Cool bands must have heard about the hot weather, so it looks to be a good weekend.

Friday:

The Most Serene Republic - Canadian Indie Rock that I like very much; Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 7:30pm, €7 + membership.

Rockabilly played by Ruby Ann & The Round Up Boys; Maloe Melo, 10pm, €5.

Saturday:

Orange Grove brings ska and raggae to Bitterzoet, 8:30pm, €7.50.

Eddie Palmieri, a living legend, no further introduction necessary; Melkweg, The Max, 9:30pm €25 + membership.

Sunday:

Rumbatá with Jaime Rodríguez, early start at Sugar Factory, 4pm, €8.50.

Harmonica Shah & His Detroit Blues Band; Bimhuis, 2:30pm, €15.

From 10am to 6pm, one extremely big book fair, from Central Station to Waterlooplein. I think you'll easily find it.

Posted by Bicyclemark at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On Friday, May 16 - and the third Friday of each month - COC Leiden will host a party for international lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, young expats and their friends.

Parties are held alternatively in Leiden and Rotterdam, and serve as a way for LGBT students from other countries to meet each other, find a supportive network, and enjoy a great party!

The party is called 0031 and begins at 10pm (no entrance after 2am). The website describes the music as "70'80'90 music with DJ Sjors." COC Leiden is located at Langegracht 65, a 10 minute walk from the Central Station. More detailed directions can be found here.

Posted by Janelle at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

...unless you're accustomed to taking the bus, that is. Today, the Netherlands experienced nationwide bus strikes, leading to traffic jams on the roads "twice as long as usual." This situation is rather interesting - if public transportation stops, people find themselves literally stuck on the highways.

It's so much different in the area of the world I'm from, where practically everyone has their own car and would scarcely notice if the buses quit running for a few days. I guess today's traffic really helps the trade unions make their point - the Netherlands needs its public transportation.

Posted by Janelle at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Why not go to Rotterdam this summer while visiting Holland? From the end of May until the beginning of September almost every weekend there is something going on in Rotterdam. Street theater, open air movies, dance parades and concerts on the water. You can find more information on Rotterdamfestivals.nl where you can link to the different festivals (culturele agenda).

If you're looking for a place to stay in Rotterdam the people at Use-It can help you out. Here is a list of hostels and cheap accommodation. Sleep-In De Mafkees seems like the cheapest option. For only € 10 per night (including breakfast) you can spend the night at an old skating rink near Central Station. And they have one very special suite: the honeymoon suite!

Posted by Trippist at 7:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Longtime readers of this blog will remember me mentioning the miniature version of the Netherlands known as Madurodam, located in the Hague. Naturally I recommend it to anyone, all ages, all interests, as a simple visit while in the Hague.

According to the website:

Children can draw and tinker at Bert and Ernie's place, enjoy themselves at the Broccoli Forest, count with Count von Count and listen to stories in the Sesame Street dunes.

This will continue until October, which is convenient for any families making longer term plans for a visit to the Netherlands and more specifically, the Hague. If you do make it, send my regards to Oscar, he always got a bad rap in my opinion.

Posted by Bicyclemark at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's Mother's Day today in The Netherlands, too. I've seen a variety of commercials here for the usual housewife-friendly gifts - food processors, vacuum cleaners and the like. Flowers - ubiquitous in NL - are also an obvious choice.

But what about less traditional gifts, especially for those of us far from our mothers? How about sending mom an e-card from Greenpeace International? The headquarters are located in Amsterdam, so you can show your commitment to the environment, your affinity with Amsterdam and your love for mom all in one go. Also check out someecards.com - not Dutch-related, but they have a great selection of topical e-cards.

I'll be Skyping with my mom later - then I can show her all the flowers I bought in her honor at the market yesterday. Whatever your plans, enjoy the day.

Posted by Janelle at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Netherlands has been brimming with sunlight and warmth for at least a week now. Outdoor seating at cafes and restaurants is filled to the max. Friends and colleagues are increasingly showing off sunburned skin and the trees are in full bloom, celebrating the unexpected climate.

But those optimists who have packed away their winter coats and scarves may be in for an unpleasant surprise. In the past, the Dutch weather gods hasve granted us this glorious warmth only to shock us once again with a vengeance of rain, wind, and cold in June. Last summer it lasted for the rest of the season. So enjoy these cloud-free days, Netherlands dwellers. Visit the beach and enjoy a drink on an outdoor terrace, because this may be it until next spring.

Posted by Janelle at 8:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Some more art for you this weekend. The Jordaan area will be the host of the “Open Studios Tour”.
Started as a small-scale initiative in 1988, this year seventy artists and collectives will open the doors to their studios. Each will be represented by one work at the Central Exhibition, where you can also pick up an itinerary, with every participating artist marked on a map. The Central Exhibition is free, and open on May 10, 11 & 12 from noon till 6 pm.

The address is: Dancestreet, Eerste Rozendwarsstraat 10 (corner Rozengracht)

Posted by Trippist at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It has been nonstop sunny and hot here in the low countries, so what you really want is partys that take place outside. Lets see what we've got...

Friday:

Kevin Devine is a singer songwriter; De Nieuwe Anita, 8pm, €6.

Todos Para Brasil is the name of this party at Sugar Factory; 8pm, €12.50.

The International Jewish Music Festival is going on at the Muziekgebouw all weekend. Follow the link for more info.

Saturday:

Blues and gospel from the Campbell Brothers; Bimhuis, 9pm, €16.

Shapeshifter brings drum and base from New Zealand; Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 10pm, €15 plus membership.

Dead Elvis & His One Man Grave, Sherriff Perkins and King Automatic all playing at Paradiso; Kleine Zaal, 8:30pm, €8 plus membership.

Sunday:

Experimental music from the clever named Company Fuck (Austria), Eustachian (US), Sgure (FR), Surachai (US) and Peter Quistgard. OCCII, 9pm, €5.

At Bitterzoet, the Amsterdam Songwriters Guild is presenting a new compilation album; 8pm, €5.

A place that doesn't often have live music, the Blauwe Theehuis is featuring Mark Pritchard, Max Cole and Van Conk. From 3pm to 10pm, free.

Posted by Bicyclemark at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you find yourself wanting to do a group project, here's something you often see on the streets of Amsterdam Centrum on a sunny weekend day:

Its called the PartyFiets... or the party bike. And indeed, you can rent it. Why would you want to? Well for one thing, I don't know how many chances you'll have to pedal, drink, and make a general fool of yourself while having lots of fun.

Posted by Bicyclemark at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)