BOLZ WM 11

Gerd Demobowski: football vs. country music – riot-reading and performance

What do football and country music have to do with one another? Come find out! Dembowski brings out the emotional background in his stories by quoting well-known song lyrics combined with lyrics from his musician friends. He also sings at his infamous readings – only to interrupt himself with children’s instruments and toys. He tells about his first goal as a survived threat, about the search for Maradona, and about the singing lumberjack shirt, Gunter Gabriel as surrogate father and about football as the backbone of community. Infamous slander and heartfelt love stories – a literary tightrope act between a Fifa Congress and a squatters den. Gerd Dembowski has become well known as the spokesperson for the Alliance of Active Football Fans (BAFF), through his work with Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) and his collaboration on the book and exhibit “Tatort Stadium”. His latest book, “The ball is Colorful. Football, Migration, and the Diverse Identities in Germany.” For too long to count Dembowski has been reporting from the fan scene and in 2007 was part of “For Tolerance, Against Discrimination” as part of the German Football Task Force. Sometimes he doesn’t know himself if he is either fan or anthropologist. In 2007 “Football vs. Country Music” came on the scene with its snappy commentary, was readily nominated as the Football Book of the Year for 2007 – and lost. In compensation Dembowski became an underground literary success, giving over one hundred readings.

“Also striking are the three black-out lines in the last chapter, where apparently the subject is Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, while other fantastical characterizations of leading representatives of football are obviously left alone.” (Berliner Zeitung)

“When a man like Dembowski leads the discussion, even the politicians can’t remain silent. Annoyed by long weeks of bickering the Chancellor himself even spoke up from his vacation in Italy.” (Der Spiegel)

Picture this: four guys standing on the stage wearing masks and overalls. The strobe light begins to flash and in the first moment you ask yourself: Is this Carneval? Not such a longshot considering the band comes from Köln and sits high atop the mountain of tomfoolery. Of course, the band has much more to offer than just wearing crazy costumes. In the first moments, they accomplish their goal: to stand up and rock!

After two or three songs, She’s All That gets listeners into the groove, or not, depending on your musical taste. But if you give into it, this band is a complete experience, especially live! This is where the party’s at! The music is a special blend of rock, electro beats, and reggae. The female lead singer has a certain special approach that ties it all together. She is an absolute scene-stealer and always encourages audience participation. Comparisons to bands like Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Prodigy, or Apollo 440 are often made and aren’t too far off. If the audience doesn’t have the famous stick up their asses, then dancing, rocking, and singing with the band is bound to happen!

At the end of the concert, the shouts of encore echo through the halls. The band gives more than enough of what the audience wants and at the end of it, everyone is happy to have experienced this one of a kind concert. Whoever does not want to believe these praises for a relatively unknown band can use any given video links to get another opinion. You, my dear people, will have the opportunity to form your own opinion at the upcoming Bolz World Cup on the 1o^th of July, when She’s All That plays live at the Waldauer Wiesen. Their CD is also available for purchase – just look for their debut album “Extra Fruity Disgusting” in stores.

There must be zillions of movies about football. But we think that most of them aren´t very good. We can’t possibly watch ‘Germany – A Summer Story’ one more time. We are now digging in are archives and are finding some real highlights. So, if you want to chill out for a couple of hours after playing football all day long and/or celebrating, stop by the culture tent.

Scheduled for Saturday 11.30 p.m., but this is subject to change. Watch out for further information.

This list is subject to vary. There will certainly be more added to the program, so check in every once in a while for updates.

3.07. at 18.00: Concert with the Graveyardrockers

4.07. at 20.15 : Communal showing of Tatort

6.07. Opening of the „Ballarbeit“ exhibit at Waldauer Wiesen

6.-12.07. Ballarbeit exhibit continues

07.07. Last Kick game with the older and newer Dynamos

08.07. at 20.00: Concert with Lone and Gammelfleisch

09.07. Opening (hopefully, ha!) of the Bolz-WM and draw for the games

10.07. Fußball vs. Countrymusik – reading and performance with Gerd Dembowski. Time yet to be determined.

10.07. Late Night Football Cinema. Time yet to be determined.

10.07. Concert with She’s All That. Time yet to be determined.

11.07. at 09.30 „Warburger Conversation“ with a diverse group of big names in free time football.

In the culture tent there will be exhibits about football and South Africa.

At the heart of the 10 days are two Football tournaments that frame the athletic aspects of the Bolz World Cup. The yearly small field tournament, the Bolzmasters, will take place on the first weekend and the full field Bolz World Cup, played every four years, will take place on the second weekend. In addition, there is going to be the first ever HandiCup tournament for people with disabilities, the yearly Bambini Cup for small kids, the Olympic Games for children and teenagers, the second annual Women’s Bolzmasters, and the Football Fun Contest for teenagers.

Additional tournaments and sport offerings, along with a more detailed cultural program will be available soon.

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