Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Museumsnacht Basel: Ski Season is Here! Christmas Tattoo: Find the Class That’s Appreciating Art Selecting the Pipes and Drums, Right for You All Night Long Perfect Slopes Beauty and Grace Volume 2 Issue 4 CHF5/ 4 MAGAZINE A Family Guide to Discovering Basel for the Expat Community DEC 2013/JAN 2014 ‘Tis the Season Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the holidays EVENTS T R A D I T I O N S LIVING O U T I N G S FEATURE EVENT LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, Museumsnacht Basel Scheduled Museum Events: Here is a list of just a MAGAZINE few of the many special events and activities that will The city of Basel is quainter than ever with the warm glow of sparkling (Museums’ Night) January 17 be offered during Museumsnacht Basel 2014: DEC 2013/JAN 2014 Volume 2 • Issue 4 Christmas lights, beautifully adorned trees, and store windows loving- ly decorated to put you in the Christmas spirit! The city and Christmas Museumsnacht Basel is held once per year in January, Anatomisches Museum: Museum für Musikautomaten: TABLE OF CONTENTS markets are bustling with people, and the winter wonderland set up for and as its name implies, you can immerse yourself in the kids at the Münsterplatz will keep them busy with a multitude of The incredible tricks of make-up Listen to nostalgic tunes from the Feature Event: Museumsnacht Basel 3holiday activities including candle making, gingerbread decorating, the richly diverse cultural activities of Basel’s muse- artists; what you don’t see at a crime 1920s and rock rhythms from the pewter figure making/decorating, and metal forging. ums from 18:00 until the wee morning hours. You can scene—a look into the autopsy room 1950s played by the ghostly hands of of a forensic lab the automated piano at the bar Events in Basel: December/January 4-8 In this issue, you can read about the many holiday events that take visit 42 different institutions and five nightclubs in the place in December, including the English-language Panto production of Basel region for the price of one entrance ticket! Make-up, Fun Family Outings Beyond Basel: White Pods 9“Beauty and the Beast,” Christmas tram and ferry, winter circus, repairs, costumes, singing, gaming, dancing, eating, Antikenmuseum Basel: Naturhistorisches Museum Christmas Tattoo, Christmas concerts and caroling, musical Advent exploring, amazing objects, discussions—there will be Basel: calendar, Christmas tours, and Christmas museums exhibits on angels, In conjunction with the exhibit “Wann Markets and Fairs in Basel 10-11 holiday baking, or why we decorate our Christmas trees. Take a minute exciting entertainment for every age group and interest. ist man ein Mann?“ (What makes a Listen to a lecture on Basel’s love story to sign the “Book of Wishes” in Marktplatz, catch some of the fun that man a man?) guests can cross-dress with elephants St. Nicolas and his donkey bring to town on December 6, and don’t miss so men become women and women Get Going!: Ski Season is Here! 12-13 Museum Night Events become men the Basel tradition of Santas on Motorbikes. Then, when the rush of the Spielzeug Welten Museum holidays has finally passed, January greets us with bang—literally!— All museums have special programs and events planned Basel Traditions: Dreikönigstag (Three Kings Day) 14 Basel: with a grand fireworks display over the Rhein during the first hour of the (including many geared toward children), and some Basler Münster: New Year. museums also offer food, drinks, and entertainment. In conjunction with the Marilyn Jazz and mulled wine in the cloister; Calendar: January 2014 15 / 18 If you want to take in some outdoor winter fun over the Christmas break Note that some of these programs are offered contin- Monroe exhibit, dress up with wigs listen to music while you warm up or later this winter, check out our ski season special to find the ski resort uously throughout the evening while others are only and make-up in the style of Marilyn Monroe Calendar: December 2013 (double-sided) 16-17 that best suits your needs and learn all about the White Pods—a winter offered at certain times. For exact times, check out the vacation experience of a different kind. Another unique experience is the official program that will be published on their web- Druckwerk: centuries-old tradition of the Vogel Gryff ceremony. But you can also en- site. Also, with so many museums and activities avail- Workshops, Tours, and Education 19-21 Insights into a printing shop and Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt: joy many great indoor activities, such as reading in a floating library on able, the Museumsnacht organizers have put together the art of various types of printing the Rhein, staying up all night in Basel’s many museums, or taking in some “theme tours” to help you sort through all that’s Discover the miles of history through Did You Know? 22-23 an international horse show. This issue is also filled with information on on offer—from suggestions for people who like to dress behind-the-scenes tours; get some in- sight into how experts evaluate what German classes, securing your home, new rules for E-biking, extended up or transform themselves into someone different to Kunstmuseum Basel: is archived and what is destroyed Information Desk: Sprechen Sie Deutsch? 