Amsterdam August 2010

August in Amsterdam is the right place to be this year with loads of cultural festivities not to be missed. Of course, also check out the Cosmo Polite social agenda for meeting other internationals in Amsterdam.

Gay Pride 5-8 August
Gay Pride Amsterdam is one of the best and most fun prides in the world - for anyone regardless of your sexuality. Amsterdam will have street parties all weekend long, the best club circuit parties and of course the famous Canal Parade on Saturday.
Source & more info: website Amsterdam Gay Pride

De Parade 6 - 22 August
The Parade is a travelling festival that brings a asplash of culture to several the Netherlands. There will be theatre acts (mostly in Dutch), dance performances, 55 well-known musicians, young film makers and old talents.
Source, photo & more info: website De Parade

Grachtenfestival 14-22 August.
The Amsterdam Grachtenfestival is the annual festival of (classical) music performances at special locations in the Amsterdam city centre. These locations stand out because of special or monumental architecture and cultural and historical significance. Each year, the festival marks the opening of the classical music season.
Source & more info: website Grachtenfestival



SAIL 2010 19 - 23 August
SAIL's main attraction will be the impressive fleet of Tall Ships, sailing heritage craft, modern ships, naval ships and replicas. In addition to this, every day there will be a varying programme of all kinds of cultural and sports activities. The theme of SAIL 2010 is ‘a nautical encounter between the past, present and future’.
Source, photo & more info: website SAIL 2010

Restaurant Week 23 - 29 August
Enjoy a 3-course dinner at many great restaurants in Amsteram for only E25pp. Reserve now before all the seats are booked. A 3-course lunch is E20. Check out which restaurants are participating.
Source & more info: website Restaurant Week

De Uitmarkt 27 -29 August
The Uitmarkt is the national opening of the cultural season and the largest cultural festival in the Netherlands. In theatres and museums and at surprising venues all over the city centre you will be able to enjoy performances, for example in the Amsterdam Hermitage. The three main stages will be on Museum Square, Leidse Square en in the Vondelpark.
Source & more info: De Uitmarkt on the website I Amsterdam

Al Fresco Entertainment

What else can I blog about than enjoying Amsterdam al fresco?! Here's where to go when you leave your hopefully air-condintioned office!

Vondelpark - Open air film theatre
The Vondelpark is offering lots more than BBQ & picnic facilities. The Film Institute Netherlands, formerly known as the Filmmuseum, has an open-air theatre during the summer months! They screen “classics, children's films, historical documentaries, small-scale, ‘underground’ productions and new films from all over the world”. View the program online.

Westerpark - Open air film theatre
Also the Westerpark’s cinema “Het Ketelhuis” shows films al fresco. A nice bonus: it’s free of charge, yet do arrive early if you’d like to have a seat. Every Saturday evening at around 21h30, you can enjoy another film. Check out the online program!

Vondelpark - Open air theatre
Every Friday to Sunday it’s show time at the open air theatre. The Vondelpark Openlucht Theater hosts dance and music performances - so you can enjoy them even when you don’t understand Dutch. The music performances include classical music, jazz and hip hop. Check out the program online (it’s in Dutch but still quite comprehensive if you don’t speak the local language).

Westerpark - Salsa under the Stars
Every Thursday evening it’s salsa time at the Westergas Terrace’ from 20h-1h. My Summer Breeze hosts the Latin Nights. When the ‘summer breeze’ is a bit rain or stormy, the party continues indoors. Free entrance.

Westerpark - Performances
A mix of performances and shows take place in the Westerpark. The program is too elaborate to describe so better have a look yourself. Again the program is in Dutch but it’s easy to spot what’s suitable for non-Dutch speakers.
Program July
Program August

Seize the Night - Open Air Film Festival (from 5 to 15 August)
Amsterdam’s biggest outdoor film festival is the ‘Pluk de Nacht’, seize the night. This annual film festival features films that are not shown in regular cinemas. Large screens, relaxing lounge chairs, campfires and no entrance fees guarantee lots of film fun. Check out the when & where online.

Go-Karting in Amsterdam

On one of the sunniest Saturdays in spring we went indoor-go-karting. The result? Ten real racing fanatics showed up for a battle on the track.

Two heats of 12 minutes were to make out who's the fastest, who's the furioust and who's the smartest. Trying to outsmart the others, George asked for a map of the track to study the corners and the curbstones. Stuart's strategy was to pick the winner's go-kart of the previous race... unfortunately, the drivers were kids and Stuart was kindly asked to step out of the kiddies go-kart ten minutes later...

