Amsterdo issue 2 by Amsterdo

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Issue 2

Wave goodbye to Queen Beatrix

Fatima Luna http://www.fatimaluna.es/

Do or Die: Walking in AmsterdaM

in this issue:

ROB SCHRAMA: ART FOR PEACE

Amsterdam’s Top 4 Film Festivals

For the Love of Film

Events Round up

PAN AMERICAN FUSION

A brief history of Amsterdam’s economy

PLANCIUS RESTAURANT

20 Party with a Local 23 THE DAM REGULARS

the Amsterdo team Season’s Greetings Amsterdoers!

The much loved and yet dreaded date of the month is here. Valentine’s day really does divide us, the ones who have someone to celebrate it with and the ones who don’t. I have already noticed a surge in holidaying couples around Amsterdam, visiting what is certainly the most romantic place in the world (sorry Paris, you got nuttin’ on us!). Whilst this city is ideal for couples looking to escape the monotonous routine of their daily lives it is also a haven for singletons looking to drown their sorrows or celebrate their ‘freedom’. Whether it is catching the latest films, wining and dining, enjoying a bit of culture or partying the night away, Amsterdam has a lot to offer in the last month of the bitter winter. Oh yes, next month we will be finally crossing over to warmer weather. However we do not take for granted the occasional snow we have been blessed with.The Snowmen and the snow fights. Amsterdam covered in snow doing what we thought was impossible: making our fairytale town even more mesmerising.

INTERACT WITH THE WORLD AROUND YOU! Layar is a mobile app for discovering information about the world around you. Using Augmented Reality (AR) technology, Layar displays digital information, unsurprisingly called “layers” into your smartphone’s field of vision. We at AmsterDO like to embrace innovation, as well as support our local start-ups, we are very excited by our augmented edition, and would love to hear your views. Look out for the Layar Logo throughout the newspaper for more interactive media content. After installing Layar scan this page with the app to see a welcome message from the AmsterDo Team.

You are AmsterDO

Publisher and Chief Editor

Baz Riachi

1. Go to get.layar.com to install the app on your smart phone.

2. Look for pages and content with the Layar Logo

3. Open the app and press the ‘Tap to view’ button...

4. ...and discover an amazing extra layer of content.

chiefeditor@amsterdo.com

AmsterDO wants YOU!

senior editor

Thisbe Casellini

senioreditor@amsterdo.com

art director

chief technology officer

grafix@amsterdo.com

info@amsterdo.com

Lou Buche

Allesandro Sansottero

business development and sales

photographer

sales@amsterdo.com

pics@amsterdo.com

Michael Raciti

Tim Collins

Special Thanks to :

Rob Shrama, Fatima Luna, Sonia and Dani, and our Facebook followers List of Contributors:

Welcome to Amsterdam’s community newspaper! We provide a reliable source of news, opinion and insight into the depth and diversity of Amsterdam, whilst simultaneously providing visitors with a unique guide to the various levels of the city. The team at AmsterDO come from all over the world and have a very mixed background, but one thing we all have in common is that we all love Amsterdam! We at AmsterDO don’t pretend to know it all. We don’t want this paper to voice the thoughts and opinions of a select group of people. We want this paper to be the voice of a city! We want local writers, photographers, artists, organizations and businesses to all be a part of AmsterDO.

Ashley Howe, Lauren Sevior, Yahaira Reyes

Each month we will be holding parties and competitions for everyone who wants to get involved.

a joint venture with flyerman

If you have an event, a story, some artwork, a good cause, a mission or a dream.... Please get into contact with us and we will share it with the city.

The AmsterDO Team - contribute@amsterdo.com

FEATURE 3

ROB SCHRAMA: ART FOR PEACE T

he Amsterdam-bred artist Rob Schrama has been an active figure in the arts since the heydays of performance art in the 1970s. As a multi faceted activist who uses art as a form of peaceful protest for world causes, his work has led to the development of the concept Art Confrontation as well as teaching positions in the Netherlands and Germany and a book titled Art Confrontation; Politicising Art and Aestheticising Action. Recently Rob Schrama has been organising performative events in Jerusalem, shining light on the need for reconciliation in the face of the Palestine/ Israel conflict. Here he talks exclusively to the Amsterdo about his work in the Middle East, the power of art to improve society and his future projects. What is Art Confrontation and how were you involved in its development? When I was a student, more than 35 years ago, I came to live and study in the dynamic and magic city of Amsterdam. I was not satisfied with how art was functioning in society and I was searching for ways to develop art into a vehicle for change. So I was supporting action groups and peace movements, using the discipline of art to create new, effective and humorous ways to use actions for a better life. I developed the “Stichting Kunstkonfrontatie” (Art Confrontation) and put on a lot of events in the 70s and 80s all over the Netherlands. I gave lectures at universities and art schools and the events I created became more and more significant. The Stichting Kunstkonfrontatie remained a kind of ‘think-tank’. It can be seen as my way of making art: Art Confrontation. A lot of people romanticise the 70s, seeing it as a progressive time, when young people and especially artists seemed to question and confront society, aesthetics, tradition etc. Coming out of that generation and developing ArtConfrontation you seem to fit into this sub-cultural ideal. Was the romanticism a reality and are young artists today any less savvy, critical or socially aware? Yes and no. The 70s were more politically engaged, everybody, especially students. Now we have more access to the media and social media, so for organizing and mobilizing, we have new tools. But consciousness has also become institutionalized. The goals we wanted to achieve do have their own institutions now like Amnesty International, Greenpeace, etc. But every generation and also every area in the world gets their own problems. Just look at the Middle East at the moment. The young generation do not believe the values of their (grand) parents, they do not believe that the Israelis must be thrown in the sea, for example. They have new tools in their hands for creating action, but they miss the experience we had in the 70s. You seem to be very interested in the Middle East, as seen in your projects Jerusalem Hug and Jerichon. Why did you decide to carry out projects confronting the Israel/ Palestine conflict? Sometime in September 2000 I came home and switched on the TV. Sharon ( Ariel Sharon, the Israeli opposition leader at the time) was climbing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. I could see the hatred of the Palestinians on the screen. I remembered what my mother, who lived through WW2 said to me when I was a kid: ‘ Be aware of your time and remain alert. See and recognize when a fool is standing up who might cause a world war’. In 2000 my daughter was 6 years old.... Suddenly I realized that the future of my child might be in danger here in Europe because of that individual climbing the Temple Mount. Next day I bought a ticket to Israel to start an act of Art-Confrontation there. The Jerusalem Hug has taken place six times since 2007, bringing Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals together in Jerusalem to encircle the old city, hold hands for a better life together for themselves and their children, in a united Jerusalem, in a Holy Land for Israelis as well as Palestinians. The next event will take place on May 9th.

