A conversation with Club PARA
Jazz difficult and inaccessible? With Club PARA; the little sister of jazz venue Paradox, Renée Blommaert and Sophie Sanders want to break that notion. We spoke with Renée and Sophie about the power of magical music and just hanging out. “I think everyone could use a little jazz."
“The very first time I came to Tilburg, I went to Paradox.” says Renée. “I thought that was such a magical place even then. Yet in the years that followed, during my student days, I actually never came there again.” For her graduation project, Renée researched how Paradox could appeal to more younger audiences. This eventually led to the concept of Club PARA, which will enter its second season this fall. Renée: “I started a conversation with the city to find out what young people in Tilburg missed in the cultural landscape. This revealed that there was a need for a place to 'just hang out.' I then incorporated that into the concept for Club PARA. It is friendly, accessible, homely, you can plop down on the couch, listen to great music, chat with your friends, as well as enjoy live jazz performances."
Easy Access
On a Club PARA night, you can expect live jazz music interspersed with DJs. And beyond that? Nice couches to hang out in and a cozy, casual atmosphere. Renée: “Club PARA stands for simply experiencing the music. People often say to me that they think jazz is too complicated. But you can't tell me you don't like jazz. It is so broad and the influences of jazz are found in so many other popular genres, which is why we want to make Club PARA as accessible as possible. Just come and listen and experience the music. I'm convinced I can prove to everyone how cool jazz is.”
Just come and listen and experience the music. I am convinced that I can prove to everyone how cool jazz is.
Team PARA
During one of those nights, Renée met Sophie: “Last year I came to one of the Club PARA nights, and suddenly Paradox was full of young people!” Tells Sophie. “I thought that was so cool. I stayed a little longer once and that's how I met Renée. When I heard that Club PARA was going ahead, I offered to help out.” Now Renée and Sophie are a team, working together on a new season of events. Sophie: “Paradox is a really cool place and what they program there is really great. The very best of the jazz world comes there. It is really special that we have that in a city like Tilburg. You shouldn't want to change that, but we can add something to it so that more people know how to find their way to Paradox.”
Success formula
And with success! Sophie: “I think the success of Club PARA is that it is very accessible. Even if you have never heard of jazz or don't know anything about it. The evenings are free, you can just walk in, and out again if you don't like it. And it's on a Monday? I mean; what else do you have to do?” Renée: “Last year we already went a step further and also organized some ‘Club PARA in concert’ nights. That's kind of a stepping stone between Club PARA and Paradox's regular programming. Some bigger bands and established names that we think connect with the younger target group. That way we try to get the young people we reach also excited about everything else Paradox has to offer.”
So with that formula for success, Club PARA will continue for now. And what else is in store? Renée: “We have a lot of big plans for the future; Club PARA events outside Paradox, for example, or maybe even a Club PARA festival. I think everyone could use a little jazz in their life, so if we need to move more into the city for that, we will!”
The first Club PARA night of the season will take place on Monday, November 4 at jazz venue Paradox. Check @clubparatilburg on instagram to stay up to date with the latest news and program!
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