http://www.sarahnatsumi.com natsumi Mon, 16 May 2011 13:30:47 +0000 http://www.sarahnatsumi.com en http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/People http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/People Mon, 16 May 2011 13:30:47 +0000 natsumi 1450545 in-House Photographer for Amsterdam Magazine. People <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 3.jpg" border="0" width="427" height="640" width_o="427" height_o="640" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 3_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 2.jpg" border="0" width="427" height="640" width_o="427" height_o="640" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 2_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/Wasteland_19.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="538" width_o="2048" height_o="1646" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/Wasteland_19_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/Pimp my bike_26.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/Pimp my bike_26_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/model_1.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/model_1_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/spike lee_8.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/spike lee_8_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 4.jpg" border="0" width="427" height="640" width_o="427" height_o="640" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 4_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 5.jpg" border="0" width="427" height="640" width_o="427" height_o="640" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450545/people 5_o.jpg" align="left" /> http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Food-Drinks http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Food-Drinks Mon, 16 May 2011 13:16:38 +0000 natsumi 1450512 In-house photographer for Amsterdam Magazine. Food & Drink <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Amsterdam Magazine Bistro Neuf duck_1.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Amsterdam Magazine Bistro Neuf duck_1_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Vesper bar_17.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Vesper bar_17_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/geisha_3.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/geisha_3_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Amsterdam Magazine Bistro Neuf mussels_1.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Amsterdam Magazine Bistro Neuf mussels_1_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Cafe George_10.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Cafe George_10_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Vesper bar_16.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Vesper bar_16_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/kyoto images_8.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="502" width_o="2048" height_o="1536" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/kyoto images_8_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Club NL_7.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450512/Club NL_7_o.jpg" align="left" /> http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Interiors http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Interiors Mon, 16 May 2011 13:05:41 +0000 natsumi 1450253 In-house Photographer for Amsterdam Magazine Interiors <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/house.jpg" border="0" width="427" height="640" width_o="427" height_o="640" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/house_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/I love vintage_7.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/I love vintage_7_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/knock knock ed9_27.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="526" width_o="2048" height_o="1609" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/knock knock ed9_27_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/Mendo Book Shop Amsterdam_5.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/Mendo Book Shop Amsterdam_5_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/De waldaad_1.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/De waldaad_1_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/knock knock ed9_21.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/knock knock ed9_21_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/kat _5.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="453" width_o="2048" height_o="1387" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/kat _5_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/Mendo Book Shop Amsterdam_11.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/Mendo Book Shop Amsterdam_11_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/cafe brecht_26.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="446" width_o="2048" height_o="1365" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450253/cafe brecht_26_o.jpg" align="left" /> http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Meet-the-Dutch-Illustration http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Meet-the-Dutch-Illustration Mon, 16 May 2011 11:09:38 +0000 natsumi 1450173 Illustration fo Meet the Dutch, Amsterdam Magazine. