MONDAY the 20th

Indiestad or Indie City Festival is a big, multifaceted music festival running until Sunday the 26th with dozens of bands playing in Bitterzoet, and the churches turned music halls; De Duif,Vondelkerk and the Amstelkerk. Bands like Baroque multi-instrumentalist Jacco Gardener.

The all-in passes are sold out but tickets are available for individual gigs for $14.18 plus the $3.50 membership.

Multiple locations as you can see. Go to the Indiestad website (Dutch) for more information and tickets as well as a Spotify playlist.

THE RESIDENTS! THE RESIDENTS! This is the mother father and grandmother of all Indie Bands. I shit you not friends!

The new show is called “Wonder of Weird”. And is if that weren’t good enough, they’re playing the Muziekgebouw aan 't Ij, which is a beautiful new venue next to Central Station.

8:30 | €30 | Muziekgebouw aan 't Ij Piet Heinkade 1

‘Sex, shrugs and anti-rock’n roll’!

TUESDAY the 21st

Paul Bowles Documentary: “The Cage Door is Always Open” about the great American expat writer behind the book “The Sheltering Sky” is playing at the Rialto Theatre. If you’re a fan of counterculture, William S. Burroughs, crazy expats in Morocco, depravity and/or creativity, don’t miss this film.  

 7:30 | €9 - €10 | Rialto Theater Ceintuurbaan 338

The Heavy are playing People’s Place today If you haven’t heard them you’re lying, not only to yourself, but also to me, which is a terrible thing to do to me.

Soul + Garage = Me shakin' my ass like I'm Twerkin' 

8:30 | €15 | People’s Place Stadhouderskade 5

WEDNESDAY the 22nd 

Art Zuid 2013: Giant, freaky, amazing sculptures are lining Amsterdam's straightest avenues, the Apollolaan, Minervalaan and Churchillaan. Look at this:

I know you want to touch it.

Starts from the 22nd of May and runs to September just waiting for your kids to run over and pinch skin. There are sixty sculptures by artists from 24 different countries will be presented in the beautiful Berlage district of Amsterdam-Zuid.

Mudhoney are at Melkweg tonight, Wednesday the 22nd to bestow upon you, the crown and the ring of rock and roll. Mudhoney wrote the beta users manual for grunge and haven’t wavered a bit in 30 years, beat that AC/DC!

7:30 | €19.50 | Melkweg Lijnbaansgracht 234

Kira’s Favorite Things:

The ice cream wars rage on between Pisa and Venezia. Two Italian rivals
 with a national following duke it out for ultimate ice cream supremacy. For decades a fierce ice cream competition is taking place in the Rivierenbuurt causing a heated debate amongst Amsterdam's ice cream lovers. Pisa has lots of flavours are available, but not seating. Venezia, on the other hand offers ice cream dishes and seats indoors and out, Both are Italian and have many die hard fans. If you know who's better let us know at LifeInAmsterdam.com

Pisa, Scheldeplein 10 or Venezia, Scheldestraat 68 

THURSDAY the 23rd

English Comedy Night at Comedy Theater in de Nes. Five comics will take the stage and tell jokes while you laugh, it's just that easy.  Nate watched youtube clips of 4 of the 5 (you might want to post some English clips, Soula) and all of ‘em were really funny. Support stand up in Amsterdam!! Nate’s already got his tickets and he hopes he doesn’t get in a fight with the Nes’s webmaster, but he’s ready. Featuring Greg Shapiro,  Soula Notos,  Louis Zezeran, Stewart Johnson, and hosted by Joe Eagan.

8:30 | €14 day of /€10 if you buy early | Nes 110

Dinner and high art photography together? Brain food that sounds too good to be true? But it is true at Foam Thursday Dinners

The Foam photography museum Café stays open late every Thursday evening so you can combine your visit with a delicious meal. The weekly changing special is made from organic produce fresh from the market. A vegetarian option is also available.

The Thursday special costs 15 euros. Access to the exhibitions and joining the tour is free.

18.00 Café / kitchen open

19.30 Free tour

21.00 Café / museum closed

Booking a table is recommended. For a place on the free tour please reserve by e-mailing info@foamcafe.nl.

Please state:

• The date you want to come

• How many people are coming

• Whether you want to join the free tour

FRIDAY the 24th

Judah Friedlander, the trucker cap wearing star of 30 Rock is performing stand up at Rozengracht Theater. Rozengracht is the theater to which the Boom Chicago comedy troupe recently moved. From the price of the tickets it looks like the lock the old theater had on Boom Chicago prices has been lifted and I couldn’t be happier. Judah is hilarious and we’re both  f^%#%in’ STOKED for this show.