Rob Schrama poses with a couple of works from the ‘Minerality’ series

Have you had any attention from the media, politicians and locals? In terms of citizens we have a lot of support, about 1500 people are joining the Hug. But I see that this is what I can do, but I can not do greater things. I hope that the amount of participants will grow. And indeed, Israeli and International media have been paying attention. But still there is no peace... That is why I want to create a huge laser pyramid above the old city, much similar to the example we set up in Amsterdam in 2006. I tried to take the laser pyramid to Jerusalem three times now, even had the lasers sponsored, but got turned away by the authorities. So what is the intention behind the Pyramid of Light in the Israel context? We create a sacred symbol in the middle of the city and we invite all communities, all religions, all cultures to come together under the pyramid of light, to celebrate their oneness and their wish for peace in their city and in the entire world. I hope to create a chain of pyramids of light around Jerusalem and the world... At the moment I am approaching Munich and Cape Town in order to introduce the Pyramids of Light project in different towns around the world. Asides from being a performance/ conceptual artist you are also a visual artist. Does Minerality ( a series of oversized paintings/ sculptures recalling mineral qualities) have a

social function like your other work? Yes and no.In Minerality I break symbolically through the framework of a canvas, creating my own size and frame. For this I need to make use of my own hands. Creating and organizing my own art events means for me that I am sitting 16 hours per day behind a desk, to organize everything.... So there is a lot of computer- related work, managing etc. Therefore to counterbalance I sometimes need to be alone in a big studio, far away from everything so I can create my own things. What issue do you see here in Holland that could be ameliorated through artistic projects? One of the big problems these days in Holland is the ageing population. I am one of them. I am a “Babyboomer”(1951). The issue here is the suffering of the old generation; they are isolated, their pensions are insufficient, etc.So this year for my next project I will set up a kind of talkshow about the Babyboomer ‘DeSalon.TV’. I will be looking to ‘re-activate’ the good old boys who were young in the 60s and 70s, who are still feeling youthful but are in fact getting old, many of whom make up my audience. To this aim I will create different events involving this crowd such as organising flash mobs. It will be not only about mobilising them but also having fun.

For more information on the artist’s life and projects visit his website: http://www.robschrama.nl

Plans for the Pyramid of Light above Jerusalem

4TOP 4

Amsterdam’s Top 4 Film Festivals

Image: Saskia van Osnabrugge, Iamexpat.com

by Lauren Sevior In a city with a love for film, evident through the vast quantity of charming old-world cinemas as well as more modern yet independent structures, it’s no surprise that some of the world’s top film festivals are hosted in Amsterdam. Film fanatics, animation buffs and even foodies will happily approve of Amsterdam’s year-long mix of interesting film events. Below I present a selection of my favourites.

IDFA

Autumn in Amsterdam sees the city’s biggest film event take over its iconic cinemas and many cafes, with countless conversation filled ‘borrels’ devoted to the film’s on show. IDFA (International Documentary Festival Amsterdam) is one of the world’s largest documentary festivals with roughly 300 films on the agenda. The festival aims to focus its programme on films that are not only stylistically interesting but also masterfully communicate social issues to their audience. IDFA typically premieres major international documentaries and is an excellent source to get an idea of the top films about to take over the documentary world. Last year, films such as Malik Bendjelloul’s Oscar nominated Searching for Sugar Man and Alan Berliner’s intimate portrait of Alzheimers First Cousin Once Removed won major awards at the festival.

With its keen attention and devotion to world-class storytelling, IDFA is a top favourite film festival that’s not to be missed.

Pluk de Nacht

Started in 2003 by young film enthusiasts wishing to bring quality independent cinema to the Netherlands, Pluk de Nacht (seize the night) is a popular event on Amsterdam’s summer festival programme. Deck chairs, cushions and a scenic waterside location create a laid-back vibe at this open-air festival. Of course, not every evening is a balmy Eden of clear skies; this is still Amsterdam. In case of rain, blankets and an indoor location are at hand for a cosy snuggle with fellow cinemagoers. The programming is surprisingly eclectic, with choices ranging from absurd romantic comedies to serious documentaries. Most of the films aren’t picked up by Dutch distributors so the festival is likely to be your only opportunity to watch hard- tofind cinema. The most attractive feature, however, is that Pluk de Nacht is entirely free! A relaxed atmosphere and free cinema puts this open-air film festival firmly on every summer must-do calendar.

Africa in the Picture

This autumn film festival brings over 80 films from Africa and the African diaspora to Amsterdam. The festival

aims to provide a platform for debate surrounding issues affecting the African continent and its many communities worldwide. Each year themes are chosen in order to reflect these issues more accurately, which last year included ‘Caribbean Classics’, ‘Gay Africa’, and ‘Black British Third Cinema’. As well as enlightening film screenings, the festival also includes a visual arts programme, workshops, lectures and debates. Africa in the Picture is not only an important festival that sheds light on the realities of being African but it also presents a programme of simply exciting and highly enjoyable storytelling.

Food Film Festival

For 3 days during March, Amsterdam’s Food Film Festival combines everyone’s two much loved pastimes into a celebration of cinema and gastronomy. Hosted by venue Studio K, a selection of documentaries, shorts and fictional films all related to food fill the festival programme alongside food workshops, debates, readings and other events. As well as celebrating our love of food, the Food Film Festival also aims to create awareness around issues of production, consumption and sustainability through related documentaries and films. And in the manner of revelling in all things food related, the Youth Food Movement takes over Studio K’s restaurant in order to bring you cheap, sustainable and locally sourced.

Restaurant CafĂŠ Van Puffelen Prinsengracht 375-377 1016 HL in Amsterdam

Telefoon: 020-624 62 70 www.restaurantvanpuffelen.com info@restaurantvanpuffelen.com

6 THIS DAM LIFE

Do or Die: Walking in Amsterdam

Image: KaraNagai, Flickr

by Ashley Howe Amsterdam is a really beautiful city to walk around, with stunning canals, beautiful old buildings, and a real history that you can only really appreciate slowly and on foot. With areas like the Jordaan, the Pijp and the centre of Amsterdam there is plenty to take in and enjoy.

owever, on first arriving you will immediately notice that this is not a city that is really designed for pedestrians. There are hazards everywhere. Cars, trams and bicycles turn crossing a road into a game of frogger where you win if you make it to the other side in one piece. Firstly, there is the cycle lane, which you must somehow cross without being hit by an oncoming bicycle. Next, you will have to cross the road, and if there is a zebra crossing, cars will almost always completely ignore it. Unless you are a woman with children. Then they stop to let you cross. There are the tram lines, and if you accidentally look like you’re about to cross the tram lines at the same time that the tram driver wants to leave, he will ring his bell angrily at you until you walk in another direction. Following the tram lines, there is probably more road, and another bike lane to cross. If you make it to the other side without having a nervous breakdown, congratulations! The best way to get around this city is to do as the Dutch do, and get onto a bike. You can get around very easily, and this city is designed for bikes. With kilometres of bike lanes all over the place there really isn’t an excuse. While you are on your bike you will encounter all sorts of interesting people, and interesting things. Dutch people cycling without hands while slurping on their coffee in one hand, with the other hand nestling in their pocket to

keep warm, or making a loud phone call and gesticulating wildly with their spare hand. Cycling without hands is an acquired skill and is not recommended unless you have been doing it since the age of six. The Dutch will also cycle no matter what is happening outside. Gale force winds, blizzards, probably even hail storms. Unless their bike has been stolen or broken, they are cycling to work, and there is nothing you can do about it. Even when it’s icy. They’ll tell you the cycle lanes are clear because they’ve been gritted and when you see people

falling off their bikes they will tell you that the person in question was cycling too slowly and this causes accidents because other cyclists have to slalom around them. It is funny though, how quickly you adapt to becoming a cyclist. You become the person frantically ringing their bell at pedestrians walking in cycle lanes, zooming past one another like you’re taking part in `Gone in 60 seconds,’ and your bike is the car, and generally acting very blasé about crossing roads, cycling around other people or running red lights. Maybe it’s just something in the water.

