December 2018 / January 2019 a Monthly Guide to Living in Basel

CIRQUE NOËL • VOGEL GRYFF • MUSEUMS NIGHT • E-SCOOTERS • MUSICAL LIGHT CIRCUS

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A Monthly Guide to Living in Basel December 2018 / January 2019 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, Our beautiful city on the Rhein gets even more charming during the Christ- mas season in December. Basel is home to the largest and prettiest Christ- December 2018 / January 2019 Volume 7 Issue 4 mas markets, with over 180 traders and artisans selling their goods in small, rustic wooden chalets set up at the main markets on Barfüsser- TABLE OF CONTENTS platz, with its distinctive star, and Münsterplatz, enchantingly decorated with snowflake lights in the trees and an enormous Christmas tree. The winter wonderland also set up at the Münsterplatz will appeal to the kids, Christmas Special—Events in Basel 4–9 and Rheingasse in Kleinbasel turns into a festive alley with plenty of fur- lined seating and crackling fires where you can enjoy delicious street food and a warm drink with friends. Surrounded by hundreds of illuminated Events in Basel: December 2018 / January 2019 10–13 Christmas trees, lovingly decorated store windows, and lights strung all along the streets and bridges, visitors to the city can also enjoy extended shopping hours on Thursday evenings, which will be accompanied by a Fun Outings: Beyond Basel 14–15 relaxing outdoor jazz lounge with live music right on the Marktplatz, alongside a small skating rink for the kids. Christmas Market Special 16–17 St. Nick will also be coming to town, and he (they) will be everywhere— riding through town on Harley Davidson motorcycles, strolling with his donkey at the Basel zoo and Lange Erlen animal park, and even paddling Information Desk 18 down the Rhein in dozens of kayaks and canoes! Numerous other holiday events will also surely put you in a festive spirit, including many Christmas concerts from gospel and choir to caroling; the Christmas tram and ferry; Calendar: December 2018 / January 2019 19–22 the new Cirque Noël de Bâle; a daily musical Advent calendar; the English- language Panto production of “Cinderella;” Palazzo Colombino’s holiday variety-show; the “Nutcracker” ballet; several special Christmas museum Did You Know? 23 exhibits; and, for the first time, Illuminarium’s Fabulous Christmas Magic Musical Light Circus. To end the year in style, enjoy a New Year’s Eve con- Sports and Recreation 24–25 cert or show, then count down to midnight with fellow Baslers on the Mün- sterplatz, followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the Rhein. The month of January is also filled with traditions, greeting us with deli- Workshops, Tours, and Education 26–27 cious crowns of sweet bread in all the bakeries to commemorate Three Kings’ Day. The month is equally rich in culture and excitement with the CSI international horse show, a book event hosted on a ship on the Rhein, Entertainment: Night on the Town 29–39 a chess festival, a cheese festival, the fabulous Museums’ Night, and the ever so strange medieval tradition of the Vogel Gryff. Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! 40 If you would like to venture out of town, there are many nighttime adventures to experience—join a night tour or Santa Claus’ lantern procession through the forest in the Tierpark Goldau; discover a beautifully illuminated enchanted forest and take a torch-lit New Year’s Eve walk in the Sundgau region of Al- sace; immerse yourself in the ambiance of Christmas in the evening by the glow of lanterns at a medieval castle in France; or enjoy a romantic moonlit outdoor bathing experience at a spa. Turn to the "Information Desk" to learn all about Basel’s new e-scooters and read about the new edition of the fantastic “prozentbuch Basel" in our "Did You Know?" section. Despite the rush of the holidays, I hope that you will take the time to enjoy the splendor and magic that surrounds this season. Wishing you wonderful holidays, safe travels, and all the best for 2019!

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photo credit: © basel tourismus December 2018 / January 2019 3 Christmas Special—Events in Basel

The whole Christmas season is a magical time in Basel—with the illuminated “Christmas street” from Aeschenplatz through Freie Strasse, over the Mittlere Brücke, and to Messeplatz; hundreds of illuminated Christmas trees all over the city center; and the host of festively decorated storefronts, it is almost impossible not to get into the Christmas spirit. Basel is also home to two large and pretty Christmas markets for browsing and eating, and the kids will certainly keep busy with holiday-fun activities at the Christmas fairy-tale forest on the Münsterplatz or on the small skating rink at Marktplatz. The city center will be an ideal place to shop with additional shopping hours on the two Sundays leading up to Christmas and, new this year, extended shopping hours on Thursday evenings that will be accompanied by an outdoor jazz lounge at Marktplatz and a small skating rink. In addition, Basel will also host numerous Christmas-related events, including circuses, concerts, exhibits, theater, public singing, variety shows, festive tram and ferry rides, visits with Santa, and so much more.

Christmas Ferry Basler Wunschbuch und Wunschbaum Until December 23 (Basel’s Book and Tree of Wishes) The Klingental ferry near Kaserne will be transformed into a Christmas Until January 3 ferry during the festive season. You can enjoy a ride across the river on This is a great time of this magical ferry with its special atmosphere and admire the city’s light- the year to reflect and ed decorations from a different perspective. The Christmas ferry can conjure up wishes and also be booked for private apéro or fondue events. thoughts—things you www.weihnachtsfaehre.ch are thankful for; lists to Santa Claus; or wishes for peace, love, and Nativity Scene Exhibit health. There is a public “Wunschbuch” located in Until December 23 the front courtyard of the Take a stroll from Schifflände to the Spalentor to take in this very special city hall at Marktplatz. exhibit of nativity scenes in the windows of over 20 shops. Additional For the 25th year, every- nativity scenes will be displayed in a variety of churches, starting on one is invited to come December 2. and write their thoughts, as well as read what other people are wishing for! Afterwards, the book will be kept in the Basel archives for years to come—a The Fabulous Christmas Magic Musical Light Circus sort of modern-day wish time capsule. Another option is to write your wishes on a card that you decorate and place on the designated “Wunschbaum” Until December 30 located in Rümelinsplatz, just behind the Marktplatz. Visitors can expect an enchanting winter wonderland of illuminations, illusion, and music—a fantastic world that appeals to all the senses. It's a unique sea of lights and a Christmas concert of spectacular mythical creatures, staged and orchestrated by the conductor and mythical crea- Christmas Park at St. Claraspital ture, Yuki. This interactive experience where you can dive into the fantas- Until January 6 tic world of Yuki and her friends will take place in the inner courtyard of Stephan Primus has designed this enchanting Christmas park that is open the Museum der Kulturen Basel, right next to the Christmas market on daily from 10:00–20:00. All are welcome to enjoy the festive atmosphere the Münsterplatz. With a magical 3-D concert where Giuseppe Verdi’s with all their senses. Claraspital is located at Kleinriehenstrasse 30 “La Traviata” is performed in an unprecedented way, the Illuminarium in Basel and can be reached by trams 2 or 6 (“Hirzbrunnen” stop). will transport visitors into a magical world of light and sound. There will www.claraspital.ch be 4–5 presentations each evening (except December 5, 24, and 25), and each show will last 15 minutes. Spaces are limited, and doors open 10 minutes before the shows, which will take place irrespective of weath- Palazzo Colombino er. Tickets can be bought online in advance or on the spot (cash only) at the box office (open on show days from 17:30–21:00); they are CHF 9.50 Until January 20 for adults, CHF 7 for teens ages 10–16, CHF 5 for kids ages 6–9, and free For the 17th year, the Palazzo Colombino will be setting up their tent at the up to age 5. Note that kids and teens must be accompanied by an adult. Rosentalanlage near Messeplatz. Experience this high-class variety show of a different kind. Spoil yourself with a four-course candle-light dinner www.illuminarium.ch prepared by master chef Peter Moser in a mirrored tent with a special atmosphere, while enjoying a mixture of fascinating artistry brought to you by acrobats, clowns, jugglers, magicians, musicians, singers, and much more. The show lasts about 3.5 hours, and guests are expected to arrive about 30 minutes before start time (19:30 on Tuesday to Saturday, 18:00 on Sunday and holidays). Tickets range from CHF 140–220; visit their website for a complete line-up of the artists and shows, as well as to buy your tickets online. www.palazzocolombino.ch

4 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Design at the Christmas Tree Christmas Concert Until February 10 December 2 The Spielzeug Welten Museum (Toy World Museum) at Barfüsserplatz The Basler Zeitung will be hosting the “BaZ hilft” annual charity Christ- hosts a small Christmas exhibit dedicated to a little-known type of tree mas concert. You can expect exquisite opera and orchestral pieces with decoration called “Art Glass”—handcrafted glass decorations generally members of the opera studio of Theater Basel, Operavenir; the Mäd- shaped like various animals that were influenced by the Art Deco era in chenkantorei Basel (girls’ choir); and the Sinfonieorchester Basel. Let the early 20th century. Using pieces on loan from a Swiss collector, the yourself be enchanted by the heavenly sounds and the traditional Christ- Spielzeug Welten Museum will decorate five Christmas trees with these mas tree that will surely put you in the Christmas spirit! The concert will glass animals and other glass ornaments. The blue color of the trees take place at the Musical Theater Basel at 11:00. Tickets can be pur- comes together with the glass decorations to form a unique whole. chased at the Basler Zeitung location at Aeschenplatz. www.spielzeug-welten-museum-basel.ch www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch

Niggi Näggi at the Tierpark Kranzmarkt (Christmas Wreath Market) December 2 December 1 Samichlaus (St. Nicholas), his helper Schmutzli, and their donkey will be The Matthäuskirche in Kleinbasel will be celebrating Advent with a mar- on site to greet kids from 15:00–17:00 in the Erlebnishof at Tierpark ket specializing in Christmas wreaths. Market hours are 8:00–13:00, Lange Erlen. Good little boys and girls are invited to recite a verse or which run in parallel to their weekly Saturday market. poem to Samichlaus in exchange for a small goodie bag. There will also www.matthaeusmarkt.ch be hot chocolate and Grättimänner (person-shaped pastries from sweet dough; while supplies last). The Erlen-Kids will have their own stand offering crêpes, mulled wine, tea, and coffee, starting at 13:00. Wiehnachts–Drämmli (Christmas Tram) www.erlen-verein.ch December 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22, and 23 Every year, the Basel public transport system (BVB) sponsors a Christ- Puppet Theater—Der Kleine Weihnachtsmann mas tram just for kids. One of the old trams is decked out with Christmas (The Little Santa Claus) decorations and driven by Santa himself! The tram rides around Basel for 60 minutes while Santa and his “angels” tell Christmas stories (in Ger- December 2 man). The kids can also recite Christmas verses to Santa, and all are Far to the North is the well-hidden village of the Santa Clauses. Every given a treat. The kids must be mature enough to travel without a parent year, they set out to give presents to the children of the world. Even the (no adults allowed) and must remain on the tram for the entire ride, so be little Santa Claus is looking forward to visiting the children. As always, sure that the event is age-appropriate for your child (there is no official he’s the first to clean his sled, polish his boots, and pack the presents age limit). The rides are free of charge, but are on a first-come-first- carefully. But then it’s the same as every year—because he’s so small, served basis. The tram leaves from the water fountain at Fischmarkt the big Santa Clauses don’t take him along! However, there are still the (near Schifflände) at 15:05 and 16:10 on Wednesdays and at 14:00, 15:05, animals of the forest and so, everything will be different this year... The and 16:10 on Saturdays and Sundays. marotte Figurentheater Karlsruhe will be presenting this enchanting age-appropriate performance that encourages the kids to develop their www.tramoldtimer-basel.ch/weihnachtstram2.html own imagination, while the parents marvel at the creative implementa- tion of fantastic ideas. The 45-minute show is appropriate for families with kids ages 4 and up and will be performed in High German at the Basler Marionetten Theater. There will be two performances at 13:00 and at 15:00; tickets are CHF 15 for kids and CHF 20 for adults. www.bmtheater.ch

Vitrine D’Or (Golden Store Window) December 2–27 The Buy-Local Schweiz organization is holding a competition for the most beautiful Christ- mas store-window display in Basel, voted for by customers. Participating shops are marked with a “Vitrine d’Or” sticker in their windows. Voting cards are available at all participating shops as well as the Basel Tourist Informa- Literary and Musical Advent Calendar at Theater Basel tion offices and can be sent by post until December 27, or you can vote online until that day. The lucky winners will be announced in mid-January. December 1–23 There are two types of prizes: three attractive cash or material prizes for Theater Basel is presenting a special Advent calendar daily from 17:00– the best participating stores, as well as special “Vitrine d’Or” vouchers 17:30 in the entrance foyer. Members of Theater Basel’s choir, ballet for the voters, which can be redeemed in all participating shops. So when troupe, musical, and acting ensemble as well as guests will present sto- you stroll through town enjoying the decorations and Christmas window ries, poems, or songs—sometimes classically Christmas and sometimes displays, why not look for the “Vitrine d’Or” sticker in the windows and quite different and even comical. Each presentation will last about 30 cast your vote? Check out last year’s winners on their website and be minutes; entrance is free. amazed! www.theater-basel.ch www.vitrinedor.ch photo credit: © staatskanzlei basel-stadt (top, book of wishes); © jean christophe dupasqier (magical music light circus); © andy guttman (christmas tram); December 2018 / January 2019 5 © buy-local schweiz (vitrine d'or) Christmas Special—Events in Basel (continued)

Gospel Night 2018 while her husband, the Baron, is always worrying about the amount of money the women in his life are spending. The six performances, includ- December 2 ing two matinees, will be held at the Scala Basel on Freie Strasse 89. The gospel night in the Münster (cathedral) is an established part of the Tickets for all performances cost CHF 35 for adults and CHF 25 for kids Christmas calendar in Basel. Starting at 20:00, the program ranges from and are available at www.ticketino.com and Bider & Tanner. The profits traditional gospel to modern pop hymns and attracts people of all ages. from the show are used to support disadvantaged students at the Starehe www.gospelchorammuenster.ch Girl’s Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, and to produce next year’s panto. www.baselpanto.org Christmas Tree Exhibit December 2 – January 6 Advent Happening The Christmas season is always special December 6, 13, and 20 at the Museum für Wohnkultur (Muse- On these three Thursdays, Basel will be a cultural and shopping hot spot, um for Home Decor). From the first with stores open until 20:00 and a concert lounge set up at the Markt- Sunday of Advent, the various floors of platz, which in cooperation with “Em Bebbi sy Jazz” will deliver seasonal the building will be decorated with his- jazz music from 17:00–20:00 to put you in a relaxed, festive mood. The torical and modern Christmas trees. stage, which will consist of an illuminated star that will be open on all Visitors will see how Christmas trees sides, will bring a holiday atmosphere to the shoppers and skaters on have changed in the past 200 years— the small artificial ice rink, also set up on the square. from small trees that stood on tables and were decorated with nuts, apples, https://proinnerstadtbasel.ch/news/veranstaltungen/ and baked goods, to those decorated with figures modeled with pastry dough or with inedible religious and secular tree ornaments. The exhibit at Elisabethenstrasse 27 is open Sunday to Friday from 10:00–17:00 and Saturday from 14:00–17:00. www.hmb.ch

Visit the Towers at the Basler Münster December 3–21 The towers of the Basler Münster offer breathtaking views of Basel as well as neighboring France and Germany. You can climb the 250 steps to the top of the towers any time of the year for a cost of CHF 5 per person. Entrance to the towers closes 30 minutes before the cathedral closes. The view from the towers can be especially beautiful during the Christ- mas season, when the city sparkles with holiday lights. During the four South African Christmas Market weeks leading up to Christmas, the towers can be visited until 18:00, and December 8 the stairs leading up to the top are lit from 16:00–18:00. Note that the last Starting at 11:00, the Markthalle will host a small market with stalls of- entry is at 17:30, and you always need a minimum of two people. fering South African specialties, including biltong, spices, drinks, jewelry, www.baslermuenster.ch and dolls. www.altemarkthalle.ch St. Nicholas Visits the Basel Zoo Santas in Canoes December 5 St. Nicholas and his helper Schmutzli December 8 will be visiting the Basel Zoo from Another fun sight to see this holiday season is dozens of Santas canoeing 14:00–17:00. Children can recite a up and down the Rhein. This curious event is an annual tradition of the verse or sing a song for them to receive local canoe club (Basler Paddelsport IG). Beware, you may have some a small gift. There will be Grättimän- explaining to do to the kids! ner and hot chocolate served in the www.drachenboot.ch restaurant and cafeteria. Admission to the zoo is free for children up to age 15 on this day and reduced for adults. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”—A Solo Performance by Neil McGarry www.zoobasel.ch December 8 and 9 Using only Charles Dickens’ original text, Neil McGarry delivers a riveting The Panto—Cinderella performance of the classic holiday story, portraying each and every charac- December 6, 7, 8, and 9 ter with full engagement, somehow making you believe you’re watching a The Basel English Panto Group will proudly present this year’s produc- full company of actors. Fully staged, complete with dancing, this one-man tion “Cinderella,” a traditional panto with a new take on an old favorite. tour-de-force has left critics and audiences of all ages laughing and crying You are taken from the job center to the palace via Hardup Hall by a with joy. Simultaneously moving and entertaining, the result is a kaleido- clumsy and rejuvenated Fairy Godmother plus a talking parrot. There are scope of action, humor, and language delivered with a simplicity that dis- all the usual suspects: the ugly sisters are addicted to Facebook and in- arms and touches the heart. Directed by Ross MacDonald and created un- sulting Cinderella, while Prince Charming runs his life according to his der the auspices of The Bay Colony Shakespeare Company, Neil McGarry’s Fitbit and won’t dance another step after completing his 10,000 paces for award-winning, stunning, one-man performance of “A Christmas Carol” the day. Meanwhile, the Baroness can usually be found doing her pilates has for the past five years inspired audiences across the northeastern

6 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com United States and is now on tour in Europe, stopping at the Safe in the Unternehmen Mitte (Gerbergasse 30, Basel) for two nights; visit www. neilmcgarry.com for more information. Tickets are CHF 29 for adults and CHF 19 for youths and can be purchased through www.ticketino.com, Bider & Tanner, and Swiss Post Offices. https://upstart-entertainment.weebly.com

