ANTIGEL 2018
TOP THINGS TO SEE: A GUIDE FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKERS
by Chené Koscielny
WIN FESTIVAL PASSES FOR 4 DIFFERENT ANTIGEL EVENTS!
(See COMPETITION info at end of our article)
WHAT IS ANTIGEL?
The annual Antigel Festival – in its 8th year in Geneva – offers an interesting blend of music, sport, dance, culture, clubbing and creation for all ages.
THE ANTIGEL MISSION?
Their mission is to innovate and push boundaries and to get people who live in Geneva out of their state of hibernation and comfort zone during mid-winter to witness the exciting evolution of the canton.
HOW LONG DOES THE ANTIGEL FESTIVAL LAST?
24 days, 100s of performances in 23 communities of Geneva.
WHEN IS ANTIGEL?
26th January till 17th February 2018.
WHO IS THE FESTIVAL AIMED AT?
Some of the performances are aimed at 25-45 year olds, but there is something for all ages. We’ll let you decide which ones are for which age group! 😉
OUR GUIDE OF TOP THINGS TO SEE AT ANTIGEL 2018
SPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
ANTIGEL RUN AND NIGHT RUN
The Antigel runs take place on the 20th January 2018 – places are still available.
The run (10K) starts and finishes from the Parc la Grange in Eaux-Vives and is open to all. Even more fun is the Night Run (5K) – Get out your headlamps, torches, fairy lights, glitter and fireflies and light up the sky!
Online registration is now closed, but you can register on the day (subject to availability with a CHF5 surcharge (free for kids).
Last registration 2 hours before.
WHEN: 20th January 2018.
WHERE: Parc La Grange, Eaux Vives.
MORE INFO here.
YOGA SOUND SYSTEM AND DETOX BRUNCH
Sun Salutations, Warriors and Shavasana – Open your chakras with two yoga sessions open to all. Tuck into pastries and fruit juices at the detox (Pastries? Really?) brunch afterwards.
WHEN: 28th January 2018 at 11am.
WHERE: Salle Communale de Cartigny.
MORE INFO: here.
A SATURDAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE PLUS AN ORIENTAL MEAL
A friendly and welcoming meal, where the word “sharing” takes its full meaning. The asylum seekers from the shelter in Presinge prepare a savoury Eritrean breakfast. A day to tell and hear stories, smile and laugh, and a simple opportunity to spend a delicious moment. And who said it was only about the food? The countryside around the village of Presinge is begging to be explored and this is a great opportunity to take a walk there. Chatting, walking, all this to the rhythm of performances and live music with, among others, master Paul Grant and his fantastic Sitar. Stop at Carrat farm in La Louvière, before going to the shelter for a snack that ends this shared moment of warmth.
WHEN: Saturday 27th of January
WHERE: Puplinge
MORE INFO here.
MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
Here are some great performers recommended for English speakers.
GLEN HANSARD – WIN 2 TICKETS FOR 2 TO SEE GLEN HANSARD – See info at end of this article.
Northern Folk singer Glen Hansard is billed as one of the best Irish singer-songwriters of his generation.
WHEN: 17th February at 7pm.
WHERE: Alhambra, Genève.
MORE INFO: here
BLONDE READHEAD
Widely acclaimed in Indie and alternative circles, the New York trio has released a consistent stream of mesmerising and emotionally punchy pop-rock albums.
WHERE: Alhambra, Genève.
WHEN: 16th February 2018 at 7pm.
MORE INFO: here
IRON & WINE/ HALF WAIF
US outfit Iron & Wine offers music – plain and simple – classy guitar songwriting. Think ballads in the purest folk tradition.
WHEN: 3rd February 2018.
WHERE: Alhambra, Genève.
MORE INFO: here
OTHER ARTISTS TO CHECK OUT:
TOM ROGERSON
CHELOU
THE WEATHER STATION
CIRCUIT DES YEUX
DANCE HIGHLIGHTS
CINDY VAN ACKER & CHRISTIAN LUTZ
Don’t miss this blending between the choreographer’s (Van Acker) intimate solo and the photographer’s (Lutz) politically aware and melancholy pictures. The dancer enters the dark and poetic images of Las Vegas that depict lonely souls, spat out of predatory casinos.
