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Volume 6 Issue 5 CHF 6 6

A Monthly Guide to Living in Basel February 2018 Daily Non-Stop Bus to/from Basel Badischer Bahnhof

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2 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers, The month of February is dominated by what many Basler’s consider the “drei scheenschte Dääg” (three most wonderful days) of the year—­ February 2018 Volume 6 Issue 5 Fasnacht! This unique and culturally rich carnival, which is now officially inscribed onto UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage, includes over 11,000 TABLE OF CONTENTS participants and attracts over 200,000 visitors. Preparations have been running for nearly a year. Each clique or group has been busy choosing a subject or event to criticize, creating masks and costumes, artfully design- Feature Event: Fasnacht 4–7 ing and decorating large portable lanterns, and rehearsing their songs to perfection. In fact, in the weeks leading up to Fasnacht, you can see (and hear) the cliques practice their songs while marching through various Events in Basel: February 2018 8–11 parks and forests around town. If you have yet to experience Fasnacht, it is a definite must! So turn the page to learn all about the what, when, and Fun Outings: Beyond Basel 12–13 where of one of Basel’s annual highlights. There is also plenty of indoor culture this month with a host of new exhib- its. You can get to know some of Basel’s most famous inhabitants through Basel Culture: Get to Know Groove Now! 14–16 the “Basel Short Stories” exhibit at the Kunstmuseum; visit a recreated pharaoh’s tomb at the Antikenmuseum; examine the impact of new tech- nologies and social media on our affective relationships and sexuality at Information Desk: Holiday Camps for Kids 17 the HEK’s exhibit on “Future Love;” or become an art student as British artist Patrick Brill, aka Bob & Roberta Smith, transforms the von Bartha Calendar: February 2018 18–19 gallery space into an art school. You can also amuse the children (or the child in you) at the toy museum in Colmar and its current “World of Action Figures” exhibit. And if you want to learn more about Fasnacht, take a tour Sports and Recreation 20–21 of the permanent exhibit at the Museum der Kulturen in Basel. Looking for outdoor wintery adventure? Why not enjoy a torch-lit walk or a day of getting around in the snow at the annual Snow-Up in canton Jura? Workshops, Tours, and Education 22–25 You may also consider a winter holiday on the farm, go on a snowshoe ex- cursion rewarded by a delicious fondue meal in an igloo, or discover the glacier caves on the top of Mount Titlis. Did You Know? 26–27 You will also find a list of the holiday camps for kids offered during the up- coming Fasnacht break, as well as the sign-up information for this year’s Entertainment: Night on the Town 28–34 university lecture series designed to pique children’s interest in various educational topics, as well as Saturday morning physics lectures for teens. Additionally, you can learn how you or your child can participate in the Mark Your Calendar: March 2018 back page Natural History Museum’s amateur photo competition held in conjunction with their “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibit; get to know the Groove Now blues concert series created by local blues aficionados; and Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! back page discover the Braswell Arts Center, a space for quality classes and creativity, collaboration, and innovation in all art forms, founded by Ballett Theater ­Basel soloist, Armando Braswell. Last, but certainly not least, you can as always choose from a multitude of great evening events for that perfect night out, including concerts, theater, shows, opera, ballet, comedy, dance, and even a magic comedy festival— the only problem is to fit it all into your schedule! So don’t delay, start plan- ning a Fantastic February Filled with Fabulous Fun! Christine Basel Life Magazine Staff: Editor-in-Chief: Christine Pesold COVER: The Basel Fasnacht has some traditional costumes Advertising & Subscription Manager / Editor: that you’ll see in many variations. The most common one is Susanne Hiller the Waggis, shown on the cover, who is supposed to repre- sent an Alsatian farmer. While they can wear a variety of cos- Design & Print: tumes, they always have a mask with colorful hair made from Schwabe AG bast fibers and a grotesquely enlarged nose. Also common is For more information about subscribing or advertising – please contact us: the “Alte Tante” (old aunt), who represents an old lady from the 19th century wearing an elegant costume with a long info basellife.com skirt, a mask with a sharp nose and white or gray hair, and www.facebook.com/basellifemagazine often an ornately decorated hat. Other traditional costumes www.basellife.com include the “Dummpeter” (trumpeter) and the harlekin.

BASEL LIFE MAGAZINE / BASEL FAMILY GmbH © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. It is our goal to provide valuable, timely information to our readers. The opinions expressed in the articles in this magazine are those of the contributing authors and do not reflect those of other members of the editorial staff and of any organizations or agencies distributing this magazine. Though we make every attempt to provide accurate information, we cannot be held respon- sible if any event is cancelled, postponed, or modified. We encourage readers to contact the event organizers or their websites to obtain the most current event information. Please note: No part of this periodical may be duplicated in any fashion, or redistributed in any written language, without permission from the executive staff at Basel Family GmbH. If you have any questions, contact Basel Family GmbH staff at: info basellife.com.

photo credit: john varaklis (cover and page 3) February 2018 3 Feature Event

Fasnacht February 19–21

Fasnacht, affectionately referred to by Baslers as the “drei scheenschte Dääg” (three most wonderful days), is Basel’s carnival where for 72 crazy hours, normal life is suspended, people in fantastic costumes roam the city at all hours of the day or night, shrill music resounds in the streets and alleys, and the city drowns in confetti. It is often ironic, satirical, and critical, but at the same time joyful, social, musical, colorful, and—most im- portantly—traditional! Locals have always known that their Fasnacht is something special, but on December 7, 2017, it became official when the Basler Fasnacht was added to the UNESCO’s list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity”! The UNESCO committee stated that “The carni- val contributes to social cohesion, promotes tolerance through social criticism, and helps safeguard the local dialect. Transmission occurs infor- mally in families, while the ‘cliques’ also play an important role throughout the year, with several having a section dedicated to encouraging the next generation” (https://ich.unesco.org). The Basel Fasnacht is the second Swiss tradition recognized by the UNESCO this way, following the wine- grower’s festival in Vevey, which has been on this list since 2016. The Basler Fasnacht starts with the Morgenstreich on Monday morning at 04:00 and ends with the Endstreich at 04:00 on Thursday morning. The 72 hours in between are filled with a variety of events, including two huge main parades with over 11,000 participants, a children’s carnival, a lantern exhibit, a float exhibit, and Gugge concerts on three stages in the town center. The carnival has been successfully safeguarded over past decades thanks to measures taken by the communities. If you haven’t experienced the Basler Fasnacht yet—be there on Monday, February 19, at 04:00; be sure to set your alarm clock, bundle up, and witness a tradition that UNESCO considers worthy of preserving. Below is a schedule and description of the various events to enjoy this Fasnacht. To read more about Basel’s Fasnacht, you can visit their official sites at www.fasnacht.ch or www.basler-fasnacht.com. Additionally, the official Fasnacht committee has put together a wonderful brochure ­explaining Fasnacht in detail; to download the English version, go to their website at www.fasnachts-comite.ch/allgemein_en and click on “Bro- chure Basel Carnival” on the bottom of the page. To view the film submitted in support of the Basler Fasnacht’s application to the UNESCO, go to www.basler-fasnachts-welt.ch/unesco.html and click on the first “Link”; the film is in Basel dialect with English subtitles.

Schedule of Fasnacht Events

Day Time Event Sunday, February 4, 11, and 18 All day Walking rehearsals for the musicians of the Fasnacht groups ("cliques" and “Guggemusik” groups) in parks and wooded areas around Basel Thursday, February 8 17:00 School children’s Fasnacht parade through Basel Monday, February 19 04:00–sunrise Morgenstreich (beginning of Fasnacht 2018) Monday, February 19 From 13:30 Cortège (parade with cliques, Guggemusik groups, and floats) Monday, February 19 Evening Schnitzelbänk Tuesday, February 20 From around 13:00 Kinderfasnacht (children’s carnival) Tuesday, February 20 From dusk to Lantern exhibit at Münsterplatz morning Tuesday, February 20 From dusk to Exhibit of floats and props at Kaserne morning Tuesday, February 20 19:30–23:00 Gugge concerts at Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz, and Claraplatz Wednesday, February 21 From 13:30 Cortège (parade) Thursday, February 22 04:00 Endstreich (end of Fasnacht 2018) Sunday, February 25, and March 4 and 11 All day “Bummelsonntage” (strolling Sundays)

4 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Fasnacht Events Morgenstreich: It all starts early on Monday morning, when the bells of St. Martin’s church strike 4 o’clock and all the lights in the center of Basel go out. “Morgenstreich,” as it is called, is a parade of the “cliques” (Fasnacht groups) wandering through the darkened town with their newly unveiled lanterns to the sounds of piccolos and drums until dawn. Participants wear smaller lanterns on their heads and play a repertoire of traditional Morgenstreich tunes. They all wear different costumes and masks, and as the only lights are those of the lanterns, it is quite a beautiful event. The main streets of town are extremely crowded with thousands of spectators from all over, but are the best places to see the large lanterns. The smaller streets and alleys of the old town (like those behind Marktplatz) are less crowded and hauntingly echo the sounds of the music off the old buildings. If you need to warm up, several baker- ies and cafes will open to serve hot drinks and traditional Fasnacht foods (flour soup, onion pies, and a type of pretzel with caraway seeds) during these early morning hours. As the businesses are not supposed to have lights on to maintain the darkness in the street, those that are open tend to have blackened the windows, so be sure to check the doors to see if they are open. This event winds down as the sun comes up. There will be special trains, trams, and busses running during these early morning hours to help usher people to the Morgenstreich safely, February 19–21 so please leave your car at home and check out the BVB for their spe- cial transit services at www.bvb.ch. Main Parade (Cortège): There are two main processions, from 13:30– 18:15 on Monday and Wednesday. About 11,000 masked participants on foot or on floats parade along a set route through the city center, dis- playing their “Sujets” or special carnival topics, accompanied by the sound of drums, piccolos, and “Guggemusik.” People in the procession throw confetti, oranges, yellow mimosas, candy, and many other things to the spectators along the route. Most groups also hand out their own Schnitzelbänk: Schnitzelbank singers are individuals or small groups colorful sheets of paper (“Zeedel”) that make fun of local events and who present satirical songs or verses in Basel dialect that, like the Su- personalities in verse form, written in the unfathomable Basel dialect. jets, poke fun at well-known events or personalities of the previous year. Each clique is preceded by their large lantern (some barely clearing the The songs are often illustrated by special pictures, the “Helgen.” On tram wires) that illustrates their Sujet in colorful imagery and verse. Monday evening, more than 100 such Schnitzelbank groups wander A note of caution—when the children see the sweets being thrown at through various bars, restaurants, theaters, and clique cellars in the city the crowd, they tend to forget the potential dangers, so please watch center to present their songs. While they are incredibly witty, appreciat- your children and be sure that they stay clear of the moving wheels of ing the Schnitzelbänk requires a good understanding of Basel dialect. the carts. For a complete map of the route of the cortège, click on Children’s Carnival: Tuesday is a day for children, with no official pro- http://fasnacht.ch/service/cortege-route/. As these parades wind cession but rather groups of adults and children in costume wandering through the main streets of Gross- and Kleinbasel, tram and bus ser- around the streets in an unorganized parade, many of them playing vices in these areas are halted Monday to Wednesday from lunchtime instruments. On this day only, children (participants and spectators) onwards (check out www.bvb.ch for their alternate transit program). are welcome to dress up. It is a fun day for kids and not as crowded and loud as the Monday and Wednesday parades. Lantern and Float Exhibition: On Tuesday evening, all the large lanterns (about 200 of them) will be lit and on display at Münsterplatz. This is a truly magical (albeit crowded) event, at which you can take the time to admire the artistry—each lantern takes on average 200 hours to cre- ate—and to study which topics have really struck a chord with the Baslers in the previous year. Simultaneously, all the floats and props will be on display at Kaserne, a display that is often accompanied by spontaneous concerts and temporary pubs set up in some of the floats. “Gugge” Concert: “Guggemusik” bands, consisting mainly of brass in- struments and large drums, are not permitted at the Morgenstreich (only the cliques with their piccolos and drums). As compensation, they get to take over the city center on Tuesday night. The musicians gather from 19:30 onwards at Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz, and Claraplatz to play their deafening, discordant, but often very catchy tunes. They then disperse through the streets and march through the town center, play- ing their music into the small hours. If you must bring a stroller, avoid the overly crowded areas directly in front of the stages. Endstreich: Just as precisely as the Fasnacht starts at the strike of 04:00 on Monday morning, it ends at the strike of 04:00 on Thursday morning. The last piping and drumming die-hard Fasnachters meet at a pre-­ determined location shortly before that deadline to play a final tune that ends promptly at 04:00—the moment referred to as Endstreich.

photo credits: © stephen oliver; © anne kohler; © john varaklis February 2018 5 Feature Event (continued)

– CHF 560,000 for the goodies thrown from the floats – CHF 550,000 for musical instruments – CHF 230,000 for music schools and lessons – CHF 260,000 for the various expenses for Schnitzelbank singers – CHF 140,000 for the “Zeedel” – CHF 480,000 for cantonal expenses (ambulance services, street cleaning, etc.) – CHF 490,000 for public transport (extra trains, trams, busses, staff)

As this list shows, the greatest expenses are incurred by the cliques, Guggemusik groups, and other Fasnacht participants, and that doesn’t even include all the volunteer hours they put into the preparation of costumes, masks, events, and the like (which were estimated at a value of more than CHF 18 million). Also, keep in mind that those were the expenses 13 years ago, so costs are likely to have gone up since then. The only income the groups receive to help with these costs are their own fundraisers and profits from the sale of the Fasnacht badges (Blaggedde) that are newly designed each year and sold from the be- ginning of January. So go ahead and support the Fasnacht by buying one of the badges!

Fasnacht Badges (Blagedde) Walking Rehearsals: While the Fasnacht cliques have been rehearsing You’ve seen them adorn- their music for months in their cellars and meeting places around the ing people’s coats since city, this is not the same as playing their instruments on the move. For January—the Fasnacht this reason, they meet in various parks and wooded areas around Basel badges (Plakette, lazily on the three Sundays leading up to Fasnacht for final “walking” re- pronounced “Blagedde”) hearsals. So if you are out on those Sundays, you may get a preview of that are sold to help to off- some of the music. set some of the immense Bummelsonntage: The end of Fasnacht on Thursday morning is not re- costs assumed by the ally the end, though—there are still the three following Sundays, called members of the cliques. “Bummelsonntage” (strolling Sundays), when Fasnacht enthusiasts can They are newly designed enjoy a last dose of at least the Fasnacht music. Traditionally, on those each year and chosen via three Sundays (this year on February 25, March 4, and March 11), the a competition, with the theme depicted on the badge becoming the mot- cliques will return to the city—without their masks and costumes, but to for the year’s Fasnacht. This year’s badge acknowledges the Swiss with their instruments—from 16:00–22:00 to stroll around and play their Post and its changes and modernization, with the motto “D Boscht goot music on the streets, riverfront, bridges, and ferryboats before they must ab” (literally “the post takes off,” which also is a German saying used put away their piccolos and drums for the year. It’s a mixed atmosphere when talking about an event or party to indicate that there is lots going of fun, music, and a bit of melancholy and well worth checking out. on at the event and that the atmosphere is great). The badge was de- signed by Clelia Zoller—only the third woman in the more than 100-year history of the badges to be chosen as the winner of the competition. It The Estimated Cost of Fasnacht is shaped like an envelope from which three musicians in traditional An event such as the Basel Fasnacht doesn’t come cheap. In 2005, costumes are climbing. The sale of the badges started January 6, and the Fasnacht Committee, which oversees and coordinates most of the while it is not obligatory to have one when you go to the Fasnacht events, Fasnacht activities, commissioned a study from the Fachhochschule it is highly encouraged and will show your support for the active Fas- beider Basel about the economic impact of the Fasnacht. The research- nacht participants. They are certainly worth wearing if you would rather ers interviewed more than 1,500 people, including participants, visitors, be rewarded with oranges, candy, and flowers during the parades, than businesses, hotel and restaurant representatives, as well as representa- be pummeled with onions and Räppli (confetti). The carnival badges tives of the cantonal government, transport agencies, and media. And the come in copper (CHF 9), silver (CHF 18), gold (CHF 45), and bijou numbers were staggering! The estimated costs included, for example: (CHF 100), which for the first time will also be available as a necklace – CHF 3,900,000 for costumes pendant in addition to the pin. They can be purchased from the cliques, – CHF 2,200,000 for the masks street vendors (they normally hold boxes and call out “Blagedde”), cer- – CHF 1,100,000 for the lanterns tain kiosks, as well as during the Fasnacht at special stands in town, up – CHF 400,000 for other building materials for floats etc. until the last day of Fasnacht. So get your 2018 Fasnacht badge soon— they also make great collectibles! www.fasnachts-comite.ch/de/plakette/

Fasnacht Beyond Basel Fasnacht is also celebrated in other major cities of Switzerland—­ including Luzern (February 8–13), Bern (February 15–17), and Zürich (February 16–18)—and neighboring Germany; for a complete list of sites and dates in Switzerland, visit www.linker.ch/eigenlink/fasnacht.htm. Many smaller communities around Basel (eg, Therwil, Oberwil, Prat- teln, Liestal, Sissach) offer their own Fasnacht programs that may in- clude a Morgenstreich, parade, and Kinderfasnacht (children’s day).

