A summer trip: Muiden, a Fort and a castle

Although Amsterdam has lots to offer we recommend you leave the city at least every once and a while and since the weather is so nice we thought we might include a suggestion for a nice summer bike trip to Muiden, a fort and castle just outside Amsterdam. An interesting bike trip is to Muiden a small town just some 15 kilometres southeast of Amsterdam.
There you will find Muiderslot, a Dutch castle located at the mouth of the river Vecht, which flows into what used to be the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer). It's one of the better-known castles in the Netherlands and has been featured in many television shows set in the Middle Ages.

If you are not into castles you could visit a fort just 30 minutes off the coast of Muiden. Fort Pampus which is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Both sistes are great visits for kids and adults alike, giving you insight into Dutch history and its long relationship with the water.

Desperate Housewives-esque party @ Tolhuistuin June 26th

Event: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES  @ Tolhuistuin, Saturday June 26th, 14:00 – 23:00, €5. 

A themed desperate housewives night with music, dance, workshops and food . Includes a high tea with "housewives" and complete with cupcakes and cucumber sandwiches! Moblie shopping trolley disco, housewives bingo, chocolade fontein, tombola, the price is right, fashion show and samba band Bumba Amsterdam. Dresscode - Betty Boob, Mien Dobbelsteen, Freddy (I want to break free) Mercury, Amy Housewine, bloemetjesjurken, and schorts.

suggestion for the Day of Architecture outside of Amsterdam, June 27th

Event: Re-use of (agricultural) heritage @ Architectuurpark Makeblijde, Oud Wulfseweg 3, Houten, tour & cycling, Sunday June 27th, 13.00 - 17.00, FREE but need to bring your own bike for the bike tour, subscribe via e-mail: aanmelden@makeblijde.nl.

Houten is a new town developed around a small agricultural village alongside the trade route of the rivers towards Utrecht. The rural area around Houten is subject to transformation processes. Two events are planned for the Day of Architecture.

First is a bicycle tour of architecture in Houten. Departing from the Architecture Park Makeblijde you will cycle past four buildings recently converted into a contemporary home, a community centre and cultural and studio spaces. In collaboration with the urban historian Otto Wttewaall, you visit the beautiful old grain silo - the building of the cooperative, the old station of Houten, the farm Korteland and the former castle Wickenburgh. At each location, an expert will lead you through the building and give a lecture on the history of the place, the conversion and current use. For the return trip you will take the TRAP route, standing for touristic, recreational and archaeological projects with routes along major historical or archaeological sites.

 

The second event is a workshop about recycling and reuse happening at Architectuurpark Makeblijde through the tours. Together with the architect/designer Calanne Moroney and the artist Geert Hutsebaut, Architectuurpark Makeblijde creates an object as a place/furniture in the garden of the Architecture Park Makeblijde. Moroney is one of the initiators of the foundation raw, an initiative to build with recycled materials, especially in South Africa and is an independent architect, designer and builder and has a masters in ecological building and energy systems with a lot of experience in recycled materials and sustainable buildings. Geert Hutsebaut and Karin Christof will complete this workshop team, with their expertise as artist and architect respectively. (See http://www.campism.org/, and http://www.hamaai.com/ for more info). During this workshop 'Playback' examples of successful recycling will be used to create a very 'new' object.  The resulting objects will stay at the Architecture Park Makeblijde as the summer-exhibition to visit.

Text thanks to Makeblijde Architectuurcentrum.

Monthly rommelmarkt /flea market @ Blijburg, Sunday June 27th

Market: Monthly market @ Blijburg, 11.00 - 16.00, FREE. 

A monthly (every last Sunday of the month in summer) market "uit kofferbakken" out of your boot/trunk with lots of clothes, gifts, music, food, and fun. If you want to sell stuff yourself mail kofferbakmarkt [at] gmail.com it costs 5 euros to stand out on the urban beach trying to make your sale! but otherwise free for shoppers and browsers.  Afterwards enjoy the beach.

Flea market @ NDSM werf, June 27th

Open Air Flea Market / Vlooiemarkt @ Ij-hallen, Amsterdam Noord, Sunday June 27th, 9.00 - 16.30, €3.50 €1.50 for kids. You can take a free ferry to NDSM-werf from behind Central Station, leaving every half hour, or buses 91 and 94 get off at Klaprozenweg.

