The small town of Balkbrug is buzzing with excitement as two engaging cultural and fitness events are set to bring the community together this January. First up, on January 25th, musician Freek Knol will present the musical performance "Into the Wild" at the Wolderhuus Tonckens Theater, alongside the band Hippie Tunes. This performance is inspired by the acclaimed film directed by Sean Penn, which chronicles the life of Christopher McCandless, who abandons his material possessions to venture deep within the Alaskan wilderness.
Before the intermission, audiences can expect to hear all the music from the film, featuring compositions primarily by Eddie Vedder, the frontman of Pearl Jam. After the break, the Hippie Tunes will invoke the spirit of the 1960s and 70s with vibrant performances, inviting the audience back to the hippie camp environment depicted so vividly on screen. According to Knol, this project arose from his amazement at the lack of live performances dedicated to the film's soundtrack, leading him to collaborate with Hippie Tunes to fill this gap.
Freek Knol, 64, expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "That was, to my great surprise, not the case. And, many people know the music from the film." He has been playing guitar for his entire life but humorously notes it took him 40 years to muster up the courage for his first performance. "Music is emotion," Knol passionately remarked. "It goes beyond just putting words and chords together; you have to embody the writer to truly connect with the audience.”
Adding to the attraction, attendees of the musical performance will also gain access to the screening of "Into the Wild" at the same venue on January 17th. Entry to both events is priced at just 10 euros, making it both accessible and appealing for local residents.
On the fitness front, another initiative is launching to energize the community. The Gymnastics Association of Balkbrug is starting a new high-intensity group class called "Hit je Fit" on January 15th. This class will compliment their existing offerings of Jhoom Fitness and Total Body Workout, focusing on combat sport movements to provide participants with a challenging workout.
Trainer Suwanna Jissink emphasized the intensity of the class, quipping, "Unlike our other classes, this one is all about pushing participants. After warming up and cooling down, we will maximize effort for thirty minutes straight!" Scheduled for Wednesdays at 19:15, the class is located at the gym hall at Balk & Brug, Molenweg 20a, Balkbrug. With spots limited, interested participants are encouraged to reach out quickly through social media or directly via email.
Jissink aims to create not just another fitness class, but rather, an experience where attendees leave thoroughly exhausted but feeling accomplished. “We want everyone to crawl out of the gym at the end of the session,” she joked, reflecting her unique approach to fitness.
Both the musical event and fitness class highlight the spirit of community engagement and cultural enrichment within Balkbrug. Freek Knol and Suwanna Jissink are not only facilitating memorable experiences but also encouraging residents to connect through music and physical activity. With each event complimenting the other, locals have abundant options to participate, whether through the arts or sports, this January.