If you like browsing Etsy and Dawanda and other sites specializing in indie, hand-made items, but wish you could see some of the items in person, then head to the Griftpark in Utrecht Sunday and Monday, 23-24 May, for the latest installment of The Utrecht Fabriek. This indie craft show features beautiful and beautifully made items ranging from home goods to handbags. The artists and craftspeople are on hand to tell you about the pieces and offer them up for sale. Bring cash and enjoy the wonderful weather we're having finally.

The show is open each day from 10-17:00 in the Griftsteede (the area by the children's playground and the animals). Along with the items for sale, there will also be food, drink and even workshops. Last year's show had some really gorgeous items on offer, so don't miss out. If you're interested in registering for the next show, there's information on the group's Hyves page.

It's that time of the year again when the Festival aan de Werf takes over Utrecht. This unusual and wide-ranging festival explores new ways of looking at cultural arts and theater, with original productions from artists both local and international.

The Neude square acts as a central location, but the events take place throughout the city, in small clubs as well as in temporary structures built just for the occasion. There are nightly free music performances at the Neude, along with film, theater, workshops, debates and parties at various locations. Some of the featured artists this year include James Beckett, Roos van Geffen and Dries Verhoeven, along with Alain Platel, Lone Twin Theatre and Amir Reza Koohestani.

The festival runs from 20-29 of May and the full program and times can be found on the festival's official website.

The internationally reknown German Circus Roncalli, is coming to Amsterdam. Actually they arrived yesterday.

World famous for being the only circus in Europe that travels exclusively by train, Roncalli is also known for having some of the best preserved circus wagons in the world. Often described as a circus-museum, they have made it their priority to preserve old fashioned costumes, decorations, and other circus artifacts.

From May 22 to June 13 Circus Roncalli will be performing on the De Boelelaan/Beethovenstraat (map). Tickets range from €16 to €55 depending on how close you want to sit to the action. Shows take place almost daily and often twice a day, check the website and online ticket sales for more details. (in German or Dutch, English under construction)

Sometimes it's easy to get lost in your own little world when your computer is your workspace and you're working all alone. There are times when you want a bit more interaction and perhaps a bit of inspiration. SetupUtrecht has a solution for this problem and they call it Manic Monday. Every Monday through June 28, they are offering a free spot for people working with new media to come and work and maybe get a bit of inspiration or at least a bit more interaction. They provide a spot at the Neude (Neude 4), along with chairs and WiFi, and as they say, "you bring: good humor, passion, laptop (or pencil), and your friends or colleagues." Coffee and tea are available for €1, but you have to provide your own food if you want it. Not a bad deal! The spot is open from 9:30 to 18:00 each Monday, and both Dutch and English are generally spoken.

The Leiden Marathon is going on today, and it's fun to stroll around the city and see excited runners displaying their racing numbers and running gear. 'Tis the season for races in the Netherlands. In a couple weeks, The Hague Royal Ten takes place on Sunday, May 30th. This annual recreational race takes places around the Paleis Huis Ten Bosch.

It consists of several races around the city's beautiful streets, including a 1.5 kilometer kids run, a 5 kilometer run and a 10 kilometer run (the main event). All races start and finish at the Zandvlietcollege on Bezuidenhoutseweg. For more information, you can email: info@royalten.nl or check out www.royalten.nl (information only available in Dutch).

April 30th wasn't just the infamous Queen's Day. It was also the opening of the amazing Japanese Garden in Clingendael Park. Until June 13th, you can visit these gardens - open to the public - and enjoy a beautiful stroll anytime between 9am and 8pm. According to the Gemeente Den Haag,

The Japanese Garden was created in the beginning of the 20th century by the former owner of the country estate of Clingendael, Marguérite M. Baroness van Brienen (1871-1939), also called Lady Daisy. Lady Daisy sailed off a number of times by ship to Japan and brought back to the Netherlands a number of lanterns, a water cask, sculptures, the pavilion, the little bridges and several plants.

Did I mention admission is free? The gardens are located at Landgoed Clingendaelm, which can be found between The Hague and Wassenaar. The entrance is on the Wassenaarseweg in The Hague.

From 29 April until 28 June, the 19th annual International Sand Sculpture Festival is held at Scheveningen Beach in The Hague. This is an event worth seeing: feast your eyes on impossibly high sand sculptures created by international artists, all conforming to the theme of "sport." Why sport? The story goes that the theme is being used to promote the idea of The Hague as a city for professional sports.

Where do sculptors get their materials? An article at denhaag.nl explains:

A sand sculpture is a construction made out of sand and water and is nearly any shape. The secret behind the long-lasting sand sculptures featured in the International Sand Sculpture Festival lies in the sort of sand which is used. The white sand from Scheveningen beach is unsuitable. Beach sand is rounded due to tidal wash and wind, but sculpturing sand is less eroded and has a rougher structure in order to stack it up to a high level. This sand comes from the river Maas and has been transported along with the river from the Alpes (mineral sand). These grains are similar to a dice form and fit into and onto each other.

Pick a sunny day to explore the boulevard and beach pavilions of Scheveningen and admire the sculptures.

Tomorrow is Hemelvaart, assention day, a beloved holiday where the Dutch kick back, relax, and weather permitting - go out and enjoy themselves. Many will do the barbecue thing at a friends house or at the park, others will choose to go to a nice restaurant or café. If you happen to be someone looking for a nice big outdoor festival during the day, I have just the thing for you: Hemeltjelief.

Hemeltkelief is a self proclaimed, party for sweet people. So if you fit the criteria, the fun is taking place in Amsterdam North at the NDSM wharf. There will be a long list of music, art, and food for your indulgence. Among the international musical acts are: Mdungu, Les Chevals, Correspondence, Brazzaville, The Stokers, Cool Genius and Dent Tex.
The website includes a long list of children's activities making this festival as fun for kids as it is for adults.

The full festival combi pass costs €20 and a regular ticket costs €13. The combi ticket gets you into the after party that starts at 11pm and will go all night. The festival takes place all day long followed by the afterparty for those who prefer the darkness.

SAIL 2010 is still months away. Mark already alerted us to their call for volunteers, I but I want to take the opportunity to encourage anyone in or near Amsterdam in August to attend.

SAIL is a nautical extravaganza. I was there five years ago for SAIL 2005, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that it was one of the most spectacular events I've ever been at in all my time in the Netherlands. As the website states, the event will boast the following:

* an impressive fleet of Tall Ships from all around the world
* a unique collection of Dutch sailing heritage
* a variety of modern ships
* various impressive naval ships and replicas
* an extensive, accompanying programme on the wharfs
* activities, performances and expositions for young and old
* a unique atmosphere with thousands of boats on the water
* a daily closing ceremony with a breath-taking fireworks show

The ships are really unbelievable, and all sizes and shapes fill the waters near Amsterdam Central Station. They're not just to look at, either - many of the ships can be boarded, and detailed tours are possible.

Check out the website and reserve these dates: August 19-23, 2010.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, there's a fantastic light show taking place in Utrecht every night, as part of the Trajectum Lumen project. Last night I managed to get a few shots of some of the lights on display, but this is just a small fraction. I particularly recommend the display at the Drift Canal, which is continuously changing, with images from abstract colors to Pac Man chases. It's hypnotic and hard to step away from it.

Seen here from top to bottom are the Drift Canal, the neon halo at St. Willibrord Church, and Janskerk: