Passion for food in Eriksbergshallen

Passion för mat (passion for food) is an expo for food enthusiasts that will be held in Eriksbergshallen this weekend. The organisers promise a taste experience above the ordinary.

Top-quality food producers and suppliers will provide free samples of their products, and there will be beer and wine tasting (20 kr per taste).

Passion för mat will also feature a cooking school, run by the best chefs in Sweden. There you can learn about preparation techniques, flavours and new products on the market. A program for the cooking school can be found here (in Swedish) www.passionformat.se

Opening hours:
Friday February 26: 10.00-18-00
Saturday February 27: 10:00-19:00
Sunday February 28: 10:00-17:00

Admission:
140 kronor for adults
100 kronor youths aged 8-16
Children aged 7 and under get in for free

// Goteborg daily

Gothenburg has a quite big music scene, with both Swedish and international bands playing. Here is a short resumé of some of the best concerts you will still be able to get tickets to, in Gothenburg this Spring:

• Slagsmålsklubben (Swe), 13/3 Chalmers studentkår

The name Slagsmålsklubben is a free translation of the title of the film Fight club. Slagsmålsklubben is a alternative electopop band, including sex guys from Norrköping in Sweden.  They have a rather unique sound and I guess the concert will be something special.

When: 13/3 20.00

Where: Chalmers Kårhus, (tram stop Chalmers)

Price: 170 kr

• Shout Out Louds (Swe), 15/4 Brew House
  

Shout Out Louds, a Swedish pop band with a melodic but high-energy sound, had an international audience already in 2000.  After a US/Canada/Europe tour they will return to Sweden to offer you a chance to see them live.

Where: Pusteviksbaren

When: 15/4 20.00

Price: 195 kr

• Anna von Hausswolff (Swe)- 5/5 Nefetiti
  

So far this gig is just a rumor, seen on Anna’s myspace page. Hopefully it is true, and in that case you should visit Nefetiti, a legendary Gothenburg jazz club, the 5th of May. Anna von Hausswolff has a fantastic voice which spellbinds you.

When: 5/5 20.00

www.myspace.com/vonhausswolff

• Green Day (US)- 5/6 Ullevi

As late as in October last year they gave a concert in Stockholm, which was celebrated  by fans as well as critics. Now the time has come to Gothenburg: this summer Green Day, probably the most famous punk band in the world, will rock the city.

Where: Ullevi

When: 5/6 18.00

Price: 545-590 kr

_______________________________________________

Tickets can be bought on Ticnet or in Pusteviksbiljetter, Järntorgsgatan 12

/ Sanna, Misi.se team 2010

Kontiki- a feeling of holiday…

If you’re already tired of the Swedish winter and want to try something different I suggest you take the tram to Botaniska Trädgården. Not to take a walk in Slottskogen or look at the nature in Botaniska Trädgården, but to forget about the darkness in the bar Kontiki. Sorrounded by exotic flowers, small huts of bamboo and with a coulorful cocktail in you hand you’ll soon feel like being in a South Sea island. As well as a restaurant which uses both cocos and mango as common ingrediences Kontiki has many interesting live acts, clubs and DJs of different genres. During the summer there is a big terasse outside which serve as a “after parc” chill out because of the closeness to Slottskogen, but aslo during the winter this small bar will make you happy!

www.kontiki.nu

Storängsgatan 2,

tram stop Botaniska Trädgården (and across the bridge).

Standing there on the frozen pond, I looked upon a world in black and white, with the only colours the blazing red of the setting sun barely visible behind the dark silhouette of the tree line a few yards away. There were tracks in the snow, some manmade, others made by animals, leading away from where I stood, across the pond and disappearing down the slope on the other side. At that time, I could hear nought but my own breathing. But that was about to change.

Me illustrating how the geese flew past me by flapping their wings very quickly.

The first line of birds came as if out of nowhere. One moment everything was quiet, the other the air was vibrating with the steady beat of birds’ wings. Judging by the sound they were making, I knew I could expect large birds. The first formation held only two of them, followed fairly closely by a second formation. Flying tightly together, the geese were suddenly past me, on their way to some unknown destination. And the silence settled once more as I turned right and headed back up the shoreline through snow that reached me almost to my knees.

On my way back, I imagined myself a lone hunter from ages past, slowly making my way across the frozen landscape in search of food and shelter. There were Elves nearby, I well knew. A small nomadic tribe whose tracks I had previously seen by the lake, where they had stopped to eat but a day past. But I did not expect to find them – humans never do. No, my only comfort was in knowing that their presence meant that there would be game in the area. Deer, perhaps, or a hare.

And thus, the brave hunter continued wandering around until nightfall, when he returned home for a proper dinner. But the point of all this, is that it is truly remarkably beautiful in Slottsskogen right now. It really does feel like you have crossed into another realm when you leave the urban landscape of the city, and head into the frozen world in Slottsskogen. The weather we have had these last few days, with low temperatures and lots of snow, has truly transformed Slottsskogen, making it a place you really do not want to miss. So, don your best winter boots and your warmest clothes, grab your camera and head out into the world. And who knows, perhaps you may even find traces of the Elves or other magical beings of the wild.