Svetlana won the first race and to leave the male contestants with a bit of dignity, decided not to participate in race two. The other two ladies enjoyed driving around in a more comfortable pace, allowing them to entertain the audience with smiles and waves.

The second race was won by Stuart - who had managed to take go-kart number 24, the one Svetlana had driven. Finally his strategy worked and he set the 5th fastest lap time of the day. John had stuck to his go-kart and moved up from third to a second place in the last race. Arend, a newcomer in race 2, ended third.

Fastest Lap times

• Stuart (#24) 24.77s
• Svetlana (#24) 24.99s
• John (#26) 25.34
• Arend (#30) 25.61s
• Pierluigi (15) 26.00s
• William (#20) 26.95s
• Steffen (#28) 27.16s
• George (#22) 27.33s

Hang-fa - did not want to drive faster than her husband, so she took it easy
and Filipa - was enjoying just a comfortable ride...

Expat May Drinks

The start of a long and sunny weekend was celebrated with Friday Eve drinks at Cote d'Americain - the new terrace at Leidseplein. More than 30 people showed up for a drink and together we've supported 3 entrepreneurs: a lady in Togo, a Peruvian taxi driver and a pig farmer in Cambodia.

Yako Adjoyo Semekono (Togo) is a 30-year-old woman. She is married and the mother of two children. Yako runs a business in office supplies, from her store called Ets Yolande. She sells cartridges for photocopy printers and also provides copying services for individuals and various institutions in the district. The loan requested will be used for buying three toner cartridges and two boxes of stationary.

Carlos Cesar Hernandez Torres (Peru) is 44 years old, single, and lives at his sister’s house. He owns a motorcycle taxi with which he provides transportation services throughout the city. Carlos has been in this business for one year. He was previously employed as a farm worker. Carlos is a person with many goals and objectives, one of them being to acquire his own home. The money he requested will be invested in the maintenance of his vehicle.

Oem Nom (Cambodia) is 29 years old and lives in Kompong Tom Province, Cambodia. She has built a medium pigpen behind her house where she feeds a few pigs from which she earns a living. By doing this, she is able to generate a simple daily income, which helps to ensure her family with stable sales and profits. Mrs. Oem Nom is asking for a loan in order to purchase a new machine to allow her husband to pick up firewood from the forest.

Up until now, we have supported 29 entrepreneurs. Join us the next time!

1. Yako Adjoyo Semekono (Togo) - May 2010
   
2. Carlos Cesar Hernandez Torres (Peru) - May 2010
3. Oem Nom (Cambodia) - May 2010
4. Batjargal Sodnom (Mongolia) - April 2010
5. Neang Kimla (Cambodia) - April 2010
6. Sanchez Antonio III (Phillipines) - April 2010
7. Bayrjargal Demchig (Mongolia) - April 2010
   
8. Peninah Kibet (Kenya) - April 2010
   
9. Adjowa Adjalo (Togo) - February 2010
10. Jacob Tawai (Kenya) - February 2010
11. Grace Iwo (Nigeria) - February 2010
12. Natalya Bondareva (Ukraine) - January 2010
13. Senfuma Joseph (Uganda) - January 2010
14. Kei Uy (Phillipines) - December drinks
15. Uche Ike (Nigeria) - December drinks
16. Maqboolan Maqsood Ahmad Group (Pakistan) - October drinks
17. Azra M.rafiq Group (Pakistan) - October drinks
18. Rukiri 2 Group (Uganda) - Table Invitee dinner
19. Hermenia Soon (Phillipines) - September drinks
20. Letecia Ocular (Phillipines) - September drinks
21. Marguerite Kayitesi (Rwanda) - August drinks
22. Noeun Sorn (Cambodia) - August drinks
23. Deborah Alaho (Nigeria) - July drinks
24. Areli (Peru) - July drinks
25. Yarisa Mojica Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - June drinks
26. Dafina Vasileva (Bulgary) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
27. Hamza Homidov (Tajikistan) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
28. Digna (Peru) - Thanksgiving dinner 2007
29. Tomás Medina (Paraguay)- Thanksgiving dinner 2007

English Comedy Shows

After having blogged about English theaters in Amsterdam and Dutch musical artists of interest to foreigners, I shall continue my culture spree and write about English comedy shows in Amsterdam

Boom Chicago is the most well-known American comedy theatre in Amsterdam, conveniently located on Leidseplein. Boom! has introduced me to improvised comedy, a high pased and highly audience interactive form of comedy not aimed at insulting anyone personally. However, Bush and Britney probably disagree with me on the latter. One can have dinner and drinks before and after the show. See what's playing this week. Boom Chicago, Leidseplein 12, Amsterdam.