Image: Mikael Colville-Andersen

INSIGHT 7

Wave goodbye to Queen Beatrix I

f you were in the Netherlands in the end of January you may have become acquainted with the country’s Head of State, as her smiling face and glorious hats were everywhere, Queen Beatrix on tv, Queen Beatrix all over the papers, retrospectives on Queen Beatrix’s reign. You also probably heard that the reason for that was her ‘abdication’, an unknown word to anyone who comes from kingdoms elsewhere where the reigning monarch will hang on in there until they are ascended into the heavens aged 99. But we are talking about the Dutch here, and abdication (the giving up of the throne) does come as a surprise, as Queen Beatrix is now the third generation to move along in favour of a fresh young face. Her eldest son, Prince Willem- Alexander will be inaugurated at the end of April. There is always a bit of scepticism in the Old World towards royalty. From conspiracy theories (‘the British Royal family are descendants of reptiles’) to plain discontentment with paying taxes towards an unworthy elite. Then there are the scandals, which the Dutch Royal family have not been immune to: Queen Beatrix’s deceased Husband Prince Claus and his past in the Nazi Youth and Prince Willem- Alexander’s marriage to Princess Maxima, the daughter of the former Argentine politician Jorge Horacio Zorreguieta, who was allegedly involved in the atrocities of the Dirty War. There is no denying though that this gold coin has two sides. The days of public irreverence towards the Dutch royalty is a far cry from the popularity they enjoy today if we are to judge by the 7 million people that tuned into the Queen’s abdication televised speech. The future King’s inauguration is unlikely to be a repeat of his mothers in 1980, when the celebrations had to be altered due to the squatter’s riots, going by the motto ‘no housing, no crowning’. Today, Queen Beatrix’s public image is that of relative ‘down-to-earthness’ , photographed skying with her family, adorably hugging her grandchildren, high-fiving rappers and dancing in the Aruban Carnival. Last year the Queen was involved in a quarrel with the leader of the Dutch Anti-Muslim party Geert Wilders, when he accused her wearing of a veil at a visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman as legitimising the Muslim oppression of women. She told Dutch reporters that her headscarf was worn to show religious respect, a position which may have been welcomed by the country’s 1 million Moroccan and Turkish immigrants. A very politicized public reaction, and one which perhaps showed her sensitivity towards current pressing issues as well as a proof that her role as not exclusively ceremonial. The Independent listed Queen Beatrix at number 15 in its list of the world’s Super Elite, and even after her mother Queen Juliana put most of the family’s cultural assets into national trusts she is still worth over 155 million Euros. She is said to be part of the secretive and therefore dubious Bilderberg Group, a yearly conference where a small number of people of influence (members of politics and Heads of State) are invited to discuss American and Western European relations, focusing on politics, defense and economy. Less controversial

Queen Beatrix’s eldest son Prince Willem- Alexander will be inaugurated in the end of April. Image: FaceMePLS

is her title as Honorary Member of the Club of Rome, an international think-tank bringing together figures from science, business, politics and royalty to discuss world issues. For better or for worse one thing is certain; as the Dutch

We asked our Facebook Followers: WHAT ROLE DID QUEEN BEATRIX PLAY IN DUTCH SOCIETY? (To read the full, non-edited thread go onto our Facebook page www.facebook.com/AmsterDO) Luke Cashman Kings and Queens are old and not earned. over priced mythical creatures...! My children watch kings and queens in movies and that’s where it should stop. Angela Nunscunt The poison of equality for all.

Edith Glastra (Original comment in Dutch) Those few cents going to the Queen .... The big companies are the ones who get away with running with the big bucks. Because they are the ones charging too much for their products. The real losers who whine about poverty in the Netherlands are often the same people who put money into ‘good causes’ like the Charity Glazen Huis.And can’t stop bragging about it. Just care about each other. I think Queen Beatrix is good at conveying important messages of this type TrinityRoy Trafford Bilderberg, Shell, Arms sales and such? Matias Cascallares ... Role? Seriously?

Wilhelmina Jaffe Stability. Jade Moon Finch Just more fakeness... It is even in the way she waves to her audience, C’mon people what a facade... Soldaat van Oranje Leve de Koningin! (Long Live the Queen!) Shayne Moira McCreadie When politics turned nasty, involving hatred against immigrants, the Queen spoke out for equal treatment. Really pissed right-winged politician Geert Wilders off. I’m not a fan of our monarchy, but this I loved. Bernard Bill Ze kosten ons een hoop geld...( They cost us a lot of money...) Lieve van Esch She is a wonderful woman! Ferydon Badizada Hooorrraaaaaa ik hoop komt alles goed en lange leven van de deze familie (Hooorrraaaaaa I hope all will be well and long life for the family) Shana Wishious Poverty levels in NL are still way tooooo high ... Lang Leve de Mensen die te veel belasting betalen (Long Live the people who pay too much tax) Bea Willebrand I was named after her, but honestly I think we should have invested the money into those struggling to make ends meet.. Those who are NOT lavishly financially rewarded for every baby they give birth to, those who actually NEED the child benefit to buy food for their children. I wouldn’t want to trade places with the Royals, but I think it’s time we set them and ourselves free.

Image: Emiel Ketelaar, FrozenImage

Prime Minister Mark Rutte put it in a statement after Queen Beatrix’s abdication speech, she is certainly an ‘Icon of the Netherlands’. And she definitely has the best hat collection in the blue-blooded world.

Sandra Walusimbi Nanteza I am tired of paying too much bloody taxes for her to have her 1 € million tea parties.

Roy van der Schilden She is a figurehead, the head of state to be precise. She doesn’t have any real power aside from cutting ribbons etc. She does however visit many foreign countries to make sure good relationships are maintained. Usually this results in many deals between businesses of both countries. Which in turn makes us more money than she ultimately costs. But her most important job is that of being a ceremonial way to celebrate the kingdom of the Netherlands. It is also really nice to have someone who is politically neutral as the face of the country. I personally think the queen is the only person who deserves her position, mainly because she never chose to become queen, so she was never terribly bent on becoming queen. She always says she thinks being the queen is lonely, therefore I think the idea of her being some spoiled brat is wrong. It probably feels like a golden cage because you are never really free. I think it is great to have a queen who sees it as a humble purpose to serve her country. Presidents aren’t cheaper and most of them aren’t very humble either... There are those who think that removing the queen and leave it as is would save us a lot of money. But in reality that is way too simplified a solution to get a little money back, and probably a short-sighted and dumb one too. GiGi Terremoto Who is Beatrix? Class system has to be destroyed. Monarchy abolished. Period Lambert Vrienden The role of a lady who has inherited her money and wealth and power by simply being born. All royal families come from warlords who conquered countries by slaughter/murder and plunder the inhabitants and then proclaim themselves as being the king of the country. And in fact they still do that: all their income and expenses are paid by the people, so they still take money from the people just because they are children of their fathers and mothers.

