The Mecca for storytelling

[Sahand Sahebdivani]

Hi everyone!

When recently the Canadian storyteller Dan stepped on the Mezrab stage, he said it's a pleasure to play in Amsterdam, the Mecca of storytelling. Then he said many more words, as it obviously was a storytelling show, but that phrase, Mecca of Storytelling, got stuck in my mind. It's true, I can't think of another place that has the scene we do, with nights dedicated to personal stories, myths & folktales and so much more, with theaters and festivals starting to book solo shows, with cabaret, comedy and alt.comedy stages that blur the lines between their respective arts and storytelling and a vibrant yearly festival in Podium Mozaiek that ties all of this together! 

Now, I'm sure you already had planned your days around the festival, which is about to start. But just in case you had postponed picking the shows you want to see, this is the moment to gp to the festival site and press buttons and pull levers. Confused by so many shows to choose from? Consider some of the following: On Wednesday we bring back Dr. Broiwn, the most brilliant clown we have seen in our lives. I have seen this show twice and we didn't the people who missed him last year to go on living without a chance to correct their mistake. An hour of non-verbal madness is what awaits you. If you've already seen this show (which is not a reason not to see him again), you can catch his new show on Saturday. On Friday we are booking one of the new productions of the Mezrab House of Creations: Sipan's the Original. Another piece of daring theater/storytelling diving into the prickly issue of identity. On Saturday we also have one of the powerhouses of traditional stories: Jan Blake. She's Jamaican/British but carries stories inside of her from many far off lands.  Finally there's at least one sold out show that we wanted to make sure you have another chance to see: Inez Aponte's show about her foremothers. Since the tickets of her Sunday show are gone, we are booking her again on Wednesday (Nov 12) in the Other Mezrab.

So, with that being the festival, let's go to the Mezrab, especially focussing on our amazing music program:

- Tomorrow (Tuesday) we have our monthly free storytelling night for lovers of Myth and folk tale called MYTHOS. Stories start at 20.00, donations welcome!

- Sunday Nov 9 we have the Mezjam. Everyone is welcome to bring instruments or just come and listen. Babak is a gentle host who keeps us all together.

- Thursday Nov 13 we have the brilliant duo of Turkish singer Duygu Alkan and Oud player Ilyas Markantonis. This concert mixes songs in Turkish, Kurdish and Greek! Info and tickets here.

- On Sat Nov 22 it's time for Disco Diaspora with tracks from Tehran to Tehrangeles. One of our collaborations with music curator Katayoun Arian. Look here!

- Then on Thursday Nov 27 we have the soulful Tunisian songs of Broua. Just listen to these amazing tracks and tell your friends: 

There's much more of course, other concerts, comedy nights, storytelling, but it's too much to put in the weekmail. to get the full picture go to the website: www.mezrab.nl

So, that's it, see you at the festival and the concerts!

Sahand & Team

www.mezrab.nl

PS, yes, there's a Persian language storytelling night happening in the Mezrab tonight. And yes, it's in Persian, so don't come if you don't speak Persian.

PPS, this year a visitor, next year a performer? Come join our storytelling classes! There's a few more weekend courses to sign up to. Have a look at the Intro Course to Storytelling if you've never taken a course yet! Lots of fun: www.mezrabstorytellingschool.nl