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450173/comedian.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="462" width_o="670" height_o="462" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450173/comedian_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450173/bottles.jpg" border="0" width="572" height="429" width_o="572" height_o="429" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450173/bottles_o.jpg" align="left" /> http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Romantic-Illustrations http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Romantic-Illustrations Mon, 16 May 2011 10:54:09 +0000 natsumi 1450097 Illustrations for The Ten: Romantic Treats, Amsterdam Magazine. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/Screen shot 2011-05-16 at 12.44.05 PM.png" border="0" width="670" height="464" width_o="1495" height_o="1037" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/Screen shot 2011-05-16 at 12.44.05 PM_o.png" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/treayis.jpg" border="0" width="572" height="429" width_o="572" height_o="429" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/treayis_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/spa.jpg" border="0" width="572" height="429" width_o="572" height_o="429" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/spa_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/apron.jpg" border="0" width="572" height="429" width_o="572" height_o="429" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/apron_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/movies.jpg" border="0" width="572" height="429" width_o="572" height_o="429" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1450097/movies_o.jpg" align="left" /> http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Unlocking-the-City http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Unlocking-the-City Sat, 14 May 2011 22:03:33 +0000 natsumi 1445067 Produced, wrote article Unlocking the City <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1445067/vintage.jpg" border="0" width="335" height="463" width_o="335" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1445067/vintage_o.jpg" align="left" /> Unlocking the City: Vintage Style By: Sarah Moore Allow our clued-up ‘dam dwellers to help you unlock this city! In this issue, all around vintage fanatic Faranak Mirjalili gives us the inside scoop on living the vintage life. What’s your definition of ‘vintage’? An inspiration or feeling that brings back the past. With clothes, vintage is anything from between the 1940s and the 1980s. But to me, it can also be music, paintings or decoration. Where is the best area in Amsterdam to shop for vintage clothes? De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) in the Jordaan district has loads of vintage boutiques. Waterlooplein is a bit more hippy but you can find a few gems there too. Also, the monthly IJ-Hallen market in North Amsterdam is a great place for vintage finds. What about furniture and household items? The weekly Noorder-markt in the Jordaan is a nice place to find vintage furniture. Next to the market there’s a little shop called the De Weldaad that has beautiful antique and vintage pieces. There’s also a lighting store called Art Deco Amsterdam Djoeke Wessing in De Negen Straatjes. They make beautiful reproductions of 1920s-style art deco lamps. Where do all the vintage-lovers hang out at night? I love the 1920s style and 1950s rockabilly parties. Or The Bootleg, a bi-annual party that goes all out in vintage flair: a big theatrical performance with live dancers, bands and 800 guests attending. Everyone dresses up in flapper costumes and no-one knows the location till the day of the event. There’s a smaller party called Razzin’. That happens around six times per year in various locations such as Tuschinski or De Nieuwe Anita. The organisers of Razzin’ live in the twenties! Any other ways to live the all-round vintage lifestyle? Sure! We have vintage cinemas like Tuschinski, a beautiful art deco theatre, and The Movies on Haarlemerstraat. Café Brecht is a really cute Berlin-style vintage bar filled with vintage wallpaper and furniture. For music, Café Alto is great place to go and step back in time. They have daily performances of live jazz in a cosy room where everyone used to chain smoke. It has a very vintage vibe. How’s the Amsterdam vintage scene compared to other cities? Amsterdam is more in-tune with vintage furniture and home décor than clothes. Even in cafés like De Bakkerswinkel I see old paintings and vintage furniture. Clothing wise, people are still a bit careful. They wear a lot of 80s and that’s the style here. I miss the romantic elegant feel in Amsterdam in comparison to London, Paris or Scandinavia. I Love Vintage is both a web shop and physical boutique that sells vintage clothes and accessories for women. Opened five years ago as an online vintage seller, the I Love Vintage concept has now expanded internationally and is a popular vintage shop for women in Amsterdam and abroad. