Happy Fastelavn, everyone! (Do you say that in Denmark? I doubt it…) This year the holiday coincides with the beginning of winter holiday in Aalborg, so there are LOTS of activities taking place over the next 8 to 10 days. I have tried to highlight the most interesting and compelling ones (see special Winterferien section down below, followed by two news items). A lot of these activities are for families and/or children. Some new (KFUM Hall playland), some old favorites (DGI Huset indoor playground). But also myriad concerts and other activities for students and adults. I will be spending next week with my children so won’t be posting again until week 9. I think there’s enough on this list to keep most people going in the interim, though! 😉 If you would like yet more inspiration, however, see Visit Aalborg’s web page on winter holiday events in the city: there are a few I did not include (gasp!).

UCN Movie Nights are back!

We welcome you to the new semester with an invitation to a specially themed Movie Night. As today is Friday the 13th, followed by Valentine’s Day tomorrow, we have decided to propose a Fatal Valentine night! We will offer wine, cake and, per usual, popcorn and chips! 🙂 You just show up and the movie will start at 20:00. We will show the movie that gets the most votes in our FB poll (current top pick is The Ring.) Location is Porthusgade 1, 9000 Aalborg. Find out more here (and vote for another film if you don’t want to watch The Ring.)

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Special focus on Mikkeller oatmeal stouts at Basement Beer Bar this weekend

This weekend, from 16:00 on Friday, 13 February to closing on 15 February, Basement Beer Bar is holding Beer Geek Weekend. We have managed to get hold of all five varieties of Mikkeller’s world famous oatmeal stouts. This is one of this series of beers that has led to Mikkeller being recently named the world’s third BEST BREWERY. All five beers have a score of 100 on RateBeer, so there really is something to look forward to! 🙂

Three of the beers are on tap:

Beer Geek Breakfast

Beer Geek Brunch Weasel

Beer Geek Vanilla Shake

And two are in the bottle:

Beer Geek Breakfast Bourbon

Beer Geek Cocoa Shake

Come down and pamper yourself, and there’s no reason to hold back for you who have holiday! 🙂 More info on their FB event page.

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1000Fryd is celebrating their 31st birthday with a Punk Rock Bash!

True to tradition, 1000Fryd’s birthday night on Friday, 13 February will take on a punk character with a birthday Punk Rock Bash! The line-up is: Subhumans (UK), Night Fever (DK), and Extended Suicide (DK). The legendary Subhumans from England were one of the most trendsetting and original groups on the booming English punk scene between 1980 and 1985. Musically they were influenced by the Sex Pistols, Damned, and pre-punk bands like King Crimson and Frank Zappa, which gave the Subhumans a unique sound without compromising their punk energy and dynamism. Dick Lucas’ political and socially critical lyrics placed the Subhumans in the company of other anarcho-punk bands like Crass, Antisect, Conflict and Flux of Pink Indians. The band’s first LP, “The Day The Country Died,” is a unique punk classic. Night Fever is among the most outstanding representatives of Danish hardcore punk. We’re talking 80s-inspired Yankee hardcore punk – like a more melodic version of Poison Idea – but Night Fever does it so well that it is almost otherworldly. The five gentlemen recently toured in Brazil and found time while there to release their second album, Vendetta. Extended Suicide’s three-man outfit hails from Odense and plays raw, fast, brutal and uncompromising hardcore punk with lyrics in English and Spanish. The party kicks off at 21:00 and entrance costs 60 kr. See the FB page or 1000Fryd website for more info.

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Two nights of musical performances this weekend at Studenterhuset

There are two nights of music at Studenterhuset this weekend, both offering quality sounds by local and visiting bands. On Friday, 13 February at 21:00 Long Line Down and Vintage Vince will take to the stage. The Aalborg reproduction duo Long Line Down is inspired by the old, dusty delta blues and dirty old school rock. Forge them together and what do you get? Solid and original blues rock with attitude, empathy, and fervor! Despite his young 22 years, Vintage Vince has a voice that reminds guests of 30s and 40s blues singers. Belgian artist Vincent ‘Vince Vintage’ Slegers comes armed with his guitar and a footstompin’ groove you can’t help but stamp to! Tickets for Friday’s concert are 40kr. On Saturday, 14 February The Migrant and Dirty Old Town will play, also starting at 21:00. The Migrant, alias Bjarke Bendtsen, is a psychedelic singer/songwriter from Copenhagen. Bendtsen has lived out of a suitcase the last three years, playing concerts throughout Europe and the United States. He has played at SXSW festival several times and warmed up for Kurt Vile. Now frontman Bendtsen with his Copenhagen-based band has a new album entitled “Flood” in which Bjarke’s quivering vocals mix with crisp beats, haunting choral singers and a guitarist who fell in an acid pot as a child. Dirty Old Town is a solo project from former Wrong Side Of Vegas lead singer Morten Christensen, who mixes folk and blues. Tickets for Saturday’s concert are 50kr. Visit Studenterhuset’s website for more info and links to the site where you can purchase tickets. Please note: Studenterhuset’s Slamfrø Poetry Slam, scheduled for tonight, has been moved to 26 February.

