Aids Gala 2010







Saturday Night at the Düsseldorf Opera House certainly was Some Enchanting Evening


I was fortunate enough to be part of the audience of the first Aids Gala at the Rhine Opera, under the patronage of Düsseldorf Mayor Dirk Elbers and hosted and curated by Albert Eickhoff, founder of Eickhoff on the Königsallee, the store with the most beautiful windows!

We were treated to an evening of incredible music performed by some big names of the opera world singing a program that crossed Verdi with Dvorak, Tschaikowsky and Rodgers. Beautifully accompanied by The Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra and The Chorus of the Rhine Opera who quite obviously really enjoyed being part of this charity gala.
As glitzily German celebrities and politicians took their seats in the house, Herr Eickoff conveyed a very serious message to us all:
Aids is not going away.
Aids remains a tragic topic, but one that has simply been pushed on the back burner as economic crisis and climate change dominate the media.
Of course we can all argue whether it really makes sense to juxtapose dying children with such a glamourous event. I completely share this view - and yet - it does raise awareness once again. These events do raise a lot of money. People are helped. Without these events Aids would sadly be just another story.


Every week in Düsseldorf someone is diagnosed HIV.
Every 77 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed HIV positive.
It is not just a problem of the third world or minority groups.

The facts in Africa are staggering: a child dies every two minutes in as a result of Aids.

We were shown a film from Mozambique where a program supported by the German Aids Foundation can help bring a healthy child to the world whose mother is HIV positive. For €650 the mother and child can be treated with medication that in most cases, ensures that the child is born HIV free.
I urge you today to give to an Aids support program. You can donate online here, this is all in German, or search for your own country's Aids programs and foundations and please donate online now. For instance to the UK's Terrence Higgins Trust.
The money raised at last night's gala, over €130,000, is going to help Aids patients in Düsseldorf and Dream (drug resource enhancement against aids and malnutrition) of the Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung.
On this Sunday, but not only today, please embrace "Tue Gutes und habe Freude daran" - the motto of last night's gala.
Thank you.

+++++++++++++++++++



Robert Mapplethorpe died of Aids in 1989.
30 cents of every entry fee to the Robert Mapplethorpe Retrospective at the NRW-Forum will go the the Hope Foundation.




The NRW-Forum Re-Opens it's Doors

The NRW-Forum opened it’s doors in an impromptu action on 
Friday 15th January 2010.
The new city, fashion and arts magazine Modesch had planned it’s launch at a smaller venue in Flingern but was overwhelmed by the number of guests who planned to attend. Hearing this Werner Lippert offered the larger space at the NRW-Forum so with just 4 days to go, the launch, fashion show and party were just moved to the NRW-Forum!
There were 100s of guests, many of which had never visited the museum creating a really buzzy atmosphere. We met some great people there, including hopefully, the people who will be making the new RhineBuzz movie.

It was easy to understand why the city magazine Prinz listed the NRW-Forum number 1 in their recent 100 Reasons Why We Love Düsseldorf article!

The day before I was at the museum for the unveiling of the new installation of Olafur Eliasson’s Eye See You on loan from the Boros Collection.
Now when you walk into the house you are you are struck by a brilliant orange light, it really is like having the sun in the building!

How many times have I heard in the past few days that the expats in Düsseldorf are really looking forward to The NRW-Forum re-opening soon and the regular RhineBuzz Friday Nights at the NRW-Forum.

Already hailed by Spiegel Online as one of the most important arts exhibitions of the year the Robert Mapplethorpe Retrospective will give us much for the eye, the mind and the heart.
Friday Nights at the NRW-Forum is open to everyone. It’s an especially good place to come if you are new in town. We will soon introduce you to people and tell you the best bits about our great city. The bar is open to everyone, whether you’d like to see the show or not.
We really look forward to seeing you there!





Press conference Eye See You Olafur Eliasson

RhineBuzz After Work Arts at mkp




Come and see what you can do with a paintbrush! Or a whole host of other tools and materials at the Studio in the museum kunst palast.