This is a monthly market (it is huge). Lots of stuff for filling a house, antiques, toys, furniture, knick-knacks, etc... furthermore the stands change frequently and this outside/open air version is much larger than the inside market. There is also music and food & drinks available. Go find something Kitsch Kitchen-esque??:) at half the price.

Day of Architecture, June 27th and 28th

Event: National Architecture Day @ various locations throughout NL- see ARCAM for Amsterdam events, Sunday June 27th, 10.00 - 17.00, €7.50/ticket includes access to all buildings including the busses touring from project to project.

The annual National Architecture Day takes place throughout the Netherlands, with sites openingtheir doors for tours and exploration. The theme this year is ‘Re-use’. The Amsterdam event, hosted by the BNA (Association of Dutch Architects) and ARCAM, will spotlight recently reused/renovated buildings, each with their unique story and rebuilds (some finished and others in process).

Buildings that will be opened for public:

1. Kraanspoor, Kraanspoor

2. MTV Networks Benelux, Neveritaweg

3. NDSM-loods, Neveritaweg

4. Smederij, Neveritaweg

5. Silo’s Zeeburgereiland, IJburglaan (the future the Annie M. G. Schmidt house)

6. Slibvijzelgemaal Zeeburgereiland, IJburglaan

7. Kauwgomballenfabriek, Paul van Vlissingenstraat

8. Burgerziekenhuis, Linaeusstraat

9. ARCAM, Prins Hendrikkade 600

10. The Bank, Rembrandtplein (a new office centre and supermaket at Rembrandt square)

11. De Bazel, Vijzelstraat (Opens at 11.00)

12. Duintjer CS, Vijzelstraat

13. Schijnheilig, Passeerdersgracht 23

14. De Hallen (tramremise), Bellamyplein

15. Centrale Markthal, Jan van Galenstraat 4

16. Toren Overhoeks, Buiksloterweg

Cirque Excentrique @ Blijburg, Saturday June 26th

Party: Cirque Excentrique @ Blijburg, Saturday June 26th, 22.00 - late, €8.

A crazy night of surprises, tunes and fun on the beach - Miami Beach style!

Sleazefest @ Timboektoe, June 26th

Party: Sleazefest @ Timboektoe, Wijk aan Zee, Saturday June 26th, 18.00 - late, 9 euro 99 cents:).

Another round of the Sleazefest (#12) makes it way to the beach this time. With a line up 10 live bands (reverend beat-man sixtyniners, anacondas, honeyfly), rock 'n roll djs and the best party you will find on beach to set the summer off right!

Pecha Kucha Night - summer edition @ Tolhuistuin, June 23rd

Event: Pecha Kucha Night @ Tolhuistuin, Wednesday, June 23rd, doors open at 20:50 (it's always sold out so get there on time, not fashionably late) starts at 21.30, €7, some presentations in English others in Dutch.

A modern spin on show-in-tell, Pecha Kucha Night shows it face again on Wednesday night for the summer edition. With 12 presenters sharing their images, new projects, brilliant thoughts and inspiring topics on 20 slides of 20 seconds. Check out the line-up: Nalden (Nalden.net), Leonard van Munster, Rob Voerman, Zelda Beauchampet, David Mulder/Max Cohen de Lara (X-M-L), Walter Langelaar (Moddr), Joris van Tubergen (Protospace), Hessel Stuut, Menno van der Veen (Welcome to Youtopia), Piet Meeuws/Job Martens (Also Starring), Dim Balsem, Bram Esser.

Art In Motion, experimental German film festival @ Smart Project Space June 18th - 20th

Film + Festival : Art in Motion Festival @ Smart Project Space, Friday June 18th - 20th, various times, various prices.

The Goethe instiute Amsterdam and the Smart Project Space have held an on-going film series "Art in Motion" which explored the multi-faceted history of experimental fimmaking in Germany since the beginning of the 20th century to present. The conclusion of the series features a special three day festival which features a wide range of films, lecutres, documentaries, disucssions, and music.

