Michael de Jong and El Pino rocked the boat on SS Rotterdam

In the last few weeks there have been special concerts in the theater of the SS Rotterdam. Last week I was at two concerts that were organized by the well-known columnist Carrie. She found two great acts willing to perform for us:  Michael de Jong and El Pino and The Volunteers. Although you really just ought to have been there, you might also enjoy the photos I took. Check the website of the Rotterdam regularly for more such initiatives. It is a very pleasant way to spend your Sunday afternoon.

http://www.opderotterdam.nl

 

Is there a drummer in the house?

On Nov. 14, I announced the new edition of tinyMusic, which took place yesterday in a home in Rotterdam. To get there I had to walk through masses of snow, but it was worth it. Inside  the stove was gently simmering and  together with thirty music lovers, Grizzly Adams and Dyzack it is not difficult to get pleasantly warm. Host Jan Willem and hostess Floor had filled every shelf of the refrigerator with Olm beer and there were various tasty snacks.

Grizzly Adams had a small logistical problem. Half the band had arrived by car and had installed the instruments and amplifiers in the living room. The other half of the band was already waiting for two hours at Utrecht Central Station in the hope that a train was coming to transport them to Rotterdam. Fortunately there was a ‘yes’ to the question “Is there a drummer in the house?” Grizzly therefore could, albeit with a modified repertory, begin their set. It goes without saying that it was  a special concert…

After a short break it was Dyzacks turn. The sympathetic musician from The Hague had in no time the full attention of his listeners. During the songs he performed you could only hear his high voice and magical guitar playing. Then came a deafening applause time after time, after which it was dead silent in anticipation of a new song. Dyzack is back! That he has gained experience in the theater is clearly evident in his modest way of playing that ables him to  command more attention from his audience with less volume.

After the concerts, according to good use, we drank some more Olm and talked amongst each other and of course with the artists themselves about music. tinyMusic can look back on a successful ninth edition.

Snowmen on the doorstep

It has been snowing all day in Rotterdam. The streets are covered with at least 3 inches of snow. It stopped me from leaving my home, but in the end, I had to go to the supermarket. It was either that our eat out. In either case I would have to go outside. I decided to bring my camera with me and to my surprise, not everyone had staid inside. Just a few doors away some children made these beautiful snowmen.

Three  snowmen on a winter’s day
The first one said, “Wake up, so we can play”
The second one said, “Let’s stomp on the ground.”
The third one said, “Let’s roll around.”