ALPS. The 2024 event calendar is slowly filling up, including in the Alps. The Alpen Music and Literature Circle has now presented its program for this year here. The public library is also celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Five events are already planned, four of which will take place in the Protestant church in Alpen. “They come in different formats, but they are usually musical events,” explains Kerstin Pieper, first chairwoman of the music and literature circle.
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Folk classics to jazz morning pints
The “first highlight” awaits the start, as managing director André Emmerichs promises. On Sunday, March 10th, the duo Graceland will present the folk giants’ greatest hits with “A Tribute to Simon and Garfunkel” in a special way, as both are accompanied by a string quartet. “I saw her in Wesel two years ago. I immediately thought that it would be a perfect concert for the music and literature circle. It combines the classics that we always offer with modern ones,” says Emmerichs. Tickets are available from February 19th for 28 euros in advance or at the box office for 30 euros.
After the Arcadie Quartet had to cancel 2023, their performance will now be rescheduled for Sunday, April 21st. This time, however, the program is called “Waltz, Milonga & Co. – Dream Dance for Flute Quartet”. Here the four musicians play dances and dance-like things from different countries and eras. The entire flute family is used, which promises new worlds of sound. Advance sales begin on April 1st.
On Sunday, June 9th, there will be a concert by the youth string orchestra of the “Junge Streicher Kevelaer” association under the direction of Dr. Thomas Brezinka caught up. It is one of only four concerts by the orchestra. Tickets are available from May 20th.
On Sunday, July 7th, a beloved tradition returns to the reading garden of the town hall with the jazz breakfast pint. “We were very happy last year, there was a great atmosphere,” says Pieper. For this reason, in 2024 the jazz orchestra “Muckefuck”, a fixture in the jazz scene, will once again provide entertainment when they revive the jazz of the 20s and 30s. Admission is free.
The finale on Sunday, October 6th is “The Gregorian Voices”, which last visited the Alps in 2017. Not only do atmospheric Gregorian chants await visitors here, “they also play pop music,” explains Emmerichs. Advance sales begin on September 23rd. Apart from the Duo Graceland and the Jazz Frühschoppen, tickets for all events cost 15 euros in advance or 18 euros at the box office. Members of the music and literature circle pay half.
No open singing
However, this year you have to forego open singing. The reason for this is the competition from many similar events, especially during Advent, explains Kerstin Pieper. “Otherwise it will just be too much. It was a difficult decision, but we also have to take new paths.” As a replacement, the board would like to plan a New Year’s concert for the beginning of 2025.
As in 2023, the association will not automatically send program flyers to its members. If you would still like to receive it, you can contact managing director André Emmerichs on 02802/912120 or by email at andre.emmerichs@alpen.de. Or you can stop by the town hall, library or savings bank, where copies are available. At Emmerichs you can also sign up for the email newsletter. This offers current information as well as the homepage www.musikundliteraturkreis-alpen.de. “We are of course happy about every new member!” says Pieper. The annual fee is 25 euros.
Alpen Public Library celebrates its birthday
Without sufficient support, the longevity of the public library in the Alps would be hardly conceivable. This celebrates its 30th birthday on April 1st, which its sponsor, the Music and Literature Association, would also like to celebrate appropriately. “We are very proud that some employees have been there from the beginning and are still very committed,” says Kerstin Pieper. As far as the program is concerned, the team is still in the planning phase, but one thing is certain: the celebration will take place in the first week after Easter, i.e. in the first week of April. There will be a wide range of attractions for the children, ranging from reading activities to game afternoons and puzzles to a raffle. We are currently working on a reading for the adults. “It’s not yet clear who exactly will read.”
Popular book sales should also return, explains André Emmerichs. The planned dates for this are the Spring Festival on April 28th and the St. Nicholas Market. Children can then purchase exciting reading material for 0.50 euros each and adults for one euro. The proceeds will be used for new purchases for the library.
The library is still very popular in the Alps, explains Kerstin Pieper. There were a lot of new applications last year. Even though many people probably have less time for the written word because of work, Pieper suspects, the library is still very attractive for other groups: “It is a great place to go, especially for families with small children and older people.”
This is also reflected in the further work of the Alpen Public Library, as Emmerichs explains: “We work closely with the schools and kindergartens.” Only last year, a cooperation agreement was concluded with the cathedral school and the Xanten library, adds the second chairman, Klaus Schäpers.
2024-01-13 17:02:36
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