10:30 | €15-€40 | Rozengracht 117

SATURDAY the 25th

Arts and crafts for kids and adults alike as The Knutsel guy, or Arts and Crafts guy at  Het Groot Melkuis cafe and playground in Vondel Park...is back. Actually it's called the Kinderatelier.

For 5 Euros, your kids can play outside with real hammers and nails and wood and glue and paints and totally ignore you while you sip your coffee and read your paper. This, to quote Macklemore, is f&@kin' awesome. The Website says it's just on Wednesday but they do it Wednesday, Saturday AND Sunday.

Ask for Samme at the cafe, they'll point you in the right direction.

 2pm-5pm | €5 | Het Groot Melkuis cafe in Vondel Park

At Pacific Parc The Amsterdam Faya Allstars are playing a completely FREE show. They do a mix of Reggae, ska, dancehall, funk, latin music that’s got grooves deeper than the Zhemchug Canyon, which as we all know is a 2.6 kilometer deep canyon in the Bering sea. So that a pretty deep groove.

Pacific Parc is in the Westerparkfabrik estates, where they have the Sunday Market and the Neighborfood market and all that fun stuff.

9:00 | FREE | Pacific Parc Polonceaukade 23

SUNDAY 26 May

The Amsterdam Heritage Days offers visitors the unique chance to peak inside some of the city’s most famous locations, for free!

 The second edition will focus on architecture and life in Amsterdam’s city center during the 18th century.

From canal homes to monuments and building, various locations will open their doors to the public.

Each of the 15 participating locations will have guidebooks available in English. There are a lot of locations all over the city so click here for a list:

10am - 5pm | FREE!! | All over the city

And to wrap up this ungodly week in music and comedy.

The Ex + Brass Unbound are playing at OT301 Ex + Brass Unbound is like The Minutemen with a horn section. Jazz/punk experimental with a solid groove D. Boon would be proud.

9:00pm | €12 | Overtoom 301

Until next week, be excellent to each other

Nate and Jonathan

-- Email: WUApodcast@gmail.com TUMBLR: WUApodcast.tumblr.com TWITTER: @WUApodcast Facebook: What’s Up Amsterdam Podcast

MONDAY 13 MAY

There are a couple of big festivals coming your way, but before the smoke machines billow, and the bass drops let’s start the week with an 8k walk or bike ride! Bring the kids to the Springsnow Festival!

The Springsnow festival is all about the blanket of Elm blossoms that fly through the city’s air like a pink “snow”.

Central to the Springsnow Festival is the Elm Route, an 8km walking and cycling route from the elm arboretum in Amsterdam Noord (not far from the EYE Film Institute Netherlands) to the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.

Weaving through the eastern part of central Amsterdam, the route is a great way to explore the city in bloom. Download the Elm Route Map or pick up a free copy at Hortus Botanicus, Macbike,  ARTACASA, Klaver 4 or Papabubble

TUESDAY 14 MAY

It’s weird museum Tuesday, and since you’re probably going to hell you might want to check the map and see where you veered off course, I’m guessing it was after the Red-Light District and before the Korsakoff. Luckily for you here in sin city we have one heckuva Bijbelsmuseum (Biblical Museum).

Amsterdam's Bijbelsmuseum illustrates life in biblical times with archaeological discoveries and other artefacts. Clay tablets and fragments of papyrus and archaeological remains tell the fascinating story of how the Bible came into existence, and the influence that the Bible has had on Dutch society throughout the ages.

Herengracht 366-368

PH:020-6242436

Tu -Sa : 10:00 - 17:00 hour Open sunday! to 5pm. info@bijbelsmuseum.nl

Mark Knopfler, the guy who wrote “Money for Nuthin”  just released a new double album called “Privateering” and he’s playing Ziggodome so you can hear the songs from the album. Genius huh?Tickets are €44 -€59

The show is officially sold out but I’ve seen tickets online and Marktplaatz so you should be able to get in.