6 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com The parades often take place on the weekend preceding the Morgen­ streich (February 17 and 18) because many of the groups also participate in Basel’s Cortège, so check with your local Gemeinde what activities you can expect there. BASEL Chienbäse Parade SPEAKSBASEL Liestal, February 18 INLINGUASPEAKS A very unique Fasnacht tradition close to Basel is the Chienbäse (wood- INLINGUA en broom) parade that takes place in Liestal starting at 19:15 on Febru- ary 18. During this parade, volunteers carry big “brooms” that are made from kindling wood and lit on fire through the center of town! In addi- tion, about 20 metal wagons stacked with tons of burning wood are also pulled along the route. With the flames rising high and the intense heat, this is a truly spectacular experience! Practical Tips: The event is very crowded, so it’s best to use public transport to get to Liestal (you can buy special tickets from the SBB or tram/bus ticket dispensers under special tickets “Chienbäse”). Be sure to wear old clothes, because embers will be flying around. Also, the organizers recommend that you don’t visit the event with children un- der age 6 or watch only from a distance, and if you do go with your chil- The cultural dren, you should try to find a spot near the end of the route, where the crowds are not as dense. You also shouldn’t lift the children on your resource in Basel. shoulders as the heat is more intense higher up. For the route of this spectacular parade, go to their website and click on “CHIENBÄSE” at the top of the page and then on “Route” on the left side of the next page. www.fasnacht-liestal.ch

Books | Music | Tickets Aeschenvorstadt 2 | 4010 Basel www.biderundtanner.ch

Learn German Lörrach, Germany All Levels: A1–C2 February 8–14 www.nsh.ch You can also enjoy Fasnacht activities in neighboring Germany for a slightly different atmosphere and even a different style of traditional costumes. Note that these celebrations are held a week earlier than in Basel, this year starting with the “Schmutziger Donnerstag“ (dirty Thursday) on February 8 and ending on Ash Wednesday, February 14. The closest events are in Lörrach. The main Fasnacht events in Lör- rach are the “Gugge-Explosion” on Saturday, February 10, and the big Intensive courses: parade on Sunday, February 11. For the Gugge-Explosion, more than 30 3× or 5× per week in the morning Guggemusik groups from Germany and Switzerland play on several stages in the center of Lörrach from 11:00 onwards until midnight Standard courses: (http://gugge-explosion.de/explosion/). The parade on Sunday with its 2× per week in the evening about 3,000 participants starts at 14:00 and goes through the center of town. Before that, you can already take a look at the wagons and floats at the Neuer Markt from 11:30–13:00. Note that you need to buy a Lör- Register now! rach Fasnacht badge or button (starting at € 5) to enter the town cen- ter and watch the parade. http://narrengilde-loerrach.de/strassenfasnacht/ photo credits: © susanne hiller; © michelle kirby; © stephen oliver (chienbäse) February 2018 7 Events in Basel: February 2018

Scanning Seti. The Recreation of a Pharaonic Tomb Until May 6 The rock-cut tomb of Pharaoh Seti I, discovered in 1817 by Giovanni Battista Belzoni, is the most outstanding burial site in the Valley of the Kings. Once extolled for its immaculate preservation, the grave is now in a pitiful state owing to the depredations of ruthless souvenir hunters. An exact copy of the 3,300-year-old royal tomb is now on display in an impressive special exhibition at the Antikenmuseum Basel. Thanks to watercolors made at the time of the discovery that document the wonderful decorations, combined with the most up-to-date scanning and reproduction pro- cesses, it has been possible to recreate the tomb in its original beauty. Climb down into the magnificent burial chambers of Seti I and discover the pharaonic monument in all its ancient glory, as Belzoni did 200 years ago. www.antikenmuseumbasel.ch

Future Love. Desire and Kinship in Hypernature ­media, from biotechnologies to virtual reality. The exhibition offers crit- Until April 15 ical, unconventional, and imaginative views on our impending life, while commenting on the present evolution of society and the imminent Never has the future of our emotional, sexual, and familial relation- changes, challenges, and opportunities that might affect our behav- ships appeared more exciting, promising, and troubled as today. Bio- iors. The works on display are speculative, critical, and at times utopic, technologies offer alternative means of reproduction, altering gender inviting us to contemplate our models of affective relationships that roles and their biological boundaries, while also challenging the tradi- define our condition as human beings and our presence in the eco- tional structures of family ties. New industrial products offer to fulfill sphere. Enjoy a free visit to this exhibit on Sunday, February 4. unconventional sexual fantasies, which can be realized through both physical and virtual realities. Global connectivity allows for the circula- www.hek.ch tion of alternative models of love and sexuality, which continue to pro- voke ideological debates among puritans and liberals, but are increas- ingly accepted by the wider population. This new interdependence of technology, engineering, and environment constitutes a new concept: hypernature, an enhanced version of the ecosystem that includes arti- ficial bodies and their correlations. In this context, some of the most forward-thinking theorists question our predominating role in the eco- sphere, inciting us to go beyond the common discourses about the ­Anthropocene, while discussing our imperative instincts for reproduc- tion and survival. This debate prompts us to rethink our identities and our behaviors. Have the recent developments of new technologies and social media fundamentally changed our relationships and sexualities? What influence do they have on our ideas of love, family, and gender roles? The group exhibition “Future Love” at the Haus der elektronisch- en Künste (HeK) Basel examines the impact of new technologies and Sofia Hultén—Here’s the Answer, What’s the Question? social media on our affective relationships and sexuality. The partici- Until May 1 pating international artists tackle these issues through a variety of As its first exhibition of 2018, Museum Tinguely is showing sculptures, installations, and videos by Berlin-based artist Sofia Hultén (born 1972 in Stockholm). Hultén’s works start with found objects—unremarkable everyday items or materials from the world of do-it-yourself stores and workshops. Through methodical manipulations that sometimes verge on the absurd, she examines these things that have been marked by their previous lives or processes them into new arrangements. In many cases, she sticks to minimal surface interventions that focus on the object’s (supposed) past usage and decay, shaking up the sequence of these phases. For example, she replicates the wear and tear on a weather-beaten chest of drawers with forensic precision, pulps dis- carded sections of particleboard only to immediately cast them back into their original form, or uses the props from a tennis match to recon- struct the various possible outcomes of a situation on the sidelines. The shifts she imposes on these objects are sometimes based on fan- tastic notions from science fiction, but more often they point to concepts

8 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com photo credits: © ruedi habegger, antikenmuseum basel und sammlung ludwig (scanning seti); from philosophy and quantum physics that cast doubt on the constant, linear nature of time and matter. In Hultén’s hands, such banal things as a broken cup, the contents of a found toolbox, a graffiti-covered roll- ing shutter, or a collection of used scissor jacks cause major questions to be addressed to a material world that may not be as solid as it looks. With a feel for detail and the magnificence of the easily overlooked, Hultén’s works also encourage us to engage more closely with things that usually remain on the margins of our attention, but which deci- sively influence our everyday lives. www.tinguely.ch

Night Flea Market and Streetfood Fair February 3 Everyone knows that you need to get up early to get the best finds at the flea market, right? If this is a problem for you, then here is the solution— on this evening, you can come to the Markthalle, a few minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB, to browse their “Nachtflohmarkt” (night flea mar- ket). From 17:00–22:00, it will feature numerous flea market stands in parallel to the Markthalle’s Streetfood Saturdays. In addition to the usual food stands, where you will find delicacies from around the world, Street- food Saturdays offer culinary specialties in small portions for a low price of CHF 5, allowing you to taste a variety of different dishes. The on-site bar serves drinks that will certainly compliment any dish you choose. Bob & Roberta Smith—The Whole World is an Art School www.altemarkthalle.ch February 3–24 The von Bartha art gallery in Basel is pleased to announce a new im- Repair Market mersive exhibition by British artist Patrick Brill, aka Bob & Roberta February 3 Smith. The exhibition “The Whole World is an Art School!” transforms the gallery space into an art school and visitors into art students; it The Quartiertreffpunkt BURG (Burgweg 7, Basel) is the location for this questions the motives of artistic practice while celebrating the often one-of-a-kind market from 11:00–14:00. If you have items that need “nonsensical uselessness” of finding inspiration. Bob & Roberta repair, such as small appliances, chairs, clothing, computers, or toys, Smith’s campaigns are an extension of his artistic work. The exhibi- don’t throw them away but bring them to this market, where volunteers tion at von Bartha features a multitude of brightly colored, text-based will be on hand to try and repair them. This initiative is not only great for slogan works that deal specifically with the role of art in the broader the environment, but is also a nice way to meet people and chat over society and are brought together here for the first time. The artist some cake and coffee. Alternatively, if you are good at crafts and enjoy works in an improvised way and adapts his handwriting to the state- working with wood, metal, fabric, needles and thread, and/or soldering ment—the constantly changing script reflects the uniqueness of the irons, perhaps you would like to volunteer some time on that day to creation. Sentences like “Make Art Not War” and “All Schools Should help “fix” items. You can sign up for this task on their website. Be Art Schools” are simultaneously comedic and political. New works www.reparier-bar.ch include artistic suggestions and challenges that are meant to be calls to action and instruct the visitor to take part in various creative activities at the gallery, such as painting “pink on pink” or “gray” im- Children’s Theater—Mother Hulda ages, creating “blob images,” or “painting with both hands.” Work February 3, 7, and 10 equipment, canvases, and workspace, as well as new workbenches Families will enjoy this with slogans painted by the artist are provided so that the exhibition classic Brothers Grimm’s is an organic, creative space that changes and evolves over time. The tale about a widow who results of these artistic activities by the artist himself as well as by favors and spoils her evil, the visitors will then be exhibited in the gallery. von Bartha will be lazy daughter and treats open for this exhibit Tuesday to Friday from 14:00–18:00 and Satur- her stepdaughter like a day from 11:00–16:00, or by appointment; entrance is free. slave. One day, the step- www.vonbartha.com daughter, who must spin wool daily by the well, ac- cidentally drops a spindle Children’s Theater—The Valiant Little Tailor into the well. In fear of being punished, she goes down the well to fetch it and encounters a February 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, and 28 whole new world—the world of Frau Holle (Mother Hulda). Here, she is The classic tale by the Brothers Grimm, “Das tapfere Schneiderlein” rewarded for her kindness and hard work by being showered with gold. (The Valiant Little Tailor), will be presented by the Basler Kinder Theater Upon her return, her evil sister and stepmother see this and also send in Basel dialect every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. This is a charm- the lazy girl down the well—but Mother Hulda rewards her with what ing story of a tailor who kills seven flies while eating, which inspires him she deserves. The show will be presented regularly on Wednesdays, to carve the words “Seven in one stroke” on his belt. As he goes out into Saturdays, and Sundays until February 10. It will be performed in Basel the world, everyone believes that they have a hero in front of them, in- dialect at the Fauteuil Theater, just a short walk from the Marktplatz. cluding the king who then asks him for help. The play is suitable for Tickets can be purchased directly online and are CHF 20–30 for kids and families with kids ages 4 and up. Tickets are CHF 15 for kids ages 4–16, CHF 5 more for adults. CHF 20 for adults, or CHF 10 and CHF 15 with the Familienpass. www.fauteuil.ch www.baslerkindertheater.ch

© mediengruppe bitnik (future love); © sofia hultén, prolitteris, zürich / photo: sofia hultén; © theater fauteuil (Mother Hulda); © bob & roberta smith (this artist is deeply dangerous, 2009) February 2018 9 Events in Basel: February 2018 (continued)

Aglaia Graf on piano with some of her own compositions. Mittagskonzerte take place at the Haus Kleinbasel (Rebgasse 70). Doors open at 12:00 with snacks; the concert starts at 12:30 and lasts about 45 minutes. En- trance is free, but donations to offset costs are graciously accepted. www.musikschule-basel.ch

Children’s Theater—Pippi Longstocking February 7 Pippi Langstrumpf lives by herself in the Villa Kunterbunt, together with her horse, Kleiner Onkel, and the monkey, Herr Nilsson. They are completely unaffected by attacks by nasty burglars, “evil” teachers, Fasnacht Exhibit and stupid policemen, because Pippi, the red-braided seaman’s daugh- The Basel Fasnacht is a festival of sounds and dreams, of color and ter, has superhuman strength. A suitcase full of gold gives her inde- fantasy, but also of criticism and mockery. In the last 100 years, it pendence, which she enjoys to the fullest with her best friends Annika has evolved and inspired the population and artists of this city to and Thomas. The Theater Arlecchino will be presenting their own mod- actively participate, not only during the Fasnacht itself, but all year ified story based on Astrid Lindgren’s books and translated into Basel round. Baslers use this festival to vent their opinions in a humorous dialect. Shows start at 14:30 and are suitable for families with children and colorful way and to act and behave differently from their normal ages 4 and up. Tickets are CHF 20 for adults and CHF 15 for kids; they day-to-day lives. For those three days of the year, Basel lives in a can be reserved online and picked up at the ticket office 30 minutes different world! Since 2014, the Museum der Kulturen has been before the performance. hosting a permanent exhibit that provides an overview of the Basel www.theater-arlecchino.ch Fasnacht in historic and atmospheric rooms with costumes, masks, musical instruments, historical documents, and a reproduction of a typical “carnival.” So if you want to learn more about Basel’s fantas- Annual Testing of the Alarm System tic Fasnacht, visit the Museum der Kulturen; opening hours of this February 7 permanent exhibit are Thursday to Saturday from 13:00–17:00 and If you suddenly hear alarm sirens going off on this day starting at 13:30, Sunday from 11:00–17:00. There will be an English-language tour of there is no need to worry—this is just the annual Switzerland-wide test the exhibit on February 18 from 15:00–16:00 and a French-language of all their emergency alarm systems that always takes place on the tour on February 11 from 15:00–16:00. first Wednesday in February. These annual tests serve to ensure that www.mkb.ch/de/programm/events/2014/ all residents of Switzerland are well prepared should an emergency Fasnachtsausstellung.html occur. You may hear several sets of alarms. The first set is the “gen- eral alarm.” This is a regular ascending and descending tone that lasts Open Day Freies Gymnasium Basel for 1 minute and is repeated once after a 2-minute interval. Where nec- essary, the sirens can continue to be tested until 14:00. From 14:15– February 5 15:00 (at the latest), the “water alarm” signal is tested in those areas The Freies Gymnasium Basel is a Swiss private school that has Ger- that are in the proximity of dams. It consists of 12 low, continuous tones man as its main language but welcomes expats and aims to integrate lasting 20 seconds each and repeated at 10-second intervals. By 15:00 international students into their regular lessons as far as possible at the latest, the tests should be completed and the function of a total without putting any pressure or high expectations on them. On this day of 7,200 sirens confirmed. If you hear these alarms outside of such test from 8:00–15:00, you are welcome to visit all sections of the school, situations, all loudspeakers in public spaces, including at bus and tram from Kindergarten to the Matura. You can sit in on the classes, talk stops, as well as in trams and busses, will provide information about ­directly to the staff, learn about their wide range of extracurricular pro- the nature of the emergency and the appropriate response. This infor- grams, and visit their facilities from the cafeteria to the gyms and play- mation will also be scrolled on the digital displays at bus, tram, and grounds. You can reach the school by public transport (tram 14 to Karl train stations. If you hear the alarms while at home, they would alert Barth-Platz or bus 36 to Ulmenweg). you to turn on your radio for further information. www.fg-basel.ch www.babs.admin.ch/en/alarm/sirenentest.html