Open Tuin Dagen / Open garden days, June 18th - 20th

Event: Open Garden Days @ various gardens in the City, June 18 - 20th, 10.00 - 17.00, €15 for all three days.

The annual Open Garden Days organized by the Amsterdam Canal Museums takes place again on the third weekend of June. Thirty canal gardens will be open to the public around the theme 'Courts and Community Gardens'. Starting locations include: Bijbels Museum, Herengracht 366-368; Huis Marseille, Keizersgracht 401; Museum Van Loon, Keizersgracht 672; Amnesty International, Keizersgracht 177; Museum Willet-Holthuysen, Herengracht 605. A map can be found on the Open Garden Days site.

Mid-Summer Market @ Tolhuistuin June 20th

Market: Midsummer Market Noord @ Tolhuistuin, Sunday June 20th, Sunday June 20th, 13.00 - 18.00, FREE.

The monthly fashion, art and design market take shte stage at the Tolhuistuin. thsi market, usually held in Westerpark, is a platform for designers, and artists to showcase their work which includes: interior deisgn, ceramic, fashion, vintage, jewerly, accessories, drawing, "affordable art" as well as good food, drinks and tunes.

Amsterdam Roots Festival @ Oosterpark, June 17th - 19th

Festival: Amsterdam Roots Festival @ Oosterpark but also at five other locations/clubs, June 17th - 20th,  various times, FREE.

The annual Amsterdam Roots Festival presents music, dancing and presentations for a weekend of 'Voices' - an emphasis on the urban voices of the hip-hop. All types of music including Portuguese fadoster, Congolese rumba, reggae, rough funk, antillian tunes, flamenco, etc.. The festival is free and everyday from Oosterpark from 12.00 - 22.00 with seven podium in the park, which also includes a world market with more than 100 market stands.

La Nuit Blanche, night of June 19th

Event: La Nuit Blanche / All night art festival @ throughout the City, Saturday June 19th, 19.00 - 07.00, FREE.

All night/12 hour festival: music, shows, art installations, private and public galleries, haunted play house/circus. WIth events at various locations including: Tolhuistuin, Illuseum, de Brakke Grond, Amsterdam Centraal, Street Lab_, but also throughout the center. Rocket Cinema will be presenting train classics on spoor 2 at the train station with "Murder on the Orient Express", "Brief Encounter" and "The Great Train Robbery" with dj's, bands and singer songwriters playing a new soundtrack. But be sure to check out the Illuseum with a funky party and the GPS guided trip for your fun evening.

New York Underground film @ OT301, June 15th

Film: THe Cult Corner: NY Underground @ OT301, Tuesday, June 15, 20.30, 4 euros.


OT301 will be showing two films on Tuesday: Paris Is Burning (1990) which documents a world that was a secret until the dance style "voguing" arose thansk to Madonna. Dark Days (2000) a film about the undeground subway communities in Manhattan.

Rebel Without A Cause @ Filmtheater, Sunday June 13th

Film: Zondagmiddagklassieker: Rebel Without A Cause @ Filmtheater, Sunday June 13th, 12.00, price of film.

A classic film for a lazy Sunday afternoon- ' Rebel without a Cause' (1955). Also enjoy a free cup coffee or tea. while watching James Dean on film. In English.

Atelier route Boven Het IJ, June 12th - 13th

Open Atelierroute: Boven 't IJ /Open artist studios @ various locations in Amsterdam-Noord and in the Waterlandse villages of Nieuwendam, Schellingwoude, Durgerdam, Ransdorp and Holysloot, Saturday June 12th and Sunday June 13th, 13 - 18ish, FREE, stuff for the kids.

The atelierroute in Amsterdam Noord brings you from industrial areas to the countryside, with ports, dijkjes, and many artists! 70 professional artists open their doors for your viewing. There are various activities beyond viewing studios, such as workshops, poetry readings, parties, as well as music. A good excuse to get out and explore Amsterdam Noord.

Ruigoord weekend, Saturday and Sunday June 12 - 13

Event: Ruigoor weekend @ Ruigoord, Ruigoord 76, 1047 HH, AmsterdamSaturday June 12th - Sunday the 13th, Passe-partouts 25 euro (excl.fee) via this link.

