Volume 4, Issue 51
20 DECEMBER 2007 – 2 JANUARY 2008 Two issues for the price of one
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Inside:
Winter cultural calendar poster
www.amsterdamweekly.nl
Wrapping up the year in stylish green
A year in covers and quotes page 8 2008, a year in trends page 7 / 2007, a year in culture page 10 Dirty Clean Clothes / Bible vs Koran / Cokkie on Weegee pages 4-5 ART: Afghanistan, as a war free zone p. 13 / FILM: It’s a wonderful refinished film noir life p. 25
Short List . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Music/Clubs . . . . . . . . . .14 Gay & Lesbian . . . . . . . .19 Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Classifieds/Comics . . . .29
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007–2 January 2008
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WINNING PAGES EUROPEAN NEWSPAPER AWARDS 2007 In this issue and... Here’s a prediction for 2008: the city will continue scrubbing the Wallen and the rest of Amsterdam clean. Oh wait, that was already officially announced on Monday. An ambitious plan costing hundreds of millions of euros will allow the government to once again rule over the red light district in the next five years. Window prostitution will disappear from Korsjespoortsteeg, Spuistraat and around Oude Kerk. ‘Interesting’ buildings will be bought by the city or by ‘bonafide’ owners. Coffeeshops, smart shops and call centres will be replaced by studios, shops, galleries, high end restaurants and, yes, parking garages. Homeless shelters will be moved from the old inner city. Oh, and the Damrak will become less ugly—yeah we heard that before. Wethouder Lodewijk Asscher says the idea is to keep things ‘exciting’ but not ‘shady’—surely that’s a bit contradictory isn’t it? And, if 2008 means tighter city controls on prostitution, will local officials become the last remnants of modern day pimps?
15/02/2007 - 15:41 - NIEUWE KERKSTRAAT
21/03/2007 - 14.09 - STATIONSPLEIN
04/04/2007 - 12:17 - HOBBEMASTRAAT
08//02/2007 - 14:04 - MUIDERSTRAAT
15/06/2007 - 15:55 - ARENABOULEVARD
13//01/2007 - 12:51 - WILHELMINASTRAAT
10 PIECES OF LOST CLOTHING by Arnoud Holleman
10 SHADOWS by Arnoud Holleman
12 COVERED BUILDINGS by Arnoud Holleman
On the cover TREEHUGGER Photo by Anouk Kruithof www.anoukkruithof.nl
In two weeks Join the volunteer army
Letters Got an opinion? We want to hear it. inbox@amsterdamweekly.nl
Amsterdam Weekly BV De Ruyterkade 106, 1011 AB Amsterdam Tel: 020 522 5200 Fax: 020 620 1666 www.amsterdamweekly.nl General info: info@amsterdamweekly.nl Agenda listings: agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl Advertising: sales@amsterdamweekly.nl Classifieds: classifieds@amsterdamweekly.nl PUBLISHER Todd Savage EDITOR Steve Korver ASSISTANT EDITOR Nina Siegal AGENDA EDITOR Steven McCarron FILM EDITOR Julie Phillips PROOFREADER Mark Wedin EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sarah Gehrke ART DIRECTOR Bas Morsch PRODUCTION MANAGER Karen Willey PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Mattijs Arts, Rogier Charles SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Carolina Salazar ACCOUNT MANAGERS Florrie Beasley, Marc Devèze, Simone Klomp OPERATIONS MANAGER Monique Gruter FINANCE ASSISTANT Simone Choi DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Patrick van der Klugt FINANCIAL ADVISER Kurt Schmidt (Veresis Consulting) PRINTER Corelio Printing Amsterdam Weekly is published every week on Wednesday and is available free at locations all over Amsterdam. Subscriptions are available for €60 per six months within the Netherlands and €90 per six months within Europe. Agenda submissions are welcome, at least two weeks in advance. New contributors are invited to visit Amsterdam Weekly’s website for contributor guidelines. Contents of Amsterdam Weekly (ISSN 1872-3268) are copyright 2007 Amsterdam Weekly BV. All rights reserved.
It has just been announced that Amsterdam Weekly won five European Newspaper Awards for 2007. - Two awards for the six front covers on the right (images from top to bottom by Simon Wald-Lasowski, unknown photographer from Politie AmsterdamAmstelland, Sharon Houkema, Carolyn Ridsdale, Bas Morsch and Bas Morsch). - Two awards for ‘concept’ for the six ‘City Seconds’ by Peter Cleutjens and three ‘Attachments’ by Arnoud Holleman. - One award for ‘innovation’ for the ‘Spreek-je-uit-poster’ by Wibke Pausch (part of the Martijn Engelbregt led Sandberg Instituut project ‘Het grote weekend van de (on)gelijkheid’) insert and the following week’s resulting ‘Attachments’.
Amsterdam Weekly
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20 December 2007–2 January 2008
AROUND TOWN
DENIS KOVAL
Will a gag order jeopardise the idea of socially responsible production?
Dirt on Clean Clothes Foreign labour watchdogs get an arrest warrant. By Julie Phillips They made a dash for the airport when they heard the news, scrambling to get seats on the first plane out. In early December, a group of Dutch activists was in Thailand, making plans for an international labour rights campaign focused on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They work for the Clean Clothes Campaign, an international NGO that advocates for better working conditions in the garment industry. Then the phone call came from India: an international arrest warrant had been served for eight Dutch nationals, including four employees of Clean Clothes. The activists are being sued for libel in an Indian court by the Bangalore cloth-
ing manufacturer Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI), which makes jeans primarily for the trendy Dutch brand GStar. Back in 2005, local labour rights organisations interviewed workers at FFI and its subsidiary Jeans Knits Pvt Ltd (JKPL) and turned up serious violations, ranging from non-payment of wages to severe beatings of workers. When Clean Clothes went to G-Star, the company balked. ‘Normally, if we report labour problems, the major labels will investigate and work on a solution,’ explains Clean Clothes spokeswoman Christa de Bruin. The Dutch fashion line Mexx ended its relationship with FFI earlier this year after its attempts at mediation failed to get results. Another big brand decided not to source at FFI after hearing that there had been complaints. ‘But G-Star has never been pushed in any way on this issue. So they’re not reacting well, which is pretty typical the first time.’ FFI/JKPL denied the allegations. GStar said, and continues to say, that Clean Clothes’ evidence is unsubstantiated. GStar remained at FFI and pushed for a mediated solution. The case came to a head in May 2007, when FFI sued Clean Clothes for libel. When the four plaintiffs, plus four more representing the India
Campaign Netherlands and Internet provider Antenna, didn’t appear in person to a hearing, the Indian government issued the warrant calling for their extradition to India. Meanwhile, the Indian court also placed a gag order on local labour rights organisations—meaning that reliable information on working conditions at FFI is now impossible to obtain. In general, the case has serious implications for the future of social responsibility programmes in the clothing industry. ‘It creates a dangerous precedent,’ De Bruin says. ‘It encourages other manufacturers to refuse to address complaints. If workers can’t talk about what’s going on, that in and of itself creates a repressive environment.’ Seldom has a government done so much, so directly, to clamp down on foreign monitoring of labour practices. Yet it wasn’t—and still isn’t—clear what the consequences of the warrant are. The Dutch government has said it won’t extradite the Dutch nationals; according to Clean Clothes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is talking to the Indian government behind the scenes. For Clean Clothes, the potential consequences are serious. Hence the frantic return from Thailand, with further travel plans cancelled and members of the group waiting anxiously at the airport for seats. De Bruin explains that while the Dutch don’t have an extradition treaty with India, they fear the Indian government may try to have them arrested abroad. Almost all garment manufacturing takes place outside Europe. That means that employees of Clean Clothes depend on travel to gather information about working conditions. De Bruin explains: ‘We’re a networking organisation. We get our information from local labour groups and meet with them to talk about strategies.’ The Dutch activists meet constantly with small local organisations that monitor working conditions and give support to workers on the ground: legal aid organisations, trade unions, women’s rights organisations, all kinds of groups involved in improving working conditions. Ultimately, the fear is that the gag order imposed by the Indian court will jeopardise the whole notion of socially responsible production. If factory owners can use lawsuits to block the distribution of information about working conditions, then clothing companies will be unable to monitor social policies. There has, however, been one change. On 6 December, G-Star issued an angry press release announcing that while it had found no evidence of abuse, it was tired of Clean Clothes’ accusations on one hand, and FFI’s bad faith and attempts at censorship on the other. ‘There is now zero willingness on the part of FFI and the Dutch organisations to engage in constructive dialogue. For GStar, the time has come to cease all attempts at mediation and end our business relationship with FFI.’
Cokkie tours with Weegee The fine art of photographic ambulance chasing. By Claudio Tapia ‘Any asshole can press a button,’ Cokkie says, leaning in to inspect a photograph of President Franklin D Roosevelt in a moving car, looking straight at the camera. To capture this image, he continues, ‘you either have to be really lucky or know just what to do to get his attention from such a distance.’ But how do you get Roosevelt’s attention in a crowd of thousands? ‘I don’t know,’ Cokkie says. ‘Call to him: Hey Jerk-off, probably.’ Crime-scene photographer Cornelis Toorenspits, 51, better known to police or anyone working in Dutch television or emergency services simply as ‘Cokkie’, is touring the new Weegee exhibition at the Foam Photography Museum. The show, which opened this week, features 231 vintage black-and-white photographs including the Roosevelt shot, all taken by the legendary American crime scene photographer Weegee between about 1935 and 1947, on loan from the trove of German art collector Hendrik A Berinson. (See capsule review, p.22). Born in 1899 as Usher Fellig in Zloczew, now part of the Ukraine, Weegee was from a time before satellite news feeds, before YouTube and long before the emergence of camera-enhanced cell phones. He emigrated with his family to the US in 1906, and in the process his name was changed to Arthur Fellig. As a reporter in the 1930s and 40s in New York, beating the cops to a scene where bullet holes were still smoking meant you were either telepathically endowed, or had some pretty solid connections. And, along with being the first reporter to have a police radio in his car, this is exactly what earned Weegee his second nickname, ‘The Famous’,—as in, ‘Weegee, the Famous’. It’s not too much of a stretch to see Cokkie as a contemporary Dutch Weegee. He’s what you might call a calamity cowboy, trolling the Amsterdam streets at night to cover fires, car wrecks and bar brawls for local newspapers and television. This is the second time in the last few years Cokkie’s offered us his unique perspective on the bloody side effects of urban life. In 2006, Amsterdam Weekly rode along with him in his famous yellow van, in search of stories that could be told in pictures. Cokkie leans in again to check out the FDR photograph. ‘He could turn a
Amsterdam Weekly
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CLAUDIO TAPIA
20 December 2007–2 January 2008
turd into cake,’ he says, with obvious admiration. ‘He understood the street, and understood what it is that sells newspapers.’ The Berinson exhibition at FOAM devotes an entire wall to murdered gangsters. And as Cokkie strolls past them, he smirks slyly and nods his head in recognition before sharing some insider information: a victim lying on the pavement with their legs crossed is a common characteristic of a shot to the head. ‘In this profession, your most valuable asset is the connections you have,’ he says. For a moment, it seems that he may be referencing the spirit world. But then he adds, ‘I’m willing to bet Weegee used to get tips from the gangsters too, before they hit somebody. Sort of like a trophy for in the paper.’ Cokkie says he’s also received tips from criminal sources. ‘They’ve even paid me for rolls of film they preferred I not sell to the papers,’ he brags. ‘But you have to be neutral, and everybody needs to know that you’ll always stay that way. Otherwise, you yourself might make the papers one day.’ To illustrate his point, he makes a gun with his fingers and raises it to his temple. He adds that he has to keep out of the way of the cops, so he doesn’t hinder their work and they make it possible for him to do his job. He shares some of the tricks of his trade. ‘Whenever I cover a crime scene or an accident I always go back to the police station with prints for everybody. It’s like handing out candy to children.’ Cokkie says he doesn’t like to position himself too closely to one side or the other. ‘You have to understand both sides of the law,’ he says. ‘This is what Weegee’s work is all about too: understanding people and being neutral.’ In short, to capture the moment and be part of the moment. ‘He had a great feeling for people,’ Cokkie says. ‘He understood that nothing tells a story better than the expression on someone’s face.’ Weegee is at Foam until 5 March.
DENIS KOVAL
Cokkie as Weegee.
Koran vs Bible The good books side by side. By Remco Andersen While the average Judeo-Christian Dutch person might have had an obligatory peek in the Bible during religious classes in school, few non-Muslims have actually read the Koran. And yet, almost everybody seems to have an opinion on it. Politician Geert Wilders, the platinumblond leader of the euphemistically named Freedom Party PVV, never misses an opportunity to mischaracterize the Muslim holy book, calling for a ban on what he describes as ‘an Islamic Mein Kampf.’ Fortunately, the opportunity to form one’s own opinion on the matter has increased considerably as of this month, since The Netherlands Interdenominational Broadcasting Company, in association with The Netherlands Radio Worldwide, launched the website Bible & Koran, www.bibleandkoran.net, which features translations of both religious texts in Dutch, English and Arabic. The organisers call it the first of its kind, a chance for people to learn how their religions diverge or overlap. ‘By making this information available, we want to encourage Christians and Muslims to take a look at their brothers’ and sisters’ holy books and, ultimately, promote mutual understanding,’ says project leader Marloes Keller. ‘We also hope that when people hear things about these books, like the statements Wilders frequently makes, they will visit the website to read about it themselves.’
A table of contents of the Bible and Koran on the English website is still under construction and will be finished later this month. In the meantime, you can browse both books, using the site’s particularly nifty search engine: type in a keyword and every biblical verse containing that word is displayed on the left, while every koranic sura dealing with the issue is listed on the right. For example, if you type in the word, ‘stoning’, you’ll find that the Bible uses the word seven times whereas the Koran doesn’t ever use it. Meanwhile ‘love’ is mentioned a whopping 662 times in the Bible, compared with a meagre 56 utterances in the Koran. Although playing Bible vs Koran can be fun and at times quite revelatory, the function is designed to help people benefit from the combined wisdom of both holy books. Another section of the site publishes a digital version of the book ‘Koran and Bible—side by side’, by philosopher Marlies ter Borg. She has compiled an anthology of stories that appear in both the Koran and the Bible, such as the story of Adam and Eve. There are quite a few of these and it’s fascinating to discover how their details differ. For example, in the Koran version, Adam and Eve take joint responsibility for eating the forbidden fruit, whereas in the Bible, Adam just points the finger at Eve for seducing him. ‘The stories of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and many other important figures all play a significant role in both books,’ says Ter Borg. ‘Once you put in the effort to see through the fiery poetry in the Koran, which is different from the narrative in the Bible, you see that their meanings are not always so different.’ To a secular scholar, the Bible or Koran might make for intellectually
Two versions of truth.
stimulating reading; for a religious person, however, these texts constitute the true word of God, and a comparison with the holy scriptures of a different faith might be considered inappropriate. Bert Rijssen, spokesman for the Protestant Church in The Netherlands, which represents 2.3 of the 7 million Christians in this country, is a little sceptical about the project. ‘Although we welcome this initiative, because it is always a good thing when Muslims and Christians are brought closer together, a focus on commonalities is only part of the story,’ he said. ‘There are significant differences between both religions as well. For Muslims and Christians to understand each other, these cannot be ignored.’ Khalil Aitblal, spokesman for the Union of Moroccan Mosques in Amsterdam and the Surrounding Areas (UMMAO), feels that the initiative is a step towards understanding. ‘There is, of course, much more to religion than just the holy scriptures,’ he says. ‘But by making the Koran and the Bible easily available to everyone who’s interested, this website has lowered the threshold for people to gain knowledge about these important books. Knowledge opens the door to dialogue, and only through dialogue can there be understanding.’ For people interested in comparing the major texts—or checking the accuracy of politicians’ public statements—the website can answer many questions. The biggest mystery of our time, however, has yet to be unravelled: with a search for ‘truth’ coming back with 202 hits for the Bible, against 208 for the Koran, it’s too close to call.
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Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007–2 January 2008
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007–2 January 2008
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Predicting the future:
the world in 2008 Trendspotters agree: green is the new black and your eco-cred could affect your chances of scoring. BY CELIA LAYTON PHOTO BY ANOUK KRUITHOF
Green is the new black Being ecofriendly is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity. An increasing number of global brands will be scrambling to prove just how green they are. Ecosexuality First there were metrosexuals, now there’s ecosexuals: those eco-conscious individuals who select their partners based on their green credentials. Let’s go outside Outdoor advertising is back and growing faster than any marketing tool except the internet. We’ve already seen billboards that cover entire buildings. With the addition of technology, they’ll become increasingly attention-grabbing and interactive. Cheese, please Forget dedicated coffee bars or falafel chains, niche food marketing is becoming crevice-like. Don’t be surprised to see a mozzarella bar on Leidseplein or a rice pudding shop in De Pijp.
I
t is almost inevitable that as we approach the end of one year, we try to predict what will happen next year. From what we’re going to be wearing to who will be in power, there’s something curiously compelling about trying to see into the future. On an individual level, this has a lot to do with our fear of the unknown. In the dog-eat-dog world of business, there is also an overwhelming, and probably justified, sense of panic that companies that aren’t in the know will lose out to their rivals. This has resulted in a booming market for professional trendspotters. Forerunner among them is American futurist extraordinaire, Marian Salzman, who recently spoke at a Euroforum conference on consumer trends in Hilversum. She says her mission as a trendspotter ‘is to join up the dots, to get people to notice what’s there and get them talking about it purposefully.’ Not shy in coming forward, Salzman is credited with spotting the metrosexual and coining the term ‘wigger’ to describe white kids who ambush black street styles. What does she predict for 2008? ‘The new powerhouses will be Chindians,’ she says, using one of the buzzwords (China + India) so loved by trendspotters. Here are some other trends to look out for.
puree, mixologists will be devising ever more elaborate drinks that pump you full of vitamins and antioxidants as you get sloshed. Don’t be fooled: none of this will stop you from getting a hangover.
Bottomless pockets Fashionistas predict dresses with capacious pockets—perfect if you want to go out without a bag.
uct to go lux. Bling H20, for example, comes in Swarovski-encrusted bottles and sells for between €12 and €330.
Pimped water Described by Amsterdambased www.trendwatching.com as ‘premiumisation’, water is the latest prod-
Eat, drink, be merry Bartenders are out, mixologists are in. With a sprig of rosemary, a pinch of saffron or a dash of fruit
Trend as trend Perhaps the most ironic trend is the growth of trendspotting itself and the vocabulary it produces, including Kidults (adults who refuse to fly the nest), Mouse potato (computer junkie) and Flogs (fake blogs used by PR companies to hype a particular product).
’80s backlash No black skinny jeans. No black oversized jackets. And for the love of god, no black leather shirts. Remember: black leather screams midlife crisis. Wash cycle The ultimate for lazy students are laundry products, including de-wrinkling and odor-removing sprays and lint rollers, which make clothes look and smell clean without the trouble of washing.
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20 December 2007–2 January 2008
YOU CAN JUDGE A YEAR BY ITS COVERS...YOU ‘NOAH DID IT SINGLE-HANDEDLY, SO THERE’S NO REASON WHY I COULDN’T DO IT AS WELL.’
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‘The name of the game is to be the first to complete the life path around bridge, cafe, construction site, immigration bureau, jail and liquidation.’
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‘Amsterdammers and visitors alike complain about the city’s taxis: way overpriced, with socially inadequate drivers who don’t speak their language and who won’t take you on a short ride. True, says the taxi world, while pointing the finger at the government.’
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‘IT ISN’T JUST ABOUT CRIME AND MURDER; IT’S ALSO ABOUT THE AESTHETIC QUALITY AND ABOUT RECOGNISING PLACES AND EVENTS FROM THE PAST.’
‘On a global scale, the chain reactions can be enormous. And in a normal ecosystem, it would screw up the balance. But here in Amsterdam, we don’t really have a normal system. And most of the animals eat French fries.’
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‘Pretty soon, the class is entangled in all sorts of weird and wonderful projects, ranging from furiously trying to resemble a ceiling fan to the arrival of two tap-dancing Siberian tigers. Try to Google that one...’
‘NORMALLY, PEOPLE SEE IT AS A NEGATIVE SIGN IF THEIR BIKE MAKES ANY KIND OF NOISE...’ ‘Around the Warmoestraat district —an area labelled as “high risk”— a local policeman is asked the more politely formulated question: “what happens if I say ‘fuck you’ to your face?”’
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‘IF KNITTING’S THE NEW YOGA,THEN YOGA’S THE NEW SPEED.’
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‘I thought this writer was quite capable of describing disaster in a poetic manner.’
‘A TYPICAL AMSTERDAM BAR COUPLE WITH THE HANDBAG, APPLE PIE AND PIT BULL...’ ‘SO WHAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A TYPICAL WINE FROM NOORD-HOLLAND?’ ‘When they find the cat, its fur is wet, the snout is covered in blood and one eyeball is dangling from its socket. On its collar reads the name ‘Lucky’. The obvious joke is made, but no one laughs.’
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‘Tonight reunites these polyester revolutionaries.’