8 Events

Events Round up

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Niewmarkt Image: Jos van Zetten

by Ashley Howe For all of you culture vultures out there who are looking for something a bit different there are so many events going on in Amsterdam in February including Chinese New Year, `A taste of Something Raw’, the Homemakers’ fair and `This is not a Reading Series: Chocolate’

hinese New Year is coming up, which for those of you who are clued up will know that this year is the year of the snake. Celebrations will take place on Saturday the 9th February in the Niewmarkt area (even though the Chinese New Year actually falls on the 10th February this year, the celebrations will take place a day early) with a whole host of stalls selling delicious food and drinks, so make sure you arrive hungry. It just wouldn’t be Chinese new year without and dragon dance or fireworks, which you can also expect. If you want to do something a bit different

then you can go to the temple on the Zeedikjk where they will be holding a New Year morning service at midnight, and later on in the day they will also be hosting their homage to 1,000 Buddha’s ceremony. Events at Nieuwmarkt will start at 13.00pm onwards. However, if shopping is more your thing, then you will be able to shop until you drop at the Homemakers’ Fair at the Amsterdam RAI. With a big focus on fashion, beauty and home there are over 400 exhibitors. There is also an interactive part of the fair called `Festival Fantastique’ where you will be able to take part in workshops, listen to Dutch singers and wander around some sample shops. This exhibition is on between the 16th and 24th February and tickets start at €14.50. `A Taste of Something Raw’ showcases international dance and performances from young choreographers. A joint collaboration between Fresian arts centre `De Bakke Grond’ and Frescati, it will include visual art, literature, dance and theatre, music, performance, film and new media.

This controversial dance and performance event is a little teaser of what will come up in their main event in October. Plus, there are plenty of performances where English is no problem. Running from the 14th February until the 16th February, individual performances cost in the region of €1517. If you can’t get enough of chocolate, and you enjoy a bit of poetry then this is the event for you. Combining chocolate and poetry, Chocolatl and Versal Journal are collaborating for the event `This is not a reading series: Chocolate.’ Instead of bog-standard poetry readings, this event is set to deliver poetry, music, video installations, and anything else they can fit under their roof all around the theme of chocolate. Featuring poets Lynne Xu, Joshua Edwards and many more, there will also be a presentation about the process of making chocolate by Rodney from Chocolate Makers, so you can expect some amazing chocolate too. This event is taking place at the Chocolatl boutique store on Hazenstraat 25-A, Amsterdam, February 20th, at 19:30.

THE TASTE 9

HEMELSE MODDER: THE BEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE IN AMSTERDAM W

e recently sat down with Quintin, the current owner and operator of a well-established Amsterdam tradition, Hemelse Modder, located in the Oude Waal district just off of Nieuwmarkt. The story goes that in 1984, a group of young Dutch friends decided to start a restaurant together. They took the name from what we in the English world know as “chocolate mousse,” which also happens to be their specialty. It should be mentioned for comical effect, however, that in Dutch “hemelse modder” literally translates to “heavenly mud.” It sure is. Quintin tells us that Hemelse Modder was originally located in the Jordaan but was moved two years later to its present location, facing a wide canal that leads toward Centraal Station. Quintin started at the restaurant in 1997, which was the same year the original owners decided to expand from 40 seats to 80 seats. For the past six years, Quintin has enjoyed being a partner in the company, but has recently taken the reigns for himself and is presently the sole owner. In celebration of the nearly thirty years of delicious foodie excellence, last year the décor underwent a bit of a makeover. New paint, new paintings, new furniture. Quintin explains, “Every year we try to renew the place a bit, you know, keep it fresh.” It’s lovely inside and, one could say, as delicate as the food itself. The kitchen consists of six people: one chef, one sous-chef, and three cooks, all who hail from Dutch backgrounds. Quintin describes the cuisine as primarily in the Dutch, English, French tradition. It’s northwest European food, he says, using only organic, fair-trade, and (mostly) local ingredients, many of which are purchased from the nearby organic greengrocer at Nieuwmarkt. While most of the meat is purchased from local farmers, the beef comes from a special farm in Scotland and Quintin says you just can beat it. Moderately priced meals come à la carte or you can chose either a three course meal for €32.50 or a four course meal for €37.00. With entrées such as the “Stew of beef and Belgian beer, orange and prune with mashed potatoes and roasted pumpkin” and starters such the “Guinea-fowl terrine with home-made piccalilli,” we suggest you go big or go home. “For a main course, I like the cod filet, which is really nice. It’s delicate and it’s got a nice almond crunch and a nice sauce with hints of coffee and lemon. It’s really a delicate combination,” says Quintin. But, you can’t talk about Hemelse Modder without talking about the dessert menu. Although they offer an impressive selection that would make the mouths of even those without a sweet tooth water, (such as the “Tompouce with juniper thyme cream and caramelized pear” or the “Warm

sticky ginger pudding with mocka ice cream,” you can’t leave without trying the restaurants namesake (pictured above). Their heavenly mud contains both dark and white chocolate mousse with vanilla cream, and it also happens to be Quintin’s favorite thing on the entire menu. When asked why our readers should consider Hemelse

Modder, Quintin states, “We work with organic food, which is important. We make everything by hand. It’s honest food and that’s a good reason to come here.” Open for dinner from 18:00 to 22:00 seven days a week except certain holidays, Hemelse Modder is also available to host large gatherings such as weddings and other celebrations.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION LOCATION:

WEB:

CUISINE:

PHONE:

Oude Waal 11 1011 BZ International

www.hemelsemodder.nl 020 624 32 03

our rating

TASTE & QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

INTERIOR

VALUE FOR MONEY

FINAL SCORE:

8.5

1 0 10

BAR HOPPING IN DE PIJP

Image: Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

by Lauren Savier

n the southern edge of the city, Amsterdam’s iconic neighbourhood De Pijp is possibly one of its most vibrant. From its inception the area was categorized as working-class and was largely populated by poor students, prostitutes and artists. During the 90’s its slow path to gentrification began; advertised as the ‘Quartier Latin’ of Amsterdam by wily real estate brokers, De Pijp soon started attracting young families and middle-class yuppies. Fortunately the area has managed to retain much of its original character and even features its own little Red Light District on Ruysdaelkade. With its working-class roots and move towards yuppiedom, the neighbourhood has amassed a very wide selection of bars, from achingly trendy spots to more cheap and cheerful drinking holes. The Marie Heinekenplein definitely features the largest concentration of ‘kroegs’ in this area. But a short venture just across this square will bring you to Kingfisher Cafe on Ferdinand Bolstraat. A relaxed mix of students and young creatives, Kingfisher Cafe is a great spot to ease your way in to the evening. In summer enjoy sitting out on terrace with a ‘biertje’ (or two) as the sun goes down. In winter get cosy inside with the 50’s diner style decor and sounds of laid-

back hip-hop and soul. Moving away from Marie Heinekenplein, De Pijp’s Albert Cuypstraat (home to the famed market of the same name) is home to two of the area’s most fun, and arguably hippest bars. Cafe Toko may at first seem like a simple restaurant (that serves delicious steak) but after dinner the place transforms into a loud, smoky and boozy bar – if that’s your thing. For a more chilled out experience, Cafe Flamingo is just metres away on the corner of Eerste van der Helstraat and offers a more discerning and slightly less raucous

crowd. Either prop yourself at the bar and peruse over the large selection of beer on offer, or hang out with the cool kids on the terrace. If all of this is too much trendiness to handle, then Eddy Bar on Gerard Doustraat should be your next stop. A much loved Image: cafetoko.wordpress neighbourhood brown bar, if the slot machines and strong adoration of Dutch musical classics don’t keep you there, then the cheap prices definitely will. And in case you didn’t notice the André Hazes statue on Albert Cuypstraat on your way over, Eddy Bar’s devotion to this legendary Dutch folk singer will ensure you keep his spirit alive. After all the bars have closed and you still feel like a nightcap, De Pijp’s late night bar Mazzeltof will keep you liquoured up till 5am on weekdays and 9am during the weekend. However, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Being one of the very few late night bars in Amsterdam, it can get very crowded very fast. And good luck fending off unwanted gropes from the drunk businessmen sitting at the bar. While these are just a few options of good bars in De Pijp, there are of course many places that have been left out. De Pijp boasts the highest concentration of bars in Amsterdam so there’s a spot to suit everyone’s taste - perfect for a ‘gezellig’ bar-hop in Amsterdam.

