Smart thinking. How do you get into conversation with people in Het Hogeland who want something new, something different with their days, their future? Through village festivals, casual chats and, above all, free performances of Karnivoale, comic and musical circus theatre, in matching tents. To start with in Uithuizen. And there until Sunday.
carnivoal, with all the names right away: Frank den Hollander, Alina Kiers, Harry Niehof, Jan Veldman, Carmen Schilstra and André Gubbels, would have been in Theater Oosterwijtwerd last year, were it not for the fact that Alina Kiers broke her ankle on the spot. The show must go on they usually say, but not always. A line had to be drawn.
Witty characters and catchy songs
Resit! Anyone who reads the composition of the group well knows that the circus theme was mainly used to turn it into a stage party, full of jokes, crazy characters and appealing songs; romantic, beautiful, witty songs and Groningen sing-alongs, always containing the American roots of the classic itinerant circus acts across the pond.
Officially, this performance is a side issue of Vakland’s higher purpose. This is a social organization in Het Hogeland that wants to help the inhabitants of all villages in the municipality with beautiful work, in whatever way. Averse to complicated and official conversations, the club has now opted for casual meetings in such a circus tent, prior to the performance, where everyone can go. Everything for free. There are ‘attention givers’ walking around who you could approach with the question of what you would like, without any further obligation.
Engage in casual conversation with the visitor
“No file numbers or history,” said Frans Huissing, who walked around the tent as a social entrepreneur for Circus Vakland, as it is called for the occasion. “Free Conversations.” There were companies and authorities present, such as contractor Siertsema and the municipality’s practical training in wood or metal, who provided information. Not with promotional banners. Huissing: “It’s not about them, but about the people here.”
For example, 12-year-old student Norah Spoelman from Uithuizen was presented with what she wanted to become. “Pediatrician,” he said firmly. But she also wanted something with nails. “As a side job.” She was promptly allowed to join the tent with teacher Janine de Jong of the Alfa College, who provides lessons in this area.
Along seven more villages in Het Hogeland
After Uithuizen, where the circus is active until Sunday, including those performances, the spectacle will pass seven more villages in the municipality, with Leens as the first next week. Huissing: ,,It’s great how villages are already catching on. In Kloosterburen we heard that we should mainly be at the football club.” Laughing: ,,The man we had to have there is also from the carnival association and the fanfare. Then you immediately have a thousand people, they said.”
There is a lot to experience in those days. For example, there was a pub quiz on Thursday evening in Uithuizen, a performance by the pop choir, there are also all kinds of workshops and other activities, and local catering entrepreneurs sell snacks in the tent. That will differ per village, but the whole ‘circus’ cannot go unnoticed anywhere.
Harmonica without hands (or swallow it)
Anyway, it’s already unique that Carnivoal , for which you would normally have to (no, want to) buy a ticket can now be seen for free. Who knows, the tent may be too small after this first day of play. It is certainly worth it, if only to see and hear Jan Veldman, whose body has been lost up to the neck and head, with his mouth alone playing a series of harmonica classics. Or see the ventriloquist act of the quarreling circus couple Den Hollander and Kiers. The beautiful voice of Carmen (Carmena Sutra, the fortune teller) Schilstra can be heard in those really good songs.
Free tickets through the website
These are partly arranged on existing music, partly self-written, recognizable by Jan Veldman’s sing-alongs and certainly also recognizable by the contribution of Harry Niehof, whose guitar really boosts this act. It is especially comical in this setting, and apparently made for this entire village project. Which the National Program Groningen (NPG) is already not good for.
So come and see it, but if you want to go there, you must first arrange (free) tickets via this link.
But also look up vakland.nl and on tis-podium.nl