Events for November 2008
By the time November rolls around Amsterdam is set into a solid winter groove. The narrow streets and alleyways that encircle Centraal Station gust with romantic winds, causing gloves, scarves and hats to retail at premium prices.
Story Highlights
- Museum Nacht (Museum Night)
- Amsterdam India Festival
- Ajax Amsterdam versus PSV Eindhoven
- International Documentary Film Festival
- High Times Cannabis Cup
Museum Nacht (Museum Night) - November 1, 2008
For one night only, 41 of Amsterdam's biggest and best museums stay open into the early hours to showcase an array of special exhibitions and performances. This year's program will include live DJs, jazz concerts, dance performance, food, drinks, guided museum tours, film and literary recitals. Grab yourself a Museum Nacht ticket from one of the GWK Travel booths dotted around Amsterdam or get one from the official website. Each ticket costs €17 and covers entry into every one of the 41 participating museums, as well as free use of all GVB trams, Metros and night buses during the event!
Amsterdam India Festival - November 12 to 30, 2008
The India Festival is as spectacular as it is huge, devoting itself to all things Indian through a multi-genre showpiece of music, dance, fashion, photography, theatre, art, architecture and film. The exhibitions and events are staged in numerous nightclubs, theatres and museums all over the city. Check the official website to scan the lengthy list of events and get the ticket information!
If you are in Amsterdam on November 12, 2008 then get down to Amsterdam Melkweg and check out the critically acclaimed DJ Nitin Sawhney, playing a live DJ set. His sound is a combination of Indian influenced sounds encased within more traditional elements of jazz and dance electronica.
Ajax Amsterdam versus PSV Eindhoven - November 16, 2008
The biggest game in the Dutch football calendar kicks off at the rather early time of 12.30pm. Tickets are extremely hard to come by but if you really want to squeeze into the 55,000 capacity Amsterdam Arena, then prepare to part with a handful of Euros outside the stadium. If you'd rather watch the game on TV then locate a decent local bar and pour mugs of Heineken down your neck with the rowdy, but pleasant, home town fans!
International Documentary Film Festival - November 20 to 30, 2008
More than 100,000 visitors attend the IDFA, the world's biggest documentary film festival, each year. The IDFA was founded in 1988 and this year it will feature more than 250 international documentaries produced by some of the planet's most innovative film makers.
Most of the action centres on theatres and open air screenings, close to Rembrandt Square. Tickets are sold for individual days or film makers. You can buy them on the official IDFA website.
If filmography is your thing then you'll probably like the Shadow Film Festival, which runs from November 19 to 25, 2008. This bohemian festival operates in the shadow of the bigger IDFA event, exhibiting unusual and creative documentaries produced by art students and Dutch film schools. Keep one eye on the official website for ticket and programme info.
High Times Cannabis Cup - November 23 to 27, 2008
Last but certainly not least is the world famous Cannabis Cup! Forget the Olympic Games or the Football World Cup - the High Times Cannabis Cup is the most important event on the calendar of every decent grass and hash connoisseur. The event attracts stoners from all over the world - for four days of dope sampling, serious discussion and chilling.
The event is a cross between a trade show and a citywide celebration of the relaxed Marijuana laws in Holland. All kinds of smoking paraphernalia, seeds and grow bags can be purchased at the event, while the city's best coffee shops will be promoting special, limited-edition Cannabis Cup Weeds!
Judges deliberate long and hard before deciding on their favourite smokes, before wrapping up the event on the same night as American Thanksgiving. The finale features a relaxed ceremony and a slightly paranoid awards show.
- Johnny Lee
