On a recent Saturday evening, the inaugural edition of the pop-up cultural event *Boeken, Bier en Meer* (translated as Books, Beer and More) launched in Souposo, marking the start of a new monthly gathering that blends literary discussion, live music, and casual community connection. The first event centered on the popular ongoing *Jazz Years* exhibition hosted by the Amsterdam City Archives, with researcher Mark Ponte leading a deep dive into the exhibition and its accompanying official book.
Ponte’s talk shed new light on a little-recognized chapter of Dutch cultural history: the foundational contributions of Surinamese artists to Amsterdam’s mid-20th century jazz scene. He explained that the 1930s saw not only global jazz legends including Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker and Coleman Hawkins drawing crowds to Amsterdam, but also a wave of Surinamese musicians rising to prominence in the local circuit.
Among the pioneering artists Ponte highlighted was Lex van Spall (1903–1982), bandleader of the influential group the Chocolate Kiddies, who recorded several tracks alongside prominent African American jazz musicians Freddy Johnson and Rosie Poindexter. Ponte also noted that American saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, who resided in Amsterdam for several years, served as a key mentor to the growing cohort of Surinamese jazz artists joining the local scene. Many of these musicians adopted American stage names to boost their perceived credibility in the mainstream industry; the most successful among them included trumpeter Teddy Cotton (1912–1977) and renowned performer Kid Dynamite (1911–1964).
Ponte’s presentation was complemented by a musical accompaniment from DJ Earl da Pearl, whose curated jazz selections enriched the discussion and set a warm, immersive tone for the entire evening. After the talk, attendees took part in an open question-and-answer session that invited guests to share their own knowledge, personal stories, and perspectives on the topic. A casual networking session followed, where visitors mingled over complimentary snacks and drinks, and had the opportunity to purchase the exhibition book – which sold out completely before the event ended.
Reflecting on the debut, event project manager Shereen Carrot described the evening as an intimate, welcoming celebration that successfully wove together visual presentation, live music, and casual conversation. While Carrot noted that small adjustments, including technical refinements, better scheduling for event segments, and a revised opening introduction, will be implemented for future gatherings, she characterized the first edition as an overall rewarding success.
*Boeken, Bier en Meer* is a monthly pop-up initiative organized by the Stichting Skrifi foundation, designed to bring literary conversation to accessible, informal settings. Each month, the event centers on a discussion of a selected book, alongside in-depth interviews with authors and literary experts that explore key trends and shifts in contemporary literature. Attendees can enjoy beer or wine in a relaxed, social setting, making cultural engagement feel approachable rather than intimidating.
Beyond deepening readers’ understanding of literary topics, the event also functions as a community hub for anyone with a passion for storytelling and books. It creates space for attendees to connect with one another, discover new titles, and engage with fresh perspectives from across the literary world. The first edition has been widely described as a resounding success, seamlessly blending literature, jazz music, a cozy café atmosphere, and food and drink into a natural, enjoyable experience for all attendees. Organizers have already begun preparations for the second edition, scheduled to take place in July.