Natalie Waschk - Gelsenkirchen
Between Bar and High Culture
Some might say that it is impossible to love Gelsenkirchen. But those people have never spoken to Natalie Waschk. However, her relationship towards the city is down-to-earth, despite of her intensive love for it, or just because of it: “Gelsen[kirchen] is something like the demonstration of all things good and bad. A real home, so to speak, where we learn from, which we remember but where we are sometimes just happy to be away from.” Thus, she is drawn into the wide world, for example to study in Indonesia for half a year and where she worked for a magazine. Fortunately, the young journalist always returns home. A home she participates creating with her work as a journalist for local magazines like Hömma or Heimatdesign but also through memberships in diverse societies or initiatives. She saddled up with the wild bunch of cultural activists called Insane Urban Cowboys and supports the intercultural initiative “Willkommen bei uns” (engl.: welcome to ours) as well as the animal welfare. As a journalist and with all her other fields of activity she tries to make the world a better place – “not a 10/10 but at least a little better”.
Author: Jan Kempinski
Foto: Julia Haack
Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen
A highlight of the Nordsternpark is this open-air venue. Where coal was once loaded on the Rhine-Herne canal, is now a public venue. The amphitheatre is famous for its sprawling festivities and the beautiful view over the water. From MTV to Helge Schneider; this is a place to rock and not to banter. Reminiscent of the ancient prototype, the theatre itself is very modern, open and inviting. Even without Extraschicht & Co as an excuse for a visit , you can still relax on the steps to the sounds of the Ruhr area waterway in the background. The location is known not only for its fantastic presence, but also for its grandiose acoustics.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Grothusstraße 201 45883 Gelsenkirchen http://www.amphitheater-gelsenkirchen.de/
consoltheater
Theatre. Training place. Meeting place. The Consoltheater is viable proof that structural change can be synonymous with new opportunities. Located on the grounds of the former coal mine Consolidation ("kultur. gebiet CONSOL"), and thus in the immediate vicinity of an impressive art installation of old tools recalling the days spent underground, in addition to sport areas and green spaces, a bike path network criss-crossing the Ruhr area and more, here is where you ͛ ll find theatre (education) at its finest. The program is full of offers tailored especially to children and youngsters - but big kids will also get their money's worth when Nathan and Werther suddenly become more than school subjects, or when they hear the call of the VOLX stage, a public participation project of the theatre.
Author: Miedja Mahmod
Bismarckstraße 240 45889 Gelsenkirchen http://www.consoltheater.de/
Galeriemeile Gelsenkirchen
On the Bergmannstrasse, the term street art doesn ͛ t refer to adolescent high-schooler vandalism and bad-boy graffiti. Here street art is to be taken literally: Eurasia & pilgrim.Art, Ue12-parterre, BGK, Galerie Stein, Kunststation Rheinelbe - one studio next to the other. Changing exhibitions, trans- regional artists, and pop-up shops from time to time, regular project days (for instance, Light On / Door Open ͛ ). An outdoor museum feeling is in the air! What began in 2009 as a loose alliance of artists is now called Galeriemeile Gelsenkirchen e.V., which through sponsors and a lot of blood, sweat and tears guards itself from becoming replaceable. The gallery mile is adjacent to the Science Park and is not far from the Holy Cross Church.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Bergmannstraße 37 45886 Gelsenkirchen http://www.galeriemeile-gelsenkirchen.de
Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche
Many churches can be imposing. But in Gelsenkirchen Ueckendorf, the Holy Cross Church makes an impression not with the usual putti, gold arches and brimborium, but rather, with parabolas and typical features of Expressionism. Built in the late 1920s by the architect Josef Franke, it was deconsecrated in 2007 and is now one of the most extraordinary sites along the 'Route of Industrial Culture.' The second-largest church of brick expressionism, it ͛ s slated to serve as a non-denominational community hall in the future. Non-pictorial, massive glass windows in the baptistery create a unique light, while the high ceiling and iconography of the church serve perfectly to allow thoughts to arise.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Bochumerstr. 113 45886 Gelsenkirchen
Artists Settlement Halfmannshof
Idyllically situated in the south, and created decades ago for and by artists: The settlement currently houses around 20 artists of all kinds who are able live and work here. As a visitor, a look behind this extraordinary scene is a must and we recommend getting into a conversation with the local residents. Members of the settlement regularly organ ise tours for visitors. The friendly atmosphere, the quiet surroundings, and the sense of distance from hectic city life turn the courtyard into an unforgettable experience. Nifty, nifty, Halfmannshof - and that ͛ s been going on since 1931.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Fotos: Alina Lupu und Edi Szekely / Urbane Künste Ruhr