Music Box for Kids Basler Münzenmesse 2018 (Coin Fair) February 7 February 10 On the first Wednesday of each month, the Musik Akademie Basel of- The international Basel Coin Fair is for fers a program for kids and adolescents entitled “Music aus der Box” those fascinated by classical numis- (Music out of the box). The mini-concerts performed by members of the matics. For the 47th year, numerous Musik Akademie Basel are held on Wednesday afternoons at 15:30 in exhibitors will be presenting coin the Vera-Oeri Bibliothek, the beautiful library on the main campus of novelties from all over the world, the music academy. This month’s concert will be presented by Barbara Euro and collector issues, paper Leitherer and is entitled “Eine barocke Prinzessin erzählt” (A baroque money, tokens, original types of princess tells stories). All are welcome, and entrance is free. currencies, historical securities, nu- www.musik-akademie.ch mismatic literature, and accessories. In addition, visitors to the Basel Coin Fair have the opportunity to buy, sell, and Mid–Day Concert—Birth of Gods exchange coins and medals of all eras and coun- February 7 tries. This international coin fair will take place at the The Musikschule Basel offers lunch-time concerts for interested audi- Congress Center Basel from 9:00–16:00. ences. This month’s concert is entitled “Birth of Gods” and will feature www.messeninfo.de/Basler-Muenzenmesse-M2797/Basel.html

10 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com photo credits: © museum der kulturen (fasnacht exhibit); Basel Short Stories—From Erasmus to Iris von Roten February 10 – May 26 The exhibition “"Basel Short Stories” takes a look at the extensive and in some ways world-famous collection of the Kunstmuseum Basel, with the intention of showing less well-known aspects of the collections in new contexts. Both illustrious and forgotten, private and world histori- cal, and even partly grotesque events from the history of the city of Ba- sel serve as the projection area and background on which the museum’s holdings are reflected. The aim is to raise awareness of the extraordi- nary potential of the Basel Public Art Collection in a new way through the curatorial dialogue between forgotten or seldom-shown works and icons of the collection. The variety of artists, voices, and scenes shows the museum as a complex, unpredictable, and continuously evolving or- ganism. The humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam, Hans Holbein the Young- er’s painting “The Dead Christ in the Tomb,” draftswoman and research- er Maria Sibylla Merian, historian and art historian Jacob Burckhardt, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the Basel Peace Congress of 1912, figure skaters Frick and Frack, inventor of LSD Albert Hoffmann, and women’s rights activist Iris von Roten all are represented in this exhibi- tion. The exhibition’s transdisciplinary concept involving art and science, as well as everyday and popular culture, can appeal to a whole range of target groups. The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication with illustrations, citations, and excerpts of historical texts as well as texts by experts from different fields; additionally, a rich supporting program will expand the stories shown in the exhibition. The public vernissage of “Basel Short Stories” will take place on February 9 from 18:30–21:30. https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch/de/ausstellungen/2018/ basel-short-stories

Jazz Concert at the Tinguely Museum February 23 From 16:00–18:00 on the last Friday of every month, top jazz perform- ers are giving concerts in the space dedicated to the current exhibition at the Tinguely Museum, providing a musical highlight and a point of focus. The concert on February 23 will feature the Lionel Loueke Trio and is free with admission to the museum. www.roche-n-jazz.ch

Flohmarkt auf dem Dach (Flea Market on the Roof) February 25 This flea market and collectors’ fair is the largest in northwest Switzer- land, with about 200 stands and 10,000 visitors. It will be held on the roof of the Interio in Pratteln from 8:30–15:00. The venue is completely covered, so it can take place in any weather. Here you can find agricul- ture, antiques, appliances, arts and crafts, bicycles, camping, clothes, coins, collectibles, electronics, games, garden, household, jewelry, motorcycle clothing, musical instruments, sports, stamps, tools, watch- es, and so much more. www.flohmarktaufdemdach.ch

© pixabay (basler münzenmesse); © kunstmuseum basel, kupferstichkabinett (maria sibylla merian, metamorphosis insectorum surinamensium) February 2018 11 Fun Outings: Beyond Basel

a fondue dinner in tipis will be served in Theurre starting at 20:30. The entertainment for the evening will include ­bagpipes and biathlon target shooting at the shooting stand (Sous la Neuvevie), while you warm up with a hot tea or mulled wine. Shuttle buses will be available to take you back to the starting point at 21:00, 22:15, 23:00, and 23:45. Sign up for this special torch-lit walk by filling out the online form at www. snowup-interjurassien.ch/snowup/marche-aux-flambeaux.html; cost is CHF 25 for adults and CHF 20 for kids (CHF 10 for ½ portion) and includes both the walk and the fondue; if you don’t want to participate in the meal, cost is just CHF 5 for adults and free for kids. Snow-Up: On February 4, the Jura region of Switzerland will be hosting its 10th annual Snow-Up. Similar to the annual Slow-Up in autumn, this all-day event promotes getting around in a snowy environment without the help of motorized vehicles, and participation is absolutely Snowshoe and Igloo Fondue Experience free! From 9:00–16:00, you can walk, cross-country ski, roller-ski, Schangnau, BE snow-shoe (these can be rented for CHF 5 for kids and CHF 10 for If you would like to experience the most delightful winter traditions adults at Cernil, Saignelégier, and Theurre), toboggan, or do anything together in one adventurous day, make your way to the Kemmeri- else you can think of! They provide several trails for this, including a boden-Bad, 976 meters above sea level, in the Emmental district of 3.0 km nature trail around étang de la Gruère (Gruère pond), a family- canton Bern. You can get there in just under 2 hours from Basel by friendly trail (3.1 km long), a fitness trail (8.6 km), a cardio trail (12.3 km), car or just over 2 hours by train to Escholzmatt, followed by bus to and an endurance trail (15.9 km). You can download a brochure and Kemmeriboden. The fairy-tale winter landscape surrounding the map that shows the participating towns and the trails between them as Kemmeriboden-Bad hotel invites visitors to discover the enchant- well as the list of events and times in each town. Go to their website and ing, wildly romantic area at the foot of the Hohgant mountain in the click on “La Journée” at the top of the page, then on “Parcours” in the Emmental Alps. You can enjoy a fondue lunch at the very cozy pan- pull-down menu, then click on the map. In Theurre, the center of the oramic igloo on site, and you can combine this cool experience with Snow-Up, you will also find tipis, igloos, soil huts, dog-sled demonstra- a snowshoe hike in the idyllic landscape. This special adventure is tions, canicross, music, and food. There will also be food and drink at available on Saturdays and Sundays until mid-March and costs the other towns on the route. If you choose to drive, you can find limited CHF 35 per person, which includes snowshoe rental, homemade parking at Tramelan (next to the Precitame factory and the skating cheese fondue, and cold-cut platter. Book by phone at 034-493-7777 rink), from where free shuttle busses can take you to the start of the or by email at [email protected]. Winter hikes and cross- Snow-Up at Cernil and back every 30 minutes. As parking is limited, it country skiing are also available as an alternative to snowshoeing. is advisable to take the train to one of the participating towns. There www.bls.ch/kemmeriboden-promo will be a free shuttle bus every 20 minutes from 9:00–16:40 between Le Cernil and Saignelégier (via La Theurre); download the schedule for this shuttle from their website. Note that this event relies on good weath- er conditions, so the entire Snow-Up can be cancelled and this will be Torch-Lit Walk and Snow-Up ­announced by latest on January 30 on their website. Canton Jura www.snowup-interjurassien.ch February 3 and 4 Torch-Lit Walk: The “Marche aux flambeaux” (torch-lit walk) this year Winter Holidays on the Farm will take place on February 3, the night before the Snow-Up. The event Agrotourism, the agriculturally-based activities that attract tourists to will take place between Saignelégier and Theurre, with the entire a farm or ranch for holidays, has become very popular in this part of course illuminated by Finnish logs. The event will begin­ in Saignelégier Europe, particularly Switzerland. People or families looking to get back (near the community center “Centre des Loisirs des Franche-Mon- to the basics for holidays have plenty of opportunities in Switzerland, tagnes”) at 18:00 (last departure from Saignelégier around 19:00), and with over 320 Swiss farms promoting agricultural tourism for everyone to enjoy. In the warmer months, families can enjoy farm life, overnight- ing in the barn or holiday house; adventure seekers can cycle from farm to farm; and children can experience life on the farm without their parents. But holidays on the farm are not limited to the warmer months; it is becoming a tradition for some families to spend their winter holi- days on farms as well. Families who prefer to pass up the crowded ski resorts for a quieter and more relaxing winter adventure with their kids are choosing winter holidays on the farm. If the calm serenity of winter nature, fresh air, and beautiful surrounding landscape seems more in order this winter, why not settle down for a few days on a farm, in a cozy apartment or room? Enjoy long walks, snowshoe in snow-covered hills, make a snowman, or have a good old-fashioned snowball fight with your kids, while exercising outdoors and being treated to some locally grown, healthy fine dining. Many of the farms are located directly in winter sports areas or in the immediate vicinity, so a day escape for ski- ing or snowboarding is also possible. To book your next winter escape to a farm, visit the Agrotourismus Schweiz website (German, French, and English available), plug in your desired dates, and select a region for a list of participating farms with available rooms or holiday houses. www.myfarm.ch/en

12 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Toy Museum Colmar Colmar, France Opened in 1993 in what was previously the town’s cinema, the Musée du Jouet Colmar (Colmar Toy Museum) invites children and adults to discover the toys that have marked the childhoods of many genera- tions. With a permanent collection of over 2,000 toys spread over 3 floors, the museum focuses on the history of toys from the 19th cen- tury to today. The first floor houses a remarkable collection of dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition takes a look back at the history and development of the doll, both in its production tech- niques and intended use. It includes antique porcelain dolls, celluloid “bather” dolls, vinyl dolls like the Bella, as well as fashion dolls or baby dolls. The highlight for most visitors, however, is the collection of over 100 Barbie dolls, from the rare first one from 1959 to the most recent generations, as well as adventure figures, including G.I. Joe, Action Man, and Big Jim. The second floor is dedicated to a train network on Visit the Titlis Glacier Cave 1 km of tracks, where several convoys can circulate at the same time. The earliest of these ran on steam, while others were drawn along by Engelberg, Obwalden string, and later models were mechanical and subsequently electrical. The Titlis mountain above Engelberg is a popular ski area in winter, Some of the greatest makes, including Märklin, Bing, JEP, L.R., and with slopes to suit every ability. You will feel on top of the world as you Hornby, are exhibited here! Classic items, such as the Pacific 231 by take in the spectacular panoramic views of snow-covered mountains JEP—referred to as the Golden Arrow—or the Princess Elizabeth by and unspoiled Alpine landscapes. The jewel in central Switzerland’s Hornby, are great examples of the sheer ingenuity of these toys. The crown, Titlis has an over 2000-meter altitude difference from the vil- decoration is detailed and diverse with its stations, houses, mountains, lage down below to the only publicly accessible glacier in the area at characters, and lighting, a real treat for the budding mechanic or mod- the top. The ice here was frozen long before prehistoric man discovered el hobbyist. Other permanent collections of the museum include board how to make fire using pyrite. Titlis’ mountain-top glacier has a cave games, from antique ones you can admire to giant ones you can play with a 150-meter-long walkway that branches out in several directions with as a group; construction toys, including Lego, Meccano, and Play- and descends 20 meters below the surface of the glacier. A visit to the mobil; mechanical and electronic toys; pedal cars and scale models glacier cave that forms the frosty heart of Titlis is a magical experience made of metal and plastic, including the legendary brand Dinky Toys; for visitors with its dim turquoise-blue color that is caused by the re- plush toys from the Steiff bear collection; ride-on toys like small cars, fraction of light, and its hazy atmosphere that is the result of tiny air tricycles, rocking horses, and wheeled horses; as well as scientific pockets in the ice. On the walls, millions of tiny ice crystals sparkle and toys, including children’s microscopes and a dangerous steam machine glisten. Exploring the glacier cave is a “cool” experience, with the tem- that was quickly withdrawn form the market for safety reasons. On the perature inside the cave remaining a frosty -1.5˚C, irrespective of the ground floor, you are welcomed by Cinderella’s remarkable coach, a outside temperature; the air is so cold that tiny white clouds appear 1/5 scale model of Cinderella’s dream carriage pulled by four white when you breathe. A visit to the Titlis glacier cave is free of charge and horses, enchantingly animated by 22 electric motors—a technological can be experienced all year round. However, the glacier cave can only tour de force admired for the first time at the 1937 Paris World Fair. The be accessed by taking the Titlis Rotair gondola, the world’s first revolv- rest of the ground floor is dedicated to the museum’s temporary exhibi- ing gondola, which transports you from the middle station at Stand up tions, currently “The World of Action Figures,” which runs until Sep- to the snow-covered Titlis summit, 3,020 meters above sea level. The tember 9. Here you will find soldiers made of paper, lead, and tin; Play- gondola revolves 360 degrees during the 5-minute trip, treating you to mobil and Lego figures; as well as doll houses and Polly Pocket. With idyllic panoramic views of steep rock faces, deep crevasses, and distant more than 2,500 figurines in more than 30 sets, this exhibition at the snow-covered mountain peaks. The Stand station can be reached by a Musée du Jouet offers visitors a playful and immersive setting. The combination of gondolas, or cable car and gondolas. Check the website museum, which is located 45 minutes from Basel by car or 1 hour by for prices and operating hours of the gondolas. The base of the moun- train, is open from 10:00–17:00 daily, except Tuesdays. Admission is € 5 tain in Engelberg can be reached by car or train in about 1 hour 45 min- for adults, € 4 for kids ages 8–15, and free for kids under age 8; ­reduced utes from Basel. rates for families and students apply. www.titlis.ch/en/glacier www.museejouet.com/en

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Steinenbachgasslein 49, 4051 Basel +41 78 646 97 44 www.lifetransitionscounselingllc.com Orell Füssli Freie Strasse 32 CH-4001 Basel “Everything can always be different” – Alfred Adler Tel. 061 264 26 26 www.orellfüssli.ch

photo credits: © hotel kemmeriboden bad (snowshoe and igloo fondue); © georges henz (snow-up); © engelberg-titlis tourismus ag (titlis glacier cave) February 2018 13 OF_Inserat_Basel_90x60.indd 1 14.06.16 14:54 Basel Culture

Get to Know Groove Now!

What do you do if you have a passion for blues and soul music and a yearning to regularly hear world-class live blues or soul bands? Well, you define a clear concept and the right marketing approach, get the right partners on board, ensure the finances, bring along a huge know-how of blues and soul music as well as of live music, and have the best connections to world-class bands!

This is, in essence, how “Blues Now”—later renamed “Groove Now” to Now concert, thanks to their generous sponsors, is presented twice, on more accurately represent the best in blues and soul—was born. Black- consecutive Friday and Saturday nights. music aficionado and Director of Communications at Bayer Basel, Pat- Now in its ninth year, the highly professional nonprofit Groove Now or- rick Kaiser, gathered some of his friends—also well-known business ganization has remained true to its primary mission—to regularly bring leaders—and founded a nonprofit organization. Together they garnered high-quality original blues bands to Basel, presented in the intimate sponsors the old-fashioned way, painstakingly knocking on one corpo- club setting in which this style of music was meant to be enjoyed. Long- rate door after another, until they acquired enough financial support to time fans of great blues and soul music, as well as newbies wanting to start the project. With the Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank as their experience firsthand the extraordinary vibe of live blues, are invited to main sponsor, alongside a half-dozen other sponsors, a new world- the Atlantis to watch Groove Now founder Patrick Kaiser proudly wel- class blues and soul concert series hit the scene in Basel in 2010. come his personally selected bands to the stage. Their uncompromising approach has always been the key to their suc- The success of the Groove Now team’s approach to bringing world- cess. Kaiser hand-selects only the best in international blues and soul. class blues and soul music to Basel is obvious. Not only are the con- The well-known or lesser-known artists need to be of highest caliber certs always well attended or sold out, but the artists they engage fre- with outstanding proof of their quality. Most of them have won presti- quently are awarded blues music’s highest honors. Just this January, gious music awards in the United States, and all the bands play in their no less than 33 nominations for this year’s Blues Music Awards went to original lineup—this means, no leads accompanied by back-up musi- musicians who recently starred in Groove Now concerts or are part of cians. And thanks to the generous sponsors, they are brought to Basel the upcoming lineup. Most of these nominations went to Rick Estrin, for an exclusive engagement with Groove Now, with the Basel concerts who performed under the Groove Now logo in November. Other nomi- being their only concerts in Switzerland. The artists love to be invited by nations went to past performers Sugaray Rayford and Mike Zito, as well the Groove Now organization, not only because they can use their sole as to Wee Willie Walker, who will come to Basel this summer. engagement with Groove Now in Switzerland as a springboard to other concert gigs in Europe, but mainly because of the very personalized The Groove Now 2018 lineup has now been announced and includes hospitality they receive from its music-enthusiast organizers. eight fabulous U.S. bands, starting with a concert in March. Read on to learn more about these upcoming shows, and visit their German-Eng- The first concert in the series was presented at the Sudhaus in Basel in lish website to also get a peek at the eight bands already lined up for 2010, followed by seven years of first-rate concerts at the Volkshaus in 2019. These include funky blues sensation Alex Schultz with his All- Kleinbasel, a large concert hall with great acoustics. But it wasn’t until Star Band; Chicago’s new generation of blues musicians with Corey the Atlantis restaurant in Basel, originally one of Europe’s oldest and Dennison, Dave Specter, and Andrew Duncanson; and the blues super most legendary blues and rock venues, decided to change their format group The Blues Giants featuring Sugaray Rayford (who also will be back to include a bar-lounge and concert setting, that the Groove Now back with his own band later in the year), Albert Castiglia, Nick Schne- concert series found their current home. Since 2017, all Groove Now belen, Willie J. Campbell, and Jimi Bott. Also coming to Basel in 2019 concerts have been played in the intimate setting of the Atlantis Basel, will be B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Victor Wainright & The Train; a two-story establishment in the center of Basel—the perfect venue for the roadhouse blues tour de force, The Chris O’Leary Band; Britain’s their blues and soul concerts. And despite the 350-person capacity of most innovative blues guitar virtuoso Matt Schofield; and Johnny the Atlantis Basel, Groove Now limits their sales to only 220 tickets per Moeller’s Texas Revue with their burning Texas blues guitar. night, to ensure that all guests enjoy the music with a view of the band from both levels, without feeling overcrowded. This is why each Groove www.groovenow.ch

14 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Groove Now 2018 Lineup To Be Announced (March 16 and 17). The program for these two evenings had to be changed unexpectedly at short notice. The new band that will perform on these nights will be announced soon, but whoever it will be—you can be sure they will be top-notch performers! Check their website for updates.