The main counterpart of Boom is EasyLaughs, which is formed by an international group of improv comedians. The shows of EasyLaughs are informal and have a less flashy, less comercial and less techy nature than than the Boom-gang. I have come to know EasyLaughs by joining their comedy courses, which are not only fun they also help you overcome shyness, stage freight and may be even enhance your love life (you'll feel more comfortable talking with strangers and people you fancy)! EasyLaughs courses/workshops are given in the weekends. There are two different shows each Friday; the Friday Show at 20h30 and the Late Night at 22h30, and you can buy tickets for either or both. EasyLaughs at Crea Muziekzaal, Amsterdam.

The Comedy Cafe looks and feels like, well… , a comedy show cafe. Before the smoking ban, the small venue was a bit smoky and dark, without being dodgy, reminding me of Seinfeld’s cafe. Beers and bites are served and the ambiance is relaxed and casual. Every Sunday there’s an English show by duo Hole in the Boat, but I haven’t seen it myself, so you need to check it out and update us how entertaining the show is. International guest performers are announced on the English part of the website. Show time of Hole in the Boat is from 20h00 - 21h30 (Entrance E13, and E33 including a pre-show time dinner). Comedy Cafe, Max Euweplein 43-45 (square of Holland Casino next to Leidseplein), Amsterdam.

Toomler is the theater cafe of the Comedytrain; a group of stand-up comedians. Stand-up comedy is what you typically see on TV as it is less interactive with the audience. A talented stand-up comedian can leave you crying tears of laughter, whereas with improv comedy that’s less likely to happen. Untalented stand-up comedians are dreadfully boring and embarrassing, though. Anyhow, the Comedytrain International invites the best comedians from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to perform at Toomler. So better bring your tissues! Every month there is an English-spoken stand-up comedy show, check who’s up next! Toomler, Breitnerstraat 2 (next to Hilton Hotel), Amsterdam.

Artists you should know (part 2)

My English friend asked me when Trijntje Oosterhuis performs again (in 2008 Cosmo Polite was invited to a surprise concert of hers). My Southafrican friend had to tell me that Caro Emerald is Dutch! Dutch Esmee Denters, the YouTube girl discovered by Justin Timberlake, was mistaken for a California girl by a Cosmo Polite Member. In short, it’s time for an update about Dutch music talents who perform in English.

Part 1: Settled Dutch Artists
Part 2: New Dutch Talents (this post)

In 2007 Caro Emerald recorded the demo of ‘Back It Up’ as a replacement for the demo singer who couldn't make it. A year later she got the chance to perform "Back It Up" on Amsterdam’s local TV station AT5. It caught on right away: viewers just wouldn't stop calling and e-mailing about that lovely girl with her catchy song. Caro and a friend produced a no budget video which ended up on Youtube, and again, the response was overwhelming. Caro and her team decided to focus on a full album, resulting in an exciting and hugely accessible record, featuring ballroom jazz, cinematic tangoes, groovin' jazz tracks and infectious mambo's that sound like they were recorded in 1951 in Hollywood's most famous recording studios. In 2009 Caro Emerald’s name was put on the list.



Giovanca started as a background singer, but since 2006 she has been working on her solo career. In 2008 Giovanca made her name with her debut Subway Silence. She enticed both pop and jazz fans with her voice, charisma and singular style. The reviews were very positive and was asked to play at places as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and various stages in Europe and Japan (a country where her album sold particularly well). On 3 March 2010, she received a Silver Harp that awards young artists who ‘have already made a significant contribution to Dutch music while still having a huge future ahead of them.’ Source: http://www.giovanca.nl



Laura Jansen is a singer/songwriter managed to become a regular at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, the place where the careers of many big names started (John Mayer, Katy Perry, Jason Mraz, to name a few). In 2009 she was ‘discovered’ and got signed on by Universal Music. In September last year her album Bells came out and with the use of (social) networks, her group of fans is growing rapidly. Source: http://www.laurajansenmusic.nl



Esmée was 17 when she began posting videos of herself on YouTube singing her favorite hits by Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and the likes, which she recorded in the bedroom. Within nine months, Esmée’s videos had racked up 21 million views and the teenager became the No. 1 Most-Subscribed to Musician in the history of the popular video-sharing website. It may have been her YouTube popularity that led Timberlake to seek out Esmée six months after her videos began to appear online, but it was her silky, soulful voice, natural charisma, and songwriting talent that sold him on signing her to his label, executive producing and co-producing the majority of her debut album. Source: http://www.esmeeworld.com



Waylon is the first Dutch artist signed on by Motown. After becoming second in TV competition ‘Holland’s Got Talent’, Waylon’s single Wicked Ways came out. Last Monday this single became gold, meaning over 10.000 have been sold.



