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Art
The world of art is no stranger to Basel and every year, the world’s biggest and most influential art fair, the ‘ART’ is held here. If you browse through the phone book, you will also find more than 100 galleries listed. Since opening a few years ago, Fondation Beyeler has become extremely popular and it houses an enviable private art collection. The pieces in the Kunstmuseum Basel are equally impressive and masters such as Holbein are well-represented. Modern art buffs will enjoy the Museum für Gegenwartskunst and the Kunsthalle also specialises in modern art. Switzerland’s famous sculptor Tinguely and his works are celebrated in the Museum Tinguely and his bizarre iron creations have been admired by many a visitor.
Cinemas
Most of the city’s cinemas can be found in the Steinen suburb near Barfüsser Square. They all show mainstream films but the enormous Küchlin, a listed building, is the most architecturally impressive. Most of the films produced in a foreign language have subtitles. You will, however, find that some children’s films are dubbed.
Independent and small-budget films are usually screened in sometimes less central locations. Camera often shows films made in the Third World and the Stadtkino specialises in older movies. The Filmpalast, which is the newest cinema in the city, has acquired a reputation for showing all things weird and wonderful.
Museums and Galleries
Given the city’s size, it is surprising to find so many different museums here and it seems as if new museums are always opening their doors to the public. The Anatomisches Museum is not for the squeamish and the Museum of Architecture is small but informative. The exhibitions change on a regular basis. The young and young at heart will no doubt enjoy the Puppenhausmuseum, which boasts a collection of more that 6,000 dolls and teddy-bears. The Basler Papiermühle sticks to its roots and is housed in a former paper mill. If you cross the border to Weil in Germany you can visit the Vitra-Design-Museum, which showcases information about popular culture and has an exquisite collection of contemporary furniture on display. These are only a few of the many museums in Basel. Whatever your tastes, you will be sure to find one to suit your interests.
Music
Classical
Classical music is popular the whole city over. The Academy of Music, the Chamber Orchestra, the Basler Sinfonietta and the Basler Symphonieorchester treat their audiences to first-rate performances time and time again. They perform in various locations, but one is of particular note: the City Casino. Its great hall is well suited to classical music and provides a beautiful backdrop for beautiful music. Concerts in the Münster and the Martinskirche are also very popular.
Rock/Pop/Jazz
In the last few years rock, pop and jazz have become increasingly popular in Basel, perhaps more so than ever before. The main venue for anything non-classical at the moment is the Atlantis. Lesser known bands sometimes perform at the Kuppel, and the Kaserne Basel is the main showplace the alternative scene. Jazz lovers flock to Bird's Eye Jazz Club (The).
Dance
Once upon a time, Basel had a ballet company with an impeccable reputation but recently dance has not seemed to have had too many followers in the city. Funding has been drastically reduced, and as far as the subsidised city ballet, drama and opera companies were concerned, the former never managed to compete with the other two. Consequently, attention was focused on modern dance. The change was much favoured by critics but not on the part of the general public and directors changed as often as the weather!
Opera, theatre and musicals
The city’s main theatre company, the ‘Schauspiel’, and the opera have managed to overcome the immense financial difficulties they faced in the past. Opera and dance performances take place in the Stadttheater (City Theatre) in front of which there is a wonderful sculpture by Serra.
Musicals are shown in the Musical Theatre Basel, with the main attraction being the Phantom of the Opera. Visiting opera companies also perform here, and sometimes lesser known musicals also get their fifteen minutes of fame. There are many smaller stages such as the Fauteuil, the Theater in the Teufelhof, the Baseldytschi Bihni (all performances held in dialect!) and the Basler Marionetten Theater; these do much for the city’s cultural landscape.
Nightlife
Whilst Basel’s nightclubs cannot be compared to those in places such as Berlin or London, they are nonetheless extremely popular. The city’s most coveted venue is the Babalabar. It has been around forever, and generation after generation of party lovers have come here to let their hair down. Those looking for a good time also visit the Kuppel to dance the night away to live music. The Italian-influenced Bordello is a similarly busy haunt and over-30s are catered for at Mad Max.
Where do I go?
Entertainment in individual districts
Many opportunities for entertainment and culture can be found in the city center and this trend has been intensified since increased pedestrianisation took hold. On a warm summer’s eve, Basel’s centre can get rather crowded and you may find your patience tested as you wind through a never-ending stream of people.
Bohemian types and those that want to get away from what the city-center has to offer often go to Kleinbasel. There are quite a few trendy bars here but they are not always easily found. Wherever you end up, you will be sure to find yourself amongst a good mix of people and there are plenty of places in which to eat. Kleinbasel’s multicultural character adds to its charm, there are lots of Turkish coffee houses, vendors selling kebabs and peculiar little watering holes; there is a noticeable village feeling about the place.
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