Wednesday 23 March 2011

Interview: Bas Engels (Shoeless, The Netherlands)


One of the coolest party rows in Amsterdam is "Shoeless", a clubbing experience without shoes. We talked with the man, who brings the living room atmosphere in the clubs, about crazy ideas, Berlin and the Nachtlab project.

First, as always, describe yourself in 3 words:
Entrepreneur, positive and social.

Bas, you are the creator of the famous “Shoeless” parties in Amsterdam. I have to say, I am a big fan! How did you come up with the idea and how did the party row develop?
Thanks man! To tell you the truth it all began as a joke a few years ago. A few friends and me always love to party on bare feet, even on outdoor festivals. Several times we said to each other one day we will organize a bare feet party and so it was. The first edition wasn’t a commercial party, only friends and no entrance fee. I think the reason why a lot of people like the party is because it still has the same vibe for years, with friends for friends, like an afterhour.

Beginning of April Shoeless goes for the first time abroad. Your party will be in Berlin. Why did you choose the German capital?
First of all because of our friends there, after years of visiting Berlin frequently I met a lot of very nice people. A lot of them also come often to Amsterdam and to Shoeless as well. This is why we recently organized a Shoeless bus trip from Berlin to an edition in Amsterdam, which was really cool. You can see a small registration here. Logically a real edition couldn’t stay behind.

Tell us more about Shoeless Berlin in Club Ritter Butzke. What can people expect?
A unique atmosphere, because everybody feels like home without shoes, crazy people, really nice DJ’s from Amsterdam and Berlin and a Ritter Butzke, like you have never seen before!

When not organizing parties you are working for “Nachtlab”. What exactly is this and what is your mission?
Nachtlab is big building in Amsterdam were young and leading companies, musicians and artists operating in nightlife can rent cheap working space. Instead of being subsidised by the government like other incubator buildings I combine forces and organize events all together to keep the rent low.

Please write spontaneously a short comment for each of the following terms:
Amsterdam: Really blooming at the moment
Rotterdam: A city in The Netherlands were they play terrible soccer
Ibiza: You always need a holiday after you had a holiday in Ibiza

Best DJ / Producer: Dixon
Best Club: At the moment Club Trouw in Amsterdam is really cool
Best Festival:
Shoeless Open Air of course ;-)

More information about Bas Engels & Shoeless:
www.shoeless.nl


Shoeless Party in Berlin at Club Ritter Butzke
Saturday 9. April 2011 from 11:00 pm to Sunday 10:00 am
Facebook Event
www.ritterbutzke.de


Interview by Joe Landen

More interviews here!

1 comment:

  1. Nicely interviewed. I hope this can be really auspicious to be a part of my life. I am absolutely overwhelmed.

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