April 20, 2016 · Team HG
Groningen continues its search for the new Night Mayor. On the night of Tuesday, April 19 to Wednesday, April 20, the candidates for the 2016 Night Mayor election were announced. Voting is open until May 16, after which the title will be awarded on May 18 to the person most suitable for the role.
A few weeks ago, it emerged that many parties were working to get the contest off the ground. This year, the city blog Sikkom is organizing the election. The blog considers it important that Groningen gets a good, committed night mayor following the outgoing Chris Garrit. “A city that prides itself so much on its nightlife cannot do without a representative, connector, and bridge-builder between the night and the day.”
Candidates
The potential night mayor introduces themselves as follows in the Dagblad van het Noorden:
– Oelinda de Vries | 22 | Just finished as a student and busy writing a lot.
I often hear that nothing should change about Groningen's nightlife, that it is amazing. But I think there is still a gap between the old guard and the newcomers. Every year there are new students who do not yet have a bond with the established order, such as the bar owners. I think we can do something about that and thereby increase the sense of community in the city. Personally, I can often be found at places like The Warehouse, Wolter Wolters, the new club East and the WarholPeople know me as a night owl and party animal. I know what nightlife is all about and can be found everywhere.
– Hubert Nauta | 55 | Runs two cafes and is the former director of music venue Simplon.
“Groningen holds a unique position. Every year we welcome thousands of new residents and a lot is happening. But we aren't always that proud. We could be a bit more so. Not much needs to change regarding the nightlife. We mainly need to ensure that the offerings remain diverse, that there is something for everyone. Not just party bars and drinking binges. Furthermore, we must hold major events like Eurosonic. You sometimes hear people say that it is becoming too big for Groningen. That is the worst thing you can say. In that case, we just need to stretch the city a bit.”
– Merlijn Poolman | 28 | Run Subsonic until last year and is now a programmer at Simplon
Organizers in Groningen should coordinate their programming more. Sometimes they get in each other's way, with multiple events in the same genre taking place on a single evening, while we are fishing in a relatively small pond. We are already working on a joint online calendar to improve this. Groningen is the city with late closing times, but it would be good if we made the early evening attractive as well. I also notice that I am much more capable the next day if I head into the city at ten o'clock and go home again at two. If the city is already lively early on, the crowd will arrive sooner.
– Annemiek Rosaria | 26 | Manages emerging artists and organizes benefit concerts against child poverty throughout the country
I consider safety important in the nightlife scene. In recent years, I have seen quite a lot of violence on the streets. People see the police and security guards standing there, but they don't know exactly what they are doing. It would be good if we informed the public more about this. The programming in the city could sometimes be a bit more multicultural. You often see venues with only pop or only urban music, whereas I think mixing often works very well. I think I can be the link between young people and adults. I have some political experience, am an entrepreneur, and organize events.
– Beniamino Bescotti | 47 | Is involved with music and has an online radio program
“We often think of the city center, but above all, we must not forget the suburbs. Something is being done for young people there, but not enough. More youth centers would be good for the neighborhoods. We should set them up with various organizations. I also participated in the election last time, and my points still hold true. Safety in the city could be better. Cooperation between bouncers and the police is important for this. I myself frequent cafes in the city. I regularly attend jam and blues sessions and often go to Pino, a multicultural center.”
Selection
The website will go next week www.nachtburgemeester050.nl online featuring profiles of the five candidates, an introductory video of the candidates, and the opportunity to ask questions. The public can vote for their favorite candidate via the website. The voting runs until May 16 and serves as an advisory vote for the five-member jury, consisting of stakeholders from Groningen's nightlife, which will ultimately decide who will become the new Night Mayor for the period 2016–2018.
Election night
The evening of the election is held in Huize Maas; a festive evening with live music where the candidates present themselves, the final consultative vote is held, and the jury will announce the new night mayor at midnight. Admission to this evening is free.