‘OF COURSE WE’RE ALL ASO TOURISTS ON THIS ROTATING ORB OF FLESH-SUPPORTING ROCKS THAT WE CALL EARTH.’
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16. ‘We have brought them together to discuss their mutual love—nay, uncontrollable passion— for food. And it turns out they have a lot more in common besides diabetes.’
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‘Bernhard said to Van Agt: “If only half of the book is true, you should shoot me instantly.” To which Van Agt replied: “Royal Highness, that doesn’t seem like a good idea to me, because then everybody will buy the book.”’
‘WHAT THE FKK?’
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‘And if so, how does that explain Yeltsin’s 1996 interpretation of the Macarena?’
‘AND YEAH,VANDALISM... WHAT’S VANDALISM? I CALL IT “STREET ART”.’
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‘If I spotted something potentially interesting I would go over to the land registry and check out to see who owned the building. I’d then go round with a box of tompoezen and ask the owner flat-out if I could take the chairs from his lobby.’
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‘Over the following weeks, as we talked and met more, his predictions, more often than not, came true. The situation in Darfur did escalate. The militant Arabised tribes of the Janjaweed burned more villages. The UN accused Khartoum of disguising aircraft as UN planes to ship military supplies for the Janjaweed into the country.’
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20 December 2007–2 January 2008
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CAN JUDGE A YEAR BY ITS COVERS...YOU CAN 23.
‘It’s one of the few web-based initiatives that hasn’t been born out of the porn industry.’
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‘When Theo van Gogh said that all Muslims were “goat-fuckers”, the majority didn’t seem to mind. When I say something provocative, it gets banned. But this is my country, too—I should have the same rights as everyone! And I don’t feel that I do.’
‘ALWAYS STRIVE TO EXCEL, BUT ONLY ON WEEKENDS.’
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‘There’s this alarm called The Mosquito—it emits a very high frequency that only people under a certain age can hear. It’s increasingly being used by shopkeepers and shopping centres to stop teenagers hanging around in the evenings—now it’s being subverted by kids and used as a ring tone that adults can’t hear.’
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‘BEER—IT’S NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE’
‘WHY CAN’T AMSTERDAM BE MORE MATTER-OF-FACT ABOUT MULTICULTURALISM?’
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‘“By the way: I have hcc liver cancer - no cure possible, some weeks (not a joke)” —and then he proceeded to explain what will be needed to run the site without him.’
‘CUCUMBERS ARE FRUIT.’
‘The theme will be genocide and ethnic conflicts. But again, it’s objective journalism we’re after, not opinions. You might say we are making our own lives difficult.’
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and is doing the best they can with sunflowers, but from the outside it still does sort of resemble a trailer camp.’
‘DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MOVED HERE FROM THE US IN THE LATE 1980S, BECAUSE HER CATS WOULD HAVE TO SPEND LESS TIME IN QUARANTINE THAN IF SHE MOVED TO THE UK —POSSIBLY THE WORLD’S MOST LESBIAN REASON FOR RELOCATION.’
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‘From the elderly, it was a little step to an even larger “population group”: the dead.’
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‘HARING DUCKS ISSUE.’
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‘People at the top of political parties are too afraid of losing their middle class voters.’
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‘At age 27 and 28, my sister and I were en route to meet our father for the first time in almost 25 years. “Did he say how many goats he has?”’
‘HET ZAL ME WORST ZIJN.’
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‘So complaining has nothing to do with the national or local character, but rather with the social organisation of attention. If you create a framework for complaints, you can be sure people will make use of it.’
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‘I need some sort of company,’ says Oma as she fondled a pink dildo with a fluffy, furry tail.’
‘YODELING IS A KIND OF RESISTANCE.’
‘LOVE IS LIKE AN EXPLOSION.’ ‘While the rest of the world’s hooligans tend to gravitate to the far right, in Amsterdam they chant ‘We are the Jews! We are the Jews!’ and anti-fascists shake hands with hooligans.’
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into a glinty eyed Mormon.’
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‘Find yourself staying home every night, cursing at Amsterdam Weekly and its shitty listings, wishing there was something better to do with your life? Cheerio, then. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.’
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‘ We’re building a jungle. Then maybe we’ll let some monkeys loose and see what happens.’ ‘Once on the streets of Taiwan, a goose started squawking in time to the music. Another time we were playing under the entrance to Zuiderkerk and someone from the apartment above dumped water on us.’
‘HOW DOES A WEEKLY STAY RELEVANT FOR 130 YEARS?’ ‘I don’t think it has anything to do with tensions between Moroccans and the rest of the neighbourhood. I think those burning cars were more a result of boys trying to be cool—playing the hard guys, you know.’
‘HIPPIES ARE HUMAN TOO.’
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(HIGH): Amsterdam’s first user-generated festival When content-generating users make their own festival, it poses a problem for art critics: how do you judge their work when traditional views of professional artistic quality do not apply? Fortunately, that didn’t stop Streetlab from presenting itself last July at the Westergasfabriek as Amsterdam’s best new festival. More than 100 artists and designers—young, street-based and often autodidactic—wowed the crowds with an explosive four day program of fashion shows, live street art, expositions, pimped sneakers, lectures, workshops, BMX biking, movies and parties. Amsterdam as new street capital of the world? Damn right.
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(LOW): National History Museum goes Arnhem The Netherlands’ search for a historical consciousness and a national identity reached its peak this year with the competition for the location of a new National History Museum. Minister of culture Ronald Plasterk played referee, carefully staging the fight for the museum’s residency, with a surprising win going to underdog Arnhem, who beat out rivals Amsterdam and Den Haag. Should Amsterdam mourn? Did we really need another museum? Of course not. But what made this a local low for 2007 is the fact that history is being stored in a museum again. Don’t we already have 400 historic museums across the country? In retail, it’s about three things: location, location, location. And the same thing should apply to history: it should be on our streets, products, TVs, websites, in our conversations, music and homes. Because if history is unknown, history should try to get out more.
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(HIGH): Amsterdam Fund for the Arts introduces microfinancing In a surprising move last September, the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts introduced microfinancing for up-and-coming Amsterdam artists. Those with plans for new projects are offered a half hour speed date with an advisor. On the very next day, the applicant will know if the folks behind the
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20 December 2007–2 January 2008
(HIGH): The dawning of a hardware renaissance Amsterdam’s fetish for cultural hardware is starting to pay off. Every month of 2007 had a new theatre, museum or library housewarming: including creative hotspot De Zwijger, artist space W139 and three of Amsterdam’s major heritage keepers (the City Archives, the Public Library and the University Library of Special Collections). And this is just the beginning. Next year, the Dutch theatre tycoon Joop van den Ende will grace Amsterdam with two new theatres at Leidseplein and the RAI. In 2009, both the Stedelijk and Filmmuseum will open their iconic cribs. And in that same year the Melkweg and Stadsschouwburg will be physically united by a new concert and theatre space, instantly becoming the country’s largest performing arts cluster, capable of holding over 4,000 people. Then to top it all off, the new Rijksmuseum opens in 2010. That is if no other bike lanes of ‘forgotten’ licenses turn up...
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The best (and worst) from a year in culture In 2007, street art got a festival, while history got banned to yet another museum; arts funding got streamlined while art itself got threatened to be removed from our streets. Strange stuff... But can we get some more of the good stuff in 2008? BY JOHAN IDEMA ILLUSTRATION BY ROBIN VAN DER KAA
fund dug their plan enough to pay up to €3,000 of seed money. Already a hit in developing countries in fighting poverty, microfinancing is now being used to battle Amsterdam’s funding bureaucracy. And bypassing the usual planning and paperwork allows the fund to spot talented new artists who might still need to work on their fear of filling out forms. It’s a small innovation, but nonetheless a bold and successful one, and one that easily makes the Amsterdam Fund the most courageous among Dutch arts foundations. (LOW): No smiling Palestinians and Israelis on historical facades It may be possible in New York, London and Paris, but apparently not in Amsterdam. Last September, the bookstore
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Atheneum covered its Spui facade with two larger-than-life grinning faces of a Palestinian and an Israeli. These photographs were taken by the French artist JR who wanted to remind us something we almost forgot: the equality of the two pictured. The project was a success in other cities, but couldn’t please Amsterdam. The city claimed a license was required, which started off fierce discussions on the ‘licensability’ of art. But then the city claimed that their real concern was the damage that would result from taking the photos off the historical facades. Professionals were called in to evaluate if this would be the case. It wasn’t. Still, this was a wake up call about how art-minded our city—or rather stadsdeel Centrum—can be.
And now a wish list for 2008... With a city full of new, shining theatres and museums, one wish only gets stronger: the craving for truly mind-blowing art. Not just great performances or excellent exhibitions, of which we have plenty. But exciting and stunning works of public art that truly inspire, create buzz, connect people and instantly become classics. Yes, this year we had El-HEMA at Mediamatic, and the nude crowds congregating for photographer Spencer Tunick. They were fun and generated great publicity. But it’s masterpieces like Olafur Eliasson’s replica of the sun in London’s Tate Modern, or Anish Kapoor’s steel bubble in Chicago’s Millennium Park that make the difference. You Are Here, a motel replica as a surreal and theatrical installation at this year’s Over het IJ festival, came close: finding yourself lying alone in one of the rooms, staring at a mirrored ceiling with 40 other people doing the same, made you feel intensely connected, disoriented and comforted at the same time. Presented in what may be Amsterdam’s sloppiest art space, the NDSM-wharf, it reminded us how great art can leave lasting impressions. Can we please have some more of that in 2008?
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Amsterdam Weekly
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SHORT LIST
Femke Hiemstra, Thursday 20 December, KochxBos Gallery
THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER Festival: Winterparade In Amsterdam, you know that summer is in full swing when De Parade comes to town. Around its many colourful tents, music is swinging, laughter is ringing and the warm air is filled with the sweet smell of fries, flowers, rosétjes and mobile toilets. Everything is beautiful. When the Parade tents are being packed up, you know the harsh times are near. The weather turns grim and so do the hearts of the people. The world becomes a dark place, the laughter’s gone. Thankfully, someone once invented the words ‘the show must go on’, and all theatre people believe in those words. So just when you were about to give up, De Parade returns to spread the love. (As it is held indoors, you won’t even have to deal with mobile toilets.) Their winter programme involves several nativity scenes courtesy of PIPS:lab and others, and more Christmas-inspired action. Add plays by Marcus Azzini, Sanne Vogel and the dance group Ish, and afterparties laced with guest performances by Lucretia van der Vloot, Ellen ten Damme and many more. There’ll be a flying grand piano and a Silent Disco, and then, on 31 December, the Winterparade, together with the old year, will have its Grande Finale. (Sarah Gehrke) Gashouder, various times and prices. Until December 31.
Art: Femke Hiemstra The Amsterdam artist and illustrator Femke Hiemstra has a truly demented imagination. Basically she comes up with one seriously weird character and draws a story around them. Imagine a rotting bunch of grapes as a strange being with a butterfly net fighting away the flies trying to get at its juices. Imagine a lollipop as both ship’s captain and captain of its own destiny. Imagine an angry strawberry recast as a bull pitted against a tiny bullfighter. Or imagine an angry three-eyed cat named Lucky. Actually, you don’t have to imagine any of this. Just check out this solo show called ‘La Fenëtre Secrète’ featuring some of her latest work—much of it painted on objects: from mint boxes to Victorian clocks. It’s worth dropping by not only to get weirded out but just to buy the exhibition catalogue for €10—the perfect Xmas gift for the lowbrow pop surrealist in your life. See www.femtasia.nl for more of a flavour. (Steve Korver) KochxBos Gallery, Wed-Sat, 13.00-18.00, free.
FRIDAY 21DECEMBER Jazz: dOeK#6 It’s always hard to predict what projects involving Cor Fuhler will sound like, but in some ways that’s the point. The trio Crax, which pairs him with two semi-regular collaborators in trumpeter Axel Dörner and Australian harpist Clare Cooper—-both current
fixtures on the potent Berlin jazz and improvised music scene—-promises a gorgeous array of improvised texture. Dörner possesses a deep vocabulary of non-traditional, unpitched sounds and approaches, and nobody can do more investigatory piano hacking than Fuhler, who never engages his instrument without a defined purpose. The wild card may be Cooper, who can improvise in abstract mode, but who can also coax gorgeously lyric or hypnotic lines from the harp. Crax plays on the first night of the sixth annual dOeK Festival, which has a strong international bent; German pianist Magda Mayas performs with drummer Tony Buck, another Australian based in Berlin, and Wilber de Joode plays with the French-Lebanese alto saxophonist Christine Sehnaoui and French percussionist Lê Quan Ninh. (Peter Margasak) Bimhuis, 21.00, €14.
SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER Classical: Children’s Christmas Concert For children aged 5 to 12, the Noorderkerkconcerten has arranged a special Christmas concert this season. As a children’s concert, there will not only be explanations of the music performed, but children will be invited to actively participate in a procession or even get the chance to step up and conduct themselves. In addition to festive pieces from earlier times by Tchaikovsky and the Spanish Renaissance composer Francisco Guerrero, the program also includes modern compositions by the Italian Luciano Berio and the Fin Einojuhani Rautavaara, a version of the celebrated ‘Navidad Nuestra’ by Argentinian Ariel Ramirez, and two new Christmas compositions written especially for this event by Servaas Bank and Peter van Dorp. Perfomed by the Hollands Vocaal Ensemble Amsterdam (led by Fokko Oldenhuis), this special concert is certain to be a treat for kids and the kid within you too. (David Lee) Noorderkerk, 14.00, €12 adults, €5 children.
WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER Festival: Tangomagia Back when it all started, in the African communities of Buenos Aires, few could have foreseen the worldwide success of tango. The dance has brought fourth countless variations, from Ballroom Tango to Tango Nuevo, and it even went on to find a second home in Finland. But the original Argentine Tango, too, is still going strong, as the success of this international tango festival testifies—this year, it goes into its 10th edition. Elsewhere, the kids are now krumping and clowning. But while tango may have long lost its rebellious appeal, it’s still going with the times, and appropriately, the motto of this edition of the festival is ‘The Next Generation’. The programme boasts a multimedia dance performance called Panta Rei, live music by the electronic tango orchestra Tanghetto, and performances by five internationally renowned dance pairs—and of course, many a milonga. (Sarah Gehrke) Various locations, times and prices. Until December 30.
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Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER Hiphop: Sugarhill Gang A ‘Basement Old School Special’ by the guys that landed the first world-wide hiphop hit—ever. ‘Rapper’s Delight’ scored platinum eight times and introduced the speaking-over-a-beat thing to millions of living rooms. However, the Sugarhill Gang were also the first rap group to be put together by a record-label executive. Without much prior involvement in rap music, they were picked off a street corner in New Jersey and dragged into a studio. Meanwhile down in the Bronx, Grandmaster Flash sniffily clutched his rhyme book. But even if they weren’t the ultimate street-cred posterboys, the Sugarhill Gang have inspired countless little future MCs, and surely deserve credit for that. And after all, ‘Rapper’s Delight’ is still a really cool song! Everybody now: I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, ah you dont stop the rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat. Now what you hear is not a test... (Sarah Gehrke) Melkweg, The Max, 19.00, €19 + membership.
Black Art Music: Archie Shepp Quartet Okay, it’s a Bimhuis gig, but please don’t call it jazz. Saxophone player Archie Shepp always resisted against the word. After all, it was a derogatory term for white people to describe dance shows at the turn of the century that had piano improvisations by black players in the background. Shepp prefers this mixture of blues, folk and spirituals to be called Afro American Music or Black Art Music. Shepp, who augmented the style with bebop, soul and poetry, regrets that ‘so-called jazz’ is currently banned to sterile concert halls. He believes it should be part of black community and in his recordings he has frequently addressed pressing issues, like apartheid (South Africa Goddamn), prison riots (Attica Blues) and the struggles of black leaders (Dr King, The Peaceful Warrior). Although he has yet to receive the status of his teacher John Coltrane, tonight’s sold out gig shows that the white boys of Amsterdam recognize him as one of the greats. (Marinus de Ruiter) Bimhuis, 21.00, sold out.
SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER Rock: The Hospital Bombers CD release party I call The Hospital Bombers. It is Sunday and they are in a van. Going to Utrecht. ‘Going to Utrecht’ is a Mountain Goats song. The Mountain Goats (a cult band from California known for their highly literary lyrics) wrote a lot of songs about going somewhere: ‘Going to Bridlington’, ‘Going to Monaco’, ‘Going to Some Damned English City’ and ‘Going to Georgia’, the song of which the band name of the Hospital Bombers originates. At least, that is what drummer Marc van der Holst tells me. But, I find out that there is no sign of any hospital bombers in that song (Marc loves to lie; he told the magazine LiveXS that the band name originates from the song ‘A nigger my height don’t fight’ by Eazy-E). However, the Hospital Bombers are mentioned in another Mountain Goats song: ‘The best ever death metal band in Denton’. The song is about two friends who are dreaming of playing in… ‘the best ever death metal band out of Denton / never settled on a name. / But the top three contenders, after weeks of debate, / were Satan’s fingers, and the killers, and the hospital bombers. Later in the song we find out the boys’ dream is shattered when they are told that they will never be famous: ‘when you punish a person for dreaming his dream / don’t expect him to thank or forgive you. / The best ever death metal band out of Denton / will in time both outpace and outlive you. / hail Satan! / hail Satan tonight! And that is what you should do… Tonight. Go listen to ‘The Devil’s Music’ and other Hospital Bombers songs. Go see the best ever twangy, beat and unique pop band in Amsterdam who are presenting their long awaited and beautifully crafted album Footnotes. And remember to listen to the lyrics! (Bas Morsch) De Nieuwe Anita, 20.00, €6.
Festival: Winterreise Dutch jazzman extraordinaire Yuri Honing kicks off a new annual festival for the end of year times in Paradiso, culling together live music representing what he calls the ‘world coming at you.’ Obviously, the entire planet might be a bit much, so he chose a few favourites. First up, Germany. Okay, not really world music per se, but it’s appropriate enough, as it’s Honing’s own project, also entitled Winterriese, with him and contemporary pianist Nora Mulder covering the beloved song cycle of the same name by old romantic Schubert. Replacing the voice with his saxophone, none of the original German poetry will be heard, but expect the same lovely lyricism. After that comes Honing’s band Winter Paradise, with heavy rock guitars, drums and bass, brisking you through a variety of cultures (mostly farther away than Germany), as their jazz inflected world music reveals influences from the band members’ many travels abroad. Lastly, comes Rima Khcheich Group, led by renowned Lebanese singer Khcheich, performing traditional and modern Arab songs arranged in contemporary western fashion. If you’re missing out on proper winter travel this year, this could be a satisfying substitute. (Mark Wedin) Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €17.50.
Send details and images for listing consideration at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl.
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
13 A golden message of love from the first century AD.
Picture Afghanistan. What do you see? War and destruction. A new exhibition shows what came before.
NEW CHURCH, OLD TREASURES ART Hidden Afghanistan Nieuwe Kerk, 22 December-20 April 2008, €10 By Floris Dogterom
In early March 2001, much of the cultural heritage of Afghanistan was dealt a terrible blow: the Taliban, the country’s ultra-orthodox Islamist former rulers, destroyed precious pre-Islamic statues and objects, calling them idolatrous and un-Islamic. A special team spent weeks dynamiting Buddha statues in the Bamyan Valley and Taliban troops used
pickaxes, hammers and even artillery to damage thousands of smaller statues in the National Museum in Kabul. Luckily, the museum’s collection wasn’t completely lost. In the 1990s, the museum staff moved thousands of objects to different ‘safe houses’ in Kabul as a precautionary measure. After the overthrow of the Taliban regime in 2001, the Afghan government thought it premature to put the collection back in the still severely damaged museum, and launched the idea of a travelling exhibition. After Paris and Turin, Italy, the next stop is Amsterdam.