Sonntagsmatinée December 9 On this late Sunday morning, the audience will be treated to a “Norwe- gian Christmas” tradition as Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth and the tenThing brass ensemble will play works by Georg Friedrich Händel (“Arrival of the Queen of Saba”), Antonio Vivaldi (“The Four Sea- sons”), Michael Praetorius (“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”), Edward Ebel (“Snow Falls Softly at Night”), Felix Bernhard (“Winter Wonderland”), Irving Berlin (“White Christmas”), Howard Blake (“The Snowman: Walk- ing in the Air”), Bob Wells / Mel Tormé (“The Christmas Song”), Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne (“Let it Snow”), and Franz Xaver Gruber (“Silent Night, Holy Night”). This Norwegian Christmas concert will take place at the Santas on Motorbikes (Harley Niggi Näggi) Martinskirche in Basel at 11:00; tickets range from CHF 51–78 for adults December 8 and free for kids under age 12. For the 20th year, a group of about 50 Santa Clauses will gather at the www.konzerte-basel.ch Messeplatz at 16:00, where spectators can admire their festively decorated Harley-Davidson motorbikes. Shortly before 17:00, the Santas will Nils Landgren—Christmas With my Friends depart from Messeplatz and ride their Harleys through the city, ending at Marktplatz, where they will distribute little goodie bags to children in December 11 exchange for a verse. Parents can purchase mulled wine and Grättimän- Nils Landgren is a groovy Swedish R&B, funk, and jazz trombone player; ner; all proceeds go to Theodora, an organization of clowns that bring the action hero in funk costume; the expressive shouter on stage; and laughter to children at the Kinderspital (children’s hospital). the sentimental, delicate, and lyrical musician who has internalized the melancholy. Offbeat will be bringing Nils Landgren to perform “Christ- www.hognws.ch/nigginaeggievent mas With my Friends VI” with his orchestra, singers, and top musicians in the Martinskirche to celebrate the Advent season. In addition to Jean- might have heard in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice at the time of Monte- nette Köhn, Ida Sand, Sharon Dyall, and Jessica Pilnäs, the band includes verdi’s long tenure as “maestro di capella” (1613–1643), the concert pro- four other great Swedish jazz musicians. In solos, duos, trios, and octet vides a living tableau of Italian church music on the eve of the Italian formations, they pursue a haunting, yet reduced musical language and Baroque and a moving and fitting program for the Advent season in Ba- form of expression, and this is precisely what gives the performances of sel. Concerts take place on Thursday at 19:30 and on Saturday at 18:00 in the Nils Landgren Ensemble its uniqueness, complexity, and sensitivity the Leonhardskirche. Tickets are CHF 45–65 for adults, CHF 12 for stu- that result in the beautiful sounds of international Christmas music. The dents, and CHF 5 for kids up to age 14; they can be purchased at Bider & concert starts at 20:00; tickets are CHF 41–79. Tanner or online from www.ticketcorner.ch with an additional 2.6% ser- www.offbeat-concert.ch vice charge. https://lacetra.ch Irish Christmas 2018 (Angelo Kelly & Family) December 11 Zimtmarkt (Cinnamon Market) Following the grandiose comeback of the Kelly Family with number-1 December 15 hits on the album charts and sold-out concerts, Angelo Kelly returns to From 10:00–17:00, the Matthäuskirche in Kleinbasel will be celebrating the stage with his own family—wife Kira and their five children—who will the Christmas season with a market of high-quality products and crafts embark on an Irish Christmas tour this Advent. Inspired by their new in front of the beautiful church. There will be many seasonal specialties, home in Ireland, Kelly and his family want to bring fans closer to the Irish such as hot soup, homemade mulled wine, hot chocolate, BBQ, vegan Christmas tradition. They interpret Christmas classics that almost ev- burgers, and a host of fresh-cut Christmas trees and green decorations eryone knows in pop, jazz, or classical style, in their own way. Their ver- like wreaths and candle arrangements. sions in the Irish style sound like these songs have never been played differently. Six first-class musicians from the traditional international www.matthaeusmarkt.ch folk scene will support them with an Irish fiddle, mandolin, flute, bag- pipes, drums, and many other instruments. They will thrill their audi- One Million Stars ence at the Musical Theater in Basel; tickets are CHF 51.40–76.90 for adults and CHF 10 less for kids up to age 14. December 15 www.actnews.ch In cities all over Switzerland, the charitable organization Caritas is organizing a candle-lighting ceremony called “Eine Million Sterne.” In Basel, this will take place at Marktplatz, starting at 16:00. Thousands of candles Monteverdi—Vespro di Natale will be lit, and donations to help any of Caritas’ numerous causes will be December 13 and 15 accepted (voluntary). This is a beautiful sight to see, especially as night Every other year during Advent, Andrea Marcon and the La Cetra Barock- sets in! You are also invited to visit their website and find out how you can orchester & Vokalensemble Basel present a Vespro di Natale (Christmas start your own event in your area—it is a beautiful holiday tradition that Vesper) with music by Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli, Alessandro is all in the spirit of giving. Grandi, and others. Presented in the form of a vesper service like one www.einemillionsterne.ch photo credits: © hmb/natascha jansen (christmas tree exhibit); © zoo basel (st. nicholas visits basel zoo); © ben koechlin (advent happening); December 2018 / January 2019 7 © harley owners group northwest switzerland (santas on motorbikes) Christmas Special—Events in Basel (continued)

Christmas Tattoo December 14–16 An imposing castle offers the fairytale setting for this Christmas celebration. Santa welcomes guests from all over the world—in holiday costumes and festive uniforms, they celebrate a special festival. Audiences can look forward to a trip to the Scottish Highlands with the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Ailsa Craig Highland Dancers. Experience musical highlights with top formations of brass music and let the seasonal songs put you in a Christmas spirit. The spectacle will be framed by special guests like the Feldschlösschen horse-drawn beer wagon, the Niggi Näggi (Santa) Harley drivers, and the trampo- line gymnasts from Möriken-Wildegg. There will be five presentations of this Christmas-themed tattoo, including two evening and three matinée performances, at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel; tickets are CHF 25.90–110.90 for adults, CHF 18.30–78.20 for students, and CHF 13.20–56.00 for kids up to age 16. www.ticketcorner.ch

Christmas Caroling at the Burghof at 15:00, just across the border in Lörrach, Germany. Tickets for this production are € 30–40. December 15 On this Saturday, people will gather in front of the Münster gates at the www.burghof.com Münsterplatz from 17:15–18:00 to sing Christmas songs with the Lieder- tafel men’s choir. Everyone will be given pages containing the words to the songs so that they can participate. A brass ensemble will accompany the singing. www.liedertafelbasel.ch

Christmas Market at the Markthalle December 15 and 23 The producers of the label 1Fach will once again be bringing their lovingly manufactured products to the Markthalle, located a 2-minute walk from the Basel SBB. This special Christmas market with fair and local products offers not only arts and crafts, but also fashion, jewelry, and design products, as well as small delicacies for connoisseurs. Come to the Triptych at the Basler Marionetten Theater Markthalle on December 15 from 15:00–22:00 to find your new favorite December 16, 21, 22, and 23 piece! If you can’t make it on this day and are still looking for some special The Basler Marionetten Theater, in the old-fashioned tradition of large- hand-made Christmas gifts, then come to the “Last Minute Geschenk?” figure string puppet theater, will be presenting the Christmas tale market on December 23 for a wide selection of different and creative fine “Triptych.” It is the story of three odd men who decide to try their luck products—all handmade and ready to give (or keep). From bags, jewelry, as the three Magi. Together, they travel the country and make an un- soaps, and toys to home-made decorations, jams, and liqueurs—here you usual encounter. In the following two years, each of them also experi- can find gifts for your wife, godchild, grandchildren, friend, boss, and even ences their personal miracle. The theater is located near the Christ- the mother-in-law; market hours are from 11:00–17:00. mas market at Münsterplatz; the show is in dialect and is suitable for www.altemarkthalle.ch ages 12 and up. Tickets are CHF 41.20, CHF 31.00 for kids and students, and can be purchased directly at the theater, at Bider & Tanner, or on- Ballet—The Nutcracker line at www.biderundtanner.ch. December 16 www.bmtheater.ch In this annual Christmas classic of the “Nutcracker,” Tchaikovsky’s last work for the stage, a new pictorial world enters the ballet—the charac- Christmas Shopping on Sunday teristic drawing of the figure of Drosselmeier and the kingdom of the mice convey a touch of fright and at the same time irony. The dance il- December 16 and 23 lustrating the growing of the tree, the waltz of the snowflakes, and the Downtown businesses in Basel will be open until from 13:00–18:00 on two andante dances from the second act radiate Tchaikovsky’s special the last two Sundays before Christmas, making a stroll through the city warmth, humanity, and lyrical fullness of emotions. All of these deep and Christmas shopping an enticing prospect. In addition, the city’s res- emotions of Tchaikovsky’s great ballet classic are represented in this taurants will be offering seasonal delicacies and fine wines during those production by the Russian National Ballet. Young and old alike are invited hours. to discover this playful, romantic, fairy tale-like, and dreamy wonderland www.proinnerstadt.ch

8 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Christmas Carol Sing-Along Vol. 2 Danceperados of Ireland—Spirit of Irish Christmas December 18 December 15 What would Advent be without traditional carols to put everyone in the The Danceperados of Ireland introduce audiences to the Christmas tradi- mood for Christmas? For the second time, the Sinfonieorchester Basel tions of the Green Isle on their “Spirit of Irish Christmas” tour, going back invites young and old to a festive sing-along concert with the Basel Girls’ to the time before the commercialization of Christmas. With many Irish and Boys’ Choirs. As well as singing along with Basel school children to people earning their living abroad, both then and now, Christmas is al- the Christmas carols we all know and love, you will also hear some new ways the time of the year when they all return home to celebrate with ones. The sing-along will take place at the Musical Theater Basel at family and friends. The pubs are packed, whiskey and beer are flowing, 18:00; tickets are CHF 10 for adults and CHF 5 for kids. jigs and reels are playing, and there is dancing like crazy. An Irish tap- dance show with the motto “Irish Christmas” therefore fits wonderfully www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch into the season. The multimedia setting with winter landsw capes and Christmas motifs, finely tuned to music and dance, gives the audience the Ballet—The Little Nutcracker feeling of being in Ireland. What distinguishes the Danceperados from December 19 and 22 traditional dance shows is the quality of the dancers, musicians, and sing- Just in time for the holidays, the fabulous “Der Kleine Nussknacker” (The ers. The five musicians are among the crème de la crème of Irish folk, and Little Nutcracker) Christmas ballet is interpreted again by students of the the choreographer is none other than two-time world champion Michael Ballettschule Basel. It is the magical story of Marie and her nutcracker, Donnellan. Instead of dazzling the audience with show effects, the Dance who comes to life in a dream and turns into a handsome young man. perados convince with exuberant liveliness and authenticity. See what the Armies of mice and sugarplum fairies will charm young and old to Tchai- world champions can do at the Musical Theater Basel; tickets are CHF kovsky’s wonderful music. There will be one performance on December 69.80–89.90 through www.ticketcorner.ch. Kids under age 14 are only 19 at 19:30, and two on December 22 at 15:00 and 19:30. Tickets are admitted with a parent, and kids under age 6 are not permitted. CHF 42 for adults and CHF 19 for children; they can be purchased online. https://dominoevent.ch www.theater-basel.ch

Cirque Noël de Bâle December 19–31 The aim of the Cirque Noël de Bâle is to bring the crème de la crème of the circus world to Basel to present an international program of superlatives that will leave audiences amazed and enchanted. The identity of most artists will remain a secret, but one of the award-wining artists who will aston- ish the visitors with his skills has already been leaked—the handstand equilibrist Maxim Popazov from the renowned Russian circus dynasty. He will balance on a tower of rickety chairs high up under the circus dome. The experienced and successful producers, who also conceived the Palazzo Co- her horse, her dog, and a jewelry box, until one day she finds three en- lombino, invite all families, children, and circus lovers from the Basel re- chanted nuts... Experience this heartwarming story with the unique film gion into the fascinating world of the Christmas circus. For this first-ever music by Karel Svoboda, performed live by the Sinfonieorchester Basel. Cirque Noël de Bâle, they will be setting up a tent on the Rosentalanlage This Christmas treat for the whole family will take place at the Musical next to Palazzo Colombino. It will be a festive Christmas experience for the Theater in Basel at 19:30; tickets are CHF 30–110. whole family, with afternoon and evening presentations daily (except Mon- www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch day); tickets are CHF 35–90, half price for kids up to age 12. www.actnews.ch Ballet: The Nutcracker—A Christmas Carol

Chamber Music Concert—Oh Himmels Kind January 10–13 (Oh Heavenly Child) Like every child, Clara eagerly awaits Christmas, peering in the shop window and wishing for desirable things. In this version, choreographer Youri December 21 Vámos combines the “Nutcracker” libretto with Charles Dickens’ “Christ- At the age of almost 50, at the height of his career, Johann Sebastian mas Carol.” He tells the story of Clara, the nutcracker, and the adventures Bach undertook a project in 1734 that, 300 years later, is more popular of the toy world, but also the story of the rich miser Scrooge, who does not than any other. "Jauchzet, frohlocket!"—with the first few bars, Bach’s care about the poverty of other people. In the small, snowy suburb of Lon- festive music succeeds year after year to instantly make listeners for- don, Clara and the neighborhood residents are preparing for Christmas. get the stress of the holiday season. But the real reason for performing Despite their poverty, the children dream about the wonderful toys in Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” is that it is one of the most touching, sol- Drosselmeier’s shop. Clara is especially fascinated by the nutcracker, but emn, and deepest Christmas music ever conceived. The masterpiece, the stingy, misanthropic moneylender Scrooge, with whom Clara’s par- consisting of six cantatas, tells the Christmas Gospel from the time of ents are in debt, shatters her dream. He breaks the wooden doll, leaving Christ’s birth to the visit of the three wise men. The Kammerorchester Clara heartbroken with the destroyed nutcracker. But that night, Scrooge Basel will be performing this special Christmas concert with four of the is haunted by horrible nightmares, and when he wakes the next morning, cantatas at the Martinskirche at 19:30; tickets are CHF 38–80, half price he is a changed man... This charming, touching, and lively family ballet for students, and free for kids up to age 14 accompanied by a parent. will be performed at the Musical Theater Basel at 19:00; tickets are www.kammerorchesterbasel.ch CHF 56.50–129.90 for adults and CHF 46.30–119.90 for kids up to age 14. www.actnews.ch Three Nuts for Cinderella December 22 Special Holiday Church Services Based on the story of the Czech author Bozena Nemcová and on Grimm’s All information about special Christmas concerts and services in the “Cinderella” motif, this film tells the story of a girl who grows up with various churches around Basel can be found on the following websites: her stepmother after her mother’s death. Cinderella’s best friends are www.erk–bs.ch, www.rkk–bs.ch, and www.chrikabs.ch. photo credits: © christmas tattoo gmbh; © basler marionetten theater (triptych); © danceperados December 2018 / January 2019 9 Events in Basel: December 2018 /January 2019

Carl Burkhardt Until March 31 The public art of Carl Burckhardt (1878–1923) is frequently encountered in Basel’s cityscape: the sculpture of the “Amazone” on the bridgehead of the Mittlere Brücke, the Ritter Georg in front of the Leonhard Gymnasium, or the two bronze reliefs on the northern façade of the Kunstmuseum are examples. The exhibition, a collaboration with the Museo Vincenzo Vela in Ligornetto, tells the stories of their genesis, shows pre-studies in drawings, and thus also focuses on Burckhardt’s less well-known graphic works and small sculptures. The exhibition, which will take place at the Hauptbau (main building) of the Kunstmuseum Basel, turns the spotlight on the lesser-known kinetic sculptures, but is also devoted to Burckhardt’s drawings and paintings. https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch

Marius Rappo—Models of Life Worlds Basler Mineralientage (Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils Fair) Until January 26 December 1 and 2 Marius Rappo has spent 20 years lovingly creating models of “Lebens The 49th Internationale Basler Min- welten” (life worlds) with great attention to detail, based on research eralientage are all about minerals, and historical records. His models illustrate the multi-faceted work and fossils, jewelry, accessories, and re- meticulous craftsmanship behind many Basel construction projects, in- lated equipment. The event is aimed cluding the Mittlere Brücke, the Celtic wall near the Münster, and the at collectors and traders, as well as Roman bridgehead in Kleinbasel. These models, which were made in the simply curious. It will be held at the early 1980s, are among the main attractions in the exhibition of the Halle 2.0 of the Messe Basel and is Historisches Museum Basel at Barfüsserplatz. Now, a small traveling open Saturday from 10:00–18:00 and Sunday from 10:00–17:00. En- exhibit entitled “MODELrappoRT” will visit these models, making its trance costs CHF 10 for adults, CHF 5 for youths ages 10–18, and free first stop in Basel, where Rappo’s model building began. for kids under age 10; two-day tickets are CHF 15. www.hmb.ch www.basler–mineralientage.ch

Art and Vinyl—Artist Covers and Records Dr Gstieflet Kater (Puss in Boots) Until February 3 December 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 12, 16, 19, 22, and 23 The Basel artist René Pulfer was one of the pioneers of Swiss video art After the death of his father, and a university professor at the HGK Basel / FHNW until 2015. Since Hans, the youngest of the the late 1970s, he has also been intensively involved with sound art as miller’s three sons, only in- well as art in a musical context, collecting exemplary works such as herits a seemingly useless covers, booklets, and artist editions in music. The first record with a cat. It is not all bad, though, picture on the protective cover was created in 1940 by the young graph- as Hans has no desire to be a ic artist Alex Steinweiss. With his idea that people look at the cover miller—he would rather earn picture while listening to the music, he triggered an independent cul- his money as a street musi- ture in the perception of image and sound. This new fascination also cian. However, the cat has had economic repercussions—Columbia Records increased their completely different plans for sales by almost 900% with the first colored covers. The exhibition at Hans and himself. Conve- the Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart focuses on covers and objects in niently for Hans, the king really loves partridges and Puss in Boots which the artistic image in the form of drawing, painting, or photogra- knows where he can catch them. Thus, Hans wins the confidence of the phy is in the foreground. The collection includes historical and current king, who in turn makes Hans a count, owner of land and a castle, and examples from more than 50 years with historically different forms of finally his son-in-law. This story about friends, trust, and a good dose cooperation between art and music, up to current forms of multimedia of self-confidence will be performed in dialect for families with chil- with fluid boundaries. dren ages 4 and up. Tickets are CHF 20 for adults and CHF 15 for kids, https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch with rebates for holders of the Familienpass. www.theater-arlecchino.ch Clothing Flea Market December 1 Children’s Theater—Die Schöne und das Biest (Beauty and the Beast) At the stylish clothing flea market in the Markthalle Basel, up to 20 selected booths will present the best second-hand coats; leather bags; December 1 – January 30 and pearl, silver, and gold jewelry right at the beginning of the Advent An arrogant young prince is transformed into an ugly hard-hearted season in the Wohnzimmer (main events room) of the Markthalle, just beast. Only if he manages to get someone to love him and want to share a couple of minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB. The clothing flea market their life with him before the rose withers in the glass, he will be trans- will run from 18:00–23:00 and will take place alongside the big night formed back. Otherwise, he must remain a beast forever. This fantastic flea market with its various stalls under the dome; the Markthalle fairy tale for families with kids ages 4 and up is told in Basel dialect; HAUSbar will add the right sound and drinks. If you have clothing to sell tickets are CHF 15 for kids ages 4–16, CHF 20 for adults, or CHF 10 and and are interested in a stand, contact [email protected]. CHF 15 with the Familienpass. www.altemarkthalle.ch www.baslerkindertheater.ch

10 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Open Rehearsal of Sinfonieorchester Basel December 1 – January 30 December 6 This season, the ensemble of Fauteuil is staging one of the best-known Sinfonieorchester Basel’s open rehearsals are an opportunity for inter- fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, “Rumpelstilzchen.” A poor miller ested audiences to listen to a dress rehearsal for an upcoming concert. wants to marry his daughter to King Bumibol. At the castle, he claims Find out how a professional orchestra works and enjoy 30 minutes of that his Lieseli can spin gold out of straw, giving the impoverished king- free music at 12:00 at the Musical Theater Basel. The rehearsal is for dom new wealth. The king demands proof and locks the miller’s daugh- parts of the concert program “Fantastisch;” admission is free. ter overnight in a chamber full of straw. The distressed Lieseli unex- www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch/en pectedly receives a visit from a small goblin who easily turns the straw into gold, but demands the future queen’s first child as a reward. When this child is to be baptized a year later, the little goblin returns to the Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten queen to take her child. The desperate queen asks for mercy, and the December 12; January 9 and 23 goblin offers her a way out—if she can find out his name, she can keep How does a classic afternoon tea with champagne, fragrant scones her child. The court’s staff then go deep into the forest and cunningly with clotted cream and strawberry jam, a filled cake stand with fresh manage to discover the goblin’s name—Rumpelstiltskin. And so the pastries, and of course tea at your discretion sound? This truly British story comes to a happy ending, where the king and queen can keep tradition takes place every second and fourth Wednesday of the month their princess and Rumpelstiltskin stomps away in anger. This play will at the Villa Merian from 16:00–18:00. Her Majesty, the Queen of Eng- be performed in Basel dialect and is recommended for kids ages 4 and land, has already dined in the rooms of the Villa Merian. Cost is CHF 39 up; tickets are CHF 20–30 for kids, CHF 5 more for adults. per person; reserve at 061-311-2454 or [email protected]. www.fauteuil.ch www.villa-merian.ch

Music Box for Kids December 5 On the first Wednesday of each month, the Musik-Akademie Basel offers a program for kids and adolescents entitled “Musik aus der Box” (Music out of the box). The mini concerts performed by members of the Musik-Akademie Basel are held on Wednesday afternoons at 15:30 at the Vera-Oeri Bibliothek, the beautiful library on the main campus of the music academy. This month’s concert will be presented by Irena Müller. All are welcome and entrance is free. www.musik-akademie.ch

