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Check Availability for Hotels in Amsterdam Events & Nightlife  Amsterdam
is a multi-lingual city, which is especially useful if you want to
check out movies or the theatre during your stay. English-language
productions in particular are extremely easy to find. Up-to-date listings can be found in the local papers, Amsterdams Staatsblad, de Telegraaf or Het Parool. Larger productions will be advertised at tourist information offices. Keep an ear and an eye open, too, for the many local festivals - for instance, the International Documentary Film Festival is usually held in late November, and attracts a very high standard of film. It must be admitted that many people come to Amsterdam seeking entertainment that involves either the Red Light District or the marijuana-clouded coffee shops. In fact, many people are unaware that there is any other form of entertainment beyond these licentious pursuits. For everyone's benefit here are some words of clarification on sex, drugs and Amsterdam. Music Amsterdam has a music scene to suit all tastes. The young will love the city's many small venues that play host to up and coming bands as well as international rock and pop groups. For those seeking culture the city's orchestra and concert halls are bound to have something on at any time of year. Modern Akhnathon Nieuwezijds Kolk 25 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-3396 Young, crowded, very hip world music venue/cultural centre. AMP Studios KNSM laan 12 Tel: +31 (0)20-418-1111 This is a great place to catch some live jazz and rock acts. Tickets vary from free to inexpensive. Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8 Tel: +31 (0)20-626-4521 Recently refurbished and still Amsterdam's top venue for rock and pop acts, Paradiso hosts major dance events during the weekend. Members only, but membership is available very cheaply. Classical Het Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6 Tel: +31 (0)20-671-8345 With 600-plus recitals a year, this wonderful building is one of the cornerstones of the Amsterdam cultural scene. Beurs van Berlage Damrak 277 Tel: +31 (0)20-530-4141 Home of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Beurs van Berlage features two concert halls and a hectic schedule of performances. Ticket prices vary immensely, with cheaper performances during the year and week for any given event - you would do well to enquire a little ahead of time. Theatre Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-2311 A few separate venues at one address - the Bovenzaal (upper hall) often has English-language productions running. Tickets vary by venue and production. Melkweg (Milky Way) Lijnbaansgracht 234a Tel: +31 (0)20-531-8181 An entertainment complex housed in an old dairy, the Melkweg has been a cultural site since the 70s and is still going strong. The centre plays host to an eclectic mix of entertainment including modern dance, serious theatre and loads of touring shows, including British and American acts. Membership required (but very cheap and easily available). Tickets from EUR6. Opera Muziektheater (Stopera) Waterlooplein 22 Tel: +31 (0)20-625-5455 Home of Holland's national ballet and opera companies, putting on the premier opera and ballet events in the country. Tickets vary in price by production, EUR14 and upwards - way upwards. Cinema The general practice in the Netherlands is to screen films in their original language with Dutch subtitles. City Cinema Kleine Gartmanplatsoen 15-19 Tel: 0900-1458 (inside Netherlands) Standard modern multiplex cinema with all the latest offerings from Hollywood, along with new local and European films. Filmtheater Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338 Tel: +31 (0)20-676-8700 The Rialto shows a wide selection of current European cinema, with some golden oldies on offer as well. Near Sarphati Park; take trams 2, 12, 24 or 25. Nederlandse Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3 Tel: +31 (0)20-589-1400 The Film Museum, a short walk away from the Rijksmuseum, holds the country's film archives and fortunately for film lovers, they don't just let them gather dust. Presents screenings all week, with special children's matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Nightclubs Nightlife is an almost meaningless term in Amsterdam. Most bars open in the morning and stay open until 01h00 or 02h00. Other bars only open in the evening then step into the breach, only closing in the early hours of the morning, by which time the earliest of the day bars has already opened its doors for the next day's custom. Nevertheless there are more than a few nightclubs that you can head for to satisfy any cravings for thumping dance tunes. Amsterdam's gay scene is centred predominantly on and around the Amstel, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Kerkstraat and Warmoestraat, though there are plenty of gay-friendly bars and clubs throughout the city. A couple are listed below, but for more information on what's on during your stay, it's worth visiting the "Pink Point", an information centre on Westermarkt with up-to-date advice on where to go. Tonight 'S Gravesandestraat 51 Tel: +31 (0)20-850-2400 A variety of club evenings and entertainment are hosted at Arena. Check local listings for special events, but head down on Saturdays for cheesy tunes from the 60s, 70s and the golden age of pop. Escape Rembrandtplein 11 Tel: +31 (0)20-622-1111 The largest of the city's clubs, Escape holds a variety of different events on different days of the week. Saturday is naturally the biggest night when dance music dominates the decks and special guests are more likely to put in an appearance. Salvation, held on the first Friday of the month, is one of the city's top gay nights. Melkweg (Milky Way) Lijnbaansgracht 234 Tel: +31 (0)20-531-8181 As well as being a theatre, cinema and cultural centre the Melkweg hosts discos and club nights at the weekend. COC Rozenstraat 14 Tel: +31 (0)20-626-3087 Popular weekend gay & lesbian club organised by COC, the national gay rights organisation. Always a fun and lively crowd. Fridays are mixed gay/lesbian, Saturdays lesbian only. Exit Reguliersdwarsstraat 37 Tel: +31 (0)20-625-8788 Large gay club spread over two floors playing predominantly dance music. Recently it's become quite popular with heterosexual women, but the crowd is still mainly gay. Special Events April April 30 is Queen's Day when parades, concerts, theatrical events, street entertainment and general revelry honour HM Queen Beatrix. May The Oosterparkfestival, held each year in the first week of May, celebrates the spirit of tolerance for which Amsterdam has become famous. The event, held in culturally mixed East Amsterdam, takes place just after Remembrance Day (May 4), which commemorates those who died during World War Two. This free celebration takes place with ethnic music, food and plenty of entertainment. National Cycling Day takes place on the second Saturday of May when much of the country gets on their bikes and follows one of the 360 routes set up for the occasion. Those who complete the course are presented with a certificate of success. National Windmill Day in Amsterdam happens on the same date as National Cycling Day. A blue banner signifies that a windmill is open to the public, there are several in the city although once you've seen one you might think you've seen them all. The Drum Rhythm Festival takes place in late May offering a riot of percussion and alternative lifestyles. Hip-hop, reggae, soul, drum and bass, house and all manner of beats are represented. June Mid-June to mid-July is the annual Holland Festival. International performers in theatre, dance, music, opera, media and visual arts join Amsterdam in the largest art event on the Dutch calendar. August Amsterdam Pride in early August is one of Europe's biggest gay and lesbian events culminating in the legendary "Canal Parade". The Dance Valley Festival is Holland's largest daytime dance music festival. The idyllic nature reserve venue near Amsterdam makes for an ideal escape from the city. November Amsterdam is famous for its canals, tulips, and, undeniably, cannabis. The annual Cannabis Cup is a world famous event attracting growers and consumers from all over the world with various awards being distributed, including one for the city's best coffeeshop. |
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