The exhibition, which opens this week, presents 250 objects dating from around 2000 BC until the second century AD. It consists of four parts, which correspond with the four archaeological sites where the objects were found, at Tepe Fullol, Ai Khanum, Tillya-tepe and Begram. Marlies Kleiterp, the Nieuwe Kerk’s curator of exhibitions, said the show is meant to explore the side of Afghanistan we usually don’t see in the mainstream media—that is, the many peoples who have inhabited that land and mutually influenced each other’s cultures. ‘The exhibition’s message to the world is: there is more to Afghanistan than war and violence,’ she said, while giving a tour of the exhibition last week. ‘The findings from the archaeological sites represent a symbiosis of many cultures. Greek Hellenistic and eastern art forms merged and formed the inspiration for the Buddhist culture.’ To illustrate her point, Kleiterp drew attention to a Buddha statue at the entrance of the church. The elegant folds of the Buddha’s gown, revealing its
body, are typically Greek, she said, while the face is undeniably similar to the kinds of statues you’d come across anywhere in Southeast Asia. Afghanistan is a land on which different cultures have left their mark. Located at the juncture of trade routes between East and West, ancient Afghanistan was at the crossroads of civilisations in central Asia, she explained, and this led to a mixing of influences in the art that was produced. A third century BC disc in the Ai Khanum section is another strong example of mixed cultures. Ai Khanum was the most eastern city founded by Alexander the Great on his way to India (327 BC). The gilded silver disc shows two Greek goddesses in a cart, but the lions drawing the cart are typically Eastern, as is the parasol that protects the goddesses against the sun. The face in the sun is Greek. ‘It was found in a temple,’ says Kleiterp, ‘but we don’t know what its function was.’ One of the nicest items was a large bronze Roman dish from the Begram site (first century AD), the bottom of which is covered with bronze fish. Their little fins are loosely attached, so that when water was poured into the dish, it seems the fish are swimming. The last section of the exhibition, certain to draw a lot of attention, includes the famous gold treasure of Tillya-tepe, near the border with Turkmenistan, which archaeologists discovered in the winter of 1978. The site consisted of six graves from the first century AD, and the vitrines showcase the gold earrings, anklets and other accessories, arranged to resemble the outline of a human body. Archaeologist Willem Vogelsang, curator of Southwest and Central Asia at the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, will conduct lectures on 19 January and 2 February, on the pre-Islamic heritage of Afghanistan and on the Greek expansion in the country respectively. He said the ancient Afghan culture was indeed a symbiosis of Hellenistic and Eastern influences, but added that the Afghans made their own contributions, too. ‘I want to do away with the cliché that Afghanistan was only a region that different peoples passed through,’ he said. ‘If you look at the objects from the Ai Khanum site, you see Hellenistic influences indeed. But there are also objects that are clearly Afghan, without any external influences whatsoever.’ Vogelsang advised ‘not only to look at the gold. Of course, it’s magnificent, but you also have to look at the story behind it. I hope visitors will read the accompanying texts to learn how the objects were made and how they were used.’ At the time of the interview, only a number of items were already on display. The ones that were, however, and the photos on Nieuwe Kerk’s website, did give a good impression of the point Nieuwe Kerk is trying to make, namely that of an ancient country with a rich culture that incorporates many influences. Why would anyone want to destroy that? Ask the Taliban.
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Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Don KosakenChor Russland, see Wednesday 26 December
MUSIC Send listing suggestions at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl. Full listings at www.amsterdamweekly.nl.
Thursday 20 December Rock: Fiction Plane A few months ago they played the ArenA. Tonight’s a more intimate serving of Audioslave versus The Police from Sting’s son. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 20.00, sold out Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Von Weber’s Oberon Overture, Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto and Dvorák’s Eighth Symphony; conducted by Mariss Jansons. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €55 Contemporary: Schönberg Ensemble A Proms aan ‘t IJ performance featuring Rolf Wallin’s Boyl, Arnold Schönberg’s Vier Lieder (arr. Hans Abrahamsen), Hans Abrahamsen’s Schnee and Jan van de Putte’s Uma Só Divina Linha; conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw with soprano Barbara Hannigan. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €22 Singer-songwriter: Bloemetjes Buiten With singersongwriter type sets from André Herman Düne and Joren before the Winston goes drum & bass crazy. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Jazz: Boi Akih Duo With vocalist Monica Akihary and guitarist Niels Brouwer performing worldly songs from their album Yalelol. Bimhuis, 21.00, €12 Jazz: JWO’s Mahgreb Jazz Virtuoso guitarist Jan Wouter Oostenrijk performing his jazz Moroccan style. Badcuyp, Noordpool, 21.30, €8 Heavy: Neguraˇ Bunget Lock up your decorative Rudolph statues and turn off the fairy lights. Romanian black metal is coming to town and the Paradiso may never be the same again. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.00, €6 + membership
Friday 21 December Classical: Lunch Concert Students from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Bethaniënklooster, 12.30, free Jazz: Quincey A jazzy circus atmosphere with the local quintet launching their third album Circus. Casablanca Circus at Strand West, 20.00, €5 Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (See Thursday 20 December) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €55 Rock: New Model Army These unwavering Brits are best known for their angsty melodic punk and post punk, originally dating from the early ’80s. But the army marches onwards and they’re still producing solid slabs of rock, as well as atmospheric folk rock. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 20.30, €16 + membership Pop/Rock: Stofpop Celebrating their 2.5 year birthday with drinks, apple tart and sets from six young Dutch bands who’ll be delighted to take to this illustrious stage. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €7.50 + membership
Rock: 3xLive Stoner and punk rock from Roodkapje & Het Blauwe Gevaar, Pek & Veren and Dataplan. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Festival: dOeK#6 This ever evolving jazz festival is as alert when it comes to new currents in improvisation as it is averse to trends, always promising adventurous music for a curious audience. The members of the dOek-collective, Eric Boeren, Tobias Delius, Cor Fuhler, Wilbert de Joode and Wolter Wierbos are the programmers, inviting a hardy bunch of old and new faces to perform at Bimhuis over the next two evenings. See Short List. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Singer-songwriter: Eric Devries Presenting new CD Sweet Oblivion. Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 22.00, €5 Rock: The Hellcats Italian rockabilly. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5
Saturday 22 December Hiphop: Blaxtar Previewing tracks from his upcoming album. The Live at the BBQ hiphop party follows. Bitterzoet, 20.00, €5 Classical: Noord Nederlands Orkest Performing Wagner’s ‘Karfreitagszauber’ from Parsifal; Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1; and Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No.3 (Organ Symphony). Conducted by Michel Tabachnik. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €26.50 Classical: Ralph Meulenbroeks Christmas songs performed on the viola da gamba. English Reformed Church, 20.15, €15 Classical: VU-koor Singing two contrasting choral works: the all time classic Requiem by Mozart and the modern, groovy Benedictio by Estonian composer Urmas Sisask. Waalse Kerk, 20.15, €12 Festival: dOeK#6 (See Friday 21 December) Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Pop/Rock: Volle Maan Christmas Stomp With the KOz Collective, Fata ‘El Moustache’ Morgana, Rik van den Bosch and a host of DJs. OT301, 21.00, €7 Americana: The Pedro Delgados Bluegrass, folk and rip-roaring Americana from these wild pluckin’ and bowin’ Amsterdammers. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5
Sunday 23 December Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (See Thursday 20 December) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 14.15, €55 Big band: Amstel Big Band With their new leader Sven Shuster, the 18-piece ensemble are joined by special guests Anton Goudsmit and Efraim Trujillo for a mix of swinging funk, blues and Latin sounds. Badcuyp, Noordpool, 15.00, €8 Classical: Amsterdam Chamber Chorus International Christmas music from the 12th to 17th centuries. Oranjekerk, 15.00, €10 Classical: Wien, Wien, nur du allein Sweet sounds from the Amsterdam Bridge Ensemble. Bethaniënklooster, 15.00, €16.50 Ska: Venus Hill Party ska crossover band celebrating 10 years of tooting and skanking. Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 16.00, free
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008 Contemporary: Monalisa Matinee Concert Piano recital by Rita Knuistingh Neven, performing the world premiere of her most recent piece ‘Tomorrow’, and also works by Gerda Geertens and Piet-Jan van Rossum. De Cameleon, 16.30, €10 World: Marokko Fonds Benefiet Gala Dutch and Moroccan performers join forces, including Kasba, Aïcha Tachinouite, Abderrahim Souiri, Rachid Kasmi, Jan Wouter Oostenrijk, Farna El-Kadmiri and Omar Ka. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 18.30, €35 Classical: The King’s Consort & Choir The prominent British period music orchestra performing Händel’s Messiah. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 19.30, €51.50 Classical: Het Orkest van het Oosten Works by Mozart and Mahler, led by Bulgarian conductor Martin Panteleev, with soprano Natalya Kraevsky and pianist Victor Emanuel von Monteton. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €30 Jazz: Timocin Sahin Trio A previous winner of the Dutch Jazz Competition, virtuoso Turkish-Dutch guitarist and composer Sahin will be performing a unique blend of international jazz works tonight with his quartet, featuring trumpeter Randy Brecker. Bimhuis, 21.00, €16
Ami Collé World: Ami Collé Senegalese diva who’s bridging the gap between modern African pop and sassy Western R&B and soul. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.30, €18 + membership Jazz: Ready for Freddy Fresh grooves from Jos de Haas (New Cool Collective), Stefan Schmid (Zuco 103), Alex Oele (Yinka), Stefan Kruger (Zuco 103) and special guests. Badcuyp, Noordpool, 21.30, €5
Monday 24 December Classical: Kerst Avonddienst 2007 Christmas classics and gospelnumbers. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.00, free Pop: Spinvis Theatrical alternative Nederpop from Erik de Jong and his ensemble, bidding farewell to another fruitful year. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €17.50 + membership Rock: Teenage Kicks of my Generation Featuring the Phantom Four and other surprises. Bitterzoet, 21.00, €8 Pop/Rock: Dez Mona Dramatic jazzy pop from Antwerp, fronted by powerful vocalist Gregory Frateur. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €7 + membership
Tuesday 25 December
Concertgebouw Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra It’s already a been busy week for the RCO and they’re still being dragged out of bed early on Christmas Day to perform for you. Featuring Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen and Dvorák’s Eighth. Conducted by Mariss Jansons, with baritone Thomas Hampson. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 15.00, €55
Amsterdam Weekly
Wednesday 26 December
Thursday 27 December
Classical: Don KosakenChor Russland Traditional festive music from the Russian-Orthodox liturgy, backed by the Moscow Festival Ensemble. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 14.15, €28.50
Classical: Wibi Soerjadi (See Wednesday 26 December) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €60
Classical: Regina Albrink Christmas piano recital. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 14.15, €26 Classical: Anna Fedorova A special Christmas Chopin recital from the talented Ukrainian pianist. Muziekgebouw, 15.00, €25 Pop/Rock: Moke Plain old guitar rock from these much talked-up locals who wish they were British. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €12.50 + membership Classical: Wibi Soerjadi Piano recital featuring romantic masterworks by Chopin, Liszt and more. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €60
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Rock: 3xLive Garage rock ’n’ roll from The Works, The LowPointDrains and Boma Roya. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Jazz: Electra Four women, four nationalities and four instruments: violin, percussion, voice and recorder. Their new CD/DVD, Able to Be offers a selection of works, among which is a premiere from Elmer Schönberger and a sneak preview of the not-yet-released large-scale project Industry, with a piece by Guus Janssen. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14
Friday 28 December Punk: Battle of the Sexes A Dutch punker frenzy with sets from De Heideroosjes, Malle Pietje & the Bimbos, The Riplets and Jeremy’s. Patronaat, Haarlem, 20.00, €12.50
Blacklisted Heavy: Blacklisted Thunderous American hardcore. Support from Shipwreck (US) and Soul Control (US). Bitterzoet, 20.30, €9 Jazz: Archie Shepp Quartet A living legend of the US jazz scene, the avant-garde saxophonist is performing tonight with pianist Tom McClung, bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer Steve McCraven. See Short List. Bimhuis, 21.00, sold out
Free tickets!
Go to www.amsterdamweekly.nl to win tickets to one of these nightlife events. To advertise your club night or concert, contact Simone Klomp at 020 522 5200 or Simone@amsterdamweekly.nl.
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008 Electronica: Kraak & Smaak Jazzy electro funk from the hip organic Dutch trio, currently out on the road promoting a new feisty live show. Support from Melomanics. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €13 + membership
Sunday 23 December WickedJazzSounds Jazz, hiphop, broken beats, nujazz, funk and Afro sounds, as classic vinyl collides with live musicians. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €9.50
Hiphop: The Original Sugar Hill Gang An old school hiphop and funk special featuring the folks behind the 1979 international hit ‘Rapper’s Delight’. See Short List. Melkweg, The Max, 21.00, €19 + membership
Kortsluiting With 360 Soundsystem, Mark August vs Minz, Groove Addicts, Eva Maria and more. Studio 80, 23.00-late, €6
World: The Herb Spectacles Colourful Dutch mariachi capable of warming any winter night. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5
Sonic Warfare V Celebrating one year of music and battle plans. In that time Sonic Warfare has established itself as the hottest dubstep night in the Netherlands. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.00-late, €12
Saturday 29 December Pop: Krezip Pure pop from the Dutch darlings. Heineken Music Hall, 20.00, sold out Festival: Yuri Honing presents... A new annual jazz feast headlined by the acclaimed sax player and composer. His own electro sax-y take on Schubert’s Winterreise is one of the key elements tonight. See Short List. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €17.50 + membership Rock: 3xLive Diverse rock from Nine Yards, Exit 31 and John Doe’s Revenge. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Jazz: Vienna Art Orchestra Compositions by the popular ‘king of waltz’ Johann Strauss, arranged stunningly for a jazz orchestra. Bimhuis, 21.00, €16
Monday 24 December WickedJazzSounds
CLUBS Thursday 20 December The MinX A unique dialogue of sounds and images. Club Olele, 22.00-03.00, free
Cheeky Monday True skool jungle and drum & bass, featuring players from the local and international scenes. Winston Kingdom, 22.00-03.00, €6 We Love 80’s All sounds circa ’80s. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.00-late, €10
Tuesday 25 December Voidd Sessions Electro, minimal and tech-house with De Man Zonder Schaduw. Winston Kingdom, 22.0003.00, €6
World: Alex Lin & Pablo Energetic gypsy and Balkan treats. Skek, 21.30, free
Poptrash Three decades’ worth of rock, electro and hiphop with The Punchout DJs. Tonight’s special trashy Santa is future shock maestro Dan Deacon. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.00-05.00, €5
Wednesday 26 December
Sunday 30 December
Wildvreemd The dark side of a Santa with tunes from Sandrien and Boris Werner. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €10
Treetz—X-mas Special Eclectic clubbing, from hiphop to full-on dance. Melkweg, The Max, 22.00late, €20
Friday 21 December
Static A shocking Christmas special with Dandy Jack (Santiago), Petre Inspirescu (Bucharest) and Bart Skils. 11, 22.30-04.00, €15
Click A midwinter special to wile away the longest night. Westerliefde, 22.00-late, €10
Diamanten und Raketen Germanic beats from Monophonic and Twist. Sugar Factory, 23.59-04.00, €10
Classical: Het Zondagochtend Concert Last of the year, with saxophonist Ties Mellema and pianist Wijnand van Klaveren. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 11.00, €15 Jazz: Joey Calderazzo A solo performance from this inspired New York pianist, probably best-known for his collaboration with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, with which he recorded the magnificent DVD Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’ Live In Amsterdam. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Pop/Rock: Van Dik Hout Stuck in the past? This lot have primarily been living off their Nederlandstalige hit single ‘Stil in Mij’ since the mid-’90s and plenty will be out tonight specifically to join in the sing-a-long. Melkweg, 21.00, €20 + membership Electronica: Tiga Electro, disco and dancefloor filling grooves from the always popular Montreal DJ/producer. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.30, €15
Monday 31 December Classical: Nederlands Blazers Ensemble It may be performed in the afternoon but the theme for their two New Year’s concerts is ‘night’. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 15.00, €19 Singer-songwriter: Beth Hart She’s technically based in LA but no other territories have taken to this bluesy gospel-tinged vocalist like the Dutch audiences. It’s almost like she’s been groomed as a replacement for Anouk, who would much rather be loved in LA. And with tonight being a special party performance, she’ll be reeling off all her hits from the past decade. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.00, €27.50 + membership
Rebel Up! Soundclash Diasporic sounds from the global underground: mestiza beats, gypsy funk, roots, Arabic, African rhythms, Latino, Asian and gritty electronics. As always, profits go to charity. OCCII, 22.30-04.00, €4 10 Years Sonar Kollektiv Weekender Jazz-defying beats and grooves from the nest of the thrilling German collective. Tonight’s very special guest is Clara Hill. Tomorrow Benny Sings is performing live, plus the Jazzanova peeps will be doing a special DJ set. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €12.50 Freitag With special guest Simon Baker (UK). Flex Bar, 23.00-05.00, €10 Appelsap Kerst Special Festive hiphop and soul. Melkweg, The Max, 23.00-late, €12.50 + membership Dansen bij Jansen Celebrating the oldest disco in town with diverse DJs and bonus live sets from Ninthe, Souled Out and Troublehorn. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.59-05.00, €10 klinch: Ark (live) & Jeff Samuel Progressive dance sounds from special guests Ark (Circus Company, Paris) and Jeff Samuel (Trapez, Pokerflat, Seattle). Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.59-late, €13 + membership
Rub-A-Dub Inna Winston Christmas reggae party. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-03.00, €5
Thursday 27 December Fuckin’ Freezing Even if it’s cold outside, this party is all about sun, warmth and top grooves. Bitterzoet, 20.00-late, €7.50 Manifesto A Meubel Stukken special. Paradiso, 22.30-late, sold out Poptrash Special guests: Kid Goesting, Matik (DJ set) and DJ Entropy. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.00-05.00, €5 Vreemd Ringing Peace Bells With Nuno Dos Santos, Prutt and Zender. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €10 Cold Turkey—Best Of 2007 The top 100 indie, electro and hiphop tunes of 2007 with DJ Arnold. Melkweg, The Max, 23.00-late, €5
Friday 28 December Het Ballon Gezelschap presents De Vergrijzing An explosion of creativity. Paradiso, 21.30-late, €40 Dox Family Night Happening a few days after Chrimbo, here’s hoping the family haven’t had any fights over dinner. If all goes to plan, Benny Sings, Wouter Hamel, Giovanca, Kofi Anonymous, Roos, Dean Tippet will be playing live, while there’s Easy Aloha’s and Rednose spinning. Sugar Factory, 22.00-05.00, €9/€11
Jazz: New Year at Bimhuis See out 2007 with a selection of top jazz outfits: Glerum Omnibus One, Robin Nolan Trio and Sean Bergin’s Nansika & Claude Deppa. As 2008 kicks in, globally inspired local DJ mps Pilot will perform an eclectic four hour set while dodging the oliebollen. Bimhuis, 21.00, €30
Saturday 22 December
Rock: It’s A Happening Flight Into 2008 A ’60s-style party to see you into 2008. Beat sets from The Madd and The Monroes, plus a countless line of DJs ready to take over each time one passes out. Maloe Melo, 22.00-late, €17.50
Hed Kandi Fifth anniversary special with three rooms, nine DJs and four live acts. Hotel Arena, 22.00-06.00, €25
Freitag No nonsense, just good music from Vera, Federico Molinari, Dorine Dorado and David Reinhart. Flex Bar, 23.00-05.00, €9
Pixel Second birthday party with Fairmont (Berlin), James Holden (UK) and Carlos Valdes. 11, 22.3004.00, €12
Massive Basement meets Knockout in this mega-party for all fans of reggae, dancehall and pure hiphop. Melkweg, 23.00-late, €15 + membership
Tuesday 1January
20 Years Sonar Kollektiv Weekender (See Friday 21 December) Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €12.50
Classical: Nieuwjaarsconcert Works by Bach, SaintSaëns and Orthel. Oosterkerk, 12.00, €12 Classical: Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (See Monday 31 December) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 13.15, €25.50/€30
Wednesday 2 January Classical: Lunch Concert Authentic performance by Duo Edelen. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 12.30, free
eRRorKREW Allnighter! With Raoul Fleischmann, Kostas Hom, Zender, Martine, Kwik and a mysterious guest. Note, the party is technically on Sunday morning. Cafe Vaaghuyzen, 03.00-09.00, free
Chicago-Detriot / Dubstep A genre split. Flex Bar, 23.00-05.00, €5 Club Pera A refreshing blend of styles and cities, from drum & bass to house to ethnic dance. Paradiso, 23.00-late, €13 + membership Gemengd Zwemmen Two rooms of swimmingly diverse noise. In The Max, it’s ¿Que Pasa? with DJ Eduardo; in the Oude Zaal, there’s alternative dance, pop, rock and indie hits, as always. Melkweg, 23.59-late, €8
Basserk Release Party Celebrating the split release between DJ $Jammie the Money and Genjini. OT301, 22.00-late, €5
Saturday 29 December Kelder Bashment With representatives from Berzerk, Lionstyle and Radio Patapoe. OT301, 22.00-late, €6 Rex...Electronation Live Electro, minimal and all those buzzy beats, with Terry Toner, Alexander Koning and Trick & Kubic (live). Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €15 Gemengd Zwemmen Classic jungle in one room, alternative dance, pop, rock and indie hits in the other. Melkweg, 23.59-late, €8
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Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Sunday 30 December Beatskool Sunday Hiphop, dubstep and breaks from the underground. Winston Kingdom, 23.00-03.00, €6 WickedJazzSounds (See Sunday 23 December) Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €9.50
Monday 31 December All is One Actors, artists, acts, champagne and oliebollen are out in force. As is a monstrous DJ line-up featuring the cream of the Amsterdam crop. Westergasterras, 19.00-late, €50 New Year’s Eve Chaos at the Winston as Cheeky Monday’s drum & bass fanatics come face to face with the Disco Schmisco crew. Who can party hardest? Winston Kingdom, 20.00-05.00, €30 Arrival ‘08 Perfect if you’re cruisin’ or looking to take a dunk. With Erick E, Gregor Salto, Victor Coral and more. Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, 20.00-late, €60 Het Grote Confettibal Dance chaos at Club (200)8. There’s music from Frankie D, TrailerTrash and the DiscTwins, confetti, champagne and oliebollen, and still space for surprise acts. Club 8, 21.00-late, €30 A Roaring Twenties New Year’s Eve Forget 2008, 1920 is the place to be. Boom Chicago, 22.00-05.00, €40 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly A theatrical spaghetti western of a dance party, with special guests Joost van Bellen, Rubywax, Sven & Tettero, Freddy Spool, Kareem Raihani and more. Dress appropriately or you’ll look silly on the rodeo bull. De Hollandsche Manege, 22.00-05.00, €105 TrailerTrash 3 Trashy, sleazy, greasy but not measly, there’s live sets from the likes of Caspian Hat Dance and Aux Raus, plus dirty DJ grooves. (Also in the Zuiveringshal). Pacific Parc, 22.00-06.00, €40 De Eerste Nacht van 2008 With lots of Flex faves. Flex Bar, 22.00-late, €15 Fuck ‘m All 2007’s number one anti-party with a glamour punk attitude. With zZz, 3-1, Melomanics and a serving of superstar DJs. Transformatorhuis, 22.00-late, €50 New Year Party ’80s, electro, breakbeats, jungle and mash-ups from the best of the Amsterdam underground. OT301, 22.00-late, €10 Oud & Nieuw Everything from hip electro (Joost van Bellen and Matik) to punk reggae (Jaya the Cat) to Balkan Beatz—basically the Melkweg’s entire repertoire compressed into one party. Melkweg, 22.00-late, €40 Oud en Nieuw 2008 Two rooms of bitter sweet regulars. Bitterzoet, 22.00-late, €35 Party Like It’s 1999! A T.N.T. special making for an explosive party. Odeon, 22.00-late, €37.50 WickedJazzSounds & Sugar Factory Yes, you can go every Sunday, but it’s the last night of 2007 and WJS and SF are upping the stakes of their futuristic journey through jazz, hiphop, soul, funk, broken beats, house and drum & bass. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €40 Butter With booze, a boat and butter. Supperclub Cruise, 23.00-07.00, €60
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GAY& LESBIAN Edited by Willem de Blaauw.
