May Abdelkader Belkhorissat Paintings by the Algerian artist. De Levante (Wed-Sun 13.00-17.30), until 27 May Paolo Sistilli: Alfabeto Immaginario Abstract paintings by the Italian artist. Feel Gallery (Thur, Fri 12.00-19.00, Sat 11.00-19.00, Sun 12.00-18.00), until 27 May David Goldblatt: Intersections ‘Intersections’ is the term Goldblatt (1930) uses for the human and ideological crosscurrents that make up South African society and that he captures in his photos—sharp yet subtle images of the nation. It was only after technical developments in digital photography allowed him to achieve the same depth and graphical expression in colour as he could in black and white that he embarked upon a new, multi-hued journey. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 28 May Erotix: Red Threads of Passion Homoerotic artworks from Danish artists Knud Odde, Jens Birkemose and Peter Skovgaard. Galerie Jos Art (Tues-Sun 11.0017.30), until 30 May Marjolein Rothman: Iconography II The final segment in the Dutch painter’s exploration of iconography. In this batch, Rothman no longer just looks at the history of idols in paintings,
Marc Volger: Weerlicht Contemporary landscapes inspired by the changing light and atmosphere. AYAC’S (Fri, Sat 13.00-17.30), until 2 June The Contented Heart Paintings by Willem Weismann, Simon Hemmer, Lutz Driessen, Nie Pastille, Phoebe Unwin, Morgan Betz and Derk Thijs. W139 (Daily 11.00-19.00), until 3 June Student en de Stad Three scores of photo portraits showing students and student life in Amsterdam. Maagdenhuis, until 7 June Joyce van Dongen A solo exhibition featuring paintings of new worlds inspired by the bizarre and unique patterns that can be found in nature. Galerie Bart (Thur, Fri 11.00-18.00, Sat 12.00-17.00), until 9 June National Pride A group exhibition dealing with the question of how factors of national identity and cultural interaction influence contemporary arts. Arti et Amicitiae (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), until 10 June Takako Hamano: Satchan is Swinging in a Bamboo Forest New drawings from the Japanese artist, assembled as a large constellation of mural drawings, video, music and installations. Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.30-18.30), until 16 June Kleur Colourful textile explosions from the duo Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings. Galerie Binnen (WedSat 12.00-18.00), until 23 June W139/BASEMENT Providing opportunities for young artists and young art collectors, the Post CS basement is offering space to let at affordable rates for a one-month period. At the end of each month, the exhibits will be auctioned. See www.w139.nl/basement. W139/Basement, until 24 June Rob Voerman: Neighbours A solo exhibition featuring installations, sculptures and graphic works. Upstream Gallery (Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00), until 30 June Paradiso in Fantasio! Classic posters for Paradiso gigs in the ’70s and ’80s by London-born artist Martin Kaye (1932-1989). Nationaal Pop Instituut, Fantasio zaal (Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00), until 1 July Uit en Thuis Diverse works by award-winning sculptor Wendela Gevers Deynoot, who creates sculptures of all shapes and sizes from materials such as wood, stone, metal, plastic and paper, as well as some more unusual sources. Galerie de Rietlanden (Sat, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 2 July Het Licht van Tunesië Multimedia installation by Maarten Rens and Anita Mizrahi. De Levante (WedSun 13.00-17.30), until 22 July
EVENTS Thursday 10 May Architecture: Amstelhof Open Day A chance to poke around inside the impressive brown building on the Amstel. See Short List. Amstelhof, 11.00-17.00, free until Sunday 13 May Art Fair: Art Amsterdam From Kunstrai to Art Amsterdam—a mega art fair descends on the RAI. See Short List. RAI, 11.00-19.00, €15 Lecture: Sentient Creatures The first of a new series of lectures at De Waag, whereby international speakers will discuss new developments in art and technology, internet and robotics. Tonight’s guest is Simone Jones. In English. De Waag, 19.45, free Poetry/Music: The Open Stanza A mishmash of poetry, spoken word, music and performance,
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007 offering space where an international collection of literary guests can grab Amsterdam’s attention. Tonight is Vth, celebrating the release of Versal Five—the Netherlands’ only international literary journal. Guests include Megan M Garr, Cralan Kelder, Robert Glick, Anna Arov, Kate Foley and host Prue Duggan. Remember, it’s not just poetry, it’s a party. In English and Dutch. See article, p. 5. Sugar Factory, 20.00, €5 Performance: Cavalia Horses, horses, all the pretty horses. If you’ve been near the ArenA terrain lately, you may have noticed the mammoth white tent which houses this equestrian multimedia spectacle. No, this international theatrical phenomenon is not just for fans of My Little Pony. Amsterdam ArenA, 20.00, €29-€155
English. Maison Descartes, 14.00, free Discussion: Let’s Talk European! Beyond provincialism—Towards a European public sphere A Dare2Connect programme targeting the European public sphere. How can cross-border debates be initiated? How do print and online media complement each other? What role does the English language play? Guests include media representatives from across Europe, including Arne Ruth, Gerbert van Loenen, Arno Widmann and Endre Bojtár. In English. Felix Meritis, 20.00, free Performance: Cavalia (See Thursday) Amsterdam ArenA, 20.00, €29-€155
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Vinkenoog, Dobbelsteen and a classical premiere. See Short List. Tolhuistuin, 14.00, €4
creationist vision of the world. A debate follows. In English. Felix Meritis, 20.00, €15
Performance: Cavalia (See Thursday) Amsterdam ArenA, 15.00, 20.00, €29-€155
Discussion: Broeinest ‘Shell’s Shambles (in Ireland and Iraq)’ is the title of this discussion about the multinational oil company’s gas project in Ireland, which the local population has been vehemently resisting. In English with Dutch translation. Plantage Doklaan 8-12, 20.00, free
Art/Music: Salon390 Featuring artworks by Maarten Brinkman and Paul Versteeg, and music performed by Remko Edelaar and Marja Bon. Herengracht 390, 16.00-19.00, €30
Sunday 13 May
Tuesday 15 May
Festival: Tolhuistuin Festival (See Saturday) Tolhuistuin, 14.00, €4
Discussion: Vlaamse schrijvers in debat: De Belgen zijn beter With guests Saskia de Coster, Bart Koubaa, Tom Lanoye, Yves Petry, David Van Reybrouck and Arjen Fortuin. In Dutch. De Balie, 20.00, €9
Performance: Cavalia (See Thursday) Amsterdam ArenA, 15.00, €29-€155
Performance: Cavalia (See Thursday) Amsterdam ArenA, 20.00, €29-€155
Friday 11 May
Workshop: Muzikantendag 2007 Everything you always wanted to know about the music industry but were afraid to ask. See Short List. Melkweg, Sugar Factory & Cinecenter, 11.00, €16
Film: Sprocket Sounds Classic clips from the most bizarre 8mm and 16mm celluloid collections. OT301, 20.30, €4
Literature: Amsterdam Literary Festival Books, authors, more. See Short List. Various locations, times and prices
Art Fair: Art Amsterdam (See Thursday) RAI, 11.0021.00, €15
Art Fair: Art Amsterdam (See Thursday) RAI, 11.0019.00, €15
Monday 14 May
Wednesday 15 May
Lecture/Debate: Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism Investigative journalist Michelle Goldberg will discuss her ideas on the influence of Christian Evangelical organisations on politics, education and the legal system in the US. In her book, Kingdom Coming, she traces the financial and ideological ties of these groups to the Republican Party, also pointing out how educational programmes in many US states accommodate a
Discussion: Vlaamse schrijvers in debat: De Belgen zijn beter With guests Tom Naegels, Peter Terrin, Annelies Verbeke and Arjen Fortuin. In Dutch. De Balie, 20.00, €9
Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26, 624 2311 Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam Rozenstraat 59, 422 0471 Stedelijk Museum CS Oosterdokskade 5, 573 2911 Studio 80 Rembrandtplein 70, 521 8333 Sugar Factory Lijnbaansgracht 238, 627 0008 Teylers Museum Spaarne 16, Haarlem, 023 516 0960 Theater Bellevue Leidsekade 90, 530 5301 Tolhuistuin Badhuisweg 3 Tropenmuseum Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8200 Uilenburger Synagogue Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 91, 427 8347 Under the Grand Chapiteau Next to ArenA, 621 1288 Upstream Gallery Kromme Waal 11, 428 4284 UvA: Special Collections Library Oude Turfmarkt 129, 525
2141 Van Gogh Museum Paulus Potterstraat 7, 570 5200 Verzetsmuseum Plantage Kerklaan 61, 620 2535 Volta Houtmankade 334-336, 628 6429 W139 Warmoesstraat 139, 622 9434 W139/Basement Oosterdokskade 5, 06 2427 6657 De Waag Nieuwmarkt 4, 557 9898 Westergasfabriek Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 586 0710 Winston Kingdom Warmoesstraat 129, 623 1380 WM Gallery Elandsgracht 35, 421 1113 Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery Weteringschans 37, 06 1437 0995 Zaal 100 De Wittenstraat 100, 688 0127 Zuiderkerk Zuiderkerkhof 72, 552 7987
Literature: W139 Reading Groups A new initiative from the local gallery invites the people of Amsterdam to get literate. In English and Dutch. See Short List. W139, various times and prices
Dining: Gooood Food Bis! Contemporary cooking, culinary design and the blend of science and art in the world of food. Today’s gathering includes some food sampling, the official opening of the exhibition La forme des plats dans le monde, a presentation of Gooood Food Bis! from Céline Savoye and a discussion programme about the roles of avant-garde ideas in the kitchen. In
ADDRESSES 11 Oosterdokskade 3-5, 625 5999 Akhnaton Nieuwezijds Kolk 25, 624 3396 Amstelhof Corner Amstel/Nieuwe Herengracht Amsterdam ArenA ArenA Boulevard 1, 311 1333 Amsterdams Historisch Museum Kalverstraat 92, 523 1822 April Reguliersdwarsstraat 37, 625 9572 ARCAM Prins Hendrikkade 600, 620 4878 Arti et Amicitiae Rokin 112, 624 5134 Artspace Witzenhausen Hazenstraat 60, 644 9898 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 Bethaniënklooster Barndesteeg 6, 625 0078 Bijbels Museum Herengracht 366-368, 624 2436 Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3, 788 2150 Bitterzoet Spuistraat 2, 521 3001 Blijburg Bert Haanstrakade 2004, 416 0330 De Brakke Grond Nes 45, 626 6866 Café Pakhuis Wilhelmina Veemkade 576, 419 3368 Café Sappho Vijzelstraat 103, 423 1509 Carré Amstel 115-125, 524 9452 Centraal Museum Nicolaaskerkhof, Utrecht, 030 236 2362 Club 8 Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B, 685 1703 Club Meander Voetboogstraat 3, 625 8430 CoBrA Museum Sandbergplein 1-3, Amstelveen, 547 5050 Compagnietheater Kloveniersburgwal 50, 520 5320 Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6, 671 8345 Consortium Veemkade 570, 06 2611 8950 CREA Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 DanceStreet 1e Rozendwarsstraat 10, 489 7676 Desmet Studios Plantage Middenlaan 4A, 521 7100 English Reformed Church Begijnhof 48, 624 9665 Feel Gallery Frans Halsstraat 40 Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324, 626 2321 Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 Flex Bar Pazzanistraat 1, 486 2123 Foam Keizersgracht 609, 551 6546 Frascati Nes 63, 626 6866 Galerie Bart Bloemgracht 2, 320 6208 Galerie Binnen Keizersgracht 82, 625 9603 Galerie de Rietlanden Rietlandpark 193, 419 4705 Galerie Espace Keizersgracht 548, 624 0802 Galerie Fons Welters Bloemstraat 140, 423 3046 Galerie Gabriel Rolt Elandsgracht 34, 785 5146 Galerie Jos Art KSNM-laan 291, 418 7003 Galerie Krijger + Katwijk Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198200, 627 3808 Galerie Rob Koudijs Elandsgracht 12, 331 8796 Gemeentemuseum Stadhouderslaan 41, Den Haag, 070 338 1111 Heineken Music Hall ArenA Boulevard 590, 0900 300 1250 Hermitage Amsterdam Nieuwe Herengracht 14, 530 8751 Hetveem Theater Van Diemenstraat, 626 9291 Horse Move Project Space Oosterdokskade 5 Post CS
Book presentation: Jan-Willem Anker: Luchthaven In Dutch. Perdu, 20.30, €6
Saturday 12 May
