Monsieur Doumani

This write-up may begin somewhat strangely, but the end is going to evoke very different images:

All sorts of things are set in motion internally when I find myself in the smallest room in my house. This is because - besides nice, sweet cards from friends and family - there are clippings hanging on the door, theatre guides, newspaper sections and smart magazines lying around.

This is how I find new words in old newspapers. I am reminded of 'mien loand' Drenthe through the noticeboard door by a Volkskrant interview with Daniël Lohues, gives Job Koelewijn me regularly kick my ass and get good ideaën (which will surely all come out at some point) by, among others RektoVerso.

Just now my eyes fell on a concert in theatre Korzo. An evening of Cypriot music. Cyprus. A country where I think of a project By Merlin Twaalfhoven. A country in which I think of a conflict that has been dormant for 49 years. A country where I... well... what music do I hear with it? Folk music with folk musicians? Crooked males and females with fragile voices, tiny eyes, suspiciously clear voices and fire in their slippers. Sometimes yes. Usually not. And in this case completely wrong. Although they do occasionally share the stage with their older predecessors: Monsieur Doumani.

Three musicians who are popular in Cyprus. Because with their music, which is a mix of Cypriot 'standards' mixed with their own work, they also make their political voices heard. Music that moves you in many ways. Music to support.

This spring is your chance to experience them live at Korzo (The Hague) and Paradiso (Amsterdam). Perhaps stage Grounds (Rotterdam) be added to that next time? Or Rasa (Utrecht)? Musicians with a quirky-sounding message cannot be heard enough, it seems to me.

A suivre!