Thursday 20 December Film: Roze Filmdagen It won’t be difficult to find something of your liking at this 11th edition of the annual Pink Film Days, held at De Balie and Cavia. For details see: www.rozefilmdagen.nl (also in English). Until 23 December. Various locations, various times, €5/€8
Friday 21 December
Wereldkerstcircus 2007, see Friday
Club: Fashion Radio & Re-Discovery New venue for this electronic dance party that attracts a young-ish gay/mixed crowd. Studio 80, 23.00-05.00, €7,50
Saturday 22 December Club: Das Arbeiter Disko Gay/mixed party for ‘hard working people to sweat out the hard earned cash’. Music is dirty undergroud electro, industrial sounds and art pop, by DJs Anderslon Vila Nova, Mr Spspasovski and Hicham. Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 22.00-04.00, €5/€7 Club: UNK A special long edition of this dance party, popular with gays, straights and anyone else who enjoys dancing to the groovy underground sounds by wicked DJ Lupe. Club 8, 23.00-06.00, €8
Monday 24 December DJ night: Prikmass Eve From 22.00 onwards it’s Prikmass Eve, with DJ Gina spinning hot & juicy Prikmassy beats. PRIK, 16.00-03.00, free
Thursday 27 December Club: Dirty Dancing Supperclub goes minimal with this dance night with... no theme! no dress-code! no cover! no lounging! Just dirty dancing to DJs Hero and Dikky Vendetta. Supperclub, 23.00-04.00, free
Saturday 29 December Sex club: (Z)onderbroek Drop your pants and boogie at this party for men with a strict (un)dress code of briefs, boxers, jockstraps or swimming costume. See www.gala-amsterdam.nl. Club La, 16.00-20.00, €8
STAGE Opening Ballet: Het Grootste Zwanenmeer ter Wereld The Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet & Orchestra performing Swan Lake. Adding to the spectacle, there’ll be 48 ‘swans’ onstage at once. RAI, (20-23, 26-30 Dec, 2 Jan 20.00, 23, 25, 26, 30 Dec, 1 Jan 15.00), €29-€55
Performance: La Cucina dell’Arte Dramatic, spectacular and comedic clowning around from Circus Ronaldo. NDSM-werf, (28-30 Dec 20.30), €15
Performance: Wereldkerstcircus 2007 A traditional Christmas circus performance with live music, acrobatics, dressage, animal performances and more. Not like the piddly tents that tour the nation all summer, plenty of international talents are flying in for this one. Plus it helps to have the grandeur of the old circus theatre, too. Carré, (21-23, 25, 26, 29, 30 Dec 20.00, 22-30 Dec, 2 Jan 12.00, 16.00, 1 Jan 13.00, 17.00), €15-€49
Music/Theatre: Hair The ’60s love and rock musical is given yet another lease of life, this time in Dutch. Meervaart, (2 Jan 20.15), €35
Cabaret: Knettergek The comedy of duo Van Houts & De Ket. In Dutch. Comedy Theater, (23-29 Dec 20.30), €17.50 Theatre: Wuivend Graan Absurdism at its most maniacal. Yes, having been nominated for the Toneelpublieksprijs, this new Wim Schippers piece already has audiences excited. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (25, 26, 30 Dec 15.00, 26-30 Dec 20.00), €20 Theatre: Midsummernightsdream A devilishly humorous and chaotic take on the Shakespeare classic by De Paardenkathedraal, directed by Dirk Tanghe. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, (26 Dec 14.00, 27-29 Dec 19.30), €12-€23
Monday 31 December
Dance: White Blindness A physical solo theatre piece by Dorit Weintal. NDSM-werf, (26 Dec 17.00), €12
Bassline An old school special with R&B, hiphop, soul, disco, house and classic pop. Paradiso, 23.00-late, €35 Going With a Bang With Meneer de Beer, Kid Rêve, BIN, Dastego, Florian Rath and more. Studio 80, 23.00late, €20
Party: Droomstart Gay/mixed New Year’s Eve Party, organised by Extravers and Voidd with minimal techno and electro and fun! Schram Film Studios, 22.00-late, €25
Music/Dance: Bollywood—The Show A bombastic Bollywood spectacle for the whole family. RAI, (28, 29 Dec 20.00, 30 Dec 19.00), €29/€49
Dance: Hey, Stranger! The young dancers of new group Danther present their first performances. De Engelenbak, (21, 22 Dec 20.30), €11
Sex club: Empire Party Men-only dance, cruise and sex party, with a strict dress-code: leather meets uniform. The Vault, 22.00-late, €20
Party: New Year’s Eve Party Champagne, nibbelythings, acts and oliebollen at this women-only party. DJ Miss Smile will spin the tunes. CREA Cafe, 22.0003.00, €17,50
Music/Dance: Het Bal There’s lots of grandeur at the Concertgebouw tonight, but not in a stuffy way. In one hand, the concert hall is transformed into a shimmering old fashioned ball, with classics performed by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. On the other hand, it’s going to be a Balkan fiesta with performances by Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis, Roby Lakatos, Carlama Orkestar and much more. Dressing up is mandatory but don’t forget your dancing shoes. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, (28 Dec 20.15), €40
Performance: Sven Ratzke and Band The dashingly handsome ‘enfant terrible of showbiz’, Sven Ratzke will add a warm glow to this dark winter night. You should already know about his successful Duitse Nachten series. Well, this time he’s scoured the gutters of Berlin to pull together a dirty German Christmas show. Sugar Factory, (26 Dec 21.00), €15
Music/Theatre: Rembrandts Spiegel Part of Peter Greenaway’s Rembrandt project, this musical revolves around the key players in the Old Master’s life. Performed by Productiehuis Rotterdam. Stadsschouwburg, (2 Jan 20.15), €11.50-€27.50
Ongoing Comedy: Winter Snow Show New and used standup comics with a winter-friendly atmosphere. In Dutch. Comedy Theater, (21, 22 Dec 20.30), €12.50 Music/Theatre: Wééralarm A musical tragi-comedy inspired by climate change. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (20, 21, 23, 25, 26 Dec 12.30), €12 Theatre: Perfect Wedding Ivo van Hove directs Toneelgroep Amsterdam in this emotional romp based on Charles Mee’s play. Two families come together to celebrate the ultimate love, but that obviously leaves plenty of space for things to go awry, which it does in glorious style. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, (20-22 Dec 20.15), €17.50/€25 Theatre: 3 Zussen Bianca van der Schoot and Suzan Boogaerdt’s mimed take on the Chekhov classic. Meervaart, (20-22 Dec 20.30), €13 Music/Dance: Wordt aan Gewerkt! A collaboration between dance group Hans Hof Ensemble and musical ensemble SOIL. Frascati, (20-22 Dec 20.30), €14
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Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008 Cabaret: Masterclass Subtle and dark but effective humour in this solo show by Theo Nijland. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (20-22, 25-29 Dec 20.30), €16 Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty In the festive month of December the Dutch National Ballet once again awakens The Sleeping Beauty with a kiss. More than 115 years since its premiere in St Petersburg, this ballet, choreographed by Marius Petipa to Tchaikovsky’s sublime music, remains the crown jewel in the classical ballet repertoire. The work is unsurpassed in the demands that it makes upon dancers, with its rich dance vocabulary requiring virtuoso spectacular execution. Het Muziektheater, (20-22, 28 Dec 20.00, 24, 25, 27, 30, 31 Dec, 1 Jan 14.00), €22.50-€52.50 Comedy: easyLaughs Comedy improv in English. Two knee-slapping shows every Friday night. CREA Muziekzaal, (21 Dec 20.30, 22.30), €8, €5 (late night)
ART Full listings at www.amsterdamweekly.nl.
Opening Eindexamenexpositie Fotoacademie Amsterdam A fresh batch of graduating works and portfolios from 30 of the academy’s students. Themes include journalistic, fashion, advertising, portraits and landscapes. Loods 6 (Thur 20.00, Fri-Sun 10.00-18.00), opens Thursday, closing Sunday Mark Beerens: The Art of Storytelling Old meets new with visually striking results. Galerie Bart (Thur, Fri 11.00-18.00, Sat 12.00-17.00), opens Thursday, until 2 February 2008 Marielle van Uitert: De Krakersbeweging Breda Photos and texts. IISG (Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00), opens Friday, until 15 February 2008 Meeting Point Works by Leo van den Bos, Karin Dekker, Anja Vosdingh Bessem, Anja ter Waarbeek and Anneke de Witte. Muziekgebouw (Daily), opens Friday, until 30 December Hidden Afghanistan A deluxe exhibition presenting a ‘not war-torn’ vision of this nation at the crossroads of civilisations in central Asia. At its core, 250 archaeological objects are presented, most of which were ‘rediscovered’ in 2004 in the vaults of the Central Bank in Kabul. Nieuwe Kerk (Fri-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur 10.00-22.00), opens Saturday, until 20 April 2008
Tease-à-GoGo Performance: Tease-à-GoGo Amsterdam’s newest Burlesque entertainment night. Expect a diverse mix of comedy, varieté and live music, all with a ’50s rock ’n’ roll nightclub atmosphere. Comedy Theater, (22 Dec 23.59), €10/€12.50 Cabaret: De Vliegende Panters One last chance to catch the unmistakable humour of Diederik Ebbinge, Remko Vrijdag and Rutger de Bekker in Amsterdam. In Dutch. Meervaart, (28 Dec 20.15), €20
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R.E.L: Pencil Therapy Pencil-drawn realism inspired by Amsterdam nightlife. Studio Apart (Wed 10.0018.00, Thur 10.00-21.00, Fri 10.00-18.00, Sat 12.00-17.00), opens Saturday, until 22 January 2008 Afrikaanse Winter Diverse works by five African artists. Gallery Wies Willemsen (Fri-Sun 10.00-18.00), opens Sunday, until 16 January 2008
Museums El Hema Mediamatic looks at Arabic-Dutch art, design and culture, and in the process presents an exhibition
De Krakersbeweging Breda, see Opening
of fun, surprising, touching and sometimes provoking designs. Mediamatic (Wed-Sat 12.00-20.00, Sun 14.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Heringa/Van Kalsbeek: Cruel Bonsai The first ever major museum solo exhibition by artist duo Heringa/Van Kalsbeek, whose extravagant nature inspired sculptures appear at once poetic and slightly morbid. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Ryan McGinley: Celebrating Life An exhibition of work by the young American photographer Ryan McGinley, who’s been hailed as one of today’s most promising international photographers. Foam (SatWed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 6 January 2008 Josef Strau Enchanting installations using language and light from the enigmatic German artist. In his innovative environments, lights, text and sound recordings are linked with the likes of ribbons, threads and Tipp-Ex. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Rosa Barba: Center of Fringes A new film installation by Barba, recorded in the Mojave Desert in the US. In this desolate resort you can find lots of ruins of differ-
ent projects, illustrating the technocratic, militaristic and (lost) utopian aspects of the American society. Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 6 January 2008 Andy Warhol. Other voices, other rooms With a cornucopia of films, photos, video and typical Andy icons (soup cans, Mao, Marilyn Monroe), this exhibition offers a glimpse into the mind of the famous pop artist. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 13 January 2008 The Spider Anansi: A Web of Tales and Images Fourteen artists from the Netherlands and Ghana have created works for this exhibition inspired by the stories about the spider Anansi. These will be displayed in combination with videos of storytellers recorded in both countries. Tropenmuseum (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 13 January 2008 Johannes Schwartz: Paintbox Comprising two new installations by Schwartz, winner of the Cobra Art Prize Amstelveen 2007. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.0017.00), until 13 January 2008 Barcelona 1900 Celebrating the astonishing transformation of this vibrant city between 1880 and 1909, reflected in paintings, drawings, sculptures and
22 designs by the likes of Picasso, Isidre Nonell, Santiago Rusiñol, Alexandre de Riquer, Ramon Casas and Gaudí. Van Gogh Museum (Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun 10.0018.00, Fri 10.00-22.00), until 20 January 2008
Amsterdam Weekly Richard Hawkins: Of Two Minds, Simultaneously Presenting the first comprehensive retrospective in Europe of the American artist Richard Hawkins. De Appel (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 3 February 2008
singing stars, but also for Ajax, the Royal family, TV show Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden and saucy gothic culture. With photos by Raimond Wouda. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 24 February 2008
Video Vortex.2 A sequel to the exhibition Video Vortex, which responded to the Web 2.0 phenomenon. Montevideo/Time Based Arts (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 3 February 2008
Aap, vis, boek. Linnaeus in Amsterdam Celebrating the 300th birthday of the renowned botanist in style, by displaying extremely rare books and other treasures of the period Linnaeus spent in Amsterdam. UvA: Special Collections Library (Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 25 February 2008
Modern Masterworks from Moscow Paintings and drawings made by Russian-Jews living under the rule of Stalin, displayed for the first time in the Netherlands. Joods Historisch Museum (Daily 11.00-17.00), until 10 February 2008 The Birds of America The Birds of America It’s officially the most expensive book in the world, and since you probably don’t have a copy of John James Audubon’s masterwork to flick through at home, Teylers Museum is showing off the engravings and prints in their copy. Teylers Museum (Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00), Haarlem, until 20 January 2008
Rembrandt, the Etcher Around 100 portraits, landscapes, figure studies and bible scenes showcasing the famous etching techniques of the old master. Rembrandthuis (Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.0017.00), until 10 February 2008
Van Gogh en Bernard: een kunstenaarsvriendschap Revealing the significant friendship between the crazy painter and Emile Bernard, with paintings, drawings and letters that display their unrelenting exchange of ideas and art. Van Gogh Museum (MonThur, Sat, Sun 10.00-18.00, Fri 10.00-22.00), until 27 January 2008
Jacqueline Hassink: The Power Show A retrospective from this New York-based Dutch photographer in which power is the predominant theme. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 24 February 2008
Alberto De Michele: Adriano An installation focused on an Italian bank robber, who for a period of time was hiding in Amsterdam. De Appel (Tues-Sun 11.0018.00), until 3 February 2008
Document Nederland: Fans The tenth annual Document Nederland photography exhibition. The title of this year’s exhibition is Fans, and looks at the enthusiasm for a range of subjects, not only for famous
Jacqueline Hassink: The Power Show
De Service Garage Amsterdam’s newest artistic space, from the people who brought you the HorseMoveProjectSpace. Contributing artists include Frank Ammerlaan, Thijs Rhijnsburger, Arik Visser, Maurice van Daalen and many more. De Service Garage (WedSun 13.00-18.00), closing Sunday Hans Broek Paintings by the New Yorker. Torch Gallery (Thur-Sat 14.00-18.00), closing Monday Passion for Photography Poetic photos from Annelies Damen, Elizabeth Kleinveld and Frédérique Vlamings. VakZuid (Mon-Thur 10.00-13.00, Fri 10.0015.00), closing Monday
Giotto in Amsterdam Giotto’s cycle of frescoes in the Arena chapel in Padua reproduced in a scale model. Bijbels Museum (Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.0017.00), until 2 March 2008
Lisa Oppenheim Solo exhibition featuring two photographic and cinematic projects: By Faith and Industry and Killed Negatives, After Walker Evans. Galerie Juliette Jongma (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00, first Sun of month 14.00-17.00), until 29 December
Weegee An exhibition of work by the legendary photographer Weegee, regarded as the prototypical modern photojournalist and one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. His uncompromising and unprettified photographs have an immediate, almost violent impact. They show crimes and accidents in the New York of the 1930s and 1940s, but also document life and events on the streets of the city. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 5 March 2008
China Now Featuring 75 works by 40 artists, many of which come from the Essl Museum in Vienna, this exhibition aims to highlight some of the best examples of contemporary Chinese avant-garde art. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 27 January 2008
Galleries
Well-Cast: 5000 Years of Bronze Archaeological exhibition highlighting the origins and use of bronze over the ages. Allard Pierson Museum (Tues-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 2 March 2008
Traces of War—Survivors of the Burma and Sumatra Railways Portrait photos of twenty four men who worked as forced labourers on railways near the Burmese-Thai border and in Sumatra during WWII. Verzetsmuseum (Tues-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat-Mon 12.00-17.00), until 3 March 2008
Bogotá—The Proud Revival of a City Some 20 years ago, the Columbian capital was in a seemingly hopeless state while undergoing rapid growth. In the relatively short space of time since, Bogotá has triumphantly managed to deal with the problems caused by such growth. ARCAM (Tues-Sat 13.0017.00), until 26 January 2008
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Karel Du Jardin Italian landscapes and aristocratic portraits by the 17th century painter. Rijksmuseum (Daily 09.00-18.00), until 16 March 2008 Bisj Poles—Sculptures From the Rainforest An exhibition of 58 bisj poles from New Guinea, brought to life in a thrilling combination of light, sound and film. Tropenmuseum (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 13 April 2008 Art Nouveau The best of French and Russian art nouveau. Hermitage Amsterdam (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 5 May 2008
Offline #6 Selections from the exhibitors of ArtOlive Jong Talent ‘07. ArtOlive (Mon-Fri 11.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00), until 30 December A Little Bit Goes A Long Way Part two of this sound inspired collection featuring works and performances by Chris Watson (ex Cabaret Voltaire), Ron Wright (ex Hula), Andy Eccleston, Neil Webb and Matthew Harrison. Consortium, until 30 December Jehsong Baak: Là ou ailleurs Stark black-and-white photos from the talented South Korean artist, now living and working in Paris. Hup Gallery (Tues, Thur, Fri 10.00-17.00), until 31 December Rini Brakkee Drawings and collages. Visible Art (MonFri 10.00-20.00, Sat-Sun 12.00-20.00), until 31 December C.A.R.L. Center for the Advancement of Recreation and Leisure Which is a long way of saying diverse works by Eric von Robertson. W139 (Daily 11.0019.00), until 2 January 2008 Masao Yamamoto A site specific installation of numerous small photographs by Japanese artist Masao Yamamoto and a selection of framed individual works that he recently made. Typically these consist of photographs of birds, trees, mountains, skies and nudes, and can be viewed as visual haikus. Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00), until 5 January 2008
