Cultural Events

The list of events contained here is only a selection of the many activities, shows, expositions, etc. taking place in the Netherlands. Though we do not pretend to be complete, we do hope to offer you an interesting and varied selection which we will be updating on a regular basis.

For extensive current tourist information, we recommend you visit: www.IamExpat.nl/Lifestyle

Our Selection for the Spring Season  
  

Rotterdam Museum Night
On March 10, 2012, will be the eleventh Rotterdam Museum Night, from 8 P.M.- 2 A.M. Visiting museums and galleries by night is popular among the public due to the relaxed atmosphere, the special tours, the workshops and the performances. The passe-partout grants you entry to the dozens of participating museums and galleries in and around the city center. Aside from their fixed collections and exhibitions, they also organize special shows, events and other stimulating activities that make the temperatures rise. You will find the full program – which this year focuses on the theme SMAAK, or Taste – halfway January on the official website.
Date: March 10, 2012
Location: various locations in and around Rotterdam’s city center
For more information visit: www.rotterdamsemuseumnacht.nl   

Jazz Maastricht Masters 2012
Jazz Maastricht presents a refreshing combination of famous names and unknown innovators, effortlessly attracting international audience of all ages each year. In this 10th edition, Jazz Masters invites not only some of the finest jazz musicians in the world, but also creative talents from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to entertain Jazz music enthusiasts.
Date: March 23
Location: Theater aan het Vrijthof, Maastricht
For more information, please visit: www.jazzmaastricht.com

Dutch Harp Festival
The Dutch Harp Festival returns to Utrecht in March with an astonishing line-up of harpists and other musicians from all around the world. Last year, the first edition of the Dutch Harp Festival successfully brought together 32 competitors and more than a thousand visitors from many different countries to enjoy numerous concerts, master classes and competitions. Prepare to be delighted by mind-blowing concerts such as All-Male Harp Night or an evening of Spanish music.
Dates: March 27 - April 1
Location: Various locations, Utrecht
For more information, please visit: www.harpfestival.nl

ABN Amro Marathon Rotterdam
The ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam is one of the biggest sporting events in the Netherlands. The marathon weekend includes an exciting combination of sports and festival. The world's top athletes will be running from the bustling Coolsingel alongside thousands of other runners. More than 22,000 participants will get together to enjoy the various running experiences during the event. Please note that it is possible to participate in various sections such as the marathon itself, Business Runs, 10km Run Rotterdam and the Kids Runs (1 and 2.5 km).
Date: April 15
Location: Various locations, Rotterdam
For more information, please visit: www.abnamromarathonrotterdam.com

Motel Mozaïque 2012
This 12th edition of Motel Mozaïque, the multi and interdisciplinary festival of Rotterdam, is coming this spring. The festival offers its stages to an eclectic mix of music, art and performances. During the day and in the evening, guides of Motel Mozaïque will lead visitors to unforgettable locations in Rotterdam and extraordinary events within the festival.
Dates: April 19 - 22
Location: Various locations, Rotterdam
For more information, please visit: www.motelmozaique.nl

Springdance
April marks the return of Springdance in Utrecht. This 10-day festival will bring you the world of the international contemporary dance with shows, performances, installations and discussions at various locations in the city. National and international choreographers, from the young upcoming talents to the well-known names will be presenting their most innovative works. This is the only festival in the Netherlands that focuses on presenting the latest developments in (international) contemporary dance.
Dates: April 19 - 29
Location: Various locations, Utrecht
For more information, please visit: www.springdance.nl

Queen’s Day
Every year on the last day of April, the Netherlands celebrates the birthday of the Queen’s mother. On this day, all Dutch cities are bustling with street parties and other festive events. With their orange-themed outfits, more than a million of locals and tourists gather in the streets for this internationally renowned celebration, which goes on until the evening or even until the next day. Apart from that, there are also parades, craft shows, flea markets, children’s parties, free music performances, street theatres and fireworks. In Amsterdam, you can find the main areas of activity in Damrak, Leidsestraat, Rokin and Spui.
Date: April 30
Location: Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands

Remembrance Day and Liberation Day
The Netherlands has a unique way of commemorating the Second World War compared to other European countries. There are two national holidays for this particular tribute called Remembrance Day (May 4) and Liberation Day (May 5). The commemoration starts with solemn ceremonies on May 4 as a symbol of respect for all the Dutch who have died in conflicts worldwide, and continues the next day with big events such an open-air pop festival.
Dates: May 4 - 5
Location: Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands
For more information, please visit: http://4en5mei.nl/4en5mei

Walk the Line Festival
Walk the Line festival is a two-day music festival with an (inter)national line-up of alternative music. This 2-day festival is an initiative of Crossing Border, a festival that combines literature, music, film and visual arts.
During the Walk the Line festival, you can enjoy unique music performances by promising new talents, icons of the underground singer-songwriters, rocking indie bands, up-tempo folk-n-roll bands and alternative electro music DJs.
Dates: May 11 - 12
Location: Various locations, The Hague
For more information, please visit: www.walkthelinefestival.nl

VINCENT VAN GOGH, A LIFE IN PAINTINGS
to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

 On 14 and 15 May 2012 you will have the unique opportunity of seeing the English version of Vincent in the Theater aan het Spui (The Hague).

Frank Groothof, a well known and much respected Dutch performer and theatre maker, has been invited to bring over his highly successful musical theatre production

This production has been part of Frank Groothof’s repertoire for several years, and has been performed all over the Netherlands. His play is known for leaving a deep impression on adults and young people alike. Frank Groothof takes the role of both Vincent and his brother Theo, switching swiftly from one to the other: one moment Theo, trying to help his brother to develop as a painter, the next the passionate, unworldly Vincent himself. The scenes are accompanied by music from the works of a number of Van Gogh’s contemporaries, as well as visually by means of beautifully animated images, synchronized with the narrative by use of large video-projections and used to illustrate and magnify the events in the story.

Dates: Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 May 2012 at 20.00
Location: Theater aan het Spui, Spui 187 The Hague
Tickets: tel. 070 346 52 72
For more information, please visit: www.theateraanhetspui.nl

Opera Days Rotterdam
Operadagen Rotterdam is a festival devoted to high-quality opera and musical theatre performances. This 7th edition of Operadagen Rotterdam centres on the theme Dream & Deed and takes place at various locations in Rotterdam.
The festival offers international premieres, children’s programmes, opera shows on location, diverse community projects and various concerts where famous stars will be performing next to the young local talents.
Dates: May 25 - June 3
Location: Various locations, Rotterdam
For more information, please visit: www.operadagenrotterdam.nl

Holland Festival
The Holland Festival is the Netherlands’ oldest and largest performing arts festival. The festival was founded in 1947 and features some of the world’s top artists and performers. Last year, the festival offered more than 50 international productions and 150 performances. You can find theatre, music, opera and modern dance performances included in the festival programmes.
For more details see the article on page 62
Dates: June 1 - 28
Location: Various locations, Amsterdam.
For more information, please visit: www.hollandfestival.nl 
 

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