Halfmannsweg 45886 Gelsenkirchen http://www.halfmannshof-gelsenkirchen.de
Kunstmuseum Gelsenkirchen
The roots of the art museum lie in the twenties. After surviving two world wars, several start-ups , and the expansion in 1982, the museum stands proudly today. And it can continue to do so in 2017. The works range from the 19th century to current trends. Whether the first stabs in the field of modernism, expressionists, or the unique collection of kinetic art in all of Germany; prominent names abound, such as Max Liebermann, Pechstein, Karlhofer, Emil Schumacher or Käthe Kollwitz. The conveyance of art is a special concern of the museum, and in addition to public tours, a program for dementia sufferers can also be scheduled or booked individually. Although you can get in for nothing (to make art accessible to al l. Amore!), a visit is certainly not for nothing.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Horster Str. 5 45897 Gelsenkirchen http://www.ruhrkunstmuseen.com/museen/kunstmuseum-gelsenkirchen.html
Musiktheater im Revier
Hidden behind the unspectacular name is a colourful bag, filled with everything that connects sound and stage. In addition to opera, ballet and philharmonic performances in the large theatre and the musical pieces, fairy tales and youth and children plays in the small theatre, the MiR offers much, much more. Whether cabaret with Hagen Rether, special concerts, such as "Miss Marple Meets Rocky," musical readings with Rufus Beck & Walachowski Brothers, musicals and salon talks on theatre topics, or backstage and architectural tours with co-workers and architects, these are all part of the repertoire in 2017. A visit to the MiR is worth it alone just to get a look at the impressive glass construction. Tickets are available at the theatre box office as well as online.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Foto: Pedro Malinowski
Kennedyplatz 45881 Gelsenkirchen https://musiktheater-im-revier.de/
Nordsternpark
As part of the "Route of Industrial Culture," this landscape park is more than just flowers & bees. Site of the Federal Garden Show in 1997, the park is still home today to the double arch bridge built according to a design by Stefan Polónyi. In addition to a waterplayground, an 18-meter-high climbing rock wall, the Emscher and the Rhine-Herne canal, there are also many bike paths and walkways. On warmer days, it ͛ s a good place for relaxing. Industry integration on a large scale: Since the "European Capital of Culture Ruhr" in 2010, the height of one of the shaft towers has been increased by more than 100 metres through the addition of the colossal Hercules figure by Markus Lüpertz. This area deserves a closer look, for instance the next time you attend a concert at the park´s own open-air stage (see amphitheatre).
Author: Miedya Mahmud
Am Bugapark 1 45899 Gelsenkirchen https://www.nordsternpark.gelsenkirchen .de/
Rosi
When people talk about Cem Özdemir in Gelsenkirchen, they don ͛ t mean the Green politician, but rather, the owner of this hotspot in the city. Cem is the man behind the good old Rosi, formerly Rosamunde. After a break for a year and a half, it re -opened its doors for jazz, DJs, readings and, of course, for the thirsty urbanites. Rosi is a little bit Ehrenfeld, a little bit 70s, a little bit Ruhr area watering hole, and a whole lot o f variety. The pearl of its neighbourhood also leaves the floor lamps on late at night, while the Astra beer flows, the peppermint tea brews, and the fritz-cola is slurped. Good music is guaranteed. Similar to the furniture, which on its own merit makes you want to linger for hours, Rosi ͛ s soundtrack is not too piercing, yet colourful, not too quiet, yet just right for undisturbed dialogues & chatting over soft drinks or beer. Tip: Ask about the tap of the day! The mix of pub and café is open to young city dwellers or old returnees. Go in, sit down and have a good time.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Weberstraße 18 45879 Gelsenkirchen http://www.rosi-online.de/
Wohnzimmer Gelsenkirchen
Portraits. Post-war children, grandparents, senior citizens. Schoolchildren, gran dchildren, young explorers - and your own face: "Looking back forward" (Klingeberg / Fox) is only a current example of how art in the living room is more than something just to be consumed. Mirrors place the viewer into the overall picture and he or she becomes part of the photographs. Everything is offered, from previews at the WallOfArt, open stage evenings with new talents and old city legends, or guests from Sydney, Berlin, Herne invited to play in the "house music" series - that plus indie-alternative-folk-rock-neo-pop: music makes love here. The non-profit arts centre, which is otherwise supported by sponsors and donations, can be rented for events.
Author: Miedya Mahmod
Wilhelminenstraße 174b 45881 Gelsenkirchen http://www.wohnzimmer-ge.de/