/Nils, Misi.se team 2010

- Crazy Gothenburg winter weather

This morning I challenged the snow storm and went out to visit the fitness center. The streets were empty but full of snow, and the woman beside me at the stam stop had been waiting for the tram for 1,5 hour. Due to the risk of snowslip and icicles falling from the roofs, the snow whipping my face and not shoveled trottoirs I had to surrender and go back to my bed.

You might think that this is normal winter weather in Sweden, and well it is. Up in the North. In Gothenburg it hasn’t been a winter weather like this since 1995, when a huge snow storm forced the public to stay inside while some adventurers went skiing on Avenyn. The winter of 1995 has become legendary in the Gothenburgers mind, something we have been dreaming about ever since then. Now it is happeing once again.

The snowfall is estimated to continue all weekend, and SMHI has issued a class two warning, which means that the weather can cause danger for the public, large material damages and big disorder of important society funcions. The municipality doesn’t have anywhere to leave the shoveled snow, several sections of the train and commuter traffic are cancelled and roofs are falling in. I got my newspaper this morning though, that is impressive. But for your own best, take the chance to stay in your bed today.

/ Sanna, Misi.se team 2010

Fresh Fish – Gothenburg’s fashion fair

Fresh Fish is an annual fashion fair and competition for new, young designers of clothes, shoes and accessories. Starting on February 19, Gothenburg will host three days of continuous fashion shows from 30 up and coming designers.

The winner will get to design a collection for Nelly, which will be sold on nelly.com. The prize also includes a subscription to wgsn.com (worth 250,000 kronor), 20,000 kronor in cash and a travel scholarship of 20,000 kronor.

When: February 19 – 21
Where: Eriksbergshallen
Price: 100 kr, tickets can be purchased at the door

Opening hours
Friday 19/2 10.00-19.00
Saturday 20/2 10.00-19.00
Sunday 21/2 10.00-17.00

Hey students!

Explore some new cool places for your nighrlife here in Gothenburg outside of Avenyn! This week let us present to you The House of Music in Gothenburg!

The House of  music is an important resource for the free culture in Gothenburg has deepened over the years and reach out to a large public who visit our concerts and theater and music programs.

The concert hall is a well established gaming scene with a good sound for a variety of musical genres – ethnic, hard rock, pop, rock, Afro. Latin, etc.

Café hammock is a popular and well attended cafe and concert evenings turn the premises into a cozy and intimate environment where we serve wine and beer and offer a simple pub menu.
On thier anniversary celebrations and music festivals are indeed real highlights of our business when the whole house filled with music, entertainment, food and drink.

The house is visited by many who want to participate in the course offering with African and Oriental dance and percussion, scratching with his band in their rehearsal studio, visit the cafe for a lunch or a tasty snack and watch one of our monthly exhibitions and much, much more …

Coming up next Saturday, February 27th

Marluks - release party for the new album.

Now it’s finally time to unveil Angler’s debut album with a loud and swinging party at Café hammock. Perhaps Sweden’s best dance heavy rock band promises a classic rock swing that feels right in both spinal cord and the legs.

Angler based their sound on boogiesvänget from three decades ago Status Quo, they inspired jammer from Jimi Hendrix Experience and the loud rock dang hands from bands like Grand Funk Railroad and The Who. With intense and melodic vocals add Angler their own piece of the puzzle to a classic rock sound.

As a hard working and hard-swinging live band keeps the audience Angler’s toes with sudden improvisations and pieces of odd tracks from rock history. An adamant swing with powerful choruses and howling lead guitar echoes of bygone days classic rock concerts, and so far the band has never played the same liveset twice.

More information about the band and the taste of the album is on the bands website: www.myspace.com / angler

Get there early – it can get crowded!
Ticket purchased at the door subject to availability, or pre-emption #

Admission: 60: –
We open at 20.00 Age limit 18 years. Menu & Bar.
At Café hammock in Musikens Hus
Djurgårdsgatan 13 (Majorna) S-414 62 Gothenburg, Sweden

// Yining Misi.se 2010

Semla

From January to March each year the Swedes are going crazy about semlor. This fantastic pastry with a slight taste of cardamom, filled with almond paste and topped with cream even has it’s own day- Fettisdagen (Mardi gras or directly translated “fat Tuesday”). This year fettisdagen will take place Tuesday 16th of February and traditonally that was the only day you were supposed to eat semla. In the old days the Lent started the day after Fettisdagen and then went on for seven weeks until Easter. Nowadays we’re probably eating more semlor than back in the days and we don’t really care about the Lent anymore. From Christmas until Easter you can find semlor everywhere! Normally semlor from Brogyllen (V. Hamgatan 2) are nominated the best in Göteborg. My personal favourite semla is bought in Café con leche (Plantagegatan 15) and but if you’re looking for a quick bite you could even find them i 7eleven.

