Throwback

Communications hub The huge building on Neude square is simply impossible to miss. It’s the former main post office of Utrecht, designed in 1921 by architect Joseph Crouwel. The start of the construction, which took three years, raised a lot of dust: a whole block of houses and even a medieval monastery had to be taken down. Some people even refused to leave their house for this ‘outrage of modernisation’. The building was used as the central point of communication in the city, where all the machinery for telegraphy and telephony was installed. Inside, customers could use phone boots, buy stamps or send letters and packages. Postmen were important people in this era, so the main hall exudes that importance: it looks like a giant ballroom with imposing statues looking down on you. But times have changed. These days, you can communicate with your friends on the other side of the world without the help of a postman. As a result, the post office closed its doors in 2011. Luckily, you will have the chance to peek inside again from 13 March, when the Central Library will open its doors. So don’t hesitate to admire the impressive main hall while you read a magazine, find a quiet space to handle your email or meet friends in one of the restaurants.

> In collaboration with Het Utrechts Archief. Visit them at Hamburgerstraat 38 hetutrechtsarchief.nl/english

1970

VIRTUOSO KATA In June 2018, Kata was shown at the Holland Festival. It was highly appraised afterwards: ‘A virtuoso combination of martial arts and breakdance’, Theaterkrant (****) wrote. In the performance, the

dancers use a mix of martial arts, breakdance and

capoeira to fight their imaginary opponents. > 23 April

Exploring

the boundaries of dance IN MARCH AND APRIL STADSSCHOUWBURG UTRECHT PRESENTS THREE DANCE PERFORMANCES THAT EXPLORE THE BOUNDARIES OF DIFFERENT DANCE STYLES, BY COMBINING THEM TO CREATE A WHOLE NEW DANCE EXPERIENCE. ARE YOU IN?

INDIAN INSPIRED HITTING TRUE NORTH Kalpanarts is the only dance company in the Netherlands that creates performances from the many different sources of Indian culture. Choreographer Kalpana Raghuraman combines Indian, contemporary and urban dance into a unique dance style. In Hitting True North, four dancers, a violinist and an accordionist search their own inner compass in order to be able to adapt more easily to changing situations and contexts. > 9 March

© Bowie Verschuuren

ADRENALINE RUSH INOAH

Bruno Beltrão is a Brazilian choreographer who started a revolution in hip hop by

combining this dance language with other (modern) dance styles. His explosive

performances are macho and packed with adrenaline. In Inoah, ten dancers explore the boundaries between hip hop, break dance and modern dance to address the freedom of movement. > 12 March