WEDNESDAY 15 MAY

Ok, our first festival of the week is the, RIGHTABOUTNOW Festival

Celebrating tomorrow’s artists today, (FINALLY, right?)  the 2013 edition of the RIGHTABOUTNOW Festival will take over Amsterdam’s MC Theater in the Westergasfabriek with five days of live music, dance, theatre and film.
The festival’s programme features music ranging from classical to hip-hop and jazz.
Every night ends with a big party and a DJ 

MC Theater, Polonceaukade 5 €16 preorder or €18 Day of show 

THURSDAY 16 MAY

Our friend Snoop made a spiritual journey last year to Jamaica, where he apparently immersed himself in Rastafarian culture, was given a new name, denounced hip hop and made a reggae album, you know, like you do. Vice, the magazine famous for cocaine and hilarious pictures of people looking stupid followed him with a video camera and made a movie they call Snoop Lion: Reincarnated. A special screening of the film can be seen on in Melkweg Cinema it’s €8 Euro and starts at 8:00pm.

Four members or the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra have got themselves a little quartet on the side called Zapp 4 and they’re playing Radiohead covers at Paradiso near Leidseplein. Watch the video, it’s insane. You love it.Starts at 8.30pm and it costs €20,

FRIDAY 17 MAY  

Oh yeah Kool-aid! There's a Red Light Radio party coming up!

RLR is an internet radio station that broadcasts from the Red Light District...I feel like you should have been able to figure that out, I’m disappointed in you. RLR was recently featured alongside Jonathan and myself in this article written about Amsterdam radio by Amsterdam Lifestyles Magazine. 

Anywoosizts, they’re taking over Pakhuis Wilhelmina for a party with: DJ Sensuela, Mr Wix, The Anomalys and Luuk Aux Raus and maybe more, you know, if they decided to have more. Starts at 9pm and costs €7

Or if you’re looking for something a little more highbrow, the movie that sent John Malkovich’s kids to college is playing at Uitkijk. That’s right, Conair. All Cameron Pope wants to do is get home to his little girl, but Sirus the Virus has other plans, can Lloyd Dobbler save the day or will Mr Pink murder a child in an empty swimming pool? 11PM Uitkijk theater. On the Prinsengracht off Leidsestraat.

 SATURDAY 18 MAY

Pacha Festival bringing that Ibiza feeling to Amsterdam....hooray. 

It’s basically a big DJ techno dance party that’s taking over the island for the day. So if that’s your thing, enjoy. Tickets and information are here.

Personally, we’d rather go to Paradiso’s London Calling Festival. A two day festival starting tonight, the 18th and continuating (that’s right, con-tin-you-a-ting) the 19th at the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam-Noord. Word on da streetz is dat Bloc Party, White Lies, Florence & The Machine, and Franz Ferdinand all made their dutch debut during London Calling....so....you don’t want to miss out on next Franz Ferdinand do you?

A ticket for the one day is €17,50 or get the full 2 days for only €30,00

They’ve shared stages with Johnny Cash, Violent Femmes, Primus, Old 97s, Supersuckers, Reverend Horton Heat, Legendary Shack Shakers and more. They’ve been described as “The country band that plays the bar at the end of the world.” by Jello Biafra.The instruments are drums, upright bass, pedal steel, banjos, piano, guitar, vocals and stories. ... the band is Slim Cessna’s Auto Club and you’re about to buy all their CDs.

Watch the video.

Now go see them at Paradiso, 8:00PM €9 plus membership. Here’s the info if you need more.

 SUNDAY 19 MAY

Until someone tells me where to get bottomless mimosas or a decent Bloody Mary I’ll spend my Sundays day drinking on the patio at Sound Garden. 

It’s sunny and warm, the place is big enough that you can usually find a seat and small enough to keep the throngs of tourists away. Last time I was there the bartender played nothing but Tom Petty and everyone was happy. The locals drink normal Dutch sized beers but they will happily pour big pints for boorish expats like me. Email me with a better patio (wuaPodcast@gmail.com) and maybe we’ll mention it on the show.

There’s a really big festival in town, called the TIKTAK Eclectic Music Festival it’s at Arena Park, there are 3 stages and 30 artists and if techno is your thing, or you just really, really, really like drugs this is the festival you’ve been waiting for. 

Gates at 12:00 and music until 23:00

More information, the full line-up and tickets are available on the TIKTAK Festival website.

Starting at 6:00 pm Me and Jonathan will be shaking babies and kissing hands at the IamExpat Soirée a dance party slash mixer located in the building which used to house the Volkskrant Newspaper. It’s got a dope terrace for sittin’ on and lookin’ at the city over. Party starts at 6:00pm and goes to 1:00am 

Canvas, 7th Floor Volkskrantgebouw, Wibautstraat 150,

 **Keep in mind, tomorrow is a public holiday so stay out late!**

Until next week, be excellent to each other,

Nate and Jonathan

Click here to stream or right click and "save as" to download.