Curtis Salgado Band (April 6 and 7). Harmonica player, singer, bandlead- er, and songwriter Curtis Salgado of Portland, Oregon, is known among select circle of great Texas blues women, and has been called “the fin- film aficionados as the role model and great inspiration for John Be- est blues guitar woman” for her outstanding command of the electric lushi’s “Joliet Jake” of Blues Brothers’ fame. Starting out in the 70s guitar. For two highly praised albums and several tours, Foley has alongside Robert Cray, going on to front the legendary Roomful of worked with Tennessee singer-songwriter Peter Karp, with whom she Blues, and even singing for Santana, this charismatic entertainer has has already played twice in Basel. But for her latest album, “The Ice been on the road with his own brand of “triumphant, joyful, blues- Queen,” she has relocated to Texas and is playing with local heroes such soaked R&B” for over 30 years. Repeatedly listed as Best Male Soul- as Jimmie Vaughan and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame. Be sure to hear Blues Singer and clearly living up to his rank as “The One and Only Mr. this finest of guitar blues women as she comes for a third show in Basel Soul,” it is no wonder that Blues Revue calls him “one of the most soul- this June, this time with her own hand-picked band of real “Austin ful, honest singers ever.” The Curtis Salgado Band, who won over their Heavyweights.” They will be joined by a very special guest—Texas-based Basel audience in 2013, will be back in April under the Groove Now logo blues singer Lou Ann Barton, who is one of the finest female purveyors with their prize-winning comeback album “Soul Shot,” which has been of raw, unadulterated roadhouse blues that you will ever hear! nominated for two Blues Music Awards Wee Willie Walker & The Nightcats Band & Horns (August 17 and 18). Mis- for Best Soul Blues sissippi-born Wee Willie Walker is definitely one of the last great voices Album of the Year keeping the 60s soul music alive. This former gospel singer can be ex- and Best Blues Song pected to stay on the road for many years as a most honorable repre- of the Year (for “Walk sentative of this now classic genre. For his latest recording “If Nothing a Mile in my Blues”). Ever Changes,” Walker earned two Living Blues Awards—the Critic’s The latter nomina- Poll award for Comeback Artist of the Year, as well as Best Blues Album tion is a particular of 2015 in the Southern Soul category. Back in the 80s, Little Charlie & honor for Salgado as The Nightcats were among the most successful Californian exponents he wrote this album of classic electrified urban blues. In 2008, their flamboyant singer, har- almost in its entirety! monica player, and songwriter extraordinaire, Rick Estrin, formally be- came the group’s leader, and they were joined by Norwegian-born Chris West Coast Blues Guitar Summit (May 4 and 5). In May, Groove Now wel- “Kid” Andersen, rightfully acclaimed as one of the world’s best blues comes a true dream lineup to the stage of the Atlantis: Michael “Ju- guitarists and repeatedly nominated for several Blues Music Awards. It nior” Watson and "Little Charlie" Baty, two legendary guitar heroes was then that the combo really took off and was honored with the Blues from the U.S. West Coast, who are definitely among the world’s best as Music Award for Band of the Year. Wee Willie Walker will be coming to far as rocking and jumping blues guitar skills are concerned. Watson Basel in August together with the Nightcats, a band that has been among was among the original founding members of the famous Mighty Flyers Groove Now’s favorite bands for years. before joining Canned Heat as their lead guitarist for many years. Baty was the co-founder of the renowned combo, Little Charlie & The Night- cats, together with Rick Estrin, in 1976. Watson and Baty will be joined by Californian Mitch Kashmar, a fantastic singer and modern master of the harmonica who belongs to the Top 10 of his craft. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to experience right here in Basel this extraordinary combination of old friends and colleagues playing authentic West Coast Blues the way it can usually only be experienced at home!

Sue Foley—The Ice Queen & Special Guest (June 8 and 9). Canadian Sue Foley is not only the recipient of several awards in her home country, including numerous Juno and Maple Blues Awards as one of the most remarkable Canadian blues musicians, but she has also received sev- eral prestigious international blues awards. Ever since this first-class guitarist and singer successfully immigrated into the legendary music scene of Austin, Texas, almost 30 years ago, she counts as one of the photo credits: © nicolas frey; © joe rosen (curtis salgado); © scott doubt (sue foley); © doug knutson (wee willie walker) February 2018 15 Basel Culture (continued)

Simply the Best in Blues and Soul since 2010. live at Atlantis Basel.

Program John Németh & The Blue Dreamers (September 21 and 22). John Németh Fr/Sa, March 16/17, 2018 has convincingly and successfully been preserving and developing the CELEBRATED US GUITAR SENSATION . Southern soul-blues tradition of Otis Redding and O.V. Wright like no Doyle Bramhall II (USA) other. Born in Idaho and long and solidly established on the West Coast, Fr/Sa, April 6/7, 2018 Németh has been living and working in Memphis (Tennessee), the blues TRIUMPHANT, JOYFUL BLUES-SOAKED R&B . world’s true capital, for some years now. His celebrated and prize-win- ning album “Memphis Grease” brought him to Basel about three years Curtis Salgado Band (USA) ago. His latest album, “Feelin’ Freaky,” which is also deeply rooted in FEAT. THE LONDON HORNS the classic Memphis Soul of the 60s, was recorded with Németh’s excel- Fr/Sa, May 4/5, 2018 lent touring band, the renowned Blue Dreamers. John Németh was TWO SENSATIONAL GUITAR PLAYERS TOGETHER . again nominated at this year’s Blues Music Awards for their very highest honor of B.B. King Entertainer of the Year! This September, Groove Now West Coast Blues Guitar will bring John Németh & The Blue Dreamers to the Atlantis for two Summit (USA) deeply soulful evenings of world-class Memphis Soul. FEAT. JUNIOR WATSON, LITTLE CHARLIE & MITCH KASHMAR Fr/Sa, June 8/9, 2018 THE FINEST BLUES GUITAR WOMAN & A TEXAS BLUES LEGEND . Darrell Nulisch—Tad Robinson Soul Revue (October 19 and 20). In October, Groove Now Sue Foley Texas All-Stars will be bringing together the two best white FEAT. LOU ANN BARTON (USA)

soul-blues singers, Tad Robinson and Darrell Fr/Sa, August 17/18, 2018 Nulisch, under the motto “Two Soul-Blues THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER ALIVE . Heroes Together.” And by special request of Groove Now, they will be joined by one of the Wee Willie Walker (USA) most thrilling blues guitarists from Texas, AND THE NIGHTCATS BAND & HORNS FEAT. RICK ESTRIN AND KID ANDERSEN Johnny Moeller, a long-time member of the Fr/Sa, September 21/22, 2018 Fabulous Thunderbirds and of the house SOUL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR WINNER . band at the independent publishing label Severn Records. Nulisch and Moeller are John Németh & The Blue both Texans, while Tad Robinson is a native Dreamers (USA) New Yorker who found his way to blues and Fr/Sa, October 19/20, 2018 soul through Indiana University’s school of THE TWO BEST WHITE SOUL BLUES SINGERS TOGETHER . music and Chicago’s West Side, where he joined Dave Specter and the Bluebirds for a Darrell Nulisch – Tad Robinson time. Their music is defined neither by geography nor by culture, back- Soul Revue FEAT. JOHNNY MOELLER (USA) ground, origins, or skin color—it is only defined by excellence. Fr/Sa, November 23/24, 2018 TEXAS BLUES AT ITS BEST . Anson Funderburgh’s Texas Rhythm & Blues Revue (November 23 and 24). Anson Funderburgh is a Texan guitarist born in 1954 just like Stevie Ray Anson Funderburgh’s Texas Vaughan, but is more reminiscent of Ray’s older brother Jimmie Rhythm & Blues Revue Vaughan in that he is famous not for playing too many notes, but ex- FEAT. BIG JOE MAHER AND GREG IZOR (USA) actly the right ones. The winner of multiple Blues Music Awards, Fun- Showtime 20:30h derburgh definitely carries on the great tradition of mythic Texas Blues Atlantis | Klosterberg 13 | Basel and is considered by many blues connoisseurs as one of the world’s Tickets: www.starticket.ch best guitarists in any genre. He has become an old acquaintance to www.groovenow.ch Groove Now, taking Basel by storm a few years ago with his Texas col- league Holland K. Smith, and then again in 2016 together with the Andy sponsors T-Nick Nixon Band out of Nashville. In November 2018, this brilliant player will be coming back with his very own Texas Rhythm & Blues Revue, featuring New Orleans resident harmonicist and singer Greg Izor fronting the band and Washington (D.C.) drummer Big Joe Maher as an additional singer and songwriter. Funderburgh will offer his Ba- sel audience an occasion to experience Texas Blues at its best, with an partner exquisite hand-picked lineup transforming Basel, for two evenings, into a true sister city of Austin, Texas!

16 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Information Desk Holiday Camps for Kids If you want to keep your kids busy during the Fasnacht break (aka “Sportferien”), there are numerous camps for which you can enroll them. The table below provides you with some websites to find camps and register online. The camps take place in the first week of the break unless otherwise indicated. Camps fill up fast, so don’t wait!

PROVIDER CAMP Age Group Website Bürgerliches Waisenhaus Outings, games, crafts, and other activities 6–11 www.waisenhaus-basel.ch Fachstelle für Jugendarbeit 1-Week ski and snowboard camp (week 1 and 2) 8–17 www.faju.ch E9 jugend & kultur Skating camp 6–12 www.e-9.ch Music and dance camp 5–9 Fantasia Basel Skating camp for all types of skating 6–10 www.fantasia-basel.ch Fit4school Early Learning Academy Little chefs cooking camp (week 1) 4–10 www.fit4school-kita.ch The slightly different journey through time (week 2) 4–10 Freizeitzentrum Landauer Fasnacht camp to make a costume and mask 6-12 www.landauer.ch Generationenhaus Neubad A week of learning to ice-skate 6–12 www.generationenhaus-neubad.ch JO SAC Angenstein 8-Day ski and snowboard camp in the Schwarzsee-Region in canton Fribourg 14–22 www.jo-angenstein.ch (week 1) Kids Camp International Cooking camp 3–14 www.kcinternational.ch Kinder Basel 1-Week multisport camps (week 1 & 2) 5–13 www.kinderbasel.com Learn & sports camps (combines sports techniques for more efficient learning 9–12 and German classes for children with German as a second or third language) Kinder-Camps Fun & action camp (Van der Merwe, St. Jakob, SWISS MEGA PARK) 6–13 www.kinder-camps.ch Kinderhuus Gampiross A Fasnacht camp of mask making and carnival processions around the theme 4–10 www.kinderhuus-gampiross.ch of dwarves and giants Kindertreffpunkt zum Burzelbaum Discover carnivals from around the world, including Fasnacht, through crafts 4–10 www.burzelbaum.ch and music Kompass 32 “Ice Time”—everything around the theme of ice (experiments, skating, home- 4–12 www.kompass32.ch made ice cream, etc.) Kwerk Bildschule 4-Day workshop to design and construct a stuffed animal equipped with an 9–13 www.kwerk.ch electronic sound component 3-Day workshop to draw body movement 7–10 Ooink Ooink Productions Ski and snowboard camp in Selva/Sedrun in the Milez-Oberalp ski area (week 2) 7–12 www.ooinkooink.ch Robi-Spiel-Aktionen Various camps about winter stories and fantasy, customs and cultures of the www.robi-spiel-aktionen.ch world, different cooking methods, memory and puzzle games, and Fasnacht workshop Ski Club BVB Basel Ski and snowboard camp in Hoch-Ybrig 6–20 www.scbvb-basel.ch Sports Department BL 7-Day ski and snowboard camps in various locations (week 1 and week 2) 10–16 www.baselland.ch/politik-und-behorden/ direktionen/bildungs-kultur-und-sportdirektion/ sport/unsere-angebote-und-anlaesse/sportcamps/ sportcamps-winter-fruehling-2016-2017 Sports Department BS 7-Day ski and snowboard camp in Bettmeralp (VS) (week 2) 12–17 www.sport.bs.ch Verein Allwäg Outdoor camp in the forest in Bettingen to play in the forest, fresh air, and maybe 4–12 www.allwaeg.ch even snow Vitis Sportcenter Kids’ tennis intensive camps 4–9 www.vitis-allschwil.ch Kids’ and teens’ intensive tennis camp 10–16 Multisport camps (tennis, badminton, squash, dance, golf, and ping-pong) 7–16 Zirkus Schule Basel 1-Week circus camp followed by the presentation of a show 6–12 www.zirkusschulebasel.ch photo credits: © lisa mac (john németh & blue dreamers); © severn records (darrell nulisch, tad robinson) February 2018 17 February 2018 www.basellife.com

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Basel’s English Dentist Calendar Key: FEB 1 2 3 Ongoing Events in February (for more info refer to this section) After-School English Story Time Disco Night at the Skating Rink Night Flea Market & Streetfood Fair Feature Event AFTER HOURS—Chillen im Museum Chamber Music Night Repair Market Dr. Garry Bonsall Fasnacht Exhibit Events in Basel Constellations—Masters of Combinatorics Italian Wine Tasting Children’s Theater—Mother Hulda Fun Outings: Beyond Basel Museum der Kulturen Basel Opera—Electra Opera—Cinderella Children’s Theater—Valiant Little Tailor Dental Surgeon Sports and Recreation Torch-Lit Walk A Taste of the Mountains in Basel Workshops, Tours, and Education Tour—Feels Like Heidi Entertainment Saturday Morning Physics Until the End of March Bugge Wesseltoft’s New Conception of Jazz Gentle, hi-tech, holistic family dental Future Love. Desire and Kinship Ballet—Swan Lake care and implants — in English in Hypernature Haus der elektronischen Künste Basel St. Alban Vorstadt 78 Until April 15 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (St. Alban Vorstadt, between Aeschenplatz, Fasnacht—Walking Rehearsals Open Day Freies Gymnasium Basel Tuesday Evening Climbing Children’s Theater—Mother Hulda After-School English Story Time Vernissage—Basel Short Stories Gugge-Explosion in Lörrach St. Alban Tor and Kunstmuseum) Sofia Hultén—Here’s the Answer, Children’s Theater—Valiant Little Tailor Monday Tour at the Merian Gardens Bosch Dreams Children’s Theater—Valiant Little Tailor Talk—Ross Lovegrove: Convergence Opera—La Traviata Children’s Theater—Mother Hulda What’s the Question? Snow-Up Lunchtime Tour at Botanical Gardens Music Box for Kids Bruckner & Dutilleux Anniversary Wine Tasting Children’s Theater—Valiant Little Tailor Schedule 24/7 online at Family Famigros Ski Days Mozart—Music and Letters Mid-Day Concert—Birth of Gods English Comedy Basler Coin Fair Museum Tinguely Kids’ Atelier—Fasnacht Masks Mondrian Ensemble—Silver Strings Children’s Theater—Pippi Longstocking Concert—If You Know What I Mean Family Famigros Ski Days www.DrBonsall.ch Until May 1 Open Mic Night Annual Testing of the Alarm System The Threepenny Opera Saturday Morning Physics Call today: 061 271 06 04 Ian Paice with Purpendicular English Book Discussion Basel Workshop—Design a Perfume Flask Scanning Seti. The Recreation of Opera—La Traviata Bruckner & Dutilleux Anniversary Wine Tasting a Pharaonic Tomb V-Day Basel—The Vagina Monologues Dance Night Antikenmuseum Basel Until May 6 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Bob & Roberta Smith— Fasnacht Parade (Lörrach) The Threepenny Opera Tour—Sofia Hultén Exhibit Ballet—Peer Gynt Disco Night at the Skating Rink Opera—La Traviata The Whole World is an Art School Fasnacht—Walking Rehearsals V-Day Basel—The Vagina Monologues Opera—Electra Anniversary Wine Tasting von Bartha Basel Children’s Theater—Valiant Little Tailor Anniversary Wine Tasting Motionhouse Available on Amazon Workshop—Design a Perfume Flask February 3–24 Opera—Cinderella Talent programs Basel Short Stories— V-Day Basel—The Vagina Monologues Jazz at Lincoln Center Orch. & W. Marsalis Coaching From Erasmus to Iris von Roten Bilingualism Lady Gaga Sessions Kunstmuseum Basel February 10 – May 26