Mid-Day Concert December 5 The Musikschule Basel offers lunch-time concerts for interested audi- Family Opera—The Magic Flute ences. This month’s concert is entitled “Images,” featuring music for December 26 clarinet and piano. Mittagskonzerte take place at the Haus Kleinbasel “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute) is the most famous, the most pop- (Rebgasse 70). Doors open at 12:00 with snacks; the concert starts at ular, and the most performed German opera. The fairy-tale plot and the 12:30 and lasts about 45 minutes. Entrance is free, but donations to wonderful, catchy melodies enchant young and old. There is the witty, offset costs are graciously accepted. unforgettable Papageno; the wonderful love story between Prince www.musikschule-basel.ch Tamino and his beloved Pamina; the glorious, wise world of Sarastro’s Sun Temple; and the evil, dangerous Queen of the Night with her in- Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out credible coloratura drama. There are also enchanted musical instruments, threatening snakes, and dancing animals in a world where December 5, 8, 9, 12, 19, and 31 goodness triumphs over evil. The brilliant voices of the Prague Kam- You can certainly understand—it’s meroper captivate the audience with the most famous arias and en- 4 o’clock in the morning and Pet- sembles of this masterpiece, while the enchanting story is told by ac- tersson wants to sleep, but Findus tress Melinda Thompson. As the High Priestess Isira, she presents the the cat is wide awake and jumps plot in a slightly shortened, clear, and understandable way, with wit and on Petersson’s bed, waking the charm. “Die Zauberflöte für jung & alt” will be performed at the Musi- cranky man up. It is time for Fin- cal Theater Basel at 16:00; tickets are CHF 51.40–67.80 for adults and dus to move out; he need not go CHF 31.00–43.30 for kids up to age 17. far, just somewhere where he can www.starticket.ch jump all night to his heart’s con- tent. However, when night falls, it is quite scary for Findus all alone in his new place, and Pettersson? He quickly starts to miss his lively New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks friend. This touching, yet witty, latest story of Pettersson and Findus by Sven Nordqvist will be played for the whole family at the Basler Mari- December 31 onetten Theater with table-figures and hand-puppets that are remark- Tradition here in Basel is to welcome the New Year on the Münster- ably close to the illustrations of the children’s book. All shows are 60 platz, where the city’s brass and choir ensemble will play starting at minutes, start at 15:00 (16:00 on December 31), and will be performed 23:30 and count down to midnight. This is followed by a brief service at in Basel dialect (suitable for kids ages 5 and up); tickets are CHF 20 for the Münster and a big fireworks display over the Rhein that starts at adults and CHF 15 for kids and students. 0:30. Visitors can enjoy free mulled wine by the Rhein. www.bmtheater.ch www.basel.ch photo credit: © karen n. gerig (carl burckhardt); © mineralienverein sektion basel (basler mineralientage); © theater arlecchino (puss in boots); December 2018 / January 2019 11 © basler marionetten theater (puppet theater); © starticket (family opera) Events in Basel: December 2018/January 2019 (continued)

New Year’s Concert Three Kings Day January 1 January 6 Performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony around the New Year is a tradi- For Epiphany, known as “Dreikönigstag” (Three Kings Day) in German, tion that celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It started in Leipzig bakeries and supermarkets sell a special sweet bread shaped like a on New Year’s Eve 1918. After the horrors of the First World War, they crown of buns. It comes with a little plastic Jesus or king figure baked wanted to start the New Year with Schiller’s statement that “all men into the bread and a gold paper crown. Each member of the family gets shall be brothers” and the unifying power of Beethoven’s music. The to break off a bun, and whoever has the piece with the figure is the king work is Beethoven’s last completed symphony and in its final movement, (or queen) for the day and gets to put on the crown and boss the rest of both the chorus and solo singers join in with the orchestra. With its mes- the family around. Kids love this! The bread is available in all bakeries sage of unity through diversity, Friedrich Schiller’s ode “To Joy” is now and grocery stores, starting around the beginning of the month. It more relevant than ever. Ivor Bolton, the Sinfonieorchester Basel’s prin- comes with or without raisins and is sprinkled with either coarse sugar, cipal conductor, will welcome the New Year together with the Sinfonieor- almond slivers, or both. Enjoy! chester, the Theater Basel Chorus, and soloists from the opera ensemble at the Theater Basel at 17:00; tickets are CHF 45–102 for adults and Tour of Theater Basel CHF 25–53 for students. January 19 www.theater-basel.ch Behind the scenes at Theater Basel the clocks keep ticking day and night. The audiences often forget how complex a theater production really is. Swiss Chess Tour How are performances organized? How long do rehearsals for a production last? What happens in the wardrobe department? And what do the January 2–6 workshops look like where all the stage sets are not only designed, but This chess festival offers three different tournaments: the traditional also built? On January 19, Theater Basel will be taking visitors on an Eng- Master Open (January 2–6), a General Open (January 2–6), and a new lish-language tour starting at 14:30, where they can witness the everyday Amateur Weekend Open (max. 50 participants) for players up to 2199 life of the theater up close, outside of the performances. Take a look at the Elo (January 4–6). All tournaments will take place at workshops and discover the secrets of stage machinery. Spaces are lim- the Hotel Landgasthof in Riehen and offer a great ited, so buy your tickets in advance at the online ticket shop, at the box opportunity to compete or observe office, by phone (061-295-1133) or by e-mail (billettkasse@theater- some of the world’s chess masters. basel.ch); cost of the tour is CHF 16 for adults and CHF 10 for kids up to Check the website for registration age 14. costs and deadlines, and to register www.theater-basel.ch directly online. www.schachfestivalbasel.com Puppet Theater—The Little Witch January 19, 20, 23, 26, and 27 CSI Basel In a small house, in the middle January 10–13 of the witch forest, the little witch lives with her friend, the This Grand Prix horse-jumping championship at St. Jakobshalle will raven Abraxas. She would like host the best horses and riders of the participating in 17 individual to dance around the fire with competitions, including amateur classes. A special treat for show- the big witches at the Walpur- jumping enthusiasts will be the Longines Grand Prix, for which 45 en- gis Night! But at 127 years old, tries have already been received. This competition offers the highest she is clearly too young for prize money of the event, attracting entries from successful Olympians that. So she wants to practice secretly. Not even Abraxas can stop her, and world, European, and Swiss champions. There is a different pro- but her defiance is quickly discovered and punished. But the little witch gram on each of the four days, and an extraordinary show will be pro- cannot be stopped. And that only a bad witch is a really good witch, vided at the end of the first three days. There are only 6,000 seats avail- does not appeal to her anyway. She has learned a lot in the past year, able, and the first-class seating is complemented by exclusive culinary including a few spells that the other witches will not soon forget. This delights and a wide choice of equestrian products and services. Tickets story will be performed with marionettes in Basel dialect. The 90-min- cost CHF 46.30—100.90 (discounts for kids up to age 12 with I.D.). They ute show (including intermission) will start at 15:00 and is appropriate go quickly, especially for weekend events, so it is recommended that for families with kids ages 6 and up; tickets are CHF 20 for adults and you book your tickets in advance at www.ticketcorner.ch. Check their CHF 15 for kids and students. German/English website for a complete list of events. www.bmtheater.ch www.csi–basel.ch

Basler Jugendbücherschiff (Youth Book Ship) January 22 – February 5 This yearly event is a very special book fair that takes place on the MS Christoph Merian boat that is docked at Schifflände. It houses all kinds of books for kids and youths of all ages in many different languages. Each year, thousands of children, adolescents, their parents, school classes, and teachers—essentially anyone interested in children’s literature—visit the ship to leaf through the books on hand and discover new reading material. On January 30, the JUKIBU will hold a multilingual reading café at 16:00. Entrance is free.

www.edubs.ch/unterstuetzung/bibliothek/lesefoerderung/ jugendbuecherschiff

12 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Museumsnacht Basel 2019 (Basel Museums Night 2019) January 18 For the 19th year, you can go on a nocturnal expedition and discover 36 museums and other cultural institutions during the Basel Museums Night. The participating institutions have planned some 200 special events for young and old, including numerous events especially for families. You can enjoy exciting discoveries, delectable moments, and interesting and unusual encounters around the various exhibits and collections. For English-speaking guests, the program includes special tours in English at, for example, the Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts), the Museum Tinguely, the Fondation Beyeler, the Naturhisto- risches Museum (Natural History Museum), the Museum der Kulturen ID. Ticket sales start December 6 at all participating museums and (Museum of Ethnography), or the Vitra Design Museum. Many other other sales locations; they are also available on the night at participat- events also don’t require knowledge of the German language (eg, con- ing museums as well as at the information booth at Münsterplatz. Your certs). The full program, which will be published on December 6, will Museums Night ticket entitles you to free travel by bus, tram, ship, and be available on the Museumsnacht website. Activities for children and train in the TriRegio network from 17:00 until late at night. For more families, as well as foreign-language and language-independent information, check www.museumsnacht.ch. events, will be marked with special icons. For wheelchair users and seniors, three vehicles with wheelchair ac- Tickets: Ticket prices for adults are CHF 24 (regular ticket), CHF 30 in- cess are available at Münsterplatz from 18:00–01:30 for transport be- cluding travel by special night train from Basel Badischer Bahnhof (DB tween the museums (sorry, no home transport service). Telephone ticket), CHF 19 with Museumspass (MPM ticket), CHF 12 with Kul- booking line during Museums Night is 079-424-3077. turLegi; free for children and young adults under age 26 with proof of www.museumsnacht.ch

Jazz Concert at the Tinguely Museum Family Concert—On the Construction Site January 25 January 26 Under the heading Roche’n’Jazz, top jazz performers are giving con- Put on your high-visibility jackets and helmets! Construction workers certs in the space dedicated to the current exhibition at the Tinguely tear up the ground, lay pipes, sing, and hammer for all they’re worth. Museum from 16:00–18:00 on the last Friday of every month, providing Then they take a break and listen to music on the world’s biggest radio. a musical highlight and a point of focus. The concert on January 25 will Sinfonieorchester Basel’s mini.musik series is designed for families feature the Sarah Chaksad Orchestra. The concerts are free with ad- with kids ages 4 and up to stimulate their interest in music. The con- mission to the museum. struction site will feature music by Eccles, Pleyel, Saint-Saëns, Brahms, www.roche-n-jazz.ch and Ligeti played on bassoon, double bass, piano, and percussion. The concert begins at 16:00 and will be held at the Scala Basel; tickets cost CHF 20 (CHF 10 for children). Vogel Gryff Ceremony www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch January 26 One of Basel’s old and unique Käsefest Basel (Cheese Festival Basel) traditions is the Vogel Gryff cer- January 26 emony, a vestige of the muster- parade inspections for the citi- The Markthalle will be the location for this “Käsefest” zen soldiers trained by three (cheese festival) for young and old, which will naturally guild-like societies in Kleinbasel feature a variety of cheeses that were responsible for the and other dairy products. city’s defense several hundred An on-site cheese factory years ago. On this day, three he- will provide the oppor- raldic figures representing the tunity to observe the three guilds—the Wilde Maa, production of cheese, Leu, and Vogel Gryff—parade and milking cows is an through Kleinbasel, accompa- entertaining experience for young and old! Some 25 cheese dairies will nied by three drummers, three be offering their milk and fine warm and cold cheese dishes for immedi- standard bearers, and four jest- ate enjoyment, accompanied by live music. The festival will take place ers (Ueli), who collect money for from 10:00–16:00; entrance is free. charitable causes. The event www.schweizerkaese.ch starts around 10:30, when the Wilde Maa (crazy man) floats down the Rhein on a barge, escorted by his drummers and other entourage. He Sonntagsmatinée performs a ceremonial dance with his back stubbornly turned towards Grossbasel. At the Mittlere Brücke, he is met on the Kleinbasel side of January 27 the Rhein by the Leu (a lion-like figure) and the Vogel Gryff (a half- If a late Sunday-morning concert appeals to you and your family, come man-half-bird creature). Each of the three figures has its own charac- to the Martinskirche in Basel at 11:00 to hear the M3 Chamber Acade- teristic dances that they perform throughout the day in various loca- my Basel and the Kammerchor der Hochschule für Musik FHNW Basel tions around Kleinbasel as well as on the Mittlere Brücke. The festival (Chamber Choir of the University of Music FHNW Basel) play works by ends late at night. You can find a complete list of the locations and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in a concert entitled “Zu Mozart’s Geburts times for their performances on their website by clicking on “Routen- tag” (For Mozart’s Birthday). Tickets are CHF 46–63 for adults and free plan.” This is definitely a festival like no other! for kids under age 12. www.vogel-gryff.ch www.konzerte-basel.ch photo credits: © katja stuppia / longines csi basel; © pixabay (swiss chess tour); © basler marionetten theater (puppet theater); © flavia schaub (museums night); December 2018 / January 2019 13 © anne kohler (vogel gryff); © switzerland cheese marketing ag (cheese festival basel) Fun Outings: Beyond Basel

Tierpark Goldau Goldau, SZ December 2; January 21 The Nature Reserve and Wildlife Park Goldau is located in central Swit- zerland in the middle of a wild, romantic landslide area. The park was founded in 1925 and is now a nature conservation center and recre- ational area. More than 100 species of wild European animals—including deer, wolves, bears, lynx, and birds of prey, many of which are endangered—live in an area of 42 hectares. The spacious animal enclosures are situated in between giant rocks and give the park its distinctive charm. They provide guided tours, camps for children, and organize many different exhibitions on a variety of topics, as well as offer visitors the chance to get up close and personal with native animals in an area where they roam freely. The staff is also committed to international projects aimed at conserving endangered species and reintroducing them to the wild. While the park is beautiful at any time of the year, the months of December and January offer several seasonal events, includ- tour under the full moon and enjoy the park with all their senses. Listen ing a Samichlaus (Santa Claus) day on December 2, where Samichlaus, to the nocturnal sounds and learn more about the exciting life of noctur- his donkey, and his helper Schmutzli will visit from 14:00–16:45 and give nal animals. The tour will be followed by a cozy fondue chinoise at the goodies to the kids in exchange for a song. Also on this day, kids will be restaurant Grüne Gans. Cost for this full-moon event is CHF 89 for invited to bake their own Grittibanz (sweet-dough man) from 14:00– adults and CHF 59 for children ages 8–12, which includes admission, 16:00, as well as craft their own lanterns (from 14:00–16:30). They can evening tour, aperitif, and dinner. Tierpark Goldau is approximately use these lanterns in a procession with Samichlaus through the forest 1.5 hours from Basel by car; regular entrance costs CHF 20 for adults, from 17:00–18:00, which will end with tea by the fire. On January 21, the CHF 16 for students, CHF 10 for kids ages 6–16 (free for kids under Tierpark Goldau will be hosting a “Vollmondführung” with fondue chi- age 6), or CHF 55 for the whole family. noise. From 18:00–22:00, visitors can experience the animals during a www.tierpark.ch

Swimming in the Moonlight from tales and legends of the Sundgau and elsewhere, all enchantingly lit Schinznach, AG with flaming torches. For the entire Christmas period, a setting with ponds and forests will be recreated in the heart of the city; around 150 December 7; January 4 characters will revive 25 tales and legends for visitors to admire. The fes- Does a romantic moonlit tivities will open with the traditional procession of St. Nicholas, and the outdoor bathing experi- year will end with a 3-km torch-lit walk (réveillon aux flambeaux) on New ence on a Friday night Year’s Eve, starting at 22:30. The walk will take place on a marked trail sound like the perfect that will lead participants to the heart of the enclosure of the medieval way to unwind after a castle of Ferrette, and finish with a rewarding glass of Crémant around long week? On the first the New Year’s fire. The “réveillon aux flambeaux” can serve as a diges- Friday of every month tive walk following a local dinner at one of three participating establish- during the winter months ments; check the website to see the menu and reserve your place (www. (October to April), the sundgau-sud-alsace.fr/reveillon-aux-flambeaux.htm). There will also Thermalbad Aquarena in be an ice rink surrounded by fir trees for a fun family activity, as well as Schinznach invites you to several special exhibits to round off the experience. The town of Altkirch relax in the warm waters can be reached in about 40 minutes from Basel by car or 1 hour by train. while enjoying a drink www.sundgau-sud-alsace.fr/noel-dans-le-sundgau.htm and some goodies from the bar. Located about 45 minutes from Basel (1 hour by train), the “Mondscheinbaden im Aquarena fun” is from 22:00–01:00 (last entry at 23:45) and is only for adults (age 18+). Entrance costs CHF 30 per person, which includes snacks and drinks. www.bad-schinznach.ch

Christmas in the Sundgau Altkirch, France December 8 – January 6 The region of Alsace is exceptionally beautiful at Christmas, with nearly every small town or village hosting its own unique Christmas market. For a comprehensive list of Christmas markets in Alsace, go to www. marche-de-noel-alsace.com/marchenoel2.htm. St. Nicholas, nativity scenes, decorations, lights, and concerts also play important roles in the festivities. Altkirch in the Sundgau region of Alsace is particularly interesting during the advent season; in addition to numerous Christ- mas markets, shows, workshops, and concerts, the town hosts La Forêt enchantée (Enchanted Forest). This is a magical forest with characters

14 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Colmar E-Sport Show Colmar, France English Speaking Counseling Services January 19 and 20 for Adolescents, Adults and Couples. Many French cities have already hosted E-sport events. With more than 400,000 people playing E-sport tournaments in France and 4.5 million people watching, it is beyond a phenomenon. In 2016, it was a € 3.46 Tara Gaffney, MS, LPCC billion market in France alone. In January 2019, Colmar is preparing to Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor welcome an exceptional event for the first time, the Colmar E-Sport Show. It will be held at the Parc des Expositions in Colmar, located Steinenbachgasslein 49, 4051 Basel about 45 minutes from Basel by car (1 hour by train). With its two days +41 78 646 97 44 of competition and a spectacular scene, this first edition of the Colmar www.lifetransitionscounselingllc.com E-Sport Show promises to be the essential event for fans and gaming enthusiasts. Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter Strike Global Offen- sive ... these video games will all be there! Five hundred players are “Everything can always be different” – Alfred Adler expected on PC for a video-game competition in a local network with € 15,000 in cash prizes. Running in parallel, fans of console games can also compete in tournaments (eg, FIFA, Street Fighter, or Mario Kart). Two halls will be devoted to this first edition of the Colmar E-Sport Show: Hall 1, which has 1,500 seats, will be the playing field for the three main tournaments. Hall 2 will be dedicated to LAN games with Happiness 500 players and console tournaments as well as an exhibition with about 20 exhibitors that will focus on PC animations and self-service is Reading. consoles, discovery of new products at the forefront of technology, as Where you find the best stories. well as workshops and discussions around the future of digital and its trades. Event hours are from 10:00–22:00 on Saturday and 10:00–18:00 on Sunday; entrance is € 12 per person for a 1-day pass and € 18 per person for a 2-day pass; children under age 3 are free. www.colmar-esport.com Orell Füssli Freie Strasse 17 CH-4001 Basel Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg Tel. 061 264 26 26 www.orellfüssli.ch Orschwiller, France Haut-Koenigsbourg castle was built in the 12th century and wonderfully OF_Inserat_Basel_90x60.indd 1 26.01.18 10:06 restored in the early 1900s. Here you can visit the towers, dungeons, bedrooms, and grand rooms and see an im- pressive collection of suits and armors. It makes for a very interesting and educational family visit to Alsace. During the month of De- cember, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle allows you to rediscover ancestral traditions with decorations, sounds, and thematic exhibitions that will retrace the history of Christmas and its practices in the region over the centuries. On December 15 and 16, you can enjoy the ambiance of a medieval Christmas in the evening by the glow of lanterns. Starting at dusk, visitors will be treated to guided commentated or dramatized tours with a character from the Middle Ages, which will end with the tasting of mulled wine, all accompanied by music. Tours on these two evenings will start at 17:45, 18:00, 18:15, and 18:30; reservations are required at [email protected]. From December 19–26, there will be visits from mythical characters as well as workshops for families from 14:00–16:00, where you can make your own Christmas decorations. Entrance to the castle is € 13 for adults, € 10 for students, and € 7 for kids ages 6–17; note that the castle is closed on December 25 and January 1. The Haut-Koenigsbourg can be accessed by car from Basel in about 1 hour by taking the A35 highway towards Strassbourg; exit at Kintzheim or Saint-Hippolyte and follow the signs to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. You can also take the SNCF train to the town of Sélestat, where a shuttle bus (navette) will take you to the castle for € 2.50; presentation of your shuttle bus ticket will entitle you to a reduc- tion on your castle entry. www.haut–koenigsbourg.fr photo credits: © tierpark goldau; © bad schinznach ag (swimming in moonlight); © office du tourisme du sundgau (christmas in the sundgau); December 2018 / January 2019 15 © marc dossmann (château du haut-koenigsbourg) Christmas Market Special

