For 10 years, Joe’s Garage organizes political action, film and debate evenings, discussions and demonstrations. Everyone is welcome whether it’s for advice in precarious housing, employment and other life issues or for a bowl of soup, a good conversation, nice music or a free raincoat from the Giveaway Shop.
As known, there is a desperate shortage of housing in Amsterdam. That is, we believe, generally not because of a lack of actual buildings but due to shortcomings of housing policy, power struggles in politics and greed in this capitalist capital. None of the 50 shades of the cabinet has ever really been able to solve this urgent problem.
Therefore we squat houses. After all, in hollow promises, one can’t live from pretty words and symbolic politics.
Joe’s Garage is also a squat but so much more than just that. Joe’s Garage is an autonomous, political, social and cultural center; 100% run by volunteers and without subsidy. Joe’s Garage shows what’s possible when people collaborate, share and exchange ideas, all in solidarity with each other. For 10 years now.
We, along with many of you, witnessed the neighborhood change significantly in the last 10 years. From a working-class neighborhood with many squats, social housing and Turkish grocery stores to a neat neighborhood with lots of expensive apartments and trendy coffee shops.
This change left no one unaffected. Some are delighted with the nicely refurbished homes, others miss the days you could still drink coffee for 1 Euro.. We find the conversation between people about this matter important and interesting to conduct.
Today we celebrate the autonomy, solidarity and freedom that we took 10 years ago and still cherish every day. Hasta la Victoria Siempre! Überhaupt und Jetzt! Love and Rage! And more of such…
Saturday november 21th 2015:
14.00, giveaway shop and more
15.00, gentrification tour
18.00, people’s kitchen
19.00, bands: Beatzers (ska folk from the Amsterdam swamp), The Bucket Boyz (blue trash from the Amsterdam swamp), Adamastor (up-tempo Portuguese gypsy punk).
Adamastor: it all started in Amsterdam in October 2013, when five thirsty musicians from Portugal, Holland and Spain, stepped on each other’s toes and since then continue to gladly step on each other’s toes! Since then it has been an exciting time. Every show people discover the new and exciting sound. Through Fado, Bluegrass, Gypsy, sweat, all kinds of emotions, and big bar revenues, Adamastor takes us on a multicultural infectious journey with no beginning nor end…