Dining: Gooood Food Bis! There’s some more tasting today, followed by a discussion about cultural dialogues that take the form of meals. In English. Maison Descartes, 14.00, free Festival: Tolhuistuin Festival Yes, it’s across the river and right by the Shell offices, but fear not, the festival is worth the ferry ride: music, theatre, literature and art from a line-up including De Kift, Quincey & Simon
Hortus Botanicus Plantage Middenlaan 2A, 625 9021 Hotel Arena ’s-Gravesandestraat 51, 850 2400 Huis Marseille Keizersgracht 401, 531 8989 Imagine IC Bijlmerplein 1006-1008, 489 4866 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 Lellebel Utrechtsestraat 4, 427 5139 De Levante Hobbemastraat 28, 671 5485 Lexion Avenue Overtoom 65, Westzaan, 0900-BelLexion Lumen Travo Lijnbaansgracht 314, 627 0883 Maagdenhuis Spui 21 Maison Descartes Vijzelgracht 2A, 531 9500 Maloe Melo Lijnbaansgracht 163, 420 4592 Mediamatic Post CS, Oosterdokskade 5, 638 9901 Meervaart Meer en Vaart 300, 410 7777 Melkweg LIjnbaansgracht 234A, 531 8181 Montevideo/Time Based Arts Keizersgracht 264, 623 7101 Motive Gallery Elandsgracht 10, 330 3668 Muziekgebouw Piet Heinkade 1, 788 2010 Het Muziektheater Amstel 3, 625 5455 Nationaal Pop Instituut, Fantasio zaal Prins Hendrikkade 142, 428 4288 NDSM-werf TT Neveritaweg 15, 330 5480 Nederlands Architectuurinstituut Museumpark 25, Rotterdam, 010 440 1200 Nederlands Fotomuseum Wilhelminakade 332, Rotterdam, 010 213 2011 Nieuwe Kerk entrance on the Dam, 638 6909 OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134, 671 7778 Odeon Singel 460, 624 9711 Orgelpark Orgelpark, 51 58111 OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 Oude Kerk Oudekerksplein 23, 625 8284 Panama Oostelijke Handelskade 4, 311 8680 Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8, 626 4521 Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 Pathé Tuschinski Reguliersbreestraat 34, 0900 1458 Patronaat Zijlsingel 2, Haarlem, 023 517 5858 Perdu Kloveniersburgwal 86, 627 6295 Plan B2 Herengracht 32 Plantage Doklaan 8-12 Plantage Doklaan Platform 21 Prinses Irenestraat 19, 344 9449 Podium Mozaïek Bos en Lommerweg 191, 580 0380 The Powerzone Spaklerweg, 681 8866 PRIK Spuistraat 109, 06 4544 2321 RAI Europaplein 22, 549 1212 Rembrandthuis Jodenbreestraat 4, 520 0400 De Roode Bioscoop Haarlemmerplein 7H, 625 7500 Rouge Amstel 60, 420 9881 Rozentheater Rozengracht 117, 620 7953 Ruigoord Ruigoord 15, 497 5702 Saarein Elandsstraat 119, 623 4901 Skek Zeedijk 4-8, 427 0551 Slewe Gallery Kerkstraat 105A, 625 7214 SMART Project Space Arie Biemondstraat 107-113, 427 5953
Art Fair: Art Amsterdam (See Thursday) RAI, 11.0019.00, €15
Performance: Cavalia (See Thursday) Amsterdam ArenA, 20.00, €29-€155 Literature: Amsterdam Literary Festival See Short List. Various locations, times and prices
Amsterdam Weekly
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Passion à la pancake Restaurant Pancakes! Berenstraat 38, 528 9797 Open Daily 12.00-20.00 Cash, PIN, major credit cards No one can deny it. The curious of the neighbourhood have been waiting to see what the new spot would be like. Now here it is: Restaurant Pancakes! And in they flood, eager to sample the farinaceous discs. Owners Nicolette and Ingrid are passionate about flipping an interesting array of pancakes to titillate the taste buds of those who feel that great comfort food is a winning formula. The new premises mark a branching out from their successful lunchroom, Letting, on Prinsenstraat. Your Glutton was inspired to pop in to scan the menu. There’s a choice that changes monthly, with flavours from the Netherlands and other foodie cultures: anywhere, in fact, where the humble pancake surfaces in different forms. There is, for example, bacon, banana and red pepper. Hmmmm. There are tortillas and also rotis—now, that is ambitious in Amsterdam. The concept works like this: there are basic pancakes, topped with the likes of apple, bacon or cheese, which come in at €6.50. You can then add another topping at €1.50 per item of, say, veggies, cheese or meats and, for the sweet-toothed, clotted cream. Any further toppings cost €0.50. Imagine a pizza base with as many different choices as your imagination and appetite will bear. But if you are lazy—like me—there are several specials on offer that transform the pancake into something, well... different. A rustic melee of apple, mixed nuts, calvados and cinnamon
THE UNDERCOVER GLUTTON My pancake pie slice could have been larger, perhaps, but there was nothing wrong in the flavour department, that’s for sure. A nice try. (€9.80), for example. Creamy Camembert, chicory, ham and raspberry sauce. I went for a pancake ‘pie’ of cheese, spinach and ham (€9.80). This arrived on a large white
plate, atop an enormous bed of mixed salad. My slice could have been larger, perhaps, but there was nothing wrong in the flavour department, that’s for sure. The pie was layered with tomato
10-16 May 2007
concassé and fresh spinach with béchamel sauce. Slices of ham sat between. A nice try. My meal was like elevating a pub lunch cottage pie to chic gourmet proportions. What really caught my attention, I have to admit, is the pancake high tea, at €15 a head. For this you get tea, of course, three pieces of savoury pancake, three pieces of sweet, a slice of the pie and a small fruit shake. If you still feel hungry after all that, I recommend you consult your doctor. Restaurant Pancake! also hosts pancake parties for kids—how could any youngster resist that? They get chef’s hats to colour; they cook their own combinations and guzzle lemonade. There’s a clown, face-painting and costumes to dress up in. Fun. Older kids get gourmet sessions, where they bake mini-pancakes and combine them with the fillings of their choice. I welcome the initiative to get young people in touch with what they eat. This place combines the traditional Dutch pancake house with something refreshingly new. Plenty of work went into the building’s renovation, creating a light and airy atmosphere. And, while Berenstraat and the rest of the Negen Straatjes are filled with light and airy eateries, none are like this. For pud, I had a chocolate pancake pie with nuts and banana. The idea was fine, but the execution... It came with a red coulis dribbled around the border, which had me grinding my teeth from the outset. The nuts and banana were pureed, which looked rather unattractive, and gave it a Nutella-type texture: no bite. The pancake, alas, was rigid. But that was the only let down, and as with any new-born, there will be teething problems. I do love a good pancake and am glad this place has opened.
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007
21 Theo and Katja go America.
Steve Buscemi successfully remakes and stars in a film by Theo van Gogh. Still, Sienna Miller is no Katja Schuurman.
FAITHFUL HOMAGE, SMOOTHER EXECUTION FILM Interview Opens Thursday at Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski By Bregtje Schudel
At last, it’s here: Interview, the first film in what’s being called ‘The Triple Theo Project’. Producer Gijs van de Westelaken has arranged for three of the late director Theo van Gogh’s films to be remade in English. Director and actor Steve Busce-
mi helmed Interview; the other two are Blind Date (directed by Stanley Tucci) and 06 (dubbed 1-900, directed by Bob Balaban). Each film is shot primarily in one location; all three are dialogue-based and revolve around two characters—a man and a woman. The pair in Interview are a political journalist named Pierre Peters and a starlet known as Katya. It’s the eve of a political uproar in Washington, but Pierre (Buscemi) won’t be there to witness it. Instead, he is waiting in a posh Manhattan
restaurant to interview Katya (Sienna Miller), who is more famous for her love life and fluctuating breast size than for her movies. The evening doesn’t start well. Katya is fashionably late—even though she lives only a block away—and Pierre is uninterested and unprepared. The interview ends prematurely, and then Pierre, by sheer coincidence, ends up in Katya’s apartment. The discussion is resumed, with unforeseen consequences. A comparison to the original film is inevitable and, overall, the American version is up to the challenge. For the most part, it’s a faithful rerun, sometimes down to the smallest details. In the original, Katja Schuurman paraded on a counter, monologuing about women, pantyhose and high heels; Miller mimics the scene to perfection. Even Pierre’s memorable Freudian slip of ‘Cuntya’ has survived in translation. At some points the story has actually been improved, especially concerning the infamous diary, the catalyst of the film. In the Dutch version, the presence of the
Angel François Ozon has added another master-
piece to his oeuvre. You could call it a postmodern costume drama, since it’s set in the early 20th century, but the dazzling visual style also refers to ’40s and ’50s Hollywood melodramas, and bits of contemporary television culture keep turning up too. Angel (Romola Garai), a writer of pulp novels with a shocking lack of taste and talent, is a highly ironic character. But the film is too multi-layered to be a simple parody, and Ozon turns out to have a heart for his Angel. As a viewer, you can’t help feeling for her too. To catch all of it, you’ll probably need to see it twice. (MM) 134 min. Cinecenter, The Movies, Rialto
FILM Edited by Julie Phillips. This week’s films reviewed by Shyama Daryanani (SD),Angela Dress (AD),John Hartnett (JH),Luuk van Huët (LvH),JR Jones (JJ), Dave Kehr (DK),Steven McCarron (SM),Marie-Claire Melzer (MM),Robert Neugarten (RN),Mike Peek (MP),Jonathan Rosenbaum (JR),Marinus de Ruiter (MdR) and Bregtje Schudel (BS).All films are screened in English with Dutch subtitles unless otherwise noted. Amsterdam Weekly recommends.
Festivals Cinemix Filmfestival New this year, the four-day Cinemix Festival offers a blend of multicultural movies, from shorts to features, documentaries to fiction, arthouse to blockbusters. The idea is to encourage a more diverse audience, particularly the residents of Amsterdam ZuidOost, to come to the cinema for movies that they can relate to but that aren’t often screened in their neighbourhood. High points in the unusually heavy-hitting schedule include the new films Akeelah and the Bee (US), about an 11-year-old Los Angeles girl who enters a spelling contest, and Omkara (India), a Hindi Othello. In Daratt (Chad), 16year-old Atim sets out to kill the man who murdered his father. When he finds him, he learns that murder and revenge are not as they seem. 10-13 May, Pathé ArenA (SD) Pathé ArenA
New this week Alatriste Viggo Mortensen stars as Captain Diego Alatriste in this entertaining Spanish swashbuckler, based on the historical novels of Arturo Pérez Reverte and set
paper diary felt forced. It was hard to believe that precisely that document would be lying around in Katja’s apartment at that moment. In Buscemi’s version, the diary is digital, so, while the dramatic denouement is still a bit shaky, it depends less on a contrivance. The characters are even a little more likeable than in the original, where you struggled to feel sympathy for either one. Buscemi has concocted another of his trademark losers, complaining about the cards he’s been dealt, even though he is his own dealer. And Katya isn’t as shallow as her facade suggests. The outcome remains the same—as Pierre accurately puts it, there can only be one winner—but its execution is less harsh. But the main reason to see Interview is for its tart dialogue. In the first half hour, you witness an exhilarating battle of wits. When Pierre offers to put the tab on his expense account, Katya counters: ‘I have a bank account.’ While Pierre waits for Katya to get off the phone, she points to her laptop, and sweetly suggests he Google her. It’s only when the film changes from a battle of wits to one of wills that it loses some of its energy. It begins to depend not only on witty dialogue, but also on acting, especially from Miller, who in record time must display all the stereotypes men like to attribute to the other sex: diva, virgin, femme fatale. Miller does a decent job, but ultimately lacks the presence and sex appeal of the original Katja. We never get a sense of the person beneath the beauty—which is a shame, since the part is practically biographical. Miller, too, is known more for her rocky relationship with actor Jude Law than for her own achievements. At any rate, at least her boobs seem to remain stable.