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A brief history of Amsterdam’s economy C

arrying immense importance since the 13th Century, the small city of Amsterdam has transformed itself from a fishing village on the river bank to an up-todate centre for tourism, business and commerce. So how did all of tthis come into place? Not long after its establishment, the city was a centre for passionate and adventurous people, arriving on the bank of the river Amstel in what was then hollowed-out logs. Evidently as time passed, the dumpy swamps and lands were transformed into infrastructure thus creating dams and dikes. These people or “Aemstelledammers” eventually started collecting money at specific appointed tolls at the Eastern Sea Trade route of Baltics from the frequent traders. With time, they employed expertise builders working on boats and brewers which proved to be a successful way to lure tourists into the attractive, sprawling new city. Later in 1275, these practices were made more formal by accessing them to various and unique toll privileges by Count Floris of Holland to the merchant town which later added to the constitution hence in 1300 the town got its first ever charter. For any place to develop economically, trade has to be established to grant free passage rights to the traders. For the formation of this city on the basis of trade, this seemed like a challenging task. The concept of free passage, was indispensable to allow traders to move about and carry out their tasks cheaply, thus attracting and encouraging the practice of trade and commerce. From the start, edibles like

Fishmarket in Niewmarkt, 19th Century

beer and herring proved to be quite popular amongst the people. This was proved by the fact when in 1323 Amsterdam had the power and the utmost law to import beer from Hamburg and they certainly made use of it to a great extent. Aside from this, the herring trade spread quickly after the inception of the herring curing, a way by which the intestines of the fish caught were immediately discarded, for a fresher, long-lasting product. This technique encouraged fishermen to increase their catch productivity hence making additional profit, income and increasing morale to move forward.

Ludolf Bakhuizen, The Dock of the Dutch East India Company in Amsterdam, 1696

Towards the end of the 15th century, the gradual development of the city started coming forth. many wealthy Jews took refuge in Amsterdam when the Spaniards conquered Antwerp. The ample money acquired by this period was put into use by organizing trips to subcontinential India. This later proved to be a huge internally commercial success. Later in 1602, the Dutch East India Company was established. The EIC was in business with the city which concluded a major share in the business, later becoming the first and most-wide reaching Multinational company in the world. Due to this applauding investment and the prosperity it generated, the city of Amsterdam entered a period known as “The Golden Age” in the 17th century. During this era, the city went through two substantial urban expansions where functionality and beauty were taken into context. The outcome of these understandings was the famous canals in the Jordaan District. Not only commerce and infrastructure were taking a leap at this time, but the arts also prospered at this time. There was an increasing number of artists during the the first half of the 17th century which resulted in the establishment of numerous artists and art dealers in the city. In just 30 years, Amsterdam became the epicentre of culture with the legacy of several famous artists, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and Jan Steen to name a few. However, a period of decline was on the horizon, as Amsterdam’s economy came to a halt in the 19th century resulting in ascending levels of poverty. Fortunately after the construction of the North Sea Canal (1876), the city evidently had a direct outlet to the sea and no longer felt landlocked. From then on the presence of steamships became an ordinary sight at the city port, boosting the economy and reversing the levels of poverty. Due to trade with the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), the city gathered a vital standing in the world spice trade whilst also benefitting from the diamond trade with South Africa. This new period of affluence is reflected in the Amsterdam’s monumental, architectural masterpieces. Central station was also announced in 1889 following the Concertgebouw, Theatre Carré and Hotel American. When we look at Amsterdam today, we can see that its prosperity is one that dates back centuries. In the 20th century its achievements weren’t any less significant. In the beginning of the century, the Amsterdam School, a prosperous architecture movement, provided ground-breaking, accessible low-cost housing in the city. The expansion of Schiphol Airport, initially a military airbase (1916), is also of note. Today it still hosts KLM flights, the oldest airline in the world, employing over 30 000 personnel.

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1 4 14The History

The Doctor behind Sarphatipark

The monument of Doctor Samuel Sarphati in the Sarphati Park. Image: Jankie, Flickr

he bust of Samuel Sarphati (1813-1866), the Jewish doctor and philanthropist, permanently surveys the rectangular green Sarphatipark in the middle of trendy De Pijp area, that is named in his honour. Dr Sarphati is remembered for being a talented and sociallyactive doctor who worked hard as a civic planner for the general improvement of the health and the living standard of residents of Amsterdam in the 19th century. This green heart of De Pijp is within a 20-minute pleasant walk from the Rijksmuseum. While some big trees in the park have died recently from severe winters and diseases, the park, with its lake, is a clean, easy-going place where residents can walk their dogs, stroll and jog, and admire the flowers. Designed by J.R.Kruyff, Dr Sarphati’ monument itself is an attractive reminder of the Netherlands in the 19th century. The good doctor was a descendant of the Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal after 1492. The persecution of Jews continued during the World War 2 when the Nazis removed the doctor’s bust from the park, because of his non-Aryan origins, and the park was renamed Bolland, after Dutch philosopher Gerardus Bolland (18541922). But 12 days after Amsterdam was liberated in 1945, the good doctor’s bust and his name for the park were quickly restored. To improve what he considered to be poor level of health in the city, city planner Sarphati set up more efficient collection of garbage and initiated modern bread factories to bake bread that was more affordable to all. He also improved housing in the district for lower-income workers, while also

envisaging improvements for the neighbourhood through building the large Amstel Hotel, designed by Cornelis Outshoorn, now a large magnificent luxury hotel on the waterfront, and laying out Sarphatipark that was open in 1885. A large-scale construction project of his in 1895 was the People’s Industrial Palace (Paleis voor Volksvlijt), a trade exhibition hall, also designed by Cornelis Outshoorn, on Frederiksplein, built of glass and unfortunately burned down in 1929. Amsterdam’s chief architect in the 1860s, J.G. van Niftrik, proposed an ambitious plan, that was rejected by city planners, to move the city centre to the southwest so that Central Station (not yet constructed) would have been where the Sarphatipark is today. The location of the architect’s grand city plan was at that time a damp countryside, dotted with windmills and country houses. Niftrik went on to draft first plans for an English-style landscape park, initially to be named Prins Hendrikpark. But in 1870, grateful residents Amsterdam presented a petition, signed by many, for the park to be named after the late Dr Sarphati.As a residential district grew around the park, some residents voiced their opposition against the green space. Being much lower than the ground level of the surrounding neighborhood, the park was said to disturb ground water in the area by pumping up groundwater into its lake, causing houses around to subside and crack. The lake was also criticised as a source of malaria. A special pump was built to adjust the level of the groundwater, sections of the park were filled higher in 1908. More work was done in 1972. Major renovations were made

in 2004 to the park’s design: the lake water became better, two of its three small bridges were renovated, a gym and a playground were also built. Changes that no doubt would please the town-planning doctor, Samuel Sarphati.

Image: Joods Historisch Museum

STAGE AND SCREEN 15

1 5

For the Love of Film by Yahaira Reyes Hi There AmsterDo’ers!! This is the January/February edition of recent movies to check out in Amsterdam. Enjoy!