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1445067/linde.jpg" border="0" width="335" height="463" width_o="335" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1445067/linde_o.jpg" align="left" /> Unlocking the City: Student Style By: Sarah Moore Allow our clued-up ’dam dwellers to help you unlock this city! In this issue, university student Linde Mollers gives us the inside scoop on how to have fun on a student budget. How can you go on a night out without burning holes in your pockets? Studio K on the east side is a really nice cinema and club. It’s run by students and caters to students. De Nieuwe Anita in the west is also a really cosy party venue at the weekends. The entrance fee is usually only €3, and it has a 1950s retro atmosphere. Pacific Parc in Westerpark turns their restaurant into an oldies soul and funk club on the weekends and it’s free! Where can we dine like kings without spending our entire paycheck? Café Skek is another student-run pub on the Zeedijk. It offers really great cheap food all day long. Try their hamburger or chocolate tart – if you’re a student you get 30% off of their already reasonably priced meals. If you’re in the centre and want cheap food you can go to Rimini by Leidsplein and get whole pizzas for around €5. If you like spicy Surinamese food check out Roopram or Mi Gudu on the east side. They serve super tasty Rotis! Where is your favourite spot to study, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee? I love the CREA Café. It’s conveniently located in the city centre and has a really relaxed vibe. Many people are studying but others are in groups eating and drinking beers. I also like Café Fonteyn at Nieuwmarkt, it’s a cosy little bruin café with a nice big terrace where you can study in the sun. Can you suggest some ways to enjoy the city for free? When it’s nice outside I like to hang out in Oosterpark and have a picnic with friends. Also in the summertime there’s an amazing free movie screening series called ‘Pluck De Nacht’ where you can see films for free. I also love the OBA, our public library; you can listen to music, get on the computers and surf the Internet for free. You can also take your bike and take the free ferry to the north of Amsterdam and cycle through another area of the city. Many bars and venues offer free music like the Badcuyp, Café Alto and Het Muziektheater. Any thrifty shops besides H&M? I love going to the Noordermarkt in the Jordaan on Mondays. Get there early and be prepared to dig through piles of clothes. You’ll be sure to find gems if you’re patient. Also, Zipper is a really cool vintage shop that’s not too expensive. There’s one right by Waterlooplein and one in the De Negen Straatjes. If you need a formal dress and you don’t have a lot to spend, check out Laura Dols also located in De Negen Straatjes. http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Bar-Reviews http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Bar-Reviews Sat, 14 May 2011 20:05:49 +0000 natsumi 1444677 Bar reviews for Amsterdam Magazine. Read all bar reviews here. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1444677/cocktail.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="463" width_o="670" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1444677/cocktail_o.jpg" align="left" /> Vesper Bar By: Sarah Moore Looking for a cosy boutique bar where afternoon cocktails are encouraged? Then look no further than the Jordaan’s sophisticated Vesper Bar. The problem with drinking in Amsterdam is not the scarcity of bars but rather the scarcity of quality cocktails. The recently opened Vesper Bar is not only raising the standards of Amsterdam’s cocktail scene, but also inventing interesting ways to enjoy a casual drink. One such way is their Vesper High Tea, involving copious amounts of quality cocktails and snacks on weekend afternoons. HIGH BOOZE TEA Located just off the trendy Haarlemerdijk, this charming cocktail bar has been attracting a mix of locals and expats in the neighbourhood for almost a year. Initially a late night lounge, the owners began noticing the crowds of people passing by on Saturday afternoons to shop at the weekly Noordermarkt. Rather than miss out on a horde of potential customers, they came up with the idea of serving ‘high tea cocktails’ to attract the afternoon shoppers. The interior is kitschy and sophisticated, giving the bar both a fun and upscale atmosphere. James Bond memorabilia is sandwiched between fine liqueurs, and ornate teacups actually have stems like martini glasses, playing on the high tea cocktail theme. We kicked off with fresh Bloody Mary shots and a fruit and vegetable platter. The bartender then served a double-tiered platter of freshly baked brownies and rolls, paired with a Raspberry Mimosa, consisting of Dutch vodka, cranberry juice, and prosecco topped with a basil leaf garnish. The drink tasted fresh, wasn’t overly sweet and was a refreshing change from a regular Mimosa. To my surprise, the bartender frequently returned to our table with a large teapot offering top-ups in our teacups. After the first pot emptied, he prepared round two. The second concoction, a summery citrus mix including lemon juice, freshly grated