 MONDAY 29 April

 So amongst the many anniversaries this year, the Felix Meritis center, a cultural center, a debate hall and a World Heritage site, is celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2013. To celebrate, it’s reopening its observatory, currently the oldest in the country and one of the highest vantage points for viewing the Amsterdam canals.               

 High above the city, you can see the unique art installation Amsterdam of Above – Amsterdam of Below, by the artist Joseph Semah, which connects the stars with the canals and prominent buildings of the city.

It’s open daily (except on Sundays). Tickets are €7.40 buy them online here.

 TUESDAY 30 April QUEEN'S DAY!!!!!

 Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the very last Queen’s Day. Queen’s Day is just about everybody in the country’s favorite holiday. It’s a day off, the night before is a giant party, the whole country turns into a giant flea market and everyone wears orange, the color of the Royal House of Orange.  

 The Royal Family is the reason this is a really big day, because if you haven't heard it yet Tuesday the 30th of April, Queen Beatrix will abdicate at the Royal Palace on Dam Square and her son and his wife will be inaugurated as the new king and queen at De Nieuwe Kerk right next door.

To celebrate the city will be holding special events like a royal boat parade and a celebratory King’s Ball at Museumplein.

Museumplein is being designated ‘Orange Square’ for the day and screens will also be erected there showing the ceremonies. Entrance is free but there are 3,000 seats available for the evening celebrations - tickets for a seat cost 10 euros. There will be more screens at Museumplein, Dam Square, Java Island and the Oeverpark. After the inauguration, the new king and queen will set sail on a boat through the canals starting at 7:45 pm from the EYE Film Institute Netherlands. Then a parade of boats will follow them through the canals and will at 9:30 pm.

Famous Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren will be making his plinky plonky noises followed by actual music from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra for what promises to be a spectacular performance! Tickets cost 5 euros and are available via the Radio 538 website. For a full breakdown of all royal events clickity-clack right here

Two things that are important to note:

1. Queens Day is always busy but expect the DAM to packed beyond all human imaginings.

2. There were actual riots at the last inauguration. The country is in a different mood now, but you never know. So I urge you NOT to bring children to the Dam.

 WEDNESDAY 1 MAY

 It’s the return of the, oh wait, no way, you’re kidding, he didn’t just say what I think he did, did he? Sorry, I forgot what we were talking about.....RIGHT! The Van Gogh Museum is back...back again.

I’m not going to tell you why this matters and what’s inside. You know what’s inside. Only now the bathrooms are cleaner.

Also, Van Gogh would have been 160 this year which, if I’m not mistaken is the renovate your museum anniversary.

Paulus Potterstraat 7 PH: 020-5705200 info@vangoghmuseum.nl

THURSDAY 2 MAY

Again our friends at Hell Yeah booking are bringing an amazing show to town. It’s at Winston Kingdom and this time Dave Hause and Johnny Two Bags. If those names mean anything to you you’re already clicking to buy tickets, if they don’t, listen to these songs and THEN buy tickets.

Tickets are €10 and it kicks off at 8:30

The Antarctica squat in Amsterdam West opens its doors for a night of Mezrab-y goodness. We play a little, tell some stories, have a good ol' fashioned jam session. Just like when we did back in the day. The squat crew makes some damn good food, so Mom is unchained from the soup counter and free to sing all night.

Doors open at 19.00, music/stories start at 20.00. Antarctica, Amundsenweg 1, Amsterdam West. Entrance: Donation

 Not in the Wilhelmina Pakhuis, don't go to the wrong place!

 FRIDAY 3 MAY

 It’s Nerd Night at CREA. It’s like a live episode of Stuff You Should Know. This time Federico Felici unravels the future of energy with a discussion explaining nuclear fusion and then Gijs Mulders takes us on a headbanging journey through heavy metal music with music by a group called Spread it Like Butter. Clearly, this is going to be awesome.

It’s €5 it all goes down at CREA Muziekzaal at 8 PM.

 SATURDAY 4 MAY

 Here’s how Rememberance Day Works;

The crowd gathers at Dam Square, there’s a ceremony, then two minutes of silence nationally,a forlorn trumpet blows and the King lays a wreath at the national monument.

For even more information click here.

