August 17, 2007
IS IT FORMULA ONE? NO, IT’S A SOAP BOX DERBY
I don’t even know what a soap box is – my soap has come in a hand pump for the last 10 years. But who cares what it is when you can hit it with a can of paint, strap on a set of wheels, drop in a sound system, point it downhill and call it a race car? I’m all for it.
On Sunday, August 19, the 5th annual Soap Box Derby will take place at the Spalenberg (just above the Marktplatz) in Basel. The event kicks off at 11:00 with a photo shoot, followed by the preliminary test runs from 12:00 til 13:30. The main races run from 14:00 to 16:00, with a mass start finale at 16:30, followed by an awards ceremony.
Interested? Click here for more Basel Soap Box Derby info.
Want to derby but not able to make it to Basel? Try the one in Dornach the next week.
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JAZZIN’ IT UP IN BASEL
Tonight, Friday night, August 17, the sounds of jazz will fill the air in the historic center of Basel, courtesy of the 24th annual Open Air Jazz Festival “Em Bebbi sy Jazz.” The tunes will start at 18:00 and run through 1:00 at various locations across the city center.
The festival is free, and will take place at several locations, from the Main Post Office to Marktplatz, Fischmarkt to Leonhardskirchplatz, and just about everywhere in between.
So dig out your dancing shoes and join the expected 50,000 spectators for this once yearly delight for the ears.
The official program (with acts and locations) PDF File
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BASEL YOUTH CULTURE FESTIVAL, AUGUST 31 TO SEPTEMBER 2
Youth of the Greater Basel Region, unite! The Basel Youth Culture Festival, the largest non-commercial event in the region, annually drawing over 70,000 attendees, is coming to town. Over 100 bands, 35 DJs and 30 dance and theater groups will regale the crowds over three days at various locations around town, including the Barfi, Marktplatz, Münsterplatz, and Theater.
Headliners for this years event include New York rapper and producer Princess Superstar, Berlin hip hoppers Data MC, and the intriguingly named Texas cult rockers And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead.
Whether a youth yourself, or just youthful in spirit, come on out to Basel Stadt the weekend of August 31 and enjoy some youth culture.
Read more about the Youth Culture Festival 07
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CHAMPAGNE, CHEESE, FOIS GRAS, WINE, CASSOULET AND MUCH MUCH MORE
Do you like any of these above items? Of course you do. And wouldn’t you like to browse dozens of types of each in a festive environment, all while partaking in free samples? That’s right. Free samples of wine, champagne and fois gras. Yeah, I have your attention now.
Need I tell you that the annual French food fair called the Degustha, where you can live this culinary nirvana, is back again? Located in the fairgrounds in a field near Hagenthal le Haut (about 15 minutes from Basel), the Degustha is THE place to be from August 31 to September 3 (I mean, you can only listen to And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead for so long before needing some free wine…).
Hundreds of purveyors of the finest foodstuffs from all across France gather at the Degustha to sell their goods. Wander from booth to booth, chat with the owner, have a taste—I guarantee you will not go home empty handed.
And as if the samples weren’t enough, there are 30 bistros located around the main expo area, serving everything from cheese to tarte flambée to seafood to steak. There really is something for everyone at the Degustha, so designate a driver, hop in the car, and go!
NOTE: Your admission ticket (I believe it is around 12-15 CHF) is available at the door and is good ALL weekend, so head back over a few times to take in all the fun - or share it with a friend.
Degustha 2007
F68220 Hagenthal (Haut-Rhin)
Tel : +33 3 89 68 11 12
www.degustha.fr (a not terribly helpful website with almost no information whatsoever…perhaps as we get closer to the event it will be updated)
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BASEL RHINE SWIM – NEW DATE!
Due to the flooding conditions in the Rhine this week, the Rhine swim has been postponed to Tuesday, August 21, 18:00.
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ALPHALIVE — A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
The Alphalive Course is for anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith. It’s relaxed, non-threatening, low key, friendly and fun. There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know each other. Listen, learn, discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alphalive is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile. And it’s supported by all the main Christian denominations.
At the moment, this is the only course in the Basel area running Alphalive in English. There are 680 courses running in Switzerland, this one being one of only 10 in English.
If you are interested, you are invited to our Introductory Supper on Tuesday, September 4 at 19:00. The course itself starts Tuesday, September 11 at 19:00. For further information and to register please contact Mandy Muckett at +41 61 461 1001 or Petra Ramskogler at +41 79 569 7209, or via email at alphabasel_en@hotmail.com.
For more information on Alphalive, check the websites:
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Do you have news or information to share? Send it to matt.meehan@balehoo.com