Basel ’s Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the holiday Christmas Fairytale Forest, Until December 22: Also at Münsterplatz, season in this part of the world. Basel, which has the reputation of be- Robi-Spiel-Aktionen is organizing a variety of activities for the whole fam- ing the most beautiful and largest Christmas city in Switzerland, can ily. Kids can make, pour, and decorate candles and tin figures; decorate now also boast that their Christmas markets have been ranked in 8th gingerbreads; bake cookies; mint coins; make torches; and forge metal. place on the list of “Best European Christmas Markets, 2018” as voted They can also take a ride on the little Christmas train, visit the star work- by European Christmas travellers! (www.europeanbestdestinations. shop, make Christmas floral decorations, try their luck on the wheel of com/christmas-markets) With their warm lights, enchanting decora- fortune, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, or bake bread on a stick over an tions, the smell of spiced cakes and mulled wine in the air, not to men- open fire. Each activity costs CHF 5–15 (discounts with Familienpass); you tion the hustle and bustle of people browsing the 181 stands where can buy activity tickets at the on-site ticket booth. There is also a Christ- retailers and craftsmen sell their goods in small rustic wooden cha- mas-tree market right in the center of the square where you can buy lets, it is no surprise that they attract nearly one million visitors to Ba- freshly cut trees. Open Monday to Friday from 13:30–19:00 and weekends sel each year. The two main Christmas markets can be found at from 12:00–19:00. Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, right in the charmingly decorated Advent Alley in Rheingasse, Until December 23: Advent magic comes to town center. In addition to these two main markets, visitors can cross Rheingasse, the quaint little area of Kleinbasel just over the Mittlere the festively lit Mittlere Brücke to the Kleinbasel side of the Rhein to Brücke, in the form of a festively decorated street-food festival, with indulge at the fondue/raclette hut set up in Claraplatz or enjoy some outdoor seating on fur-lined seats, open fire pits to add to the warm holiday spirit at the Rheingasse—a beautifully decorated street lined atmosphere, as well as Christmas trees and an entertaining children’s with outdoor seating to enjoy traditional Swiss holiday food and drinks program with a circus cart, exciting activities, and Christmas stories. while you warm up at one of the open wood fires. www.rheingasse.ch Barfüsserplatz, Until December 23: The market at Barfüsserplatz is www.bs.ch/en/Portrait/events/fairs-and-markets-in-basel/basler- characterized by the large illuminated star at the front. It hosts hundreds christmas-market.html of decorated Christmas trees, lights, and 118 stands offering anything from Christmas ornaments and wooden toys to hand-carved puzzles, candles, scarves, jewelry, and many other hand-made crafts, making it a great place to pick up some special gifts. You can also enjoy some local delicacies and warm up with a cup of Glühwein (mulled wine) or hot ci- der. Don’t miss the favorite tradition of making your own candle in the wooden house at the front of the market! The market is open from 11:00– 20:30 daily (only until 20:00 on December 23). Münsterplatz, Until December 23: The Christmas market at Münster- platz is absolutely magical with the beautifully decorated giant Christ- mas tree and lighted snowflake-like globes hanging from the chestnut trees throughout the square. It is also lined with goods and food stands, making it a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and indulge in some of the traditional foods, such as raclette, fondue, crêpes, Flammkuchen (a type of Alsatian pizza topped with thick cream, onions and bacon), and “Kartoffelpuffer”—a sinfully delicious type of potato pancake served with either applesauce, chili sauce, or garlic sauce. This market is also open daily from 11:00–20:30 (only until 18:00 on December 23).

16 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Christmas Markets in Baselland COMMUNITY (LOCATION) DATE TIME Many of the smaller towns in Baselland also host Christmas markets, Aesch (Kirchenplatz, November 30 – Friday 8:00–21:00 normally for one or two days in November or December. While cer- Pfarrhausplatz, Klusstrasse, December 2 Saturday 12:00–20:00 tainly smaller in scale than Basel’s markets, they too have their charm Saalweg) Sunday 12:00–18:00 and years of tradition that make a visit a wonderful experience. They Arlesheim (Domplatz) December 1 Saturday 12:00–20:00 all offer craft and artisan products; useful and decorative gifts; Christ- Allschwil (Dorfplatz) December 1 Saturday 17:00–22:00 mas decorations; seasonal foods, such as cookies, sausages, and Binningen (Dorfplatz) December 1 Saturday 11:00–18:00 mulled wine; and often activities like candle making and other entertainment. The table lists Christmas markets in neighboring commu- Dornach (Marktplatz) December 1 & 2 Saturday 11:00–20:00 Sunday 11:00–17:00 nities of Baselland and Germany, ordered alphabetically. Parking is often scarce, so taking public transportation is highly recommended. Laufen (Altstadt) December 1 & 2 Saturday 12:00–20:00 Sunday 11:00–18:00 www.marktverband.ch Liestal (Rathausstrasse) December 5–9 Wed. to Fri. 11:00–20:00 Saturday 9:00–20:00 Sunday 11:00–18:00 Lörrach, DE (City Center) December 6–16 Mon. to Sat. 10:00–20:00 Sunday 11:00–20:00 Muttenz (Arbogastkirche) December 15 & 16 Saturday 10:00–20:00 Sunday 12:00–18:00 Reinach (Gemeindehaus) December 12 Wednesday 12:00–21:00 Rheinfelden, DE November 30 – Friday 16:00–21:00 (Kastanienpark) December 2 Saturday 11:00–21:00 Sunday 11:00–18:00 Riehen (Spielzeug December 1 & 2 Sat. & Sun. 11:00–17:00 Museum Riehen) Therwil (Bahnhöfliareal) December 5 Wednesday 10:00–20:00 Weil am Rhein, November 30 – Friday 17:00–21:00 DE (Lindenplatz) December 2 Saturday 11:00–21:00 Sunday 12:00–18:00

Basler Brunsli Christmas is a time of traditions with seasonal lights, decorations, music, Basler Brunsli (Chocolate-Almond Christmas Cookies) and festive foods and drinks, which differ considerably from one country to 3 egg whites another. One Christmas treat that originated in Basel in the 1700s is called pinch of salt the “Basler Brunsli,” which translates loosely to English as “Basel’s little 300 g sugar for the dough brown one." The popularity of these lightly spiced, little brown cookies made of chocolate and nuts has spread throughout Switzerland. The tradi- 1½ teaspoon of cinnamon tional Basler Brunsli are unique in texture—they are chewy yet crispy, as ½ teaspoon of cloves they are traditionally dried overnight before being baked! In addition to be- 500 g ground almonds for the dough ing delicious, they have the added advantage of being naturally dairy- and 200 g dark chocolate (Crémant or similar; must have at least gluten-free; they contain no butter or milk and are made of ground almonds 45% cocoa) rather than with wheat flour. You can buy Basler Brunsli from your super- 100 g black chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa) market, local bakery, or confectioner. You can also buy ready-made dough 4 tablespoons of Kirsch (optional) in the refrigerator section of your grocery store, to roll out and bake at For rolling: Mixture of 100 g of ground almonds + 100 g sugar home with your kids. But if you want to enjoy the Basler Brunsli at their finest, it is best to make them from scratch. There are several variations on the recipe—some use cocoa powder and others use chocolate; some only – Beat the egg whites to stiff. Add a pinch of salt and slowly add cinnamon and others also add cloves; but most importantly, some include the sugar (while beating). Kirsch brandy and others keep it more kid-friendly. The recipe that I sim- – Mix the ground almonds with the cinnamon and cloves and stir ply cannot resist will have you use the finest of dark Swiss chocolate and into the beaten egg mixture. a kiss of Kirsch to bring out the flavor. Just be aware that their robust – Melt the chocolate in a metal pot over simmering water and add chocolaty flavor, nutty crunch, and chewy texture make them incredibly the Kirsch to the melted chocolate. addictive! – Gently combine the melted chocolate with the egg-nut mixture until well mixed—the dough should be quite stiff. – Flatten the dough to ½ cm thick, with a rolling pin on a flat surface lined with plenty of ground almonds/sugar mixture. – Use cookie cutters to cut the cookies into star- and other festive shapes and place them on a baking sheet. – Allow the uncooked cookies to dry for several hours or overnight! – Bake them in the lower part of the oven at 220˚Celsius for 4–6 minutes only, not longer! – Be sure to take them off the tray shortly after they get out of the oven to prevent them from baking further on the hot tray. While the texture is best when fresh, Basel Brunsli can be kept in a sealed cookie tin for several weeks.

photo credit:credits: © © xxxxx staatskanzlei basel-stadt; © michelle kirby (christmas markets baselland); © susanne hiller (basler brunsli) December 2018 / January 2019 17 Information Desk

Basel’s New E-Scooters You have probably noticed people zipping around the city in recent weeks on white and black electric scooters with a distinctive lime-green box mounted on the front. These rental e-scooters, called Lime-S, are the latest form of mobility to hit Basel. More and more people in an increasing number of cities around the world are taking advantage of rental offers for e-bikes and, more recently, also for e-scooters. They were introduced in several large U.S. cities in the past year and were initially met with excitement as an inex- pensive and environmentally friendly way to get around. This enthusiasm has since been dampened by the increasing number of accidents involving these e-scooters—from collisions with cars and pedestrians to failed brakes and other malfunctions, some of which resulted from vandalism (cut break lines) or other damage. As with the introduction of most new things, there is a trial-and-error period where unforeseen issues arise, and subsequently new regulations need to be defined and implemented. Many cities in the United States now have a scooter ban Despite the mixed success of e-scooters in the United States, the Ameri- in effect until they can evaluate the statistics generated and formulate can company Limebike decided to introduce their e-scooters in Europe. In new rules accordingly. Zürich, the first European city chosen to pilot the e-scooter, the Lime-S rental service has been available since April, and the results thus far have been quite positive. While there are no particular statistics yet on accidents involving e-scooters in Switzerland, neither the traffic department nor the city’s hospitals have reported an increase in the number of accidents they have seen. As of mid-October, the Lime-S e-scooters have also become available in Basel. They are considered especially handy for the occasional quick and short ride through town and have become quite popular with the younger crowd. The Lime-S do not need to be docked, so they can be picked up and dropped off anywhere within city limits. As they can travel up to 30 km/hour, they are treated like bi- cycles and must follow the same rules. Thus, the e-scooter can only be ridden on bike paths or on the right (0.8 m) part of the road where bikes can ride. It is prohibited to ride the e-scooters on sidewalks or the Rhein promenade at any speed; doing so can incur a CHF 40 fine. Lime-S riders must follow the same signalization as bicycle riders, and helmets, while recommended, are not yet mandatory. There is no membership fee, and renting a Lime-S is quite simple; first you will need to download the app on your smartphone. You can either upload funds on the app or register your credit card for a pay-as-you-go charge option. Each ride will cost you a standard CHF 1 unlocking fee plus 15 Rappen for each minute of the ride. Keep in mind that riders are charged by the minute rather than the distance! https://limebike.ch

Simple Steps to Follow: 1) Locate a Lime-S by sight or using the map on the app that shows all scooters near you. 2) Unlock the scooter by scanning the QR-code in the app. 3) Step on and kick forward to start; be sure that the accelerator and brake work well before starting your journey. 4) Press down on the green throttle on the right handle to accelerate and on the red button on the left handle to brake. 5) Once at your destination, park the Lime-Scooter safely and in sight (not blocking any road or walkway). 6) Use the app to lock up and end your ride. 7) You will be prompted to take a photo of the scooter and its surroundings to show potential users where it is parked.

A Few Additional Points → Always watch for obstructions (rocks or other debris) in the road. → Exercise extreme caution when going downhill, as it can pick up speed very quickly. → Be sure that your Lime-S has sufficient battery charge to complete your journey—a full battery has a 32-km range (the battery level of each unit and estimated range is indicated in the app). → Report any equipment problems you encounter to the company via the app. → The app language depends on the language you use for your phone and can be downloaded in the app store and the play store. The app will give you some generic instructions to help you with your ride, some of which may not apply to Switzerland (eg, wearing a helmet), even if it is recommended.

18 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com photo credits: © christine pesold Did You Know?

Kid-Free Christmas Shopping in the City Center The “Kindernäscht” (Gerbergasse 14 in Basel) offers professional child-minding services throughout the year, including over the Christ- mas period. Adults can enjoy Christmas shopping in a relaxed manner, without the watchful eyes of their children. Simply drop off your children ages 18 months to 12 years for CHF 10 (siblings CHF 8) per hour, with or without pre-registration (to pre-register, call 061-261-4939). The Kindernäscht is open Monday to Friday from 8:00–18:00, Saturday from 9:00–17:00, and on shopping Sundays from 13:00–18:00. www.kindernaescht.ch

The New “prozentbuch Basel” Book Is Out! The prozentbuch 2018/2019 allows Win a prozentbuch in our you to save money while discovering "Where in Basel?" contest all that Basel has to offer; it is available as a coupon book or as a digital version through the "prozentbuch- App." It contains 79 pages of coupons for various venues in the Basel area—essentially a combination of city guide and coupon book for the best, trendiest, and hippest places in the fields of gastronomy, nightlife, and entertainment. Similar printed and digital editions are available for Bern, Luzern, and Zürich. This year, the user-friendliness of the book has been further improved by the addition of QR-codes on each page that allow for quick access to even more information about the desired location. Additionally, pictograms Evening Swim at Aquabasilea summarize key characteristics in a clear way. The prozentbuch Basel has Did you know that every Monday to Thursday evening until the end of 46 gastronomy coupons for a wide range of restaurants, from fast-food December, all are invited to swim, relax, and enjoy the facilities at eateries like dean&david to trendy and upscale restaurants like Block Aquabasilea for only CHF 10? Entrance includes the indoor and outdoor House, Vapiano, El Mexicano, Restaurant Union, or Zic Zac. Additionally, pools, slides, and sauna, starting at 20:00 for 1.5 hours (excluding the 21 nightlife coupons will have you discovering Basel’s bars and night- school holidays). clubs, and 12 leisure coupons will have you skating or swimming, as well www.aquabasilea.ch as visiting spas, cinemas, laser-tag, and even hair salons. Each year, coupons from new partners ensure that you can discover unknown restaurants and other venues. Over 90% of users first learned about their new favorite restaurant or venue through the prozentbuch! The book comes in two printed formats, as well as in an app for all digital lovers. The larger ”premium” print format (A6, postcard size) guides you through town with a pull-out map showing the locations of all coupon partners. The smaller “pocket” print format (A7, half of a postcard) is convenient for keeping with you in your purse. Both print Enzo Taxi Basel Offer formats and the app contain the same coupons, each with a small map and directions on how to get there by public transport. The "prozentbuch- Sightseeing in Basel App" is available in the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Printed and Beyond! editions are available for purchase at numerous resellers in town or • Explore Basel, its surrounding areas, directly online. All coupons are valid until October 31, 2019. Each book and cities in Switzerland costs CHF 49.90—a great deal that pays for itself after using only two to • Discover our unique Swiss mountains, three coupons; they also make a great Christmas gift for friends and the wine route in Alsace, and the colleagues! You can get more information on their website or directly beautiful Black Forest through the "prozentbuch-App." • Recharge your batteries in a chalet in www.prozentbuch.ch Adelboden. • Get to know skiing or new trails with an ISIA instructor. • Visit the Europa Park in Rust–a must for fun enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies DISCOVERY TRIP from young kids to adults. IN A VINTAGE TRAM. Contact: Enzo Perri / +41 79 533 44 44 [email protected] www.enzotaxi.ch We speak

Dates: Every Sunday from 10.30 to 11.30 am and 11.45 am to 12.45 pm Prices: adults CHF 28, children 6 – 16 CHF 14 We welcome

BASEL.COM photo credits: © pro100 network (prozentbuch); © aquabasilea December 2018 / January 2019 23 Dezember 2018

SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

1 Palazzo Colombino 2 Palazzo Colombino / Gospel Night 3 4 5 Palazzo Colombino Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Lit. & Mus. Advent Calendar / Xmas Tram Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Palazzo Colombino Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Christmas Tram / Christmas Wreath Market Puppet Theater—The Little Santa Claus Basel’s Christmas Markets Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Christmas Tram Clothing Flea Market / Puss in Boots Xmas Concert / Niggi Näggi at Tierpark Christmas Fairytale Forest Basel’s Christmas Markets St. Nicholas Visits the Basel Zoo Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils Fair Rocks, Minerals, Fossils / Puss in Boots Frank Vignola Quartet Christmas Fairytale Forest Puss in Boots / Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast / Rumpelstilzchen Beauty and the Beast / Rumpelstilzchen Callas in Concert—The Hologram Tour Theater—Brothers of Grimm Spectaculathon Rumpelstilzchen / Music Box for Kids Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Tierpark Goldau—Santa Claus Day The Simon & Garfunkel Story Mid-Day Concert / Findus Moves Out Ms. Jeanne’s Story Time Special Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Alex & The Wave Makers Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Free Ice Skating Day / Hat Workshop Mondovino Wine Fair Typically Swiss!? Lily Allen / Force Fields—Elektronik 2018 Force Fields—Elektronik 2018 Nouveau Cirque—Ici’Bas, Klub Girko, N. Wey Nouveau Cirque—Martin Zimmermann Romanian National Orchestra / Editors Mondovino Wine Fair Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Theater—Brothers of Grimm Spectaculathon FuckUp Nights Basel / Wine Tasting

9 Palazzo Colombino 10 11 12 Important Numbers: Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Christmas Tram Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar SOS: 112 Panto—Cinderella Basel’s Christmas Markets Nils Landgren—Christmas with my Friends Christmas Tram Police: 117 A Christmas Carol / Sonntagsmatinée Christmas Fairytale Forest Irish Christmas 2018 Children’s Theater—Puss in Boots Fire Department: 118 Puss in Boots / Beauty and the Beast Christmas Market (Lörrach) Basel’s Christmas Markets Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen European Outdoor Film Tour 2018/2019 Christmas Fairytale Forest Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen A Hand in Need: 143 Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out Christmas Market (Lörrach) Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out Ambulance: 144 Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Tuesday Evening Climbing Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten Poison Center: 145 Nouveau Cirque—100% Cirque Tour—Radiophonic Spaces Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Clutch Child / Teen Hotline: 147 Mondovino Wine Fair / Concert—No Limits Symphony Concert—Veriko Tchumburidze Kinderspital: 061-704-1212 16 Palazzo Colombino 17 18 19 Afterhours Pharmacy: 061-263-7575 Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Palazzo Colombino Emergency Dentist/Doctor: 061-261-1515 Christmas Tram Basel’s Christmas Markets Christmas Carols Sing Along Vol. 2 Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Emergency Veterinarian: 090-099-3399 Christmas Tattoo / The Nutcracker Christmas Fairytale Forest Basel’s Christmas Markets Christmas Tram Triptych at Basler Marionetten Theater Ballet—Tevye Christmas Fairytale Forest Ballet—The Little Nutcracker Christmas Shopping on Sunday Cirque de Noël de Bâle Talent programs Puss in Boots / Beauty and the Beast Children’s Theater—Puss in Boots Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Coaching Bilingualism Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Sessions Family Famigros Ski Days Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Basel’s Christmas Markets Grigory Sokolov / Theater—King Arthur Christmas Fairytale Forest

Palazzo Colombino Special Working 23 24 25 26 Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino needs Your Child techniques Christmas Tram Cirque de Noël de Bâle Cirque de Noël de Bâle Christmas Market at the Markthalle Family Opera—The Magic Flute Triptych at the Basler Marionetten Theater Ballet—Tevye Shopping Sunday / Cirque de Noël de Bâle Children’s Theater—Puss in Boots Language Dayschool Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen certificates Basel’s Christmas Markets Small classes Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Tour—Balthus Ballet—Tevye Kindergarten/Primary School Theodorskirchplatz 7, Tel. 061 683 96 01 30 31 Ongoing Events in December Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Christmas Ferry Until January 6 Secondary School (all levels) Cirque de Noël de Bâle Cirque de Noël de Bâle St. Alban-Vorstadt 32, Tel. 061 278 98 88 Ballet—Carmen Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out Until December 23 Design at the Christmas Tree New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks Until February 10 Nativity Scene Exhibit Theater—La Cage aux Folles www.minervaschulen.ch Until December 23 Dance Night Vitrine D’Or Silvester Tribute Bash Fabulous Christmas Magical (Golden Store Window) Light Circus December 2–27 New Year’s Eve Orchestra Concert New Year’s Eve Concert Until December 30 Christmas Tree Exhibit Basel’s Book and Tree of Wishes December 2 – January 6 Until January 3 www.basellife.com

