Friday - 1000 drawings for a colorful favela

The grand finale of "1000 drawings" happens today in Amsterdam, with a program filled with music and colourful art sessions.

The aim is to collect money to finance the renovation of the favelas, through the project Favela Painting.

During these months, since the project was launched, anyone could submit their arty-work in A5 and today they will have the chance to purchase it back, with a 10 euro donation.

Those who didn't submit anything, but would like to enjoy the evening and do something for charity, are invited too.

Throughout the nights bands will be playing and experienced artist will be showing how to improve your next submission.

Some of the workshops really deserve a mention, I am thinking of things like drawing in the dark (with Lula Hoop), drawing with blood, the pinball drawing machine, sand animation story telling...and many more!

Starting at 20.00 at the Flemish Art Centre De Brakke Grond.

http://www.1000drawingsamsterdam.nl

Thursday - The Flying Dutchman and the perks of being an expat

Two storytellers narrating the tale of the Flying Dutchman and in so doing exploring the condition of the "expat".

The three shows, starting today and ending on Saturday, are going to be performed in the Paradijs, the small theatre under the roof of the Koninklijke Schouwburg.

It has been organised by the wonderful people of STET, the foundation for the promotion of English-speaking theatre in the Netherlands, based in The Hague. Their calendar is truly interesting, varied and entertaining.

I also like the fact that they stage their shows in different locations: once we saw a play about Robinson Crusoe sitting inside the hold of a ship!

The show is followed by a debate coordinated by the Expatriate Archive Center, mentioned in another post from last week.

http://www.theenglishtheatre.nl/

Wednesday - Elfstedentoch in spring

The Elsftedentoch is the gruelling and spectacular ice skate marathon that many Dutch are hoping and praying for each winter, when the thermometer goes steadily below zero for a certain number of days.

Alas, there has not been an Elsftedentoch since 1997, however on the 20 May there's a spring version, along the same canals but for amateur and semi-professional cyclists.

The registration for 2013 is now closed, however no one forbids you to form your own peloton with friends and ride leisurely speed on your bike along the path, stopping for a picnic when the going gets tough or when you start craving your broodjes kaas.

http://www.11steden.nl

Tuesday - The Haagse Bos

The Haagse Bos is one of the largest green spaces in Den Haag and although it's actually not more than 10 minutes from the city centre, it gives the feeling of wilderness that you normally get in non man-made natural areas.

Among its sights, the Queen's (and future King's) palace and its very friendly guards who will be happy to pose for a picture, pretty lakes and very original playgrounds for kids (and when there's nobody around, even for grown ups).

Much loved by joggers and dog walkers, it has an enchanted air in winter and it's perfect for picnics in summer.

http://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/Natuurgebieden/Haagse%20Bos.aspx

Monday - Push it to the Limes

As always, on Monday shops open late and museums are closed and since the weather seems to be getting better and better (so good in fact it's almost scary), it's nice to engage in some outdoor activities.

The Limes was the border of the Roman Empire and actually its northern side was located not far from here, along the old bed of the river Rijn, which used to be much larger, ending just outside Katwijk.

Several milestones, rests and other archaeological bits testifying its presence are visible in many of the Dutch cities that were built along it.

There's even a Limes bicycle route that goes from Katwijk all the way to Regensburg in Germany, following the path of the ancient border.

http://www.limes.nl/

                                          *Totally unrelated picture of beach huts in Katwijk.

Sunday - Let's make the music and dance, in Utrecht

This month's Utrecht Cultural Sunday is dedicated to Dance and lots of events are on the program today all around the city.

There's a Dance Arena on the Neude, hosting several acts from professional dancers and a Dance Village around the Dome with exhibitions and workshops of dance schools from the whole province.

Hip hop in the Carillion Museum for the cool kids, "Dance 'n Groove" for the +40s in the Staircase to Heaven...and much more!

http://www.culturelezondagen.nl/zondag/2013/utrecht-danst

Saturday - The world is your ostrich

Everyone will be talking about the Rijskmuseum this weekend, so since that is covered we can pass to an even more entertaining prospect: a ostrich farm!

In Monnikewerve, a village in Zeeland on the border with Belgium, there's an ostrich farm offering, in no particular order: a discovery tour of the animals, a cafe' serving cakes made with ostrich's eggs, the sale of said eggs (1 ostrich egg = 25 hen's eggs) and meat, bags and purses made with ostrich skin and cosmetics from ostrich's fat.

In these times of meat frauds and horse sold as beef, ostrich seems to be like the new pig.

http://www.destruisvogel.nl

Friday - Spring blossoms in Amstelveen

This event was brought to my attention by my lovely colleague H. and I am sorry I did not get to write the post on day of the event.

It seems that the area of Amsterdam is home to the second largest Japanese community in Europe and in the year 2000, to celebrate the 400 years of commercial and cultural relationships between the 2 countries, the Japanese Womesn's club planted 400 cherry trees, 200 with Japanese women's names, the rest with Dutch names.

The Cherry Blossom Festival was held in Amstelveen on the 10 May, a tradition that has been going on for 13 years already.

Although the event has passed, with Spring giving its first late signs, the Bloesem Park (= Blossom Park) and its "lady trees" is still worth a visit.

http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/living/events/cherry-blossom-festival

http://www.amsterdamsebos.nl/evenementen-0/cherry-blossom/

Thursday - The expat experience discussed in Den Haag

Despite the latest years' turn to a certain parochialism, The Netherlands has mostly been a country of people who travelled and welcomed travellers. The Expatriate Archive Centre was born five years ago to collect, archive and preserve the memories of those who went and those others who came.

To celebrate their anniversary they have organised for today at the National Library a symposium about the "Expatriate experience", with a focus on highly skilled migrants.

