LANTERN PROCESSION • BASELHEAD • GOURMET FAIR • CITY RUN • FITNESS EXPO Volume 7 Issue 3 CHF 6 6 A Monthly Guide to Living in Basel November 2018 2 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, November in Basel is typically not the most pleasant time weather-wise, but it is always nonetheless an exciting month with a multitude of terrific events. It begins with the fabulous fall fair (Herbstmesse) that is already in November 2018 Volume 7 Issue 3 full swing, delighting visitors young and old in various squares around the city. The middle of the month brings the charming old tradition of the TABLE OF CONTENTS ­Räbeliechtli-Umzug, when a procession of children with artistically carved turnip lanterns winds its way through the old town in honor of St. Martin’s Day, Events in Basel: November 2018 4–9 as well as the exhilarating BaselHead regatta, where around 100 interna- tional rowing teams will compete in eight-person boats on the Rhein. The month ends with the official opening of the Christmas season—the light- Fun Outings: Beyond Basel 10–11 ing of the Christmas illuminations and the opening of Basel’s Christmas markets. Another seasonal favorite is the beautiful Basler Stadtlauf (city run) on the last Saturday of the month that will see participants racing Markets and Fairs 12–13 through the festively lit and decorated streets of the inner city—a magical event for both runners and spectators. Lovers of fine foods and spirits can taste and discover delicacies at the Sports and Recreation 14–17 Basler Feinmesse, and wine lovers will have many opportunities to indulge this month—from the fabulous Weinmesse (wine fair) and the Basler Wymärt (wine market) to numerous wine, champagne, and whisky tastings Calendar: November 2018 18–19 at wine boutiques around town. In addition to wine and food, you can ­discover local artists at the Regionale three-country art fair; select your winter reading at the BuchBasel book fair; or pick up some unusual items Inside Basel 20–21 or gifts at the Basel Collectors’ Exchange, the Bazar de Noël, or the Anglican Church Christmas Bazaar. Workshops, Tours, and Education 22–25 Fitness buffs should pay a visit to the FitnessEXPO for the latest in the world of beauty, fitness, healthy lifestyle, wellness, and so much more. This year’s EXPO will also include an indoor cycling marathon; a fight night; Entertainment: Night on the Town 26–35 and, for the first time, the Lipstick Convention, where visitors can discover the latest beauty & lifestyle products, get professionally styled, and even enjoy a photo shoot. Parents can bring their kids to the Basler Sportmarkt Mark Your Calendar: December 2018 / January 2019 35 (sports market) to let them try diverse types of sports, and our “Sports and Recreation” section lists various indoor sports activities available for kids and teens in the colder months. Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! back page Looking to go on a fun day excursion? Visit the Ballyana museum and learn about the family dynasty that made international history in the shoe-fashion industry, bring your model-train enthusiasts to France for the top event of its kind in Europe, or make a splash at the newly opened indoor surf location in Switzerland. Turn to the Inside Basel section to learn all about the Jobfactory—an ­entrepreneurial social-responsibility company that offers a valuable ­jumpstart to underprivileged youths while providing high-quality services and products to you. Ladies, be sure to join their Ladies First soirée on November 23! The month of November is always rich in entertainment, so flip to the last section of this issue for countless ideas for a great night out. Wishing you a fun-filled month, Christine Basel Life Magazine Staff: Cover: The free-fall tower located in the circular open City Lounge at the Messe Basel is one of the Editor-in-Chief: highlights of the annual Herbstmesse. The first Christine Pesold version, called “Swiss Tower,” was placed on the Advertising & Subscription Manager / Editor: open space of the Messeplatz in 2014. The following Susanne Hiller year, it was ­installed in the City Lounge for the first time, providing additional drama to the 80-meter Design & Print: drop. However, the enjoyment seemed to be short- Die Medienmacher AG, Muttenz lived, as the tower was sold to a Chinese company that same autumn. Fortunately, the tower’s operator For more information about subscribing or advertising – please contact us: found a new and even slightly higher tower—the info basellife.com “Spin Tower” that also turns at the highest point. It www.facebook.com/basellifemagazine has been gracing the City Lounge since 2016 and is www.basellife.com back this year. 