Berlin Alexanderplatz Troubled German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s 15-hour magnum opus from 1981. Filmmuseum
Alatriste
during the Eighty Years War. Agustín Díaz Yanes directed; the film’s budget set a new Iberian record. In Spanish with Dutch subtitles. 147 min. The Movies Blades of Glory Will Ferrell and Jon Heder are rival figure skaters whose public brawl gets them banned from competition for life; after learning that they’re still eligible for the pairs category, they decide to team up on the ice. ‘As if figure skating wasn’t gay enough already’, remarks one character, precisely locating the movie’s comic nerve ending—you just know these guys are going to wind up with their balls in each other’s faces. Ben Stiller produced, and the movie is so reminiscent of Zoolander (2001) that he could have had rounded up Owen Wilson and starred in it himself. Ferrell and Heder are pretty funny, but they’re upstaged by supporting players. William Fichtner, Will Arnett and Amy Poehler. The first-time directors are Will Speck and Josh Gordon. (JJ) 93 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Interview Steve Buscemi’s American remake of the Theo van Gogh film. See review above. Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski The Namesake What happens when you’re named for a depressing Russian author? See review p. 23. Pathé ArenA
Sangre Diego, an endearing slob, leads an undis-
turbed life of boredom with Bianca. Outside their day jobs they watch soap operas, have sex and eat fast food with equal, silent satisfaction. But when his daughter from a former marriage shows up, the usually unaffected Diego is thrown into emotional disarray. In trying to keep his daughter out of sight of his pathologically jealous wife, Diego neglects the girl, with inevitably dramatic results. The gritty realism of Sangre is balanced by its subdued black humour. Despite the film’s darkness and hopelessness, the future of 28 year-old Mexican director Amat Escalante looks brightly promising. In Spanish with English subtitles. (MdR) 90 min. Filmmuseum
Still playing Anche libero va bene Italian family drama from Kim Rossi Stuart, told from the point of view of an 11-year-old boy whose mother disappears for weeks at a time, and whose father (played by Rossi Stuart) struggles to hold the family together. Cinema Amstelveen, The Movies, Rialto
Beynelmilel In 1982, a town in southeastern Turkey still feels the effects of the military coup of two years before. Among other things, an evening curfew prevents the local musicians from earning a living. To survive, they decide to form a military band. Then the daughter of the bandleader falls in love with a member of a political group and joins the resistance. When the generals of the ruling junta announce a visit to the town, both the military band and the resistance group start preparing a welcome in this likeable comedy. In Turkish with Dutch subtitles. 105 min. Filmmuseum The Boss of It All Ravn (Peter Gantzler) pays an actor (Jens Albinus) to play his boss, a fictional character he himself has created to make the hard decisions in the company. Granted, the idea is novel, and seen solely as a comedy of errors it is rather entertaining. Unfortunately, director Lars von Trier can’t leave it at that. Every artificial pan—created by a new, experimental computer programme called Automavision—and time-out, during which Von Trier comments on the film’s progress, screams his name, making it impossible to see the film as just an enjoyable satire. Von Trier is the boss of it all and everyone shall know! In Danish/Icelandic with Dutch subtitles. (BS) 99 min. Het Ketelhuis, Kriterion
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Amsterdam Weekly Bridge to Terabithia Adapted from the children’s book by Katherine Paterson, this family feature from the Christian production company Walden Media is something of a disappointment after its excellent Holes and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Two smalltown pals conjure up a magical world in a nearby forest; their friendship and their family lives are warmly realised by director Gabor Csupo, but their problems with a school bully are familiar stuff and the CGI effects in the forest seem to belong to a different movie. A heartbreaking turn in the last act brings the story’s Christian subtext to the fore. (JJ) 95 min. The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Catch a Fire Based on a true story and written by Shawn Slovo (A World Apart), this Philip Noyce feature shows how a relatively apolitical young man in South Africa (Derek Luke) becomes a dedicated terrorist in the early ’80s after he and his wife (Bonnie Henna) are wrongly arrested for a bombing and he’s tortured (just as torture may now be radicalising Iraqi citizens). That said, the film never strays much beyond the obvious, despite a conscientious effort by Tim Robbins to humanise a white security officer. (JR) 101 min. Pathé Tuschinski Close to Home It’s almost impossible for an Israeli fiction film to do right. If it concerns itself with politics it’s deemed propaganda, if it doesn’t, it’s escapist amusement. Close to Home, by directors Vardit Bilu and Dalia Hagar, sits awkwardly between the two. It’s a drama about two young women serving in the Israeli army; it doesn’t make any political or social statements, but it doesn’t have a real story, either. The girls seem more preoccupied with boys and playing hooky than with asking Arabs for identification. Debuting actresses Neama Shendar and Smadar Sayar are naturals, but seem a bit lost without a real plot to guide them. In Hebrew with Dutch subtitles. 90 min. Rialto Curse of the Golden Flower After wowing the international community of chop-socky lovers with Hero and House of Flying Daggers, Yimou Zhang is poised to bedazzle once again with Curse of the Golden Flower. Aficionados of the work of gaijin like Segal’s or Van Damme’s will scratch their noggins, but the true connoisseur will appreciate the lavish lushness of the production design, the Machiavellian scheming within the decadent Imperial Court and the expertly choreographed fights, which are mesmerising to behold. Tricked out with the richest colours, most opulent costume design and most Shakespearian plot of the year, the decline of an empire never looked better. In Mandarin with Dutch subtitles. (LvH) 114 min. Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé Tuschinski, De Uitkijk
Ellen ten Damme In 2005, at age 38, the energetic singer/acrobat/actress Ellen ten Damme was diagnosed with breast cancer. In this impressive documentary (subtitled As I Was Wondering Where This Mixed-up Little Life of Mine Was Leading To), director and cameraman Rob Hodselmans follows her during that difficult year. His camera comes amazingly close: we see her in the hospital, bravely cracking jokes, and then at home, vulnerable after all her treatments, reflecting on her illness and what it has done to her. Then, when she walks onto a stage, it is amazing to see how this shy, soft-spoken woman transforms into a diva. And it’s more amazing to see her running up and down the stage, even walking on her hands, knowing that she is also undergoing chemotherapy. Her doctors urge taking it easy, advice that is clearly wasted on her. In one scene, Ten Damme’s physiotherapist tells her that she should not use her arm. In the next shot we see the physiotherapist helping her practise a gymnastic trick. In Dutch. (MM) 66 min. Het Ketelhuis, The Movies
Ellen ten Damme Epic Movie After parodying horror flicks in Scary Movie (2000) and chick flicks in Date Movie (2006), screenwriters Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg turn their attention to Hollywood blockbusters, weakly spoofing The Da Vinci Code, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and various franchises (the Harry Potter films, Pirates of the Caribbean). Seltzer and Friedberg (who also directed) have another script in development called Raunchy Movie; one idea they may not have considered is ‘Watchable Movie’. (JJ) 86 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Ex Drummer In this interpretation of the 1994 Flem-
ish novel by Herman Brusselmans, an arrogant writer is convinced by three physically challenged freaks to join their rock band. He decides to lead them in a local band contest to provoke the literary establishment and to get in touch with some ‘real people’ in the process. Flanders was shocked by the profanity and gross images in this pitch-black comedy, but that was exactly the comment that director Koen Mortier was aiming for in his
10-16 May 2007 Five-Word Movie Review
ZOOLANDER DOES A FIGURE EIGHT Blades of Glory Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
attempt to break through the indifference of the cultural elite towards genuine social problems. In Flemish with Dutch subtitles. (MdR) 90 min. Het Ketelhuis, Kriterion The Fountain A love story by the director of Requiem for a Dream and Pi promises not to fit the mould, but Darren Aronofsky has confounded critics and audiences alike with this spiritually infused rumination on death and grief, with a plot spanning a millennium. Bashing the film as an exercise in New Age dilly-dallying is an easy, cynical response, but opening your mind, or even crown chakra, and letting the film overwhelm you is the better way to go. Superb performances by Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz, resplendent visuals and the luscious, non-digital effects help to immerse viewers with ease. (LvH) 97 min. Cinecenter
The Fountain The Good German American reporter Jake Geismar (George Clooney) returns to Berlin at the end of World War II to cover the Potsdam Peace Conference. He hopes to find Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett), a German girl he once dated, but when he does, he discovers that she is now having an affair with his driver, Corporal Tully (Tobey Maguire). Tully informs the Russians he knows the whereabouts of Lena’s husband Emil and will tell them for 100,000 marks. When he is killed, Geismar becomes determined to find out why everybody is so interested in Emil Brandt. The plot has many twists, most of them neither appealing nor surprising. Together with the beautiful film noir style, they apparently asked so much from director Steven Soderbergh that he forgot about character development. While Blanchett is charismatic enough to hold her own, Clooney is definitely no Bogey. (MP) 105 min. Het Ketelhuis, Pathé Tuschinski Hot Fuzz The creative team behind Shaun of the Dead, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, return with a vengeance in a buddy-cop flick that, like Shaun, is simultaneously a hilarious spoof and loving homage to a genre. Top bobby Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is demoted for making his colleagues look bad, but finds a crime wave in the sleepy hamlet of Sandford that only he can bring to justice, aided by his loyal sidekick PC Butterman (Frost). Frost and co-writer Pegg prove to be a well-oiled comedic machine, while leaving room for the rest of the star-studded cast (Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Billie Whitelaw) to shine. (LvH) 121 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone This leisurely, sensual new film from minimalist Malaysian-Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang (The Wayward Cloud) is about a friendship between three young people adrift in Kuala Lumpur. Hsiao-kang (played by Tsai’s regular leading man, Lee Kang-sheng) is a homeless Chinese man who gets mugged and is rescued by Rawang, an equally impoverished Bangladeshi guest worker. Later, Hsiao-kang meets a waitress named Chyi who helps care for her boss’ paralysed son, and the friendship between Hsiao-kang and Rawang is tested. With Dutch subtitles. 115 min. Rialto
Inland Empire Like an unending zooming shot of a fractal, textured with fire and blood, or a Droste effect in the mirror hall of an insane asylum, the digitally shot Inland Empire both rises above and sinks below standard filmic and narrative conventions. It offers a hallucinatory carnival ride through the murky subconscious of David Lynch, which may prove to be a little too dark, incomprehensible or disturbing for the uninitiated or those with a short attention span. Those who persevere are rewarded with a new masterpiece of modern art, an uncompromising experimental film and plenty to talk about afterwards. (LvH) 172 min. Cinecenter, Kriterion Das Leben der Anderen This Oscar winner by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck mostly deserves all the praise and admiration it has received. A study in the dehumanising effects of state surveillance, it focuses on two men living in East Germany in 1984: a play-
10-16 May 2007
Amsterdam Weekly
23 Some bridges can’t be burnt.
Mira Nair’s new film is a sophisticated take on cultural self-definition—and a reminder to name your kids with care.
