Discover what inspired Gabriel Lester to make a film about ‘The Last Smoking Flight’
I love it when creative people are fascinatingly weird. While hiding from the snow today I found Gabriel Lester in De Verdieping's programme. This Amsterdam born visual artist/film maker/musician is the guest speaker of next Wednesday's Beamclub, where he will present a collection of videos that have inspired him and his work. Just have a look at the examples of Gabriel's work that I have attached to this article to see why this could become quite interesting! (..more)
Discover new pop, folk and blues at intimate mini festival Sonic Soiree
De Brakke Grond presents 'Sonic Soirée': a chance to discover new Belgian and Dutch bands before they break through to mass fame. Sonic Soirée is a intimate mini pop & rock festival (a mini version of April's Sonic Connections). The acts on show: Belgians Blackie & The Oohoos and Flying Horseman, and Dutchies Saelors and Uinko Eerenstein. Now, Belgian folk is not my #1 expertise (can you believe it?), so I looked up some videos to see if the music was any good, and I was impressed! Especially check Blackie & The Oohoos' psychedelic 'Love Boy'. (..more)
Young creatives, learn how to get your cash flow flowing at Streetlab’s Businesscase
Young people are capable of extraordinary things. They are creative, bold and fearless, but far from all-knowing. To help young creatives realize their dreams Streetlab hosts business cases, informal talk shows about different themes with hardened professionals, of which the upcoming 9th edition is this Monday. Theme of the night is money, and how you go about getting it as a young creative. (..more)
Face the upcoming winter at Source on Ice, who have revealed next editions line-up
When you think of February, do you think of sitting inside with a blanket, next to a fireplace, while sipping on hot coco? Think again, because February is when we head to the third edition of Source on Ice, the coldest festival of the year, featuring ice sculptures, giant tents, circus acts and a progressive electronic music line-up. The DJ's on show are a mix of international talent as new Detroit techno hero Kyle Hall, British dub pioneers Floating Points and Scuba, and local heroes like Speedy J and Joris Voorn. In previous years, all tickets were gone in three weeks. Pre-sale has started, so get your ticket! (..more)
‘Het Kabinet’ is a new must-visit festival for electronic music lovers
In the weekend of November 26 and 27, the colourful people of Amsterdam are getting spoiled with a new two day multidisciplinary festival: Het Kabinet. During the daytime, Studio/K will be showing theatre and films of which one is the documentary film Rip: A Remix Manifesto which I myself found very inspiring. But the real action will happen at night time, with a line-up of international allure. Both nights feature electronic music, with Friday night having a dub inspired theme and Saturday night looking like a minimal techno non-stopper. (..more)
This Saturday, Amsterdam screams for culture!
If you read this magazine you probably know about the government enforced cuts that are about to happen in the Dutch cultural sector, and about the protests that are being organised against it. The 'The Netherlands scream for culture' initiative is organizing rallies across the country this Saturday, where people can show their objections against these new policies. So, what is happening in Amsterdam? People are expected at 15:30 at Leidseplein, where Ivo Niehe will summarize the rich culture of Amsterdam, followed by various live music performances and collective singing with the audience. Be there to support culture! (..more)
The story of Frankenstein retold with film, hip-hop, funk and jazz
Sometimes things can get very confusing and intriguing at the same time.. Spark of Being is a modern day multimedia retelling of the story of Frankenstein, that explores various themes like contemporary art and technology on screen while accompanied by live hip-hop, funk and sixties jazz. I know I am not the only one who gets big questions marks popping up in his mind after reading this description! This project by film maker Bill Morrison and trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas is being shown this Sunday (the 14th) in the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, with Douglas's band Keystone providing the live music. (..more)
Farewell Facebook
While the hype around Facebook movie The Social Network is getting bigger, I ran into a short documentary by a student of the Amsterdam film and television academy. It shows a documentation of director Joep van Osch's experiences with Facebook and is very cleverly made and funny. Through this docu, he wants to show us all how absurd Facebook really is. Although I don't completely agree with him and think that he clings onto the traditional definition of friendship a bit too much when looking at the online world (but maybe this is my own addiction talking), I still think that it is well worth a watch! (..more)
Forget about the cold, listen to the new Jeugd van Tegenwoordig ‘Sterrenstof’
I recently wrote about the awesome teaser for De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig's new album De Lachende Derde, which shows the Amsterdam trio redefining cool. I now have something new for you: the video for the albums first single Sterrenstof (Stardust). Equally cool, but supplemented with an enormous dose of funk and catchiness. The lyrics are awesome and the chorus sang by Fur is instantly mood lifting and ready to become a festival sing-a-long next year. So, forget about the cold, and put it on repeat, repeat, repeat! (..more)
Get into the IDFA vibe by checking out these trailers
The International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is around the corner again (Nov 17-28), and after watching some of the trailers from this years line-up I am starting to get excited! There's not much point in trying to use words to transfer this excitement onto you, it's better to just let the moving pictures do the talking.. A more in depth preview of IDFA will follow later, but for now, check out these impressive trailers from IDFA's Youtube account: (..more)