cucumbers, green tea and vodka was paired with a round of simple smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches. He explained that, because the bar doesn’t have its own kitchen, all the food on offer is supplied by local businesses such as Jordino’s Chocolates, Toscanis and Small World Catering. LADIES’ OUTING While a group of men having high tea together should not be considered strange, this event, like traditional high tea, seems to attract the females in droves. The other parties in the bar were mostly groups of women with a few men dotted among them. Though the snacks offered weren’t memorable, both rounds of cocktails were tasty and definitely strong enough to leave a nice afternoon buzz, ultimately making it worth the €30 per head. There is currently no outdoor seating but they are considering adding a terrace in time for spring. The ice-cold cocktail high tea would make for an ideal afternoon in a warm, summery setting. But for now, just enjoy the cosy atmosphere inside with your cocktail loving friends. The small interior fills up fast so be sure to call ahead. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1444677/chets.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="463" width_o="670" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1444677/chets_o.jpg" align="left" /> Chet's Jazz Café By: Sarah Moore Searching for a night of good wine and jazz? Then head over to the Jordaan’s intimate Chet’s Jazz Café. Walking into Chet’s Jazz Café feels a bit like leaving 21st Century Holland behind and wandering into 1950s Chicago. As I enter, elegant men and women armed with glasses of red wine slide past me as they go out for a smoke. Their noirish appearance makes it seem like they’ve stepped straight out of an Edward Hopper painting and come to life in this discreet alleyway café. I make my way through the crowded, dimly lit bar to the sound of an ascending jazz piano, until I finally see a young man tinkling the keys at the back of the room. SOPHISTICATED INTOXICATION At the bar, I hear the chatter of at least four different languages. After initially suspecting that I’ve happened upon a touristy spot, I soon discover that most of the customers are familiar with each other as they chat back and forth. While the slightly more mature crowd bear a certain air of sophistication, the varying degrees of tipsy to full-blown intoxicated make it clear that this is simply a more composed form of Saturday night debauchery. ITALIAN CHEERS Though Chet’s somewhat resembles a bruin café in size and style, the bar is far from typical and is specifically tailored to owners Rakesh Sharma and Diego Rattenni’s sensibilities. The ubiquitous Heineken is banned from the bar and the tables are littered with half empty glasses of exclusive Italian wine. The concept of the bar came about from Rattenni’s two passions: jazz and wine. According to him, both must be mutually appreciated. ‘Imagine a very good glass of wine, you don’t drink it like a glass of water, you sit and take it in properly. Jazz music is exactly the same. I want people to come here and stay for a little while’. CHET LIVES Rattenni named the bar after legendary jazz musician Chet Baker. Baker’s legacy is strongly tied to Amsterdam – he died after falling out of a second-storey window at the Hotel Prins Hendrikkade in 1988. While the city has been weaved into this piece of jazz folklore for decades, Rattenni has always thought Amsterdam was lacking in the type of intimate jazz bars so commonly found in Paris, Milan and New York. So, just over a year ago, he decided to open Chet’s, and hasn’t looked back since. ‘I can’t really complain,’ he smiles. ‘When I come to my bar all my worries and anxieties just disappear’. When it comes to live music, Rattenni and Sharma believes in showcasing young talent. The pianist I previously encountered turns out to be Lenny Altgenng, a jazz student at the Music Conservatory of Amsterdam. ‘This is definitely my favourite place to play,’ says Altgenng. ‘The vibe here is comfortable and it isn’t overcrowded and touristy like the other jazz bars in Amsterdam’. Chet’s used to feature large-scale jazz bands four nights a week, but they received noise complaints from residential neighbours and have since had to stick to solo musicians and jazz duos until they finish constructing a soundproof bar. Nonetheless, the soft, understated music provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of conversation and wine. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1444677/club nl.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="463" width_o="670" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/1444677/club nl_o.jpg" align="left" /> Club NL By: Sarah Moore With its central location, directly behind Dam Square, one would imagine this lounge to be overrun by tourists. Surprisingly, the crowd is made up of locals, with a nice mix of tourists and expats. Open for 11 years, Club NL aims to keep the standards high and is content keeping the venue a hidden gem. MOULIN ROUGE The vibe inside Club NL is private burlesque show meets speakeasy. The space is red, ceiling to floor, with red lighting, red velvet cushions and red private nooks. Giant disco balls and a pole on the dance floor are a sure sign that people come here for a good time. While most cocktail bars in Amsterdam fit into the lounge category, this place is a real dance club with DJs spinning house music seven nights a week. At 1am, when the other bars close, an artistic crowd arrives for the after-party. Unlike many well-known clubs in the centre, Club NL remains a well-kept secret. ‘We’ve been here for over a decade, but still a lot of people don’t know it,’ says head bartender Marieken van Steen. ‘Of course, we welcome tourists, but we like the fact that it’s an Amsterdam secret.’ HIGH COCKTAIL STANDARDS Marieken is only 24 years old and has already been bartending for seven years. She recently made the transition from full-time bartender to student at the University of Amsterdam. ‘Even though I’m in school, I can’t imagine not being behind the bar. I can see myself in the future bartending on the weekends just for fun,’ she says. One drawback to Club NL is that, when it gets too busy, they stop making cocktails. They never want to jeopardise quality for quantity. ‘When we’re very busy, it’ll take 30 minutes for a customer to get a cocktail, so we stick to mixed drinks, beer and wine until the crowd settles,’ says Marieken. DOO DOO VOODOO Though the club’s expertise lies in making a good cocktail, their signature drink comes in a shot. ‘You either love it or you hate it, there’s no in between,’ says Marieken. With a name such as the Doo Doo Shot, it’s easy to see why people are repulsed at first glance. The drink, brought back from one of the Resident DJs’ home country Lebanon, consists of an unusual combination: vodka, lime juice, Tabasco sauce and a whole green olive dropped in the bottom of the glass. Marieken confesses to hating the concoction, ‘I’ve been drinking this for three years and I still hate it, but you might become one of the fanatics.’ We do a shot together and, as I watch the look of disgust appear on Marieken’s face, my taste buds are intrigued. It tastes unlike anything I’ve tried before and I like it. Spicy, savoury and sour are what I crave, so for all you Bloody Mary types, this is probably a good shot for you. On the other hand, if the sound of this drink is triggering your gag reflex, skip the shot and simply come here for a good party. http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Tattooed-Under-Fire http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Tattooed-Under-Fire Sat, 14 May 2011 18:57:53 +0000 natsumi 447990 Assistant video Editor for the PBS feature Documentary "Tattooed Under Fire". TATTOOED UNDER FIRE is a unique, intimate, character-driven portrait of Iraq-bound and returning US soldiers as they go under the tattoo needle: openly professing their pride, sharing their secrets and confessing their fears. http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Interview-with-Spike-Lee http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Interview-with-Spike-Lee Sat, 14 May 2011 18:24:21 +0000 natsumi 892913 Wrote and photographed Spike Lee's double interview for Amsterdam Magazine. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892913/importexport-spike 1.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="463" width_o="2048" height_o="1417" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892913/importexport-spike 1_o.jpg" align="left" /> <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892913/importexport-spike 2.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="463" width_o="2048" height_o="1417" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892913/importexport-spike 2_o.jpg" align="left" /> When Bijlmer Meets Brooklyn He’s an Academy Award nominated filmmaker from Brooklyn; they are the Dutch-Surinamese, Antillian and African youth of the Bijlmer district inspired by Spike Lee’s career. His advice on how to get there? ‘You gotta help your own self.’ By Sarah Moore It's 10 AM and I find myself sitting in No Limit, an arts and culture centre located in Amsterdam's infamous south-east district. It's my first time in the neighbourhood and after hearing the Dutch media talk about the high crime rate in the area, I expect something heavy. The area is full of high-rise housing and incomparable to the picturesque Jordaan, but I'm mostly surprised by it's saneness. Granted it's a weekday morning but the streets are clean with no drug addicts or crazies hanging about. An appealing array of multicultural restaurants and shops line the streets and the there is diversity far beyond anything I've seen in Amsterdam’s city centre. Inside No Limit, there is an energetic buzz in the air and everyone seems excited to get their chance to talk to Spike Lee. The audience is mostly Dutch with African and tropical ethnic roots. After entering to a standing ovation, Lee’s first statement is met with a roar of laughter from the audience: ‘I was wondering where all the people of color were, I guess they're all here.’ The question and answer session begins. No Obi Wan Kenobi The audience jumps straight into questions concerning racial relations in the Netherlands: ‘What can Antillian and Surinamese immigrants in the Netherlands learn from America's battle for African-American civil rights?' asks a young audience member. An older woman joins in, suggesting that Lee should make a film about racial issues in Europe. The director sets the audience straight immediately: ‘I'm just a filmmaker, not some type of Obi Wan Kenobe. I don't really know about the situation of black people in Holland, so any answer I give you would be an answer out of ignorance.’ It was amazing to see the audience look to a film director for such serious political advice, but Lee seemed used to it. ‘I travel all over the world,’ he explains, ‘and people of colour abroad seem to think that African Americans have all the answers because of Oprah Winfrey or Will Smith but on average, we have more black men in prison than in college and half of them don’t even graduate high school. Clearly these problems are affecting us all and hopefully you won't go down the same line.’ It was clear by these initial questions that while the Biljmer may be cleaner than the ghettos in America, similar problems continue to exist there . Race and Cinema Halfway through the Q & A session a public dispute occurs revealing some of Amsterdam's own racial problems. A representative of the International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) asks Lee about the future prospects of documentary filmmaking. After Lee's positive response about the flourishing diocumentary industry, a local filmmaker voices his own concerns, ' I just hope IDFA selects black filmmakers as well. I have a problem with their selection process.' The budding filmmaker goes onto explain that the selection committee consists of 'mostly white people.' At this point the IDFA representative invites the filmmaker over for a conversation, but he refuses the offer. 'Everytime I make this complaint, I get an invitation and nothing ever happens.' The debate leads to a discussion on race and cinema. A Science Fiction fanatic wonders why no black artists are making sci-fi films. 'You wanna make a black science fiction film?' Lee asks. 'I couldn't get a film made about James Brown and he lived on this planet! There's so many stories that have yet to be told. We're ghettoized. We're in drug films, low-brow comedies, or big hollywood films that stick a Will Smith into a general market.' Audience members were also interested in the choices Lee made in his own films. One guy asked about Lee's opinions on mixed-race couples after making Jungle Fever. 'The whole mixed couple thing was not really what the movie is about. Jungle Fever was about the devastation of crack on the African American community.' The audience member responds, “So the main character didn’t get on crack because he was with a white woman?’ Lee laughs: 'You think the United States crack epidemic is because of mixed couples?! Does somebody have the DVD? Give it to him! Do your homework.' Another audience member asks Lee if he often tries to cast unknown African-American actors in his films., '’I've always tried to pigeonhole one or two roles for people who have never acted in a film before’ says Lee. ‘Do The Right Thing was Rosie Perez and Martin Lawerence's first film; Jungle Fever was Halle Berry and Queen Latifah's first film. There is an abundance of talent, the problem is, there's not enough roles for the talent so we try to help them when we can.’ Lee was then quizzed about how young people can start making good films of their own. The advice: do as Spike Lee did and check out the director's commentaries on DVDs. ‘Good directors will explain the choices they’ve made. As the discussion continued, Lee made it clear how influential he felt films could be on youth culture. ‘When I was a kid I went to see a Bruce Lee film on 42nd st. and afterwards kids: black, white and Peurto Rican were running up and down the street doing flying kicks and Ninja stuff. That shows the power of film.’ Call to Action Towards the end of the talk, it was clear that the predominant theme of this session was “How”. How do we make a film? How do we get help? How do we progress politically? How do we find inspiration? While Lee offered valuable and inspiring advice throughout the discussion, he ultimately suggests that the audience must find the answers to their own problems. ‘Every time I go to London and give a talk you know what I hear? Why can't you, Denzel, and Tyler Perry come over here and help us? You gotta help your own self.’ 'So what if we form a union of coloured filmmakers? Would you come and support us?' a lady asks. 'You make a film, I'll come,' Lee replies. 