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ArtLab at Kunsten to go space at Aalborg Train Station this Sunday

On Sunday, 15 February Kunsten at the station is hosting its ArtLab workshop for children and their parents, led by professional artist Liselotte Beyer, from 10:00-14:30. The idea behind ArtLab is that the process of creating something is what is important – not the final product. Click here for more information.

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Fashionmarked to be held Sunday in Nørresundby

A flea market called Fashionmarked will take place this Sunday, 15 February from 11:00 to 16:00 in Nørresundby. Items for sale include clothing and homemade jewelry. The sale will be held at Husflidskolen, Gammel Konge Vej. For more info visit the FB event page.

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AISEC hosts LinkedIn seminar for international students at AAU on 19 February

It is a fact that you will be ‘Googled’ by prospective employers. It is also a fact that your LinkedIn profile is often the top search result. Therefore, it is important to consider how you present yourself professionally online. Come and find out how LinkedIn works and how to get the most out of it at AIESEC’s LinkedIn seminar from 14:30 on Thursday, 19 February at the AAU campus, Fibigerstræde 15. You will learn how you can work with your LinkedIn profile and optimize your professional online face. You will get:

A guide on how to create a professional profile

Input your personal strategy on LinkedIn

Ideas for how to use LinkedIn as a tool in your professional career

It is not necessary to bring a laptop as teaching will be based on workshops and presentations. However, it is a prerequisite that you have created a LinkedIn profile before the event. For more info click here and to register click here.

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I-Life welcomes new international students with party at Zwei Grosse Bier Bar

Welcome to Aalborg, new students! Join us at a bar on Jomfru Ane Gade on Saturday, February 21 to have the best start possible, get to know your fellow newcomers, and have a memorable time together! We will meet at Zwei Grosse Bier Bar (Jomfru Ane Gade 10) at 21:30. Be on time because only the first 100 will receive a card for a complimentary welcome beer! Look for I-Life staff members at the entrance of the bar to receive your card. From 22:00 we will be seated inside and you can find us there. All “veteran” students and graduates are also welcome to join us to party together. We look forward to seeing you all! Cheers, the I-Life Crew. More info here.

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Another Oscars screening – this one at Studenterhuset

On R&U 29 January, I posted for the second time information about Biffen’s Oscar night showing of Birdman followed by the awards ceremony. Tickets for that event are nearly sold out. However, Studenterhuset would also like to invite movie fans to watch the Oscars together on the 22nd to 23rd of February. We will start watching the pre-show after 20:00 on the 22nd, when there will be a previously nominated movie broadcast [Blogger’s note: I think this means they will show previously nominated movies, but I can’t be sure as the event doesn’t appear on Studenterhuset’s website.] The approximate starting time for the live broadcast of the Oscars will be 2:30 am on 23rd February. Until that time the bar will be open with regular bar prices as well as some special offers. Entrance for the event itself is free. Make sure you come and enjoy Hollywood´s biggest night with us! During the show we will provide a quiz, and by voting on the best (supporting) actor, (supporting) actress, and movie, you will have the chance to win a special prize. Don’t forget to invite your friends! For more info visit the FB event page.

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Aalborg Opera Festival Italian night at Nordkraft

Italy is opera’s homeland and on Friday, 6 March we will give our audience a great and sweeping Italian evening with a program of the great arias and duets from 19:00 to 21:00 in Kedelhallen at Nordkraft. Restaurant Azzurra offers an antipasti buffet with a selection of Italian specialties that can be enjoyed either as a full meal or appetizers for those with small appetites. The restaurant will also serve a range of Italian beverages, including wine in both glasses and bottles. Singers include Charlotte Hjørringgaard, soprano, Niels Jørgen Riis, tenor, Thomas Rewes, baritone, and Natasha Kutsko Jensen, pianist. Entry is free. The event is arranged by Aalborg Operafestival, Nordkraft Event, and Azurra. Find out more here. [Blogger’s note: more to come on Aalborg Opera Festival in forthcoming R&U posts…]

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BazarKUL happening again on 11 March – there’s still a chance to get a stall or you can just come and shop!

