What's going on during your stay in Amsterdam?
We know that our beds are a means to a cultural end so that's why we hook you guys up with monthly event guides, to your St Christopher's city of choice. Today we bring you the best bits of Amsterdam in August. Our Events Columnist previews De Parade, the Uitmarkt Festival and then some, so for your cultural fix make sure you read on.
De Parade, August 1 to 17, 2008 - On August 1, the Martin Luther King Park in Amsterdam plays host to the festival De Parade - a colourful travelling circus showcasing a diverse mix of theatre, magic, dance and music inside large tents and on outdoor stages. There is a charge for some of the shows but the festival itself is free, so you can simply wander around the park, take in the vibe and sip Sangria in the sun.
There are plenty of food and beverage bars so you're never far from a cold beer or a warm plate of tapas. You might even fancy a ride on the chairoplane, especially if you want a second taste of all the tapas you just scoffed! The festival attracts a free spirited, artistic crowd - perhaps best described as young minded rather than youthful. The festival opens daily from 3pm and runs for a whopping 17 days!
The Uitmarkt, August 28 to 30, 2008 - Every year on the last weekend of August the Uitmarkt Festival signals the opening of the cultural season in Amsterdam. The Uitmarkt provides a platform on which practically all known artistic institutions in Amsterdam can showcase their talents. The event now attracts well over half a million people to the large, open air stages constructed around the Leidsplein, Museumplein and Nieuwmarkt. The neighbouring theatres put on shows that vary in theme from classical music to Ballet, Hip-Hop, Cabaret, literary recitals and art house film.
For the duration of the festival most of these open their doors for free! Smaller exhibitions, performance art, art student previews and numerous arty workshops can also be found, dotted around the city. Also be sure to check out the famous Uitmarkt book market. Writers and publishers mill around the market promoting their latest work, while antique collectors search for bargains - like owls hunting in the grasslands for vermin prey!
Finally on August 30 renowned Pokerflat DJ, D'Julz will be spinning some minimal Techno at Studio80 on behalf of BLA BLA - one of the best Techno, House and Electro nights in the city. So go along and have some fun.
- Johnny Lee