On the last Thursday of the month RhineBuzz will be hosting an after work evening where you can come and see how creative you can be!
Absolutely no experience necessary, just a willingness to have a go.
Evenings are themed, often have a connection to the current show in the museum and include a few minutes looking at an exhibit to complement what you are doing that evening.
This is not an 'art class', no formal training is happening here - you are simply encouraged to have fun and see what you can come up with; but instruction can and will be given as requested.

All materials are included in the €18 fee per session.
First session February 25th at 7 - 9pm

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Message me or send an email to caroline@rhinebuzz.com to register. Places are limited, so don't wait until the last minute to book.

Mapplethorpe Cocks and Flowers


Preview before the press conference
When I told some of the regulars of the Stammtisch last autumn that the next exhibition would contain a section entitled 'Cocks and Flowers' they thought I was joking. Here it is.

In the section Robert & Patti,
the Patti Smith portraits exude the protectiveness Mapplethorpe felt towards his friend, his lover, his muse.

The other subjects he photographed however were just that. Subjects.
"When Robert took pictures, it was like he owned the subject. He dominated them completely. He didn't see you as a person, but as an art object." David Cronland about Robert Mapplethorpe.

The exhibition is clear, simple and very strong.
Mapplethorpe's work has an air of honesty about it even if, some of his works are alien to your world, they are scenes which happen every day and have happened every day for all time. They are more real than the air-brushed super models that grace our media every day.
And yet Mapplethorpe remains controversial even today.
Only in 2008 was Mapplethorpe's work actually allowed to go on sale in Japan.

The sections Black Men & White Women and Bodies & Faces, plus two movies about this most enigmatic artist complete this exhibition. There's an incredible amount to discover about Mapplethorpe. We look forward to seeing you there.

New Partner RhineOnline!


Gaby from RhineOnline contacted me ages ago.
I don't know where the time goes, but it's taken up until now for us actually have a conversation and a very constructive and enjoyable one it was too!
So do take a look around RhineOnline, your guide to Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf. It's full of all kinds of news and tips from this area, especially from Cologne which is always worth a trip to and it's only just over half an hour away on the train.

Our new site will feature a page on Cologne which will bring you news from RhineOnline on the Dome City.

The New Year 2010


For the New Year we are delighted to welcome Tina Adomako to RhineBuzz.

I met Tina at the opening of the Children's Film Festival in November. Of Ghanian/British origin, she has been working in numerous aspects of the media - film, journalism, publishing - for 20 years here in Germany.
Tina brings with her a keen interest in families, the environment, arts and culture plus an immeasurable wealth of media experience. All this and an English native speaker! My lucky star was quite obviously hovering over me when she came over and said hello.
We look forward to her content for the RhineBuzz Families section of the new site and the added exotic touch she will be adding to many other aspects of RhineBuzz.

Great to have you onboard Tina!

RhineBuzz Funk & Soul







The RhineBuzz Genie


Maurice Allen Lee and his Band

The Quirkiest Character at the Koyote
Our Soul and Funk extravaganza with Maurice Allen Lee and Push-Up is happening on November 20th at the Koyote Club, a new intimate private funk and soul club in the Old Schlachthof on the Rather Strasse 25, 40476 Düsseldorf.
We will present Maurice Allen Lee, soul man from Oklahoma City, USA, live on stage around 9.30pm accompanied by will be a six piece band.
Expect a very soulful show, Maurice is a bundle of energy on stage and of course, there will be all the usual RhineBuzz stuff ... prizes and surprises!
Our prize list grows, we have some great stuff to give away including cds from Putumayo World Music from New York; a gratis night out at the Koyote Club, including drinks; tickets to the Legoland Discovery Centre in Duisburg; invitations to the opening of Robert Mapplethorpe at the NRW-Forum; a voucher from Düsseldorf Marketing and Tourism and two tickets to the Rhine Ballet b.02.