SUNDAY 5 MAY

 It’s Liberation Day and there are 10 festivals in the city today. We dig the Vrijland Festival at Roest. They write, “At our beautiful, industrial terrain, we will celebrate our freedom under the spring’s sun, on the water, surrounded by unexpected amusement and international heros of music.” 11:00am until 11:00pm, so you can ride it till the wheels fall off.

There are two prices, but I don’t know why...

Vrije Vogel (free bird) € 17,00 and Paradijsvogel € 20,00 visit the Roest website here

Also, the Sunday Market is going down in Westerpark, If you like funky, weird stuff made with love, being sold BY the people that made it go do that. It’s free to get in and after that whatever you spend is up to you.

Until next week, be excellent to each other,

Nate and Jonathan

MONDAY 22 April

Bic’s favorite customer, the Pope’s biggest enemy, and Twitter’s awkward friend, Sinead O’Conner is performing at Paradiso. We makes the jokes, but for serious, Nothing Compares to You is a PERFECT song. I know Prince wrote it, but Sinead’s version is clearly the definitive version.

Doors at 7:30, show at 8:30 €35 plus the shakedown Info and tickets here

TUESDAY 23 April

Tuesday is weird museum day and no building in the whole city is weirder than that of the ARCAM Amsterdam Centre for Architecture. The building is a weird squiggle right on the IJ waterfront and that squiggle is open to visitors from Tuesday through Saturday 1:00pm – 5:00pm and it’s free. 

Prins Hendrikkade 600 ph:020-6204878 arcam@arcam.nl

WEDNESDAY 24 April

Widowspeak at ot301 - Widowspeak is an American indie rock/shoe gaze band that started by two friends from Tacoma Washington that had  to move to Brooklyn, with all the other hipsters. Nate loves this female singer songwriter stuff. Listen to their music on their Bandcamp site and then go to the show at 301 Overtoom at 8:30, it’s 8 euro. 

And just a couple blocks away the Afro-Cuban All Stars, an offshoot of the Buena Vista Social Club are playing at People’s Place. Here’s a little (30 minute) taste:

People’s Place is at Stadhouderskade 5/6

THURSDAY 25 April

Melvins and Big Business at Patronaat in Haarlem. You know the Melvins are the reason Kurt Cobain started playing music right? It’s true. So here’s your chance to see one of the true heavyweights of punk, metal, grunge or whatever you wanna call it.  

And not only do you get to see The Melvins, Big Business ain’t slouching either. Big Business started as a two piece band composed of Jared Warren, of Karp and the AMAZING Tight Bros From Way Back When, and Coady Willis of Murder City Devils. They’re touring as a 4 piece after doubling the size of the team and I think and you will love them. This song is called The Drift

Doors at 8:00pm show at 8:30 €16

Toneelgroep (Theatre Group Amsterdam) is presenting their shows with English surtitles. So this Thursday the 26th, check out their  play “Disgrace” by the great South African writer J.M. Coetzee at the Stadsschowburg, the big, white theatre in the center of Leidseplein.

PH: +31 (0) 20 624 23 11 info@ssba.nl Purchase tickets online here  €10 - 36,50

FRIDAY 26 April

This Friday marks the opening of one of the things I wait all year for. No joke. It’s the opening of the World Press Photo exhibition 2013. These are the year’s best journalistic images.

This year, Swedish photojournalist Paul Hansen received first-prize this year for his photo taken in Gaza. It is always extremely moving and beautiful. 26 April - 23 June, 10.30am - 5.30pm (Mon-Sat),1pm - 5.30pm (Sun) Oude Kerk, Oudekerksplein 23 Amsterdam  €8

At Meervart theater at 8:00 it’s Da Bounce comedy night presents Kings vs Queens... The trailer they cut for tonight makes this night look pretty damn good. it looks like a mix between live acts, clips from comedy movies with a little music here there. But what it REALLY IS is 3 comics each doing about 40 minutes, so it’s like getting 3 headliners. They haven’t announced who’s going to be there, but after Pete Johansson, Aries Spears, Eddie Izzard and Seth Meyers being in town in the last few weeks, nothing would surprise me. Tickets are 25 euro, that’s at Meervaart on friday at 8 PM Clacky-Lack here for tickets

SATURDAY 27 April

This weekend it’s the Amsterdam Tulip Days! There lots of tulips and other bulbs can be seen in the gardens of a number of museums, private houses and institutions. Too many to name so we’ll give you the links.