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Special Working Fasnacht—Walking Rehearsals Morgenstreich (04:00) Fasnacht—Children’s Carnival Fasnacht—Cortège End of Fasnacht (04:00) Jazz Concert at Tinguely Museum Family Famigros Ski Days needs hild techniques Liestal’s Fiery Chienbäse Parade Fasnacht—Cortège Fasnacht—Gugge Concerts Yonex Swiss Open 2018 Yonex Swiss Open 2018 Yonex Swiss Open 2018 Yonex Swiss Open 2018 Your C Family Famigros Ski Days Fasnacht—Schnitzelbänk Fasnacht—Lantern & Wagon Exhibit Magic Comedy Festival Schweiz Lunchtime Tour at Botanical Gardens Dance Night Tour—Georg Baselitz Yonex Swiss Open 2018 Armida Bezirzt Rinaldo Break the Tango Tour—Fasnacht Exhibit Wine Tasting—Sweet Temptation The Threepenny Opera Break the Tango Language Dayschool certificates Small classes

Kindergarten/Primary School 25 26 27 28 Important Numbers: Kinderspital, Theodorskirchplatz 7, Tel. 061 683 96 01 SOS: 112 Bummelsonntag Tuesday Evening Climbing Children’s Theater—Valiant Little Tailor Spitalstrasse 33, Basel Police: 117 Flea Market on the Roof Toddler Tales STOMP 061-704-1212 Secondary School (all levels) Fire Department: 118 Family Famigros Ski Days Tinguely Tour Anastasia Maksiuta Afterhours Pharmacy, St. Alban-Vorstadt 32, Tel. 061 278 98 88 A Hand in Need: 143 Yonex Swiss Open 2018 Adam Ben Ezra Solo Comedy Theater—The Show Must Go Wrong Petersgraben 3, Basel Ambulance: 144 Tour—The Recreation of a Pharaonic Tomb STOMP Symphony Club Mix & Mingle 061-263-7575 www.minervaschulen.ch Poison Center: 145 Origami Workshop Emergency Dentist/Doctor, Child / Teen Hotline: 147 Opera—La Traviata 24 hour/365 Days Service Break the Tango 061-261-1515 Emergency Veterinarian, 24 Hour/365 Days Service 090-099-3399

SIS Swiss International School Basel’s SWISS Bilingual Experience English Speaking Dentist Bilingual Day School Dr. med. med. dent. Christoph Villiger MD DDS Independent Strong Network and Value-Centred Member of: from Preschool through to College Approach FMH Swiss Medical Association Swiss Dental Association National Our educational concept lies at the heart of our social, pedagogical, Day School and International Community didactical and entrepreneurial approach. Recognition As Quality Voucher: This benefits all students attending SIS Basel - where they live and in Dentistry Continuity from Performance through learn in German and English, day by day. Kindergarten to 2 FREE Fluoride Diversity Matters! College Treatments

International 061 281 60 05 Education – After a Dental Hygienist Cleaning SIS Swiss International School, Erlenstrasse 15, 4058 Basel, Tel. +41 61 683 71 40 Local Insight Holbeinstrasse 81 and/or Dental Consultation [email protected], www.swissinternationalschool.ch 4051 Basel www.zahnarztpraxis- 1. ______2.______villiger.ch Valid until 31.12.2018, only at Dental Practice Villiger

Ad Basel Life Magazine 0116.indd 1 20.01.2016 15:03:51 Sports and Recreation

Yonex Swiss Open 2018 February 20–25 Come and witness the International Badminton Grand Prix Gold Tour- nament that will be taking place at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel. Teams from around the world prove themselves in the tournament, doubles are checked out, and young players try new moves and leave lasting impressions. Badminton fans can expect to discover new players and talents at the Badminton Swiss Open. The competition will be exciting and dramatic, with smashes clocking in at over 400 km/h and world- class players competing for $ 120,000 in prize money. For the expected 20,000 spectators, there will also be restaurants, bars, and other food; betting stations; and entertainment to make it an exciting event for all! Entrance on Tuesday (qualification and 1st round) and Wednesday (1/16 finals) is free. Tickets for Thursday (1/8-finals) and Friday (quarter-­ finals) are CHF 25, and tickets for Saturday (semifinals) and Sunday Family Famigros Ski Days (finals) are CHF 35; kids up to age 18 are free on all days! February 4, 10, 18, 24, and 25 www.swissopen.com If going skiing with your young family sounds dauntingly expensive, consider joining a Famigros Ski Day. Every weekend throughout the winter months, Migros organizes a day in the snow for the whole family at a different location, at unbeatable prices. In addition to a full-day ski pass for each family member, Famigros Ski Day includes a family-friendly skiing, snowboarding, or telemarking race where the clock starts as the first family member crosses the starting line and stops when the last family member crosses the finish line, as well as a lunch for the whole family, fun games, Rivella drinks, a souvenir medal, gifts from Migros for the whole family, super prizes to be won, and much more. The cost for the Famigros Ski Days is CHF 110 (CHF 85 if you hold a Famigros card) for the whole family of 3 to 5 members (with maximum 2 adults), with at least one child born 2004 or later. Register in advance to take advantage of this wonderful offer at www.famigros-ski-day.ch/events, up until the Thursday before. Note that spaces are limited and can fill up before this date. If you are not yet a Famigros card holder, register for free at www.famigros.ch/anmelden to benefit from this discount, as well as countless specials at Migros throughout the year. www.famigros-ski-day.ch

Disco Night at the Skating Rink Indoor Playground at Spiel-Estrich February 2 and 16 The Spiel-Estrich is an indoor playground located in the attic of a build- Young and old are welcome from 20:15–22:30 at the Kunsteisbahn (KUBA) ing at the back right corner of Kaserne. Robi-Spiel-Aktionen invites skating rink in Rheinfelden, where you can skate to your favorite re- kids for creative play time on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from quests played by a DJ. Entrance is CHF 8 for children (ages 5–16), CHF 10 14:00–17:30, as well as families for a fun and play-filled brunch on for students, and CHF 13 for adults; skates for kids and adults can also Sundays from 10:00–14:00. Entrance is free and no pre-registration is be rented on the spot. For more info and location, go to their website. necessary. www.kuba-rheinfelden.ch/kunsteisbahn.htm www.robi-spiel-aktionen.ch 061 421 4109 and Tuesday Evening Climbing February 6 and 27 GO Ahead With English Climbing is a sport with many facets, requiring technical skill, flexibil- ENGLISH FOR CHILDREN ity, endurance, balance, as well as physical and mental strength. JO SAC Angenstein organizes a supervised Tuesday evening climbing once Pre-school: Structured, nurturing program in per month from November to March from 18:00–20:30. This offer is for English for children 3 - 5 years old who are not teens ages 14–17 to learn or to build on their knowledge of climbing in yet in kindergarten. various climbing halls in the Basel-Stadt/Baselland region; the price is English classes: for speakers of English the cost of the entry to the respective climbing hall (around CHF 15). who attend local schools and for children who The location will be the Kletterhalle K7 im Gundeldinger Feld (Dor- want to learn English. nacherstrasse 192, Basel) on February 6 and the Kletterhalle B2 in Please contact us to schedule a visit: Pratteln on February 27; register directly on their website by clicking www.aheadwithenglish.com on the date of interest, then on “Zum Anmeldeformular” (to the regis- tration form) on the next page. We are located in Therwil and in Riehen www.jo-angenstein.ch/prog.php

20 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com School of Highland Dancing Basel Dancing is not a sport? Scottish Highland Dancing was originally in- tended as fitness training for Scottish soldiers and was only danced by men! This is a challenging form of dance that requires much strength, coordination, and a high level of fitness. This is of course ideal for men; however, it is mostly women who perform and compete in Highland Dancing nowadays. Highland Dancing can be seen in shows and Tattoos around the world, including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Basel Tattoo, but the dancers also participate in separate competitions throughout the year. The School of Highland Dancing Basel was formed in 2009 and offers classes for both children and adults of both genders. The dancers per- form standard dances as per the Scottish Official Board of Highland Danc- ing, as well as their own choreographies. The music also ranges from traditional bagpipes to more modern “bagrock” music. Adult classes take place on Tuesday from 19:15–20:45, Wednesday from 19:00–20:30, and Saturday from 10:00–11:30. Classes for children are on Wednesday from 17:30–19:00 and Saturday from 09:00–10:15. All classes are taught in English and German. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come for a trial lesson in their studio in Le Centre, Holbeinplatz 7, Basel. Send Carol Jones an e-mail at [email protected] to arrange this. www.highlanddance.ch

FC BASEL SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 2018 Basel Rugby: Worth a Try! Whether you are looking for a fun way to be active, an opportunity to socialize, or a place to watch some amateurs of varying skill smash FC Basel 1893 (Fussball / Soccer) into each other—Rugby Football Club Basel offers all of the above and more. Founded in 1975, the club now fields several teams catering to Red signifies Home Game @ St. Jakob Stadion all ages, including two men’s, one ladies’, and a veterans’ team, as well as a juniors’ section starting from age 6. While Swiss rugby used to be dominated by British expats, it now consists of an international mix, Date Time Home Team Guests including a fair share of home-grown players. Sun., Feb. 4 16:00 FC Basel 1893 FC Lugano The Rugby Football Club is always on the lookout for new members. Whether you’re a retired pro or have only recently stumbled across the Sat., Feb. 10 19:00 FC Thun FC Basel 1893 egg-shaped ball, all levels of fitness and experience are welcome. Don’t worry if you’ve hung up your boots either—you can enjoy the at- Tue., Feb. 13 20:45 FC Basel 1893 Manchester City FC mosphere at one of their home games (starting in March) or at the Sat., Feb. 17 19:00 FC Basel 1893 FC St. Gallen 1879 6 Nations bar in the clubhouse. In addition to local brews served at the bar, they usually offer some food on the go. Sat., Feb. 24 19:00 FC Lausanne Sport FC Basel 1893 The teams generally train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, in the Tue., Feb. 27 20:15 BSC Young Boys FC Basel 1893 winter at St. Jakob and for the rest of the year at Pruntrutermatte—­ details and maps for both locations can be found on their website. Prices range from CHF 20–75 for adults in regular seating. Children ages If you are interested or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch 6–16 receive a discount of 25% in the regular seating areas. There is a special with them via their website, their Facebook page (Rugby Football Club area for families and young adults (up to age 22) with slightly lower prices. For Basel), or by sending them an email to [email protected]. more information on seats and pricing, go to: www.rugbybasel.ch www.fcb.ch/de-CH/Stadion/Stadionplan-Preise#Preise

Nutrition

Weight Loss

Meal  www.fromthegardennutrition.com Prepping

[email protected] Fertility +41 77 535 05 97 Enhancement Memories Are Worth Preserving Servicing the Basel area photo credits: © swiss-ski (famigros ski day); © uwe zinke (yonex swiss open 2018); © rugby football club basel February 2018 21 Workshops, Tours, and Education in Basel

Monday Tour at the Merian Gardens February 5 Once or twice a month, the Merian Gärten, in collaboration with Pro- SpecieRara, offer tours on selected topics. Their specialists will show you some of the outstanding aspects of the botanical collections and ticipants will learn to recognize winter birds and watch them get around tell you about the history of the gardens while looking for wild animals despite the snow and ice. The tour will take place from 14:00–15:00; and surprising plants. On this Monday, the German-language tour en- binoculars are available upon request. titled “Blaumeise und Rotkehlchen” (Blue tits and robins) will educate www.meriangaerten.ch/de/erleben/fuehrungen/ visitors about the birds that don’t fly south in the winter months. Par- montagsfuehrungen.html

After-School English Story Time Saturday Morning Physics February 1 and 8 February 3 and 10 The Basel West library invites children ages 2–8 on Thursday after- If you are a teen age 14 and up and noons at 15:30 to discover new ways to celebrate literature. Join them interested in learning about some each week for fun stories, songs, movement, hands-on activities, and cool topics in physics, then “Saturday more! Several storytellers will rotate throughout the winter months. Morning Physics” is for you! On two Participation is free, and no registration is required. consecutive Saturdays, the Physics www.stadtbibliothekbasel.ch Department of the Universität Basel will host German-language presen- tations on current and interesting Tour—“Feels Like Heidi” topics in physics. As special highlights in 2018, the first and only Swiss February 3 in space, Prof. Dr. Claude Nicollier from the Swiss Space Center will give a lecture on gravitation on February 3, and the young successful Join Ms. Jeanne for a special look at the current exhibition on Switzer- physics professor Dr. Ilaria Zardo from the Physics Department at the land’s “Heidi” and her beautiful mountain world at the Spielzeug­ Universität Basel will talk about the use of nanostructures for sustain- museum Riehen. The English-language tour, designed for 3–6 year- able energy production on February 10. “Saturday Morning Physics” olds, will include interactive activities, stories and songs, as well as a run from 10:00–12:30, starting with a presentation of the topic at 10:00, craft project to take home. The tour is from 11:00–12:00 and is included coffee break and discussion at 10:45, followed by demonstration ex- in the entrance price of the museum. periments, laboratory inspections, and/or computer simulations from www.spielzeugmuseumriehen.ch 11:15–12:30. In addition to the lectures, there is a “park of experiments” by highly talented pupils from Phaenovum, Lörrach. “Saturday Morning Physics” take place in the Grosser Hörsaal of the Physics Department; entrance is at St. Johannsring 25 in Basel. Those who participate on both Saturdays will receive a “Saturday Morning Physics” diploma and will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad or one of many t-shirts. These talks are popular and fill up quickly, so visit their website to reg- ister by clicking on “Anmeldeformular” near the bottom of the page. www.physik.unibas.ch/news/other-events/saturday-morning- physics-2018.html

Kids’ Atelier—Fasnacht Masks February 4 The Museum der Kulturen is exhibiting a collection of large colorful and decorated Fasnacht masks made of paper, felt, wool, lace, fabrics, fur, and ribbons. Kids are invited to spend the afternoon from 13:00– 17:00 creating their own mask that they can then wear to the Fasnacht carnival. The workshop is ideal for kids ages 6 and up and costs CHF 5 for materials. www.mkb.ch

22 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com photo credits: © merian gärten, a. baumeyer (monday tour); © spielzeugmuseum riehen, gaspard weissheimer (feels like heidi); Lunchtime Tour at the Botanical Gardens tion with the special exhibition “Perfume flacons—vessels for seduc- February 5 and 23 tive fragrances,” the Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel is inviting adults and children ages 6 and older (only when accompanied by an adult) to In the cold winter months, members of the Botanischer Garten der design and create their own flacon (mini perfume bottle) to take home Universität Basel will be giving German-language tours in the warmth with a personal fragrance, which they can choose. Materials such as and humidity of the tropical greenhouse. The tours on both days are paint and flacons will be provided free of charge. Registration is not entitled “Riesen und Zwerge im Pflanzenreich” (Giants and dwarves in necessary, but you may need to be patient while awaiting your turn. the plant kingdom). They start at 12:30 at the entrance of the Tropen- haus (tropical greenhouse), last about 30 minutes, and are free of www.spielzeug-welten-museum-basel.ch charge. https://botgarten.unibas.ch/2017mittagsfuehrungen/index.php