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008 China Now Now The latest sideshow of the contemporary Chinese art circuit currently in the Netherlands. With paintings, sculpture and photography from a diverse selection of modern avant-garde artists from China. Canvas International Art (Thur-Sat 14.0018.00), Amstelveen, until 5 January 2008 Isn’t it Enough? De schizofrene wereld van Pyongyang en Beijing Photography by Joost van Buul, Geertjan Cornelissen, Jan Dijkshoorn and Maarten Noordijk, cataloguing their journeys through China and North Korea during spring 2007. Galerie 37 (Thur-Sun 12.00-17.00), Haarlem, until 6 January 2008 Perception of Reality An exhibition that is about people who do not—or cannot—follow the path of society. Works by Aram Tanis, Jacolijn Verhoef, Mieke Woestenburg, Tobias Zielony and Rob van der Nol. Arti et Amicitiae (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Mounir Fatmi: In Search of Paradise Installations and photography from the acclaimed Moroccan artist. Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten-d’Eendt (Thur-Sat 11.0018.00), until 12 January 2008 To Another Commonplace Group show. Mart House (Thur-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 12 January 2008 Redefining the Space The third exhibition in the fourpart series Creative Play, Productive Fun which investigates how the exhibition space can evolve to better adjust to a developing art world. SOCO (Thur, Fri 14.00-19.00, Sat, Sun 13.00-18.00), until 12 January 2008 KADO A light-hearted mixed media exhibition bringing warmth to the winter months. Photography, painting, ceramics and more were especially selected for their quality and suitability as gifts. Buy a work of art for yourself or someone else, and your gift will result in a donation to War Child. ABC Treehouse (Thur-Sun 13.00-18.00), until 13 January 2008 Traag Contemporary crafty and handy goodness. Arti et Amicitiae (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), until 13 January 2008 100 Stoelen Reflecting on the form, function and diversity of chairs. Lloyd Hotel (Daily), until 13 January 2008 Toru Matsuoka: The Travelling Island Conceptual imaginary works which can be viewed as either ancient or extraterrestrial. Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.30-18.30), until 19 January 2008 Kopstoot! In this multimedia project, De Brakke Grond honours thirty years of Antwerp post-punk and new underground music. The present dynamics of this vivid alternative scene are charted while simultaneously looking back on its recent history. De Brakke Grond (Mon 10.00-18.00, Tues-Fri 10.00-20.30, Sat 13.0020.30, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 20 January 2008 Femke Hiemstra: La Fenêtre Secrète A debut solo show from Hiemstra featuring paintings and drawings from her fantastical imagination. See Short List. KochxBos Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 26 January 2008 Droomstad Sandra Hoogeboom’s dreamlike photos of the changing city, typically taken from public transport. Start this art/window route at Kwakersstraat 3. Bellamy Etalage Project (Daily), until 27 January 2008 Platform21=Joyriding This winter, take a visual road trip into the imagination. Not a car show but an aesthetic joyride, it’s about form and feeling rather than engineering. Platform 21 (Wed-Sun 12.00-19.00), until 3 February 2008
somewhat limited, but it’s all the more special for it. For locations and reservations email nancy@wiltink.nl. In Dutch. Various locations, (20-24, 27-30 Dec 20.00), free Poetry: De Grens Over Dutch poetry with Arnoud van Adrichem, Lucas Hüsgen, Erik Lindner and Nina Targan Mouravi. Perdu, (21 Dec 20.30), €6 Multidisciplinary: Re__, een remix James Bond meets Kill Bill, Bach meets The Verve, the ’80s meets 2008... with film, music and art reworked and distorted in this chaotic performance evening hosting students from the ArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, (21 Dec 22.00), €7.50 Music/Dance: SPIN OFF—Finale 2007 A hiphop breakdance event without boundaries. All forms of urban dance are represented in this lively contest. And since urban dance requires music, the line-up also promises a diverse array of DJs, VJs and performers. Melkweg, (22 Dec 14.00), €10 Sport: Fight4Life Kickboxing event for charity. Het Zonnehuis, (22 Dec 18.30), €25 Poetry/Music: Je Bent zo Mooi Anders Poetry, music and theatre with Mar-Lin Schut and the Enesco Quartet. In Dutch. Pakhuis de Zwijger, (22 Dec 20.30), €15 Film: Future Shorts The cutting-edge of short films, hosted by MeccaPANZA Netherlands. OT301, (23 Dec 17.00, 21.00), €5 Performance: Apassionata—Four Seasons Tour Horses, horses everywhere and not a glue joke to be fair. Little girls and some adults too, hope this show makes dreams come true. But the cost of hay it rises so, and soon your wallet holds no dough. RAI, (26-29 Dec 15.00, 27-29 Dec 20.00), €25-€65 Festival: Tangomagia For the love of tango, this fiveday programme features workshops from international tango stars, demonstrations and live performances, marking the 10th edition of the festival. Venues this time include Melkweg, De Duif, Hotel Arena, Crea and Beurs van Berlage, and whether you’re desperate to see a host of Argentine maestros strut their stuff or work the floor yourself, there’s something for all tango lovers. See Short List and www.tangomagia.com. Various locations, (26-30 Dec at various time), various prices Games night: ABC Games Day Discover new games and meet new players. The Treehouse is also hosting game demonstrations, from easy and quick card games to large strategy board games. Drinks and snacks are provided. ABC Treehouse, (27 Dec 13.0021.00), free Walk: Museum Tours & City Walks This month’s theme is ‘High Flyers: Famous Amsterdammers and their time’. A guided tour of the museum precedes at 12.30. In English. Amsterdams Historisch Museum, (29 Dec 14.00), €15 excl museum entry: reserve at info@amsterdamcitywalks.com
ADDRESSES 11 Oosterdokskade 3-5, 625 5999 ABC Treehouse Voetboogstraat 11, 423 0967 AdK Actuele Kunst Prinsengracht 534, 320 9242 Allard Pierson Museum Oude Turfmarkt 127, 525 2556 Amsterdams Historisch Museum Kalverstraat 92, 523 1822 De Appel Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10, 625 5651 ARCAM Prins Hendrikkade 600, 620 4878 Arti et Amicitiae Rokin 112, 624 5134 ArtOlive Polonceaukade 17, 675 8504 AYAC'S Keizersgracht 166, 638 5240
EVENTS
Badcuyp 1e Sweelinckstraat 10, 675 9669 Bellamy Etalage Project Bellamyplein Bethaniënklooster Barndesteeg 6, 625 0078 Bijbels Museum Herengracht 366-368, 624 2436
Performance: Winterparade Didn’t get enough of De Parade this summer? Well, the concept is making a spectacular return to the majestic Gashouder at Westergasfabriek over the festive period. Theatre, music, dance, film, cartoons and humour are wrapped up in Christmas paper, while performers attempt to dazzle your senses. Comprised of live musicians, stunt experts, dancers, modern theatre specialists, virtual performers and artists, each night will be a case of ‘expect the unexpected’, providing a true alternative to the traditional Christmas circus concept. There’s even dining beforehand and partying afterwards. The closing event on 31 December is also a mighty New Year’s bash. See Short List and www.winterparade.nl. Westergasfabriek, (20-24, 26-31 Dec 18.00), €35, (€55 New Year's Party)
Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3, 788 2150
Performance: Novena in Noord For nine festive nights in Noord, you’re invited into very special homes to enjoy a story and a little musical performance. Seeing as events take place in living rooms, space is
Comedy Theater Nes 110
Bitterzoet Spuistraat 2, 521 3001 Boom Chicago Leidseplein 12, 530 7300 De Brakke Grond Nes 45, 626 6866 Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina Veemkade 576, 419 3368 Cafe Vaaghuyzen Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 17 De Cameleon 3e Kostverlorenkade 35, 489 4656 Canvas International Art Fokkerlaan 46, Amstelveen, 428 6040 Carré Amstel 115-125, 524 9452 Casablanca Circus at Strand West Centrale Bibliotheek Oosterdokskade 143, 523 0900 Club 8 Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B, 685 1703 Club La Kerkstraat 50-52 Club Meander Voetboogstraat 3, 625 8430 Club Olele Utrechtsestraat 16 CoBrA Museum Sandbergplein 1-3, Amstelveen, 547 5050 Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6, 671 8345 Consortium Veemkade 570, 06 2611 8950 Cotton Club Nieuwmarkt 5, 626 6192
CREA Cafe Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1423 CREA Muziekzaal Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 CREA Theater Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 Cruise Inn Zuiderzeeweg 29, 692 7188 DanceStreet 1e Rozendwarsstraat 10, 489 7676 De Engelenbak Nes 71, 626 3644 English Reformed Church Begijnhof 48, 624 9665 Flex Bar Pazzanistraat 1, 486 2123 Foam Keizersgracht 609, 551 6546 Frascati Nes 63, 626 6866 Galerie 37 Groot Heiligland 37, Haarlem, 023 551 8432 Galerie Bart Bloemgracht 2, 320 6208 Ferdinand van Dieten-d'Eendt Spuistraat 270, 626 5777 Galerie Gabriel Rolt Elandsgracht 34, 785 5146 Galerie Juliette Jongma Gerard Douplein 23, 463 6904 Galerie Paul Andriesse Withoedenveem 8, 623 6237 Galerie Roger Katwijk Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198-200, 627 3808 Gallery Wies Willemsen Ruysdaelkade 25, 470 1073 Gist Veemkade 364 Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Dam 8, 554 9111 Heineken Music Hall ArenA Boulevard 590, 0900 300 1250 Hermitage Amsterdam Nieuwe Herengracht 14, 530 8751 De Hollandsche Manege Vondelstraat 140 Hotel Arena ’s-Gravesandestraat 51, 850 2400 Huis Marseille Keizersgracht 401, 531 8989 Hup Gallery Tesselschadestraat 15, 515 8589 Ignatiushuis Beulingstraat 11, 679 8207 IISG Cruquiusweg 31, 668 5866 Joods Historisch Museum Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4, 531 0310 KochxBos Gallery 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 3-5, 681 4567 De Kring Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 7-9, 623 6985 Lloyd Hotel Oostelijke Handelskade 34, 419 1840 Loods 6 KNSM Laan 143, 418 2020 Maloe Melo Lijnbaansgracht 163, 420 4592 Mart House Prinsengracht 529, 627 5187 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 Muziekgebouw Piet Heinkade 1, 788 2010 Het Muziektheater Amstel 3, 625 5455 NDSM-werf TT Neveritaweg 15, 330 5480 Nieuwe Kerk entrance on the Dam, 638 6909 Nyingma Centrum Reguliersgracht 25, 620 5207 OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134, 671 7778 Odeon Singel 460, 624 9711 Oosterkerk Kleine Wittenburgerstraat 1, 627 2280 Oranjekerk 2e Van der Helststraat 3, 489 7048 OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 P60 Stadsplein 100A, Amstelveen, 023 345 3445 Pacific Parc Polonceaukade 23, 488 7778 Pakhuis de Zwijger Piet Heinkade 179-181, 788 4444 Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8, 626 4521 Passenger Terminal Amsterdam Piet Heinkade 27, 509 1000 Patronaat Zijlsingel 2, Haarlem, 023 517 5858 Perdu Kloveniersburgwal 86, 627 6295 Platform 21 Prinses Irenestraat 19, 344 9449 The Powerzone Spaklerweg, 681 8866 PRIK Spuistraat 109, 06 4544 2321 RAI Europaplein 22, 549 1212 Rembrandthuis Jodenbreestraat 4, 520 0400 Rijksmuseum Jan Luykenstraat 1, 674 7000 De Service Garage Stephensonstraat 16 Skek Zeedijk 4-8, 427 0551 Shram Film Studios Grasweg 50, 634 5123 SOCO Bloemstraat 162, 06 1400 2961 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 Studio Apart Prinsengracht 715, 422 2748 Studio K Timorplein 62, 692 0422 Sugar Factory Lijnbaansgracht 238, 627 0008 Supperclub Jonge Roelensteeg 15, 344 6400 Supperclub Cruise Dock 4 behind Central Station Teylers Museum Spaarne 16, Haarlem, 023 516 0960 The Vault Prins Hendrikkade 194 Theater Bellevue Leidsekade 90, 530 5301 Toomler Breitnerstraat 2, 670 7400 Torch Gallery Lauriergracht 94, 626 0284 Transformatorhuis Westergasterrein Tropenmuseum Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8200 Under the Grand Chapiteau Next to ArenA, 621 1288 UvA: Special Collections Library Oude Turfmarkt 129, 525 2141 VakZuid Olympisch Stadion 35, 570 8400 Van Gogh Museum Paulus Potterstraat 7, 570 5200 Verzetsmuseum Plantage Kerklaan 61, 620 2535 Visible Art Nieuwezijdsvoorburgwal 114 W139 Warmoesstraat 139, 622 9434 Waalse Kerk Oudzijdsachterburgwal 159, 623 2074 Westergasfabriek Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 586 0710 Westergasterras Klönneplein 3, 475 1412 Westerliefd Klönneplein 4-6 Winston Kingdom Warmoesstraat 129, 623 1380 Witzenhausen Gallery 2 Elandsstraat 145, 644 9898 Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery Weteringschans 37, 06 1437 0995 Zaal 100 De Wittenstraat 100, 688 0127 Het Zonnehuis Zonneplein 30, 631 5152
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Amsterdam Weekly
24
Birdybrained Thai Snackbar Bird Zeedijk 77, 420 6289 Open daily 01.00-22.00 Cash One cold night, the Glutton peered into a tiny little nest of a snack bar. All 21 seats were taken by strange, squawking migratory birds, leaving no room at the feeder for this stuffed grouse. Inside the tiny kitchen, the Thai chef threw a handful of thinly sliced veggies into a smoking wok. Foosh! Flames flared up. Fish sauce was dashed in to join the pungent ginger, garlic and chillies. The chef briefly scowled at my idle feather-brained grin, pressed against the window pane, before continuing her whirling armed dinner dance. Shoo! her eyes had said. So I flew off, seeking something else to peck on. The next day around lunchtime, this goony bird returned. The snack bar was now empty, except for the staff that was busy prepping for the day. Big stockpots were boiling and bubbling on the stove. The air was full, steamy and aromatic. A big pile of those tiny but incredibly hot bird-eyed chillies awaited attention. Parcels of meat were being unwrapped, portioned and packed away. The waiter was peeling garlic cloves. This was more like it. A homey atmosphere. ‘Hello, wha’ you wan’?’ asked the chef. ‘Lunch,’ I replied. ‘No problem, no problem. Sit, sit.’ I ordered a snack portion of sweet Thai spare ribs with chilli sauce (€4), some sour and spicy Tom Yam Kai chicken soup (€4), and that
THE UNDERCOVER GLUTTON It wasn’t bad, though it wasn’t wonderful either. My eyes and nose ran, so at least it cured the sinus problems in my beak. week’s special made up of a minced chicken dish with rice, oyster sauce, chillies, garlic, fried onions and basil (€9). My order arrived faster than anticipated.
The ribs were from a bain-marie (perhaps they were prepared earlier since they were a bit dried out but still acceptable). The Tom Yam soup was hot, rough, sour and commercial. All
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
you need is bouillon liquid, a large wedge of imported prepared Thai paste to stir in along with some thinly sliced chicken breast slivers, a few mushroom shards and fresh coriander to garnish. I asked for some coconut milk to soften down the rough tone. It wasn’t bad, though it wasn’t wonderful either. My eyes and nose ran, so at least it cured the sinus problems in my beak. The chicken dish was good. The chillies made me groan and sweat. I opened the sambal jar on the table. The sliced red and green babes lay under oil. A deadly mushroom cloud wafted out from it and made my eyes water. Only a dodo (or some crazed macho) would prove mad enough to spoon it on these already spicy dishes. More people arrived for lunch. Two young Americans discussed building work; apparently an acquaintance’s flat needed refurbishing. A Surinamese couple sat examining the menu before choosing a snack assortment as a starter. A middle-aged Thai gentleman entered and was warmly greeted. The respect he was paid gave him ‘employer’ or ‘someone of note’ status on the pecking order. The chef started producing magic for him. A large oval dish appeared with a whole fish, deep fried with ginger, garlic and chillies. More plates, one with a bunch of fresh coriander leaves, which he picked at between mouthfuls. There were noodles, with interesting colourful things wok-tossed around it. He kept wiping his brow and neck with paper napkins. The strength of the spices must have been potent enough to fuse glass. Meanwhile he engaged in friendly banter with the chef about the food. I felt left out. Thai Snackbar Bird has a momma bird across the road, with a broader menu and where you may take time to spend your evening, conduct a romance or swap travel experiences. But my real advice is to Thai both out for yourself. I’ll certainly be swooping back for more.
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
25 George is both depressed and blessed.
This Christmas classic is a powerful feel-good film despite it’s dark side. Actually, it’s a film about depression.
MONEY & DESPAIR, TEMPTATION & FEAR FILM It’s a Wonderful Life Filmmuseum, 22-30 December By Marie-Claire Melzer
Director Frank Capra always said that the 1946 Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life was his favourite film. And perhaps it was also his most personal project: he
was no stranger to despair himself. One of the most desperate moments in his life must have been on the Oscar night of 16 March 1934. Capra, the son of poor Sicilian immigrants, had started out in Hollywood as an extra in The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1919). He then worked his way up, becoming a lab assistant, gag writer, scriptwriter and finally director. His
career so far had been a string of small successes, big flops and fierce fights with producers. But tonight he had made it to the Oscars, nominated for best director for Lady for a Day. So when host Will Rogers opened the envelope and said: ‘Come on up and get it, Frank!’ Capra jumped up and ran to the stage. But strangely enough the spotlights couldn’t find him. They were lighting up another Frank: Frank Lloyd... That night Capra drank himself into oblivion and swore he would never go up on that stage again. Having co-wrote the script for It’s a Wonderful Life, Capra probably put a lot of his own despair into main character, George Bailey (James Stewart), an ordinary guy from a small town called Bedford Falls. As a kid George dreams of going to university, making a fortune and seeing the world. But he ends up taking over his dad’s small mortgage company,
struggling to make ends meet and never leaving town. On Christmas Eve when George faces bankruptcy, he snaps. He is about to jump off a bridge when an angel steps in. After George wishes that he had never been born, the angel shows him what that would have been like. Bedford Falls has been taken over by the rich scrooge Potter and renamed Pottersville. The Bailey Building & Loan company has closed, leaving no one to provide loans to ordinary people to build a home. (Reminiscent of the current American housing crisis.) His hometown has become a Sin City, while his wife, Mary (Donna Reed), remains an old maid. Of course George realises, in the end, that though not all of his dreams have come true, he is blessed in many other ways. The 1940s were the heyday of film noir, and one could argue that It’s a Wonderful Life is actually a film noir played backwards. There is a hero in despair; there are two women fighting for his love (Mary’s rival is the platinum-blonde Violet, played by Gloria Grahame); and there is the temptation of big money (George gets a job offer from the ruthless Potter). But unlike the typical noir hero, George doesn’t make the bad decisions. He chooses the ‘good’ Mary over the tarty Violet—and even manages to stay friends with Violet, very un-noir—while declining Potter’s offer of tainted money. And Capra? Well, he did go on stage the next year, to receive his Oscar as Best Director for It Happened One Night. Two more would follow, in 1937 for Mr Deeds Goes to Town, and in 1939 for You Can’t Take It with You.
Five-Word Movie Review
FILM
Edited by Julie Phillips.This week’s films reviewed by Massimo Benvegnù (MB),René Glas (RG),Pat Graham (PG),Luuk van Huët (LvH),JR Jones (JJ),Dave Kehr (DK),Marie-Claire Melzer (MM),Mike Peek (MP),Julie Phillips (JP),Bart Plantenga (BP),Gusta Reijnders (GR),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.
