Thursday, March 31, 2005

rasco bumfuckers

so more fun out and about. its spring break after all. went to this party given in amsterdam (yeah big city) last night. was crazy. there is this huge abandoned warehouse that folks are squatting in and once a month these students, damoclash.nl, put on a free party.. art, music spoken word etc. though squats are legal (like everything else) here, the police still wanted to shut it down saying it wasnt safe for more than 50 people at a time ( ilooked inside - may have to agree with police on this one), so plan b they had the "afrika" (i think the squat is named afrika - funny cuz theres an office building goin up next door called "new america") party outside. it was cool though, its right on the water, they had "reclaimed" couches and chairs around, a stage for performances, and even a fire.. in one of those tall oil bins (is that what theyre for?). it seemed derivative, but didnt feel it. probably about 300 people showed up. so did the press eventually. there was no branding - yet. they were selling, beer, wine, quiche, potatoe salad, and this custardy dessert at 1- 2 euro each - was above cost for sure, but i aint mad at them:). so the evening opened with a hip hop group. kinda co-floish, and really good. they were dutch - rhymed in dutch, it worked, but then did this scatting thing. it was great.. made me wonder if i really need a translator once i start my fieldwork. is the language irrelevant? well maybe not as relevant as i previously thought. but one of the songs was about how everyone thinks they have the answers, but noone does - this kids a theology student. anyway, their performance climaxed (yes), during the mc/theologian's dance break. started upright jumping around to the beat, then down to the ground he went, standing on his head at first, thought he would do a headspin, but no, it became, this crazy writhing acrobatic floor movement, i dont know, it was quite something. later on a singer songwriter from san fran, a duo from berlin, some poets, and even a ska band came on -- none rivalled my man from rasco bumfockers. recognize.

oh, sonic interventions was good. i need to start writing.

posted by z.a.k. @ 4:58 AM 0 comments

Sunday, March 27, 2005

dancin

went dancing last night. couldnt tell you the exact genre of music - techno, house, trance mix of some sort. belive it or not i was able to find a beat somewhere. needed to dance. it may have been the 1 euro beers though. they definitely played a part in my falling down the stairs on the way to the bathroom. my knees still hurt.

its spring break. whoo wee! since i aint going nowhere i figured i'd attend a conference on 'sonic intervention' this week. i know, sounds crazy - not sure what to expect... in any case, im in need some intervention by a ny dj - immediately if not soon:).

posted by z.a.k. @ 4:32 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

the dutchman

its another sleepy day in the hague. yeah pretty ideal. the sun's even out and white and purple croquses are everywhere hinting at the tulips that will soon blanket the fields. i'm gonna go to the pool, finish reading a novel, write a review, and make it to class by 2 pm tomorrow to discuss it. yeah, just like that. this safe, open, place is utopic to most. and me most days. utopia is a lie. its a dream that prevents change in any real form. this is not only the country that hid anne frank, but that gave her up. i prefer foucault's heterotopia - its simulatneous, its real, its imagined (yeah), it has the potential to change. cuz, the bubble that i currently live in is about to burst. the wealth built on pillaging far away lands cannot last forever. the children reach for truth. and the chickens have come home to roost. its an interesting time to be here. give thanks.

posted by z.a.k. @ 2:52 AM 1 comments