The Denmarkers are two of the inhabitants of this house, filled with second-hand furniture and antiques, which has been the setting for a music video and exudes a certain charm of the past. Waiting for us in the carpeted and wallpapered living room is Catarina Miranda, accompanied by little Alban. For a year and a half, she and Andreas Sidenius (they are a couple) ‘worked tirelessly’ every day to find a space they could call ‘home’ for the artistic collective they created. ‘For the lifestyle we want – sharing a house, having studios, having common rooms, space for everyone to be – it has to be like this, it has to be a big house.’ But the goal is for number 511 on this Boavista street to be not “just” a house, but ‘a meeting place, a shelter for difference, and a constant invitation to experimentation.’

Promoting ‘artistic collaboration and cultural exchange’ is the main goal of this international collective, which has built ‘a free space where art can happen organically and collaboratively.’ And the truth is that the project, which began with several spontaneous and informal events, now offers a diverse monthly programme.

But of all the projects that emerged from Escola Normal, ‘the most important,’ they say, are the jam sessions, which attracted up to 400 people in Madeira and now continue in Porto on Wednesdays, providing a stage for experienced musicians and those taking their first steps. "We had – and continue to have – one rule: no covers, only improvisation. At the jam sessions, we mentor and accompany the artists. For example, people who like to sing but are shy start by reading a poem.‘ And although there is no shortage of venues promoting jam sessions in the city, Catarina points out that, since they opened their doors, ’many people in the music scene have chosen the Escola Normal jam as their favourite because it is welcoming and has a good atmosphere."

‘It's been funny because we finish the jams here at 11:30 pm, but then we usually go to the garden to play acoustically; some people stay because it's intimate. And a family, a community, is beginning to form; when you give that space, it's organic.’

Named by one of the founders and former members of the collective as ‘Escola Normal’ (because they used to catch the bus on Rua da Escola Normal, where ESMAE is located), this space “ends up being a school for artists”, where learning and teaching happen simultaneously. “The artists who live here are professionals, and we are learning and teaching at the same time.”

This project also hosts artistic residencies, providing rooms to accommodate artists on a temporary basis. According to its members, this is a space that is open to all artists, with plans to create painting, music, and sewing studios. ‘People who want to be tenants of this house must meet one requirement: they must be interested in culture,’ says Andreas. ‘And those who aren't will experience culture shock,’ adds Catarina, laughing at the pun.

Escola Normal is also open to hosting workshops. ‘We are in a space that wants to be a point of collaboration. That's why the motto is “by artists for artists”,’ emphasises the musician and producer. ‘Here, the system can work through exchanges,’ adds her partner.

Although music is at the heart of the programme, Escola Normal, which is a ‘kids-friendly’ space, hosts poetry events and literary dinners, and will now promote discussions on culture and sustainability, among other topics. ‘It's a community project, for people who enjoy culture and who enjoy eating together at the same table,’ emphasises the Danish artist, who has a degree in Philosophy.

The co-founder states that Escola Normal ‘is not a concert venue, nor is it a business selling tickets; it is a space for intimate experiences’. However, at least once a month, they open their doors to a larger cultural initiative, with a capacity of up to 200 people. In September, the event, entitled Festival Normal, takes place on Saturday the 20th, and the line-up includes names such as Unsafe Space Garden and Sete Pés. ‘It will be a festival where everything is shared; the fee is shared equally among all the artists, everyone earns the same, and we all eat together.’ The money from ticket sales goes to the artists and the proceeds from the bar go to the collective.

According to the musician, the project also aims to ‘change mindsets.’ ‘We would like to change the idea that people have about artists and how they live; either they are superstars or they are hippies who live on pasta with ketchup,’ he jokes. ‘And we would like to create a space for the artist community and show that it is possible to live and work in decent conditions.’

Collaborations with neighbouring venues are also underway, such as the jam session that took place at RCA – Radioclube de Agramonte (a venue featured in the summer edition of Código Postal 4000 e tal), and future initiatives are already being planned at Lamaçal.

Regarding other projects in the pipeline, Catarina – or Emmy Curl – reveals that she is preparing Pastoral Vol. II and a documentary about songs from Trás-os-Montes region, while producing music for other artists and tending the community garden at Escola Normal, of which she is very proud. “Those who spend more time here embrace the garden because they see things growing.”

September schedule at Escola Normal:

3 September, 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.: Improv Jam session (free admission)

6 September, 9:00 p.m.: Concerts by Beatriz Teles + Malva (tickets)

10 September, 6.30pm-11.30pm: Improv Jam session (free admission)

17 September, 6.30pm-11.30pm: Improv Jam session (free admission)

20 Sept., 2:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.: Festival Normal (tickets)

24 Sept., 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.: Improv Jam session (free admission)

28 Sept., 9:00 p.m.: BEXE concert (tickets)