Events for February 2009
Love is in the air this February as Amsterdam slips into its most seductive pair of Valentine stilettos and shuffles outside to brave the chilly winds that gust romantically over the shimmering canal water.
Story Highlights
- Colours of the Night Exhibition
- Amsterdam Salsa Festival
- Valentine’s Day
- Ajax Amsterdam versus Fiorentina
Colours of the Night Exhibition ‐ Van Gogh Museum from February 13, 2009
Those of you with a penchant for classic art may wish to visit the Van Gogh Museum this February to view a special exhibition devoted entirely to Van Gogh's twilight themed works. Van Gogh is said to have always been fascinated by the night sky, which explains why many of his paintings take on a dark and shimmering theme.
From February 13 and for the first time in 20 years, Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night canvas will be displayed in Amsterdam. The piece is only on show for a few months so you’d be well advised to take a look at one of Vincent’s most beautiful offerings ‐ while you can.
Amsterdam Salsa Festival ‐ February 13 to 15, 2009
For two days in the middle of February Amsterdam loosens its hips and locks itself into a Salsa groove ‐ in preparation for the Amsterdam Salsa Festival. This year is the second incarnation of the event, which promises to be much bigger and a whole lot funkier than last year!
The festival will feature an impressive line‐up of global and home grown salsa artists, live theatre performances, dance workshops and parties all over the city. On Friday night the Rhone Congress and Party Centre plays host to a Pimps and Hoes themed party, while Saturday’s shindig at the same venue is tinged with a Valentine premise.
Valentine’s Day ‐ February 14, 2009
The city of sin is the perfect location to spend Valentine’s Day. The narrow streets and alleyways around Central Station become crowded with hearty couples ‐ sauntering along hand in hand, canal bridges glow passionately with neon lights and intimate little drinking dens and restaurants offer romantics the perfect setting to wine and dine their honey or homme of choice.
On February 14, Amsterdam’s finest restaurants will have concocted ridiculously seductive menus, comedy theatres such as the Boom Chicago on the Leidesplein will be poking fun at anything and everything love related, those boarding canal rides will be starry‐eyed, jewellery will vend for premium prices and on the morning of the 15th expect hotel room door knobs to be dressed with Do Not Disturb signs. Indeed.
Ajax Amsterdam versus Fiorentina ‐ February 26, 2009
Ajax Amsterdam coach Marco Van Basten won’t be too pleased with the draw for the first knockout stage of the 2008/09 UEFA Cup. After qualifying from the group stages of the competition alongside Hamburg SV of Germany and Aston Villa of England, his Ajax side is still struggling to catch leaders AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch EreDivision and have been handed a tough draw against Italian giants, Fiorentina. Both sides are evenly matched so it’s anyone’s guess as to which team will progress over the two matches. Expect the Amsterdam Arena and the bars on the Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein to be absolutely buzzing on the evening of the first leg.
‐ Johnny Lee