The Koyote Club just opened in August and already has the hottest dj's knocking on it's doors. Between Maurice's live sets our dj Roger will be spinning old funk and soul, you will not keep still!














Something Got a Hold of Me


There aren't many chances to see English theatre here in Germany, so grab the opportunity whilst it is here!
On November 6th at 7pm The English Speakers Circle present "Something Got a Hold of Me" with a provocative and darkly funny performance by The Special Guests Company from Bristol.
Reviewed by the Guardian as "sinister and intriguing" this piece is about religious cults, charismatic leaders, power, persuasion, weakness and how everyone is just looking for something, a little something to make them happy.
"Something Got a Hold of Me" is supported by Bristol Old Vic.
The performance will be happening at the Weiterbildungzetrum, Saal (Hall) 1, Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz, Düsseldorf. This is at the rear entrance of the Hauptbahnhof.
This looks like a really great production, RhineBuzz will be there so do come along and we'll all go out for a drink afterwards.
Special group price tickets €7.50 available from Susan Jones 0211 3179322 or I also have some tickets.

So a good group of us saw this last night.
Thank you to Susan Jones for putting this on, it was a very interesting show; amusing, especially the interaction with Mr Heckler (is he part of it, isn't he?) dark and very real. So real some wanted to leave!
Well done to The Special Guests, we hope to see you in Düsseldorf again some time. Your piece certainly gave us a topic that sporadically came up in our conversation for the rest of the evening!


Sing-a-Long Mary Poppins




We are thrilled to be initiating the International Day at the KinderKinoFest with a showing of the all time family favourite Mary Poppins in English.
Come along to the UFA Palast next to the Hauptbahnhof on November 7th at 3pm to taste the magic of Mary Poppins and her friends. You can reserve your tickets, €3 children and €4 adults, here.
We will have Sara Kraus, from Colorado, singing along and encouraging you to join in, so come to the movies for a very enjoyable day out for all the family!
Before the movie the LVR (Media Center Rhineland) are also offering a stop motion film workshop for the children. Email me if you wish to reserve a place, this is also just €3, but we do only have two places left!
The Children's Film Festival is a wonderful celebration of film where children can become involved in all aspects of film from all sides of the camera.Look out for the brightly coloured brochures which have been delivered to all participating cinemas, kindergartens and schools in the greater Düsseldorf area. A record 10.000 seats have already been reserved! Amina Johannsen and her team are doing a fantastic job at bringing this important media into childrens' lives in a fun and educational way.
I am especially pleased to have received training from the LVR Centre in stop motion film so that in the near future I will be able to offer these workshops in English to the schools of Düsseldorf and surrounding areas.
Please email me if you would like me to contact your child's school about this delightful workshop.

8th November - Our audience enjoyed Mary Poppins and Amina Johanssen was very pleased that so many of you turned up. Many thanks!
We are talking of plans for next year, extending the International Day and offering the English-speaking children an active role in the KKF activities. Wonderful stuff.

Green Porno by Isabella Rossellini



Thursday's press conference at NRW-Forum with Isabella Rossellini






“I was always fascinated by the infinite,
strange and ‘scandalous’ ways
that insects copulate.”


Isabella Rossellini


Green Porno is wacky, childlike, scientifically accurate, pure eye candy, very funny.
For three days only Green Porno, the short movies by Isabella Rossellini will be shown at the NRW-Forum.
These short movies, conceived, acted and directed by Isabella Rosselini, will be shown upstairs in the gallery. Commissioned by the Sundance Channel with the cellular screen in mind these movies will bring a smile to your face as you learn how insects and aquatic creatures copulate and reproduce.
RhineBuzz will be there extra early, from 7pm, at our regular Friday Nights at the NRW-Forum, on 9th for a special evening combining Green Porno, Catwalks with the free introductions at 9 and 9.30pm and Stammtisch until midnight.
Here you will also have the chance to purchase the accompanying book including a DVD.
October 9th - 11th only. Don't miss it!