'But I'm gonna co-sign what you said. Collectively, you have enough to get it done right here. You got the knowledge, technology, drive, and stories. But you got to want to do it.' Lee’s conclusive statement seems to suggest, quite simply, that the Biljmer doesn't need Hollywood: 'With the digital revolution you don't have an excuse anymore. Put your stuff on youtube. Coalitions have to start at grass roots level too. How many of you here are filmmakers? You need to start right here. Fuck what Hollywood's doing.' Name: Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee Date and place of Birth: 1957, Atlanta, Georgia. U.S.A. Study: Morehouse College and New York University What He's been up to: In 1985, he made his first feature film “She's Gotta Have It.” The film was made with $175,000 and grossed over 7 million in the box office. In 1989, the film “Do The Right Thing” was nominated for an Academy award for best original screenplay. Since then he has directed and produced dozens of films, including another Academy Award nominated documentary in 1997 titled '4 Little Girls' for best feature documentary. Many of his films are set in Brooklyn and examines racial relations, urban crimes, and poverty. http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/Food-Reviews http://www.sarahnatsumi.com/following/sarahnatsumi.com/Food-Reviews Fri, 13 May 2011 18:47:37 +0000 natsumi 892863 Writing food reviews, photographing food for Amsterdam Magazine, see all food and bar reviews here. <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892863/Mazzo Amsterdam.jpg" border="0" width="670" height="463" width_o="2048" height_o="1417" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892863/Mazzo Amsterdam_o.jpg" align="left" /> Mazzo By: Sarah Moore In pursuit of culinary delights beyond bitterballen and frites our expat foodie visits supper club’s new kid on the block Mazzo: a hip Italian restaurant that updates the traditional family-style eatery. With its inviting (to some people) group tables and designer touches, Mazzo mixes the comfort of a neighbourhood café with the more luxurious sensibility of a lounge. Its reasonably priced menu draws a crowd of in-the-know locals who come less for the food than for the sleek yet intimate atmosphere. DESIGN EXCELLENCE Upon entering the clean, inviting space, the huge ‘Mazzo’ sign might have guests wondering if they’ve just walked into a nightclub. Indeed, this Italian bistro has been recently reincarnated – the site was once a well-known club venue. The designers managed to retain the trendy and lively late-night atmosphere while adding elements of a comfortable and relaxing eatery. With red-chequered napkins, exposed piping, and unfinished plywood shelving, the decor creates a pleasantly trendy ambience. One clear advantage in this club-to-restaurant conversion is space. The bright lights and open areas in the bar, lounge, and dining area are appreciated in a city full of small, dark interiors. TASTE IN DECOR, NOT IN FOOD Unfortunately the playful touch given to the restaurant’s design did not extend to its kitchen. Though the appetizers of vegetable bruschetta and pasta carbonara, cooked with authentically italian ingredients were fresh and tasted decent, the entrees didn’t quite hit the mark. The smattering of gravy with the roast guinea fowl could not offset the dryness of the bird. The bream, while cooked perfectly, was stuffed with an unappetising addition of raw garlic cloves (with the skin still on them!). Identical preparations of side vegetables accompanied both the fish and the meat. In general, the meal was acceptable, especially given its price. The service was sporadic, but earnest when it arrived. Please take note, Mazzo had only been open four days at the time of the review, wrinkles with the service and the quality of food may since have been smoothed out. STICK TO INDULGENCES By far the highlight of the evening arrived at the end. The panna cotta was exceptional. It was moist, creamy, and managed to avoid the rubbery texture that is a common problem with this dessert. The lime sorbet with berries was fresh without overbearing tartness. All three offerings of red wine by the glass were excellent and surprisingly inexpensive. The late-night bar offered an extensive and affordable wine menu, making it a great place for after dinner drinks or pre-party gatherings. Despite shortcomings in the menu, Mazzo draws a crowd. The restaurant was wall-to-wall with a stylish Amsterdam clientele who seemed to enjoy the charming atmosphere. In a city renowned for early closing times, it’s refreshing to finally see a restaurant and lounge where people can enjoy both food and drink, day or night. Final Score: 7.0 <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892863/ganesah 2.jpg" border="0" width="335" height="463" width_o="335" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892863/ganesah 2_o.jpg" align="left" /> Ganesha By: Sarah Moore In pursuit of culinary delights beyond bitterballen and frites, our expat foodie visits Ganesha: A North Indian eatery. According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha, the widely worshipped elephant deity, was a hearty eater and had a rather round belly to show for it. So upon visiting the Indian restaurant named after the plump god, I decided to forget all dietary concerns and indulge in a full-blown Indian three-course feast. SMILING FACES Located right across from Centraal Station, Ganesha is a conveniently situated restaurant that specialises in North Indian cuisine. The decor is more elegant and simple than many other lavishly decorated Indian restaurants. White tablecloths, candles and even the slightly off-putting orange wallpaper create a bright, cheerful ambience. One thing I’ve come to accept living in Amsterdam is mediocre service. I’m so accustomed to an unfriendly and neglectful waiting staff that I was shocked by the