Think of a busy and popular tourist street in your city. Then imagine a squat being there for the last 30 years. Then imagine the squat members deciding to open up the huge garage space (the size of an old fire station) to the city's creative community to be a gallery/cinema/anything-you-want creative space.
In the heart of Amsterdam, on the legendary Spuistraat, this is what's happening. In the last 3 months there has been: arthouse, rare and cult films from Blue Rascal cinema and the Amsterdam Film Academy; 5 art exhibitions (including the wonderful Multisyndicate Amsterdam pop-up street art store); and live music from local bands. Thousands of people have visited the space. Everybody leaves at least loving life a little bit more.
Happenstance Radio were broadcasting from the Multisyndicate Amsterdam show and there we met Guy, one of the oldest members of Slangenpand, or 'de Slang' as the members call it. He talked to us about the community vision for De Slang - truly inspiring.