Isabella Rossellini presenting her book today.
She has just the kindest manner you could ever come across.
A smart, funny, beautiful and completely mesmerizing woman.

The first crowd that were at the NRW-Forum at 7. About 60 of you from the RhineBuzz community came in and out of the bar on Friday. Thank you for being there and making it a great evening!





Catwalks at the NRW-Forum



"the most exciting fashion exhibit up anywhere in the world right now"


This is what Fashion Week Daily has to say about the exhibition Catwalks at the NRW-Forum in Duesseldorf, Germany.







Alexandre de Betak and Caroline in front of the John Galliano Ukranian Virgin Bride Show installation

Exhibition now over!

The new show at the NRW-Forum is Catwalks and what a spectacular exhibition this promises to be!

This show is about the theatre of fashion, which at the catwalk shows in Paris, New York and Milan is, for some designers, taking precedence over the actual fashion itself.
It is also an exhibition for everyone interested in multi-media and video installations. An absolute feast for the senses!

You, the visitor, will receive a headset on entry to this exhibition and will then actually walk the catwalk through nineteen of the most impressive fashion shows of the past thirty years. All around you will experience the catwalk shows by way of a 3D, multi-media installation.
The show has been designed by Alexander de Betak, one of the greatest directors in the fashion business, and is brought to you in partnership with Vogue.

U-Bahn Tonhalle/Ehrenhof The entrance to the museum is where the flags are opposite the park (Hofgarten). Don't walk as far as the main road facing the Rhine.

You enter the exhibition at your own risk.






Armin Mueller Stahl at NRW-Forum


© Bernd Ahrens photography

There is an exhibition of the sketches and paintings of the veteran German actor Armin Mueller-Stahl upstairs at the NRW-Forum until 27th September. ARM is one of the few German actors who has made it big in Hollywood, last seen as Cardinal Strauss in Angels and Demons. An accomplished violinist, painter and drawer, AMS spent the breaks whilst filming his most recent work, an opulent costume drama from the 1920's of the Thomas Mann book The Budenbrooks, sketching over the screenplay. When the state of North Rhine Westfalia wished to give AMS an award one minister came up with the idea of giving this modest gentleman an exhibition at the NRW-Forum. AMS was moved to tears.

AMS's grand mother, mother and aunt were all artists. When naughty as a young boy, one of these 'house angels' would say "sit down" and they would sketch him with his sour face, capturing his screwed up eyes and nose and the very moment of rage or sadness. It was with such depth that the young AMS learnt to take in the world around him; no doubt this quiet observation has contributed much towards his enormous talent. He is a much-admired, and indeed, a much-loved actor.
If you visit the NRW-Forum on a Friday after 6pm, admission to both Catwalks and AMS will cost just €5.00. An absolute bargain!

Opera for Everyone




The Opera on the Rhine will open the new season with a gala performance of classic and favourite pieces embracing Verdi, Wagner, Offfenbach and Strauss at the Düsseldorf Opera House on Saturday 29th August at 8pm. In addition there will be a free live broadcast of this extra-special performance on the Burgplatz as part of a family day of Oper am Rhein für Alle. This will begin at 2pm and will include entertainment all day revolving around the world of opera. There will be short movies and video installations about the opera, quizzes and lounge and club sounds from the Clou Experience.
Of course, never missing from any German festival, the square will also be filled with gastronomic delights throughout the afternoon and evening.

In the Opera House the world class cast will include leading sopranos Deborah Polaski, Morenike Fadayomi and the acclaimed Wagner bass Hans-Peter König.
The gala will be hosted by one of Germany's most popular tv presenters Harald Schmidt.
This promises to be not only a spectacular day for all opera fans but also for anyone who has always wanted to know more about what happens in that grand, large white building at the Hofgarten.

RhineBuzz will be visiting the Opera again in the new season too. Details following soon.
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