The All are One festival in Ruigoord is an experimental creative gathering in the village. It is an independent two-day event f 12:00 - to late. Line-up: 100 artists, bandsmen and DJ' s.

Naked Bike Riding on June 12th

Event: World Naked Bike Ride @ tour of Amsterdam, Saturday June 12th, meeting at 13.00, FREE, but must register on site to particpate.

The naked bike tour begins from the front side (bus side) of Amstel Train Station at 13:00 (they ride to a quiet place nearby for the last preparations- taking off clothes). At around 13:45 the tour begins going through the center of Amsterdam, and ending in the Vondelpark.Check out this article for more info.

Rocket Cinema @ Tolhuistuin, June 12th

Film + Event: Rocket Cinema - King Kong vs Godzilla @ Tolhuistuin, Saturday June 12th, garden opens at 19.30, film starts at 20.00 - midnight, €10.

Remember Rocket Cinema from last fall? - the live soundtracked films in unique locations like Frankenstein in the Oude Kerk!? Well they are back again for summer wit the first film at the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam Noord. The Amsterdam surfband `The Anacondas' makes a new soundtrack for the monster movie `Kingu Kongu tai Gojira' (Ishiro Honda, Japan 1963).

Ultimate Frisbee in Amsterdam June 11th - 13th

Event: Ultimate FrisbeeTournament -Windmill Wind Up @ Eendracht Sports Park, June 11th - 13th, various prices depending on your participation level, check out the site for more info.

Are you into "frisbeeën"? Ultimate frisbee is a global sport rising first in popularity in countries such as Australia and the United States. This international tournament hosts 90 teams with 1200 participants which si the largests frisbee tournament in Europe!

DOKU.ARTS film Festival @ Smart Project Space, June 10th -13th

Film festival: DOKU.ARTS @ Smart Project Space, June 10th - 13th, various times, and prices.

EYE Film Institute Netherlands and the Dutch Cultural Media Fund present the fifth edition of the international DOKU.ARTS festival with a special focus on contemporary visual arts. Films include documentaries by and about artists, museums and curators; as well as other forms of art such as: dance, music and architecture exhibitions. Many filmmakers will be present at the screening of their film.

Oerol Festival, June 11th - 20th, Terschelling

Festival: Oerol @ Terschelling (West Frisian Island, June 11th - 20th, Het Oerol paspoort €20 (for the entire festival) or €15 for a midweek or weekend ticket.

Oerol started in 1982 a multidisciplinary festival. The Oerol festival is an annually 10-day festival for theater and landscape arts on the island Terschelling. With the island as an inspiration source and podium for broad programming the Oerol  festival presents a wide variety of programs that experiment with culture and nature this includes: 40 medium and large theater shows, 20 passport projects existing from smaller shows, performances and installations, 50 musical acts and daily street theater in the streets of West and Midsland.

Make a trip out of it and squeeze some wadlopen (walking between islands during low tide) in while you are up there.

Electric Cinema @ OT301 June 8th

Film: Electric Cinema@ OT301, Tuesday June 8th, 20.30, 4 euros.  08-06-2010

Two films: 20:30 ‘Final Flesh’ (Vernon Chatman 2009 U.S.A);  22.30 'House dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi' (Nobuhiko Obayashi 1977 Japan). Final Flesh is said to be a suburban porn??

"From the creator of Xavier: Renegade Angel and Wonder Showzen, Final Flesh is a feature film made by commercial porn companies commissioned to visualise the sexual fantasies of the client. This movie replaces the sex with metaphysical dialogue, cum shots with cold meat, intercourse with brain-damaged philosophy. A murky, awkward trip to suburban fantasies, existentialist longing for meaning and antibacterial hand cream. The second film on the bill is an optically intense, Japanese teen-comedy ghost film 'House', Dario Argento circa Suspiria meets Sound of Music on acid. Beware of singing watermelons and carnivorous pianos." - OT301

Geeks Can Dance @ Filmtheater, June 7th

Film: Upload Cinema 19- Geeks Can Dance @ Filmtheater, Monday June 7th, 19:00 and 21:30.