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Palazzo Colombino 6 Palazzo Colombino 7 Palazzo Colombino 8 Palazzo Colombino / Panto Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Lit. & Mus. Advent Calendar / Xmas Tram Panto—Cinderella / Advent Happening Panto—Cinderella Santas in Canoes / S. African Xmas Market St. Nicholas Visits the Basel Zoo Open Rehearsal of Sinfonieorchester Basel Moonlight Bathing Santas on Motorbikes / A Christmas Carol Puss in Boots / Beauty and the Beast Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Basel’s Christmas Markets Children’s Theaters / Findus Moves Out Rumpelstilzchen / Music Box for Kids After-School English Story Time Christmas Fairytale Forest Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Mid-Day Concert / Findus Moves Out Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam Christmas Market (Liestal) Nature Detectives Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Theater—Brothers of Grimm Spectaculathon Christmas Market (Lörrach) Nouveau Cirque / Grimm Spectaculathon Mondovino Wine Fair / Wine Tasting Nouveau Cirque—Cirque Inextremiste Mondovino Wine Fair / Wine Tasting Nouveau Cirque—Ici’Bas, Klub Girko, N. Wey Symphony Concert—Fantastic Mondovino Wine Fair / Wine Tasting Streetdance Showcase / Jethro Tull English Comedy—George Egg & Phil Jerrod English Seminar Choir Domus Artis / Concert—No Limits FuckUp Nights Basel / Wine Tasting AFTER HOURS—Chillen im Museum Ballet—Carmen / Ü30 Dance Party

13 14 15 Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Christmas Tram / Christmas Tattoo Advent Happening Christmas Tattoo Vespro di Natale / Cinnamon Market Children’s Theater—Puss in Boots Monteverdi—Vespro di Natale Basel’s Christmas Markets One Million Stars / Christmas Caroling Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Basel’s Christmas Markets Christmas Fairytale Forest Spirit of Irish Xmas / Christmas Market Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Christmas Fairytale Forest Christmas Market (Lörrach) Beauty and the Beast / Rumpelstilzchen Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out Christmas Market (Lörrach) Disco Night at the Skating Rink Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten After-School English Story Time Collegium Musicum Concert—Die Zwei Disco Night at the Skating Rink (Basel) Christmas Markets (See Pages 16 and 17) Symphony Concert—Veriko Tchumburidze Tina Dico Family Famigros Ski Days Theater—La Cage aux Folles Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Symphony Concert—Veriko Tchumburidze Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor

20 21 22 Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Literary and Musical Advent Calendar Christmas Tram Advent Happening Triptych at Basler Marionetten Theater Triptych at Basler Marionetten Theater Ballet—The Little Nutcracker Cirque de Noël de Bâle Cirque de Noël de Bâle Ballet—The Little Nutcracker Cirque de Noël de Bâle Basel’s Christmas Markets Chamber Music Concert—Oh Heavenly Child Cirque de Noël de Bâle Children’s Theater—Puss in Boots Christmas Fairytale Forest Basel’s Christmas Markets Three Nuts for Cinderella Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Talk—Transmission Between Waves and Noise Christmas Fairytale Forest Puss in Boots / Rumpelstilzchen Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Ballet—Carmen Theater—La Cage aux Folles Basel’s Christmas Markets Puppet Theater—Findus Moves Out Ido Zeev Christmas Fairytale Forest Basel’s Christmas Markets Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Wine Shop Christmas Fairytale Forest Dance Night Wine Bar Boulevard 27 28 29 Just for you! Cirque de Noël de Bâle Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Cirque de Noël de Bâle Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Cirque de Noël de Bâle Cirque de Noël de Bâle Family Opera—The Magic Flute Theater—La Cage aux Folles Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Fondue Vigneronne Wine Tastings at Weinparadies Stofer Disco Night at the Skating Rink Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Wine Tastings at Weinparadies Stofer Ü30 Dance Parties Sparkling Wine Tasting Wine Tastings at Weinparadies Stofer The Great Giuseppe Verdi Gala

Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Visit the Towers at Basel Münster Art and Vinyl—Artist Covers and Calendar Key: (for more info refer to this section) Until January 6 December 3–21 Records Christmas Events December 1 – February 3 Design at the Christmas Tree Marius Rappo—Models of Life Basel Events Until February 10 Worlds Christmas in the Sundgau Beyond Basel

Until January 26 December 8 – January 6 Christmas Market Special Workshops, Tours, and Education … probably the most (Golden Store Window) Carl Burkhardt Miss Saigon Sports and Recreation December 2–27 Until March 31 Until January 13 Entertainment beautiful wine bar in Basel

Christmas Tree Exhibit Tuesday - Saturday 11am to 10pm December 2 – January 6 Blumenrain 24 · 4051 Basel · vin-optimum.ch January 2019

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Ongoing Events in January Important Numbers: Kinderspital, 1 2 SOS: 112 Spitalstrasse 33, Basel Basel’s Book and Tree of Wishes Basel’s Book and Tree of Wishes Police: 117 Design at the Christmas Tree 061-704-1212 Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Fire Department: 118 Afterhours Pharmacy, Christmas Tree Exhibit Christmas Tree Exhibit Until February 10 A Hand in Need: 143 Petersgraben 3, Basel New Year’s Concert Swiss Chess Tour Ambulance: 144 061-263-7575 Christmas in the Sundgau Christmas in the Sundgau Poison Center: 145 Marius Rappo—Models of Life Worlds Emergency Dentist/Doctor, Musical—Miss Saigon Musical—Miss Saigon Child / Teen Hotline: 147 24 hour/365 Days Service Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Until January 26 061-261-1515 Emergency Veterinarian, Art and Vinyl—Artist Covers and Records 24 Hour/365 Days Service 090-099-3399 Until February 3 6 Palazzo Colombino 7 8 9 Carl Burkhardt Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Musical—Miss Saigon Palazzo Colombino Until March 31 Christmas Tree Exhibit Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten Swiss Chess Tour Curling Try-Outs Radiophonic Spaces—An Acoustic Tour Three Kings Day Musical—Miss Saigon of Radio Art Christmas in the Sundgau Family Famigros Ski Days Until January 27 Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Tour—Füssli: Drama and Theater Füssli—Drama and Theater Musical—Miss Saigon Theater—La Cage aux Folles Until February 10 13 14 15 16 Into the Ear—A Sensory Experience Palazzo Colombino Daniel Barenboim Tuesday Evening Climbing Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Ballet—Nutcracker–A Christmas Carol Explora—Wild Scandinavia Cocktail Concerts—Vocal Ice Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Until May 5 Children's Theater—Beauty and the Beast A Tribute to Sinatra and Friends CSI Basel Family Famigros Ski Days Talent programs Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Coaching Musical—Miss Saigon Bilingualism Sessions Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor

Special Working 20 21 22 23 Palazzo Colombino Tierpark Goldau–Full Moon Tour Youth Book Ship Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast needs Your Child techniques Children's Theater—Beauty and the Beast Ballet—Carmen Toddler Tales Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Puppet Theater—The Little Witch Wishbone Ash Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten Colmar E-Sport Show Claus Raible Trio Puppet Theater—The Little Witch Concert—Im Dialog Youth Book Ship Language Tour of Observatory at St. Margarethen Dayschool certificates Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Concert—TerraHolliger Small classes

Kindergarten/Primary School Theodorskirchplatz 7, Tel. 061 683 96 01 27 28 29 30 Youth Book Ship Youth Book Ship Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Secondary School (all levels) Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Theater—La Cage aux Folles The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen St. Alban-Vorstadt 32, Tel. 061 278 98 88 Puppet Theater—The Little Witch Circles—NeuVerband & Anne-May Krüger Youth Book Ship Youth Book Ship Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg www.minervaschulen.ch Sonntagsmatinée Symphony Concert—Schostakowitsch 9 Family Famigros Ski Days Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Star Wars in Concert www.basellife.com

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 3 4 5 Basel’s Book and Tree of Wishes Basel’s Book and Tree of Wishes Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Christmas Park at St. Claraspital Christmas Tree Exhibit Christmas Tree Exhibit Christmas Tree Exhibit Christmas Tree Exhibit Swiss Chess Tour Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Christmas in the Sundgau Christmas in the Sundgau Swiss Chess Tour Children's Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Musical—Miss Saigon Christmas in the Sundgau Swiss Chess Tour Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor AFTER HOURS—Chillen im Museum Moonlight Bathing Christmas in the Sundgau Musical—Miss Saigon Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Ballet—Tevye Musical—Miss Saigon Footloose—The Dance Musical Ballet—Carmen

10 11 12 Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Ballet—Nutcracker–A Christmas Carol Ballet—Nutcracker–A Christmas Carol Ballet—Nutcracker–A Christmas Carol Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten CSI Basel CSI Basel Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast After-School English Story Time Disco Night at the Skating Rink Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Musical—Miss Saigon Musical—Miss Saigon CSI Basel Ü30 Dance Parties Family Famigros Ski Days Chamber Music Concert—Don Giovanni Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! Musical—Miss Saigon Theater—La Cage aux Folles Fromm Ball 2019

17 18 19 Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Palazzo Colombino Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen After-School English Story Time Museums’ Night Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Ballet—Carmen Theater—La Cage aux Folles Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Concert—Toys Chamber Orchestra Concert—Prima Donne Puppet Theater—The Little Witch State Russian Ballet Moscow—Swan Lake Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal Colmar E-Sport Show Comedy—Stephen Grant & Eleanor Tiernan Family Famigros Ski Days Guided Tour of St. Jakob-Park Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Andrea Bocelli Concert—Im Dialog Wine Shop Wine Bar Boulevard 24 25 26 Just for you! Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Youth Book Ship Youth Book Ship Beauty and the Beast / Rumpelstilzchen Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen After-School English Story Time Jazz Concert at the Tinguely Museum Puppet Theater—The Little Witch Fondue Vigneronne Afternoon Tea at the Merian Gärten Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Disco Night at the Skating Rink Youth Book Ship Puppet Theater—The Little Witch Baroque 2.0—A New Way Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Vogel Gryff Ceremony Insula Orchestra Family Concert—On the Construction Site Tour of Observatory at St. Margarethen Cheese Festival Basel Yamato—The Drummers of Japan Family Famigros Ski Days Concert—TerraHolliger Hat Workshop / Tour—Into the Ear Swiss Folk-Music Workshops Dance Night / Namika "Acoustic Show" Yamato—The Drummers of Japan 31 Calendar Key: Children’s Theater—Beauty and the Beast Youth Book Ship (for more info refer to this section) Children’s Theater—Rumpelstilzchen Talk—Forensic Architecture Christmas Events After-School English Story Time Basel Events Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg Symphony Concert—Schostakowitsch 9 Beyond Basel Symphony Concert—Schostakowitsch 9 Workshops, Tours, and Education Sports and Recreation … probably the most Entertainment beautiful wine bar in Basel

Tuesday - Saturday 11am to 10pm Blumenrain 24 · 4051 Basel · vin-optimum.ch Sports and Recreation

Nature Detectives Walk December 8 Looking for family-friendly walking trails in Basel, or a fun way to discover the parks, forests, and animals of Basel with your young children? Then join the Basel Children’s Trust (BCT) for their monthly Na- ture Detectives walks. The walks take place on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00. They are open to all ages, stroller friendly, reach- able by public transportation, free of charge, and are open to BCT members and non-members alike. This month, the Nature Detectives will play “animal bingo” at Tierpark Lange Erlen in Basel from 10:00– 12:00. The meeting place is at the entrance of the Tierpark. For more information and to sign up, contact Sabrina at naturedetectives.bct@ gmail.com. www.baselchildrenstrust.ch

Tuesday Evening Climbing December 11; January 15 Climbing is a sport with many facets, requiring technical skill, flexibil- Family Famigros Ski Days ity, endurance, balance, as well as physical and mental strength. JO December 15 and 16; January 6, 12, 13, 19, 26, and 27 SAC Angenstein organizes supervised Tuesday evening climbing once If going skiing with your young family sounds dauntingly expensive, con- per month from November to February from 18:00–20:30. This offer is sider joining a Famigros Ski Day. Every weekend throughout the winter for teens ages 14–17 to learn or to build on their knowledge of climbing months, Migros organizes a day in the snow for the whole family at a in various climbing halls in the Basel-Stadt/Baselland region; the price different location and at unbeatable prices. In addition to a full-day ski is the cost of the entry to the respective climbing hall (around CHF 15). pass for each family member, Famigros Ski Days include a family- The locations will be at the B2–Boulders & Bar (Hardstrasse 46, Prat- friendly skiing, snowboarding, or telemarking race where the clock teln) on December 11 and at Kletterhalle K7 at Gundeldinger Feld (Dor- starts as the first family member crosses the starting line and stops nacherstrasse 192, Basel) on January 15; register directly on their when the last family member crosses the finish line, as well as a lunch website by clicking on the date of interest, then on “Zum Anmeldefor- for the family, fun games, a souvenir medal, gifts from Migros for the mular” (to the registration form) at the bottom of the page. whole family, and much more. The cost for the Famigros Ski Days is www.kibe-angenstein.ch CHF 110 (CHF 85 if you hold a Famigros card) for 3 to 5 family members (with maximum 2 adults), with at least one child born 2005 or later. Reg- ister now to take advantage of this wonderful offer at www.famigros- ski-day.ch/events; while registration is officially possible until the Thursday before your selected date, spaces are limited and can fill up before. 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 other specials at Migros throughout the year. www.famigros-ski-day.ch

Free Ice-Skating Day December 2 The Sportamt (Sports Department) Basel-Stadt is inviting everyone for a day of free ice skating called “Gratis uffs Glattyys” at Basel’s Eglisee and Margarethen ice rinks. Entrance and even skate rentals are free to everyone on this day. Members of the regional ice sports clubs, including hockey, skating, figure skating, and curling, have volunteered to provide a varied entertainment program at both rinks. www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer-sportlerinnen-und-sportler/sportangebote/ fuer-alle/gratis-uffs-glattyys.html Disco Night at the Skating Rink Rheinfelden, December 14 and 28; January 11 and 25: Young and old are welcome from 20:15–22:30 at the Kunsteisbahn (skating rink) in Rheinfelden, where you can skate to your favorite requests played by a DJ. Entrance is CHF 8 for kids ages 5–16, CHF 10 for students up to age 24, and CHF 13 for adults; skates for kids and adults can also be rented on the spot. For more information, go to their website. https:// kuba-rheinfelden.ch/eisdisco.shtml Basel, December 15: Come to the Margarethen skating rink in Basel for a night on the “dance floor on ice.” From 19:00–23:00, experience a colorfully glitzy décor on the ice with great music, special lighting effects, and even a fog machine. Entrance costs CHF 7 for kids ages 6–16, CHF 10 for skaters over age 16. www.jfs.bs.ch/fuer-sportlerinnen- und-sportler/sportangebote/fuer-alle/eis-disco.html

24 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Holiday Indoor Multisport Camp for Kids Sports Classes for Everyone! December 26–28 Starts in January KinderBasel is organizing a 3-day multisport camp during the Christ- As a part of Basel’s initiative to keep people healthy, the organization mas break for kids ages 5–13. With badminton, balance course, bowl- Gsünder Basel has compiled a huge list of classes available for adults in ing, coordination training, hip hop, indoor soccer, karate, mini trampo- the Basel area. They offer classes in the daytime, evenings, and even on line, racquetball, slack line, squash, table tennis, tennis, and more, the weekends in the areas of Aqua-Power Gym, back training, body shape, kids are sure to have fun while playing. The camp will run daily from Bollywood fitness, boot camp, gymnastics, Kraft Fit, martial arts, Nordic 10:30–15:30; meeting point is at the Vitis SportsCenter in Allschwil. walking, pilates, water gymnastics, water jogging, and more. Other www.kinderbasel.com classes focus on relaxation, including meditation, mindfulness, tai chi-Qi Gong, yoga, and even yodeling! There are also excursions, nutrition classes, and classes geared specifically to immigrants. New classes Snow Sports Camp in the Christmas Break start in January. Visit their website for a complete list of classes. December 29 – January 5 www.gsuenderbasel.ch Kids ages 10–14 as well as youths and young adults ages 15–30 are invited to experience a great and informative ski and snowboard week in Saas-Fee (VS) during the second week of the Christmas break; fresh air and fun guaranteed! Blindspot has organized this week-long camp filled with freestyle tricks and a good atmosphere for the cost of CHF 480; this camp caters to participants both with and without special needs. Participants need to have their own complete equipment (hel- The cultural met obligatory), which can also be rented from the Sportamt (Sports Department) Basel-Stadt. This camp fills up fast, so visit their website resource in Basel. to register now. www.blindspot.ch

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

Ho-ho-ho and Happy Holidays!

Registration for the new semester has just begun. What better gift to Curling Try-Outs place under your family’s tree than January 9 the chance for your child to enjoy a If your child (starting at age 8) wants to give curling a try, the Curling- joyful, musical time every week zentrum Region Basel is offering a free try-out on this Wednesday af- with the most important person in ternoon from 15:30–17:00. Simply register in advance with their office his life — YOU! at 061-703-8100 or [email protected] or directly with Yves Gigandet at [email protected]. www.curling-basel.ch

Gymnastics Classes for Adults The Acro Ballet Center in Basel is now offering floor gymnastics classes for adults on Thursday mornings from 8:50–9:50. This class is for everyone, whether you did gymnastics in your youth and want to take it up again, or whether you have no experience and simply want to give it a try. The class, which will be taught in German by a teacher with a good command of English, will accommodate all levels. If you would like to give it a try first, you are welcome for a free no-commitment “Probelektion” (trial class); everyone is welcome to join at any time. www.kidsmusic.ch http://acroballet.ch photo credits: © alpha foto gmbh (family famigros ski days); © erziehungsdepartement des kantons basel-stadt (free ice skating, ice disco); © nic oatridge (snow sports camp) December 2018 / January 2019 25 Workshops, Tours, and Education in Basel

Tour—Radiophonic Spaces December 11 The realms of art and radio are not as different from each other as one might think. Alongside writers, composers, theater producers, and film- makers, artists also utilize the possibilities of this ephemeral medium. The Museum Tinguely is presenting “Radiophonic Spaces,” a project that relates works of radio art (current and historical, well-known and unknown) to each other and makes them accessible to museum audiences in a unique way. Through an artistically designed trail, visitors can experience 200 selected treasures of international radio art. There will be an English-language tour of this exhibit at 13:00; which is included in the entrance fee to the museum (CHF 18/CHF 12, kids up to age 16 are free when accompanied by an adult). Typically Swiss!? www.tinguely.ch December 5 You are invited to this free information evening to acquire practical information and tips for business and day-to-day life in Switzerland. Learn about the differences between your culture and Swiss culture, Swiss manners, patterns of behavior, and even the unwritten laws—the do’s and don’ts. This information evening is in English and will start at 19:30 at the Zunftsaal at Rümelinsplatz 4 in Basel. It is brought to you by the GGG Ausländerberatung, an organization devoted to helping for- eigners integrate by providing language classes and translation services, as well as counseling for taxes, legal issues, and much more. Register to attend on their website or by phone at 061-206-9227. www.ggg-migration.ch/swiss.html

Ms. Jeanne’s Story Time Special—Christmas with Pippi December 1 Talk—Transmission Between Waves and Noise Get ready for the winter holidays with Ms. Jeanne and Pippi Longstock- ing at the Spielzeugmuseum Riehen. The session will feature holiday December 20 stories, songs, rhymes, and activities in English for kids ages 3–6 The Museum Tinguely is currently presenting “Radiophonic Spaces,” a (younger siblings welcome in the company of their parents), and culmi- project that relates works of radio art (current and historical, well-known nate with a craft project for the children to complete and keep as a and unknown) to each other and makes them accessible to museum au- souvenir of their visit. The event will take place from 11:00–12:00 and diences in a unique way. In conjunction with the exhibit, François Bonnet costs CHF 5 per child; museum entry for adults is CHF 7. will be giving an English-language talk entitled “Transmissions between www.spielzeugmuseumriehen.ch waves and noise,” starting at 18:00. www.tinguely.ch

