Welcome to the playground! In September 2021, a new platform for young creators in the north of the Netherlands was launched: Explore the Playground. Within this platform, we give young makers the opportunity to put together a full evening program at De Westerkerk in Leeuwarden, with support from the Playground team. The young creators present their own work and invite other inspiring makers from the region. The first edition took place on September 24 and was completely sold out. The program for that edition was curated by Blondeau. On Friday, October 29, it’s time for Edition II, curated by Jort Switijnk of Zuen Records.
Explore the Playground was initiated by young Explore the North programmers Céline Wierda and Maha Eljak. With Explore the Playground, they aim to create more playground (read: room to play) for emerging artists who are not (yet) at the top of programmers’ lists. Young creators from the north of the Netherlands are invited to “play” and further develop themselves in this way. Hence the name: playground. In this playground, they are given the space to experiment, to fail, and to focus on the process. And of course, to introduce themselves to you as an audience!
Young artists and ever-changing programs
With a different young artist each month, the program is always changing. There will always be something for you as an audience member. So let yourself be surprised and discover a variety of unexpected art forms and collaborations!
Second edition of Explore the Playground with Jort Switijnk (Zuen Records)
The second edition of Explore the Playground takes place on Friday, October 29 at 8:30 PM at De Westerkerk. For this edition, young Frisian creator Jort Switijnk has been invited to curate the evening with emerging talent. He is doing so together with his collective Zuen Records, which also runs a recording studio and releases various productions.
Program
During Explore the Playground, you will get to know the three founders, producers, and creators behind Zuen Records. It will be an evening where different genres, art forms, and disciplines come together. Expect a program full of styles and blends, ranging from ethereal indie and boom bap hip-hop to house and everything in between. Throughout the evening, a work of art will be created, and all the music from the night will be released afterwards as an album together with the artwork. An evening full of creativity and inspiration, packed with visual and auditory surprises!
Explore the Playground II, featuring Soulitude, Steeby, Renceau, Moto and Vulgari$