friendliness of the staff at Ganesha. As soon as we sat down, we were treated to a complimentary stack of papadums served with a delicious mint and tamarind chutney. This was already proving to be the best service I’ve received in Amsterdam by far. HIGH EXPECTATIONS Having seen numerous reviews describing Ganesha as ‘the best Indian restaurant’, I have to admit my expectations were high. Perhaps that’s why I felt a little disappointed when the starters arrived. The lamb samosas were passable but tasted no better than the average supermarket offering, and the aloo tiki (spicy potato coated in breadcrumbs) was a little bland. The second course was delivered by a line of waiters carrying plates, and soon our table was laden with portions big enough to feed a maharaja and his consorts. The lamb saag was tender but unfortunately drenched in an overwheling salty paste. The curry seemed to lack in both spice and flavour. One of the better entrees was the royal tandoori mix. The selection of grilled meat had a crispy charcoal aftertaste that was complimented by the yoghurt-based marinade. While it was undoubtedly the best dish, some of the meat was a little dry. TOOTHACHE It was perhaps a good thing that I was left with a dry mouth because I decided to quench my thirst with a mango lassi, which turned out to be the highlight of the evening. The deliciously sweet mango-flavoured yoghurt drink was mixed to perfection. When the desserts were served, I was still more interested in the lassi than the sweet offerings. I sampled kulfi – a typically North Indian ice cream served with milk and nuts – but the ginger flavour of the ice cream was too overpowering for my liking. The gulab jamin, sugary dough balls, were served in a gloopy syrup and it would be an understatement to say it satisfied my sweet tooth. Despite all this, I still left with my belly full saying a friendly farewell to the ever-smiling staff. Final Score: 6.3 <img src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892863/tomatillo.jpg" border="0" width="335" height="463" width_o="335" height_o="463" src_o="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/3323/892863/tomatillo_o.jpg" align="left" /> Tomatillo Tex-Mex By: Sarah Moore In pursuit of culinary delights beyond bitterballen and frites, our expat foodie visits Tomatillo: a cheap Tex-Mex eatery. Located slightly away from the centre on the Overtoom, this tiny but sleek hole-in-the-wall literally consists of three tables and a kitchen. There isn’t much room for lavish furniture or extravagant decor, but the restaurant walls are used as a rotating gallery space, currently showcasing a black and white photo series by a Mexican photographer. The vibe inside is laidback and leans more towards being a counter-top type eatery rather than a fancy restaurant. There were only four customers when I visited during the lunchtime rush but, considering the size, this took up two-thirds of the room. The friendly server immediately greeted me with the menu and I was pleased to find many Tex-Mex classics such as carnitas and chorizo tacos on fresh corn tortillas. MUCHOS SALSA For starters, I went for the classic chips, salsa, and guacamole. The guacamole was fresh and smooth, made with perfectly ripe avocados. Unlike the awful pasty tomato sauce that’s usually offered to substitute salsa on this continent, I was pleased to find a plethora of tasty options to drown my tortilla chips in. I ended up with a very spicy habanero salsa which was so satisfying I ordered a second round to accompany the main course. To cool my peppery tongue, I ordered a mango liquados: an ubiquitous drink in Mexico but rarely found abroad. It turned out to be the freshest juice I’ve had in Amsterdam and the highlight of my lunch. The refreshing drink was not overwhelmingly sugary and had a hint of sweetness that could only be achieved by using fresh, ripe ingredients as opposed to the syrupy substitutes so often used. EUROPEAN TEX-MEX Attaining authenticity in Tex-Mex cuisine is somewhat of an oxymoron given that, even in the southernmost regions of North America, anything not considered interior Mexican cuisine gets slapped with a Tex-Mex label. That said, there is still much debate over what is Tex-Mex and what is great Tex-Mex. Tomatillo definitely falls under the category of Tex-Mex and their starters matched up to some of the best offerings found in North America. Their mains, though filling and satisfying, unfortunately did not make the cut. The huevos rancheros was a bit lacklustre and needed to be doused in habanero salsa to become flavourful. The chorizo and carnitas tacos tasted very similar despite having ordered two different salsa and meat offerings. It was a considerably standard Tex-Mex affair and a bit of a letdown after such great appetisers. FIVE-EURO MEAL Despite my criticism, I have to reveal I’m a bit of a Tex-Mex snob and even restaurants just north of the Mexican border have failed to satisfy my demanding taste buds. However, by Amsterdam Tex-Mex standards, Tomatillo has rocketed far beyond the common denominator and, considering most dishes cost between €3 and €7, it will be tough to beat this price-to-quality ratio anywhere in the city. Final Score: 7.4