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The GEMS - Cultural diversity throughout the year

Where did we come from, where did we go to?
The Cultural Centre GEMS first opened its doors in 1978 in an old building in Rielasingen, not far from Singen, where the GEMS can be found today, a short distance from Lake Konstanz. 10 years later the council of Singen agreed to convert the Kreuz (a large disused building) into a sociocultural centre. In 1989, the new GEMS was opened in its current location, surrounded by a park. Many towns in Baden-Württemberg took the new GEMS as a model for the development of a cultural centre.

Two associations, one town and one Land
The centre is run by a "gemeinnütziger Verein". It is an independent institution, funded by the town of Singen and by the Land Baden-Württemberg. Independence means that it is not part of the public administration of the town. A second institution exists: the "GEMS-Förderverein", whose task it is to find additional funding and volunteer workers for the centre.

Cultural diversity 365 days a year
The Cultural Centre GEMS offers a continuous varied programme throughout the year, including cabaret, theatre, film, readings, concerts and much more. Astor Piazolla played at the opening of the centre, and other artists, such as Gerhard Polt and Robert Kreis, come regularly to Singen, and are now firm friends of the centre. An important event in the cinema programme is the "Cinefete", a week focusing on French film, organised jointly with the Institut Francais. Each year this brings up to 1500 pupils and teachers into the GEMS. The highlight of the year is the summer "GEMS Open Air Cinema", at which 31 films are shown in 31 nights. This takes place in the park behind the centre, with its grand trees and spectacular views of the Hohentwiel mountain, topped by its ruined fortress.

Initiatives and groups active in the GEMS
Volunteers and civil engagement play an important role in the cultural life of the GEMS. Worth mentioning is the Jazz-Club, which organises two regular concerts a month, and brings world-famous musicians to the area. Thus a familiar tour for well-known jazz musicians might go: New York-London-Singen! The cinema group "Weitwinkel" is very active, presenting films by young directors as well as cinema classics. In addition you can learn to tango or practise a variety of other activities in the lively Cultural Centre GEMS.

The GEMS is also a theatre
Theatre at the GEMS has increased in importance considerably over the years. There is the "Theaterwerkstatt" which has developed an excellent reputation for contemporary theatre in the region. Here you can see plays by authors like Falk Richter and Marlene Streeruwitz, and experience an intercultural interpretation of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", shown as an open-air-performance. At present, the director Marie-Luise Hinterberger is rehearsing a very promising dance-theatre-play called "Tango" which includes actors, dancers and musicians. The director Nete Mann had a big success last year with "Hotel zu den zwei Welten" by Eric-Emanuel Schmitt, and is currently looking for a suitable project to start after the summer. Nete Mann also runs an actors' agency in the GEMS.

There is close cooperation between the local schools and the theatre. Recent highlights have included the two big musical-productions "Yanomamo" and "African Jigsaw", with more than a hundred pupils acting, singing, dancing and playing instruments. There are plans to offer regular theatre and dance workshops in the schools in the future.

The GEMS in numbers:

Tel: 07731/67578 and 63166
Fax: 07731/65528
e-mail: info@diegems.de

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