24-25 holiday shopping hours, and countless shows, dances, comedy, concerts, suggestions for those who want to look behind the musicals, ballet, theater, workshops, fairs, and tours. Go behind the scenes to see how scenes of the museums or those who want to spend a restoration work is done; Mondrian Sports and Recreation 26-27 We hope that with all the rush of the holidays, you will take the time to more romantic evening with their significant other. Boogie-Woogie crash course; dance Zoo Basel: enjoy the splendor and magic that surrounds this season. Wishing you show; dance party Go behind the scenes at the zoo to safe travels, great holidays, and all the best for 2014! Entertainment: Parents’ Night Out 28-31 Practical Information see the feed rooms, the butcher, where the animals are kept when they are Time: 18:00-02:00 K’WERK Bildschule bis 16: Christine sick, and learn about the energy- Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! 31 Christine Pesold Dress up as Dracula or a ghost at witch- efficient ways in which the enclosures Tickets: CHF 24 (€19.50) for adults, CHF 14 (€11.50) Editor-in-Chief ing hour and have your picture taken are heated for Museums-Pass-Musées holders, free for children and Mark Your Calendar: February 2014 Back Page [email protected] young adults up to age 25 with proof of ID. Tickets can be purchased at any of the participating museums. Museum der Kulturen Basel: Basel Family Magazine Contacts: COVER: Every year, thousands of visitors enjoy Basel’s In conjunction with the exhibit on Editor-in-Chief: Christmas markets—both the main one at Barfüsser- Transportation: With your Museumsnacht ticket, make-up, let yourself be treated to the Christine Pesold platz, with its signature illuminated star at the front you are entitled to free travel from 17:00 on selected perfect make-up of the square, and the smaller one at Münsterplatz. Advertising & Subscription TriRegio public transport routes. Special shuttle buses Despite the throngs of people crowding the narrow are also set up to take people around to the various Manager / Editor: alleyways between the stalls, particularly on the Susanne Hiller museums, and two ships on the Rhein also help you to weekends, a visit there is a “must” during the holiday get from one end of town to the other. Art Director: season. Whether it is to warm up and chat with friends Jon Hoefer over a cup of Glühwein (mulled wine), enjoy one of the Special Assistance: For wheelchair users or seniors, many sweet and savory delicacies available, pick up For more information about three vehicles with wheelchair access will be avail- some traditional or unusual Christmas ornaments, or subscribing or advertising – able at Münsterplatz from 18:00 to 01:30 for transport look for the right gift for a special someone—there is please contact us: between the museums (sorry, no home transport something there for everyone! [email protected] service). Telephone booking line during Museums’ www.baselfamilymagazine.com photo credit: cover: © klaus brodhage Night: +41 (0)79 424-3077. BASEL FAMIly MAGAZINE © Copyright 2013-2014. All rights reserved. It is our goal to provide valuable, timely information to the expat community of For a complete schedule of events and additional Basel. The opinions expressed in the articles in this magazine are those of the contributing authors and do not reflect those of other members of the details, check the official Museumsnacht website from editorial staff and of any organizations or agencies distributing this magazine. Though we make every attempt to provide accurate information, we can- not be held responsible if any event is cancelled, postponed, or modified. We encourage readers to contact the event organizers or their websites to December 20. obtain the most current event information. If you have any questions, please contact Basel Family Magazine staff at: info@baselfamilymagazine. com. Please note: No part of this periodical may be duplicated in any fashion, or redistributed in any written language, without permission from the www.museumsnacht.ch executive staff at Basel Family Magazine. photo credit: © basel tourismus © basel credit: photo 2 www.baselfamilymagazine.com DECEMBER 2013 / JANUARY 2014 3 Events in Basel: December/January Christmas Ferry 10:00-20:00.