Are you crazy about clothes and in love with second hand items? Then come to BazaarKUL on Wednesday, 11 March, where old rags are suddenly worth gold! BazaarKUL is a monthly flea market clothing mecca for girls and guys who find joy in second hand clothes and love haggling over prices. The age limit for stall holders is 15 to 25 years, but everyone is welcome to come and shop! Setting up of stalls starts at 18:00, while the Bazaar itself starts at 18:30 and ends at 21:30. Do you want a stall? Requests for stalls start Wednesday, 25 February at 19:00. To get a stall, comment on the Facebook event page that you would like to have a stall when the following post appears on the aforementioned date and time: “Tilmelding til stand til BazaarKUL er åben.” We have 15 stalls and four clothing racks available – and they’re free to the first commenters!

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Toughest obstacle course Aalborg 6 June

Perhaps you’ve heard of it: the Toughest obstacle course series that pits men and women against 40 obstacles such as mud-slicked walls, rope challenges, and more over a distance of 8 kilometers. Originally from Sweden, the competition is now international and Aalborg gets its first one this year on 6 June at the harbor. So if you’re looking for something to toughen you up – whether as an individual or as part of a team – check out the Toughest website and register – the price to join goes up as you get closer to the date!

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WINTERFERIEN SPECIAL

Fastelavn at Aalborg Storcenter tomorrow

Come and ‘slå katten af tønden’ at Aalborg Storcenter Saturday, 14 February. Wear your Fastelavn costume in order to enter the ‘best costume’ contest; from those who participate a ‘cat king’ and ‘cat queen’ will be chosen. Children ages 0-2 and 6-8 years will get their chance to hit the barrel at 11:00, while children 3 to 5 and 8+ years can try their luck at 13:00.

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Fastelavn at Friis tomorrow

On Saturday, February 14 at 11:30, children can ‘slå katten af tønden’ with Cousin BR at Friis. Come dressed up. There will be great prizes for the cat king and queen and the best dressed. There will also be Fastelavnsboller for the first 400 children. Hope to see you there!

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Concert for children and other people – Fastelavn in song and costumes tomorrow at Utzon Center

Come and sing and dance with a great bunch North Jutland artists and use the opportunity to get dressed up in your fastelavn costume. The event has been designed for the whole family and will take place Saturday, 14 February from 14:00 at Utzon Center. The concert is presented in collaboration with aalborgoperafestival.dk. Admission: 60 kr./adult; free for everyone under 18 years. No presale. Ticket sales from 13:30. Cash only. Visit this site for more information.

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Aalborg Libraries offer lots of fun winter holiday activities all around the kommune

During week 8, Aalborg Main Library will hold ‘Fantasy Workshops’, where you can use fun and unusual materials, like craft rubber, toilet rolls, and other things, to create anything your imagination inspires you to make. We have suggestions and ideas for what you can do – but it’s up to you and your imagination to take the ideas and run with them! The library system is also offering activities in all their branches around the kommune, from painting glass to making keychains. See this page for more information on what is going on at which libraries next week.

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‘Winter Hubbub’ at KFUM Hall in Hasseris from Sunday to Tuesday

Aalborg KFUM Handball Support Association is ready to create an atmosphere of fun during part of this coming winter holiday. Under the umbrella ‘Winter Hubbub Hello’ the association has set out to create a healthy and fun alternative to sedentary pursuits on the cold days off next week. The idea is simply that the KFUM Hall in Hasseris will be filled with inflatables and various ball games. ‘We believe there are many who are looking for a vacation alternative – and therefore we have responded with the idea of a play area, which can be visited from 15 to 17 February from 10:00 to 18:00,’ says Louise Bjarnason Bech, representing the small but incredibly active handball support group of five people. The money raised will go to the handball association’s social activities. ‘This is a bit of a gamble. We know that it is a big undertaking, but it makes sense to try it out in February and then be ready to run it in earnest during the autumn holiday,’ says Louise Bjarnason Bech. The activities and facilities at KFUM Hall will be mostly geared towards children. However, their parents are also welcome and there will be a cordoned off zone for them with the daily newspaper, coffee, and much more. Cost is 50 kr/child under 18 and 25 kr/adult. Or you can buy an armband for all three days and pay for only two.

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Fun things to do at Aalborg Historiske Museum during winterferien

On Saturday, 14 February from 13:00 to 15:00 children will encounter other pirates, robots, princesses, ninjas, Spidermen, and kings, when Aalborg Historical Museum celebrates Fastelavn. Take your children to a wonderful event, where, among other things, they get the chance to ‘slå katten af tønden.’ There will be barrels for both young and older children and prizes for the finest and funniest homemade costumes. After ‘hitting the barrel’ will there be buns, lemonade, cocoa, and competitions. The price for entry is 30kr and please register by sending an email to historiskmuseum@aalborg.dk.

