Friday - Literary Late Night

Every first Friday of the month starting at 21.30 at the Centraal Bibliotheek in Den Haag, there's a literary talk show with a musical background.

Dutch but also international speakers talk about themselves, their books and experiences and are happy to discuss their work with the public.

Live music accompanies the talks and the book signing.

 http://www.literatuurlatenight.nl/

Thursday - Mini World Rotterdam

I landed at Rotterdam airport yesterday and while taxing we were treated by the pilot to a panoramic flight above the city and the harbor, a truly stunning view.

A cheaper way to have a view from above is offered by Mini World Rotterdam, a 200 sqm maquette representing the city, including the newly renovated Central Station.

The day in mini Rotterdam last 24 minutes and at dusk the city lights up. 

Trains, boats and trams are running and there are so many details to notice that every visitor can channel their inner Gulliver while spending the whole afternoon just peering through the windows of houses, shops and factories.

http://www.miniworldrotterdam.com

Wednesday - Labour's Day

In most countries of Europe it's International Workers' Day today and although it's not an holiday in NL, this blog is nevertheless going to celebrate it.

Have a wonderful First of May!

Tuesday - Queen's day

When I was a low budget student living in Utrecht, I furnished half my (admittedly small) apartment with things I picked in the streets during and after Queen's day. 

The best street markets are those away from the central and most touristy part of the Dutch towns and I personally didn't like Amsterdam on Queen's Day: it looks too much like the night before, only that all the side effects are visible under the sun.

The "balcony scene" of the Coronation, with the new King and his wife waving their royal hands to the crowd, is at 10.30 on the Dam. 

For those really keen on seeing the Coronation in style, but unwilling to go to Amsterdam, the cinema Pathe Buitenhof in Den Haag will show it live on its screens.

Happy Last Koninginnedag!

Monday - Konninginnenacht parties

Too many things to do today to list them all: it's going to be a long marathon of street parties, fun fairs and concerts. 

Simply check on the webpage of each city and you will find a long list of events, most of them very likely fuelled by copious amounts of booze.

"The last Queen's bash" is celebrated at the Panama in Amsterdam, while stages with concerts and DJ sets are scattered on several locations in Utrecht and Den Haag.

Simply don't your best orange outfit and join the crowd!

Sunday - Subbacultcha, baby!

It's a free magazine in English which is also a cultural platform, a promoter of alternative indie music, art and performances, and an organiser of events and concerts.

For 7 euro a month you get the magazine at home and free access to all the concerts and other cool things these guys are putting together for the coming months.

http://www.subbacultcha.nl

Saturday - The opening of the Japanese Garden

Opening day of the Japanese Garden in the Clingendael park today, for this year's "spring session": it will stay open till the 9 of June with very wide opening times.

The occasion is marked by a Japanese Festival representing Dutch institutions with links to Japan and offering music, food and the arts of beautiful things that are so characteristic of Japan.

http://www.denhaag.nl/en/residents/to/Japanese-festival-in-Japanese-Garden.htm

Friday - Guess who's going to the cinema now

I don't have kiddies myself, so this is a totally unqualified opinion, however it seems (from what I hear from friends) that, especially when the little ones are ...well, little, it's very difficult to do most of the things you used to before.

So I guess it will be welcomed news to know that on Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings, in a couple of cinemas in The Hague, there are special screenings for parents with small children. A similiar arrangement is available in Amsterdam as well.

Lights dimmed and not off, volume down and 2 tickets for the price of 1.

http://www.cinemum.nl/

Thursday - Art 2013 Utrecht

A week of art in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, with lectures about Japanese netsuke and art nouveau, guided tours and several art galleries displaying their best pieces.

Plus, the Exposition "Feest" to celebrate, with contributions from all the exhibitors, this year's coronation but also the 300 years of the Peace of Utrecht.

http://www.art2013.nl/pagina.php

Wednesday - Sounds like art (in Eindhoven)

Sound producing sculptures, harps played by gravity and astonishing syntesisers are part of this exhibition happening at the MU, a space focused mainly on visual arts and based in Eindhoven.

Quoting from their About page: "MU shows what art can be, not what art should be", which sounds like a good deal to me.

Combined with a lunch here, it makes for the perfect day out in Eindhoven.

http://www.mu.nl/uk/exhibitions/now/sounds-like-art/

Tuesday - Border Kitchen and its literary talks

Border Kitchen organises literary events in The Hague in the form of a live interviews of up-and-coming, but also well established international writers. Hilary Mantel, Madeline Albright and Alessandro Baricco were among the past guests.

Tonight's event, with UK born author of Ghanese descent , Taiye Selasi, is already sold out.

It is however worth it adding their website to your favourites or following them on Twitter and keep an eye on future events, since they have many more talks planned for the coming months.

http://www.borderkitchen.nl

Monday - 1 frietje met, graag !

There was some excitement in my household when we discovered that the winner of this year's AD Friettest is our very own local snack bar, Jack Snack.

The bf and his mum being Dutch, we have our own almost weekly ritual involving a portion of frietjes and heated debates about the best pataat parlours.

Yesterday I tried Jacks' ones (with mayo of course) and I am now a converted: they almost taste like home made ones, due to the fact (revolutionary, it seems) that Jack changes the oil in his frying machines every day.

In the top 100 of the Dutch snack bar, there are rare gems such as the Friturologisch Intituut Schipper, in Rotterdam, de Frietboetik in Tilburg and the, not so promising, LifeLine Food&Drinks in Ridderkerk, which gets a meagre 4, surely skinner than its fries...

http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1040/Den-Haag/article/detail/3428431/2013/04/19/Jack-barstte-bij-bakken-lekkerste-friet-in-tranen-uit.dhtml

Sparkle added during post-production, to make them even more appetising...

Sunday - Take a walk on the (Dutch democracy) side

Every Sunday at 14.00 an English spoken tour takes foreign visitors through the places and the rituals of the Dutch constitutional monarchy.

The exploration of the Binnenhof includes the Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal) where the Queen (and now WA) gives the yearly speech on the state of the nation, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Ridderzaal in particular is worth a visit especially for its stained glass windows with the coat of arms of the Dutch cities and little gargoyles representing eavesdroppers scattered trough the beams of the roof (which, by the way, is an upside down ship frame).

Tours depart from the nearby Pro Demos vistors centre, starting with a video packed with background info.

http://english.prodemos.nl/English/Visitors-Centre

Saturday - The mill of Wijk bij Duurstede

Lovers of the Dutch Golden Age painters will surely recognise the name of this village just outside Utrecht called Wijk bij Duurstede.

Jacob van Ruysdael's painting depicts a towering windmill, on the side of the river, ready to face an upcoming storm.

The mill in the picture doesn't exist anymore, however its ruins are still visible near another large operating mill, which is apparently the only "drive-through" mill in the world open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday afternoons: I bought a kilo of flour once and was quite satisfied with the outcomes.

http://www.molenrijnenlek.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=29

http://www.hollandhistory.net/holland_paintings/ruysdael-windmill.html

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