SHE SAID SHE LIKED HIS SHOES FILM The Namesake Opens Thursday at Pathé ArenA By Shyama Daryanani
We all know how important a name can be, especially the significance of the choice made by your parents—or the person you were named after. In Mira Nair’s latest film, The Namesake, based on the
novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri, Nikhil Gogol Ganguli finds out the real story behind his name, while growing up between two cultures in New York. At first, Gogol (Kal Penn) is told that he was named after his father’s favourite Russian author. ‘We all come from Gogol’s Overcoat,’ says Ashoke to his son. ‘One day you will understand.’ The movie starts with Ashoke (Irfan Khan) on a train, going to visit his grand-
father. A man sitting across from him talks about leaving India to ‘see the world,’ adding: ‘You’ll never regret it.’ Ashoke answers: ‘My grandfather said that’s what books are for, to travel without moving an inch.’ The train crashes. Ashoke’s survival changes his perspective. He decides to follow the man’s advice and move to New York. When it’s time for marriage, he returns to India, where his parents arrange for him to meet Ashima (Tabu). All goes well and Ashima agrees. What Ashoke doesn’t know is that Ashima has just tried on his shoes, which he’d left outside the room where both families were waiting. Much later, when he asks her why she said yes, she tells him: because she liked his shoes. Their relationship remains tender; the move from Calcutta to New York isn’t easy for Ashima, but she manages because of Ashoke. When they have their first child, they call him Gogol during the interim while they wait for Ashima’s
grandmother to pick an official name. But ‘Gogol’ sticks—until he learns that the person he’s named after was a genius who died of self-imposed starvation. As Gogol grows older, he rejects the culture of his parents. After seeing the Taj Mahal on a family trip to India, Gogol decides to become an architect, changes his name to Nikhil, attends Yale University and acquires an American girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett). The gap between son and parents increases until an event changes everything, forcing Gogol to redefine who he is and what he wants. The film uses every trick to emphasise cultural and national differences: a nuclear family in New York versus the network of grandparents, cousins, aunties and uncles in Calcutta, neutral versus bright colours, rock versus traditional music. Nair, known for her striking cinematography, tackled this before in Mississippi Masala. And again, The Namesake gives an honest look at an immigrant family and how parents and children grow apart, without overdramatising events or lecturing about moral values. Even Gogol’s struggle with his name is portrayed in a straightforward manner, allowing viewers to decide for themselves how they feel he should have behaved. Leading man Kal Penn is known for Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and American Desi; The Namesake lets him shine in a serious role. There is chemistry between Tabu and Irfan Khan, who previously co-starred in Maqbool, the Indian Macbeth. Throw in a score by Nitin Sawhney and the movie is complete, showing how two cultures clash—but also where they come together.
Special screenings The Devil’s Playground For this 2003 American documentary, Lucy Walker followed Amish teenagers who are allowed, for a few years, to get a taste of the outside world. At the end of the ‘rumspringa’, these restless kids are confronted with a choice: to stay or leave their closed community. 77 min. Rialto Ed Wood Tim Burton’s charming 1994, black-andwhite fantasy biopic about the late Edward D Wood Jr (Johnny Depp), a writer/director/actor at the lowest reaches of no-budget film-making who won posthumous cult status by virtue of his eccentric personality (as a straight transvestite) and his very personal form of ineptitude. Wood’s singularly miserable and abject career, which ended in alcoholism and indigence, is magically transformed into the feel-good movie of 1994, radiating tenderness (at least for the guys; nearly all the women are regarded as betrayers and spoilsports). (JR) 127 min. OT301 Grindhouse Night ‘Grindhouse’ is an American word for a movie theatre of the ’60s and ’70s that programmed lurid, violent, often pornographic exploitation films. Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s homage to the genre, also titled Grindhouse, is scheduled for release in June, but in the meantime, Cinemanita is screening two traditional examples of the genre. Confessions of a Psycho Cat (1968) is about a deranged woman hunting three men (one played by boxer Jake LaMotta) through the streets of New York. Deadly Weapons (1974), directed by Doris Wishman, stars the stripper Chesty Morgan as a woman who kills men by smothering them with her bazooms. De Nieuwe Anita The Idiots Shot on video, this 1998 effort by Lars von Trier is the only one of his features made according to his headline-grabbing and somewhat specious Dogme 95 manifesto. It resembles one of those countercultural films made in the US and Western Europe in the late ’60s and early ’70s, but with all the leftist
politics removed—the implication being that people rebel against society only because they have unhappy family backgrounds. The rebels in this movie are members of a sexually freewheeling commune who like to behave like ‘mentally challenged’ children in public. Aside from one excellent scene, in which a father turns up at a commune to reclaim his daughter, this is thoughtful nihilist provocation at best. Knowing von Trier’s work, however, one should probably be inclined to take it at its worst—as a cynical and sentimental con. In Danish with Dutch subtitles. (JR) 117 min. Kriterion In the Mood For Love Wong Kar-wai’s brooding chamber piece from 2000, about a love affair that never quite happens, is claustrophobically set in adjacent flats in 1962 Hong Kong. It focuses on a newspaper editor and a secretary (Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, the sexiest duo in Hong Kong cinema) who discover that their respective spouses are having an affair on the road. In Cantonese/French/Mandarin/Spanish with Dutch subtitles. (JR) 98 min. Het Ketelhuis Man & natuur in Amsterdam Two new documentaries about green spaces in the city. De klimop rouwt nog steeds by Barbara den Uyl is a portrait of the caretaker of a hidden cemetery. Roel van Dalen’s De groene hemel follows gardener Bert Ydema as he teaches grade-school kids to grow vegetables in the Westerpark schooltuinen. In Dutch. Het Ketelhuis March of the Penguins This epic documentary details the brutal migrations emperor penguins undertake each year during their mating season. In Dutch. (SM) 85 min. Pathé Tuschinski Mishima Paul Schrader’s 1985 study of Yukio Mishima, the celebrated Japanese writer, exhibitionist and right-wing political figure, is manically overstructured. The film is divided into chapters with titles like ‘Beauty’, ‘Art’ and ‘The Harmony of Pen and Sword’, each of which intertwines scenes from Mishima’s fiction (filmed in expressionist colour) with flashbacks to his upbringing (in naturalistic
black and white), and flash-forwards to the day of his ritual suicide (in artfully muted pastels). The point of all this mad organisation, like a term paper outline prepared by a Dexedrine addict, is to hide an almost complete lack of content. The film doesn’t only fail to put forward a point of view on Mishima, it also fails to suggest any sense of the flamboyant, complex personality that made him a cult figure in the first place. The score is by Philip Glass. (121 min). Also showing: Mishima’s Yukoku (1966, 30 min). Both films in Japanese with English subtitles. (DK) De Roode Bioscoop My Name Is Ivan Andrei Tarkovsky’s powerful 1962 first feature is his most conventional as narrative, though it contains some remarkable dreamlike interludes that anticipate his later work. Shot in black and white, it follows the adventures of a boy serving as a spy on the front lines during World War II. In Russian/German with Dutch subtitles. 96 min. Rialto Plan 9 from Outer Space Bela Lugosi died during the making of this low-budget science-fiction movie, but that didn’t faze director Edward Wood: the Lugosi footage, which consists of the actor skulking around a suburban garage, is replayed over and over, to highly surreal effect. Wood is notorious for his 1952 transvestite saga Glen or Glenda?, but this 1959 effort is twice as strange and appealing in its undisguised incompetence. 79 min. OT301 Spider-Man Sam Raimi month continues with the director’s fine mainstream superhero pic plus its sequel, Spider-Man 2. The Movies
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring South Korean director Kim Ki-Duk’s film takes us through five important moments in the lives of a Buddhist monk and his impetuous pupil, the sole inhabitants of a beautifully located floating shrine far from the hubbub of society. When we first encounter them, the teacher is punishing the lad for mistreating innocent animals. The arrival of a young woman in the second act changes the younger man’s priorities in life, and he is
prompted to leave his secluded residence and explore the world. This leads to grave consequences that eventually necessitate his return home as a wiser, sadder person. In Korean with Dutch subtitles. (RN) 103 min. KIT Tropentheater, Kleine Zaal Les Suspects Samia, a psychiatrist, returns to Algiers from her study in Belgium to treat veterans of the French-Algerian War. She falls in love with Mahfoud, a teacher at a technical school, but both of them come under suspicion from fundamentalist neighbours and colleagues, themselves scarred by memories of the war. Director Kamal Dahane based this 2004 film on a novel by Tahar Djaout, who was murdered by fundamentalists in 1993. Les Suspects will be introduced by the Algerian-Dutch actor and film-maker Karim Traïdia. In French/Arabic with French and Dutch subtitles. 105 min. Rialto Unyazi of the Bushveld A 2005 video documentary on the first festival of electronic music in Africa, directed by Dutch/South African multimedia artist Aryan Kaganof, AKA Ian Kerkhof. The film features performances by Halim El-Dabh, the Egyptian composer and father of electronic music in Africa; Pauline Oliveros; Zim Ngqwana; Pops Mohamed; Dimitri Voudouris; Francisco López; George Lewis & Louis Moholo; Lukas Ligeti; and more (45 min). Following the film will be a live concert by the great Ted Milton of Blurt, with Sam Britton on laptop. iLLUSEUM Volver Almodóvar shows there’s more to life than (just) sex, drugs and travesty. In Spanish with Dutch subtitles. (BS) 120 min. Melkweg Cinema Wilde Mossels Erik de Bruyn’s lively 2000 comingof-age drama about young mussel fishermen in a village in Zeeland who dream of escaping their boring existence. With Fedja van Huêt, Frank Lammers, Will van Kralingen and a soundtrack full of great obscure tracks by the Popes, the Deftones, Burt Bacharach and more. In Dutch. 115 min. Cavia
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Amsterdam Weekly wright (Sebastian Koch) who attracts the interest of the state and a Stasi officer (Ulrich Mühe) whose loyalty to the socialist cause is starting to erode. Predictable and slightly distant, but also disturbing and effective. In German with Dutch subtitles. (LvH) 137 min. Cinecenter, Het Ketelhuis, Pathé Tuschinski, Rialto
The Machinist Forget Robert De Niro’s tubbiness in Raging Bull and Renée Zellweger’s baby fat in Bridget Jones’ Diary—Christian Bale set a new extreme for body manipulation in The Machinist (2004) by losing 30kg for his role. While Bale’s skeletal frame is morbidly fascinating, his innate acting talent is the film’s biggest asset. Brad Anderson’s Lynchian tale of a traumatised factory worker whose insomnia is slowly driving him bonkers intrigues until the very end, when all the loose ends are tied up just a tad too neatly. (LvH) 102 min. Filmhuis Griffioen Made in Korea Dutch film-maker In-Soo Radstake was born in South Korea in 1979 and given up for adoption. In this likably unsentimental documentary, he goes in search of his roots. In Dutch/Korean/English with Dutch subtitles. 73 min. Het Ketelhuis Me and You and Everyone We Know Fresh, likeable and stylishly low-key, this wistful and sexy romantic comedy marks the feature-directing debut of conceptual artist Miranda July. There are a lot of strong performances by relative unknowns, but what really holds things together is a certain sustained pitch of feeling about loneliness. July plays a shy video artist, supporting herself as a cab driver for the elderly, who becomes interested in a recently separated shoe clerk (John Hawkes) with two sons. The movie’s flirtatious roundelay also includes the clerk’s coworker, an art curator and a couple of teenage girls. (JR) 90 min. Rialto The Monastery: Mr Vig & the Nun The synopsis reads like a fairy tale: an eccentric old man, living alone in a castle somewhere in Denmark, has dreamt for years of starting his own monastery. Finally, the Russian Orthodox Church agrees to send down some nuns. Amongst them is the remarkable Amvrosija, who turns out to be just as stubborn as Mr Vig. After years of neglect the castle is nearly a ruin, but Mr Vig and Amvrosija work hard to repair the building and make their dream come true. The process is filmed in beautiful, smoky images, yet Pernille Rose Gronkjaer’s documentary doesn’t tell much about the promised ‘special relationship’ between Mr Vig and the nun, which should be the most interesting part. Maybe the camera wasn’t looking, or maybe it just wasn’t there. In Danish with Dutch subtitles. (MM) 85 min. De Uitkijk Next Nicolas Cage stars as a Las Vegas magician who can see two minutes into his own future, which proves endlessly handy when he’s onstage or working a casino but doesn’t have much national security potential; why an FBI agent (Julianne Moore) would enlist him to save Los Angeles from nuclear terrorists is never satisfactorily explained. As a result, this busy sci-fi thriller often seems like a page full of equations rendered meaningless by an early misplaced decimal point. When the story finally collapses in a heap at the end, you’ll probably want your money back, but that’s where the title comes in: ‘Next!’ Lee Tamahori (Die Another Day) directed; with Jessica Biel and, briefly, Peter Falk. (JJ) 91 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Next Notes on a Scandal A bitter old history teacher at a wild English high school (Judi Dench) befriends an attractive young colleague who’s just arrived (Cate Blanchett), only to discover she’s having sex with a 15-year-old student. Adapted from a novel by Zoë Heller, this drama is both literate and urgently plotted, with a voice-over from Dench that cuts like broken glass. Her character is sly, controlling, desperately lonely and capable of anything, and when Blanchett’s secret gets out, a proper chamber drama explodes into something much more troubling. Richard Eyre (Iris) directed. (JJ) 91 min. Pathé Tuschinski, De Uitkijk