Take Fettisdagen as an opportunity to try a semla. If you’re adventurous enough you can even try the traditional way of eating them- in a bowl with hot milk.

Don’t miss the chance to make your own semla, together with the student buddies of HEG and FFS. Tonight in Café Sprängkullen, Sprängkullsgatan 25, from 18.00.

/ Misi.se team 2010

In my second year as a teacher trainee at the University of Halmstad, I was told that classical music can sometimes have a calming effect on overly energetic school classes. I am sure that is true, for it certainly has a calming effect on me on a stressful day. As I look ahead now, I find myself on the absolute edge of a frighteningly intensive week, and all I can think about is how many times I shall have to play Brahms’ first symphony in the coming days. That is why the topic of today’s article will be classical concerts in Gothenburg.

Centrally situated at the top of the grand parade street – the Avenue, that is – stands the majestic statue of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea. Surrounded on virtually all sides by a public library, a theatre, an art museum and a concert hall, the old Greek god appears in the centre of cultural life in Gothenburg. And it is to this very place I come in search of wisdom at the library, and a moment to catch my breath at the concert hall.

"The majestic statue of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea ... appears in the centre of cultural life in Gothenburg."

Catching your breath at the concert hall is actually quite cheap. The regular concert fee for students is a mere 80SEK, and breathing, of course, does not cost you anything at all. Being so close to the musicians and listening to the sounds of the instruments directly, uncontaminated by electric amplification or recording equipment, is quite special. Not to mention watching the conductor lead the orchestra with dramatic elegance.

Dramatic elegance, I dare say, is something to expect from conductor Mario Venzago as he conducts the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra through the opening bars of Brahms’ first symphony. Beginning in complete and utter despair, this emotionally packed symphony leads you through a journey ending in brilliant hope. Perhaps this is why I love the symphony so much (itunes claims that I have listened to it 50 times the last six months), the journey from despair at the, for instance, beginning of a stressful week to hope at the end of that same week. To bad I must wait until april 28th before I can listen to it at the concert hall.

To conclude this slightly philosophical article on the classical music in Gothenburg and its use in a stressful world, I want to point out that classical concerts are also given in many churches in and around Gothenburg. Performances of operas, ballets and musicals may of course be found at the opera house, and all sorts of performances may be found at Artisten where musicians, opera singers, actors and so on are trained. But this will probably be the topic of a later article, or series of articles. For now, all I can say is: If you are having a stressful time, why not head over to the concert hall and… but, of course, if your week looks anything like mine, this article is completely useless. Why, there is hardly enough time to turn on the stereo, much less walk down to the concert house for a live concert!

Information

• The concert hall at Götaplatsen (map) – website
• Brahms’ first symphony, as mentioned in the article, is performed on 28 and 29 April, 7:30PM in the main hall. The ticket fee for students is 80SEK.

/Nils, Misi.se team 2010

As you might know, Villa Villekulla is the name of the Swedish fairy-tale-figure Pippi Longstocking’s house. In Gothenburg Café Villekulla is a hidden fairy-tale inspired café, known for it’s delicious cake buffet…

I have heard many Erasmus students blessing the Swedish cakes and cookies you find in the city’s plurality of cafés. As a frequant café guest and a part-time café worker, I have had my share of cakes and cookies- and it’s true the Gothenburg cake selection is heavenly! Something out of the ordinary is the cake buffet of  Café Villekulla. For 65 kronor (45 if you buy something to drink) you get passed the dilemma of choosing between the cakes- you can have them all! Perfect if you rapidly want to get an overview of the Swedish cake selection and find your favourite.

Not only does this café offer a delicious cake buffet, also the decoration makes it worth a visit. Imagine pay the grandmother in the fairy-tale The little red riding hood a visit. That’s more or less how it feels like being in Café Villekulla. Crowded with gadgets and old funiture this café is as far away from the impersonal coffee chains as it can possibly be!

Even if it is not as cosy and chamry as Café Villakulla, you can’t speak about cake buffets without mention Steinbrenner & Nyberg. If you have the budget for a more luxury alternative, why don’t try the soup lunch including a gâteau/cake buffet in their restaurant downtown? Steinbrenner & Nyberg is a famous bakery/pastisserie, known for their alsolutly delicous cakes, gâteaus and pastries- for 87 kronor you get the chance to try them!

I can’t answer whether a visit in Café Villekulla and Steinbrenner & Nyberg will make you even more obsessed by the Swedish cakes, or if you end up too filled up with cakes to even think of it for weeks… There is just one way to find out. Make a visit and have some cakes!

Café Villekulla, Storgatan 10, Opened 10-21 every day

Steinbrenner & Nyberg, Östra Larmgatan 6, Week days 11-16

/ Sanna, Misi.se team 2010