From 10:00 to 16:00 each day between Saturday, 7 February and Sunday, 22 February, children can go on a hunt in the museum, where there are exciting puzzles to be solved by the end of the two-week period. Older children can become secret agents and help the boys in the resistance group ‘Churchill Club’ with a top-secret mission, while the smaller ones can hunt for old-fashioned chicken rings and assemble a chain. There are also different fun board games like Ludo, Mastermind and various quiz games to be played.

From 13:00 to 15:00 every day between Monday, 16 February and Friday, February 20 the museum is holding a Candy Workshop at which adults and children alike can learn the art of candy making and try to make sweets from scratch. Participation in the workshop is 10 kr./person.

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Swim camp in Terndrup in week 8

Do you have a child/children between the ages of 7 and 16? Then give them an amazing experience at SWIM CAMP 2015 in Terndrup Swim Center 25 km from Aalborg in week 8! DGI Swimming North Jutland sponsors the camp and offers the possibility of “care” from 8-10 and 14-16 from next Monday to next Friday. Play, learning, competitions, and a lot of good experiences are the aims and all participants will come home with new friends and diplomas! For more info and registration click here.

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Enoch’s Circus Show to perform at Friis next week

During winter holiday in week 8 you and your children can experience a real circus in an untraditional place: Friis in the center of Aalborg. Enoch’s Circus Show has roots in Circus Dannebrog and will entertain visitors to Friis with performances each day during the winter holiday. Jimmy Enoch, a seventh generation member of the Circus Dannebrog family and one of next week’s performers, has this to say about his work: ‘To be a child of a circus is undoubtedly a completely different lifestyle than most people have. We tour the country in the summer and no two days are alike. But I cannot imagine a different life.’ The show lasts half an hour and there will be two performances every day.

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Byg and Hyg – winter holiday activity at Utzon Center

Come and see the exhibition ‘Catalyst Architecture’ and join in the Utzon Center family workshop. The workshop will be staffed Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in week 8 from 10:30 to 14:30 during week 8. ‘How can architecture make your city a better place to live? Are we missing an arts center for skaters, a giant swing, or a ski slope? We will design, build and get our imaginations going.’ Free admission for children under 18 years. Adults 60 kr. We are hoping for some cozy and creative time with our visitors. Read more about the exhibition here. You can also enjoy a delicious brunch where children under 18 eat for half price.

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Art hunt at Kunsthal Nord during week 8

Kunsthal Nord offers a joint activity for children and adults throughout the winter holiday (week 8). Go on a hunt for various clues about art in the current exhibition Generator. Kunsthal North provides the materials for free so you can go on the hunt for new details and experience the exhibition in a fun and exciting way. [Blogger’s note: I cannot find more info about this, unfortunately; I read about it on FB but there is no event page. If you’re interested, just show up there or call 9982 4125.] Opening hours are 12:00-17:00 Tues-Friday (closed Mondays) and 11:00-15:00 Saturday/Sunday.

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DGI-Huset Nordkraft transforms into a massive indoor playground for all ages in week 8

The DGI main hall at Nordkraft will be transformed into to a big jump and climb playland during week 8 (16-22 February) from 10:00 to 16:00 each day, with room for both large and small children. The Green Café will also offer delicious dishes on the upper level for all age groups. From Monday, February 16 through Thursday, February 19 the playland will be extended with space for ball games, such as basketball, hockey and football for the bigger kids, in addition to the jumping playground for the small children. You can also try out DGI-Huset’s parkour training in the playground from Monday to Thursday from 12:00-14:00 in the Multi Hall. Price to enter the gym is 50 kr/person (children under 2 are free). Find out more here.

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NEWS

Aalborg’s Fjord Marathon shifts back 3 months to June this year

This year’s Fjord Marathon in Aalborg has been moved from September to June. The move has been justified by the already large number of events crowding Aalborg’s events calendar in August and September. However, by moving it to 14 June this year (one week before the Aalborg Half-marathon on 21 June), the race organizers acknowledge the risk of trying to attract the same runners, who will now have to choose between the two events. Talks are underway to resolve this issue in the future.

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Good-bye to the DSB klippekort in the Copenhagen area

Attention everyone who travels to and uses public transport in Copenhagen! According to the Copenhagen Post, the DSB (Danske Stats Baner) has discontinued the production of klippekorts for use on the Danish train system within the Copenhagen metropolitan area. However, you can still use any remaining klippekorts you have until 30 June of this year and get a refund after that for any unused klippekort. To find out more, read this or this.