English Book Discussion Basel February 7 If you are interested in reading and discussing mainly contemporary English literature, why not join Book Discussion Basel? The meetings take place once a month on a Wednesday evening, when participants discuss the chosen book that they have read in advance. They meet from 19:00–20:30 at Treffpunkt Breite, next to Hotel Breite, Zürcher­ strasse 149 in Basel (tram 3 or bus 36 to stop “Breite”). Participants are asked to read the book in advance and to contribute a token fee of CHF 5 at each meeting. The discussion on February 7 will be about the book “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. If you are interested in Tour—Sofia Hultén. Here’ s the Answer, What’s the Question? learning more about this group or would like to participate, visit their website and contact the organizer. February 13 https://bookdiscussionbasel.jimdo.com There will be a short English-language tour at the Museum Tinguely of the new exhibit by Berlin-based Swedish artist Sofia Hultén. Through her work, she examines unremarkable everyday items or materials Workshop—Design Your Own Perfume Flask from the world of do-it-yourself stores and workshops that are marked February 10 and 11 by their previous lives, and via a series of methodical manipulations Pleasant fragrances have the power to delight us, make us happy, and that sometimes verge on the absurd, she processes them into new give us wings. The Egyptians and Greeks of antiquity were well aware of ­arrangements. The tour will take place at 13:00; admission to the mu- this. Since a fragrance is only effective when you always have it at your seum costs CHF 15 for adults and is free for kids ages 16 and under disposal, suitable storage containers are a must. Flacons were created when accompanied by an adult, otherwise CHF 10. The cost of the tour in countless shapes and colors and still are today, and they lend a is included in the entrance fee. unique tone to every perfume—they are little works of art. In conjunc- www.tinguely.ch

Talk—Ross Lovegrove: Convergence February 8 The futuristic works of British designer Ross Lovegrove have made him one of the most famous creative figures of our time. Whether he designs cars, watches, or furniture, Lovegrove combines inspirations from nature with state-of-the-art materials and innovative manufacturing techniques. In 2017, the Centre Pompidou in Paris dedicated a major exhibition entitled “Convergence” to his work. In his talk at the Vitra Design Museum, Lovegrove will explain the central themes of his work and discuss his interest in sustainability and his own research into materials, production techniques, and bionic forms. This English-language talk will take place at the Schaudepot of the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, at 18:30; admission is free. www.design-museum.de

© physik departement universität basel (saturday morning physics); © sofia hultén, prolitteris zürich / photo: sofia hultén; © ross lovegrove studio ltd, 2017 February 2018 23 Workshops, Tours, and Education in Basel (continued)

Tour—Georg Baselitz Tour—Scanning Seti. The Recreation of a Pharaonic Tomb February 18 February 25 To mark Georg Baselitz’s 80th birthday, the Fondation Beyeler is devot- Antikenmuseum Basel ing an extensive exhibition to this German painter. The focused retro- is hosting an exhibition spective will bring together many of the most significant paintings and on the rock-cut tomb of sculptures he has created during the last six decades. The juxtaposi- Pharaoh Seti I, discov- tion on an equal footing of key works dating from all phases of Baselitz’s ered in 1817 by Giovan- career will demonstrate the uniquely inventive richness of his oeuvre’s ni Battista Belzoni. It is form and content. Visitors to the exhibition will embark on a voyage into the most outstanding beauty and ugliness, multiple meanings, and the disconcerting. There burial site in the Valley will be an English-language tour of this exhibit from 15:00–16:00. Ad- of the Kings but is now mission to the museum is CHF 25 for adults (CHF 50 for the whole fam- in a pitiful state owing ily with Familienpass) and, until December 31, free for everyone up to to the depredations of age 25. The tour costs an additional CHF 7. Note that there will be a ruthless souvenir hunt- French-language tour of this exhibit on February 25. ers. An exact copy of www.fondationbeyeler.ch the 3,300-year-old roy- al tomb is on display in an impressive special exhibition at the An­ tikenmuseum Basel. Thanks to watercolors made at the time of the discovery that document the wonderful decora- tions, combined with the most up-to-date scanning and reproduction processes, it has been possible to recreate the tomb in its original beauty. There will be an English-language tour of this special exhibit at 14:00. Tour costs CHF 7 plus admission to the museum; registration is necessary at 061-201-1212. www.antikenmuseumbasel.ch

Toddler Tales February 27 Toddler Tales is designed to engage young listeners as they discover the wonderful world of books and the fun of language in half an hour of interactive exploration of classic stories. Storyteller Jeanne Darling will engage the children through singing, rhyming, and dancing. Tod- dler Tales takes place from 10:15–10:45 at the Basel West library (Allschwilerstrasse 90) every fourth Tuesday of the month and is ideal Tour—Fasnacht Exhibit for children ages 9 months to 4 years. Participation is free of charge February 18 and no registration is required. If you want to know more about the very unique Basel Fasnacht, you www.stadtbibliothekbasel.ch can join a guided tour of the permanent Fasnacht exhibit at Basel’s Museum der Kulturen. The exhibit provides an overview of the Basel Fasnacht in historic and atmospheric rooms with costumes, masks, Tinguely Tour musical instruments, historical documents, and a reproduction of a February 27 typical “Fasnacht.” The tour will be in English on February 18 from You are invited to join a short, guided tour in English of the permanent 15:00–16:00 and in French on February 11 from 15:00–16:00. collection at the Museum Tinguely starting at 13:00. Admission to the www.mkb.ch museum costs CHF 15 for adults; free for kids age 16 and under when

Love Morocco Tours Community focused tours in Morocco. Travel through the country to discover the authentic nature of its landscape, culture, food, heritage & history. Guided tours in Basel. Early bird discount (15%) until April 2018 Experience history first-hand. Tailor-made for groups & private tours, or design your own. T: +44796 2300893/+41762113558 www.lovemoroccotours.com Fly Direct from Basel For further information or booking please go to www.basel.com/guidedtours. E: [email protected] to Marrakech

24 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com accompanied by an adult, otherwise CHF 10. The cost of the tour is in- cluded in the entrance fee. www.tinguely.ch

University Lectures for Kids! Every year, the University of Basel offers a series of lectures in German aimed at children ages 8–12. These Kinder-Uni Basel lectures will take place for five (almost) consecutive weeks in April and May on either Tuesday or Thursday from 17:15–17:45. This year’s five lectures are en- titled: “Welche Bilder gab es von Monstern im Mittelalter?” (What pic- tures were there of monsters in the Middle Ages?), “Wie funktioniert unser Gehirn?” (How does our brain work?), “Warum müssen wir Tiere schützen?” (Why do we need to protect animals?), “Welche Schätze verbirgt der Boden?” (What treasures are hidden underground?), and “Wie atmen Bäume?” (How do trees breathe?). The lectures are all giv- en by University of Basel professors and are aimed at getting kids to think and ask questions. Registration is free and the 900 places fill up quickly, so register now! Once registered, kids are expected to go to all five lectures.—For the first time this year, the same five lectures will be given on Wednesdays during the same weeks in Liestal, at the Kino Oris on Kanonengasse 15. Like the Kinder-Uni Basel lectures, the Kinder- Uni Liestal lectures will take place from 17:15–17:45 and are free of charge. Be sure to select whether you want your kids to attend the ­Basel or Liestal sessions when registering on their website. Origami Workshop https://kinderuni.unibas.ch February 25 If you have not yet been to the Basler Papiermühle (Basel paper mill), it is a wonderful place to visit with your family. Here, historical Lesewinter—Puzzle Fun technical exhibitions straight from the Middle Ages come together Until March 10 with fully functioning workshops to keep the museum and its craft In an effort to promote literacy and to make reading even more fun, alive. One Sunday each month, the Origami-Verein Gelterkinden Basel’s libraries organize a “Lesewinter—Puzzle Fun” for primary holds workshops where museum visitors can explore the colorful school-aged children each winter. The children are invited to visit one world of paper folding. Workshops are from 13:00–17:00 and are or all of the 10 public libraries in Basel, where they can then solve a included in the entrance fee to the museum. puzzle on a theme. This year’s theme is “Berufe” (Professions). www.papiermuseum.ch www.jukibu.ch

Basel, our beloved smallish, big city, offers an interesting mix of mod- ern architecture; historical buildings; and quaint cobblestone streets riddled with artistic sculptures, curious statues, colorful murals, his- torical fountains, intricately detailed mailboxes, and other such works of art. A short walk through any part of town will have you discovering interesting and artistic gems at every corner. How well do you know Basel? Check out the “Where in Basel?” picture in each issue and if you recognize the location you have a chance to win a fabulous price. If you think you know where this month’s picture was tak- en, send us an email at [email protected] with the subject title “Where in Basel?” by Monday, February 5. Among the ­respondents, we will raffle off two tickets to the Sunday matinée of the “Vagina Monologues” and a copy of the new prozentbuch Basel. We will then post the solution on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/basellifemagazine). Good Luck!

Solution to last month’s “Where in Basel?”: The image showed the foun- tain at Fischmarkt, between Marktplatz and Schifflände. Congratulations to our winners Kasia F. (Collegium Musicum tickets), Clare G. (prozent- buch Basel), and Ipek A. (“Pun Intended” book).

photo credits: © museum der kulturen basel (fasnacht exhibit); © the trustees of the british museum (scanning seti); © basler papiermühle (origami workshop); © christine pesold (where in basel) February 2018 25 Did You Know?

Introducing the Braswell Arts Center performance classes and frequent exposure to high-quality artists in all art forms, Braswell and his team are working to create a unique Since last summer, Basel has a new place that bridges the gap between mentorship program for underprivileged children in cooperation with art and the public! The Braswell Arts Center offers quality dance les- the cantons Basel-Stadt and Baselland, corporations, foundations, and sons as well as provides a space for creativity, collaboration, and inno- the public. The center seeks to establish a more approachable and less vation in diverse art forms. It was initiated by ballet dancer Armando intimidating relationship between the public and the art or artists in Braswell, a New York native who has been a soloist with Ballett Theater order to encourage and nurture a new audience who otherwise might Basel since 2012. With this new center, Braswell wants to give some- not have been exposed to the arts. thing back to the community where he lives and hopes to inspire and A second focus of the Braswell Arts Center is an artistic residency pro- mentor underprivileged youths the same way he was supported and gram that offers artists a professional art space in which they can cre- mentored on his way to the top. ate, rehearse, and perform. By offering free rehearsal and performance space and providing other resources and support, they want to enable About Armando Braswell emerging artists to follow their passion—be it the creation of an opera, string quartet, solo dance piece, play, or sculpture—and give them de- Braswell grew up in difficult circumstances. By the time he was 12, his velopment opportunities. The center’s space is available for concerts, mother had died, his father was addicted to drugs, and he lived in a performances, and art exhibitions, offering spacious, bright, and trans- foster family in a poor area of Brooklyn with high crime rates. It was formable facilities and modern equipment, including a grand piano. purely by chance that when he had to pick a new art class in his school, he chose the dance class. But dancing opened a whole new world to The third pillar of the Braswell Arts Center concept is “Ballett Dienstag”— him, allowing him to experience and express new emotions and feel a series of inclusive ballet classes for all levels (including absolute be- passionate about something. Braswell is convinced that without ballet, ginners) and body types that are led by Braswell and his team of quality he would have ended up on the streets. artists and accompanied by live pianists. From a few students that Bras- well took over from a fellow dancer, the program has now evolved into a Equally important was the support he received from others, including popular dance community of around 200 students participating in vari- his homeroom teacher, who personally drove him to the entrance audi- ous classes that are offered Monday through Friday. One of the attrac- tion for a New York ballet school. Braswell passed the audition and tions is the diversity of the students, who range from children and teens subsequently commuted between his home in Brooklyn and the wealth- to older ladies, from artists to business people, from locals to foreigners. ier Manhattan. Similar help came from the school’s director, who helped the talented student when he could not afford his dance outfits. To achieve all this, Braswell is working with a dedicated team of danc- Even when his foster family's home burned down and they had to stay ers, musicians, and other support staff, and several well-known danc- in a shelter, he persevered and managed to be accepted to the Juilliard ers serve as artistic advisors on his team. Additionally, choreographer Dance School at age 19—the start of his career as a dancer. Richard Wherlock, who leads the Ballett Theater Basel, acts as a patron of the center. But more support is needed to make the Braswell Arts Center a state-of-the-art artistic hub in Basel for both professional What Does the Braswell Arts Center Offer? artists and the next generation of artists growing up in the community. Grateful for having received so much support during his youth to achieve Therefore, donations are always welcome. You can find out more about his dreams, Braswell now tries to do the same for underprivileged kids the center, its mission, the classes and other events they offer, and how and youths in Basel through his new center, which he started with his you can support them on their website. wife Lisa in a spacious facility at Austrasse 19 in Basel. Through free www.braswellartscenter.com

Need Something Repaired? oeffnungszeit.html to see when your needed expert (eg, carpenter, REP-STATT (Repair Station) is a public service located in the Markt­ seamstress) will be present. The REP-STATT is a nonprofit offer of the halle Basel (a few minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB), where you can Markthalle. The cost of repairs is modest: repairs will be charged at bring your defective appliances and other items to potentially get CHF 1 per minute plus any materials. You will receive an estimate for them repaired, easily and promptly. They have experts on hand in the any repairs that need to be sent out. Click on “Aktionen” under “Unser fields of electronics, wood, metal, textile, leather, jewelry, and various Ziel” on their website to learn about regular special events, such as types of appliances and machines. Most small repairs will be carried treatment of vinyl records, gluing of special items, and even 3-D print- out on the spot, whereas more complex or difficult problems will be ing of missing or broken parts that are necessary for reconstruction/ sent to a competent workshop. They are open Tuesday to Saturday repair. from 10:00–18:00, but check out the calendar at http://rep-statt.ch/ www.rep-statt.ch

26 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Amateur Photo Competition To all you hobby pho- tographers out there— the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel would like to see your favorite nature photo! In con- junction with their cur- Passion for learning and success rent exhibit “Wildlife Photographer of the Year,” they are again or- ganizing a competition for amateur photogra- phers called “Schnapp­ schuss” (Snapshot). Up- load your favorite pho- to in one of several cat- egories and perhaps you can win one of the prizes awarded by the jury. The three catego- ries are: K1 for kids ages 5–15; K2 for adults with photos of animal por- traits, animals in their environment, or animal behavior (no photos of Ganz- pets allowed); and K3 for adults with photos of landscapes, plants, and tagesschule other nature phenomena. Anybody who is not a professional photogra- pher can participate by uploading ONE photo to their website. You can All-day school send in your photo until Friday, March 30. The jury will decide the win- ners in April, selecting 10 photos from each category, and the award ceremony will take place on May 17. www.nmbs.ch/info_angebote/schnappschuss-wpy-2017-18.html Ihre bilinguale Schule im schönen Fricktal Your bilingual school in the lovely Frick Valley

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Kontaktieren Sie uns bitte für weitere Infos: For more information, please contact us on: Do not litter - images by freepik Tel. +41 61 831 06 06 / [email protected] Max Kämpf platz 2 4058 basel 078 905 37 38 [email protected] www.isrh.ch tuesday > saturday

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photo credits: © braswell arts center; © susanne hiller (amateur photo competition) February 2018 27 ISRH_Inserat_90x270_Basel_Family.indd 1 23.08.2017 09:09:11

Entertainment:Sports and Recreation Night on the Town

AFTER HOURS—Chillen im Museum February 1 If you are interested in seeing the Naturhistorisches Museum Ba- sel’s new exhibit “Wildlife Pho- tographer of the Year” in the eve- ning, here is your chance. You can visit this special exhibit at your leisure from 18:00–23:00 for free, followed by a relaxing drink with friends at the museum bar (drinks are extra). www.nmb.bs.ch