The Impossible

Thailand, December 26th 2004 during one the most surprising and horrifying natural disasters of the 21st century. We were all witness of how cruel nature can be, and we all suffer the loss of so many lives. Did you ever wonder how it felt to be in that situation? To feel being swept away by the water, hitting every sort of debris with your body, while you struggle to save your family? This movie will graphically

show – the true story – of you what you can only imagine. The Bennett family is on vacation in a beautiful beach resort in Khao Lak, Thailand for the Christmas holiday of 2004. Everything goes as planned until the morning of the 26th when the Tsunami hit, destroying everything and catching Maria Bennett (Naomi Watts) chasing a book page and separating her and her oldest son Lucas (Tom Holland) from her Husband Henry (Ewan McGregor) and her two youngest children. What comes after is the frantic search of Henry -, not before making sure Simon and Thomas are safe – to find Maria and Lucas while Lucas tries to help his badly injured mother, convinced they are the only survivors. Director J. A. Bayona (The Orphanage) once again presents his remarkable vision to feel and experience everything that goes on in the movie and you find yourself as scared, hurt, angry and hopeful as the characters. Naomi Watts is excellent as the mother who won’t give up, Ewan McGregor shows strong passion and desperation, but it is Tom Holland whom you want to reach out and hold; teaching us courage under the worst of circumstances. This is a beautiful movie with the perfect title.

Gangster Squad

Flight

Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot with particular harmful habits who saves a flight from crashing become a Hero until his addictions and broken life come to the public light. As usual, Washington is not to be taken for granted. The man brings this drunken addict to the screen, and you want to love his arrogance hating him for his irresponsible conduct. After an all-night booze and blow with colleague Katerina Marquez, (beautiful Nadine Velazquez) he makes his 9am flight and manages to get the plane out of a dangerous storm and almost make it to its destination unharmed. I said almost. The plane begins to malfunction almost at the end of the flight, and Whip must make an absurd move to save the plane from crashing down, nose first. Must of the passengers and crew make it, but it’s the following investigation the misery of Whip. His long time drug and alcohol addiction are revealed, and although he might have a new chance at a life with new love Nicole (Kelly Reilly) his destructive ways rules over him destroying everything on its path. Although it’s clear the aircraft malfunctioned and he essentially save the passengers, the movie posts an ethical conundrum bouncing us from whip’s arrogance, the pilot’s union dirty hands trying to cover up his addiction and the fact that he did saved many lives. A public hearing for the investigation is the showdown where Whip can cheat his way out of prison or own up to his mistakes. It will be his most crucial moment. Fabulous movie and the second time John Goodman and Denzel Washington work together, which is celebrated with a mayor hint in the film. If you know the other movie, you will get it the minute you hear it!

Django Unchained

Pop culture references together with sensitive issues and a bit of black comedy to top it. The usual type of films Tarantino always delivers with excellent effect and Django Unchained is no exception. Playing in the pre-civil war south of the United States, the story revolves around a slave Django Freeman (Jamie Foxx) and a German Dentist / Bounty Hunter, Dr. Schultz (Christoph Waltz) and what brings them together on an adventure of all the gore and blood that usually comes from Tarantino’s mind. They decide to move around the country killing wanted men and in the process freeing Django’s wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from brutal Mississippi plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo Dicaprio). You can expect the controversial issues when Django, replying to Doctor Schultz’s plan to become bounty hunters, simply states: “Kill white men and get paid for it? What’s not to like?” As usual the casts are hypnotizing with Christoph Waltz being more engaging and appealing than ever and the inclusion of the particularly sneaky and spineless Steven (Samuel L. Jackson), the head house servant of Calvin Candie. The movie is entertaining, containing an absurd but confronting view of slave history, action and all the exploding limbs your heart could desire. It’s a Tarantino film, what else could you want?

A new movie with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone? With Josh Brolin as a bonus? This is going to be good, I said to myself. Alas… the ensemble of such talented actors was not strong enough to save this – almost “Untouchables” remake – from leaving a simple “meh” feeling in your heart; becoming a forgettable Gangster movie. You will get with GS the usual characters for these types of flicks: The foul and despicable bad guy (famous mobster Mickey Cohen played by Sean Penn), the honest, righteous men who do not corrupt and a damsel “not-at-first-but-soon-after-in-distress” participating in a predictable story bringing only a couple of amusing moments. None of the characters have a backup story to make you care for them; although, separately some of the actors give a good performance, this movie was doomed from the start (the film was pushed back due to the Aurora Shootings in the United States). One positive thing: Ryan Gosling looks good in anything… so eye candy and a bunch of tommy guns firing away through the night… why not?

Pitch Perfect

The definitive feel good movie this month. The story is based around a college A cappella singing groups and of course the annual competition. Beca (the fantastic Anna Kendrick) is the singularly aloof girl interested only in making music. She is forced to join the all-girls A cappella group (The Barden Bellas) bringing – unintentionally at first – some fresh tunes and moves to the unsuccessful group of singers. The Bellas are competing against an allmale group which includes Beca’s love interest Jesse (Skylar Astin) whom she pushes away at first only to fall for later. The competition is done without any villains, only college students having fun, bringing some phenomenal songs into the mix. The Director (Jason Moore) made sure authentic A cappella experts brought their expertise, and the results are entertaining, light and delightful. The funniest parts are brought by hilarious chick Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy, and the rest of the cast is well synchronised and totally delivers. It’s a must watch because any movie that awesomely gives references of The Breakfast Club it’s fantastic in my book.

1 6 16

PAN AMERICAN FUSION AND FUN AT ROSES CANTINA

entrally located between Singel and Herengracht, Rose’s Cantina offers a charmingly simple, yet tastefully hip atmosphere to eat, play, party, and drink. Manager Liliana, who is originally from Columbia, explains that the basic premise was to create a place that combines the best of Pan-American flavors and design. Catering to a wide range of clientele from tourists to “old school Dutch people” to the “hip and trendy” crowd, Rose’s Cantina suits just about everyone. “The food is fantastic and it’s accessible. It’s for everybody. There’s a little bit of everything. You can do a lot of things. You can play a game of pool, you can have dinner, you have a drink at the bar, you can have an amazing cocktail, and you can party.” Is it a Bar or is it a Restaurant? The atmosphere of the cantina is hard to pin down and this, we are told, is deliberate. “Most places in South America are not so segregated. Basically you have dinner and if you like it, you stay and have drinks at the bar. Then again, some people just come for dinner and some people just come for drinks.” The purposefully vague label of the cantina has an agenda: “We are trying to stop the stereotypical mindset that we have to be either a restaurant or a bar or a place where you can party. I think it doesn’t have to be so divided anymore. We don’t live in that world anymore. Things can be combined.” Upstairs, there’s what the cantina describes as a “boy’s playroom,” featuring a pool table, foosball table, and a pinball machine. Then, there’s also the Tequila Library, boasting an enormous assortment of tequilas. Soon, they plan on hosting a weekly game night including board games. And of course on the weekends, they’ll continue to host open parties and events, featuring some of best DJs in the city. No Pre-Fab Furniture At first glance, the most striking thing about the cantina is the décor. Liliana claims, “For me, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Amsterdam.” The design team has even won a few awards to back that up. The space boasts a unique, antique, and custom-made interior design with

