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highlight Our must-see film(-related) pick this issue…
International Queer and Migrant Film Festival
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hat do migrants and people from the LGBTQ community have in common? More than you probably realise, according to the International Queer and Migrant Film Festival. ‘Too often it’s taken as a given that the LGBTQ and migrant communities are on opposing sides,’ says Chris Meloni, founder and director of the festival, which will start its second edition this December. ‘That wherever there’s migration, there is homophobia. But things are much more complicated than that.’ A lot of the time they are in the same boat, metaphorically speaking. ‘You can’t talk about homophobia without also talking about Islamophobia.’ That’s also why the festival is programmed around 10 December, the International Day of Human Rights. ‘Human rights are also LGBTQ rights,’ Meloni stresses. Last year’s edition looked at migration streams from the Middle East to Europe, but migration is far from a Eurocentric phenomenon. That’s why this year’s main focus will be on Latin America. ‘Recent political developments make for a very unstable climate, which leads to oppression and migration,’ says Meloni. ‘Look at Brazil, where the recent president has just been impeached. São Paulo plays host to the biggest gay pride event in the world, but has also seen some of the most vicious murders of transgender men and women.’ One of the debates during the festival will be about social acceptance of the LGBTQ community in Brazil; another will be about LGBTQ-phobia and Islamophobia. New this year will be an IQMF Academy, a three-day workshop for 15 young, international queer and migrant filmmakers. 7 -11 DECEMBER De Balie www.iqmf.nl
nightlife essentials the swing back into Santa's sack. The acclaimed jazz ensemble hands over the mic to acclaimed singer Roberta GamThe choir and the saxophone barini, while trumpeter Roy quartet present the world pre- Hargove adds extra flair to their big-band sound. miere of the latest work by 12 December the successful US composer Concertgebouw, and artist Lera Auerbach. InConcertgebouwplein 10 spired by the Kabbalah, 72 Angels is a set of 72 one-min- www.concertgebouw.nl ute choral preludes – one for MUSEUMNACHT each angel from the mystical tradition. Auerbach combines Each November, more than 50 classical composition with folk museums in Amsterdam open their doors from 19:00 to 2:00 elements, her new composito allow visitors to see Amstertion the result of years of dam’s museums in a completely work. new light – after dark! Look out 2 November for special events, including Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ, Piet workshops, concerts, special Heinkade 1 tours and performances, as well www.muziekgebouw.nl as tasty food and drinks to help you keep your energy levels up. ANGEL OLSEN Angel Olsen made her debut Soak up the culture, try somein 2011 as a singer-songwriter thing new and be sure to buy tickets in advance. of sad folk songs, sounding 5 November immediately enchanting if Various locations somewhat reserved on tape. Come 2014, with a full band, www.museumnacht.amsterdam her sound became more powerful and the pop hooks a lit- AMSTERDAM LIGHT FESTIVAL tle sharper, while still maintaining a lo-fi edge. Now, with The Amsterdam Light Festival new album My Woman, she’s returns to Amsterdam this festive season, (literally) putting blown it all apart with some the beautiful city centre and its serious tempestuousness, keeping her 'girl with a guitar' canals in the limelight. style at the heart of her songs, 1 December-22 January Various locations but also reflecting flashes of www.amsterdamlightfestival.com R&B and Motown and offering up dashes of pop lyricism LOVEDANCE that'll loop in your head. Helping to raise both money 6 November and awareness with a loud, colTollhuistuin, IJPromenade 2 ourful and fun approach to a sewww.tollhuistuin.nl rious issue, Lovedance always features a huge and varied lineJEAN-MICHEL JARRE up of artists, musicians, bands, French composer and music DJs, dancers and performers. producer Jean-Michel Jarre was one of the main pioneers 1 December of the electronic and ambient Paradiso, Weteringschans 6-8 www.lovedance.nl music movement. Since the '70s, the artist has released 20 studio albums and has gained VALHALLA The best and brightest electrona reputation for his involved, flashy live shows, often incor- ic dance initiatives in Amsterporating lasers and projectors dam team up to host a night (and a long one at that) filled into his sets. with the biggest names in 22 November dance music – and installations, Heineken Music Hall, ArenA dancers and costumes that Boulevard 590 promise a ride into a bizarre www.heineken-music-hall.nl fantasy world. Expect an extenCHRISTMAS CONCERT: sive variety of musical styles, JAZZ ORCHESTRA OF from disco to deep house and from techno to club house. THE CONCERTGE17 December BOUW The annual Christmas concert RAI, Europaplein with the Jazz Orchestra of the www.valhallafestival.nl Concertgebouw always puts
NETHERLANDS CHAMBER CHOIR & RASCHÈR SAXOPHONE QUARTET