The Night of the Hunter Charles Laughton’s first and only film as a director (1955) is an enduring masterpiece—dark, deep, beautiful, aglow. Robert Mitchum, in the role that most fully exploits his ferocious sexuality, is the evil preacher pursuing two orphaned children across a sinister, barren countryside; Lillian Gish is the widow who protects the children. Laughton’s direction has Germanic overtones—not only in the expressionism that occasionally grips the image, but also in a pervasive, brooding romanticism that suggests the Erl-King of Goethe and Schubert. But ultimately the source of its style and power is mysterious—It is a film without precedents, and without any real equals. (DK) 93 min. Filmmuseum
10-16 May 2007
Our Daily Bread This may remind you of We Feed the World, the documentary by Erwin Wagenhofer that was released in the Netherlands last November. Like that film, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at how meat and produce make the transition from soil to supermarket. But Our Daily Bread is far more experimental, abstaining from dialogue and even music. Alternating shots from the work floor of a meat-packing plant with the same people silently eating their lunches, Austrian director Nikolaus Geyrhalter creates a mood of inevitability. He is not interested in opinions or politics, only in showing the bizarre, almost science-fictional way our food is produced in the 21st century. (MP) 92 min. Filmmuseum Pan’s Labyrinth By mixing the narrative setting he already visited in The Devil’s Backbone with the Grand Guignol sensibilities he’s shown in his Hollywood films, Guillermo del Toro has managed to create a perfect, poignant fairy tale of the Grimm variety. Young Ofelia must undergo a perilous quest that takes her through the depths of the underworld and pits her against her nefarious new father. Bittersweet and darkly disturbing at the same time, this movie’s guaranteed to keep your inner child up at night with delicious fright. Just refrain from accepting candy from Fascists and fauns and you’ll be fine. In Spanish with Dutch subtitles. (LvH) 112 min. Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé Tuschinski
Pan’s Labyrinth Perfect Stranger A tabloid journalist (Halle Berry), assisted by a computer geek (Giovanni Ribisi), goes undercover to pin the murder of her old friend on a tyrannical tycoon (Bruce Willis). This stupidly contrived thriller is all the more disappointing if you admire previous work by Berry and director James Foley (After Dark, My Sweet). Did they cynically opt for a lame and unpleasant script, or did this make more sense before the suits got to it? With a minor role for Dutch model Daniella van Graas. (JR) 109 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt The Prestige With his fifth feature film, Christopher Nolan is back to the tricks he used successfully in Memento. The plot appears simple: it’s about the bitter rivalry between two magicians, with fatal consequences. But a keen observer will discover there’s a third man at play: Christopher Nolan himself, Master of Misdirection, who, with dazzling visuals, clever montage and intricate story lines, tries to divert our attention from the obvious. When you have such good actors at your disposal and such visual finesse, it’s a real shame to bet everything on one clever trick. It’s a sad miscalculation in an otherwise well crafted movie. With Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, David Bowie and Scarlett Johansson. (BS) 130 min. Cinema Amstelveen
Princess Half Japanese-style animation and half live
action, this Danish cult film tells the violent story of a priest’s bloody quest through the sex film industry to avenge the death of his porn star sister and the abuse of her five-year-old daughter. Princess is relentless in its portrayal of porn as a life-ruining business, raising the issue whether its director, cartoonist Anders Morgenthaler, should have toned down his moral judgement. Highly recommended for those not allergic to controversy. In Danish with Dutch subtitles. (MdR) 90 min. The Movies The Reaping A professor (Hilary Swank) known for debunking religious phenomena arrives in a southern backwater that’s being afflicted by the 10 plagues of Egypt. Produced by Hollywood crapmeister Joel Silver, this high-decibel shocker is an insult to intelligence and faith alike. Stephen Hopkins (Lost in Space) directed; with David Morrissey, Idris Elba, AnnaSophia Robb and Stephen Rea. (JJ) 99 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
The Reaping Shooter Steely Mark Wahlberg stars as an army sniper, coaxed out of retirement to foil an assassination plot on the president, who discovers that he’s the patsy in a government conspiracy. The story is often ridiculous, but director Antoine Fuqua provides plenty of fun distractions, including an evil Russian in a wheelchair, a conniving US senator (Ned Beatty) and a heroine who favours tank tops. (JJ) 124 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Shut Up and Sing On a stage in London in 2003, on the eve of the US-led invasion of Iraq, Nathalie Maines of
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007 Texas country band the Dixie Chicks infamously announced: ‘Just so you know, we are ashamed that the president of the US comes from our state.’ Oscar-winning film-maker Barbara Kopple records the fallout in this lively documentary, in which Maines emerges as intelligent and independent-minded, the kind of person you would love to go to the pub with—though maybe not while she was wearing her stage clothes. (AD) 93 min. The Movies Spider-Man 3 When a super-hero franchise reaches the third instalment, the result is usually a let-down featuring rubber nipples or Richard Pryor on skis. While Spidey’s third outing doesn’t reach those all-time lows, it still is a step backwards from the first two magnificent films. The problem boils down to an overabundance of villains, love interests and plot lines that entangle the cast, sometimes slowing the proceedings to a sticky stop in between the flabbergasting action sequences. Besides, in keeping with blockbuster season, there’s an awful lot of action. Two-and-a-half angstful hours might be more bang for your buck than you bargained for. Directed by Sam Raimi, with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. (LvH) 156 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski Transylvania Director Tony Gatlif likes to make gypsy road movies—his most famous one being Gadjo Dilo—and his latest film is no exception. This time we follow female protagonist Zingarina (Asia Argento) to the Romanian region of Transylvania to be reunited with her boyfriend. When he rejects her and their unborn baby, Zingarina is inconsolable. Yet love lurks in unlikely places. It’s uncommon for Gatlif to feature a female lead, yet actress Biro Ünel (the anti-hero of Gegen die Wand) steals every scene. What Transylvania lacks in narrative, it amply makes up for in vibrant music and raw emotion. In French/Romanian/English with Dutch subtitles. (BS) 103 min. Rialto La Vie en rose Any director would have had a hard time adapting Edith Piaf’s eventful life—filled with neglect, disease and death—into a 140-minute movie, yet Olivier Dahan eschews any pretence of coherence. Seemingly at random, he jumps through time, barely differentiating between important and less relevant events. We get to see the winning match of Piaf’s lover, boxer Marcel Cerdan, but not her role in the French resistance. Both Piaf and Marion Cotillard (giving a remarkable, fragile performance as ‘The Little Sparrow’) deserve better. In French with Dutch subtitles. (BS) The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski
FILM TIMES Thursday 10 May until Wednesday16 May. 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 Der VW-Komplex Fri, Sat 20.30. Cavia Van Hallstraat 52-I, 681 1419 Bokken en Geiten Fri 20.30 Wilde Mossels Thur 20.30. Cinecenter Lijnbaansgracht 236, 623 6615 Angel daily 19.00, 21.45, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 16.00, Sun also 11.15 The Fountain daily 19.30, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 16.30, Sun 11.00 Inland Empire daily 21.00, Sun also 13.00 Das Leben der Anderen daily 18.45, 21.45, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 15.45, Sun also 11.15 Pan's Labyrinth daily 19.30, 21.45, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 16.15, Sun also 11.00, 13.30. Cinema Amstelveen Plein 1960 2, Amstelveen, 547 5175 Anche libero va bene Thur 15.00, Tues, Wed 20.30 Arthur en de Minimoys Sat, Wed 15.30, Sun 14.00 Assepoester en de Keukenprins Sat, Wed 13.30, Sun 12.00 Haaibaai Sun 10.30 Miss Potter Sun 16.15 The Prestige Thur-Sat 20.30.
Wild Hogs John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H Macy are middle-aged motorcycle buffs who soothe their midlife crises with a cross-country expedition to the Pacific Coast. In New Mexico, Travolta (goofing like he hasn’t since he played Vinnie Barbarino) inadvertently torches a biker gang’s roadhouse, and the bikers, led by a sublimely typecast Ray Liotta, hunt them down. Slack direction from Walt Becker sullies this formula comedy, but the cast is agreeable, particularly Marisa Tomei as the diner owner who falls for Macy, and Peter Fonda, turning in his second Easy Rider parody in weeks (the first was in Ghost Rider). (JJ) 105 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Melkweg Cinema Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 624 1777 20 Centímetros Thur 20.00 AzulOscuroCasiNegro Wed 20.00 La Educación de las Hadas Sat 19.00, Sun 15.00 Malas Temporadas Fri, Sun 19.00 Remake Mon, Tues 20.00 Volver Mon, Tues 22.00. The Movies Haarlemmerdijk 159-165, 638 6016 Alatriste Thur-Tues 21.45 Anche libero va bene Thur-Tues 16.30, 19.00, 21.15, Sun also 12.15 Angel daily 14.15, 16.45, 19.30 Bridge to Terabithia Thur-Sun 14.30 Ellen ten Damme daily 17.30, Fri, Sat also 0.00 Interview Thur-Tues 17.15, 19.45, 21.45, Fri-Sun 15.15, Sun also 13.00 Interview (2003) Fri, Sat 23.30 Pan's Labyrinth Thur-Tues 17.00, 19.15, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 21.30, Thur-Sun also 14.45, Sat also 22.00, Sun also 12.30 Princess Fri, Sat 0.05 Shut Up and Sing Thur-Tues 16.45, Sun also 12.00 Spider-Man Fri, Sat 23.45 Spider-Man 2 Fri, Sat 0.20 La Vie en rose Thur-Tues 18.45, Thur-Sun also 14.00. De Nieuwe Anita Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 06 4150 3512, Grindhouse Night Mon 20.30. OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 Ed Wood Tues 20.30 Plan 9 from Outer Space Tues 20.30 Sprocket Sounds Sun 20.30.
KIT Tropentheater, Kleine Zaal Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8500 Spring, Summer, Fall,Winter... and Spring Tues, Wed 20.30.
Pathé ArenA ArenA Boulevard 600, 0900 1458 300 Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 12.10, 14.50, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 20.30, Sun also 10.20 Assepoester en de Keukenprins daily 13.10, 15.20, Sat, Sun also 10.40 Beestenboel daily 11.50 Blades of Glory daily 12.40, 14.55, 17.15, 19.30, 21.45, Sat, Sun also 10.25 Bridge to Terabithia daily 13.00, 15.25, Sat, Sun also 10.45 Cinemix Filmfestival Fri-Sun Curse of the Golden Flower Thur 17.00 The Departed Thur, Fri 13.45, Thur also 20.00, Mon-Wed 18.15 Epic Movie Thur-Mon, Wed 12.30, 14.40, 17.00, 19.20, Sat also 10.15, Tues 13.45, 16.00, 18.45 Haaibaai Sun, Wed 12.00, 13.50, 15.40, Sun also 10.10 Hot Fuzz Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed 17.40 Match Point Tues 13.30 Metro Fri 19.00, 21.35, Sat-Wed 12.50, 15.45, 18.40, 21.30 Mr Bean's Holiday daily 12.05, 14.10, 16.15, 17.30, 19.45, 21.55, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 13.15, 15.20, Sat, Sun also 10.00, Sat also 11.05 The Namesake daily 12.20, 15.10, Thur also 19.00, 21.40, FriWed also 17.55, 20.40 Next daily 17.35, 19.50, 22.05 Norbit daily 18.25 Pan's Labyrinth daily 17.45, 20.15 Perfect Stranger daily 14.00, 16.30, 19.10, 21.50 The Reaping Fri, Sat 22.00 The Reaping daily 17.20, 19.40, 22.00 Shooter Thur-Mon, Tues 21.35 Sneak Preview Tues 21.00 Spider-Man 3 daily 12.00, 15.00, 18.00, 21.00 Spider-Man 3 (IMAX) daily 12.15, 15.15, 18.20, 21.25 Sunshine Thur, Fri 12.00, 14.25, Thur, Mon-Wed 21.30, Fri also 18.45, Mon-Wed also 13.05, 15.40, Sat 10.55, 13.30, Sun 10.25, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Thur-Mon, Wed 13.20, 15.30, Sat, Sun also 11.15 Wild Hogs daily 20.50.