rugged accent lighting and a slick, chic bar. Nothing is new or store bought. “I’ve been working with the owner Casper for twelve years and he never ceases to amaze me. It’s all in the little details. And he keeps on shopping so lets see how it looks a month from now!” Pan-American means not just Mexican Food The cuisine is described as Pan-American, encompassing both North and South American ingredients that cater to a world-traveler with a sensitive palate. “We try to combine the best aspects of Pan-American food. So, some dishes are quite spicy. We are very passionate about our food and are constantly looking for new inspirations.” The cantina employs six people in the kitchen and one chef, who work as a seamless team. Liliana claims, “The thing that I love about the kitchen is that everybody is always in a good mood. You can always hear them laughing in the kitchen and they are very eager to come back to work so I think that the food is made with a lot of love and a lot of care. There’s a lot of respect around the food.” Rose’s Cantina buys their oysters fresh from a single supplier out of France once a week. The meat comes from local butchers. “We try to pick the best products out of each of the suppliers to make our menu.” Liliana says it’s hard to choose a favorite dish because every week she has a different favorite. She names the vegetarian empanadas and the fish of the day. Her previous favorite dish was the ceviche, but now she’s hooked on the shrimp

cocktail. “I tasted it yesterday because we just altered the recipe a little bit and I think it’s fantastic. I think it’s one of the best shrimp cocktails I’ve tasted in a while.” She adds with a laugh, “I’m my new addiction!” In the summer, the terrace will be open in the front and back of the establishment for a little sunshine seating. The kitchen is open from 17:30 to 23:00. The bar closes at 1:00 on weekdays and 3:00 on weekends.

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Local Beat17

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Be my Valentine in Amsterdam

Image: Fatima Luna

hatever you do, better not forget 14 February and your loved one(s) on that day. Let us gently remind you: It’s Saint Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine. A day for sending cards with hearts on them, red roses, or probably most effectively of all, for exchanging tender words and kisses. One legend says that in Roman history, Saint Valentine was sentenced to death for marrying soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for illegally preaching to Christians. The saint and martyr healed the daughter of his jailer and sent her a “my valentine” love message just before facing his executioners. English poet Geoffrey Chaucer linked the day to courtly love and by the 15th century, the day had become an occasion for lovers to show their love for each other with flowers, sweets, and greeting cards, known as “valentines.” Like those in Venice, Amsterdam’s canals are very romantic. You can take a candlelit dinner boat cruise, have a candlelit meal by the water, ice-skate, take a horse and carriage ride or simply stroll through the old cobble-stoned streets, hand firmly and warmly in hand. Good time to go for a cycle on a rented tandem bike, or head for one of the many parks with a picnic basket then cuddle long on the grass or park bench, like the locals. The Concertgebouw’s Valentine’s Day performance sees the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra playing moving works by Verdi, Puccini and Elgar. The Rozentheater (roses theatre) presents Baby I Like it Raw, a laughter-packed new show by Boom Chicago for a fun evening. Or head for the famous Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) to steal a kiss? Legend assures couples who embrace on this little bridge over the River Amstel that they will have everlasting love. See whether the legend is true? On the clear and cold winter nights, the canal bridges and historic buildings are illuminated. There are (at least) the two of you to keep each other warm. Happy Valentine’s Day, from us all at Amsterdo!

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paradiso

studio 80

sugarfactory

16 February 2013

15 February 2013

10 February 2013

Weteringschans 6 | www.paradiso.nl

Oud Eindhovens Acid Feest

Line-up: Lil Louis, Miss Djax, Acid Junkies, Lady Aida and more. | Time: 23.00-05.00 | Price: €20

2 March 2013

Fritz Kalkbrenner: Sick Travellin’ Tour Line-up: Fritz Kalkbrenner | Time: 23.30 | Price: €22

6 March 2013

5 Days Off - Bloody Betroots

Line up: Bloody Betroots, Riptide, The Magician, Tom Trago, Shmlss, Spacegirl | Time: 23.30 | Price: €20

7 March 2013

5 Days Off - Audio Culture

Line-up: Gilles Peterson, Midland, George Fitzgerald, Floating Points, Mattikk, Benji B, Audio Culture. Booka Shade. Time: 22.00 | Price: €16

8 March 2013

5 Days Off

Line-up: Maceo Plex, Tale Of Us, Job Jobse, Homework, William Kouam Djoko, Detroit Swindle en Chris. |Time: 22.00- 05.00

9 March 2013

5 Days Off--Hospital Records Present Hospitality Line-up: Netsky (Dj Set), Camo & Krooked, Spy, Fred V & Grafix. Inneract | Time: 22.00- 05.00 Time: 20.30 | Price: €10

13 March 2013

Delphic

Line-up: Delphic | Time: 21.00 | Price: €15

14 March 2013

Crookers @ Noodlanding!

Line-up: Crookers | Time: 23.30-05.00 | Price: €5

Rembrandplein 17 | www.studio-80.nl

Prisma W/ Solee, N’to Live & Spada Live

Line-up: Solee (De), N’to (Fr), Spada (It), Some Chemistry, Daniel Zuur (Live) | La Vondel, Hubert Kirchner, NoeLapit. Time: 23.00-05.00 | Price: €13, door €15

16 February 2013

0 Years 100% Pure + 2000 and One’s Birthday

Line-up: 2000 and One, De Man Zonder Schaduw, Daniel Sanchez, Tube & Berger (Live, De), Tapesh (De), Miss Melera, Robin Kampschoer, Bram Fidder | Time : 23:00-05:00 | Price: €15

22 February 2013

Joris Voorn’s Birthday

Line-up: Studio 01:Joris Voorn & Kabale und Liebe (birthday back-to-back all night long) | Studio 02: Mark Fanciulli (Saved, UK), Edwin Oosterwal (Rejected, NL)min & Bas Dobbelear, Lumière | Time: 23:00-05:00 | Price: €13, door €15

1 March 2013

New Babylon W/ Bill Patrick- Bla Bla Line-up: Bill Patric, ONN, Victor Coral Time:23:00-05:00 | Price: €10

2 March 2013

Steve Rachmad Invites Cassy

Line-up: Cassy, Steve Rachmad, Studio 2:10 Years Ad Bookings, Wouter De Moor, Mulder | Time: 23:00-05:00 | Price: 1 € 3, door 1 € 5

8 March 2013

Nghtdvsn Presents Max Cooper 4 Hour Set Line-up: Max Cooper, Some Chemistry, La Vondel, Maya J, No Reset | Time: 23:00-5:00 | Price: €13, door €15

10 March 2013

I Am Techno - 1 Day On! (18 Hours) Line-up: MYSTERY GUEST (DE) (3=hour set), Ellendeling (Harde Baas & Sander Bos)Es) | Time: 23:00-5:00 | Price: 1 € 2.50, door 1 € 5

Lijnbaansgracht 238 |www.sugarfactory.nl

Wicked Jazz Sounds Club Night

Line-up: Leroy Rey, Dj, Jules De La Courgette, Dj, Paul van Kessel, Vocals, Gilian Baracs, Keys, Howard Sie, Sax Time: 23.00-05.00 | Price: €9.50

18 February 2013

Saskia Laroo: Jazz Meets Hiphop

Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B | Time: 21.00-01.00 | Price: €9.50

24 February 2013

Wicked Jazz Sounds Club Night Genre: House | Time: 23:00-4:00

27 February 2013

Full Spectrum Presents: Diggy Dex Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B | Time: 21.00

2 maart 2013

Morgenavond: Me.n.u.