Download the BROCHURE with general information. Download the MAP CENTRE or Download the map SOUTH / ZUID

Flower fanatics can purchase a power pass that provides access to these special locations for €12.50. This pass can be picked up from Museum van Loon and Amsterdam's Tourist Information offices, and is valid for the entire weekend.

Ticket Sale / Starting Address: Museum Van Loon, Keizersgracht 672  PH 020-6245255

info@museumvanloon.nl

If the Brits are good for one thing it’s maintaining a level head, with that in mind watch the face of your favorite limey when they hear that Top Gear is coming to Ziggodome.

Tickets ain’t cheap, but if you think beans are breakfast food you’ll sell your bollocks for a chance to see Jeremy, James and Richard do that thing they do. and I hear The Stig might make a special appearance. Two shows, 4:30pm and 8:30pm.

Tickets €45-€99

SUNDAY 28 April

If it’s not sunny and amazing by now I don’t know what to say, it should be and you should spend the day drinking in the Vondel park. Grab a six pack and two bottles of wine and pick a spot. There are two cafes with bathrooms you can use for 50 cents and trees you can use for free. (You WILL get a ticket, don’t pee on the trees you animal) The park will be packed with people playing frisbee, pick up games of voetbal as well as some sort of game where you throw a stick at another stick, it seems too simple to BE simple so I’m guessing it’s fun.

Vondel park is FREE, and you can go anytime your hearts desires. Also Het Grootmelkhuis has a play area for kids and beer and wine for adults as well as free wifi.

Until next week, be excellent to each other,

Nate and Jonathan

who should visit
> people with an interest in spectacles
> people with an interest in eye wear fashion through the decades

my personal favourite
As a minimalist, the glass cupboards filled with glasses are a bit overwhelming. The paintings can be appreciate more easily. I don’t know why, but I quite like the painting above.

Unsigned painting in Het Brilmuseum, Museum of Spectacles Amsterdam.

noteworthy
> The museum is on the 3rd and 4th floor, which you reach by mounting possibly the narrowest staircase in town.
> There’s a spectacle shop on the ground floor. 
> Included in the entrance is an interesting booking about eye wear - it’s written in both Dutch and English.

opening times
Tuesdays - Saturdays from 11h30-17h30. Saturdays till 17h.

address
Het Brilmuseum, Gasthuismolensteeg 7, between Dam and De Negen Straatjes, Amsterdam centre.

entrance fee E4.50 // museumkaart holders: no reduction.

who should visit
> people with an interest beyond the Dutch borders
> kids! The Tropenmuseum does a great job entertaining & educating kids.

personal favourite

Photo by Anoek Steketee, part of exhibition Plesiran Tempo Doeloe on display in Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam.

I have not been in the Tropenmuseum for about 2 years and can’t remember a favourite item. The upcoming exhibition ‘The past is a distant country’ (on display as of 26 April 2013) attracts my attention, though. The photo exhibitions shows Indonesian natives having a “plesiran tempo doeloe”, which is reviving the colonial days by dressing up and role playing. As a daughter of an Indonesian mother, I find it quite remarkable - how come they romanticizes those days of relative captivity? On the other hand, I don’t believe in the current democracy either.  

noteworthy
> The museum has the world’s largest collection of items from New Guinae.
> Part of the permanent collection is the ‘world of music’ where adults and kids can learn more about different regions in terms of their music and instruments. 
> Next to the permanent collection covering 10 themes, there are usually multiple temporary exhibitions.

opening times: Tuesdays - Sundays from 10h-17h.

address: Tropenmuseum, Linnaeusstraat 2, Amsterdam.

entrance fee

adults (13+ year olds): E12

kids: E8 (4-12 years old)

Museumjaarkaart: free entrance

Click here to stream to your phone or tablet or whatever.

MONDAY 15 April

What better way to start of the week than with that combination of humor and BBQ and matzoh that is Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys? Kinky’s playing Paradiso tonight and it is not sold old as of yet, so…git onnit and cowboy up!  Show starts at 9pm and tickets are 12 euros plus the 3,50 shakedown membership fee thing they invented. 

Yes, you can go see Kinky Freidman, that’s a perfectly reasonable thing to do or you can smoke a crack pipe full of KMFDM.  German, metal, industrial, punk explosion KMFDM are playing Tivoli in Utrecht tonight.  €14 Doors at 7:30pm Show at 8:30pm

The Imagine Film Festival is still on from Monday the 15th to Wednesday the 17th. Go see the new Evil Dead Reboot or a documentary about The Amityville Horror... Jonathan is really looking forward to The Grandmaster, an epic Chinese biopic about the Ip Man, Bruce Lee’s teacher.Nate’s gonna see the one about Zombies and friendship.