Kriterion Roetersstraat 170, 623 1708 The Boss of It All Thur-Tues 19.15, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 17.15, Sat also 15.15, 0.30, Sun also 13.15 Curse of the Golden Flower Thur-Tues 17.45 Ex Drummer Fri, Sat 0.15 The Idiots Sun 15.15, Mon 22.00
Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 300 Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 17.40, Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon also 20.45, Sat 16.15, 19.00, 22.00 Assepoester en de Keukenprins Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 13.00, 15.30, Sun also 10.30, Sat 11.30, 14.00 Babel Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 20.30
Filmhuis Griffioen Uilenstede 106, Amstelveen, 444 5100 Flags of Our Fathers Thur 21.10, Fri, Tues 19.30 The Machinist Thur 19.00. Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 12:08 East of Bucharest Sun 17.45, Mon 18.00 Berlin Alexanderplatz parts 1-3: Thur 19.15, parts 4-7: Fri 19.15, parts 8-11: Tues 19.15, parts 1-7: Sat 13.30, parts 8-13: Sun 13.30 Beynelmilel Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues 17.45 Griezelen in het donker Sun, Wed 14.00 The Night of the Hunter Thur, Fri, Tues 17.15 Our Daily Bread Sat 15.45 Sangre Thur-Tues 19.45, 21.45 Het Zakmes Sun, Wed 13.45. iLLUSEUM Witte de Withstraat 120, 770 5581 Unyazi of the Bushveld Wed 20.30.
Wild Hogs
Inland Empire Thur-Sun, Tues 21.15 Interview Thur-Tues 20.00, Thur-Mon also 22.15, Sat, Sun also 15.30 Sneak Preview Tues 22.15.
Het Ketelhuis Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 684 0090 The Boss of It All daily 21.30, Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed also 17.30, Sat, Sun 15.30 Ellen ten Damme Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 18.15 Ex Drummer daily 21.45 The Good German Thur-Sun, Mon-Wed 19.30 In the Mood For Love Sun 19.30 The Kid Sat, Sun 13.30 Das Leben der Anderen daily 21.15, Thur, Fri, Tues also 18.30, Sat, Sun also 15.00 Made in Korea Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 16.45, Sun 14.00 Man & natuur in Amsterdam daily 19.45, Sat 14.45.
25 Beestenboel Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 13.30, Sun also 11.15, Sat 10.35, 13.00 Blades of Glory Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 14.40, 22.10, Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon also 17.30, 19.30, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.20, Sun also 10.15, 12.30, Tues also 17.15, 19.30, Sat 10.45, 13.00, 15.45, 18.30, 21.00, 23.30 Bridge to Terabithia Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 12.15, 14.30, Sun also 10.10, Sat 12.00, 14.45 Epic Movie Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 16.45, 19.00, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.10, 14.20, Sat, Sun 10.10, 12.15, 14.30, Sat also 17.00, 19.15 Fracture Sat 23.10 Haaibaai Sun 10.10, 12.10, 14.10, 16.10 Hot Fuzz Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 13.10, 16.00, 18.45, 21.35, Sun also 10.25, Sat 11.15, 14.15, 17.10, 20.10 It's a Boy/Girl Thing Thur, Fri, Sun, Tues, Wed 16.45, Thur also 12.10, 14.30, Sat 15.15, 17.50, Mon 17.55 The Last King of Scotland Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 21.15, Sat 21.45 Mr Bean's Holiday Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 12.40, 14.50, 17.00, 19.20, Sun also 10.25, Sat 10.20, 12.30, 15.00, 17.30, 20.00 Music & Lyrics Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 18.05, Sat 15.20, 20.50 Next Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 14.10, 16.30, 18.50, 21.10, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.00, Sun also 11.40, Sat 10.30, 12.45, 15.30, 18.00, 20.20, 22.45 The Number 23 Sat 23.35 Perfect Stranger Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 12.50, 15.20, 17.50, 20.15, Sun also 10.20, Sat 10.40, 13.10, 16.00, 18.45, 21.30 The Reaping Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 13.50, 15.15, 18.00, Sun also 18.10, Sat 11.00, 13.30, 15.50, 18.15, 20.40, 23.15 Shooter Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 21.00, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.30, 15.15, 18.00, Sun also 18.10, Sat 10.50, 13.45, 16.45, 19.30, 22.30 Sneak Preview Tues 21.45 Spider-Man 3 Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 12.00, 15.00, 18.15, 21.30, Sat 10.15, 13.15, 16.30, 19.45, 23.00 Sunshine Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 21.45, Sat 22.15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 13.15, 15.35, Sun also 11.00, Sat 10.25, 12.50, 15.50 Wild Hogs Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 17.10, 19.30, 21.50, Sat 17.15, 19.50, 22.20. Pathé Tuschinski Reguliersbreestraat 34, 0900 1458 Catch a Fire Thur-Tues 20.30 Curse of the Golden Flower Thur-Tues 20.30, Fri, Sat also 14.45, Sun-Tues also 15.00 The Good German Thur, Sun-Tues 22.00, Fri, Sat also 21.45 Haaibaai Sun 12.00, 14.00, 16.10 Interview Thur, Sun-Tues 19.30, Thur, Tues also 16.30, Fri-Mon 19.30, Fri, Sat also 19.20 Irma La Douce Sun 10.30 Das Leben der Anderen Thur-Tues 21.10, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 18.00, Fri, Sat, Tues also 12.00, Thur also 12.10, Sun also 18.10 March of the Penguins Thur, Tues 13.30 Notes on a Scandal Thur-Tues 12.15, 17.45 Pan's Labyrinth Thur, Sun-Tues 12.45, 15.45, 18.45, 21.45, Fri, Sat also 12.30, 15.15, 18.15, 21.15 Spider-Man 3 Thur, Sun-Tues 14.00, 17.30, 20.45, Fri, Sat also 12.15, 15.30, 18.45, 22.00 La Vie en rose Thur-Tues 15.00. Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338, 676 8700 Anche libero va bene Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon 19.30, Sat 13.30 Angel Thur-Tues 20.30, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 18.00, Fri also 15.15, Sat also 12.30 Close to Home Tues 19.30 The Devil's Playground Fri 23.00 I Don't Want to Sleep Alone Thur-Tues 19.50, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 17.40, Sat also 13.15 Khadak Sat 19.45 Das Leben der Anderen Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 21.30, Fri-Sun also 16.15, Sat, Sun also 13.30 Me and You and Everyone We Know Fri 16.00 My Name Is Ivan Sun 11.00 Les Suspects Sat 15.00 Transylvania Thur-Tues 22.00, Sat also 15.30, Sun also 11.15. De Roode Bioscoop Haarlemmerplein 7H, 625 7500, Mishima Sun 21.00. De Uitkijk Prinsengracht 452, 623 7460 Curse of the Golden Flower Thur, Mon, Tues 19.00 The Monastery: Mr Vig & the Nun Sun 15.00 Notes on a Scandal Thur-Tues 17.00 Semana de Cine Español Fri-Sun 19.00.
Amsterdam Weekly
26
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. 1 ROOM AP T WANTEDI am a nice, friendly, single gay guy FIDDLERS & BANJOS Established A’dam country interested in renting a 1-room band Trigger seeks musicians to lend us a more aptorroominA’dam.Icanoffer authentic downhome sound. Fiddlers, banjo play- €300max.cosmyb@yahoo.com. ers and steel guitarists. Call on 06 2953 2794. SEEK FOR A ROOM I seek to rent a room in Amsterdam or www.homeseekersworld- from 2 June-22 Sept. Urgent. HOUSING OFFERED wide.net. coiselemilie@yahoo.fr. BEACH LUXURY VILLA In HOLIDAY APT DAM SQ. Alicante Spain. It has 248m2, Luxury air-conditioned studio 2 STUDIOS For Barry: am in semi-basement, living/dining in hotspot next to Dam Square A’dam from 6 June-30 July. 62 area, kitchen, laundry room, for short-term rental. Price y.o. male, non-smoker, max 3 bedrooms,(master w/ pri- starts at €149/day. www.ams- €800. From 8 June to 18 July, vate bathroom & terrace) 4 terdamcityapartment.com. 61 y.o. female smoker, max€400. Both with or withbathrooms, terrace w/ beautiful ocean views. 320m2 plot. 100’S OF APTS Available in out furniture & private faciliThe urbanization has com- A’dam immediately. From €450 ties. Details walshbj@ozemunity swimming pool and p.m.www.xpatrentals.com/offers. maiLcom.au or 61 2 9743 0300. green areas. For info call +34 HOUSING TO SHARE HOUSING WANTED (0)629 689 175. VACATION RENTAL2-week GIRL NEEDS HOME 29 y.o. BEACH FLAT SPAINThe flat rental needed. Coming to American girl looking for accois just 50m from the beach in A’dam 19 July until 2 August. modation from 1 June until at Altea, Alicante. Has 96m2, 2 Would like to rent a small apt, least 15 Aug, preferably until bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 w/ studio, condo or houseboat 1 Jan. Don’t smoke or drink and jacuzzi), American-type (not shared) where we can do yoga-AKA peaceful. Please kitchen, laundry room, livwalk to main tourist attrac- help me stay in A’dam a little ing/diningarea,beautifulocean tions, for a reasonable price. longer before I move back to view.It’soverAlteaMainStreet, A garden, balcony or canal New York. All opportunities close to the commercial areas, view would be a plus. Email considered.Thankyou!rietveldbanks and groceries. For info aprilskidmore6@hotmail.com. student@yahoo.com. call +34 (0)629 689 175.
AD OF THE WEEK
NEED ROOM FOR 1 JUNE Hi. Looking for room in A’dam. I’m a clean, quiet UvA student with full-time job. Non-smoker, veggie, tidy, great cook. Need furnished room with internet for 27 May or 1 June. €350-€400 max. Call 06 4174 APT FOR RENT Cozy little 2442 or ss@shainhouse.com apt for rent immediately, for if you can help. Thanks so long-term and suitable only much for reading this. for women. Renovated and STUDIO/FLAT WANTED I’m pretty in Rivierenbuurt. Tram lookingforastudio/flatinA’dam 4 stops right in front. Please Centre,Oud-Zuid,DePijp,Oudcall Nell at 06 2296 4395. West,Westerpark.Furnishedor HOSTELS-AMSTERDAM. unfurnished. If you have someNL was undergoing a major thing please contact me on facelift and now serves all rentamsterdam@gmail.com.30 A’dam hotels. You can find all y.o.femaleprofessional.Nocraphotels and hostels with lots pyplacesplease!Thanx,Sophie. of A’dam tourist info, articles HIPPYHi. I am visiting A’dam and tips. Also business info and soon. Will you host me? Write your own comments sections to Laze at lazlaz@otenet.gr. are available. Take a look. ROOM NEEDED ASAPI’m a www.hostels-amsterdam.nl. 22 y.o., full-time working girl FURNISHED FLATNice spa- looking for a room for about a cious, renovated flat near Von- month (possibly more). Max delpark for single per- €400. Small room is fine. Email son.€700/mth all incl. One mijau_meedel@yahoo.com.au. mth deposit. Call 06 4512 1245. 6 MONTHS Hi, I’m Robert FLAT FOR RENT Nice furnished flat in beautiful location in centre of A’dam overlookingcanal.Suitableforneat, non-smoking person, preferably over 30 y.o. €800/mth. Contact zeedijk@bluebottle.com.
