05 August 2009

Happenings in Amsterdam for August 5th - 9th

Awesome weather seems to have finally made its way to Amsterdam! Therefore get outside. If you can't make it all the way to beach but still want to get your hands dirty you can build sand castles in Oost on the square and learn to salsa in the open air on Sunday at Beursplein. I am most excited that Pluk de Nacht starts this week (in my opinion THE best film festival in Amsterdam)!  If you still don't know what to do check out this previous post about some other adventures in and around Amsterdam.


As always send your comments, as I love hearing what you are doing in
Amsterdam. And veel plezier (enjoy)!


Everyday:


Pluk de Nacht / outdoor film festival @ Stenen hoofd near Silodam (bus 48 from Centraal Station brings you directly to the festival), August 6 - 15th, starts at dark 21.30ish, FREE (all the films are subtitled in English).

Annual outdoor film festival overlooking het IJ with nightly films, art exhibitions, bar and restaurant. With a short film before every headliner. This week- Thursday: "Autumn Ball" Estonian, Friday: "Sophiiiie" German, Saturday: "Louis-Michel" France, Sunday: a bunch of short films "Ze Frank Retrospectief".

Why go? of all the wonderful film festivals in Amsterdam, this one is my favorite!  They always deliver unique films as well as some other tricks!:0 I suggest bringing your own blanket, but not your own booze - support the festival.


Zandkastelen / build your own sand castle @ Krugerplein, Transvaalbuurt, Oost, everyday from 10.00 – 16.00, ‘til August 14th, for kids.

For kids to learn how to make sand castles and watch the pros make a giant castle.

Why go? Don’t have time to run to the beach? play in the sand on your way through the city.


De Parade @ Martin Luther Park, July 31 – August 16th, everyday 15.00 – 01.00 ('til 02.00 on Fridays and Saturdays), €7/ticket, kids under 12 FREE.

De Parade is a two month mobile theater and music festival that tours the Netherlands stopping in the four largest cities in the Randstad. A huge, packed line-up of events, check out daily program.

Why go? Certain to find a little something for everyone and the Parade is open everyday!


Down Under film and activities @ Filmtheather, Prinsengracht 452, various times, prices and activities until August 16, special events for kids.

Australian and New Zealand films (events every weekend, but films through the week). This week: Wednesday is the last showing of “Ten Canoes” (winner of Cannes Jury Prize) at 19.00, Thursday – the following Wednesday the showing of the Aussie film, “The Proposition” (the so-named first Australian Western). Also on Saturday take the Down Under film quiz at 19.00 and then enjoy the film.

Sunday for kids starting at 11.45 is an Aboriginal art workshop and the showing of the film “De reddertjes in Kangoeroeland” (only Dutch audio).

Why go? soak up a little Aussie history through film.


Comedy Train International Summer Festival @ Toomler (near the Hilton) Wednesday- Saturday. €12.50- €16.00, 20.30, all shows in English.

One U.S. comedian, Arj Barket and Brit Stephen Grant, perform in two separate sets, each lasting 45 minutes in total.

Why go? get your dose of comedy on a rainy night


Just during the weekend


Kwakoe @ Bijlmerpark, Zuid-Oost (metro stop Arena, then a short walk to the park), FREE, continues every weekend until the end of August, not specific activities for kids although a very colorful, musical, delicious place to visit. See previous post for more details.

Why go? This is a must do & you have a few weekends to figure out how to fit this festival, but really it should only take a sunny day to convince you to drop everything and head to Zuid-Oost and enjoy the chicken.


Vondelpark Openluchttheater (Open Air Theater), Friday - Sunday, various times see previous post for details, FREE, stuff for kids.

This weekend dance, theater, and classic and world music, something for everyone. Always a kids show on Saturday.

Why go? every weekend until September enjoy different shows, theater, music, etc...


Hortus Festival / chamber music @ Huize Frankendael, Frankendael Park, Watergraafsmeer, every Thursday evening from July 17 - August 27th, 19.30, €20.

A different program of chamber music for every week in the historic Huize Frankendael. This week Het Nederlands Saxofoon Kwartet.

Why go? Check out the gardens of Huize Frankendael and some smooth music


Friday


Van Gogh Museum Avond @ the Van Gogh Museum, Friday 18.30 – 22.00, entrĂ©e to museum, but free with Museumkaart.

