The Stedelijk has been a floating museum of modern art for a number of years now while its main building on the museumplein undergoes neverending renovation. By floating I mean moving around and announcing different exhibits in different parts of Amsterdam. One thing I can say is whatever they do, the Stedelijk always does things in style.

Which leads us to their latest temporary exhibits entitled "Taking Place" and "Monumentalisme". The former focuses on national culture in the Netherlands and the orgins from around the world. As the curator explains "This is not about tullips and wooden shoes." Taking Place, meanwhile, focuses on the history of the museum itself, getting people re-acquainted with the Stedelijk.

These two exhibitions will continue until January 2011 and are open to the public Tuesday thru Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Thursday night there are extended hours until 10pm. Regular entry is 10€.

While it is most known for its art collection, the Kröller-Müller museum also features occasional theater performances. These theater pieces feature art from the museum's vast collection.

From now until November, The Paintings (with Us in the Nature) 1971 by Gilbert & George, are on display and part of one of these performances. Active in the 60's and 70's, the artists are most known for being very formal as well as early in their career, "The Singing Sculpture".

Located in Otterloo, the Kröller-Müller is a must-see day trip from Amsterdam. If it isn't raining too hard you can also enjoy the wonderful park grounds which are also part of the museum. Entry is €15 for adults, €7.50 for kids.

Down in Martin Luther King Park, along the Amstel river, the Parade is currently going on in Amsterdam. The only way I can think to describe Parade is a 2+ week long theater festival although there is always more going on than theater.

My favorite theater group in Amsterdam is back this year performing at Parade. They are called Pips:lab and they are arguably the most innovative crew in the country.

Here is my favorite of their street performances:

More on the Parade coming this week. Follow the links for more details.

This weekend the In Vervoering Festival is on the move in Utrecht. Taking place at different locations around the city, the festival is a collection of art, music, poetry and theater presented and performed on mobile stages, including horse-drawn wagons, boats and tricycles.

On Saturday, 7 August, five bus stops along Bus Line 2 in the Museum Quarter will be transformed into performance stages. While still serving their primary function as a bus stop, they will also be the home to a variety of performances, running from 14:00 to 18:00. At 20:00 until 23:00, the entertainment moves to the Leidig Erf. Sunday, 8 August, the day's events will be taking place at Lepelenburg Park from 14:00 to 20:00. All festival events are free.

Some of the performances at the festival include: Paper Tiger, Kim Janssen, The Medics, El Pino & The Volunteers, This Leo Sunrise, Breaking Ground, and Filmmachine. For a full list of events, visit the festival website (in Dutch).

Fans of Nijntje, AKA Miffy, the little bunny created by artist Dick Bruna, may be interested to know that this week only, entrance to the Dick Bruna Huis in Utrecht is free. According to the Centraal Museum's Facebook page, there is one catch, though. You have to be sporting a mustache. However, if you're folliclely challenged in the upper lip area, it seems that mustaches, like art, are open to interpretation. Draw one on, print one out, or find some other way to get creative. Just put on your best mustache.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00-17:00, and is located at Nicolaaskerkhof 10, Utrecht.

Although an Irish word in origin, Shebeens -- originally an illicit and unlicensed bar or club -- have popped up around the world. They gained particular popularity in South Africa during the days of apartheid, when black Africans were barred from entering white bars. Shebeens became a place for people to meet, drink, discuss, dance and build a sense of community. They bred resistance and activism, as well as entertainment, and would often reopen when police tried to shut them down. They're no longer illegal in South Africa, but residents are trying to keep them going as a part of their cultural history. They've become an important part of urban life now.

There is an exhibit of photos of these shebeens from the days of apartheid. The exhibit, located at Galerie Sanaa, is in its closing days, as it ends 24 July, but there's still time to see the work of artist Ananias Leki Dago. The gallery, open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00-18:00, is located at Jansdam 2, Utrecht.

Kunstliefde, an artists collective in Utrecht, is hosting Steunkleur Groen, an exploration of what it means to be green these days when surrounded by an urban environment. A variety of artists working in different mediums and materials explore the concepts of guerrilla gardening, balcony gardens, vertical gardening and much more. The exhibit also makes use of Facebook, Twitter and FourSquare to explore these green spots around town even further.

The exhibit runs through August 8, and includes work by Cultural Oil, Hans van Lunteren, Angeliek de Jonge, Myrthe Basket Makers, Wieteke Opmeer, HIK Design, Kommer Troost, Dennis, Workshop CORVE. Kunstliefde is located at Nobelstraat 12a, Utrecht.

The World Press Photo exhibit is here in Utrecht for a few more days. It runs through July 8 at Janskerk. If you haven't gotten around to visiting yet, head in while you still can. It's always an impressive experience, with photos ranging in subject matter, leaving you laughing, horrified, amazed and pretty much everything in between. If you're a bit short on cash after buying a few extra drinks to celebrate the Dutch team's success in the World Cup this year, don't worry, entrance to the World Press Photo show is free this year. The exhibit is open from 10:00-17:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and open from 10:00-21:00 on Thursday.

Going on now until August 13th at the Rijksmuseum, an exhibition of work by Johan Miró and Jan Steen. It was in 1928 that Miró came to Amsterdam and was influenced by Steen's work showing at the Rijksmuseum. The exhibit will be the first time ever that Miró's work is on display alongside the 17th century pieces that inspired him.

Beginning Jun 24, Utrecht will be celebrating the Rietveld Year, in honor of Gerrit Rietveld, the great Dutch architect and designer. A member of De Stijl movement, he first made a name for himself with his chair designs, including the famous red-blue chair. You can see it and some of his other chair designs in the video below, which also features a few well-known Utrecht residents, including C-Mon & Kypski. Ultimately, Rietveld became famous for his great work of modern architecture, the Rietveld-Shröder House, which joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

As part of the special celebration, the house will be open for free guided tours on June 26-27, beginning at 11 a.m. Guided tours of the council housing that he also designed in the Hoograven area are also available, since once of the apartments has been turned into a museum. Reservations for the guided tours are recommended and can be made by calling (030) 23623. More information about Rietveld, his work, and the festivities can be found at the Rietveld Year website (in English and Dutch). If you can't make it this weekend, you can still visit the house. Combination tickets and guided tours are available from the Utrecht Centraal Museum.

In the meantime, enjoy this video of the famous blue-red chair as it makes its way from the Rietveld House to the Utrecht Centraal Museum, with stops at the Stadhuis, Griftpark and other locations in between.