Workshop—Hats Off to Hats! December 1, 2, 15, 16, 22, and 23; January 5, 6, 12, 13, 26, and 27 Tour—Balthus December 23 Sun hat, rain hat, cowboy hat, or floppy hat: hats come in all shapes and sizes and for almost any purpose imaginable. A hat can say a lot about The Fondation Beyeler is celebrating Balthus, one of the great masters the person who wears it—the style that a man or woman might wear is of 20th-century art and one of the truly singular painters of his time. very individual and depends on the occasion for which it is worn or on There will be an English-language tour of this exhibit from 15:00–16:00; the effect that it is supposed to have. Special workshops will be held in the tour costs CHF 7 in addition to the admission cost to the museum connection with the “Hats Off to Hats” exhibit at the Spielzeug Welten (CHF 28 for adults and free for kids and youths up to age 25). Museum, where children ages 6 and older accompanied by an adult www.fondationbeyeler.ch (and the adults as well) can make their own personal hats. These free workshops will be held every second weekend from 13:30–17:30; mate- rials are available for free and participants are of course welcome to Tour—Füssli: Drama and Theater take the finished hats home. Registration is not required but partici- January 6 pants may have to wait for a turn. Johann Heinrich Füssli, a painter who www.spielzeug-welten-museum-basel.ch hails from Zürich but rose to fame in Rome and London, was one of the most inventive and unconventional innovators After-School English Story Time in late-18th-century art, standing on the December 6 and 13; January 10, 17, 24, and 31 threshold between Classicism and na- The Basel West library invites children ages 3–8 on Thursday after- scent Romanticism. There will be an Eng- noons at 15:30 to discover new ways to celebrate literature. Join them lish-language tour of the “Drama and each week for fun stories, songs, movement, hands-on activities, and Theater” exhibit featuring Füssli’s works more! Several storytellers will rotate throughout the winter months. at the Neubau (new building) of the Kunst Participation is free and no registration is required. museum Basel from 14:00–15:00. www.stadtbibliothekbasel.ch https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch

26 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com Guided Tour of St. Jakob-Park January 19 The Programm für Elternbildung (Program for Education for Parents; PEB) is inviting adults with primary school-age children or older to discover the St. Jakob Stadium in all its diversity: visit the stadium and peek into the VIP rooms, the media room, and the sacred catacombs. Afterwards you can enjoy a walk through the legendary “Senftube” (mustard tube), out onto the playing field. The German-language tour takes place from 14:00– 15:15 and costs CHF 25 for adults and CHF 15 per child. You can register online on the PEB website under “Familienkurse,” by clicking on “Anmelden” for workshop number 7. www.peb-basel.ch

Toddler Tales e-mail to [email protected] or visit their website for more in- January 22 formation. Get ready for a magical musical experience. Toddler Tales is designed to introduce young children to the wonderful www.baselmusicking.com world of books and the fun of language through singing, rhyming, and dancing. Each session includes an interactive exploration of classic Talk—Forensic Architecture: Investigative Architecture stories with storyteller Jeanne Darling. Toddler Tales takes place from as a Tool for Political Intervention 10:15–10:45 at the Basel West library (Allschwilerstrasse 90) every January 31 fourth Tuesday of the month and is ideal for children ages 9 months to 4 years. Participation is free of charge and no registration is required. Forensic Architecture is an interdisciplinary association of researchers at London’s Goldsmiths College whose members include designers, ar- www.stadtbibliothekbasel.ch chitects, and scholars. Founder Eyal Weizman, architect and professor of Spatial and Visual Cultures, talks about the group’s radical research Tour of the Observatory at St. Margarethen methods focusing on the examination and visualization of human rights’ January 23 violations whose novel combination of design and politics is causing international furor. This English-language talk will take place at the The PEB is offering a tour for one parent and one child (ages 8 and up) of Schaudepot of the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, at the Sternwarte (observatory) St. Margarethen. Do you know how many 18:30; admission is free. stars there are? A visit to the observatory of the Astronomical Society of Basel will provide an insight into our fascinating universe, be it through www.design-museum.de the telescopes or, in case of overcast skies, through animations and PowerPoint presentations. The German-language tour will also include Creative Classes for Kids explanations of all the astronomical instruments. The tour will be from In these cold winter months, would your children perhaps be interested 19:00–20:30 and costs CHF 25 (CHF 30 if you don’t live in Basel-Stadt). in developing their artistic or creative side? kwerk offers a variety of Register now as spaces fill up quickly by visiting the PEB website and classes for kids ages 6–16, including animated movies, cartoon illus- clicking on “Anmelden” for workshop number 8 under “Familienkurse.” trating, drawing, experimentation, interior design, painting, photogra- www.peb-basel.ch phy, printing, video, and web design. You can find a complete list of classes, dates, times, locations, and ages, as well as register, on their website. New classes start at the end of January but fill up quickly. Tour—Into the Ear www.kwerk.ch January 26 Ears are unique. Like a fingerprint, our ear belongs unmistakably to us. We must have looked at our ears many times already, but who can claim to have ever been inside an ear? The Naturhistorisches Museum makes that possible on a unique tour of their current exhibit entitled “Into the Ear;" the tour will be in English starting at 14:00. www.nmbs.ch

Swiss Folk-Music Workshops January 26 Experience music like never before with a day of hands-on workshops. Basel Musicking, together with the Swiss folk-music group TRIONETTLI (www.trionettli.ch), invite you to sing, stomp, clap, and even yodel your way through a series of three fun-filled English-language workshops. The cost is CHF 70, which includes 3.5 hours (10:30–14:00) of workshops, lunch, and even a special concert for participants. Register by

photo credits: © pixabay (typically swiss); © 2018 h.e.i. guide (radiophonic spaces); © kunsthaus zürich (füssli: drama and theater); © polytan (tour st. jakob park) December 2018 / January 2019 27 Basel offers an interesting mix of modern architecture; historical buildings; and quaint cobblestone streets riddled with artistic sculptures, curious statues, colorful murals, historical fountains, intri- cately 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 prize. If you think you know where this month’s picture was taken, send us an email at [email protected] with the subject title “Where in Basel?” by Wednesday, December 5. Among the respondents, we will raffle off a copy each of two new books from Bergli Books, "Trailing Spouse Reimagined" and "Why Do the Swiss Have Such Great Sex?,"a copy of the new "prozentbuch Basel,” and two tickets for the Andrea Bocelli concert on January 19. Please let us know with your response which prize you would prefer—no guarantee, but if you are among the winners, we will try to accommodate your preference. 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 a part of the sculpture “Market Stalls” in the cloister of the Basel Münster. Congratulations to the winners of the Collegium Musicum and Groove Now tickets!

28 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com

Entertainment:Sports and Recreation Night on the Town

Nouveau Cirque Nouveau Cirque, or contemporary circus, is a style of performing arts that was developed in the 20th century and deviated significantly from the more traditional circus format. It rarely uses animals, and the acts are often quite reminiscent of a combination of dance, theater, acrobatics, and art. The month of December will be celebrating this style of circus with a variety of different circus troupes that will perform at various locations around Basel, with a center at Kaserne. www.kaserne-basel.ch

DATE/TIME ACT & DESCRIPTION LOCATION PRICE

December 1 Martin Zimmermann: "Eins Zwei Drei" Reithalle at Kaserne, Basel CHF 45 for adults (20:00) This latest creation features a clown trio and sketches CHF 15 holders of Legi, STUcard, the whole poetry, violence, and complexity of relation- Colourkey, and Kulturlegi ships and power struggles. December 5 Compagnie Ici’Bas: "Lonely are the lonely roads" Reithalle at Kaserne, Basel CHF 10 each act (19:00) Acrobatics around a tree of steel. CHF 25 all three acts December 5 Klub Girko: "122×144 and a lot of little pieces " Station Circus at Dreispitz, CHF 15 for holders of Legi, STUcard, (20:00) Balancing acts and 300 small pieces of wood Basel Colourkey, and Kulturlegi Nina Wey: "NINA" A trapeze artist with a wheelbarrow December 6 Voyage Voyage: Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam: "Teh Dar" La Filature Mulhouse CHF 35 for adults (17:30) Fifteen acrobats and five musicians blend acrobatics, Meeting point at Kaserne for CHF 15 for holders of Legi, STUcard, dance, and music in a graceful and elegant way. a free shuttle bus to Mul- Colourkey, and Kulturlegi house (bring your travel documents) December 7 Cirque Inextremiste: "Extrêmités" Reithalle at Kaserne, Basel CHF 35 for adults (20:00) Balancing on a wobbly, temporary structure, the artists CHF 15 for holders of Legi, STUcard, December 8 perform their stunts 2 meters above the ground. Colourkey, and Kulturlegi (19:00) December 8 Julien Auger & Mikkel Hobitz Filtenborg: "100% Circus" Station Circus at Dreispitz, CHF 28 for adults (21:00) A glittering sequined curtain, traditional circus tech- Basel CHF 18 for holders of Legi, STUcard, December 9 niques like hair-hanging and the perch, live music, Colourkey, and Kulturlegi extraordinary skills. The two performers unrelentingly (18:00) question circus conventions with a good dose of humor.

Miss Saigon Lily Allen Until January 13 December 1 Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schön- Lily Allen is an English pop singer-songwriter and musician hailing from berg’s legendary musical “Miss Saigon” will be coming to Switzerland London. She has become one of the country’s most popular singers in for the first time! In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim is recent years. An effortlessly cool star, she has picked up countless awards, forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as the and her live shows have also earned her accolades. Allen so far has re- Engineer. There, she meets and falls in love with an American GI named leased four albums, achieving a pair of multi-platinum discs and a num- Chris, but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For 3 years, Kim goes ber-1 spot in the U.K. for her 2009 album “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” After taking on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no a break from music, Allen returned with her third album “Sheezus” in 2014, idea he’s fathered a son. A recent smash hit in London’s West End and topping the U.K. charts. Following the release of the new single "Trigger currently playing on Broadway, this English-language production will Bang," her "No Shame" European tour stars in December at the 457 play at Theater 11 in Zürich; tickets are CHF 69.80–149.90. complex in Zürich; tickets are CHF 61.60 for standing room only. www.ticketcorner.ch www.ticketcorner.ch

photo credits: © christine pesold (where in basel?); © augustin rebetez (nouveau cirque); © tilman pfäfflin (nouveau cirque); December 2018 / January 2019 29

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

Editors December 2 The Editors belong to the spearhead of the British indie scene. Six ter- rific studio albums, countless sold-out live concerts, and songs like “An End Has a Start,” “Papillon,” and “Ocean of Night” are just a few of the reasons to see this band. The Editors concert is a must-attend event for fans of bands like Bloc Party, The National, The Killers, Interpol or Elbow, and others. Catch them at the Z7 in Pratteln at 20:00; tickets are CHF 55. www.z-7.ch

Theater—The Brothers of Grimm Spectaculathon December 2, 4, 6, and 8 The Gay Beggars Drama Group will be performing the play “The Brothers of Grimm Spectaculathon,” a spectacular retelling of the Grimm fairy tales by American playwright and novelist Don Zolidis. Performances will take place at the theater cellar of the English Seminar of the University of Opera—Lucia Di Lammermoor Basel, Nadelberg 6, at 20:00 (17:00 on Sunday). Tickets are CHF 20 for adults, CHF 15 for students; discounts for school classes and groups are December 1, 9, 15, and 29; January 2, 13, 19, and 27 also available. Reserve your tickets at [email protected]; A blood-stained dress, a knife in her hand, her face an image of mad- tickets must be picked up at the evening box office, which opens one hour ness—Lucia has killed her husband on her wedding night. She loved an- before the show begins. other man and still loves him—Edgardo, the one she sees herself united www.gaybeggars.ch with at the peak of her madness and who she will precede in death. He, however, is her brother’s mortal enemy. Against the background of the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in 16th century Scotland, two Frank Vignola Quartet families are engaged in a bitter struggle for honor, power, and wealth. December 3 Lucia becomes a plaything in this private war. A politically useful marriage is planned for her. She consents to this forced marriage, but the The breathtaking virtu- torment of how she is treated, the way in which her brother’s scheming osity of Frank Vignola denies her humanity and her unrequited love for Edgardo, breaks not has made him a favorite only her heart but also her soul. For this shattering moment of a wom- guitarist for many of the an’s final act of liberation from the oppressive machinations of her fam- world’s best musicians, ily, Gaetano Donizetti composed one of the most remarkable aria scenes including Ringo Starr, in 19th-century opera. It was this mad scene in particular that was re- Madonna, Donald Fa- sponsible for Donizetti’s breakthrough into the tragic genre at the world gen, Wynton Marsalis, premiere in Naples in 1835. This opera in three acts will be performed in Tommy Emmanuel, the Italian with German and English surtitles at the Theater Basel; tickets Boston Pops, the New are CHF 80–151 for adults and CHF 42–78 for youths. York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who www.theater-basel.ch named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists” list for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola’s jaw-dropping technique explains why the New Force Fields—Elektronik 2018 York Times described him as “one of the brightest stars of the guitar.” After a tragic accident that almost cost him his life and a long-lasting December 1 and 2 convalescence, Vignola returns to the stage in collaboration with the The Ensemble Phoenix Basel’s strong interest in electronic music as John di Martino Trio. They will be playing at the Q4 jazz club (lower level an extension of conventional instruments drew their attention to the of Hotel Schützen) in Rheinfelden, only a short walk from the Rhein- English composer Jonty Harrison. In addition to many acousmatic felden train station. Public car parking is available in front of the hotel. works, Harrison has composed a few works for ensemble plus elec- The concert starts at 20:15 and tickets are CHF 45 for adults and CHF 10 tronics, including “Force Fields,” which are among the best that this for students (with I.D.); reserve them at [email protected] or for din- musical field has to offer. Harrison’s work is flanked by two commis- ner and concert at 061-836-2525. sioned works by the composers Keitaro Takahashi and Andreas Edu- www.jazzclubq4.ch ardo Frank, who already made names for themselves internationally while still at university. This “showcase” for electronics will take place at the Gare du Nord at 20:00; tickets are CHF 30 for adults, CHF 20 for Callas in Concert—The Hologram Tour students, and CHF 15 for holders of the Colourkey and Kulturlegi. December 3 www.garedunord.ch Forty years ago, Maria Callas’ death left a bereft world longing for her presence, her performances, her voice. Now she returns to the stage, Romanian National Orchestra in all her grandeur, confirming her immortality to stunned audiences. “Callas in Concert—The Hologram Tour” is a triumphant event that December 2 brings the beloved La Divina back to the stage via hologram, singing The Romanian National Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Mandeal and accompanied by a full live orchestra. As this unprecedented perfor- featuring pianist Radu Lupu, will be playing works by George Enescu, mance unfolds, you will surrender all notions of what is real and get Béla Bartók, and Pjotr Iljitsch Tchaikovsky at the Musical Theater in lost in the magic of perhaps the best opera singer of all time. Her most Basel at 19:30; tickets are CHF 65–155. iconic performances of Bellini, Bizet, Verdi, Puccini, and more feature www.konzerte-basel.ch original recordings digitally remastered and brought to life on stage

30 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com

through breath-taking, state-of-the-art, digital and laser technology. FuckUp Nights Basel (FUN) Yet this is far from a replay of her past glories. Experience the legend- December 5 ary emotional force that is Maria Callas at the Musical Theater in Basel Initiated in Mexico City in 2012, “Fuckup nights” (FUNs) guarantee a at 19:30; tickets are CHF 59.60–129.90 fun evening where stories about errors, mistakes, and setbacks are www.actnews.ch de-tabooed together with the participants. Basel is one of more than 300 cities in 80 countries where people get together on a regular ba- Alex & The Wave Makers sis to change the culture around failure. In our time of constant change, errors, mistakes, and setbacks must be accepted as part of December 4 every development process. Learning to develop this skill is a key fac- Alex & The Wave Makers are a refreshing new quartet that explore their tor in surviving the digital revolution, whether you are in a job or have own sound with conviction. The compositions are carefully polished, your own business. During the FUNs Basel, we make it easy to talk adapted to the different personalities, and ensure an explosive interac- about wrong decisions and failed projects and to look at them from a tion. As the name suggests, their music has a forward momentum cre- learning-experience perspective. The evenings make you realize that ated by rhythmic cycles and layers. At the same time, they create a pow- we all make mistakes and that they represent our biggest growth po- erful calm and sensitivity with emotional, hymnic melodies—landscapes tential. The next FUN Basel Edition takes place at Launchlabs Basel and stories into which one can immerse oneself. With no real restric- (Gundeldingerfeld, Dornacherstrasse 192) from 19:00–22:00. You can tions on style, the music is inspired by groove music, hymns, alternative find out more details on the specific event, the speaker, and special rock, and of course jazz, with a sense of adventure and exploration. They topics on their social-media channels, www.facebook.com/fun. will be playing at Parterre-One in Basel at 20:30; tickets are CHF 20/18. basel, www.instagram.com/fuckupnightsbasel/, and https://twitter. www.parterre-one.ch com/fun_basel. To learn more and to register for the event, go to their Facebook page or visit their website. http://fuckupnights.com/basel

Wine Tasting December 5–8 Mövenpick Weinkeller (Haltingerstrasse 101) in Basel is hosting a tasting of a variety of festive wines just in time for the holidays; opening hours are until 20:00 on Wednesday to Friday and until 18:00 on Satur- day; the tastings are free of charge. www.moevenpick–wein.com

English Comedy—George Egg: DIY Chef + Phil Jerrod December 6 The Simon & Garfunkel Story The comedian who cooks on stage. A health scare sees George Egg ban- December 4 ished from the kitchen to the shed. During an inspiring and inventive demonstration of stand-up, live cooking, and comedy lecture he pre- Simon & Garfunkel wrote music history. The songs of the American pares plates of real food using power tools, office equipment, hair- folk-rock duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are world hits. They are dressing appliances, and more. And the audience gets to eat it all at the among the most popular musicians of all time, selling over 38 million end! The second act of the evening, Phil Jerrod, has been described as a records and receiving 10 Grammys. The two met in school, got together comic whose instinctive mastery of his form immediately marks him as in 1957, and conquered the hearts of millions of people. A highlight was one to watch. Jerrod’s humor is straightforwardly observational and ad- their concert in Central Park, which was also televised worldwide. “The dresses his middle-class background, his working life, and his very prom- Simon & Garfunkel Story” tells the unique story of the eventful career of inent beard. Catch these two British comedians at the Alte Markthalle in these two musicians from beginning to end. The successful production, Basel, just a few minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB. The show starts at which was created for the 50th anniversary of London’s Lyric Theater, 20:00 and tickets are CHF 35–40; the first 20 students (with student I.D.) will be performed in Switzerland for the first time. In addition to original to arrive on the night will receive a 50% discounted entry price of CHF 20. images and large projections, a live band performs all well-known hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” http://internationalcomedy.club “Homeward Bound,” and many more. Fans of Simon & Garfunkel can catch this show at the Musical Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 79–119. www.ticketcorner.ch

Mondovino Wine Fair December 4–9 Coop’s Mondovino will be presenting over 300 wines from all over the world from their very own collection at the Basel Messe. In the inviting atmosphere of the newly designed wine fair, you will have the opportunity to savor wines and receive knowledgeable information from wine- loving professionals. Modovino wine fair hours are Tuesday from 19:00– 22:00, Wednesday to Friday from 17:00–22:00, Saturday from 14:00–22:00, and Sunday from 14:00–18:00. Entrance is free with a Coop Supercard, otherwise CHF 10. www.mondovino.ch photo credits: © sandra then (lucia di lammermoor); © frank vignola; © alex & the wave makers; © george egg December 2018 / January 2019 31