Festival Roze Filmdagen The annual gay and lesbian film event runs through Sunday. Don’t miss Puccini for Beginners, the new romantic comedy by Maria Maggenti (The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love). See www.rozefilmdagen.nl. De Balie, Cavia
New this week 2 Days in Paris New York sweethearts Marion (Julie Delpy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) are on holiday in Europe and boy, is it hell. Venice was terrible enough, but when they reach Paris to visit Marion’s parents, the culture clash is overwhelming. Every man in the city seems to have had an affair with Marion, and her family’s sense of humour is driving Jack crazy. 2 Days in Paris is the exact opposite of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, the bittersweet films that brought Delpy modest fame. She wrote and directed this movie herself, showing the other side of love and relationships: the side that hurts, annoys and drives people apart even if they seem destined for each other. A malicious delight, it is laugh-out-loud funny and, in a surprisingly tender finale, very touching as well. (MP) 96 min. The Movies, De Uitkijk
ULTIMATE MIRROR FOR THE SEASON La Grande Bouffe De Roode Bioscoop
Roze Filmdagen Elizabeth: The Golden Age Director Shekhar Kapur’s sequel to Elizabeth, the film that cemented Cate Blanchett’s status as a great actress, certainly looks effulgently royal, but all its luster cannot compensate for the directionless script. It ambulates from proper period drama to romantic comedy, stopping off at political intrigue and getting lured into a historical battle along the way, never finding a consistent tone. Even though Blanchett is, as always, a compelling and alluring screen presence and the ladies will probably enjoy Clive Owen in tights, the narrative meandering, the historical inaccuracies and the way the film extols the virtues of English imperialism make this a mediocre effort. (LvH) Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski I Am Legend Will Smith plays an army scientist and survivor of a human-caused pandemic that has turned most of the world’s population into zombies. Living in a ruined New York City with only his dog as company, he tries to come up with a vaccine that could save the human (and canine) race. This third cinematic adaptation of Richard Matheson’s classic 1954 science fiction novel (the earlier two were The Last Man on Earth and The Omega Man) gets the Dumb Hollywood Blockbuster treatment—CGI and a
right-wing political agenda erase most of the ethical, philosophical and logistical questions that arose from its pages. As good as Smith is, Vincent Price must be rolling in his grave. Avoid this like the plague. (MB) 100 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Man to Remember, A The 1938 directorial debut
of playwright and screenwriter Garson Kanin (Adam’s Rib, Born Yesterday) gets re-released by the Filmmuseum alongside their Capra retrospective. And indeed, we could very well be looking at a Capra picture here. (He was Kanin’s favourite director.) This three-hankie character study about a small-town doctor (Edward Ellis) and the legacy he left behind in his community, told in reverse starting from the doctor’s funeral, was relegated to B-picture status at the time, but it has aged gracefully. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo still holds up very well, and the acting is superb. The Filmmuseum found and restored the only remaining copy of this gem. (MB) 80 min. Filmmuseum Moordwijven At least one thing is constant: in the 12 years since Dick Maas (De Lift, Amsterdamned) made his last Dutch-language feature, his sense of humour hasn’t changed. Unfortunately for him, our appreciation has. In Moordwijven we find the same lewdness and political incorrectness he already—
and more successfully—employed in Flodder (1986). The story: three rich-brat housewives plan to assassinate one of their adulterous husbands. The film does have some funny moments (especially one concerning a pool boy that one of the gals picks up at a refugee centre) but overall Moordwijven is a relic, a memento of more shabby days, when a pair of bare breasts were considered nice assets. (BS) 100 min. Het Ketelhuis, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt P.S. I Love You Yet another movie about a live woman (Hilary Swank) in love with a dead man (Gerard Butler). What is Hollywood trying to tell us? Directed by Richard LaGravenese (Freedom Writers); with Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon and Kathy Bates. 120 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski
Still playing 4 maanden, 3 weken en 2 dagen Romanian cinema seems to have found a niche for sober, socially committed dramas. After The Death of Mr Lazarescu (the failing health care system) and 12:08 East of Bucharest (the revolution of 1989), Cristian Mungiu’s 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days focuses on the ban on abortion under Ceauşescu. Student Otilia agrees to help her roommate Gabita with the preparations for an illegal termination of her pregnancy. But to see 4, 3, 2 only as an anti-abortion film would be to
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Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
2 Days in Paris film won this year’s Palme d’Or in Cannes. In Romanian with Dutch subtitles. (BS) Cinecenter, Rialto Adam’s Apples Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, who might be the hottest thing from Denmark since certain cartoons, this black comedy stars Mads Mikkelsen, ‘the Danish Johnny Depp’, as Ivan, an insanely optimistic preacher with severe problems who rehabilitates ex-cons in his rural church. Adam (Ulrich Thomsen), a recently released neo-Nazi, arrives to test his fate repeatedly, leading to a clash of conflicting ideologies. Whether the film is moralistic or nihilistic is anyone’s guess, but it didn’t garner a Silver Scream Award at the AFFF for nothing, and the very Scandinavian undercurrent of dark humour keeps the film enjoyable and fresh during most of the running time. In Danish with Dutch subtitles. (LvH) 94 min. Studio K
Alles is liefde Alles is liefde (‘Love Is All’) doesn’t
miss the point. Their act is merely the tool with which
the two women’s friendship is tested and proven. The
even try to hide the fact that it copied its structure directly from that other affection-obsessed ensemble piece, Love Actually. But in this case, it’s actually an improvement. Again people are lovelorn during the holiday season (with as Dutch flavour Sinterklaas instead of Christmas). Screenwriter Kim van Kooten and director Joram Lürsen (In Oranje) actually manage to make the story tight and focused, sentimental but not overly melodramatic. The film boasts a nice ensemble cast (Carice van Houten, Anneke Blok, Thomas Acda), with the real show-stopper Michiel ‘Jiskefet’ Romeyn as a gruff substitute Sint. In Dutch. (BS) 110 min. Het Ketelhuis, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski American Gangster Two of Hollywood’s acting juggernauts, Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, star as bad guy and supercop; Ridley Scott was the lucky guy who got the directing job. The film follows the maneuvers of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas (Washington) and narc Richie Roberts (Crowe), who is trying to nail him for his crimes. It’s hard at times to tell good guy from bad: Roberts’s workaholism and womanising are wrecking his marriage, while heroin dealer Lucas is portrayed as a devoted family man and hero of the people. The result is an ethically dubious but cinematographically impressive look at New York in the corrupt 1970s. With Ruby Dee (as Frank’s mom) and Chiwetel Ejiofor. (RG) 157 min. Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Cow-
ard Robert Ford Brad Pitt delivers his performance as James with exactly the right mix of magnetic charm and lingering malice, while Casey Affleck is convincing as Ford, James’s admirer who joins his gang and eventually kills him. The dreamy visuals with golden lighting help to re-create the myth of the heroic train robber; the story, however, is interestingly out of sync with the visuals, often contradicting them by showing James’s nasty, violent side. Director Andrew Dominik does a brilliant job of dissecting the aura around the famous outlaw while at the same time reviving it. Look out for Nick Cave, who did the music and has a small part as, well, himself, had he been born a century ago, in the Wild West. (MM) 160 min. Kriterion
Atonement
Atonement Based on the novel by Ian McEwan,
adapted by Christopher Hampton and directed by Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice), Atonement tells the story of a single tragic lie with horrendous consequences. This genre-melding film opens in 1935, when 13-yearold fledgling writer Briony Tallis accuses her older sister’s boyfriend of a crime he didn’t commit. Five years later, at the start of the Second World War, the young man is released from prison on the condition he join the army. In 1999, Briony as a dying novelist still feels she has to atone for bearing false witness.
Starring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave, Atonement is one beautiful film. (GR) Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé De Munt, Studio K Azur & Asmar In this animated French fantasy by Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress), two boys, one blond, the other dark, become rivals in the quest to free a fairy princess. Showing dubbed into Dutch, alas. Het Ketelhuis Bee Movie Jerry Seinfeld voices the central character in this Dreamworks feature as well as cowriting and producing. If part of the premise is that zillions of bees can collectively run a honey factory or land an airplane, another part seems to be that zillions of one-liners can add up to a narrative that works as an ecological parable while equating reality with brandname recognition. The whole thing’s pretty cute and breezy, but don’t expect logic or coherence. With Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman and Chris Rock. (JR) 92 min. Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski Beowulf Using motion-capture technology and state of the art CGI to bring the oldest English tale around to intense 3D life has a nice ironic touch to it, but this rambling film by Robert Zemeckis is more of a theme park ride than an actual movie. Take away the 3D gimmick and this animated picture feels flat, sophomoric and silly, even if it consistently looks fantabulous and Angelina Jolie is shiny and sort of naked. Scriptwriters Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman have done their best fleshing out the source material, but their work is sullied by a smattering of juvenile dick jokes. (LvH) 114 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Blindsight In Tibet, blindness is regarded with superstition and children born sightless are often rejected by their families. This documentary by Lucy Walker follows six blind Himalayan teenagers who refuse to let their handicap stop them: led by the blind mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer, they attempt the ascent of a 7000-metre Himalayan peak. Blindsight won audience prizes at the Berlin and Los Angeles film festivals. In Tibetan/German with Dutch subtitles. 104 min. Rialto, De Uitkijk
California Dreamin’ Loosely based on real events—in 1999, a NATO train on its way to Kosovo got stranded in a Romanian town—this film by Cristian Nemescu transforms a reality bite into a parable of modern Romania. The film is overlong and still a little rough around the edges (Nemescu died in a car crash before the final cut), but by the end most things have smoothed out. Nemescu finds humanity in all the characters and tackles a lot of social issues, all without getting heavy-handed. You understand why the film won Un Certain Regard in Cannes: not for sentimental reasons, but because this really is a diamond in the rough. In Romanian/English with Dutch subtitles. (BS) 155 min. Filmmuseum, Het Ketelhuis Control The lives of artists are a rewarding source
of inspiration for filmmakers. They are idols, charming, but also almost always tragically flawed. This biopic on singer/songwriter Ian Curtis could have been a textbook case. Thankfully, photographer and video director Anton Corbijn dares to be critical: Ian isn’t a tragic hero, but a bit of a wimp who uses his band as an escape from his own incompetence as a husband, a father and a breadwinner. When his wife confronts him with the fact that he never broke up with his lover, he whimpers: ‘I tried, but she won’t go away!’ The film is beautifully shot in black-and-white, though the stark contrasts and grey hues serve mainly to underline the desolation of the Manchester suburbs, and of Ian himself. (BS) 119 min. The Movies, Studio K The Diving Bell and the Butterfly The latest from painter-turned-director Julian Schnabel (Basquiat) is a poetic, moving filmed version of the memoir by Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who at age 43 suffered a stroke that paralysed his entire body except his left eyelid. With Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner. In French/English with Dutch subtitles. 112 min. Studio K Earth This full-length documentary version of the British TV series Planet Earth follows a polar bear fami-
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Lost Horizon, see Special screenings ly, a herd of elephants and two humpback whales in their daily struggle for survival. Directed by Alastair Fothergill (Deep Blue) and Mark Linfield. 96 min. Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski, De Uitkijk
Eastern Promisis
Eastern Promises Superficially, this latest endeav-
our by Canadian cult favourite David Cronenberg is a supremely made gangster flick with great performances and ditto production values. But underneath the surface, the director explores his familiar obsessions: identity, violence and the human body. When nurse Anna (Naomi Watts) starts investigating the life of a young Russian prostitute who died giving birth, she soon attracts unwanted attention from local mob boss Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his mercurial son Kirill (Vincent Cassel) and his mysterious driver Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen). While the cast is top-notch, Mortensen is stellar, baring body and soul for the part. (LvH) 100 min. Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Enchanted Disney tries to kill two birds with one stone with this good-hearted story about an animated princess who suddenly finds herself in unfriendly New York, where nobody lives happily ever after. The movie desperately wants to be both a mild parody and a sincere fairy tale. Director Kevin Lima (who did the Disney Tarzan) has some fun with this Snow White with a twist: when princess Giselle (Amy Adams) cleans up a New York apartment she enlists the help of local vermin. But despite all its efforts it works mostly as a fairy tale, rather than as a clever hybrid à la Rob Reiner’s Princess Bride. With the voices of Julie Andrews, Susan Sarandon and Timothy Spall. (BS) 107 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt,
27
Chunking Express, see Special screenings Pathé Tuschinski Fados After Carlos Saura made his series of Flamenco films, the Portuguese invited him to do a similar job on their national musical form, the fado. Featuring a lineup of great musicians, including Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso—who aren’t exactly fado singers, but who’s counting? In Portuguese with Dutch subtitles. 90 min. Rialto Fred Claus In this dully innocuous kiddie movie, Vince Vaughn plays Saint Nick’s disreputable older brother, a Chicago repo man who calls home looking for bail money and gets drafted to help out with the year’s gift-giving. Like so many big-studio Christmas comedies, this isn’t naughty enough to be funny or nice enough to be uplifting; it’s just an ugly sweater from a distant relative, thoughtlessly sent and destined to be thrown away. David Dobkin directed; with Paul Giamatti, Rachel Weisz and Kevin Spacey. (JJ) 116 min. Pathé ArenA The Golden Compass Philip Pullman’s story concerns Lyra Belacqua, a young orphan living at Jordan College in Oxford, who goes on a quest to save her best friend from a shadowy group of kidnappers known as Gobblers. On the way she enlists the help of the barge-dwelling Gyptians, a Texan aeronaut, flying witches and an armoured polar bear. The Golden Compass dazzles with its elaborate production design and special effects: the computer-generated dæmons are almost all full of life, and the panserbjørne are impressive in a riveting fight scene. The performances—from Nicole Kidman, Sam Elliot and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards—are top-notch as well. Yet while the makers clearly hold the source material in high regard, the film feels rushed and ultimately lacks spark. (LvH) Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski
Heimatklänge Stefan Schwietert’s documentary
opens with the Swiss musical cliché: man on a mountaintop, exuberantly yodeling. This enduring ‘Heidiland’ image keeps coming back to haunt this film about three performers whose work couldn’t be
less like the stereotype. Avant-garde vocalists Erika Stucky, Noldi Alder and Christian Zehnder have all in their own way managed to take back yodeling for art and soul. Schwietert has a talent for letting artists explain how and where they find inspiration; he follows the three musicians to key sites, where they reflect on their lives and their art. A highly watchable music documentary, gorgeous and engaging. In German with Dutch subtitles. (BP) 82 min. Filmmuseum, Het Ketelhuis Hitman Don’t be alarmed! The baldy in the suit is not the reanimated corpse of Pim Fortuyn, hell-bent on revenge, it’s Agent 47 from the video game Hitman. And while most films based on games have been thoroughly lame, Hitman the movie manages to titillate and entertain. Steely-eyed Timothy Olyphant provides just the right mixture of ruthlessness and style to the genetically engineered assassin, and even though Olga Kurylenko was brought in solely to model slinky outfits, that’ll be enough for the intended audience of this flick. If the inevitable sequel focuses more on 47 and less on convoluted plotting, I’m game. (LvH) 93 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
I Could Never Be Your Woman I Could Never Be Your Woman There’s only one word to describe director Amy Heckerling’s latest feature: zany. Forty-year-old scriptwriter Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer) is being pestered by age and Mother Nature (Tracey Ullman). Her ex has left her for a woman half his age and all romance seems over. But then she meets 29-year-old Adam (Paul Rudd). In Clueless Heckerling cast a satirical eye on Beverly Hills high school life; this time she points her acerbic arrows at a society obsessed with exterior beauty. Especially fun-
ny is Stacey Dash, who—at age 39—pokes fun at her own image as an eternal teenager. (BS) 97 min. Pathé De Munt 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 playwright (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. Het Ketelhuis, Rialto
Manufactured Landscapes Film-maker Jennifer
Baichwal trails photographer Edward Burtynsky on a tour of industrial sites in China and Bangladesh. Burtynsky is drawn to spots (and lives) that have been disfigured by commerce, and the open-endedness of his images is the key to their power. (JJ) 80 min. Kriterion Michael Clayton George Clooney is the title character, a fixer for a high-powered Manhattan law firm who’s sick of doing the company’s dirty work. When one of the attorneys (Tom Wilkinson) goes nuts, endangering the firm’s defence of an agrochemical giant against a class-action suit, Clayton is dispatched to silence him. Like The Verdict, this is a big, crowdpleasing Hollywood redemption drama in which the lonely hero not only thwarts the corporate villains in the end but silences them with a killer riposte. The plot elements are painfully familiar, but the story is just solid enough to support the entertaining star turns: Clooney is lined and wearily handsome; Wilkinson rants like King Lear; Tilda Swinton, as a corrupt counsel, is alternately ruthless and terrified. This doesn’t begin to deserve the Oscar nominations it’s likely to get, but it’s fun nonetheless. Tony Gilroy directed. (JJ) 119 min. Kriterion My Blueberry Nights Wong Kar Wai’s films have always depended on subtle communication, both
Special screenings Babel In a North African desert, two bored boys herding goats decide to try out their gun. The shot causes a chain reaction that changes the lives of an American couple (Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett), a rebellious, deaf teenage girl in Japan and a Mexican au pair caring for two American children. According to director Alejandro González Iñárritu, this is the third film in a trilogy that began with 21 Grams and Amores Perros. It’s all about relationships, love in the midst of adversity and communication. In many languages with Dutch subtitles. 142 min. Kriterion
The Bitter Tea of General Yen Frank Capra’s very
atypical drama about an American missionary (Barbara Stanwyck) taken prisoner by a Chinese warlord (Nils Asther) is not only his masterpiece but also one of the great love stories to come out of Hollywood in the ’30s—subtle, delicate, moody, mystical and passionate. Joseph Walker shot it through filters and with textured shadows that suggest Sternberg; it was not one of Capra’s commercial successes, but it beats the rest of his oeuvre by miles, and both Stanwyck and Asther are extraordinary. (JR) 88 min. Filmmuseum Eros Three-part anthology with contributions from Michelangelo Antonioni, Steven Soderbergh and Wong Kar-Wai. Antonioni's short is clumsily acted and closer to standard porn than anything else he's done, though it's also characteristic of his late work in its sensitivity to modernist architecture and its fascination with the silences and antagonisms of an unhappy couple. Steven Soderbergh's contribution is a heartless and unerotic black comedy with a 1950s setting. The one masterpiece here is Wong Kar-wai's moving The Hand, a visually exquisite and highly erotic period piece about a prostitute (Gong Li) and her
tailor (Chang Chen). In English/Mandarin/Italian with Dutch subtitles. (JR) Rialto, Dec. 29
Chungking
Express This immensely charming and energetic 1994 comedy by Wong Kar-wai, though less ambitious than Days of Being Wild (1990) or Ashes of Time (1994), provides an ideal introduction to his work. (His latest, My Blueberry Nights, comes out in two weeks.) Both of its two stories are set in presentday Hong Kong and deal poignantly with young policemen striving to get over unsuccessful romantic relationships and having unconventional encounters with women (a mob assassin and an infatuated fastfood waitress respectively). Wong’s frenetic visual style and special feeling for lonely romantics may remind you of certain French New Wave directors, but this movie isn’t a trip down memory lane; it’s a vibrant commentary on young love today, packed with punch and personality. In Cantonese/Mandarin with Dutch subtitles. (JR) 97 min. Rialto
La Grande bouffe Hilarious, stomach-turning, mor-
bid, breezy and sad fable about four men (Marcello Mastroianni, Ugo Tognazzi, Philippe Noiret and Michel Piccoli) who shut themselves up in a Parisian villa and eat themselves to death, pausing only to sample the charms of three prostitutes and the simple affections of Andréa Ferréol before expiring disgustingly one by one. Marco Ferreri directed this 1973 black comedy, which satirises two of France’s most cherished institutions: dining and whoring. In French with English subtitles. (PG) 124 min. De Roode Bioscoop Great Expectations David Lean’s classic 1946 Dickens adaptation is still a pleasure to watch; its wonderful performances include Alec Guinness in his film debut. 118 min. Pathé Tuschinski
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. Wong, who improvises his films with the actors, endlessly repeats his musical motifs and variations on a handful of images, rituals and short scenes (rainstorms, cab rides, stairways, tender and tentative hand gestures), while dressing Cheung in some of the most confining (though lovely) dresses imaginable. In Cantonese/French/Mandarin/Spanish with Dutch subtitles. (JR) 98 min. Rialto
It Happened One Night The Filmmuseum is doing
Frank Capra this month, and what better way to start than the 1934 film that practically defined the screwball comedy genre. After heiress Claudette Colbert runs away from home and into louche reporter Clark Gable, sparks and innuendo fly. My grandparents’ alltime favourite film—and they had pretty good taste. (JP) 105 min. Filmmuseum It’s a Wonderful Life The blissfully sentimental Christmas classic that’s really a film noir in reverse. See article, p. 25. 129 min. Filmmuseum The Kid The most Dickensian of Charlie Chaplin’s features (1921), with a Victorian street atmosphere and a sentimentality to match. Still, the scene in which Charlie searches the poorhouses for his lost boy (Jackie Coogan) is powerfully moving; seldom has a silent film spoken quite so clearly as in Chaplin’s mimed call of “kid! kid!” (DK) 60 min. Rialto
Lost Horizon If you want to see what a colossal Hollywood production, built for entertainment and wonder, used to look like 70 years ago, look no further. The pace is slower than in today's blockbusters, but Frank Capra's 1937 adaptation of James Hilton's novel still leaves room for cinematic amazement. A group of Westerners is fleeing China when their plane crashes in the Himalayas. A mysterious figure takes them to Shangri-La, a utopian society hidden from the rest of civilisation. This patiently reconstructed copy has been brought back to the original, 132-minute length. (MB) Filmmuseum, Dec. 29 Le Mépris A tense, sensitive and rigorous 1963 film by Jean-Luc Godard, based on Alberto Moravia’s novel A Ghost at Noon. Michel Piccoli stars as a French screenwriter unable to counter the contempt that his wife (Brigitte Bardot) builds for him as he humbles himself before a producer (Jack Palance) and a legendary director (Fritz Lang). In English/French/German/Italian with Dutch subtitles. (DK) 103 min. Kriterion Submarine After 80 years, this 1928 silent rescue drama by Frank Capra, recently restored by the Filmmuseum and shown with live music, still has its thrills. 93 min. Filmmuseum
Videodrome In Cronenberg’s 1983 cult classic, James Woods plays the programmer of a sleazy Toronto cable channel who stumbles across a mysterious pirate emission—a porno show called ‘Videodrome’. He sets out to find the producer and quickly becomes involved with a kinky talk-show hostess (Deborah Harry), expanding rubber TV sets, a bizarre religious cult and—almost incidentally—a plot to take over the world. (DK) 90 min. Kriterion
Amsterdam Weekly
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Moordwijven, see New this week spoken and unspoken. In his Hollywood debut, My Blueberry Nights, it’s clear that he’s underestimated the problems of translating those subtleties into English. The singer Norah Jones stars as a New Yorker on a soul-searching journey through America. Excellent performances by Rachel Weisz and David Strathairn (as an alcoholic couple) and Natalie Portman (as a Las Vegas poker addict) can’t make up for Jones’s blankness, or for the uninspired, glossymagazine script by Wong and Lawrence Block. (MdR) 111 min. Cinecenter, Pathé Tuschinski, Rialto Run, Fat Boy, Run Relationship comedy in which clueless guy (Simon Pegg) leaves his pregnant fiancée at the altar only to discover, five years later, that she is really his true love. With Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria; directed by David Schwimmer of Friends. 95 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt
Sicko In order to speak more credibly on the American health care system, Michael Moore decided to drop a few pounds himself. While he was at it, he also got rid of many of his cheap editing tricks, throwing out most of his manipulative voice-overs and goofy montages and replacing them with
FILM TIMES Thursday 20 December until Wednesday 2 January 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 Boys to Men (Shorts) Fri 22.00 The Bubble Thur 22.00, Sat 20.00 Days Sun 22.00 Eternal Summer Sun 22.00 Flikker Sun 20.00 King Size Thur 20.00 Lesbo Varia (Shorts) Thur 22.00 Made in Gay Holland (Shorts) Fri 20.00 Nina's Heavenly Delights Fri 20.00 Puccini for Beginners Sat 22.00 Risk, Stretch, or Die Fri 22.00 Roze Filmdagen Shock to the System Sat 22.00 Spider Lilies Thur 20.00 Tick Tock Lullaby Sat 20.00 Vivere Sun 20.00. Cavia Van Hallstraat 52-I, 681 1419 Boys to Men (Shorts) Sun 20.00 Eternal Summer Fri 20.00 Glue Thur 20.00 King Size Sun 22.00 Lesbo Varia (Shorts) Sat 20.00 Nina's Heavenly Delights Thur 22.00 Risk, Stretch, or Die Sat 22.00 Roze Filmdagen Thur-Sun Spider Lilies Fri 22.00. Cinecenter Lijnbaansgracht 236, 623 6615 4 maanden, 3 weken en 2 dagen Thur-Mon, Wed 16.15, 19.15, 21.45, Sun, Wed also 11.00, 13.30 Atonement Thur-Mon, Wed 16.00, 19.00, 21.45, Sun, Wed also 11.15 Earth Thur-Mon, Wed 16.00, 19.30, Sun, Wed also 11.00 Elizabeth:The Golden Age Thur-Mon, Wed 15.45, 19.00, 21.45, Sun, Wed also 11.15 My Blueberry Nights Thur-Mon, Wed 22.00, Sun, Wed also 13.30.