A’DAM APT2 bedrooms, furnished, great location, Churchillaan Rivierenbuurt. €1500 p.m. For pictures contact Sherwin on 06 1875 4217
and I’m looking for a single studio, up to €350/mth, all expenses incl in A’dam. I’m clean and quiet. You can reach me at 06 2555 5272.
toilet and bathroom, all amenities in walking distance. Roommate wanted ASAP. Email j.f.heymann@hotmail.com.
OTHER SPACES PHOTO STUDIO For amateur and professional photographers. Can also be used as meeting or gathering space. 100m2, €150/day. Possible to rent photo equipment. High ceilings, good, natural light and located on WG Plein, adjacent to Overtoom. For appointment and more info contact D Ingel: 06 2883 4224. GALLERY AVAILABLEMulti-functional space available in the famous Jordaan area for artists to show and sell their creations. Preferably including seats and paintings. Space will be visited by potential clients. Mail rickbridge@hotmail.com or call 06 1771 4131. 2 STUDIO SPACESfor rent at Witte de Withstraat 101-105 in De Baarsjes. Studio is approx 7m2 and costs €140/mth, incl VAT, gas, water, light, internet & cleaning. Share with 9 visual artists. Small gallery space, garden and kitchen. Contact Nando on 06 2348 6984.
PARLA ITALIANO?Experienced waiter needed for serious Italian restaurant. Some knowledge of English or Dutch is required. Very pleasant atmosphere. Join our crew! Contact us from 11.00 to 15.00 for appt on 641 5684. UNDUTCHABLES RecruitmentAgencyAmstelveen.Weare looking for: Customer Service speaking German (Judith Engels); Account Manager 1x Danish1xEnglishspeaking(Laura Fritz); Database Analyst (Christine Schroeder). Please mail amstelveen@undutchables.nl. See for more positions www.undutchables.nl. PIANO TEACHER We are looking for an English-speaking piano teacher who believes learning should be fun not only formal. If you are available to teach two children cool as well as classical music, please call Yvonne: 06 4513 3485.
10-16 May 2007 you! Interested? Send email don. New was 4.5K; now a to bmartens@guidion.nl! snip at €700. Dark blue, good CHEFS WANTED Experi- condition, 6 pieces, wooden enced chefs wanted to join feet, covers removable. Northe team in a busy brasserie mal layout 330 x 260/height in A’dam. Send your CV to 95/depth 92. Buyer collects. www.flickr.com/photos/ 792 info@barneys.biz. 6605@N07. wendysproit@ HONEST & NICE PERSON hotmail.com. Cleaner please for 4 hrs/wk VEHICLES for apt in central A’dam. Nothing drastic, just 2 hrs normal BOAT FOR SALEPerfect for cleaning/dusting, 1 hr iron- the A’dam canals and suring, 1 hr on stuff that does- roundings. Sleeps 2 with n’t need doing every week. kitchen and toilet. 40hp €30/wk. Last cleaner was lazy, inboard engine. Price: €7500. horrible and in the end turned Phone 06 4166 7833. out to be dishonest too. Email OLD BOAT WANTED I’m nick_kewell@yahoo.com. looking for an old boat of any PART-TIME RESEARCH We size or condition to fix up. If are a consulting firm with 50 you have one or know of one, offices globaly. The European please contact me at garyresearchcenterisbasedinA’dam vallely@hotmail.com. and we are looking for Englishspeaking employees who can SERVICES perform business research on apart-timebasis.Min20hrs/wk. SUNSHINE...OH YES!Want Contact skim@spencerstu- to enjoy the weather and not think about the mess at art.com for information. home? Call me! You can enjoy ENGLISH-SPEAKING JOB a few evening hours in the sun We have all the English-speak- on a terrace because I will ing and other foreign-lan- take of your cleaning and guage jobs from all the major ironing. Irish lady. 4 yrs expeemployment agencies and rience. Totally reliable with employers in NL on one web- excellent references. A’dam site. www.xpatjobs.com. only. Tel 664 9703.
CAN YOU WRITE? We are looking for tourists or expats living in or visiting A’dam and have a desire to contribute, on voluntary basis, articles about A’dam or Holland to our tourist website. The selected articles will be published on www.hostels-amsWORK WANTED terdam.nl. Please contact WORKINAMSTERDAMNorinfo@hostels-amsterdam.nl. wegian girl, 30 y.o. looking for UNDUTCHABLES Amster- a job in A’dam. Can start immedam is looking for: German diately. Mobile: 06 4167 4675. financials; Russian lawyer or FOR SALE banker; tourist agents all languages; Italian or Nordic WEDDING DRESS OnceAccounts Payable; French + worn designer wedding dress Dutch Sales or Customer Ser- for the larger bride (size vice; Polish + German 20/22) size 50/52 for sale. Offaccount representative. white, bell sleeves, beautiPlease send your CV to Ams- ful v-neck lace gown for 300 terdam@undutchables.nl or ONO. Contact 06 2946 2684 check www.undutchables.nl. or email gwen101175@hotTRAVEL WORDWIDE mail.com. Escorts Agency looking for AMSTERDAM'S FONTSDo top models to travel world- you need fresh fonts associwide and escort VIP in Paris, ated with A’dam’s design traMilan and Athens. Please, dition for your graphic contact Mike at 06 2917 4210. designs? Try ‘Kurversbrug’ in
LOOKING FOR A ROOM 20 y.o. Dutch girl looking for quiet room to rent or an apt to share in A’dam. Center would be great, furniture not needed. My budget is €300 max. WORK OFFERED Thank you! pinkpanter_beckPART-TIME SUMMER JOB ey@hotmail.com. Amsterdam Weekly is looking ROOM AVAILABLE Next to for someone to work 2-3 hrs/wk Wibaustraat metro, shared on Wed afternoons b/w 6 Junekitchen and bathroom, inde- 31 Aug. Job includes mailing pendent entrance, available invoices & tearsheets plus othfrom 1 June for long-/short- er tasks which may pop up. term rental. Price €250 all Attention to detail, computer incl. And great flatmates! lam- know-how, fun & friendly disITALIAN HELPDESK TNS brosfisfis@yahoo.com/06 4327 position required. Up to the EAP is looking for an Italian 8482. task? Email monique@amsHelpdesk Support for its team. terdamwekly.nl. GREAT FLAT SHARE Very EAP is an International Marcentral A’dam, Jordaan. Dou- CAREER MINDED? We are keting Research company ble bdrm for 1 person in 2- looking for career-minded located in the heart of A’dam. bdrm apt to share with mid- individuals to work in a top If you speak English and want 30s, easy-going male expat. of the range office environ- to work in an international and Modern, fully furnished, wire- ment for a billion dollar com- exciting environment conless internet. Will suit, work- pany. Great promotion poten- tact us! Send us an email + ing, tidy, responsible person. tial, OTE 40K+ per year. Com- CV to edwin.schukking@tns€675 p/m incl. Pls send details puter- and phone-literate. global.com. about yourself to ams_apart- Please send CV to David at proNATIVE FRENCH Looking market99@yahoo.co.uk. ment@hotmail.co.uk. for flexible job, few hours a ROOM IN SHARED APT w/ NATIVE EUROPEAN?If your day, few days a week in cenFrench & Dutch working mother tongue is one of the ter of A’dam in team of enthumales. 110m2 on Singel canal, European languages and you siastic young people? Got 30 seconds from Dam Square. happen to be looking for a good communication skills For rent from 9 May, limited part-time job, contact me at and have French as your period of 3-4 mths. Rent is EuropeLanguages@gmail.co native language? Guidion €550 all incl. Shared kitchen, m. No sales. might have the perfect job for
www.re-type.com. It’s a revival of the A’dam bridge letters in digital format ready to be installed in your MAC or PC. ramiro@re-type.com. IKEA TROMSÖ BUNKBED with/out mattress, price €150 +€90,queensize.Icannotstore it now that I’m living, so I’m letting it for cheap if you pick it up. j.drnovsek@gmail.com. SEWING MACHINE Professional, model Class 20 Patch (likenew).Idealforshoerepair, luggage and orthopaedic use. Sews in all directions. Email majita7@hotmail.com.
ents? Set new goals for success with a plan and strategy. Take action to get what you want in your career/work and in relationships. Testimonies available. Guaranteed. 06 1831 6261. PROFESSIONAL HAIR COLOURIST with 15 years experience offers his expertise in salon or at home. Natural highlights, tints and creative colours. Contact Daniel at McTavish. Call 06 2413 7392. THERE BE PIRATES Captain Sam the Pirate hosts pirate theme parties in English. Pirate puppet show, treasure hunt with map and real loot, juggling, story time, games & lots of pirate toys for everyone. The best birthday your little pirate will ever have. For ages 4 and above. Contact strangeog@yahoo.com.
ART PHOTOGRAPHY Celebrate your pregnancy or wedding, have your family portrait made in artful fashion way by www.circleoflife.nu. Feel beautiful as you relax in our studio. We transform you into art. We want to photograph a feeling that captures & celebrates your beauty. info@circleARTISTICPAINTINGMyname oflife.nu. is Ivonne. I would like to offer GRAPHICS/WEBSITES to paint your home, business, restaurant or hotel. Give the design. Brochures, T-shirts, placeaspecialatmosphereand biz cards, CD covers, catamake it unique. I could exhib- logues, presentation, etc for it my art at your place too. View very reasonable prices. Conmy work at www.ivonne- tact G Messy: 06 2467 9312 m.bloog.pl. Contact 06 2552 or messychd@hotmail.com. 2885ormicheck05@gmail.com. HOUSECLEANER Need ENGLISH MAN WITH VAN someone to clean your house? can help with removals, big or With references and 10 years small, in or outside of country. experience. Just call Adrian: Reasonablerates,quickservice. 06 2334 9502. Contact Lee on 06 2388 2184 HAIRDRESSER English or isabelleandlee@planet.nl. mobile hairdresser in A’dam. BEST MOVING SERVICE IN Have your hair done in comTOWNDriver with van (10m3) fort of your own home. Hairor truck (40m3) available. cuts starting from 15. Please Plus extra moving men, hoist- call for appt on 773 6095. ing rope and elevator. Any BUSINESS OWNERSAttract combinations possible. Call more clients to your busiTaco on 06 4486 4390, email ness! Grab your free special info@vrachttaxi.com or check report ‘7 Steps to Attract out www.vrachttaxi.com. More Clients in Less Time!’ NEED A STUNNING WEB- plus a bonus of free monthSITE? Experienced web ly business building tips at designer builds professional, www.fireflycoaching.com unique sites for very reason- written by Life & Business able prices. Online links to Coach Stephanie Ward. past projects available. Jor- WEBSITES & BROCHURES dan: jordangcz@yahoo.com, Do you need a professional 06 3034 1238. website or brochure? ExpeXPAT PAGES Looking for English-speaking plumber, dentist, lawyer, etc? www.xpatpages.com.
ACTION STEPS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE SOFA SO GOOD... Big, cool Coaching with a friendly, expemodular designer sofa for sale. rienced professional. Are you Handmade: Selfridges, Lon- expressing your gifts and tal-
rience and creativity at reasonable price. Ask for examples to ramiro@re-type.com. TULIPANYAre you thinking about starting your own business? Do you have a company but administration and papers are not your thing? Do you need a business plan,
Amsterdam Weekly
10-16 May 2007 regularly? If yes, take me with you! I need to run and I have lost my pace. I am fun and will compensate. Please write: GALLERY SPEECHES wouldberunner@gmail.com. Artists, do you lose your voice JUMPING THE ABYSS An when it’s your gallery open- inspirational therapy devised ing? Let me ‘The Speaker’ specifically for minds of an speak for you! My speeches existential kind, confronting are unique to you and your nihilism, alienation, futility, work. They inspire and the human condition and exisdeeply focus people on your tential despair. Under the perart work. This in turn sonal guidance of philosoenhances sales potential. pher and metaphysician Jack More information:www. thes- Milton. 30/hr. Helping you to peaker.eu or 06 4638 8622. help yourself. 06 1488 9377.