Constellations—Masters of Combinatorics February 1 Opera—Cinderella Constellation is a broad term in the field of music because basically almost every composition is also a constellation. Luminous dots form a February 2 and 11 recognizable structure and, for example with the zodiac signs, are also From housemaid to princess—in his opera “La Cenerentola,” Gio- interconnected. Camerata Variabile is a Basel-based ensemble that achino Rossini takes the famous fairytale of “Cinderella” to a cut- consists of international musicians who dedicate themselves to cham- ting and comic extreme, letting off a firework of breathtaking col- ber music. In their second concert of the season, they will alternately oratura arias. While her spoilt stepsisters Clorinda and Tisbe lead combine the signs from Stockhausen’s “Zodiac” with canons by J.S. a comfortable life, Angelina (“Cinderella”) is forced by her stepfa- Bach, the grand master of all musical constellations. Beat Furrer’s ther Don Magnifico to work as a maidservant and is subjected to “Track for Piano Quintet,” with its raging structures of rhythmic filter- constant humiliation. When Don Magnifico learns that Prince ing, is more a comet than a constellation and, as far as precision is Ramiro is looking for a bride, he senses an opportunity for his own concerned, a tour de force for any ensemble. The piano quintet by two daughters. However, the man who appears in Don Magnifico’s ­Robert Schumann is the first work in the history of music to use this house accompanied by a servant and claims to be the Prince is in special constellation of strings with piano. Its last movement concludes fact the servant Dandini—and the “servant” is his master. Only An- with a double fugue—a technique that in its severity is reminiscent of gelina can recognize the underlying truth, because she sees with the laws of nature and leads back to Bach. The concert will take place her heart. The Italian director Antonio Latella follows Rossini’s at the Gare du Nord, located on the left side of the Badischer Bahnhof playful lightness, while also looking into the depths of the fairytale. in Basel, at 20:00. Tickets costs CHF 35 for adults, CHF 20 for students, The hurt that is done to young Cinderella ultimately cannot harm and can be purchased through www.garedunord.ch. her nature, because what matters are inner values. The “Triumph of Good” (which is the opera’s subtitle) cannot be hindered. This http://camerata-variabile.ch/konzert1.html melodramma giocoso in two acts, recommended for ages 10 and up, will be performed at the Theater Basel in Italian with English Opera—Electra and German surtitles; tickets are CHF 80–151 for adults and CHF 42–78 for youths. February 1 and 16 www.theater-basel.ch A gripping psychological thriller about revenge, obsession, and mad- ness—that is the opera “Elektra.” Following the cross-art-form proj- ect “Oresteia” and the drama “Idomeneus” last season, Richard Strauss’ masterpiece continues Theater Basel’s examination of an- A Taste of the Mountains in Basel cient myths. Based on Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s eponymous play, the Until the End of March composer concentrates entirely on the myth’s female characters, Have you noticed the alpine-style chalet located near the Basel Zoo? tracing the depths within those characters’ souls with extreme expres- Each winter season, the “Baracca Zermatt” is set up in Basel to bring sivity and the archaic force of sound. Blood demands blood: Elektra the mountain spirit to our city on the Rhein. This charming fondue cha- still has her father’s treacherous murder by her mother and her lover let offers rustic cuisine in a nostalgic atmosphere that will make you before her eyes. Ever since, she has only thought of one thing—­ believe that the Matterhorn is just outside the door. You will be charmed revenge, which she wants to achieve with the help of her brother by the walls decorated with rarities from days gone by, the chandeliers ­Orestes, whose return she longingly awaits. Her sister Chrysothemis and wax-dripped candles that cast a special light, the roaring fire in the is not much help as she closes her eyes to the past, yearning for free- center of the room, and the cords of wood stacked at the door. Whether dom and a normal “woman’s fate” as a wife with several children. But for relaxing with friends, a big family celebration, or a company event, ­Elektra knows no future. All her thoughts are aimed at fulfilling her it promises a unique “mountain dining” experience—without leaving murderous plan for revenge. Director David Bösch shows in highly Basel! If you are looking for a romantic setting for 2–4 people, consider emotive images the oppressive and traumatic effects that the father’s booking the quaintly decorated gondola lit by candles and decked with murder has on the characters. Caught in the inescapable net of their fur throws on the chairs. The chalet is located at Binningerstrasse 14 in guilt-laden family, Elektra and her siblings are drawn ever deeper to- Basel and can be reached from Heuwaage by walking along the canal wards bloody revenge. This coproduction by Opera Vlaanderen and the in the direction of the Zoo, or from the tram stop “Zoo” by walking along Aalto Theater Essen, newly staged for Theater Basel, will be performed the canal in the direction Heuwaage. They are open Monday to Saturday in German with German and English surtitles. It is recommended for starting at 19:00; closed Sundays. You can make reservations under ages 14 and over; tickets are CHF 67–137 for adults and CHF 36–71 for 061-564-6699, or [email protected]. students. https://baracca-zermatt.ch/bs www.theater-basel.ch

28 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com

Due in no small part to Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music, to which Ballett Theater Basel will also dance in this production, “Swan Lake” has be- come the epitome of classical ballet that in the course of its long pro- duction history has oscillated between reconstruction and reinterpre- tation. The performance begins at 19:30 and will be held at the Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 80–181 (half price for students) and can be pur- chased on the Sinfonieorchester Basel or Theater Basel websites. www.theater-basel.ch

Bugge Wesseltoft’s New Conception of Jazz February 3 Sound-tinkerer, innovator, and key master are all attributes that apply to the Norwegian Bugge Wesseltoft. His New Conceptions of Jazz is a combination of club sounds and jazz, published on his Jazzland label that is now 20 years young. In this new program, Wesseltoft is accom- Chamber Music Night panied by four young and promising Scandinavian female musicians. February 2 Bugge Wesseltoft’s New Conception of Jazz will be playing at the Burg- Members of the Kammerorchester Basel will be presenting the second hof, just across the border in Lörrach, Germany; tickets are € 29 and in this season’s “Nachtklang” series entitled “Russian Nights.” The con- can be purchased online. cert will take place by candlelight, perhaps with a glass of wine in hand, www.burghof.com at Ackermannshof in Basel (St. Johanns-Vorstadt 19–21), starting at 22:00. The international hard-rock band CellOfHell will storm in with their own compositions and classic adaptations that can equally be played in smoky nightclubs as well as in classical music festivals. Ex- tended to include special guest Konstantin Timokhine on horn, CellOfHell will for the first time present Shostakovich’s cello concerto in a hard- rock garb: incredibly melancholic, rhythmically intricate, and full of un- believably effective sounds and cadences! The neighboring restaurant Zur Mägd will be offering a 3-course dinner before the concert; if you wish to take advantage of this combination offer, you can book the din- ner/concert combination up to three days prior to the concert through www.kulturticket.ch. Tickets can be purchased online and for adults cost CHF 20 (concert only) or CHF 54 (dinner and concert); the concert is free for kids up to age 14 with accompanying parent (ticket necessary). www.kammerorchesterbasel.ch Open Mic Night Italian Wine Tasting February 4 February 2 The International Comedy Club and Mr. Pickwick pub presents Open Paul Ullrich is hosting a tasting of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, and Mic Night. Can you make people laugh? Got a silly song? Can you do any other wines from the Piemont region of Italy. The event costs CHF 20 funny magic tricks? Got a double-act with a colleague or friend? Is and will take place at their central location at Schneidergasse 27 in there a comedy-character act hiding inside you that others need to Basel from 17:00–21:00. Agnolotti from the Piemont region served by see? If so, you are invited to the Mr. Pickwick pub for a try at the open Paste Ines will compliment the evening (available at an additional cost). mic. Give it a go in English or German, it doesn’t matter! The audience- No registration is required; there is no obligation to buy, but any wine voted winner of the evening receives free nonalcoholic drinks, a free purchased on the night of the tasting will be 10% off, and the entrance meal (up to CHF 30), a pair of free tickets to an official International fee will be reimbursed with an order of CHF 200 or more. Comedy Club show, and the chance to perform in one of their other Open Mic Nights in Baden, Basel, Zug, or Zürich, and maybe even on www.ullrich.ch the International Comedy Club stage itself. So join to see if you can make a bunch of people laugh who aren’t just your friends! Entrance on Ballet—Swan Lake Open Mic Night is free for participants as well as audience; if you want February 3 to arrange an Open Mic spot, email [email protected] with “Open Mic” in the subject line and a phone number to reach you. That it is possible to narrate one of the greatest and best-known ballet classics with a sense of humor is ably demonstrated by the “Swan http://internationalcomedy.club Lake” of Belgian choreographer Stijn Celis. With a visually powerful staging in which feather-clad ballerinas hover above the stage, and Mozart “Musik und Brief” (Music and Letter) reveling in an expressive heightening of the action, Celis tells the fable February 5 of the prince and his lover enchanted in the form of a swan as the story of a young man’s liberation from his domineering mother. Celis inter- The Nathan Quartett out of Hamburg, Germany, will be presenting prets the swan myth as a symbol of eroticism and a desire to break free “Musik und Brief,” a concert devoted to several works by Mozart—with of established boundaries. This is a fresh and lively interpretation of letters and single sentences read by actor Markus Franz. The concert the classical ballet that uses the expressive means of contemporary will take place at the Scala Basel on Freie Strasse 89 at 19:30. Tickets dance without any pointe work, yet stays remarkably close to the origi- are CHF 40 and can be purchased in advance through www.ticketino.ch, nal libretto that became an international success in the classically cho- at Bider & Tanner, or directly at the box office. reographed 1895 St. Petersburg version by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. www.nathanquartett.de photo credits: © priska ketterer (cinderella); © sergey gorshkov (after hours); © cellofhell (chamber music night); © anne valeur (bugge wesseltoft) February 2018 29

Entertainment:Sports and Recreation Night on the Town (continued)

Ian Paice with Purpendicular February 4 In 2012, the Deep Purple tribute band Purpendicular played in the Z7 in Pratteln and amazed their fans when they were joined by Deep Purple’s legendary drummer Ian Paice and bassist Roger Glover. Since then, Ian Paice occasionally joins the band for shows because he knows the songs and states, “these guys play the songs damned well!” Purpendicular, founded in 2007 by Irish singer Robby Thomas Walsh, is also the most- booked Deep Purple tribute band in the world. They named themselves after Deep Purple’s 15th studio album and masterfully play classics like “Child in Time,” “Black Night,” “Smoke on the Water,” “Woman From Tokyo,” and “Hush.” Fans of Deep Purple won’t want to miss Ian Paice with Purpendicular at the Z7 in Pratteln, and who knows if original Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover, who lives in Switzerland and thoroughly enjoyed playing with them back in 2012, will not suddenly appear in the Z7 when buddy Ian sets the pace for the Purpendicular gig on drums. Tickets are CHF 39.50 and can be purchased online. www.z-7.ch

Opera—La Traviata Mondrian Ensemble—“Silbersaiten” (Silver Strings) February 4, 9, 17, and 25 February 5 In a world of glamour, thrills, and the confidence that everything can be In 2018, the Swiss compos- bought for money, one woman sticks out—she is the “top prize” in this er Michael Jarrell will turn nightly game of pleasure-seekers, she takes pride of place in dancing on 60. The Mondrian Ensem- the volcano. However, she is not alone; death is her constant companion. ble, together with clarinet- She is Violetta Valéry, the heroine of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” ist Ernesto Molinari, is de- (The Woman Led Astray), which is based on the novel “La dame aux voting the concert program ­camellias” by Alexandre Dumas the younger. With “La Traviata,” Theater “Silver Strings” to him. Basel continues their series of outstanding Verdi operas. The story of the Chamber music works by high-class prostitute suffering from tuberculosis who encounters true Jarrell are juxtaposed with love in literally the final moments of her life—a love that cannot be al- works by his teacher Klaus lowed due to social conventions and prejudices and ends with one of the Huber and the South Korean composer Younghi Pagh-Paan, also a pupil most touching deaths in all of opera—strikes directly at our hearts. But it of Huber. Both Jarrell and Pagh-Paan will be present and participate in is more than compassion that binds us to Violetta, it is also admiration for the introduction of the concert at 19:30. The concert starts at 20:00 and her courage to take her life into her own hands when the opportunity will be performed at the Gare Du Nord, located on the left side of the presents itself. Daniel Kramer, artistic director of the English National Badischer Bahnhof; tickets are CHF 30 for adults, CHF 20 for students, Opera since autumn 2016, tells the story from Violetta’s point of view, see- and CHF 15 for holders of the Colourkey or Kulturlegi. ing the overwrought nature of bourgeois society with increasing distance from within the protective cloak of the red-light district. The impossibility Bruckner & Dutilleux of the love between Violetta and Alfredo raises timeless questions about the value of life and love and above all about what we are prepared to sac- February 7 and 8 rifice for these. The coproduction of Theater Basel and the English Na- The Sinfonieorchester Basel Foundation is celebrating its 20th anni- tional Opera will be performed in Italian with German and English surti- versary! A very special guest of honor has been invited: After 15 years, tles on the Grosse Bühne of Theater Basel; beginning at 19:30. Tickets are Mario Venzago, the orchestra’s first principal conductor under the CHF 80–151 for adults and CHF 42–78 for students; they can be purchased Foundation, is returning to the podium. But he, the orchestra, and cel- through Sinfonieorchester Basel or Theater Basel. list Nicolas Altstaedt are not only taking a trip into the past past. Their www.theater-basel.ch; www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch program combines Bruckner’s third symphony with a much more re- cent cello concerto by Henri Dutilleux. Dutilleux wrote “A Whole Distant World” specially for Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropov- ich in 1970. In it, Dutilleux expressed a highly personal exploration of the poetry of his compatriot Charles Baudelaire. Each of its five deeply atmospheric movements is prefixed with a fragment of verse, a poetic image by the French lyric poet.—Austrian Anton Bruckner also found inspiration in his contemporaries: he was an enthusiastic Wagnerian throughout his life. Not only did his Sinfonie No. 3 contain numerous quotations from Wagner in its first edition, it was also dedicated to him. It still bears the subtitle “The Wagner” to this day, even though Bruck- ner revised it several times and produced two new versions, eliminat- ing almost all the echoes of his idol. This special 20th anniversary con- cert will be played on two consecutive nights at the Basel Münster at 19:30; tickets are CHF 20–70 (CHF 10–35 for students) and can be pur- chased online or at Bider & Tanner. There will be a pre-concert talk in German at 18:30 that will take place at the Allgemeine Lesegesell- schaft, situated next to the Münster. www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch

30 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com

English Comedy February 8 In their 12th year of shows in Switzerland, the International Comedy Club now brings a full club-show format to their new, once-monthly night show! This month’s club show, which is MC’ed by Guy Stevens, is headlined by award-winning and Emmy-nominated comedian Tats Nkonzo, who is regarded by The Star newspaper as, “One of the best things to happen to South African comedy.” He will be joined by deli- ciously dry Aussie comedian and foot model (she once sold photos of her own toes to foot perverts for cash) Brodi Snook. With her laser sharp writing and cerebral smart-arsery, she is one of the fastest ris- ing comedians on the U.K. club circuit. The show will be at the Alte Markthalle in Basel, just a few minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB train station. Doors open at 19:30, and the show starts at 20:00; tickets are CHF 40 and can be purchased online at www.starticket.ch. www.internationalcomedyclub.ch

DieOrdnungDerDinge—If You Know What I Mean Rodriguez and Cathy van Eck, as well as new works by Simon Steen- February 8 Andersen, Carolyn Chen, Irene Galindo, and Iñigo Giner Miranda. This What does Bruckner’s 7th Symphony look like in the facial expressions scenic concert about the art of translation will be performed at the of a listener? What happens when you translate a composition into Gare Du Nord, located on the left side of the Badischer Bahnhof, at light? The Berlin ensemble DieOrdnungDerDinge stages contemporary 20:00. Tickets are CHF 30 for adults, CHF 20 for students, and CHF 15 compositions for a humorous and poetic evening. The musicians, who for holders of the Colourkey and Kulturlegi. are also performers, embark on a tightrope walk between concert and www.garedunord.ch/if-you-know-what-i-mean- musical theater. The program includes world premieres by Ana-Maria dieordnungderdinge

Bosch Dreams February 6 The audience will be taken on an absolutely fantastic trip into the very heart of the work and the universe of the painter Jérôme Bosch (1450– 1516) in this show set against a backdrop of huge screens and projec- tions with magical realism, from which strange acrobatic beings and fabulous dancers emerge 10 meters above the floor! “Bosch Dreams” is the latest creation of Montreal’s famous circus company, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, which is touring the world and has received an impressive list of recognitions and awards in Canada, the United States, and France. The show guides you through a supernatural world of extraor- dinary images that trace episodes of Bosch’s life, illustrated by various facets of his unique work. The spectators will really have the sensation of traveling inside the paintings, between two worlds. The 25 charac- ters, wonderful masks, and live artists will bring the works to life. Don’t miss this special circus presentation at the Théâtre La Coupole, just across the French border in Saint-Louis. Tickets are € 5.50–29.00 and can be purchased online. www.lacoupole.fr

photo credits: © purpendicular; © sandra then (la traviata); © mondrian ensemble; © dieordnungderdinge; © per morten abrahamsen (bosch dreams); © lpr (bosch dreams) February 2018 31

Entertainment:Sports and Recreation Night on the Town (continued)