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
P.S. I Love You, see New this week poignant personal drama. Both the leaner look and the calmer style were excellent choices, resulting in a much tighter documentary than any he’s made previously, and probably also his best. (MB) 123 min. Kriterion
Tussenstand Roos (Elsie de Brauw) and Martin
(Marcel Musters) are facing a tough challenge. Their son Isaac (Stijn Koomen) has stopped communicating and Roos feels parental intervention is in order. But that means they have to listen to each other, something these two exes have never done. Director Mijke de Jong skillfully paints two different worlds: the hectic surroundings of the parents, who are constantly distracted by themselves and external stimuli; and the calm realm of Isaac, who retains the serenity of a Buddha, even while trespassing. It’s an impressive movie with confident camerawork and excellent acting. In Dutch. (BS) 80 min. Het Ketelhuis, Rialto Tuya’s Marriage In this 2007 Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear winner, director Quanan Wang takes us to Inner Mongolia, where industrial expansion is threatening the traditional nomadic way of life. We meet the headstrong Tuya, who dislocates her back
The Bitter Tea of General Yen Thur, Sat, Mon 21.30 California Dreamin' Wed 16.30 De Drie Musketiers Sun, Mon, Wed 14.00 Heimatklänge Thur-Sat, Mon 17.15 It Happened One Night Fri, Sun, Wed 21.30 It's a Wonderful Life Thur-Mon, Wed 19.00, Wed also 16.15 Man to Remember,A Thur-Mon, Wed 19.30, Thur-Sat also 17.30 Submarine Sun 16.00 De Verloren Schat van de Tempelridders II Sun, Mon, Wed 14.15 Voleurs de chevaux Thur-Sat, Wed 21.15, Mon 17.00. Het Ketelhuis Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 684 0090 Alles is liefde Thur-Sun, Wed 19.30, 21.45, Sat-Mon, Wed also 15.15 De Avonturen van het Molletje Sat-Mon, Wed 11.45 Azur & Asmar Sat-Mon, Wed 13.15 California Dreamin' Fri, Sun, Mon 16.45 De Drie Musketiers Sat-Mon, Wed 15.30 Heimatklänge Thur-Sun, Wed 19.30, Sat-Mon, Wed also 13.45 Das Leben der Anderen Thur, Sat, Wed 16.45 Moordwijven Thur-Sun, Wed 19.45, 22.00, Sat-Mon, Wed also 14.45 Tussenstand Thur-Mon, Wed 17.30 De Verloren Schat van de Tempelridders II Sat-Mon, Wed 12.00 Waar is het paard van Sinterklaas? Sat-Mon, Wed 13.00 Waitress Thur-Mon, Wed 17.15, Thur-Sun, Wed also 21.30 Willie en het wilde konijn Sat-Mon, Wed 12.00. Kriterion Roetersstraat 170, 623 1708 American Gangster Thur-Sun, Wed 21.30 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Thur-Mon, Wed 21.15 Babel Sun 14.00, Wed 17.15 Bee Movie Thur-Mon, Wed 17.00, Sat-Mon, Wed also 13.15, 15.15 Eastern Promises Thur-Mon, Wed 19.45, Fri-Mon, Wed also 21.45 De Grote vriendelijke Reus Sat-Mon, Wed 13.30 Manufactured Landscapes Thur-Mon, Wed 18.00 Le Mépris Mon 22.00 Michael Clayton Thur-Mon, Wed 19.00 Pettsons belofte Sun 11.00, Wed 15.00 Sicko Thur-Mon 18.45, Sat, Mon also 15.45 Sjakie en de Chocoladefabriek Sat-Mon, Wed 15.30 Videodrome Fri, Sat 0.00 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium Sat, Mon, Wed 13.00.
Cinema Amstelveen Plein 1960 2, Amstelveen, 547 5175 Bee Movie (NL) Sat, Sun 13.30 Evening Thur, Fri 20.30, Sat 21.00 Plop en de pinguin Sat, Sun 11.30 The Queen Thur 15.00, Sat 19.00 De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe Sat 15.30.
The Movies Haarlemmerdijk 159-165, 638 6016 2 Days in Paris daily 19.30, 21.45, Sat-Wed also 12.30 Alles is liefde daily 17.15, 19.45, 22.00, Sun also 12.00 Atonement daily 16.45, 19.15 Bee Movie (NL) Sat-Wed 15.00 Control Fri, Sat 0.00 Earth daily 17.15, 21.45, Sat-Wed also 12.15, 14.30 Eastern Promises daily 22.00, Fri, Sat also 0.10 Elizabeth: The Golden Age daily 16.30, 19.00, 21.30, Sat-Wed 11.30, 14.00 Kapitein Rob Sat-Wed 12.45 Lady Chatterley Fri, Sat 23.45 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium Sat-Wed 14.45 The Year My Parents Went on Vacation daily 17.00.
Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 The Bishop's Wife Sun, Mon 21.15
OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 Future Shorts Sun 17.00, 20.30.
one day and opts for divorce—on the condition that her new husband care not only for herself and her two young children, but also for her current, disabled husband Bater. Suitors come and go, providing some comic relief against the panorama of the Mongolian countryside. If you liked The Story of the Weeping Camel, you’re bound to love this film. I for myself sometimes got the feeling that the Mongolian steppe was overpowering Tuya’s fate, doing the story no good. In Mandarin with Dutch subtitles. (GR) 86 min. Rialto Voleurs de chevaux An Eastern European western, set in 1810, about two pairs of brothers, one in the Cossack army, the other the horse thieves of the title. Great scenery and lots of action. Directed by Micha Wald. In French with Dutch subtitles. Filmmuseum, Rialto Waitress The late Adrienne Shelly, best known for her roles in Sleep With Me and Hal Hartley’s Trust and The Unbelievable Truth, wrote and directed this tangy, resourceful comedy-drama. Keri Russell plays a gifted pie baker and abused wife who waits tables at a diner along with two romantically frus-
Pathé ArenA ArenA Boulevard 600, 0900 1458 Alles is liefde daily 15.20, 18.20, 21.20, Thur also 12.20, Sat also 0.05 American Gangster Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.40, Thur, Fri also 12.25, Sat also 20.05, 23.20 Bee Movie daily 15.10, 17.20, 19.30 Bee Movie (NL) daily 13.20, Thur also 12.00, 14.30, Fri-Wed also 12.20, 14.45, 17.10, Sat-Wed also 10.05, 11.10 Beowulf daily 21.40, Sat also 0.15 Beyaz Melek Thur, Fri 15.35, 18.05, Sat-Wed 17.30 Eastern Promises daily 21.50, Sat also 0.30 Elizabeth: The Golden Age daily 15.30, 18.10, 21.00, Sat also 23.45 Enchanted daily 12.40, 15.15, 18.00, 20.30, Sat-Wed also 10.10 Enchanted (NL) Fri-Wed 12.15, 14.40, Sat-Wed also 9.40 Fred Claus daily 12.30, Sat-Wed also 9.50 The Golden Compass (NL) Sat-Wed 10.15, 12.45 The Golden Compass daily 12.10, 13.30, 14.50, 16.20, 17.45, 19.00, 20.45, Sat-Wed also 10.45, Sat also 23.30 Hitman daily 19.40, 22.10, Thur also 12.15, 14.40, 17.10, Sat also 0.20 I Am Legend daily 17.00, 19.20, 21.45, Sat also 0.10 I Am Legend (Imax) daily 13.00, 15.45, 18.30, 21.10, Sat-Wed also 10.30, Sat also 23.40 K3 en de Kattenprins daily 11.50, 13.45, Sat-Wed also 10.00 Kabadayi Thur, Sat 17.50, 20.50, Sat also 0.00, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.55, 21.00 Kapitein Rob Fri-Wed 12.50, Sat-Wed also 10.20 Moordwijven daily 12.00, 14.20, 16.45, 19.10, 21.30, Sat also 23.50 P.S. I Love You daily 15.35, 18.25, 21.15, Thur, Fri also 12.55, Sat also 0.10 Run, Fat Boy, Run daily 15.40 Saw IV daily 22.00, Sat also 0.20 De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe Sat-Wed 11.30, 14.30 Welcome daily 15.25, 18.45, Thur, Fri also 12.05, Sat also 23.10. Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 Alles is liefde Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 16.00, 18.45, 21.40, Thur also 13.10, Sat also 17.30, 20.15, 23.00 American Gangster Thur, Fri 20.00, Sat 21.15, Sun-Wed 20.15 Atonement Thur, Fri 15.10, 18.20, Thur also 12.20, Sat 17.00, 19.45, Sun-Wed 15.55, 18.35 Bee Movie Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 14.50, 17.15, 19.45, Thur, Fri also 12.30, Sun-Wed also 10.25, 12.35, Sat 11.50, 14.00, 16.10, 18.20, 20.30 Bee Movie (NL) Sat 10.45, 13.00, 15.15, 17.45, Sun-Wed 10.20, 12.30, 14.45, 17.00 Beowulf Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 21.20, Sat 22.40 Eastern Promises Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 19.30, 22.05, Thur also 13.45, 16.15, Fri, Sun-Wed also 17.10, Sat 18.50, 21.10, 23.35 Elizabeth:The Golden Age daily 15.45, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 13.15, 18.30, 21.15, Sat-Wed also 10.40, Sat also 13.10, 18.45, 21.30 Enchanted daily 15.30, 18.15, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 13.00, 20.45, Sun-Wed also 10.25, Sat 10.15, 12.45, 21.00 Enchanted (NL) Fri, Sun-Wed 14.40, Fri also 12.00, Sun-Wed also 12.10, Sat 11.15, 13.45, 16.20 The Golden Compass (NL) Sat 12.00, 14.45, Sun-Wed 10.45, 13.30 The Golden Compass Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.15, 15.00, 18.00, 21.00, Sat 10.30, 13.15, 16.00, 19.00, 22.00 Hitman Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 21.10, Sat 22.10 I Am Legend Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.45, 15.15, 17.45, 19.15, 20.30, 21.45, Thur, Fri also 12.00, 14.15, 16.45, Sun-Wed also 10.30, Sat 10.15, 12.30, 15.00, 18.00, 20.00, 20.45, 22.30, 23.15
trated coworkers (Cheryl Hines and Shelly) and unexpectedly finds herself pregnant. The film isn’t averse to reaching for Hollywood fantasies, but there’s a lot of what seems to be hard-earned wisdom here about women in bad marriages. (JR) 104 min. Het Ketelhuis The Year My Parents Went on Vacation It’s 1970, and Brazil is in the middle of both a military dictatorship and an attempt to prolong its World Cup title. Wild-eyed 12-year-old football fan Mauro is left by his parents—left-wing militants who are forced to go underground—on the doorstep of his grandfather, who turns out to have just died of a heart attack. The boy finds a reluctant guardian in old Jewish neighbour Shlomo and gets to know the Jewish community, while waiting for his parents and the Cup final. This is meant to be a coming-of-age story, and of course Mauro matures. But he experiences the horrors of the dictatorship mostly indirectly; the political commentary is too subtle, making the story a bit implausible. Directed by Cao Hamburger. In Portugese/Yiddish with Dutch subtitles. (GR) 104 min. The Movies
I Could Never Be Your Woman Thur, Fri 14.30, 17.00, Thur also 12.10, Sat 15.50, 18.30, Sun-Wed 15.20, 17.50 K3 en de Kattenprins Fri,Sun-Wed 12.00, 13.50, Sun-Wed also 10.15, Sat 10.25, 12.20, 14.30 Kapitein Rob Fri 12.10, Sat 11.00, 13.30, Sun-Wed 10.35, 12.55 Moordwijven Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 14.00, 16.30, 19.00, 21.30, 22.00, Sun-Wed also 11.30, Sat 11.45, 14.15, 16.45, 19.15, 21.45, 22.45 P.S. I Love You Thur 12.00, 14.45, 17.30, 20.15, Fri, Sun-Wed 15.50, 18.50, 21.35, Sat 16.30, 19.30, 22.15 Run, Fat Boy, Run Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 16.10, 18.40, Thur, Fri also 13.30, Sat 17.20, 19.40 Saw IV Sat 23.30 De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe Fri 12.20, Sat 10.55, 13.50, Sun-Wed 10.15, 13.05 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium Fri, Sun-Wed 13.40, SunWed also 11.15, Sat 10.35, 12.50, 15.10. Pathé Tuschinski Reguliersbreestraat 34, 0900 1458 Alles is liefde daily 12.20, 15.10, 18.00, 21.00 Bee Movie daily 19.20 Bee Movie (NL) Sat-Wed 13.45, 16.00, Sun, Tues, Wed also 11.35 The Devil Wears Prada Thur 13.30 Earth daily 17.15, 19.40, 22.00, Fri-Wed also 12.30, 14.50 Elizabeth:The Golden Age daily 12.15, 15.00, 17.45, 20.30 Enchanted daily 14.10, 16.45, Sun, Tues, Wed also 11.40 The Golden Compass daily 15.40, 18.30, 21.30, Thur, Fri also 13.00 Great Expectations Sun 10.30 K3 en de Kattenprins Sat-Wed 13.30, Tues, Wed 11.25 My Blueberry Nights daily 21.45 P.S. I Love You daily 18.20, 21.15, Thur, Fri also 12.10, 15.20. Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338, 676 8700 4 maanden, 3 weken en 2 dagen Thur-Mon, Wed 21.00, ThurMon also 16.45 Blindsight Thur-Mon, Wed 17.45 Chungking Express Sat 23.10 Fados Thur-Mon, Wed 19.00, Fri-Mon also 14.45, Sat, Sun also 12.30, Wed also 15.30 In the Mood for Love Fri 23.10 The Kid Sun 11.00, Wed 15.45 Das Leben der Anderen Sat, Sun 13.00 My Blueberry Nights Thur-Mon, Wed 19.30, 21.45, Fri-Mon also 15.00, Sat, Sun also 12.45 Tussenstand Thur-Mon, Wed 22.00 Tuya's Marriage Thur-Mon, Wed 19.45, Fri-Mon, Wed also 15.45 Voleurs de chevaux Thur-Mon, Wed 17.15. De Roode Bioscoop Haarlemmerplein 7H, 625 7500, La Grande bouffe Sun 20.30. Studio K Timorplein 62, 692 0422, Adam's Apples Thur-Sat 19.00 Atonement Thur-Mon, Wed 18.30, 21.15 Control Thur-Mon, Wed 22.00 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Sun, Mon, Wed 17.00, 19.30. De Uitkijk Prinsengracht 452, 623 7460 2 Days in Paris Thur-Mon, Wed 19.15, Thur, Sun, Wed also 21.30, Tues also 17.00 Bee Movie (NL) Fri-Mon, Wed 15.00, Sun-Wed 13.00 Blindsight Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 17.00 Earth Thur-Mon, Wed 17.00, Fri, Sat, Mon also 21.15, Tues 15.00.
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
WEEKLY CLASSIFIEDS Ads are free, space permitting. They will be posted both to the paper and online. Guaranteed placement is available for a small fee; see our website for details. Ads may be published in English, het Nederlands or whatever language is best for you to communicate your message. How to submit an ad: via our website at www.amsterdamweekly.nl, by fax at 020 620 1666 or post to Amsterdam Weekly, De Ruyterkade 106, 1011 AB Amsterdam. Deadline: Monday at 12.00, the week of publication. AD OF THE WEEK FACE PAINTING Add a little extra fun to your kid’s party! Whether it’s pirates, princesses, tigers, butterflies or anything else! I come to your children’s party and bring it to life with a dash of color. Also available for adult face/body painting. Contact Anna for more info anna@annagreaves.com/06 1811 5098.