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

Symphony Concert—Fantastic Jethro Tull December 6 December 8 During this Christmas season, the Sinfonieorchester Basel will be pre- Jethro Tull appeared for the first time in February 1968 in London, at senting a blend of the fantastic, the mysterious, and the miraculous. It the world-famous Marquee Club. They went on to become one of the begins with the description of a night in Madrid. Luigi Boccherini origi- most successful and enduring groups of their era. What made Jethro nally composed this nocturnal sound-setting of his chosen home for Tull so special was that their founder and front man Ian Anderson in- string quintet, but it was Luciano Berio who provided the orchestral troduced the flute as the main instrument. They are among the best- arrangement performed on this evening. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s selling progressive rock artists of all time, and their vast musical spec- clarinet concerto will transport you to the world of the miraculous. In trum includes folk, blues, classic, and heavy rock. With over 60 million Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique,” the wonderful collides with albums sold worldwide, Jethro Tull have expanded people’s cultural and the mysterious and the fantastic, in a breathtaking ride between dream collective consciousness. The current set list includes one musical high- and reality. This concert will take place at the Musical Theater Basel at light after another—the audience can look forward to a varied song se- 19:30, with an optional introduction to the concert in German at 18:30; lection with the famous Bach adaptation “Bourrée” as well as the cabi- tickets are CHF 50–110 for adults, half price for students. net piece “Nothing is Easy,” excerpts from the work “Thick as a Brick,” www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch and classics such as “Locomotive Breath” or “Aqualung.” The members of Jethro Tull are masters at captivating their audience. Ian Anderson (flute, acoustic guitar, vocals), the man with the legendary one-legged English Seminar Choir—Good Cheer crane pose, will join bassist Dave Goodier, keyboarder John O’Hara, December 7 drummer Scott Hammond, vocalist Ryan O’Donnell, and guitarist Florian The English Seminar Choir cordially invites you to “Good Cheer,” an Opahle. Be at the Samsung Hall Zürich when Ian Anderson and his band evening of music for Advent, Glühwein (mulled wine), and sing-along at celebrate their 50th anniversary; tickets are CHF 89.90–100.90. 19:30 at Schönes Haus, Nadelberg 6 in Basel. They will be singing www.ticketcorner.ch works by Gibbons, Tallis, Kodaly, Vaughan-Williams, Rutter, and Griga- lis under the direction of Reiner Schneider-Waterberg and Raitis Gri- galis. Entrance is free but there will be a collection. The concert will be followed by a traditional apéro and sing-along. www.esc–basel.ch

AFTER HOURS—Chillen im Museum December 6 and January 3 If you are interested in seeing the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel’s exhibit “Into the Ear—A Sensory Experience” in the evening, 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

Phenomenon Streetdance Showcase Concert—No Limits December 8 December 8 and 9 Phenomenon Streetdance Showcase is the ultimate dance event. Dance Neues Orchester Basel has been promoting talented young local musi- groups from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and of course Switzerland cians for 35 years. In this concert entitled “No Limits,” they will be play- will be dancing for the prize money of CHF 4,000. Over 200 dancers from ing works by Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Pachelbel, Jean Philippe 16 crews will rock the stage! A five-member jury consisting of interna- Rameau, Jacob Van Eyck, Antonio Vivaldi, and Pjotr Tchaikovsky. There tional dancers known in the scene evaluates the participating groups. will be two concerts: one at the Reformiertes Kirchgemeindehaus in The event will run from 14:00–22:30, with the Rising Star competition Pratteln (St. Jakobstrasse 1) on Saturday at 19:30, and one at the Mar- from 14:00–16:00 and the adult Phenomenon Showcase starting at tinskirche in Basel on Sunday at 17:00. Tickets are CHF 42–55 for 19:30. Tickets can be purchased online through https://eventfrog.ch for adults, CHF 20 for students, and free for anyone under age 18; they can the Rising Star Show (CHF 25 for adults and CHF 12 for kids up to age be purchased in advance at Bider & Tanner, online through www. 14), the Phenomenon Showcase (CHF 35/20), or for both shows (CHF ticketino.com, or one hour in advance at the evening box office. 60/32). Tickets can also be bought at the door for a slightly higher price. www.neuesorchesterbasel.ch www.phenomenon.dance Ballet—Carmen La Encarnación y el Sueño—Domus Artis December 8, 20, and 30; January 5, 17, and 21 December 8 Carmen became famous as an opera heroine. At the end of the 19th The ensemble Domus Artis brings together music of the Spanish Re- century, the character of Carmen put an entirely new kind of woman, naissance by Mateo Flecha, Francisco Guerrero, and Tomás Luis de and with her a completely new form of romantic relationship, on Victoria, as well as world premières of the Argentinian contemporary stage. Until then, especially in the opéra comique, women appeared composer Julián Galay at this concert. Dream diaries of the Domus as men’s playthings, suffering and steadfast in their moral sincerity. Artis members are the basis of Galay’s new compositions that will be In contrast, Carmen reveals an almost scandalous form of behavior; performed at the Gare du Nord at 20:00, on the left side of the Ba she lives and above all loves intensely and entirely according to her discher Bahnhof. Tickets are CHF 30 for adults, CHF 20 for students, own rules. Fearless and freedom-loving, Carmen is the architect of and CHF 15 for holders of the Colourkey and Kulturlegi. her own life and relationships and in the end, she has to die because www.garedunord.ch others cannot tolerate her freedom. In the foreground of Johan In-

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European Outdoor Film Tour 2018/2019 from Canada’s far North to the Mexican border on rollerskis), and “The Frenchy” (82-year old Frenchman Jacques Houot defies all odds with his December 10 skis and mountain bike in Colorado). You can go to their website to view The European Outdoor Film Tour presents a selection of the best and a trailer of the 2018/2019 presentation entitled “E.O.F.T. 18/19. This is most extraordinary outdoor and adventure films. This year’s program, Real.” The presentation will start at 20:00; tickets are CHF 24. which will be shown at the Musical Theater Basel, consists of eight short www.eoft.eu films and documentaries (in English) of outdoor adventures, including “The A.O.” (the forces that drive one of the most successful and versatile sports climbers of our time, Czech climber Adam Ondra), “Frozen Mind” (skiing and snowboarding down narrow crevasses and vast ice fields with speeds of up to 60 km/h), “North of Nightfall” (extreme mountain biking on Canada’s Axel Heiberg Island just north of the Arctic Circle), “Via- cruxis” (a thoughtfully animated stop-motion film about the big and small obstacles one must face on the mountain), “Mbuzi Dume—Strong Goat” (Tom Belz climbs Kilimanjaro with one leg and 2 crutches with the man who saved his life 23 years before), “8000+” (the paraglider Antoine Gi- rard sets off on a 3-week hike-and-fly tour to explore the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan—alone), “A to B Rollerski” (Raimonds Dombrovs- kis, accompanied by his dog Bucis, sets out to cover 6,700 kilometers

ger’s full-length narrative ballet stands the familiar drama of love Symphony Concert— and jealousy. But the “Carmen” ballet is not only based on the story of Veriko Tchumburidze its female protagonist but rather concentrates on Don José. Incapa- December 12 and 13 ble of accepting his lover’s free spirit, his love leads him down the path to an emotional hell: jealousy, passion, and revenge dominate The Camerata Schweiz, under the his thoughts and his actions. Inger’s “Carmen” will be performed at direction of Howard Griffiths, will be the Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 30–137 for adults and CHF 22 for joined by Turkish-born Georgian vi- youths and students. olinist Veriko Tchumburidze at the Musical Theater in Basel. They will www.theater-basel.ch play works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Joseph Haydn, starting at 19:30; tickets are CHF 41–57. Ü30 Dance Parties www.konzertgesellschaft.ch December 8 and 29; January 11 This disco is for those ages 30 and older who love to dance, listen to good Collegium Musicum Concert—Die Zwei music with like-minded people, get together with friends, or meet interesting new people. The Offene Kirche Elisabethen (Elisabethen Church) December 14 near Bankverein hosts a dance party from 20:00–02:00 several times per Ken David Masur, now a sought-after conductor in the United States and year to raise money for charitable causes. This year’s beneficiary is Car- Europe, will be back in Basel for the first time since his guest appear- tons du Coeur, an organization that provides basic food necessities to ance in 2010 to again direct the Collegium Musicum Basel. At his own people on the poverty line. Tickets cost CHF 25; it is advisable to buy request, Masur conducts the beguiling overture from Wolfgang Amadeus them in advance through Ticketcorner as these events sell out quickly. Mozart’s opera “Clemenza di Tito.” This is followed by the double con- www.ueparties.ch certo for violin and cello by Johannes Brahms, which places enormous demands on the playing technique. The attraction of this concert lies in the intimate dialog between the two solo instruments that appear to be a Clutch single “giant violin.” This challenge is faced by two highly acclaimed soloists: Pei Sian, who is first cellist with the Singapore Symphony Orches- December 12 tra, and Xiao Ming Wang, concertmaster of the Zürich Opera Orchestra. The U.S. rockers Clutch return two years after their last gig in the Z7 In his “Reformation” symphony, Felix Mendelssohn used a number of Konzertfabrik in Pratteln. The four musicians from the state of Mary- church-music elements, including a magnificent adaptation of the Lu- land, who have never been forced into a musical corset, present their ther chorale “A Stronghold is our God.” In addition, the symphony is a fans with a brand-new album. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the typical work from Mendelssohn’s pen—dreamy, playful, and enchanting. untitled work should be released shortly before the start of their De- This concert will take place at the Musical Theater in Basel starting at cember tour through Europe where bog riffs and grooving songs are 19:30, with an optional pre-concert at 18:15. Tickets are CHF 54–80 (CHF guaranteed; tickets are CHF 44.10. 15 for kids and students) and can be purchased at Bider & Tanner. www.z-7.ch www.collegiummusicumbasel.ch

photo credits: © silvia finke (jethro tull); © blake jorgenson (european outdoor film tour); © nils heck (european outdoor film tour); © veriko tchumburidze December 2018 / January 2019 33

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

Tina Dico ulated by airborne and earth-dwelling spirits, nymphs, and fauns. Lost December 14 in a shadowy world between dream and reality, Arthur not only has to win back Emmeline, he must also keep alive the hope that peace is pos- For over 10 years, Danish musician Tina Dico has been enchanting with sible on the island. Purcell and Dryden’s semi-opera combines acting, her music, which ensures goose bumps and a feeling of comfort with a singing, music, and dance in a single artistic experience, a play with sound that ranges from rock to soulful and from folk and country to music in which—unlike classical opera—the plot is carried forward by poetic and contemplative. Sometimes she sounds Nordic-cool and actors in speaking roles. Theater Basel has been able to secure the dark, sometimes elf-like—but she services of the famous British conductor and renowned expert on the is always an amazing musician English baroque tradition, Christopher Moulds, who is conducting the with an invigorating and remark- La Cetra Barockorchester Basel for the first time. This cross-art pro- able voice. After 13 years and 10 duction with opera, ballet, and theater will be presented in German and album releases, she has long English with German and English surtitles; tickets are CHF 30–118. been considered a star in her home country. Her live perfor- www.theater-basel.ch mances are always an experience to savor thanks to her air of pro- Ballet—Tevye fessionalism, her approachable December 17, 23, and 26; January 4 character, and her exceptional vocal talent. She will be playing at Tevye is forced to watch as his family falls apart and his home is taken the Reithalle in Kaserne at 20:00; away. Yet he never loses his faith in God and his truly irrepressible hu- tickets are CHF 48, CHF 5 discount mor. This story, made popular by the hit musical “Fiddler on the Roof” for holders of the STUcard, (Anatevka), serves as a memorial to the lost world of the shtetl. No ENTREZ!-Kulturpass (online & nostalgic romanticism or prettified idylls distort its view of the bitter evening box office), Colourkey, and reality of life for the Jews of Eastern Europe and the catastrophes that Kulturlegi (evening box office). began to loom on the horizon at the beginning of the 20th century: rev- olutions, pogroms, and banishment. Richard Wherlock transposes the www.kaserne-basel.ch story of the moving hero from Sholem Aleichem’s classic of Yiddish literature and re-tells it through dance. Wherlock’s style of contempo- Theater—La Cage aux Folles rary dance blends with the exhilarating and accessible music of Olivier December 14, 21, 27, and 31; January 6, 12, 18, and 28 Truan, whose commissioned score for this ballet combines Jewish mu- As Zaza, Albin is the star of the nightclub “La Cage aux Folles” in Saint- sical traditions and South European folklore with jazz improvisations Tropez, whose owner Georges has been Albin’s partner for over 20 years. as well as borrows from Western classics to create a “contemporary Life in this exotic and glittering world on the beach of the Côte d’Azur Klezmer.” Coupled with this thrilling music, Wherlock’s ballet is a could be so carefree if time would not insist on marching on quite so mer- whirlwind of dancing virtuosity and exuberant pleasure at the Theater cilessly. Albin feels he is getting old. There are more and more wrinkles, Basel; tickets are CHF 30–118 for adults and CHF 30–61 for youths and and his clothes now have to hide his body rather than show it off. How can students. anyone in show business grow old successfully? On top of this, the world www.theater-basel.ch offstage has not gotten any more open-minded with the passage of time— populists who insist that the law is based on tradition and morals are gaining far too much attention. Events turn stormy in this musical comedy Ido Zeev that in addition to all its glamour, drag acts, humor, and unforgettable December 20 songs also asks questions about what really makes a family, ageing, and Israeli pianist Ido Zeev will be playing works by Robert Schumann, Claude intolerance and encourages us to take a broader view. This theater drama Debussy, and Igor Stravinsky at the Unionsaal of the Volkshaus Basel at will be performed in German with English surtitles at the Theater Basel; 19:30; tickets are CHF 30 for adults and CHF 15 for students. tickets are CHF 67–137 for adults and CHF 36-71 for students. www.konzerte-basel.ch www.theater-basel.ch

Dance Night Grigory Sokolov December 22 and 31; January 26 December 16 “Tanznacht40” dance parties are for those who have at least 40 years Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov will be playing works by Franz Schubert under their belts. The events will take place at Halle 7 (Dornacher- and Ludwig van Beethoven at the Musical Theater in Basel at 19:30; strasse 192, Basel) and run from 21:00–03:00 with DJ Ice on December tickets are CHF 40–110. 22, DJ Bruno on December 31, and DJ Nameless on January 26. Friends, www.konzerte-basel.ch couples, and singles are welcome; admission is CHF 15. www.tanznacht40.ch Theater—King Arthur December 16 Wine Tastings at Weinparadies Stofer A time long ago, the Britons and the Saxons are arming themselves for December 27–29 the final battle. Soon the men of young King Arthur and the warriors of the Saxon king Oswald will face each other in combat to decide who The independently owned and operated wine boutique, Weinparadies rules the island. Rumors circulate among Arthur’s men about the Sax- Stofer, has recently moved to its new big and bright location at Duggin- ons’ strange rituals, a dark cult of worship to their Nordic god, about gerstrasse 4 in Reinach. For three days in December, they will be host- spirits and a cunning magician. If the great magician Merlin was not ing a free tasting of about 20 wines that will be up to 50% off. So stop by one of Arthur’s close confidants, the Britons’ situation would appear and discover this lovely wine store where the friendly and knowledge- hopeless. When Arthur’s lover, the blind Emmeline, is kidnapped by the able staff is always happy to assist you in English. Saxon king, a chase begins through enchanted forests and moors pop- www.weinparadies-stofer.ch

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Sparkling Wine Tasting New Year’s Eve Concert December 28 December 31 Just in time for your New Year’s This New Year’s Eve Nacht Klang concert will be a baroque spectacle of celebration, you are invited to eccentric fantasy and brilliant virtuosity. Celebrate the New Year with Delinat-Weindepot Basel (Barce- the Kammerorchester Basel, who will bring you music by Matthew lona-Strasse 4, Münchenstein) to Locke, Henry Purcell, Antonio Vivaldi, and others, including a “Cüpli” (a taste sparkling wines from many glass of champagne), candied almonds, and fireworks seen from the regions, including Prosecco, Cava, Johanniterbrücke. The concert will start at 22:00 at the Druckereihalle Crémant, Champagne, and other of the Ackermannshof; tickets are CHF 45 for adults and free for kids up contenders. The tasting is free to age 14. of charge and will be held during www.kammerorchesterbasel.ch their regular opening hours (16:00–18:30); savory snacks will be served. Footloose—The Dance Musical www.delinat.com January 4 The dance musical “Footloose” is based on the 1984 film of the same name. Since its premiere in 1998 on New York’s Broadway, the musical The Great Giuseppe Verdi Gala has constantly been on stage in the U.K. and the United States. It has December 29 been nominated for several Tony Awards, including “Best Book of a Verdi wrote 26 operas in the course of his long life, all of them master- Musical,” “Best Choreography,” “Best Original Score,” and “Best pieces. This production, “Die Grosse Giuseppe Verdi Gala,” showcases Soundtrack.” The songs “Footloose” and “Holding out for a Hero” were the most beautiful works from the inexhaustible wealth of magnificent also nominated for “Best Film Song” for the Academy Awards. For its overtures, arias, and duets from operas such as “Nabucco,” “Rigoletto,” 20th anniversary, “Footloose” will be coming to Switzerland for the first “Der Troubadour,” “La Traviata,” and “Aida.” The event will take place at time in a production of the London West End Musical Company. It is the the Musical Theater in Basel; tickets range from CHF 81.90–96.90. full Broadway version with 5 musicians and 18 dancers, singers, performers, and acrobats. They will be reinforced with a showcasing group www.actnews.ch specially assembled from Switzerland. “Footloose” will be performed for one night at the Musical Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 81.90–116.90 Silvester Tribute Bash for adults and CHF 61.60–96.90 for those under age 21. December 31 www.ticketcorner.ch Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Linkin Park together on one stage? Impossible? At the Tribute Bash on New Year’s Eve, it will be pos- Chamber Music Concert—Don Giovanni sible at the Z7 in Pratteln. The four hippest tribute bands in Europe were January 11 signed up to play the music of their heroes, deceptively real in sound and appearance. Rock in the New Year while singing along to “Crazy” by Courage—one has too much of it, the other has too little. The “villain” Aerosmith and “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, shouting to Don Giovanni, who is being punished for his impudence, is joined by his “Master of Puppets” by Metallica, and joining “Numb” from Linkin Park! cowardly servant Leporello. The great seducer Giovanni comments on To curb your hunger in good Swiss style, there will be Raclette at the food his hellish journey with the words that he regrets nothing, whereas Lep- stand again this year! This event starts at 20:00 and tickets are CHF 45. orello apologizes to the spirit of the murdered commander. The following final scene is a so-called “lieto fine.” Interestingly, at the Viennese www.z-7.ch resumption of his opera, which premiered in Prague, Mozart renounced this “happy ending,” with the words “This is the end of him who does evil.” This concert version, starring Erwin Schrott in the leading role, reveals Mozart’s typical ambivalence without imagery, solely in terms of tone and nuance by the orchestra and singers. The concert will take place at the Martinskirche in Basel at 19:30, with a concert introduction by SFR2-moderator Benjamin Herzog at 19:00; tickets are CHF 50–115, half price for students and holders of the KulturLegi, and free for kids under age 14 when accompanied by a parent (ticket necessary). www.kammerorchesterbasel.ch

Fromm Ball 2019 January 12 The Tanzschule Fromm (Dance School Fromm) hosts the ball event of New Year’s Eve Orchestra Concert the winter. This ball has been popular among dance fans of all ages for December 31 decades, even the younger generation is now finding it “in” to go out This traditional New Year’s Eve concert will be performed at the Musical and enjoy the live music, festive atmosphere, and alternative to the Theater Basel by the Basler Festival Orchestra at 19:00. Under the direc- nightclub-style dance venues. Book early as tickets go fast. The ball tion of Thomas Herzog, the concert includes works by Rossini, Liszt, will take place at the Safran Zunft near Marktplatz from 18:00–24:00; Verdi, Mascagni, Rimsky-Korsakov, Johann Strauss II, Debussy, Ravel, tickets are CHF 125 per person, which includes the apéro, a rich buffet and many more. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketcorner or at dinner, wine with dinner, water, and coffee. Tickets can be reserved by Bider & Tanner and are CHF 71.80–116.90 for adults and CHF 50.40– e-mail at [email protected], or purchased directly from the dance school 82.40 for kids up to age 16. at Freie Strasse 34 in Basel. www.musical.ch/en/musicaltheaterbasel www.fromm.ch photo credits: © helgi jonsson (tina dico); © pixabay (sparkling wine tasting); © dominikusz photography (silvester tribute bash) December 2018 / January 2019 35