The Threepenny Opera porters or donors. You can also help support this very important project February 8, 12, and 18 by clicking the donate button on their homepage. Also feel free to check out this year's awesome video on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/ “See the shark with teeth like razors. All can read his open face.” With watch?v=0sGfIhZ9J6A) and share it with your friends. the legendary “Ballad of Mac the Knife” and 21 other songs, the “Die Dreigroschenoper” (The Threepenny Opera) started a new genre of www.vdaybasel.org musical theater. Written for 22 instruments, played by a 9-piece salon orchestra, and sung by actors, the music combines elements from tan- Dance Night go, jazz, and fairground music. Kurt Weill created a musical language February 10 and 24 that used the tools of entertainment to practice social criticism. Bertolt Brecht’s dashing adaptation of the “Beggar’s Opera” contrasts two pro- “Tanznacht40” dance parties are for those who have at least 40 years totypes of capitalist order—Macheath, known as Mac the Knife, the under their belts. The event on February 10 will take place at Club One charismatic boss of a London gangster organization, and Jonathan (at Kaserne) in Basel and will feature DJ Visconte, and the event on Peachum, proprietor of the company The Beggar’s Friend. According to February 24 will take place at Halle 7 (Dornacherstrasse 192, Basel) Brecht, “The bourgeoisie’s liking for robbers is based on an error: that with DJ Bruno; both events will run from 21:00–03:00. Friends, couples, a robber is not a bourgeois. This error has spawned a further error: and singles are welcome; admission is CHF 15. that a bourgeois is not a robber.” We watch “the beggars begging, the www.tanznacht40.ch thieves thieving, and the whores whoring.” Mac the Knife is betrayed not by the monopoly capitalist Peachum, whose daughter Polly he mar- ries, nor by police chief Brown, with whom he shares youthful memo- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis ries and business interests, but by the prostitutes he visits every week February 11 in their brothel, led by his spurned lover, Pirate Jenny, because man- Trumpet virtuoso and jazz su- kind as a product of social and economic relationships is corrupt and perstar Wynton Marsalis last motivated by love despite itself. In this way, Brecht demonstrates the played in Switzerland 20 years criminal nature of bourgeois society and the urgent need for it to ago. Allblues will be bringing change. This cross-art-form collaboration produced by the theater and him back for two concerts, in opera departments of Theater Basel will be bringing this musical the- Geneva on February 10 and in ater to the Grosse Bühne of Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 67–137 for Zürich on February 11, togeth- adults and CHF 36–71 for youths. er with the 15-member high- www.theater-basel.ch caliber Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. For many years, the well-known Marsalis has Anniversary Wine Tasting dedicated himself to his mis- February 9, 10, 16, and 17 sion “Jazz at Lincoln Center,” Mövenpick Weinkeller in Basel (Haltingerstrasse 101) is hosting a tast- not only to strengthen the ing of the wines they are featuring in their current mailing. There is no worldwide jazz community, but cost and no obligation to buy; simply come in and taste during their because he is firmly convinced opening hours until 20:00 on Friday and until 16:00 on Saturday. Dis- that blues and jazz, which is cover your new favorites; their staff is always happy to assist­ you in grounded in improvisation, are English. metaphors for democracy. With this tour of rousing big- www.moevenpick-wein.com band concerts, Marsalis will be proving again that jazz swings, jazz lives, and jazz is the expression of joie de vivre and mutual respect. The Zürich V-Day Basel—The Vagina Monologues 2018 concert will take place at the Tonhalle Maag at 19:00; tickets are February 10, 11, and 12 CHF 61.60–141.90 and can be bought through Ticketcorner. www.allblues.ch Win 2 tickets in our Where in Basel? contest Lady Gaga February 11 “The Vagina Monologues” is a power- ful play addressing women’s rela- American superstar Lady Gaga will be performing at the Hallenstadion tionship with their own bodies and in Zürich as a part of her “Joanne World Tour,” the headlining concert Rise tour that supports her fifth studio album. The tour began in Vancouver their sexuality as well as violence Resist committed against them. It is a non- in August 2017 and will conclude in Berlin later this month. Tickets are profit, community-based and led CHF 156.90 but will go fast. Unite project that donates all of its pro- www.actnews.ch ceeds to the local organization, ­Aliena, aimed at ending violence Ballet—Peer Gynt against women and girls. After its successful debut with three sold-out February 15 shows in February 2017, “The Vagina The peasant’s son Peer Gynt is a dreamer and fantasist, restlessly driv- Small Postcard.inddMonologues” 2 returns to Basel2017-12-09 for 2:06 PMthree shows on February 10 at 20:00, en to escape reality by inventing stories and lies. This habit makes him February 11 at 14:00, and February 12 at 20:00. “The Vagina Mono- no friends in his village, and he finds himself excluded. He is a weak- logues” will be presented in English in the Events Room of the Markt­ willed egoist whose hunger for life leads him to start many things, but halle, just a few minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB. With a new produc- he finishes none. He travels the world searching for his inner core and tion team, cast, and location, the play will take on a whole different feel. returns home at the end of his life, torn between a desire not to be Tickets are CHF 35 for adults, CHF 20 for students, and CHF 50 for sup- ­himself and an inability to be anyone else. The Swede Johan Inger has

32 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com

choreographed an entirely new version of this “Faust of the North” for the Ballett Theater Basel ensemble. He captivates audiences with a diverse world of movement, where the principles of musical composi- tion are tellingly adapted to dance and musical form is made visible through physical movement. Inger creates memorable images that bring both sensuality and intensity to his choreography. For many years, the Stockholm-born choreographer was a dancer with the Nederlands Dans Theater, which was also where he started his choreographic ca- reer. He now works freelance and is a guest at all the world’s leading dance companies. Inger’s choreographed version of “Peer Gynt” will be performed on the Grosse Bühne of Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 70– 118 for adults and CHF 30–61 for youths. www.theater-basel.ch

Motionhouse February 17 With their new electrifying and multimedia production “Charge,” the British dance company Motionhouse, which has existed since 1988, Break the Tango explores the topic of energy. After their earlier productions “Scat- February 23, 24, and 25 tered” and “Broken”—the latter of which was debuted at the Burghof in 2016—“Charge” is the completion of the “Earth Trilogy” by their ar- What do you get if you combine tango dancers from Argentina, in- tistic director, Kevin Finnan. Exciting digital imagery, an extraordinary ternational break dancers, and an electro-tango band? “Break the scenery, and the captivating acrobatic arts of the company create a Tango” is a dance show that brings together two completely differ- cosmos on the stage that simultaneously addresses both macro and ent styles of dance, where tradition meets modernity and all the micro levels. Topics such as solar energy, the global weather system, rules are broken. While the tango dancers glide elegantly across and the flow of energy in the human body create a choreographic nar- the dance floor, the athletic break dancers create a fusion of Milon- rative that is at the same time an exciting project in which Motion- ga traditions. What at first seems like an impossible combination house, in cooperation with the University of Oxford, places science at blends together as the show progresses to become a perfect part- the center of artistic practice. Motionhouse’s “Charge” will be pre- nership. “Break the Tango” combines two distinctive styles of dance sented at 20:00 at the Burghof, just across the border in Lörrach, Ger- and shows how fiery, explosive, and thrilling the mix of tango and many; tickets can be purchased online and are € 36–46 for adults and street dance can be. The dancers are accompanied by a singer and € 12 for youths and students. Otros Aires, an Argentinean live band. The style ranges from elec- tro tango to new arrangements of traditional pieces and contempo- www.burghof.com rary pop music that do justice to the character at the heart of the tango. The show will be performed for three nights at the Musical Theater in Basel; tickets are CHF 58–98, 30% discount for kids up to age 16, and can be bought through Starticket or Ticketcorner. http://breakthetango.ch

Armida Bezirzt Rinaldo February 23 The Kammerorchester Basel, under the direction of René Jacobs, will be presenting Jo- seph Haydn’s opera in three acts “Armida,” Hob. XXVIII / 12, at the Martinskirche in Basel at 19:30. Tickets are CHF 38– 80, half price for kids up to age 14, and can be purchased through www.kulturticket.ch. www.kammerorchesterbasel.ch Magic Comedy Festival Schweiz February 22 Wine Tasting—Sweet Temptation Experience first-class comedy and magic with top artists at the 21st Magic Comedy Festival Switzerland. Fine entertainment, cheeky wit, February 23 and breathtaking magic will put the audience in an unforgettable mood. Wine and chocolate—surprise your taste buds with daring combina- Emotions are released and the laughing muscles are vigorously exer- tions of an ambivalent duet from the world of pleasure. You are invited cised. The show will consist of six different acts that will be performed to Delinat Weindepot Basel (Barcelona-Strasse 4, Münchenstein) to in seven cities around Switzerland throughout the month of February, discover some new and surprising taste combinations. The tasting is with a stop at the Häbse Theater on this evening at 20:00. Tickets are free of charge and will be held during their regular opening hours from CHF 58 and can be purchased through www.starticket.ch. 16:00–18:30. www.magic-comedy.ch www.delinat.com photo credits: © v-day basel; © wynton marsalis; © dan tucker (motionhouse); © break the tango; © molina visuals (armida) February 2018 33

Entertainment:Sports and Recreation Night on the Town (continued)

the world have already been inspired by the art of finger snapping, broom waving, and garbage-ton stomping. In New York and London, the musical garbage collectors have been among the box-office mag- nets for many years. No wonder—armed with nothing but scrap metal and an unmistakable sense of rhythm, the wonderfully idiosyncratic STOMP characters explore previously unknown depths of sound. The world’s most furious, original, and witty rhythm spectacle will be per- formed at the Theater 11 in Zürich; tickets are CHF 56.50–96.90, half price for kids. www.ticketcorner.ch

Anastasia Maksiuta February 28 As a part of the Rising Star concert series, pianist Anastasia Maksiuta will be playing works by Claude Debussy, Frédéric Chopin, and Sergei Adam Ben Ezra Solo Rachmaninoff at the Unionsaal of the Volkshaus Basel at 19:30. Tickets are CHF 30 for adults and CHF 15 for students (with I.D.) and can be February 27 purchased online. Double-bass phenomenon, multi-instrumentalist, and online sensation www.konzerte-basel.ch Adam Ben Ezra is a man seemingly on a mission to bring his instrument from its status as a background note to the dominant front presence it deserves. With more than 10 million hits on YouTube and a strong fol- Comedy Theater—The Show Must Go Wrong lowing on all social media platforms, his success is not limited to the February 28 internet world—he has performed around the globe in major interna- London’s West End hit, awarded “Best New Comedy” in 2015, is coming tional music festivals and over the last few years shared the stage with to Basel for the first time! “Murder at Haversham Castle” is the name some of the world’s fusion giants, including Pat Metheny, Victor Wooten, of the play that an ambitious theater company wants to perform. A and Richard Bona. Whether he is playing original material or his won- classic criminal theater in rural seclusion with family involvement, cor- derfully crafted cover arrangements, Ezra is a creative force of nature rupt police officers, and seemingly loyal servants, in adverse weather who can transform a room full of strangers into lifelong fans in a mo- conditions. But in the performance, everything just goes wrong—doors ment. He not only plucks his double bass, but also plays fast-paced per- cannot be opened, props are not in place, dialogues run in the wrong cussion beats on the double-rhythm instrument; slaps it like a world order, and actors are knocked unconscious. This catastrophic comedy champion with resounding chords; sweeps his bow sometimes wildly theater by Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, and Henry Lewis is slapstick and impetuously, sometimes softly and gently; and he even at times takes and simultaneously the finest British humor in the style of Monty Python the bass under his arm like an oversized guitar. Both his trio album that will have you die laughing. The show will take place at the Häbse- (“Can’t Stop Running,” 2015) and latest solo album (“Pin Drop,” 2017) Theater in Basel at 20:00; tickets are CHF 65 and can be purchased showcase not just a virtuoso performer, but also a sensitive composer online. with no musical boundaries, combining elements of jazz, rock, and world music to create a sweeping, fascinating, and versatile sound. Be www.haebse-theater.ch sure to catch Ezra at 20:15 at the Q4 jazz club (lower level of Hotel Schüt- zen) in Rheinfelden, only a 2-minute walk from the Rheinfelden train Symphony Club Mix & Mingle station. Public car parking is available in front of the hotel. Tickets are February 28 CHF 40 for adults and CHF 10 for students (with I.D.); reserve them at [email protected] or for dinner and concert at 061-836-2525. Musicians from the Sinfonieorchester Basel perform snippets, or tast- ers, of upcoming symphony concerts at these events organized by the www.jazzclubq4.ch Symphony Club, where you can have a drink and a chat with fellow Eng- lish speakers interested in classical music. The event begins at 18:30 at STOMP Hotel Euler, Centralbahnplatz 14, Basel. Admission is free of charge. February 27 – March 4 For more details visit the Symphony Club website. Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and more fill the www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch/en/communities/ stage with energizing beats at STOMP, the inventive and invigorating symphony-club/programme.html stage show that’s dance, music, and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm. More than 15 million people around Bird’s Eye Jazz Club If you enjoy listening to live jazz over a drink, you should check out the bird’s eye jazz club. This quaint club is located at Kohlenberg 20, a short walk up from Barfüsserplatz, and features a variety of national and in- ternational jazz bands. The club is open from 20:00–23:30, with two concert sets per evening starting at 20:30 and 22:45. Admission costs CHF 8–24, which is valid for the whole evening on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, or for one set on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets can be reserved by filling out the online form and are only valid if you re- ceive a confirmation email; note that reserved tickets must be picked up/paid up to 20 minutes before the beginning of a set or they risk be- ing released. You can also get tickets on the spot as long as the set is not sold out. Check out their website for a list of concert dates. www.birdseye.ch

34 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com photo credits: © paolo galletta (adam ben ezra); © steve mcnicholas (stomp) English speakers welcome!

Open day

at FG Basel FG Basel everything under one roof All school levels from kindergarten to matura

A fast Monday, 5 Februar 2018 track from 5th grade to Experience classes at the leading private school in Basel matura from 8.00 am – 3.00 pm. Take a tour of our facilities from our own canteen to classrooms, gym halls and playgrounds.

No registration necessary.

Visit our homepage for more information about the open day: www.fg-basel.ch

education made to measure since 1889 Contact us for more information about subscribing or advertising:

[email protected] www.facebook.com/basellifemagazine A Monthly Guide to Living in Basel www.basellife.com

© christine pesold

Mark Your Calendar! March 2018 Highlights

Clubfestival BScene March 2–3 Basel World March 22–27 Bummelsonntag (Strolling Sunday) March 4 & 11 Apassionata Horse Spectacle March 24–25 Basel Wine Ship (Wyschiff) March 15–18 Daylight Savings Time Begins March 25 Regio Messe March 17–25 International Tango Festival March 29 – April 2

Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! Who Where When Tickets Art on Ice Hallenstadion, Zürich March 1–4 www.ticketcorner.ch Shaolin Kung Fu Musical Theater, Basel March 5 www.ticketcorner.ch Al Di Meola Acoustic Duo Volkshaus, Basel March 9 www.ticketcorner.ch Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Concert Musical Theater, Basel March 9 www.actnews.ch Harry Styles St. Jakobshalle, Basel March 11 www.ticketcorner.ch Thirty Seconds to Mars St. Jakobshalle, Basel March 12 www.ticketcorner.ch Sunrise Avenue Hallenstadion, Zürich March 14 www.ticketcorner.ch Kodo One Earth Tour 2018 Musical Theater, Basel March 16 www.ticketcorner.ch Dianne Reeves & Quintet Musical Theater, Basel March 22 www.starticket.ch The Big Andrew Lloyd Webber Gala Musical Theater, Basel March 23 www.ticketcorner.ch Lord of the Dance 2018 Musical Theater, Basel March 24 & 25 www.ticketcorner.ch Harlem Globetrotters Hallenstadion, Zürich March 26 www.abc–production.ch The 12 Tenors Musical Theater, Basel March 31 www.actnews.ch Rock Meets Classic St. Jakobshalle, Basel April 13 www.actnews.ch Imagine Dragons Hallenstadion, Zürich April 13 www.ticketcorner.ch Rocky Horror Show Musical Theater, Basel April 17–22 www.ticketcorner.ch Thriller—Live Musical Theater, Basel April 24–29 www.ticketcorner.ch Cesar Millan—Once Upon a Dog Tour 2018 Hallenstadion, Zürich April 28 www.abc–production.ch Die Schöne und das Biest (Beauty and the Beast) Musical Theater, Basel May 3 www.actnews.ch Hairspray—Das Broadway Musical Musical Theater, Basel May 5 www.ticketcorner.ch Sam Smith Hallenstadion, Zürich May 9 www.ticketcorner.ch Young Stage Circus Festival DAS ZELT, Basel May 11–15 www.ticketcorner.ch HAIR—The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical Theater Spirgarten, Zürich May 16 www.actnews.ch Roger Waters Hallenstadion, Zürich May 28 & 29 www.ticketcorner.ch Katy Perry Hallenstadion, Zürich June 1 www.ticketcorner.ch Nickelback Hallenstadion, Zürich June 12 www.ticketcorner.ch Foo Fighters Stade de Suisse, Bern June 13 www.ticketcorner.ch Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson Volkshaus, Zürich June 14 www.ticketcorner.ch Bryan Adams Hallenstadion, Zürich June 20 www.ticketcorner.ch