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labour from abroad, to buy real estate or moving abroad? Call Tulipany on 06 1021 8271 or email tulipany@live.nl.
wanna meet. Email callaghanconor@hotmail.com. EXPLORE TOGETHER W4W I’ve found women attractive for as long as I can remember but never acted on it. I’m now ready to explore this side of my sexuality. Do any girls out there feel the same? I’m intelligent, blonde, slim, feminine, sensual, easy-going. Meet for drinks, a good natter and maybe more? amber@dutchmail.com.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
MASSAGE
HEALINGfor stress-release and deep relaxation. Highly experienced healer and reiki master. Also available for reiki courses. For more information call 679 8753 or 06 2214 3030 or email ajit@ acornconsultancy.nl.
MASSAGE FOR WOMEN Sensual massage created to arouse, circulate and increase sexual energy throughout your entire body. More information, please call Adrian: 06 2334 9502.
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 06 1644 8230.
QUEER PUNK MASSEUR Swedish Kevin gives nice massage. €30/hr. €50/2 hrs. Out calls. 06 4380 9998.
HELP WITH PC PROBLEM Installing and upgrading H/W & S/W, installing network, Windows, Linux. 06 5537 1575.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
CHEAP PC/MAC REPAIR Upgrades, repairs, consultation for laptops, desktops, networks, H/W, S/W for any budget. I come to you. Work nights and weekends and can provide references. Mike: 06 2143 2623/mike@autonomous.nl.
CORPORATE YOGA for stress-relief, improved breathing technique and relaxation in the workplace. Highly qualified and experienced Hatha Yoga teacher and respiration therapist. For info go to www.acornconsultancy.nl or call 679 8753/06 2214 3030.
HOUSE RENOVATIONS! Do youneedcost-effectiveandhighquality full house renovation? Professional experience and good references. Online links EXPATRIATE COUNSEL- to past projects. Contact 331 ING For professional coach- 6550 or 06 4451 7410 or karoling, counseling and therapy in rajczyk@hotmail.com. the expat community with PAINTER + HANDYMAN unsurpassed service, please go I am available to paint inside to www.expatriatecounseling. and outside or lend a helpcom or email info@expatri- ing hand. Reasonable rates. atecounseling.com or call Lots of practical and proRobert at 023 573 5249 or 06 fessional experience. Good 2824 4088. references available. ConCERTIFIED COACH Get tact Dacho 06 4275 6045. yourself unstuck and start PAINTING, wallpapering, moving forward to the life plastering, carpentry, etc. Call you want for yourself. Explore 06 2883 0434 or 06 5537 1575. your potential! For free session with a certified coach, BUILDER WORKS Do you email info@thewatersfine. want to renovate, repair, paint org or visit www.thewaters- or change anything in your fine.org. Come on in, the house? You contact our team of professionals. Just call 06 water’s fine! 4439 5631 and you are going DOCTOR SERVICE Camto have a specialized team bridge Medical offers doctor working to you. service for expats and tourists in A’dam area. Dr E Cam- PAINTING Professional bridge, huisarts, GP offers painting, faux finishes, plashigh quality consultations, tering and construction, home visits and emergency interiors exteriors, furniprescriptions. Contact: 06 ture floors, canal houses and 2723 5380/427 5011 or doc- boats. Very experienced and tor@planet.nl. Address: 30 inexpensive. Free estimates. Rapenburg, A’dam. Contact 06 2324 5957. HOT STONE MASSAGECertifiedMasseusegivesHotStone Holistic Massage. A perfect combination of deep-tissue massage, thermotherapie and chacra healing. Fridays and Saturdays. Please visit www.karunika.nl. Go to ‘diensten’ for more info.
NEED A HELPING HAND? Well-travelled, versatile and reliable handyman offers manual assistance with moving house, construction, landscaping, decorating, etc. €11/hr. Jack 06 1410 3234.
COURSES IBIZA YOGA RETREATS We invite you for a rejuvenating yoga retreat in Ibiza, Spain. 3x 1 week retreats starting 12, 19 & 26 May. Yoga style is Ashtanga Vinyasa. Last minute discounts. See our website www.yogaretreats.nl or phone 06 5021 6604. IYENGAR YOGA CLASSES with certified Iyengar yoga teacher Cristina Libanori, Tues 19.30-21.00 at Training Centrum, Europaplein 127 near RAI. Tram 4 (stop Dintelstraat). €10/class; with 10-card yoga strippenkaart €9/class. Indiv therapeutic classes arranged by appt at €20/hr. cristina@the-wheelof-yoga.com/773 5307. BLISSSmall mind, small joy. Infinite mind, infinite joy. You get to choose! See essentialmeditation.org. (How to drown a world of worries in a sea of bliss.)
BEGINNERS HATHA YOGA course in A’dam (ABC Treehouse). Always wanted to experience yoga and didn’t know where to start? Join this 8-week course, starting Mon 14 May, 18.00-19.30. 100 incl textbook. Contact Susan COMPUTERS Nicolas on 06 5176 4621/nicoGIRLS MAKE ME RUN! Hi! PC HOUSE DOCTOR Spe- las@planet.nl/ http://amsAre you a jogger? Do you run cialised in virus/spyware terdam.yoga108.org.
FREE YOUR VOICEWORKSHOP Gain more confidence in the area of public speaking. My coaching style is gentle, warm and encouraging. Bring your wish-list and let’s see what we can achieve together. ABC Treehouse, 13 May 19.30-22.30. For more information visit www.thespeaker.eu or call 06 4638 8622.
www.dewittenberg.nl/bee, email bee.dewittenberg@hccnet.nl or call 078 674 7339.
LANGUAGES LEARN CHINESE Learn Mandarin Chinese for travelling or business efficiently and effectively. Contact z7788@hotmail.com. SPANISH CONVERSATION Miércoles 18.30-20.00. Mayo: 8, 15, 22, 29. Junio: 5, 12, 19, 26. €135 (precio incluye material). Envíame un email y quedamos para una prueba de nivel: aidamussach@ gmail.com.
YOGA BEGINNER COURSE www.Yogacafe.org. New yoga beginners course starting 22 May. For more information about the course and other weekly ongoing classes, please visit www.yogacafe.org or send email to info@yoga- ENGLISH IN A’DAMI am an English language teacher givcafe.org. ing private lessons in A’dam. DRAWING AND PAINTING Please look at: http://englishiDrawing and painting work- namsterdam.blogspot.com shops by professional artist, for more info. All levels and various techniques, all styles. all materials provided for busiFor info call 681 3067/ ness and general English. Call 06 5213 4909 for any quesjoneiselin@hetnet.nl. tions or concerns. LEARN FROM THE BEST Guitar lessons for all levels LEARN PORTUGUESE (jazz, Brasilian, funky, folk, Lessons every Mon from 20.00pop), group coaching, work- 21.30. From 7 May-25 June. shops, improvisation, com- €75.CallAPA.(PortugueseAssoposing, accompany in differ- ciationinAmsterdam:6831465. ent music styles, music har- CONVERSATION DUTCHIf mony, ear training and solfege. you like to practise Dutch This & and much more from conversation with native internationalperformer/teach- Dutch speaker, please call er. For details please call 06 06 4116 1949 (A’dam). €15/hr. 2956 4595. NEW IN A’DAM Still not BELLY DANCE CLASSES found the right environment Introducing & developing for learning Dutch? Try us: C arm, shoulders, hips & & C Language Support. waist techniques & isola- Lessons in relaxed atmotions. Give attention to find- sphere, for individuals and ing your center, expression small groups. Concentration & channeling your physical on practical use and converimpulses& energy. Use dif- sation. For details, visit the ferent Oriental rhythms & website: www.lasu.nl. dance phrases. Starting 22 DUTCH LESSONS A’DAM May. If interested please Improve conversation/proemail Lina: ificouldreachu fessional purpose/studies/NT2. @gmail.com. Also online. Min individual BIBLE EDUCATIONEnglishlanguage, part-time Bible education offered biweekly on Sat in A’dam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. For Christians eager to study the Bible and be active in their church. Low course fee. See
ANNOUNCEMENTS VINTAGE ALARM CLOCKS required for art project. Working order and condition irrelevant. I want them all! Call 06 4288 7061. I can collect and offer a few euros.
OLD WALLPAPER PIECES Do you have A6 or A2 pieces or any piece of old wallpaper falling off the wall? Please contact me. I’m an art student and I need wallpaper pieces. Email anele.k@gmail.com addressed to helen. Thanks! DATE WANTEDCharming, If you are working on restorawell-educated, athletic man, tions and can provide a largliving in central A’dam, finaner amount, I offer to pay you. IMPROVE YOUR DUTCH! cially independant, is lookLink Taal Studio, a professional ing for a good looking slim TOLLENS EN BLANCA way to learn Dutch, private girlfriend, with g.s.o.h. Mail Gevraagd:gesigneerd(extreem) lesssons, small groups, intento amsterick@hotmail.com. werk van Cornelie Tolens en sive course, etc. Starting every PaulBlanca.Reactienaaradeweek, Vijzelgracht 53. Contact DATING ADVICEDifficulties laer@hotmail.com. 077 465 linktaalstudio@gmail.com or finding a partner? I (38 y.o. 3678 of 06 4623 6158. female) can help you discov06 4133 9323. SONG & DANCE CONTEST DUTCH LESSONS New er what you are really looking Are you going to make your conevening courses starting in for and how to learn from ear- fession on the dance floor at May, centre of A’dam. €200- lier-made mistakes. We can the Eurovision Song Contest €250 for 20 hrs. Visit www.mer- practise with dating sites for Party the 12 May? Order tickcuurtaal.nl or call 693 4250. example. Call 06 4116 1949 or ets at www.undutchables.nl. send an email to gmberk@hotCITY LANGUAGE WALKS mail.com. FREENOVELboneapple.com. Improve your Dutch, exploring A’dam, practical & daily DATE WANTED... with €100 REWARDfor the return situations, reading & dis- sexy ladies over 40, large of a Kona Hoss Deluxe mouncussing newspapers, inter- body. Young man 36 y.o. tainbike.Darkgrey,discbrakes, mediate level. Information green eyes, sexy body. Con- very knobby tires. Stolen at the 06 4133 9323 or linktaalstu- tact 06 2334 9502 and ask bike garage in Centraal Station for Mr Marks. last week. Call 06 1684 5374. dio@gmail.com.
MUSICIANS IRISH TIN WHISTLE! Hi, am looking for an Irish person who can teach the Irish tin whistle to me. Call me on 06 1656 9825 after 18.00 weekdays. CHOIR WANTED I am an unprofessional singer who would like to join an amateur choir who performs for the joy of singing. Any genres or styles. Please contact jonas@noworkallplay.dk. VOCAL WORKOUT Group voice-training every Thur night in De Wittenstraat 114, A’dam, 18.30-19.30. Breathing excercises, vocal warm up + full vocal workout. All levels welcome, train your voice, sing your heart out. Phone Kim 06 4385 8811 for enquiries. €7.50.
PERSONALS
FEEL PLEASURE Young male looking for single, middle-aged sexy women to have sex with. I’m 38 y.o. It will be rate €15/hr. Adults & children. your best time... No money, Also intensive courses. Min just pure pleasure. Write to intensive: 15 hrs = € 215.55 doninha333@yahoo.com. Mon-Sun. 10.00-21.00. http:// I'M COMING TO TOWN!Hey home.tiscali.nl/stylusphant/ pretty ladies! Watch out! I’m indexdutch.html, excellent- coming to A’dam this summer dutch@hotmail.com or call & would like to pick up a few 06 3612 2870. hot chicks. Email me if you