First of all, Sport and Culture offerings are now combined on the website under Sports & Culture. Previously, the information was scattered across the UT website, and students found it difficult to locate, explains culture head Evelien Bril: ‘When you think about it, the two areas have clear common ground: social interaction, personal development, and relaxation. So it’s a logical choice.’
Budget cuts
Although extensive budget cuts to student culture programmes were announced earlier this year, much still remains possible. ‘We wouldn’t be ourselves if we couldn’t find a creative way around it,’ says Bril. ‘What it does mean is that we’ll focus more internally, with greater emphasis on student activities, less external hiring, and some events returning more frequently.’
Movie night
According to Bril, the programme — mainly scheduled on Wednesday evenings — can be grouped into five streams: comedy, film, music, student activities, and pop-up events. Under comedy, there will be four Comedy Nights, the semi-final of the Amsterdam Kleinkunst Festival, and up-and-coming talent Benjamin Braspenning as a headliner. In cooperation with Concordia, the culture department is organising five Movie Nights. ‘We look for older films that are still worth seeing on the big screen, rather than on your laptop,’ Bril explains. The September Movie Night features the iconic film Jaws. The music cluster includes, among others, jazz cafés with the Utmost Bigband.
Students and staff will have the opportunity to showcase their own talents at the Apollo Open Stage. This does not have to be a one-off performance. ‘If you’re trying stand-up comedy and want to gain more stage experience, you can register for multiple evenings, for example.’
Association performances are grouped in December, mainly music in the run-up to Christmas, and during the Cultuurestafette in May and June, when all associations present performances and concerts in the Vrijhof. In March, there will also be the Apollo Dance Show.
Creative corner
The course programme once again features a range of workshops this year, from belly dancing to playing the campus carillon. ‘In addition, starting this year, there will be a Creative Corner here in the Vrijhof,’ says course coordinator Joke Sanchez Calvo-Elfring. ‘It’s an idea from students to help combat loneliness. You can simply drop by, sit together, and for example learn how to repair your trousers, sew on a button, or just mess around with paint. Every Tuesday from 12 to 4 p.m., the Vrijhof practice room is open. There’s a sewing machine, wool, knitting needles, easels, paint, and brushes… We’ll provide the coffee and the materials.’
She also highlights courses in DJ’ing and rap for enthusiasts. She does not expect registrations to flood in immediately. ‘In the first quartile, students are still settling in; everything is new for them. Registrations usually pick up later.’
