If you were a teenager living in Assen in 2004, you may remember a little party that I called ‘Stay For Spring’ festival, to promote local bands to a local audience.
In cooperation with theater Diana in Assen and bands from Assen, I was able to organise a one time event, held on May 14th 2004, presenting Lowlife, Flat Tyre, The Scarlets, Swiss, Defect, The Dinos and the Soulshakers (formally known as Tea For Two). Presented by Inge Snip and with a special intermission performance by Kris Vesseur, Daan van Hasselt and Albert Jan Schonewille.
Creative Teen Scene
There was an electrifying creative admosphere in the teen scene in Assen. Bands were popping up everywhere, people were creating art, photography, grafitti, and were open to creative expressions and ideas. At the time I was a very determined teenage girl, and once the idea of organising an event for my friends came to my mind, I knew I would do it.
The preperation started several months prior to the event, approaching the owner of several bars and clubs in the city with the idea and how we would go about promoting it. We were able to secure the bands to play and found a perfect presenter in my sister Inge Snip. With help from class mates, we distributed posters all over town and send out flyers to schools in the area, and we contacted the local news paper to get the word out to a broader audience, and do all we could to make it a success.
The evening ended up being a great experience presenting local bands to an audience which was used to listening to DJs and foreign performers. I will always look back on it as something which I could’ve gone better if I knew then what I know now. However it was a great learning experience, and I am very greatful to Diana Assen, and the musicians involved, for giving me this great oppertunity.
Some of the musicians went on to become big names in the Dutch entertainment industry from event organisers, DJ’s and rock stars, and whilst I know I was not a part of their success, I will always be appreciative they were willing to help create this event and proud of being able to say they performed at my festival.
Thank You
It has been over ten years, but I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved*:
Defect, The Dino’s, The Scarlets, Lowlife, Flat Tyes, Swiss and The Soulshakers.
Special thanks to Nightclub/Theater Diana Assen, Lex Vesseur (who also photographed the event. Visit his website to see more of his amazing work!), Inge Snip, Kris Vesseur, Albert Jan Schonewille and Daan van Hasselt.
And Ides, my partner in crime, thank you for sticking with me, helping out create this event together. I could not have done it without you. The reality is, this was more of your work than mine.
It has been over ten years, but I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved*:
Defect: Jos, Wendy, Bram, Michiel & Joost
The Dino’s: Joost, Rein, Bart & Wendy
The Scarlets: Inez, Idis & …
Lowlife: Laurens, … & …
Flat Tyes: Daniel, Tjardo, Eric, Jeroen & …
Swiss: Jos, Joost, Nico & …
The Soulshakers: Bert, Erik, … & …
Special thanks to Nightclub/Theater Diana Assen, Lex Vesseur, Inge Snip, Kris Vesseur, Albert Jan Schonewille and Daan van Hasselt.
And Inez, thank you for sticking with me, helping out create this event. I could not have done it without you. People say this was my festival because I liked putting my name on everything, but the reality is, this was ours together.
Lex Vesseur provided some of the photographs he took at the event. Visit his website to see more of his amazing work.
*if I am missing names, please contribute in the comment section below. If you wish to be removed from this page (in name or photo) please contact me.