The programme includes several workshops and a lecture from writer and journalist Max de Bruijn.

http://www.xpatarchive.com/symposium/programme

Wednesday - Discover a secret garden

Hofjes are truly magical places, secluded by a tiny door from the hustle and the bustle of the city, oasis of calm and peacefulness.

The Hof van Wouw makes no exception.

I have been here a couple of times before, around Christmas, and I have been smitten by the place.

I therefore warmly recommend a visit in spring, now that the flowers are in bloom and the trees are pushing their first tentative buds.

The hof and its pretty gardens are open to the public today in the afternoon (and on the 17 April)

The entrance is just 1 euro.

http://www.hofvanwouw.nl/

Tuesday - Birds of a feather: birdwatching in NL

One thing I often notice when I bike to work, is the amount and diversity of birds, ducks, swans and other winged animals, hanging about in the parks, floating on canals and crossing the fietspad..

Just recently, in a polder next to the Queen's house, I saw some 20 storks sharing the grass with a flock of sheep while a crane looked on impassibly.

Bird enthusiasts and beginners alike can keep up to date with the bird situation here:

http://www.dutchbirding.nl/

While if you wish to join a bird watching excursion, check this out:

http://www.birdsnetherlands.nl/vogelexcursies.htm

Monday - Imagine: a Fantastic Film Festival

Although I had never heard about this festival before, it turns out it's in 29th edition: this just proves that there are so many things going on in this country that you cannot keep track with them all!

Mostly horror movie and thrillers it seems, with here and there a sprinkle of manga, science fiction and master-classes from celebrated directors.

It starts today and ends on the 17 April, in the stunning EYE or the Film Institute Netherlands, which by itself is worth the trip.

http://www.imaginefilmfestival.nl/

Sunday - Museum Weekend 2013

The post comes a bit late, as I just woke up after the second night at the Motel Mozaique...

Anyway, last chance today to take part in some of the events organised during this year's Museum Weekend.

The participating institutions are scattered all over the country and cater for all sorts of interests: Dutch Golden Age paintings (Den Haag), beer advertising (Breda), aboriginal art (Utrecht), glassmaking (Leerdam) and really much more (everywhere).

Just browse the searching engine by city and you will find plenty of them close to you.

And the best part come now: access to each is just 1 euro!

http://www.museumweekend.nl

Saturday - Farmers market in Rotterdam

The Hague's weekly farmers market was the topic of an earlier post and I have now discovered that Rotterdam has its own (larger) version as well, although a monthly one, with some extra dates for special events.

The good people of Uit Eigen Stad are there too, together with several other producers and vendors from the area of Rotterdam, including fishmongers, a mustard maker and a mushroom grower.

http://www.rotterdamseoogst.nl

Friday - To the woods!

Foraging is the mot de jour in these, to use the abused cliche, times of austerity.

I have however always been a fan and when I was still living back home we went often to the woods: wild asparagus, blackberries, mushrooms, flowers and herbs were among our fare.

There's a certain peculiar satisfaction in picking your own food and you always have the impression that it tastes better than shop bought one.

So I was very pleased to discover, while reading the Coop magazine, that a lady called Ria Loohuizen, author of several books on foraging, is offering guided tour into the nature in the area of Groningen to teach how to pick edible local plants. The tour ends with a dinner which includes dishes prepared with the foraged food.

Some information about a previous tour and contact details are available here and according to the Coop magazine, Ms Loohuizen can also be directly contacted at the rialoo@XS4all.nl, mentioning "plukwandeling" (= picking walk) in the subject of the email.

Thursday - Non boring guided tours of Amsterdam

My friend A. did this tour on Monday, was quite enthusiastic and warmly recommended it.

Here's what she had to say:

"No need for booking, just pop up in Dam square at the start time (we made the tour in the afternoon).
Stephanie, our guide, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Amsterdam, she told us plenty of stories and anecdotes!
perfect for cheese lover`s (not for me!), during the tour they even got cheese tasting.
and of course you pay what you want, Stephanie deserves a good tip :o)"

It's almost free, save for the 3 euros of the booking fee and covers, in a funny and entertaining way, the history of the city through its main sights.

The tours departs from the Dam twice a day.

http://www.newamsterdamtours.com/daily-tours/new-amsterdam.html

Wednesday - Book launch: the metropolitan polder

The polder metropool is the Randstad, the agglomeration in the north west of the country including the main Dutch cities which, given the chronic lack of space in this part of the country, will one day become one large urban and semi-urban entity: a metropolis.

The author Pieter Maessen, a journalist and adviser to the municipality of Rotterdam, will present (in Dutch) his book at the Paagman on the Fred this evening at 19.00. For the uninitiated, the Fred is how people from The Hague call the street Frederik Hendriklaan.

Entry is free but reservation is advised.

http://www.paagman.nl/metropool

Tuesday - Katwijk: Remembering the fallen at sea

A very touching monument at the end of the boulevard in Katwijk remembers the town's fishermen who perished since 1919.

"Gone to the sea for their daily bread, oblivious to death. No farewell given to the loved ones, only the names and memories remain".

Monday - Motel Mozaique is coming to town

There is still some time to buy tickets for Motel Mozaique, the itinerant music festival kicking off in Rotterdam this Friday.

Two nights of music, events and performances in big and small venues scattered all over town: bring your confy shoes!

We went on Saturday last year and had an awesome time, discovering some new cool acts and singers. So much so that this year we bought tickets for both nights.

On my list, Aluna George, Laura Mvula and the Milk Carton Kids (I don't know them, but I do love the name).

http://www.motelmozaique.nl/program

Sunday - Happy Easter!

Not much open today, in terms of museums, shops or cafes, so the best is actually to go for a walk on the beach, weather permitting, or else stay at home and indulge in a day long brunch.