The world of the dancing is enormous; with elegant movements to seduce, amuse and move each other. We even dance during anniversaries, festivities and burials. This month at the Filmtheater check out the special production of "danskunsten" /dance arts, with guest curator Janine Dijkmeijer, is director of Cinedans. The films show montages of people dancing in the house, on the street or in office. Check out the trailer on the Filmtheater site- (click on 'bekijk de trailer').

Haven/Harbour bike routes

Some of you might know Amsterdam has a deep-sea port, on the west side of the City. If you are curious to find out more about this often forgotten part of the city hop on your bike and start to explore with the new bike routes. The city has laid out four bike routes each with a special thematic topic displaying all the 'particularities' of port life. The maps are in Dutch, but are quite detailed about directions so as long as you know links en rechts (left and right) you should be fine.

Most interesting is the Ruigoord Route which brings you to the artists colony Ruigoord which has resisted the expansion of the harbour since the 1960s.

Artis ZOOmeravond begins June 5th

ZOOmeravond /summer night @ Artis (the zoo), various programs, opening June 5th there after every Saturday until end of August,18.30 - 22.00, price of zoo.

A broad program with a little bit for everyone- 2 music stages, theater of 20 shows, a kinderboederij (petting zoo) and other creative activities for kids! But not just for the kids, previous summers have brought in big name musical acts and special organized events for the odler crew.

Why go? see the animals go to sleep?!

Amsterdam Street Art, June 8th - 12th

Event: Amsterdam Street Art @ various locations - Bobs Youth Hostel, Bep Gallery, Outland Records Gallery, De Duivel, The Thought Gallery, GO Gallery and afterparties at Sugar Factory (Hells Kitchen) and Flexbar (Undercover), June 8th - 12th, various prices.

Project Amsterdam Street Art (Project ASA) an organisation with creative artists and entrepreneurs, with a passion for street art, organizes diverse street art events. The streets are seen as an open gallery, which can be visited day and night. Happenings include exhibition openings, paint jams and afterparties.

Vondelpark Openlucht theater, every weekend starting June 6th - August 29th

The Summer activities are just about to begin. Opening day of the Vondelpark Open Air Theater/openlucht theater seems to always mark summer in my agenda with the start of beer sipping, sun soaking and chilling in the park. Now let's just hope for weather above 20 degrees and we will set!

The Vondelpark Open Air Theater/openlucht theater opens Sunday June 6th, thereafter every weekend (Friday - Sunday) 'til the end of August from 14-18ish, always FREE!! There are events throughout the park such as music, plays, comedy, games! Check out the program for more info about daily activities.  There are always events for kids on Sunday and Saturday afternoons, as well as live music in the evenings.

De Buurtmarkt Home Made in v/d Pek, Amsterdam Noord is back! starts June 5th

Market: Buurtmarkt van der Pekbuurt @ Pekplein, Amsterdam Noord (get of the ferry go straight ahead you will see it on your left near the canal), opens June 5th and their follow the first Saturday of every month 'til October 2nd, 12.00 – 17.00, FREE, stuff for kids.

An initiative out Noord in cooperation with Stichting Broedstraten and de Tolhuistuin brings together neighbors and visitors. All goods “handmade” in the neighborhood such as delicious handmade Surinamese food (including ginger beer - something like ginger ale), handmade clothes and slippers, art exhibitions, etc, oh and a makeshift cafe.

Reserve a free place at the market for your creative occupation (sales and exhibit to a workshop or act) via Maaike@broedstraten.nl.

Gumbo Night @ De Nieuwe Anita, June 5th

Music: Gumbo Party @ De Nieuwe Anita, Saturday June 5th, 20.00, €6.

I am sucker for jambalaya and foot tapping music, together; luckily the New Orleans "scene" is popping up throughout Amsterdam this year. Check out another fun evening at De Nieuwe Anita; guaranteed fun with or without the hot sauce. 

Burlesque Freakout @ RozenTheater, June 5th

Theatre: Burlesque Freakout @ RozenTheater, Saturday June 5th, 21:30 - 03:00 (main show between 22:30-00:00, €17.50 (after 00:00 €6).

Featuring one of the most famous British burlesque stars: Chrys Columbine as well as eight other acts from around the world. Following the show is the after party with DJ's Ir. Vendermeulen and Charley's Rhythm Revue.