“The Roode Bioscoop often gives me a feeling of surprise!”

“When the Catholics have their White Cinema, why don’t we socialists have a Red Cinema?” This thought played a role in the founding of the Red Cinema at Haarlemmerplein in Amsterdam in 1913. Prices: 20 cents, ladies 15 cents, and children 10 cents. Now, almost 110 years later, the Red Cinema is still very much alive and, apart from three paid staff, is fully run by around forty volunteers.”Translation: .Vonky is one of them, and stands behind the bar in this small cozy theater twice a month. She is very enthusiastic about this special place.“The Roode Bioscoop is truly unique: an unconventional, accessible place for creatives, artists, and art makers. There is a lot happening here between the old, red walls: various types of music, film, cabaret, lectures, and theater. It had been on my mind for a while to do volunteer work here so I simply reached out to them to see if they still needed help.”

Wedding Venue

Vonky is a retired communication advisor and currently works as a marriage registrar. “I have married two couples at the Roode Bioscoop. If you choose this as your wedding venue, you must have a very special connection to this place, just like many visitors and artists do. It often opens up a whole new world for me. Working at the Roode Bioscoop so often gives me a feeling of surprise!”

Surprises & joy

“So for example, I was at the opening of an exhibition by a Rastafarian where suddenly music started playing and the next moment everyone was dancing. Very fun and unexpected. Every month you receive the new schedule and then you can sign up for activities. I usually select four options and then tell them they can schedule me for two evenings. You are usually paired with another volunteer behind the bar. What I find most important is a bit of cheerfulness and flexibility behind the bar.”

“We really do it all together here”

Martijn is the director and finds it important that the Roode Bioscoop is a fun, pleasant, and special place for everyone who comes and works here. “The volunteers are also allowed to attend other programs for free on evenings when they are not working here. What is also special is that everyone feels so responsible. We really do this together. And that in an extremely difficult time for culture and with a screaming staff shortage. Everyone keeps coming to us. My dream is that De Roode Bioscoop remains as it is and yet adapts. That it simply remains the most beautiful theater because it is always cozy and welcoming for everyone. And of course, that the fantastic performances here become more and more well-known.”

Doing something you enjoy

Vonky: “What I still want to mention is that I find it important that many people do volunteer work. There is a huge need for help from volunteers in many places. There is always something to find that you enjoy. Because that is important: you have to enjoy it. Otherwise, you should look for something else.”

Are you enthusiastic?

Do you also think it would be fun to work at the Roode Bioscoop? Then send an email to Martijn:vrijwillig@roodebioscoop.nlCurious about all the volunteer opportunities in Amsterdam?
In our online job board, there are more than a thousand. For everyone’s talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediators.Interview: Thecla Groot KoerkampPhotographer: Mark Rammers