TUESDAY 16 April

Friend of the show comedian Greg Shapiro, the American Nederlander, is touring the Netherlands this week with special guest Canadian comedian Pete Johansson. Here’s a clip.  Pete’s hilarious, Greg’s the best and Tuesday they’re playing Utrecht, which is only a half hour away by train. I ran into Greg this morning and he assured me that if you come out to the Schiller Theater, you’ll make the midnight train back to Amsterdam  And on Thursday, they’re closer to home Amstelveen, which is a tram ride out of town at the Griffioen Zaal.

12 euros Curtain is at 8:30 pm.  

At Sugar Factory, across from Melkweg Moonaddict, Cosmic Android and Six Million Dollar Men. Three kinda grungy, stone-y rock bands. Check the new one from Six Million Dollar Men, Hot Tuna.The new Six Million Dollar Men record was produced and mixed by the one and only Mario Caldato Jr of Beastie Boys fame.

Sugar Factory €5 9:00PM

WEDNESDAY 17 April

Tutankhamen: His Tomb and His Treasures Exhibition at Amsterdam Expo. King Tut’s treasures man, show me someone who doesn't want to see the gold from the tomb of the boy king and I will show you someone done with life.

Adults are €16 kids are €10.

THURSDAY 18 April

Eddie Izzard, is doing 3 nights at the Heineken Music Hall and this is the only night that (as of press time) isn’t sold out, if you want to see this comedic master do his thing, you have to get tickets now!

Heineken Music Hall €39 Doors at 6:30pm Show at 8:00pm

Spindlevine, in association with Orange Tea Theatre Company brings us a new show, Speechless.

When a storyteller is asked to give a speech at his best friend’s wedding, he finds his stories have dried up. How can he resolve the anxiety of being lost for words at the wedding, one that includes his best friend and an unrequited love? What if he is left speechless? Live Music: Fàtima Fonte

Performance 8:30pm @ Ostadetheatre

Tickets €13/€11 concessions, Book here 

FRIDAY 19 April

Storytelling night at Mezrab. Literally underground, this storytelling night invites you to get up and share your story. Get that horrific, embarrassingly funny, amazing, terrible thing off your chest. It’s all in English and your host Sahand’s mom makes delicious Iranian soup.
Doors open at 7:00pm, stories start at 8:00.

Next to Wilhelmina Pakhuis -Veemkade 572D

SATURDAY 20 April

It’s National Record Store Day, the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the in countries across the globe make special appearances and performances for example:

At Concerto - 10:30AM Sea Sick Steve, Jungle by Night, Pignose Willy, Coco Jones and more.

And at Sugar and Spice there’s a special acoustic show with Sunday Kids at 4:00pm and all sorts of special records. Look into it.

***** THIS SATURDAY *******

Kira from Life in Amsterdam.com hosts Modern vs Classic Wine Battle at The Urban Art House. Photos by Julian Lennon and Geeert will be on display, wine will be consumed, judgements will be made. Drinking and judging, a match made in heaven.

20€ entrance, €15 if you mention What’s Up Amsterdam at the door.

*****************************

SUNDAY 21 April

The Neighborfood Market at the Westergasfabriek.

This week, they are focussing on coffee. Some of the best coffees and barista’s in town will be there to teach you everything about your daily shot of caffine.

11am to 6pm. Click here for a map!

Until next time, be excellent to each other,

Nate and Jonathan

 MONDAY 8 April

Imagine Film Festival opens today the EYE Film Institute Netherlands and runs until the 17^th. There are a bunch of great movies playing like: 

The ABC’s of Death -The 26 letters of the alphabet, 26 directors, 26 short films, 26 ways to die.  

and this

Mega Spider, released in the states as Big Ass Spider, a homage to monster and b-movies. Oh, and they “fixed” Jurassic Park by making it 3-D, maybe it’s better, but prolly not.

TUESDAY 9 April

Tuesday is weird Museum Day here on the show and now that Spring has come, kind of, it’s time for the The Tramway Museum (Elektrische Museumtramlijn) to reopen.

The Tramway museum has  unique collection of historic trams. The trams are restored to full working order, and you can even ride in them.

Open from 11 to 5:30 Amstelveenseweg 264 ph:020-6737538 info@museumtramlijn.org 

These guys are playing at Paradiso tonight. 