Karsu Donmez performs every Friday and Saturday in her father’s Turkish restaurant Kilim in De Pijp. Karsu’s voice is often compared to Norah Jones. Though she has been classically educated (piano), the Carnegie Hall in New York asked her to perform jazz. Ever since, Karsu is gaining recognition as a soulful, smooth and clear jazz singer. Source: www.nieuwe-amsterdammers.nl



Destine (2006) is the Dutch version of punkpop bands as Fall Out Boy, Paramore and Simple Plan. In 2008, Destined was signed on by Sony Music and recorded their first album with the well-known punkpop-producer James Paul Wisner. James was very impressed with the quality of Destine’s songwriting and expects that the band will gain international success. Source: http://www.tmfawards.nl/nl/line-up/stage/2

Artists you should know (part 1)

My English friend asked me when Trijntje Oosterhuis performs again (in 2008 Cosmo Polite was invited to a surprise concert of hers). My Southafrican friend had to tell me that Caro Emerald is Dutch! Dutch Esmee Denters, the YouTube girl discovered by Justin Timberlake, was mistaken for a California girl by a Cosmo Polite Member. In short, it’s time for an update about Dutch music talents who perform in English.

Part 1: Settled Dutch Artists (this post)
Part 2: New Dutch Talents

Trijntje Oosterhuis has been a Dutch topvocalist for over a decades. She started off with her brother forming the pop band Total Touch. Their debut album released in 1996 went straight to Platinum. In 2001, Trijntje went solo and has performed with Queen, Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie, Coolio and many other big names. Trijntje has a preference for jazz over pop and her second jazz album called The Look Of Love (Burt Bacharach Songbook) was recorded with Burt Bacharach, who plays the piano on a two tracks[4] and was released November 20, 2006. The new album was certified Platinum on the day of release.



Formed in 1996, Within Temptation released their debut album Enter through Dutch indie label DSFA the following April. The album saw the band playing gigs across the continent, firmly cementing their phenomenal live reputation – most notably two appearances at the legendary Dynamo festival (in both 1997 and then on the main stage in 1998). Fast-forward ten years and Within Temptation is an international success, with over 2 million CDs and DVDs sold world-wide, making them not only Holland’s biggest selling musical export but also one of the fastest growing new rock acts internationally. Source: http://en.within-temptation.com/



Anouk is a Dutch singer from rock-city The Hague. Since 1997, she has released ten pop-rock albums. Anouk was discovered by Barry Hay from the Golden Earring. a very popular rock band from the 80s. In 1997 she released the single Nobody's Wife, her most successful international hit. Her debut album, Together Alone also turned out to be a huge success. Anouk has grown from a ‘rebellious rock chick’ from the 90s to an all round performer with mature sound.



Kane was founded in 1998 in The Hague as a U2-inspired guitar-rock group consisting of three guys. A year later, their ebut single Where do I go Now was an instant hit, as did the albums they produced ever since. Ten years later, the band experimented with electronic music and recorded an album in the STates. Though international success is still a dream not (yet) come true, the band keeps ruling the Dutch charts and women’s hearts.



Ilse DeLange was the Dutch version of Martina McBride during the 90s when she was recording with Warner Brothers in Nashville. Since 2000, Ilse changed her sound, band and record label to gain a more ‘pop’ image and she has reigned the Dutch pop charts ever since.



Di-rect was founded in rock-city The Hague in 1999. The band of four teenagers gained national fame by performing at Kane’s concerts (see above). DI-RECT releases their debut single ‘Just the way I do’ which entered all major airplay lists. The follow up My Generation is even more successful, a skatepunk version of the legendary The Who-classic, edited in DI-RECT style. Up until now, they’ve made 6 successful albums. At the end of 2009, the lead singer chose to focus on his solo singer-songwriter career. The remaining three band members found a replacement for him via a talent search fully broadcasted on TV.