‘Pop Up’ Leipzig Pop Music Fair – May 7 & 8

Music is a universal language that brings people from all walks of life together, and it’s hard to imagine a better concept for a fair than bringing people together with music in a way that benefits all involved, by promoting up and coming bands, both local and international, in an affordable and selfless manner! And that dear folks is precisely what Leipzig Pop Up is all about, bringing underground, independent bands from as far away as New Zealand, Canada and from around Europe to your back door for 2 days of indie-electro, pop music goodness in May. For the last 9 years the hardworking crew and founders of Pop Up have been helping small independent bands and labels gain their footing in the pop music community in Leipzig.
Pop has its roots in popular, namely, chart music and is a term which has been used for the past 50 years to define popular music. The ambiguity of the word reflects the definition of pop music for it is constantly changing and redefining itself making it difficult to pin point a specific style or sound. It isn’t a set musical style but rather a plethora of sound which has been borrowed from a wide range of music. However, according to “pop purists”, it is best characterized by short, catchy songs played on electric guitar, bass, drums, with vocals performed primarily for audience pleasure! So there you have it, pop music in a nut-shell! Of course a far better lesson would best bet undertaken by checking it out yourselves.
This year Pop Up will be taking place on May 7 & 8 at Werk II in Connewitz with concerts, discussion panels and stands as well as additional concerts being held in the evenings at UT Connewitz and Ilses Erika, located within walking distance. You can find a list of bands, their links and tickets online.
www.leipzig-popup.de

Calling all Kiwis and Aussies

The call had gone out, and on Sunday 25 April those from Down Under gathered in Leipzig’s Rosental Park in the name of ANZAC day. ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) stands for the day shared by our countries in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in war. The day marks the landing of the combined forces at Gallipoli in World War I. Wikipedia will give you more.

The sun shone like a trooper on Sunday and a great picnic – with ANZAC biccies, chocolate lamingtons and lots of carrot cake! – was had by the 25-30 kindred spirits. Because we can’t just nip home it was a great dose of all that we are. Thanks go to Mandy for rounding us all up, and we hope that there’ll be more to come – there was talk of a lakeside bbq. So, if you’re from one or the other of Germany’s current dream destinations, and fancy donning your jandals and togs and having a cold one by the barbie, drop us an email: info@leipzig-zeitgeist.de.

Picnic weather & picnic goodies! :-)

Hello,

Well, finally picnic weather is here & let’s hope it stays! Wherever your favourite outdoor spot is in L.e. (and there are plenty to chose from!), one of the best ways to spend the sunny days is lazing in the sun (don’t forget the suncream…!) with some delicious goodies (and maybe some friends to help you share them….or maybe not)

So, for all your future picnics & BBQs this summer, I want to share the following recipe with you for chocolate brownies – which was passed on to me from a friend in England, in Hook Norton (or Hooky) to be precise, home of the famous Hook Norton Brewery and lots of great ‘ye olde English pubs’ in beautiful Oxfordshire.

So, less of my chat – here is the recipe….

Chocolate Brownie Recipe

By Emma Hughes

Ingredients:

250g Butter

500g Granulated sugar

75g Cocoa

3-4 eggs (3 large or 4 medium)

125g Self raising or plain flour (I use half and half or add large pinch of baking powder if use plain flour)

150g of either pecans, walnuts, raisins, cherries, chocolate chips etc..

(I use a mix of pecans, hazelnuts, chocolate and cherries) and at least 150g!

Grease and line (if not non-stick, or to be sure it will come out!) a meat tin approx 12” x 10” (2” deep) no larger as will go too thin, OK if smaller, but possibly cook for longer.

Method:

In a saucepan, melt the butter over a gentle heat until completely melted, remove from heat and stir in the cocoa until it has smooth consistency.

Place the sugar in a mixing bowl and beat in your eggs, beat with the sugar until fluffy.

Now add your butter & cocoa mix to the sugar and egg mixture, mix together well.

Fold in your flour and then add the nuts/choc etc.. mix well together.

Place the mixture into your greased/lined baking tin.

Cook in the oven on 160 – 170 C for a minimum of 35 minutes, it may look uncooked, difficult to explain, you will find it will vary depending on your oven etc.. but I usually end up cooking the brownies for up to 40 mins. The brownies should be gooey in the middle but cooked.

Remove from tray when cooled – onto a cooling rack, it cuts better when warm (not hot).

Serve with cream or ice cream or both! :-)