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 credits: © kejia liu / momoji (cover); © anne kohler (page 3) November 2018 3 Events in Basel: November 2018 Family Concert—Gian & Gianna + Schellen-Ursli November 3 The Sinfonieorchester Basel’s family concert series is ideal for introduc- ing families with young children to the joy of music. At this concert you will experience two classic Swiss children’s books in a different manner. In the musical-scenic reading of Claudia Carigiet and Jürg Kienberger, goatherd Gian in Sils-Maria must help to find a visiting girl who has gone missing. Or will the audience choose to hear the story of the brave ­goatherd girl Gianna, who helps to look for the missing Karl? In Engadin, the Chalandamarz festival is fast approaching where the village children traditionally ring their cow bells. Ursli doesn’t want to have the smallest bell in the procession, so he sets out on the adventurous journey to an Alpine cabin to fetch the biggest bell of all. The music written by Armin Schibler for the 1964 silent movie will be played live by members of the Seats of Power Sinfonieorchester. The concert begins at 16:00 and will be held at the Until February 17 Scala Basel. Tickets are CHF 20 for adults, CHF 10 for children, and The origins of the chair can be traced back to the thrones of antiquity and CHF 50 for families with two adults and two children (CHF 7 for each the Middle Ages. To this day, many chairs serve as symbols of success ­additional child); they can be purchased online or at Bider & Tanner. and affluence. The exhibition “Seats of Power” shows how close this www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch/en relationship remains today, while offering a modern cultural history of seating—from Mies van der Rohe’s fashionable “Barcelona Chair” (1929) and the chairs appearing in the debate between Kennedy and Nixon (1960) to presentations of power in today’s politics. The exhibit will include classic pieces such as Charles Eames’ “Lounge Chair” (1943– 1956), as well as rarities such as a throne for Pope John Paul II (1994) or Martino Gamper’s “Mono­ throne” (2017). The exhibit will take place at the Schaudepot of the Vitra Design Museum, just across the border in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Children’s Theater—Pippi Longstocking www.design-museum.de November 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, and 14 Pippi Longstocking lives together with her horse Kleiner Onkel (Little Uncle) and the monkey Herr Nilsson in the Villa Kunterbunt. Since the red-braided sailor’s daughter has superhuman strength, she doesn’t need to fear attacks by nasty burglars, obtrusive teachers, or stupid police officers. A suitcase full of gold gives her independence, which she The Basilisk, Zeus, and the Kidnapped Professors really enjoys. Pippi’s best friends are the well-protected neighbors Until December 23 ­Annika and Thomas. The Theater Arlecchino has reworked Astrid Lind- You have surely seen the Basilisk—the gren’s story and translated it into dialect. The production is presented mythical Basel creature that appears part in two 45-minute parts separated by a break and is suitable for children bird and part reptile with long threatening starting at age 4 and their whole family; tickets are CHF 20 for adults claws. It adorns Basel’s fountains, and and CHF 15 for kids, with rebates for holders of the Familienpass. you can find sculptures of it in varying www.theater-arlecchino.ch ­sizes scattered throughout the city. Four of the most striking basilisks in the city of Tour of Theater Basel Basel, as well as sculptures of ancient mythical figures and portraits of eminent November 3 and 17 Basel professors, were creations of the Behind the scenes at Theater Basel the clocks keep ticking day and Basel sculptor Ferdinand Schlöth (1818– night. The audience often forgets how complex a theater production 1891). To celebrate the bicentenary of ­really is. How are performances organized? How long do rehearsals for his birth, the Skulpturhalle Basel has put a production last? What happens in the wardrobe department? And some of Schlöth’s works on display.