March 2024, Cover & Feature Article in the OpNieuw

Local Magazine in Amsterdam’s City Center – Dutch (English translation below)

The cover photo was taken by RLAC co-founder Adanya Dunn, of local dancer and choreographer Maria Pisiou.

The inside photos feature violinist Nata Roinishvili in front of the massive painting “Punk Banker” by Jan Kokol  – photo by RLAC team member Iara Perillo.

And the incredible Duo Canopée playing inside the stunning fabric shop Capsicum Textiles – photo by Hashtag Raghav.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: March 2024, Cover & Feature Article in the OpNieuw

Local Magazine in Amsterdam’s City Center

Red Light Arts & Culture (RLAC) was founded in 2020 by creatives from the Wallen (Red Light District) neighbourhood. They want to give art, culture, and personal connection a prominent place in the area by presenting local artists. They produce new work inspired by the District and organize events such as pop-up music and dance performances, storytelling and poetry evenings, and art exhibitions in surprising locations all around the Wallen. With these activities, they want to bring people together and grow the interest in art and culture. The aim is also to expose the beauty and complexity of the neighborhood.

In August 2020, Red Light Arts & Culture presented a series of short classical pop-up concerts from the doors and windows of local homes and organizations. Residents, employees, and tourists were treated to these surprise performances as they went about their daily lives or explored the area for the first time. To keep sharing music during the lockdown, the team presents short video performances, in which musicians play in special local places, where historical and personal details about these locations are also told.

The mission of Red Light Arts & Culture is to increase the cultural diversity and emphasize the rich cultural history of the Wallen; they strive to positively influence the image of the Wallen. Furthermore, they want to create meeting opportunities for people who live and work in the neighborhood in order to improve the quality of life. Through their projects, they offer opportunities for professional (performing) artists to present personal work in their own environment.

In recent years, this young foundation has continued to grow and develop. In the meantime, there have already been many Pop-Up concerts – spontaneous (classical) live music in unexpected locations – and several editions of We Make Art Here – performances by local artists at the location of We Live Here. In addition, larger events have also been organized, such as the Wandelconcert and the Pop-In Cultural Day. Here, the public is welcomed in unexpected locations in our inner city, to enjoy a wide range of visual art, dance, storytelling, poetry, music, fashion design and other craft makers. The newest event series is Binnenstadse Klanken: ‘Music, stories and food’, where you can enjoy a free meal with your neighbors and a special concert that is created together with the audience. Here, the audience can share personal stories (in Dutch, English and more!), and let themselves be carried away while talented local musicians spontaneously transform their stories into enchanting pieces of music.

If you are curious (touched) by the activities of Red Light Arts & Culture, you don’t have to wait long! On Saturday, March 9th, a brand new music trio formed by RLAC – Shana Brown (violinist), Aina Font (saxophonist) and Adanya Dunn (mezzo-soprano) – will play improvisations in the Oude Kerk as part of the Saska Ontbijt, from 8 to 8:30 am. On Friday evening March 22nd, from 6 to 8 pm, there will be another edition of Binnenstadse Klanken, this time in the Prostitutie Informatie Centrum with cello and harp. There are plans to relaunch We Make Art Here in the spring. We are also working with Stichting Nachtburgemeester to organize an artistic Liberation Day celebration with an uninhibited atmosphere, on the night of May 4th to 5th. Look out for a one-day festival, Straat Vol Kunst, at the end of May in a creative alley in the Wallen to be revealed.

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The organization wants to get to know all professional artists from (around) the old city center. Are you a maker and performer in the creative field? Send information about yourself and your work to info [@] redlightartsandculture.com.

Do you have a special location in the area (Wallen and Nieuwmarktbuurt) where an event or exhibition could be held, or do you enjoy helping to create more art in the neighborhood? Please email us!

Coming soon from RLAC: March 9th, Saturday 8:00-9:30 am, musicians during the Saskia Ontbijt in the Oude Kerk March 22nd, Saturday 6:00-8:00 pm Binnenstadse Klanken in the Prostitution Information Center

To be kept informed about events of Red Light Arts & Culture, go to www.redlightartsandculture.com to sign up for the newsletter.