The difference between amateur and professional

[Sahand Sahebdivani]

Hi everyone,

One of the most difficult contrasts to navigate in art is the opposition between "amateur" and "professional" art. It is a weird contradiction especially if you know the etymologies of the words: Amateur coming from the latin root of loving something, and professional containing the word to profes: to declare (publicly). We all tell stories, share comedy, or make music because we love to do so, and often we want to tell the world this is who we are and what we do, even if we don't make a living yet doing so.

And yet, it's a different need for people to be in a space where everyone can join and explore, like our jam sessions, or most of our storytelling nights, or to see the fruits of the labor of those who dove deeply in their art, like many of the musicians who give concerts on Thursdays and Saturdays. At any rate, regardless of what is the best approach for the development of art, or what you personally feel the most attracted to, we will try to give space to the full spectrum. Have a look for instance at what we have in store for you:

Storytelling TONIGHT! I already mentioned a few times that we have experimental Tuesdays to push the boundaries of storytelling. Tonight we bring back the Samizdat night, which is a platform for stories, mostly personal, which have a political undertone. Next week on Tuesday the night will be Pearls on a String, which mixes storytelling, improv theater and music.

Comedy:

This Saturday (Sept 20) we bring back the Alt Comedy Night. If there's one night that pushes the limits of comedy in the Netherlands, it's this one. We have weirdness, physical  acts, clownerie, etc. Come and see what you haven't seen on most comedy nights. More info and tickets here.

Then on Monday Sept (Sept 22) we have a comedy open mic. No tickets required, you are welcome to support comedians of various levels of experience trying stuff for your laughter. What a great way to spend a Monday. 

Music:

The music programming is very delicious this season. It dives exactly into the place where the so called amateur meets the professional. Many of the musical styles are people's music, shared by people in the street and in the cafes, while many of the musicians playing these styles have invested years of their lives to learn and play these musics. Just look at what we have:

This Thursday a Mini Klezmer Festival featuring the Amsterdam Klezmer Band and the Syrian virtuoso Talal Fayad. Tickets here.

Next week Thursday (Sept 25) we bring the deep sounds of the Almaghoot Quintet. Show your daring side and come to this.

Then on Saturday Sept 27 we bring the Greek Rebetiko Trio for some well deserved hoppa hoppa. 

On Sunday Sept 28 we have another Orchestre Partout Jam! (free, just come to listen or play)

Finally have a look at the line up for our next South Italian night! This is happening on Thursday Oct 2.

That's it for now, hope to see you at the events. One thing, if you think you have friends who would enjoy these things, please let them know. We are not going to have big publicity for the artists, who do deserve an audience!

hugs,

Sahand & Team

www.mezrab.nl