De Fanclub is a small circle in Amsterdam-West where everyone is welcome. Each in turn, you stand in the middle, and you choose what you do: talk about what's on your mind, sing a song, try out an idea or just be quiet for a while. The others listen without judgement and only give advice if you ask for it. When you're done, everyone cheers for you. You don't need to prepare anything.
In our chat room you pick a little character, walk across the stage and cheer for each other.
De Fanclub is dedicated to Willem de Ridder (1939–2022), who said: be your own fan! Where it comes from ↓
At De Fanclub it happens every time. Not because you won something, but because you're there and told us something. Or didn't.
Eight to fourteen people on chairs in a circle, with tea and cake.
Each in turn, you tell what's going on, what you'd love, or what you're proud of. As short or as long as you like.
The others listen with full attention. No comments, no questions, and advice only if you ask for it.
Then the whole circle claps and cheers for you. After that, it's the next person's turn.
Corantijnstraat 25
1058 DB Amsterdam
Monday 19:30–21:30
Eight times, every week.
Questions? Email [email protected]
We tried out the chat room. Biggest discovery: in the sea room the sea roared so loudly you could hardly hear the cheering. Now the sea is quiet, and the cheering isn't. Also fun to try: in the room Without words, the little characters make music together. Stand on a square and you play along.
See for yourself in the chat →Leave your email address. Then you'll hear about it when there are new evenings, or a new place.
Everyone who joins in gets a card. On it you write the name of someone you're a fan of: a neighbour, a friend, the man at the vegetable stall. Bring them along next time.
I'm a fan of …
No. You can also just listen and cheer along. When it's your turn, simply say "I pass", and we'll cheer for that too.
No. It's a game for everyone, without religion or politics. You sit in a circle and you're each other's audience.
Yes. Speak Dutch, English or your own language. Everyone understands cheering.
No. It's free and you can just walk in. Tea and cake are waiting.
Then you come once. Every evening stands on its own.
You don't need a permit, training or an organisation. A few people, a circle of chairs and two hours is enough. Here's how we do it.
"Welcome to De Fanclub. We'll take turns to tell what's going on. The rest listen, without comments, and only give advice if you ask for it. After every turn, we cheer. You can also pass, and then we cheer too."
"Let's practise first. Three, two, one…"
Anyone can start a fan club. So can you.
De Fanclub is a tribute to Willem de Ridder. He was a storyteller, radio maker and Fluxus artist, and he helped found Paradiso and the Melkweg.
As a boy in Den Bosch he hid envelopes with tasks in gardens and back alleys, and then the whole neighbourhood went on a treasure hunt. Later, on the radio, he didn't talk to "the listeners", but to one listener. In 1978, following his instructions, thousands of people drove to Woudrichem in the middle of the night.
His magazine Hitweek was made by its readers. Everything they sent in went in, and it was presented "as if it were a very important creation. Whether it was important or nonsense." That's really cheering on paper.
His book is called Wees je eigen fan! (Be your own fan!). All over the Netherlands, fan clubs grew up around his ideas, which originally came from the United States, from Arnold Patent. We took one thing from them: taking turns to tell, listen and cheer. Without any philosophy around it, so that it's for everyone. Each in turn, everyone stands in the middle.
"Smile, and while you're smiling, try to feel gloomy, heavy and miserable. Hihihihi. Fun, eh! You'll notice it doesn't work any more."
"I just want to do what I enjoy."
Sources: AnkhHermes, publisher of his book, Ravage (interview 2003), De Ridder Retrospectief, Groninger Museum 1983, VPRO, Wikipedia, NOS.
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