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

A Tribute to Sinatra & Friends January 15 The Rat Pack is back! Since the German premiere of “Sinatra & Friends” in January 2016, the three Britons Stephen Triffitt, Mark Ad- ams, and George Daniel Long alias Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. have inspired their audience and critics in sold-out theaters all over Germany. The early 60s was the time of the “Rat Pack” and Las Vegas was their city. Sinatra, Martin, and Davis filmed there, gave numerous concerts, and were among the country’s most popular and important entertainers at that time. Their joint live performances were the showbiz attraction for Las Vegas and an absolute crowd mag- net. The mixture of cabaret dialogues between the entertainers and the Explora—Wild Scandinavia audience, as well as the performances of their world-famous songs January 14 brought about the birth of modern entertainment. In their show “A Trib- ute to Sinatra & Friends,” the three performers take their audience back Dutch professional photographer Jolanda Linschooten takes you to to that glamorous era on the Strip in Las Vegas with tongue-in-cheek “her” Scandinavia. She built a canoe in the Swedish summer and trav- political incorrectness, unmistakable big-band swing, beautiful women, eled with her husband across Lapland for 40 days. In the Norwegian and compulsory whisky glass in hand. Don’t miss their rendition of clas- winter, she returned alone and skated through the frozen Finnmarks- sics like “My Way,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “New York, New York,” “That’s vidda, camped with reindeer, and admired the northern lights together Amore,” and many more. Accompanied by a nine-member big band and with them. In the solitude of the overwhelming Scandinavian nature, three great singers and dancers, the Rat Pack performers give the illu- the adventurer found plenty of time to fulfill her dreams and pursue sion that audiences have just witnessed the three greatest entertainers her passion to make something herself. This Explora film will present of all time. This show will take place at the Musical Theater Basel; tick- the most spectacular images of her incredible journey. The German- ets are CHF 61.69–109.40. language film is 2 hours (plus 20 minutes intermission) and will be shown at the Volkshaus in Basel at 19:30; tickets are CHF 29, CHF 25 www.actnews.ch for students, and CHF 6 for kids under age 16. www.explora.ch Concert—Toys January 17 Camerata Variabile is a Basel-based ensemble that consists of inter- Daniel Barenboim national musicians who dedicate themselves to chamber music. The second concert of the season is named “Toys,” as it is dedicated to the January 14 materialistic part of the play instinct. The program includes Leopold Argentinian-Israeli pianist Daniel Barenboim will be playing works by Mozart’s “Children’s Symphony,” with children’s flutes and bird whis- Ludwig van Beethoven at the Musical Theater Basel at 19:30; tickets tles; guest Pierre Favre and his drum kit with an infinite number of are CHF 65–155. sound possibilities; John Cage’s “Suite for Toy Piano;” Dai Fujikura’s www.konzerte-basel.ch “Breathless” for violin and toy; Darius Milhaud’s Trio for clarinet, violin, and piano; Aaron Copland’s Sextet; and Joseph Haydn’s Trio in D major for flute, cello, and piano. The concert will take place at the Gare du Cocktail Concerts—Vocal Ice Nord, located on the left side of the Badischer Bahnhof in Basel, at January 15 20:00. Tickets costs CHF 35 for adults, CHF 20 for students, and CHF 15 In close proximity to the orchestra, in a relaxed atmosphere, perhaps for holders of the Colourkey or Kulturlegi. with a glass of wine in your hand—these are the Cocktail Concerts of www.garedunord.ch the Sinfonieorchester Basel. This concert will feature the orchestra’s cello octet and soprano Nuria Rial. It will be held twice on the same evening; the first session begins at 18:00 and the second at 20:00. It will be held at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois; tickets start at CHF 40 (CHF 20 for students) and can be purchased online or at Bider & Tanner. www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch

THE TRAILING SPOUSE REIMAGINED This book explores the challenges and joys of life abroad State Russian Ballet Moscow—Swan Lake as an accompanying January 17 partner. Read and be inspired. The pure and inexhaustible beauty of the classical form and the inclu- sion of a new generation of master dancers who are constantly intro- Get it in your ducing new elements and a new kind of perfection into the classics bookstore or at make this exceptional tour ensemble so successful. Since its founding www.bergli.ch Rylla Resler, in 1979, the stars of the Russian ballet scene have enchanted audi- Francesca Incocciati, ences worldwide and across generations. Connoisseurs and lovers of Adriana Quarck 978-3-03869-050-4 ballet appreciate the State Russian Ballet Moscow, especially for its

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Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal January 18 The formation Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, with its highly jazzed, explosive form of modern ballet, has secured a top spot among the free dance companies of the present. They come to Lörrach with three sen- sual, energetic, and approachable choreographies. “O Balcao de Amor” by Itzik Galili sparks with the music of “mambo king” Pérez Prado. “Kosmos,” created specifically for the troupe by Andonis Foniadakis, lives off the rapid pulse of modern city life and the untamable power of crowds. Foniadakis dissolves the resulting tensions through the beauty of the movement and liberating dedication of the individual. “Soul,” presented for the first time in Germany, lives on the strength of rock legend Janis Joplin, whose emotional songs carry Foniadakis’ dance duo. Lovers of modern dance should not miss this opportunity to see Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal perform at 20:00 at the Burghof, just across the border in Lörrach, Germany; tickets are € 39–49; reduced tickets for students are available at the box office. www.burghof.com unique, pure, and classical Russian ballet art. For the past 30 years, Andrea Bocelli Win 2 tickets in our under the direction of Vyacheslav Gordeyev, the company has been a January 19 "Where in Basel?" contest guarantor of intoxicating stage sets; sumptuous costumes; and, above With over 80 million records sold, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, all, of grace, passion, and perfection. Let yourself be carried away into and an audience that includes three U.S. presidents and three popes, the fascinating world of classical Russian ballet art in January as they Andrea Bocelli is one of the most exceptional artists of all time. In 2019, bring their production of “Swan Lake” to Switzerland, with one stop at Bocelli returns to Switzerland and will melt the hearts of his listeners the Musical Theater Basel at 19:30; tickets are CHF 49.90– 109.90. with an ingenious mix of classical, musical, and film music and take his www.actnews.ch audience into the world of passion and Italian romanticism. Bocelli’s legendary voice, paired with fantastic new musical arrangements and English Comedy— Stephen Grant & Eleanor Tiernan the use of the latest technology, breathes new life into the finest musical masterpieces. Probably the most popular tenor in the world, he knows January 17 how to meet the interface between heart and pain, between happiness Stephen Grant—repeat award winner of Best U.K. Compere, host of the and sadness with incredible intensity and passion like no other. Bocelli Krater Comedy Club at Komedia, and regular headliner at The Comedy will give one exclusive concert in Switzerland, at the St. Jakobshalle Store in Leicester Square—joins ex-civil engineer Eleanor Tiernan, Basel, for an extraordinary live show supported by a large symphony who within her first year of being a stand-up, appeared on RTE Ire- orchestra, a brilliant choir, and international guest stars. Tickets for this land’s “The Liffey Laughs” and the BBC’s “One Night Stand.” She can event are CHF 149.90–299.00; get a 10% discount when you buy 2 tickets be seen regularly at the Edinburgh Fringe and in comedy clubs across and 20% discount when you buy 4 tickets or more. the U.K., Ireland, and occasionally, as now, “abroad.” Catch these two www.ticketcorner.ch British comedians at the Alte Markthalle in Basel, just a few minutes’ walk from the Basel SBB. The show starts at 20:00 and tickets are CHF 35–40; the first 20 students (with student I.D.) to arrive on the night Concert—Im Dialog will receive a 50% discounted entry price of CHF 20. January 19 and 20 http://internationalcomedy.club Neues Orchester Basel has been promoting talented young local musicians for 35 years. In this concert entitled “Im Dialog,” they will be playing works by John Dowland, Johann Sebastian Bach, Pavlos Serassis, Chamber Orchestra Concert—Prima Donne and Felix Mendelssohn. There will be two concerts: one at the Stadt- January 18 kirche Liestal (Rosengasse 1) on Saturday at 19:30, and one at the Mar- Joseph Haydn and Johann Adolph tinskirche in Basel on Sunday at 17:00. Tickets are CHF 42–55 for Hasse worshiped him as a compo- adults, CHF 20 for students, and free for anyone under age 18; they can sition teacher, and the famous be purchased in advance at Bider & Tanner, online through www. castrato Farinelli immortalized ticketino.com, or one hour in advance at the evening box office. him. Nicola Antonio Porpora is re- www.neuesorchesterbasel.ch garded as an incomparable con- noisseur of the human voice and Wishbone Ash master of bravura. With Georg Friedrich Händel, he competed in January 21 London for the biggest crowd Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential bands in rock history, comes magnets. The Kammerorchester to Pratteln. With their unique dual-lead guitar sound, the English group Basel will be presenting a concert of arias by Hasse, Porpora, and Hän- has influenced the music of bands like Thin Lizzy or Iron Maiden in the del and concertos by Giuseppe Torelli. The French star-soprano San- 70s. Even after five decades in the merciless rock business, the quartet drine Piau will lend her captivating voice to both the female and the shows absolutely no signs of wear and expertly bridges the gap be- male heroes of these baroque operas, alongside violist and director tween band classics and new material in their live shows. On their 50th Anne Katharina Schreiber. The concert will take place at the Stadtkirche anniversary tour, Wishbone Ash will once again rock the Z7 Konzert Liestal at 19:30; tickets are CHF 38 for adults and CHF 15 for students. fabrik in Pratteln at 20:00; tickets are CHF 45. www.kammerorchesterbasel.ch www.z-7.ch photo credits: © jolanda linschooten (explora—wild scandinavia); © camerata variabile (concert—toys); © svetla atanasova (les ballet jazz); December 2018 / January 2019 37 © antoine le grand (chamber orchestra concert)

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

abroad, to perform sophisticated programs of chamber music. This “TerraHolliger” concert will feature works by Giuseppe Maria Cambini, Klaus Huber, Roland Moser, Friedrich Eugen Thurner, William Blank, Heinz Holliger, Elliott Carter, and Johann Christian Bach. The concert will be held at the Grosser Saal der Musik-Akademie Basel, starting at 19:30. Tickets costs CHF 35 for adults, CHF 10 for students or holders of the Colourkey, and can be reserved online. www.swisschamberconcerts.ch

Baroque 2.0—A New Way January 24 Baroque with a new perspective. The Hans Swarowsky Orchester conducted by Julius Kalmar and the L.A. Chorus will perform the most Yamato—The Drummers of Japan beautiful baroque arias by Vivaldi, Händel, Scarlatti, Porpora, and many January 22–27 more. Let yourself be amazed by the special lighting effects, choreography, and storytelling. This show will take place at the Volkshaus Ba- They’re a drumming legend! Wherever “Yamato—the Drummers of sel at 19:30; tickets are CHF 41.20–61.60. Japan” take the stage, they can count on the wholehearted enthusiasm of the audience. With irrepressible strength, incredible synchronicity, www.ticketcorner.ch harmonious images, and a refreshing dash of humor, the drumming virtuosos have been touring the world for over 20 years and have won Insula Orchestra the hearts of over 6 million spectators in more than 50 countries. With January 25 their new stage show, “Chousensha,” their success story continues with thundering drumbeats. Life and its great challenges lie at the heart of The Insula Orchestra, with conductor Laurence Equilbey and pianist “Chousensha”—the thrill of new adventures and the promise of long- Nicholas Angelich, will be playing works by Carl Maria von Weber and held dreams. Together with the internationally celebrated star designer Franz Liszt at the Martinskirche at 19:30; tickets are CHF 40–110. Kansai Yamamoto, the furious virtuosos celebrate the fusion of capti- www.konzerte-basel.ch vating rhythms and sophisticated fashion design. The costumes, as colorful as they are fanciful, blend with the full sound of their drums to create a breathtaking work of art. Experience this extraordinary combi- Namika “Acoustic-Show” nation of the art of traditional Asian drumming and the gripping beat of January 26 modern Japan at the Musical Theater Basel; tickets are CHF 48–98, Born and raised in Frankfurt, hip-hop has always been Namika’s pri- half price for kids up to age 16 (except Friday and Saturday). mary musical source of inspiration, and she began to rap when she was www.ticketcorner.ch about 9 years old. On her 2015 debut album “Nador,” the musician hint- ed at her enormous talent for the first time on a broad scale. Her first single “Lieblingsmensch” stood for weeks at the top of the charts, and Claus Raible Trio the album was awarded gold. Namika’s new album “Que Walou” is now January 21 the logical continuation of “Nador.” Namika has matured artistically German jazz pianist Claus Raible, shaped by the great heroes of jazz through the experiences of the past two years. “Que Walou” is a phrase history, is at the height of his abilities, ranking among the best pianists from central Morocco and means “like nothing” or “for nothing.” That’s in the world. In addition to his work as a sideman and soloist, Raible exactly what the album sounds like: easy, bouncy, and seemingly effort- appears primarily as the leader of his own formations, from trio to sex- less. The single release “Je ne parle pas français” was fittingly the tet and orchestra. He has worked with greats such as Art Farmer, Ed number-1 summer hit. Catch the delightful Namika at the Parterre- Thigpen, Andy Bey, Ben Dixon, Charles Davis, Benny Golson, and Jimmy One in Basel at 20:30; tickets are CHF 35 through www.ticketino.com Cobb. He comes to Rheinfelden with a trio that also includes bassist or CHF 40 at the evening box office. Giorgos Antoniou and drummer Alvin Queen. Antoniou provides the www.parterre-one.ch grooving and rock-solid foundation for the trio. The bassist achieved his international reputation through his collaboration with Clark Terry, John Lewis, Johnny Griffin, Cedar Walton, and Albert Heath. Queen is one of the most respected modern jazz drummers of his generation and has played in the formations of Horace Silver, George Benson, Dizzy Gil- lespie, and Oscar Peterson. Be present as Raible leads this spectacular trio that allows him to unleash his virtuosity at the Q4 jazz club (lower level of Hotel Schützen) in Rheinfelden, only a short walk from the Rheinfelden train station. Public car parking is available in front of the hotel. The concert starts at 20:15 and tickets are CHF 45 for adults and CHF 10 for students (with I.D.); reserve them at [email protected] or for dinner and concert at 061-836-2525. www.jazzclubq4.ch

Concert—TerraHolliger Star Wars in Concert January 23 January 27 Founded around the turn of the millennium, the Swiss Chamber Solo- “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ...” The biggest science fiction ists is a chamber ensemble that brings together leading performers saga in film history has been delighting millions of fans of all ages from all over Switzerland, along with acclaimed guest artists from worldwide for decades, in no small part due to the film score by John

38 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com

Williams, which ranks among the most successful movie soundtracks Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg of all time. In “STAR WARS: A New Hope,” the galaxy is under the cruel January 30 rule of the Empire following the extermination of the Jedi Knights. Only The Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg under the direction a rebel group led by Princess Leia manages to steal the plans for the of Kent Nagano and with violinist Veronika Eberle will be playing works Death Star and cast the Empire into turmoil. The plans make their way by Johannes Brahms at the Musical Theater in Basel at 19:30; tickets to the old Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, who, together with his protégé are CHF 75–165. Luke Skywalker and the smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, takes on the fight against the Empire. A life-and-death adventure gets underway www.konzerte-basel.ch as Darth Vader pursues them to prevent the destruction of the Death Star. This space epic, meticulously crafted down to the last detail by Symphony Concert—Schostakowitsch 9 George Lucas, has revolutionized Hollywood’s film landscape and has January 30 and 31 lost none of its charm to this day. Under the baton of Ludwig Wicki, the 21st Century Orchestra will perform John Williams’ Oscar-, Golden Join the Sinfonieorchester Basel for an evening dedicated to Russian Globe-, and Grammy Award-winning music at the Hallenstadion in music! Mikhail Glinka, its progenitor, took Pushkin’s fairy tale “Ruslan Zürich, with the full film shown at the same time on a big screen, in the and Lyudmila” and made it into an entire opera that premiered in 1842. original language with German subtitles; tickets are CHF 58–138. The overture was composed last. Taking its motifs from throughout the opera, Glinka himself said he had “written it into the score already www.ticketcorner.ch orchestrated.” Pjotr Iljitsch Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concert No. 1 has themes that you may find impossible to get out of your head. It was “Circles”—NeuVerband & Anne-May Krüger hotly debated during Tchaikovsky’s lifetime—his friend, the pianist January 28 Nikolai Rubinstein, thought the concerto a “miserable” composition, while Hans von Bülow described it as “captivating and perfectly The expressive potential of the mezzo-soprano is rarely used in the formed.” In 1945, Russia celebrated the victorious end of the Great modern and contemporary repertoire. However, one work stands out in Patriotic War. Dmitri Shostakovich was expected to produce a hymn of this respect: Luciano Berio’s “Circles” is a profound vocal tour de force. praise to Stalin’s Red Army, outdoing the pathos of Beethoven’s Sym- Two world premières by Nicolas von Ritter-Zahony and Mike Svoboda phony No. 9. But Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 subverts the expec- are also expanding the Swiss repertoire for mezzo-soprano. “Circles” tations. The composer expressed the people’s joy in a transparently will be performed with mezzo-soprano Anne-May Krüger as a part of classical symphony—humorous, witty, and ironic. The concert will the Route des Voix series at the Gare du Nord at 20:00; tickets are take place at Theater Basel at 19:30; tickets are CHF 50–90 for adults CHF 30 for adults, CHF 20 for students, and CHF 15 for holders of the and half price for students. Colourkey and Kulturlegi. www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch www.garedunord.ch

Classes, Lectures, Workshops

10.01. Watercolor Painti ng. Robin Ballard 18.01. The Culture of Ireland. Darragh Gallagher More than milk and money Diccon Bewes, author of «Swiss Watching» 15.01. 1291 and all that: Swiss History 22.01. The people‘s republic: Swiss politi cs 29.01. Mapping the Swiss mind 05.02. Understanding Swissness The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Africa – Behind the Scenes January 29 23.03. How Africa Lost its Identi ty.Elísio Macamo The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain began its journey 31 years ago as outsiders with weird instruments, but has since become a world- 30.03. Out of Africa: Novels in English. Therese Steﬀ en wide success project. The show of the Ukes, as they like to call them- 06.04. Politi cs in (and beyond) Africa.Lucy Koechlin selves, is a ride through all genres from pop, rock, punk, folk, jazz, and 13.04. Urban Lifeworlds in Africa. Manuel Herz oldies to classical music. Virtuoso, funny, and always surprising, with the appropriate pinch of British humor, it is almost impossible to es- cape the charm of these eight musicians. Not taking yourself too seri- Want to learn German? ously and especially having fun on stage is one of the secrets of their German Classes from A1-C1 are starti ng in January! worldwide success. On stage, they all wear formal evening wear and ukuleles in different sizes and moods, everyone sings, and together they receive standing ovations and leave audiences speechless with enthusiasm. Catch their unique performance at the Burghof at 20:00, just across the border in Lörrach, Germany; tickets are € 25–35 for adults, T 061 269 86 66 reduced tickets for students available at the box office only. vhsbb.ch/inenglish www.burghof.com photo credits: © eliza wiley (yamamoto); © david daub (namika); © leander rumo (circles) December 2018 / January 2019 39 Contact us for more information about subscribing or advertising:

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

Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! Who Where When Tickets Art on Ice with James Blunt St. Jakobshalle, Basel February 17 www.ticketcorner.ch Cats Theater 11, Zürich February 12–24 www.ticketcorner.ch Joe Jackson Kaufleuten, Zürich March 25 www.ticketcorner.ch Rod Stewart Hallenstadion, Zürich May 7 www.ticketcorner.ch Mark Knopfler and Band Hallenstadion, Zürich May 9 www.ticketcorner.ch Eagles Hallenstadion, Zürich June 5 www.ticketcorner.ch Muse Hallenstadion, Zürich July 3 www.ticketcorner.ch Bon Jovi—This House is not for Sale Tour Letzigrund Stadion, Zürich July 10 www.ticketcorner.ch Pink Letzigrund Stadion July 30 www.ticketcorner.ch Michael Bublé Hallenstadion, Zürich September 25 www.ticketcorner.ch