Alternative Nursery Days, Cabaret Pool and more outings in Groningen and Drenthe

Pip Blom on Vera’s stage

Indie rock formation Pip Blom comes from the Netherlands, but has achieved international fame. With a stage presentation that exudes fun and songs that get stuck in your head, the group has already performed at festivals such as Best Kept Secret and Glastonbury. Their album Bobbie was released at the end of last year, of which the single Tiger ended up on the playlists of 3FM and Kink in the first week. The song was also immediately played by radio stations in England, Germany and America. Tiger gives a good insight into Pip Blom’s new direction.

The catchy pop songs with a twist have remained, but where the old material was completely based on guitars, synthesizers, samples and computers now also play a role. A new sound that retains the appeal and characteristics of the old style. The audience is warmed up by Paris Hollywood. This live dance act duo brings a dark mix of analog synths, bass and drum machines, with influences of house and new wave. Their songs are reminiscent of early British clubs, rough, dynamic and a clear love for the dance floor.

Groningen – Vera, Thursday 8 p.m., 16 euros

Classic cars on the canvas

Those who love classic cars and art can visit the Brinkhof in Norg until June 13. That’s where the exhibition will be Classic Cars shown by Frans Hage from Zuidhorn. He drew houses from this place and painted Classic Cars in them. His birthplace Zierikzee on Schouwen Duiveland is also an important subject in his art.

Like many boys, Hage had a great interest in cars as a child. In the shed and garden he built racing cars and motorcycles from potato boxes. The interest in anything that could drive was strengthened by the consequences of the flood disaster of 1953. Car wrecks from this disaster were stored on a site close to home. It became a true play paradise for growing boys.

Norg – De Brinkhof, Mon to Thurs 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., free

Up-and-coming cabaret talents

De Cabaretpoel is coming to Vledder and four new up-and-coming cabaret talents will each give a performance of approximately 25 minutes in the roof theater. The Cabaretpoel is a new initiative for up-and-coming cabaret talent to present themselves to the public. This traveling cabaret festival, but without a competition element, guarantees a varied evening. Who is playing usually remains a surprise until the evening itself.

The performance on Friday will be played in the Tippe. Because the roof theater can only accommodate 90 people, it is certainly advisable to order tickets in advance via detippe.nl.

Vledder – De Tippe, Fri 8 p.m., 17.50 euros

Rik Kuppen plays his solo recital

This week it is Rik Kuppen’s turn in the Pianist Series of the Mariahoeve Foundation. This pianist started playing the piano at the age of twelve and turned out to be an enormous talent. Five years later he attended the Conservatory and since then he has been a much sought-after pianist. Many people already know him from the memorable concert in the Church just before the Corona pandemic during the celebration of 75 years of Liberation. He famously played there Quatuor pour la fin du temps van O. Messiaen with fellow musicians. He also played with clarinetist Jelmer de Moed in the Church.

His solo program this Friday is surprising, from a sparkling Rameau to a tranquil, dreamy Mompou and via Janacek’s “life story” to a rhapsody by Brahms.

Peize – Peize Church, Fri 8:15 p.m., 20 euros, incl. coffee/tea beforehand and drink afterward

Plenty of plants at Alternative Nursery Days

For the Alternative Nursery Days of Tuingoed Foltz, 35 top growers and garden artists come to Meeden in Groningen. The international plant market focuses on the real gourmet. Specialized growers and other ‘green minds’ from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Sweden present a unique collection of special plants and other garden-related items on the Foltz grounds. The Alternative Nursery Days, formerly the Northern Nursery Days, distinguish themselves from many other fairs as a real ‘plant event’, where it is all about different, new and unknown plants.

Every year, growers bring personal favorites and new varieties from their own cultivation, so that a total of more than five thousand different plant species are shown and sold. In addition to plants, you will also find garden books, garden cards, garden seeds, traditional garden tools and much more.

Meeden – Tuingoed Foltz, Sat and Sun 10am-5pm, 5 euros