Sounds fascinating.
WHEN: 27th January and 28th January 2018.
WHERE: Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Genève.
MORE INFO: here
MADE IN ANTIGEL – HIGHLIGHTS
The productions in this category explore the region and showcase its heritage, urban zones and unsuspected magical places.
The hybrid productions bring audiences together with various disciplines in unexpected places. What fun!
BOTANICA
This production showcases Geneva’s botanical gardens for an audio-guided fiction tour that immerses viewers into a fantastic tale.
WHEN: 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th February 2018 at various times (check info below).
WHERE: Jardin Botanique Geneva
MORE INFO: here
LES FOUDRES DU SALÈVE
This production takes place in the Mont Salève quarry in Étrembiéres as several artists breathe life into the desolate venue.
WHEN: 10th February 2018 at 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
WHERE: Mont Salève Quarry, Étrembiéres.
MORE INFO: here.
Also check out ARCHI TRIP which showcases Geneva’s architecture in an artistic procession in the heart of the Paul Waltenspuhl-designed En-Sauvy school.
WIN 2 TICKETS TO ARCHI TRIP – info at the end of this article.
GRAND CENTRAL HIGHLIGHTS
The festival centre stage will be Grand Central 2018 in the Pont Rouge Tower in Lancy as it was in 2017. Festival Antigel creates, every year since 2014, an ephemeral center in a pre-existing industrial place that is currently under construction. In collaboration with the property owners, the festival organisers transform the premises into a Clubbing and Live Center that they have named Grand Central. It is the meeting place of the festival-goers where they can party and enjoy CLUBBING, LIVE PERFORMANCES AND DJ SET nights.
SYRIAN CHEF – RESTAURANT PANORAMIQUE
This area will host a range of interesting events for all ages. The Restaurant Panoramique in Grand Central will features Syrian chef Talal Rankoussi in association with Geneva restaurant Où Bien Encore.
ROLLER SKATE OPENING PARTY
The festival will open with a legendary Roller Skate Party – California Dreaming, old school socks and rollers with fringes… anything goes.
Enjoy the 500 metre long track with friends, kids and the dog – why not?
WHERE: Grand Central Pont Rouge, Lancy.
WHEN: Friday 26th January 2018.
MORE INFO: here.
WHAT’S UP AFRICA
Two events putting the emphasis on the the latest in dance-floor music from the African content.
Egypt What’s up/Islam Chipsy
Electro, trance – experience Cairo’s best exports to the world’s most prestigious dance floors.
https://www.antigel.ch/en/program/africa-whats-up/egypt-whats-up-islam-chipsy/
WHEN: 8 February from 10pm
WHERE: Grand Central Pont Rouge, Lancy
MORE INFO: here
South Africa What’s Up? WIN 2 TICKETS TO THIS EVENT – see info at the end of this article.
Deeply urban and uninhibited home grown house music from Durban in South Africa.
WHEN: 9th February 2018.
WHERE: Grand Central Pont-Rouge, Lancy
MORE INFO: here
AFTER WORK AND BLIND TEST
Blind test competitions in teams of four.
Review your classics, exercise your speed and dust off your mental jukebox – you’ll find the person who knows the most is the one who only sings in the shower!
Food trucks will be on standby.
WHEN: 1st February 2018, 6pm and 7.30pm.
WHERE: Grand Central Pont-Rouge, Lancy
MORE INFO: here
GET THE FULL PROGRAMME TO THE ANTIGEL FESTIVAL 2018 HERE.
COMPETITION
We are happy to Give Away 2 tickets to FOUR events in collaboration with Antigel Festival.
- 2 x tickets for Glen Hansard: 17 February at 7pm
- 2 x tickets for What’s up South Africa: 9 February at 11pm
- 2 x tickets for Archi Trip : 13 February at 7pm
- 2 x tickets for a Saturday in the countryside plus oriental meal: 27 January at 11am.
TO ENTER:
Answer this simple question:
Where is the Grand Central Headquarters of the Antigel Festival this year?
Tip: Answer in our article above – Grand Central paragraph.
Don’t forget to indicate which of the four Antigel events you’d like to attend.
Deadline: Wednesday, 24th of January at noon.
Winners will be announced by email.