DJ Dirkson starts spinning tunes and visual backups at 18.30.

A guided tour at 19.30 given by assistant Conservator Fleur Roos Rosa de Varvalho of the exhibition Odilon Redon and Emile Bernard. Masterwork from the collection of Andries Bonger.

At 20.00 Nina Targan Mouravi / Gerard Bouwhuis present a look at Russian avant-garde poetry from the ‘20s, with piano (Dutch and Russian spoken) Check out www.russischepoezie.nl.

Why go? why not enjoy some live music will checking out Van Gogh's work.


Outdoor screening film “Fados” @ Filmmuseum, Friday, 21.30, €3.

Part of the Filmmuseum's weekly (every Friday evening) outdoor film screenings – Sunsets. Portugees film with Dutch subtitles. A musical documentary by filmmaker Carlos Saura about the rich history of fado music..

Why go? enjoy the open air and some musical history


Elvis & the Burger Kings @ Maloe Melo, Friday, 22.00, €5.

100% rock ‘n’ roll.

Why go? check out Elvis at this gezellige bar.


Saturday


Dutch Homeless Cup @ Dam, Saturday, 10.00 – 19.00, FREE.

The annual football/soccer tournament for homeless in the center of the City.

Why go? If you like sports check out some amateurs and support the national awareness of homeless campaign


Salsa dancing @ Beursplein, Saturday, 14.00 – 18.00, FREE.

Salsa dance workshops and demonstrations on the square.

Why go? Salsa dancing in the open air


ZOOmeravond /summer night @ Artis (the zoo), various programs, 18.30 - 22.00, price of zoo, every Saturday until September, stuff for kids.

A broad program with a little bit for everyone- 2 music stages, theater, a kinderboederij (petting zoo) and other creative activities for kids! This week a special presentation in the theater and the music of Gooseberry.

Why go? Check out the fish and enjoy some tunes.


Au10tique @ Blijburg, Saturday, 21.00, €5.

This music event is advertised as “let the freaks come out and play!” with deep soul, house, fire spinner, cotton candy, and juggler.

Why go? Enjoy the expected warm weekend with some wild beach fun


Buitenbios /Outside theater@ Het Ketelhuis/Westerpark, every Saturday 'til August 22nd, starts when it is dark around 22.00, FREE.

A free open air presentation in the Westerpark. This Saturday check out the critically acclaimed film “Juno”. About a hysterically sarcastic pregnant teenager from the suburbs of Minnesota, USA.

Why go? good excuse to stay out late in the park


The Blog Parties @ Winston Kingdom, Saturday, 22.00 - 04.00, €7.

The sounds of music blogs with Dead Pixels, Dans Le Rock and Blokgolf. 

Why go? check out what everyone is blogging about


Sunday


Kunstkoopzondag / Art market @ Tolhuistuinen, Amsterdam Noord, Sunday, 13.00 – 19.00, FREE.

Koopzondag as you may know is what the Dutch say for when stores are allowed to be open on particular Sundays (usually Sundays before or leading up to holidays). In this case you will find a market of twenty kramen (stands) with hand-made work, some high end, adventurous design, etc… With live music and lekker hapjes (yummy snacks). Plus a presentation from the traveling expo the Fringe Theater Festival.

Why go? Think last winters artmarkt on the Spui = fun and funky


Hofjes - en Pleinconcerts / classic music in the open air @ Ruijpenhofje (in de Jordaan), Sunday, 15.00, FREE.

Live music with a mix of dixieland, fado, and smartlap.

Why go? check out some live music in the square of a previous retirement home for women built in 1747.


Festivals


Solar Festival @ Roermond, in Limburg, Friday - Sunday, 75 for weekend ticket with camping, day ticket 42.

A musical cross-over event with electro trash, 80s hits, Balkan tunes, hip hop – a mix of it all.

Why go? A outdoor festival fitting our lovely early August weather


Loveland @ Sloterpark, Saturday, 55.

Seven stages of music with part of ticket fees going to support cancer research.

Why go? Chill with the other hippie de hips at this annual festival


If you find this agenda useful please click on my ads so I can keep food in my belly, and also would love if you passed it on to someone else!:) Enjoy Amsterdam.

No comments:

Post a Comment