JOBS ENGLISH-SPEAKING JOB We have all the English-speaking and other foreign-language jobs from all major employment agencies and employers in NL on one website. www.xpatjobs.com. BIKE TAXI DRIVERS WA We’re in business 365 days a year! Are you service-oriented, independent, responsible, flexible & unafraid of Dutch weather? Climb on the bandwagon this winter & get priority for best summer shifts. We offer weekly introduction sessions. Contact 06 3882 2683/info@wielertaxi.nl/www. wielertaxi.nl. SWEDISH NATIVESAre you a Swedish native/fluent speaker and interested in working for a fun and young company in the center of Amsterdam for €10,- p/h? Then Guidion has the flexible job for you. Please call Virginia at 020 520 53 60 or send an email to Vir-
CAMPAIGN MANAGER with strong B-B marketing experience and fluent English wanted for international company in Amstelveen. Are you a great communicator with a proactive attitude? Send your CV to Alessia@adamsrecruitment.com
UNDUTCHABLES RECRUITMENT AGENCY AMSTELVEEN We are looking for: French Customer Care (Petra); SR buyer/material planner (Judith, Christine); Legal secretary (Petra); Salary administrator English/Dutch (Christine, Judith); Travel consultants IATA employees (Sjoerd). Please mail amstelveen@undutchables.nl. More positions at www.undutchables.nl
ginia@guidion.co.uk. Please BUYERS ASSISTANTwanted for fantastic sports commention your phone nr. LOOKING FOR A NANNY? pany in Utrecht. Are you interI am looking for a job as a nan- ested in sportswear/ fashion? ny. I am a dutch female but i Do you speak fluent English can work for english speak- and have office admin expe- OPPORTUNITYMultimilion ing families. i am a graduat- rience? Send your CV to Ser- International company is ed childrens worker, two years rana@adamsrecruitment.com expanding rapidly. European experience in after school MARKETING ASSISTANT Headquarter in Amsterdamcare. Contact me and i send for international company. West. Are you driven, deteryou my resume. Photoshop and marketing mine and motivated? Then you have the chance to own IT HELPDESK AGENTS administration experience your own business in. InterInternational company seeks required. Fluent Dutch and ested contact Rene Heeren telephone helpdesk agents to English candidates only. Have @ 0626020136 or acnwork with clients to solve Win- you got a great eye for detail rene@gmail.com & see dows-based service requests. and are you good at working whether it’s something for you Many languages needed. If to strict deadlines? Send your or not. you have experience with Win- CV to davidgibbons@adamsreDO YOU SPEAK FLUENTdows XP and enjoy helping cruitment.com people solve Windows-relat- CONFERENCEPRODUCER LY two european languages ed problems, send your CV to: Research and produce senior besides English? Then we have ITHelpDesk@Cryptomail.org executive conferences on an a great CSR opportunity for you. Please send your CV to: HOTEL RECEPTIONIST international level. Business gabriela@adamsrecruitReceptionists needed for level English, phone + desk ment.com hotels in Amsterdam Cen- research experience required trum. English fluency and PC togetherwiththeabilitytowork ADAMS' MULTILINGUAL knowledge. Part and full time. fulltime, 5 days per week. Send RECRUITMENT is looking Please email CV to info@hos- your CV to Jens Cornelissen at for native English or German tels-amsterdam.nl A night jens@eng-nl.com. Tel: +31 speakers for CSR opportunireceptionist is needed as well. (0)203050950www.eng-nl.com ties with great international
companies. Please send your GERMAN NATIVE Are you CV to: gabriela@adamsre- a German native? Are you looking for a fun job at a fun cruitment.com GOT BRAINS?I have got bet- company in the centre of Amster ones using an organic prod- terdam? Do you have a few uct mixing my own natural hours per day, a few days per powerdrink. Perfect for any week available? Then GUIDjuice or just plain water. Busi- ION might be able to offer ness partners wanted. Pls you the right job - €10 per email healthology@live.nl or hour. Interested? Send an email to ironken@guidion.nl sms to 06 2877 7599. (Ingrid) BAGELS & WRAPSLooking for an experienced person m/f FRENCH NATIVE Are you to work fulltime/part-time a French native? Are you lookasap. If you are interested ing for a fun job at a fun complease call 06 5261 1893 after pany in the centre of Amsterdam? Do you have a few 17.00. hours per day, a few days per MASHUA SEEKS STAFF week available? Then GUIDRestaurant Mashua looking ION might be able to offer for kitchen staff & table atten- you the right job - 10 per dants. Experience, good com- hour. Interested? Send an munication skills & repre- email to ironken@guidion.nl sentative appearance (for (Ingrid) waiters M/F) required. Wide & varied range of activities in SWEDISH NATIVESTo supmodern, stylish restaurant. port our expansion we are in Remuneration according to search of call students. Are you Dutch standards. 06 5371 a Swedish native/ fluent speaker looking for a flexible job 8057/lili@mashua.nl. and fun workplace? please EVERYONE CAN DO THIS call Virginia at 020 520 53 60 It is as easy as 1+1=2 or more. or send an email to VirPlease leave your CV or tell ginia@guidion.co.uk. Please something about your backmention your phone nr. ground in English, Dutch or German. You may text me at HOUSING FOR RENT 06 2877 7599 or mail me at FURNISHED 2 ROOM APT makemoneynotwar@hotmail.com. Hope to read you near Vondelpark/Leidseplein. 750 per month. first six soon. months rent plus 1500 refundSALESOPPORTUNITYInside able deposit in Advance. willsalespositionwithleadingAms- ing to rent for 6 to 16 months. terdambasedConferenceCompany. Business level English BEAUTIFUL HOUSEBOAT requiredtogetherwiththeabil- I will be spending the winter ity to work fulltime, 5 days per in France and need to subweek.Salary OTE 40-70k P.A. let my magical little living Please send your CV to Ken boat for the months of JanGillings at kgillings@eng- uary/February and maybe nl.com.Tel:+31(0)203050950 March. Located on the Lijnbaansgracht, off of the Vijzelwww.eng-nl.com
29 straat, you could not ask for looking for a room for me and a better location. Absolute- a cat up to €300, please contact me if you know a place ly magical. €1000/month. for me to live! SMALL BUT COSYand clean room for rent 10 min from LOOKING FOR A ROOM! center. Double bed, internet hi, i´m a 27 y.o. guy from spain connection, private shower and i´m looking for a nice place and WC. No cooking facilities to stay in central amsterdam (except coffee and tea). from january 9th. i´m very tidy, €35/night. Email easy going and respectful. just let me know if you had somesmarasi@novacollege.nl. thing!! LUXURY 4-ROOM APT. 80m2, A’dam Hoogte Kadijk, ROOM FROM FEBRUARY furnished, 3-bdrm, 2-bthrm, Hi! I’m Kim, a spanish 24 yearbalcony, own parking space. old boy who is going to Ams€1800 incl, 2 months deposit. terdam for some months from Available from 1 Dec for 1 or 1 February. My intention is to 2 yrs. Rent from owner. Info study contemporary dance. Simone: 06 2806 4403 or I’m looking for a room, flatshare, €300 per month, more chand018@planet.nl. or less. I am quiet, responsiCHARMING CANAL HOUSE ble and I don’t smoke. For rent from 1 March until 1 June, 74m2, room en GIRL LOOKIN FOR ROOM suite,two bedrooms,wooden Girl (23) looking for a cheap floor,bathroom with room with internet in A’dam. bath,kitchen with bar, large Design intern, love music, balcony,in the centre of Ams- speak Estonian, Russian, Gerterdam with open view on the man and English. Call 06 1824 Tropenmuseuam (Artis neigh- 2249. bourhood). Parking possible. 1000 EURO REWARD ... if I For €1.750 a month. Call can rent a permanent flat Leonie: 0614825038. through your hint! I’m a sin100'S OF APTS available in gle woman looking for 2-3 A’dam immediately. From room apt for max cost of €500. €450/mth. See www.xpa- It should be within A’dam city ring. References from former trentals.com/offers. landlord available. Call 06 HOUSING WANTED 4148 5880 or mail miracleROOM WANTED 1.2.2008 house4me@yahoo.com. Tidy and resposible, Finnish 25yo master student at UvA looking for a room max 450€/month all inclusive, starting beginning of February, as close to the centre as possible! Look forward to hearing from you! Maija maija_faurie@hotmail.com
SUPERTIDY 4 nonsmoking + supertidy students = 2 germans + 1 korean + 1 italian looking for a 4 bedroom appartment, approx. 80 qm inc. kitchen + bathroom We can pay €1300 warm. We prefer a legal appartment within bike distance from the center. conROOM WANTED I’m a 20 tact: Philipp 06 2956 7761. year old student at the VU and email: Plymo@gmx.net
Amsterdam Weekly
30
SHARED HOUSING
own shawl with the design and colours of your own preference! Handmade under fair and respectful circumstances. Great Christmas Gift! www.fairytrade.nl.
LOOKING FOR ROOM! i’m a Spanish woman working f/t and I need a room from Jan ‘08. ONLY LONG PERIOD and a CALM place. I am calm and MOVING SALE!!We are movI don’t smoke. Please phone ing back to Canada very last 06 4370 6219. minute and need to sell everything in our apartment by the OTHER SPACES 16th of December. Almost PHOTO STUDIO For ama- everything is practically new. teur and professional pho- If you’re interested please tographers. Can also be used email for a list of things and as meeting or gathering space. pictures. Jonathan or Lauren 100m2, €150/day. Possible to at jpoffenroth@gmail.com or rent photo equipment. High call 06 13 08 7007. Thanks! ceilings, good, natural light and located on WG Plein, adjaTRANSPORT cent to Overtoom. For appointTRAVEL AND TOUR This is ment and more info contact a unique opportunity you canD. Ingel: 06 2883 4224. not afford to miss. We sell WORKING SPACE for all cheap last-minute tickets to alternative health profes- Africa. We also organise cheap sionals:-massage, reiki, yoga, tours, arrange hotels, etc. For therapists etc who want to further info call 751 2726 or work one-on-one, outside of see www.selasitravel.com. own home or to run workshops. Clean simple rooms in NEED TO MOVE??..::DOOR basement space of 16th cen- TO DOOR MOVING FOR €35::.. tury building, 5mins from CS. We have 3 vans available with Nice, chilled out vibe. Call 06 experienced drivers + extra 5463 2143 for details and info. movers. Book online on www.vrachtverhuizer.nl or call FOR SALE 06 1514 9164. FUJI FINEPIX S6500FD FREE STUFF Super zoom digital camera (10.7x optical). 3 mths old, 2 CATS LOOK FOR HOME rarely used and under guar- 2 lovely mature cats, one is antee. With all acces- female 1.5 y/o the other male sories/manual + 2GB Fuji XD 2 y/o, the male has been opercard + Lowepro TLZ Mini ated. they are lovely cuddle bag (best fitting case avail- cats! able). €295. Email stevenSERVICES mc@gmail.com. FAIRY TRADEYour wish for a better world. Fair trade gifts from India and Thailand. Necklaces, pashminas and stoles. Possibility to customize your
06 2388 2184 or white- years experience, CIDESCO, van@whitevanman.nl or see CIBTAC, ANBOS, LHE Flits Hair Removal: Advanced Elecwww.whitevanman.nl. BEST MOVING SERVICE trolysis: Brazilian Waxing: Driver with van (10m3) or P8N8 Oxygen Skin Care, Own truck (40m3) available. Plus Label Botanicals. Eerste Jan extra moving men, hoisting Steenstraat 109, 1072NH (de rope and elevator. Any com- Pijp) A’dam. T: 06 4079 9921, binations possible. Call Taco www.lindayoungaestheton 06 4486 4390, email ics.com. info@vrachttaxi.com or check out www.vrachttaxi.com.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
XPAT PAGES Looking for English-speaking plumber, dentist, lawyer, etc? www.xpatpages.com.
DON'T HAVE A PERSONAL COACH YET? Give yourself new opportunity... Get your life in order... Call Sagar 06 4626 5412.
UNHAPPY AT WORK?Feeling stuck in your career? Isn’t it time to discover what you really want in life? Lost purpose, passion or goal? Do yourself a favour and give your coach a call: 06 4998 8986 or 400 4778. Email marianne@soul-at-work.com. Soul at Work, A’dam.
ACUPUNCTURE Certified American acupuncturist treats both men and women for a wide range of ailments at two locations in A’dam. Coverage offered by many health insurance companies. Call 06 2739 9789, email info@acupunctuurnoordholland.nl or visit www.acupunctuurnoordholSTUNNING WEBSITES land.nl. Experienced designer builds NOT AN ABORIGINAL?Do professional, unique sites, you live and work in your natstarting at €300. www.off- ural habitat? Do you know minor.com/stunning_design.h where you belong and your tm Contact Jordan: jordan- life’s purpose? Don’t risk your gcz@yahoo.com , 06 3034 1238. well-being. Be smart: focus
LOST IN TRANSLATION? I amatranslatorEnglish>Dutch and Dutch>English. I can translate all your documentation. Subjects: legal, marketing communication, policy, literature, culture and art. Speed, accuracy and quality of work are at the top of my list. Interested? Feel free to contact me ENGLISH MAN WITH VAN on mobile number: 06 4322 Can help with removals, big 9466. or small, in or outside of the country. Reasonable rates, WAXING FACIALS IPL quick service. Contact Lee on British Beauty Therapist. 25
on your heart and give your coach a call: 06 4998 8986 or 400 4778. Email marianne@soul-at-work.com. Soul at Work, A’dam. HEALINGHealing for stressrelease and deep relaxation with Reiki master & respiration therapist. Uplifting for your physical, mental & emotional well-being. Also for Reiki workshops at all levels. Email: ajit@acornconsultancy.nl or call 0622143030.
MASSAGE IL CIELO STUDIO We offer different treatments such as craniosacral, dorn breuss massage, holistic, ayurvedic and foot massage. The treatments are reimbursed by many health insurances. Info: www.ilcielo.org, Unmani, 06 3004 9738.
HOME IMPROVEMENT SCHILDER Professionele schildervooralleuwbinnenen buiten schilderwerk. T : 0 611 20 80 26. pasopnat@live.com PAINTER-DECORATOR Fully qualified painter-decorator. High grade quality work. Guaranteed timeline. Free estimates. Call: 06 1120 8026. Mail: jacobdecorator@hotmail.com PAINTING. Professional Painting and plastering 25 years experience, for free estimates please call 06 232 45957. UPHOLSTERYFor re-upholstering of all kinds of furniture, modern and antique, boat and caravan cushions recovered or made to measure, also curtains made to measure, all styles catered for, wide selection of fabrics to choose from in all price classes. Contact Sophie Filangi 06 4154 7557/www.alabonnechaise.nl.
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008 try out your new language in a variety of every day situations. PC HOUSE DOCTOR Spe- Day/Evening/Saturday courscialised in virus/spyware es 25 hrs. More information? removal, h/w, s/w repair, data www.toptaal.nl 020 7163690 recovery, wireless, cable/ADSL SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP installation and computer Workshop, This inspirational lessons from friendly and expe- workshop will provide space rienced Microsoft professional to explore your spiritual leadfor reasonable price. Contact ership and expand your spirMario 06 1644 8230. itual awareness. 10th January
ENG. WRITING COURSE Schrijversvakschool Amsterdam offers a special course in creative writing skills, starting on Monday January 28th, 2008 from 7.00-10.00 pm. Fee €395,- for 8 classes. Registration closes on January 5th. For more information (and registration form) see www.schrijversvakschool.nl. Or call 06 15157140. FREE INTERNET CALL 2000 - 2200 Amsterdm, more Make phone calls both mobile info: www.thesoul.info LANGUAGES and landline within and out- SPEAKING IN PUBLIC DUTCH LESSONS A'DAM side NL from 0.001 cent per Interactive seminar. Fine tune minute. Buy internet phones, your speaking skills, gain con- Improve conversation/profesheadphones and VOIP routers. fidence, inspire your audi- sional purpose/studies /NT2. Also online. Min indiv rate We provide VOIP for individence! Put the speaker in the €15/hr. Adults & children Monuals and companies. See and speech. www.thespeaker.eu Sat, 10.00-21.00. Also intencompare our prices with other companies from our web- YOGA&DANCE FOR KIDS sive courses. Min. intensive: playfull yoga and creative 15 hrs=€215,55. www.excelsite. www.jbphonex.nl. dance combination lessons lentdutch.nl.New:Super-intenCOURSES for young children on fridays sivesummercourse.Info:excellentdutch@hotmail.com, 06 IYENGAR YOGA CLASSES in the Jordaan starting jan3612 2870. uary 11. Call Mara 06-28151090 with certified Iyengar yoga WANT TO LEARN DUTCH? teacher Cristina Libanori. www.dancefun4kids.nl Tues 19.30-21.00 at Training BALLET LESSONS in TopTaal offers an open, friendCentrum, Europaplein 127 English for all ages and lev- ly environment where you can near RAI. Tram 4 (stop Din- els. 3yrs to adult, beginners try out your new language in telstraat). €10/class; with 10- and professionals. Teaching a variety of every day situations. Day/Evening/Saturday courscard yoga strippenkaart courses also available with es 25 hrs. More information? €9/class. Individual therarecognised UK dance organi- www.toptaal.nl or 020 7163690 peutic classes arranged by zations. Tel 6442431 appt at €20/hr. cristina@theENGLISH PRACTICEInterwheel-of-yoga.com/773 5307. DRAWING AND PAINTING national English Practice SINGING LESSONSOn Prin- workshops by professional Group begins it’s new season, sengracht, beautiful atmo- artist, various techniques, all 2008. Informal weekly sessphere. Classical voice train- styles. Contact joneiselin@het- sions offer practice in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciaing, breathing techniques, net.nl. vocalization, scales, etc. For UPHOLSTERY WORKSHOP tion, fluency & more. Led by beg & professionals. From in Westerpark! Recover and/or experienced EFL instructor classic to jazz pop or rock, and repair your own furniture with & open to all levels. Inexall styles of singing. Good prices the professional advice of pensive, in centrum. Info: + free intro lesson. For more Sophie Filangi. Every Tues jehrlichnl@hotmail.com, 020info call Michael on 320 2095 and Thur 19.00-22.00 (by appt 486-1037 or mail ajara77@yahoo.com. only). Including use of tools, DUTCH IS FUN! If speaking
COMPUTERS
RENO-BOUW-RAJCZYKDo you need cost-effective and high-quality full house renovation? Professional, experienced and with excellent references. Online links to past projects. Call now and ask for appointment: 06 4451 7410 or WANT TO LEARN DUTCH? excluding materials. €30 per Dutch would be fun, then lear331 6550, www.reno-bouw.nl, TopTaal offers an open, friend- session. Call for information ing Dutch could be fun.... check www.talencoach.nl for a karol-rajczyk@hotmail.com. ly environment where you can on 06 4154 7557.
Amsterdam Weekly
20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
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refreshingnewexperienceand 20.00-22.30, A’dam Plantagemotivating group courses. buurt. Repertoire: 20th cenIMPROVE YOUR DUTCH! tury; Frank Martin, Vaughan A fresh DUTCH start in 2008? Williams and others. Singing private classes, small study experience, music reading groups, conversation, inten- required. 06 4473 5451 (Kati), sive, etc. at LINK TAAL STU- www.koorfenix.nl. DIO, Vijzelgracht 53, professional approach, call Anja 06 4133 9323, linktaalstudio@gmail.com
MUSIC NEW YEAR-NEW BAND Amsterdam based indie-rockband with raw experimental sound looks for an experienced basgitarplayer. info;sabraza@gmail.com or 06 4214 8729 AFRICAN DANCE CAFÉ The one and only famous place to enjoy yourself and all with listening and dancing on the most beautiful and thrilling music of the world, Centre, ‘De Badcuyp’ district De Pijp, 2th/last saterday of month(exept.22th dec.) We like to see you, new international people! look: www.afrikaansdanscafe.tk MALE SINGERS WANTED Chamber Choir Fenix (1998), conductor J. Spittler, is looking for more tenors and basses. Choir rehearsals Wed.
CELLO LESSONS! Enthusiastic teacher, conservatory trained with 8 years of teaching experience, is available to teach cello. Come for a first lesson, fun and FREE on a Prinsengracht Houseboat to discover the wonderful world of cello! Call Anita on 06 1656 3683 or email agluyas@pegasustech.com.au.
THE ARTS
ACTORS Actors needed for a docudrama. If have a Creole/French/Brit accent, the voice of James Earl Jones and the dramatic versatility of Don Cheadle, please call 020-6251041 we would love to talk to you. Also seeking good camera person. Send resumes voice tape and head shots to art@dreamfactorymc.com
HEALING ARTS PROJECT Do u want to be part of a healing arts project that’ll bring exposure to your work? Are u 1 of the following: Shi’atsu massage, Alexander technique, Feng Shui/body paint artist, Ayurvedic healer, classical Indian dancer, aroma therapist, costume designer, LOOKING FOR Tibetan singing bowl musiNANNY, BABYSITTERI am cian. 06 1560 1372. 24 y.o. Polish girl. I’ve lived in EXHIBITION what is this A’dam for 2 yrs and am lookthing called love.paintings ing for a job as a nanny, babysitabout love between humans ter or live in/out au pair. I have and animals. call De Opstek- experiences with taking care er 020-6386904 for info. of children. If you need any
help, please don’t hesitate to contact with me: renata2906@wp.pl or 06 5097 1193. Renata. LOOKING FOR A JOB Hey, I m looking for a job urgently. I have over 3.5 yrs work experience with me. I m looking for a job in the Admin,Customer Desk Dept. Please get in touch with me at 06 1453 8508. My email address is purabimisra@gmail.com. Waiting for a response. Thanking You, Purabi Misra SPERM DONOR WANTED We are a loving married lesbian couple wanting to start our own family. Do you want
to help create a new life? Preferably a sweet man with brown/black hair. Healthy. No sex involved. No pressure to remain in contact. Please come to our rescue. Contact us for more info: donorwanted@hotmail.com.
PERSONALS
DISCREET AFFAIR Tall, handsome, fit, disease-free 40 year old male seeks attractive woman (late 20’s til early 40’s) to share a drink and some uncomplicated passion and forget the weight of the GROUPS & CLUBS world for awhile. JOIN OUR BOOK CLUBI run infinity_solo@hotmail.com an English-language book club I'M BRINGING.....SexyBlack: for expat women. We meet one Attractive, athletic, Aries, Tuesday night a month at a African American male lookrestaurant in Amsterdam to ing 2 meet cool, calm & coldiscuss books that we vote on lected spirits. Lovers, budasagroup.We’dliketowelcome dies, dates, expats, friends, new members. Contact me on party people ALL welcome. copywriter1973@yahoo.com Take a chance 2 connect with if you’re interested. me, U never know what the
results could be. Email it to life with a dash of color. d_online06@hotmail.com. Also available for adult Will I hear from U? face/body painting. Contact Anna for more info NOTICES anna@annagreaves.com/06 WIN FREE PERSONAL 1811 5098. COACHING at the students MURAL PAINTER Do you sports centre USC. Win free have a children’s room or nursUSC Xtra services: sports lab ery that needs something spetest, massage, nutritional cial to make it unique? I can advice, a mental training course etc. All new USC-mem- paint children’s dreams on bers in January can win a free their walls and decorate a play service in the ‘Grabbel GRATIS room with imagination. Any USC Xtra Weken’. Check theme, any style. Contact Anna to discus the possibilities: www.usc.uva.nl anna@annagreaves.com or 'DA LINK UP' December 06 1811 5098. 30th. 8pm-4am @ club Aknathon. Bringing the best ROESY ART EXHIBITION RnB, house and soul. Adress “Singer/Songwriter Roesy, is 25 nieuwezijds kolk. has a second career as a vivid, provocative painter and the Entrance €12. A'DAM FLICKR GROUP same colourful vision dwell Share your photos of A’dam in both with often masterful with other Weekly readers. effect.” (The Irish Times) Join Amsterdam Weekly’s Exhibition at Outland new Flickr Group! Go to Record’s Modern Art Gallery, flickr.com, search for Ams- Zeedijk 22, now thru 8 Jan ‘08. terdam Weekly under Groups, www.roesy.net or www.mysand start loading your pace.com/roesyart. favourite images. SPELD ZOEKT EIGENAAR FACE PAINTING Add a little extra fun to your kid’s party! Whether it’s pirates, princesses, tigers, butterflies or anything else! I come to your children’s party and bring
Gevonden: Speld. Gezocht: Eigenaar. Ben jij een speld kwijt? Omschrijf de hooiberg waar je ‘m kwijtraakte en mail je verhaal naar speldzoekteigenaar@hotmail.com