The Babysitter’s Circus are from New Zealand. That's REALLY far to come visit us, make 'em feel like it was worth it.

€8.50 plus the 3.50 shakedown - Doors at 9:30 show is at 10:00

WEDNESDAY 10 April

Every Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 it’s time for the FREE!!! concert at the Concertgebouw.

This week the students of the Dutch National Opera Academy will be playing:

Mozart - Duet 'Cinque, diece' (uit 'Le nozze di Figaro', KV 492)

Mozart - Recitatief 'Cosa stai misurando' (uit 'Le nozze di Figaro’, KV 492)

First come, first served, yo. Get on ya grind.

Also today it’s time for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Amstelveen.

There’s a large Asian Japanese expat community in Amstelveen and Cherry Blossoms are big in Japan.

The Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossom Festival) celebration marks the coming of spring. It’s traditionally celebrated by picnicking with family and friends under the blossoming cherry trees. The cherry blossom represents both a new beginning and the fragility of life.

The trees are in Bloesempark (Blossom Park), located in the south-east of the Amsterdamse Bos. Just click the link, there’s a map.

Kira’s Favorite Things In ‘t Aepjen - Oldest Bar in Amsterdam

Dating from 1519, Cafe 't Aepjen is the oldest bar in Amsterdam and is housed in one of the last timber-framed houses. The name translates to 'little monkey'. Legend has it that many sailors and their monkey pets (taken from their voyages) stayed at this former inn. Not infrequently, they gave the monkeys to the landlord by way of payment or gift. In ‘t Aepjen, Zeedijk 1.

THURSDAY 11 April

At Winston Kingdom, Hell Yeah Bookings presents Joey Cape’s Bad Loud, Scorpios and Armchair Martian. Three bands all featuring Joey Cape from the American pop punk stalwarts Lagwagon. Here’s a taste of Bad Loud 

It’s 12 Euro it’s right downtown and it’s gonna be a helluva good show. Get all the info you need here

FRIDAY 12 April

So the clock is ticking on Queen Beatrix’s reign so it’s no surprise that all kinds of museums and organizations are devoting exhibitions and stuff. This time it’s the turn of the Dutch national news agency ANP, putting on a show in the Beurs van Berlage on the Damrak, right near central station.

The exhibit charts Beatrix’s life and her 33 years as Queen of the Netherlands. The photographs are all drawn from the ANP image bank – the most extensive collection of royal images in existence. Each image is accompanied by short, historical texts and anecdotes provided by the news agency. €8.50 Damrak 277 info@localworld.nl

Better Than Something, a documentary about a musician named Jay Reatard is being shown at Melkweg Cineville tonight at 11 PM it’s 7 euro. It’s an amazing story of a misunderstood and incredibly prolific musician. 

€7 euro 11 Pm Cineville, free to subbacultcha members

SATURDAY 13 April

Combining the best of two worlds, Frozen Planet in Concert promises to be a breathtaking musical and cinematic experience. The show based on the acclaimed documentary series and comes to the Ziggo Dome.

High-definition images of the great frozen wilderness of the North and South poles will be displayed on an 18-metre wide screen, with musical accompaniment from the Gelders Orchestra.

The show is suitable for children aged 8 and above.

Performances at 15:00 and 20:00

Tickets from €22:50 to €59:50

Also on Saturday, the Rijksmuseum is reopening!

This is the biggest, most important museum in the country is back folks!

They renovated everything: the layout, the building, new public facilities, newly landscaped garden, and Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’ returning to its original gallery.

There are 80 halls with 8,000 pieces of art and history. You cannot do this in a day. It’s free today as of 12 noon but the line to get in will be ridiculous, but hey, have at it art lover.

And it you want you can buy tickets online for tomorrow. 

Tickets are €15. 18 and under, FREE!

Museumstraat 1 ph:0900-0745 info@rijksmuseum.nl

SUNDAY 14 April

And finally, I got yer Sunday Brunch suggestion.

The place: Broodje Bert.

The location: Singel 321 right near the Spui so…. Very,VERY central.

It’s Turkish food with a continental bent and everyone loves Broodje Bert. TripAdvisor, Yelp, etc. So if everyone loves it, you can’t go wrong, right? One word of advice, the hamburger is actually a spicy lamb sandwich known as a Kofte. It’s delicious, but it’s not a traditional “burger” just FYI, bro.

Until next time, be excellent to each other,

Nate and Jonathan