I'm often asked "what do you do?" There is no simple answer to this question!
Here's a little idea of other RhineBuzz stuff that we are working on and have been kept busy with recently -
October saw the first English Now! workshop to go into a comprehensive school in Essen. I was so very delighted about this. Catherine, a former professional ballet dancer teacher gave a hip hop class in English. We have a few very successful placements in local kindergartens and if you are a native English speaker and would like to help youngsters improve their English in a fun and active way please send an email to caroline@rhinebuzz.com
Mark, a young Irishman, has been been working with us and pre-schoolers in Rath for several months now. You can read about this here. A huge thank you to all that have helped so far. To Tricia and Erika who are now back in the States. Good luck Erika who is getting married soon! To Ben and Sissy who are now loving life back in New Zealand. Our volunteers come and go as they move around the globe, so even if you are only here for a short while, if you'd like to join in please let me know. It's a great way of meeting new people and finding a connection to the community.
We are supported by the Department for Youth Welfare.
Catwalks at the NRW-Forum has been a wonderful success in so many ways. October also saw the first schools' museum workshops in English. Students, after having been inspired by the exhibition, staged their own Catwalk show with make-up, clothes and soundtracks under my instruction (in a previous life I was a high-end fashion accessories designer. I have worked on many a show) best of all they were then professionally trained in walking the Catwalk with John Vilardo, dance teacher from USA. Finally the Show actually happened in the Media-Lounge of the NRW-Forum. This was of course photographed so that the students left with a lasting impression of the day. The NRW-Forum was bursting at the seams with school classes on somedays and I will be working on other such projects, all in English, again and with other institutions.
We will also be offering our own accompanied tours of Düsseldorf artists studios.
New partnerships are being spoken about almost weekly. I'm very pleased to be entering one such partnership with Roger and the Koyote Club. This is a very cool, private club somewhere where amongst other things we will also be able to hold our long-awaited Salsa Workshop! So many of you keep asking me when we will begin the RhineBuzz Salsa Nights again ...
John Vilardo our dance teacher from USA will take an intensive Sunday after Christmas now as everyone is just so busy at this time of the year. The workshop will consist of 4x45 minute lessons with breaks. If you are interested in this please send a mail to salsa@rhinebuzz.com
The Opera on the Rhine have given us a whole year's program of events. So you can expect super-priced tickets to this wonderful house. I'm working on getting a tour together for the RhineBuzz community too. Those that took the mini-tour after our first event where astounded at just how complex such a theatre is. The costume department alone is massive, located deep beneath the Heinrich-Heine-Allee. A fascinating institution, this new relationship is a huge asset for RhineBuzz.
Düsseldorf and Reading UK, have been twinned since 1947. Whilst I was recently in the UK I met with people from Reading Borough Council and the Twinning Association. These partnerships can be so very valuable, especially for young people. There's much to do in this area, what can I say? I'm working on it!
We are looking for a English speaking drama teacher!
I am asked for an English theatre group so often. I have a beautiful location, a theatre school in Derendorf, students now we just need an instructor.
Bernd Ahrens, a Düsseldorf photographer press photographer with portfolio of stunning photographs of this vibrant city, and I are working on a book on the city. We are also working on bespoke portraits together. Staging funky situations at various locations around the city, together we can produce an something quite edgy and fun. Let your imagination run wild!
... and in my "freetime" we are actually filling the new site. Yes, thanks to Christian it really is real and happening ...
Much more to come ... Have a Great Day - whatever you are doing!