3 maart 2013

Wicked Jazz Sounds Club Night Tickets 10 €| Jazz - Club

16 maart 2013

Jack

Line up Dark Sky (Naked Naked, UK), Audio Culture (Audio Culture, NL), Alexander Valentijn (JACK, NL) and more tba. Tickets 10€ ex fee

escape

panama

club nl

15 February 2013

16 February 2013

10 February 2013

Rembrandtplein 11 |www.escape.nl

Femmes de Valentine

Line up: Fem-K, Gia Mellish, Miss Sugaware, Mc Choral & Cosar On SaxReveal Angels Angels on stage Time: 23.00-05.00 | Price: €16

17 February 2013

Episode

Line-up: Danney Canova, Gregor Salto, Raymundo, Vika KovaTime: 23:00-05:00 | Time: 23.00-04.00 | Price: €5, €10

22 February 2013

House Rockers Presents Lucien Foort

Line-up: Aaron Gill, D-Jay, Delivio Reavon, Glenn S, Luciën Foort, Mitchell Niemeyer, Rico Passieserik Abas, Mc Pryme Time: 23:00-05:00 | Price: €8

23 February 2013

Brainwash

Line-up: Raymundo, Paul Sparkes, Costar On Sax, Eclectic/ urban @ Delux: Danney Canova, V.J. Joury | Time: 23:00-05:00

24 February 2013

Episode

Line-up: Marc Benjamin, Tom Ven, Vj Joury, The Fabulous Reveal Angels On Stage | Time: 23.00-04.00 | Price: 5 € , door 1 € 0

1 March 2013

Golden

Time: 23.00-05.00

1 March 2013

Singleborrel Amsterdam!

Genre: Dance and disco | Time: 23:00-05:00 | Price: 9€ .50, door 1€ 2.50 (At Escape lounge Café)

8 March 2013

Heroes of Housemusic Time: 23:00-05:00

Oostelijke Handelskade 4 | www.panama.nl

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Nieuwezijds Vooburgwal 169 |www.clubnl.nl

KISS: Keep It Sexy & Sophisticated

Neon Funk Lights

Time: 23.00-04.00 | Price: €10, door €15

Genre: Tech-house | Time: 23.00-03.00 | Price: €10

23 February2013

14 February 2013

Time: 23.00- 02.00 | Price: €10, door €15

Genre: Tech House, Deep House, Minimal Line-up: Lolla Tek, Rapunzel aka Daniela Haverbeck, Amy Bell | Time: 22.00-03.00 | Price: €10

We All Love 80’s & 90’s 8 maart 2013

Epic

Sleepwalkers “Valentine’s Special” 15 February 2013

Mixer 23 February

Perfume

House R&B 10€

16 February 2013

House 10€

1 Avond, 4 acts, 1 DJ 2 March 2013

The Oldscool edition 30 march 2013

WE ALL LOVE 80’s & 90’s & 00’s

Line-up: Peter Kan, Fountain | Genre: Deep Tech House Time: 23.00- 04.00 | Price: €5

The Incrowd

Line-up: Paolo, Mr Milano | Genre: Tech House /Techno/ Progressive | Time: 23.00-04.00 | Price: €5

20 February 2013

Body & Soul

Line-up: DJ Martin Selector | Genre: Deep House Time: 23.00-03.00 | Price: Free

18 February 2013

Goosebumped

Line-up: Fady Ferraye (Lebanon) | Genre: Progressive House Time: 23.00-03.00 | Price: Free

2 00 TECHNOLOGY Party with a Local

Party with a Local is a recently launched app that gets travellers and locals together for a party. It’s an innovative and fun way for travellers to get to see a new city’s hidden gems, and for locals to make new connections and meet people. We sat down with Party with a Local’s founder Dan Fennessy to find out more on what it’s all about.

I understand that you’re originally from Australia, what brought you over to Amsterdam? Originally I moved for a girl. I did a round-the-world trip in 2006; I went to Southeast Asia, all around Europe, a bit of North America and Central America. In Central America I met a Dutch girl, we stayed in contact and eventually I decided to move over to Amsterdam. So tell me a bit about Party with a Local. What initially inspired the idea? The idea for it came from my own experiences of travelling, largely on the round-the-world trip. When arriving in new cities I’d want to go out and sample the nightlife but not always know the good places to go. I’d be hanging out with other travellers and wanting to get that local experience but not always finding it. But sometimes it did happen; I’d meet some locals and have a great night out. But more often than not I’d have a crap night out, ending up in hostels and crap tourist bars. So the idea came from wanting to solve my own problem. Tell me a bit about how it works? The way it works is pretty simple. It’s got some similarities with couch surfing but it’s a bit less involved. Instead of meeting up with a stranger at their house it’s meeting up for a drink. It’s designed to be more mobile and instant. You just log on using Facebook, it uses some of your Facebook details to fill out a profile and then you can see other locals and travellers that are nearby who might be interesting to meet, go for a drink, or have a party with. The app is definitely a great way to meet the locals of a particular city, but seems it could also be useful to meet fellow travellers. At the moment everyone is all grouped into one, you can see ‘people nearby’ so they could be locals or fellow travellers. Down the track we’d like to include a filter so that you can see, for example, either locals or travellers. So it could definitely be used for either travellers wanting to meet travellers, or locals wanting to hang out with other like-minded locals. The app launched in October last year. How has the response been so far? Well we tried to go with a soft launch because it’s the first version of the app. We wanted to test it in one market and get a lot of feedback and make sure that there were no bugs and stuff before we went all out. So we focused on Amsterdam since we’re based here. The feedback has been pretty good; everybody likes the idea and people get the idea straight away. The app itself will continue to develop over time. We know it’s not perfect now, but we’ve got it to a point where it’s working well so now we want to open up globally. The main thing is to get the community of locals and travellers to grow for it to work. The features at the moment are quite basic but I’ve still used it to meet and party with some people from overseas, which is pretty cool. How are you getting the locals involved in the app? What’s in it for them? Well, people are locals only when they’re in their home city but they’re also going to be travellers at some point. There’s definitely incentive for making connections on their next trip abroad. Also, what I know about myself is that I like having people from out of town to show around, you get to see your city with new eyes. I think there are enough locals with an open mind, who want meet new people and show them the hidden and hard to find parts of your city. To grow and nurture that community of locals we do regular events, which so far have always been at Basis. We’ve used these gatherings and get-togethers to not only get a lot of feedback

but also build a community of locals through parties. So it seems like things in Amsterdam are going pretty well. Tell me more about your plans to launch globally. We have an app update that’s ready now, it’s already been approved by Apple. We’re planning to release it soon and open it up to download all over the world. But we’d like to focus on a few key cities and build up the group of locals, Amsterdam has been first, Berlin is the next logical city, London, Barcelona etcetera.

Any more future plans for the app? Basically we’re looking at just constantly growing our community. One of the reasons that we want to open up to a lot more users is to see some trends, see how people are using it, try to get a lot of feedback and then build that back into the app. We want to constantly improve the features and make it a product that people actually really want to use, while always encouraging the community aspect of it as well.

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PLANCIUS RESTAURANT: DINING AND DRINKS NEAR THE ARTIS ZOO Restaurant and Café Plancius, the ideal spot in the Plantage Kerklaan neighborhood for dining with family, having a drink with colleagues, or celebrating with friends, has undergone a makeover!

“

We’ve just changed everything, so we’re just starting in a sense. You can pretty much still smell the paint, that’s how new it all is,” says Hanna, marketing manager of Plancius. Hanna started working as a waitress about half a year ago, when the restaurant was still called Bordjes, and has since added all marketing related activities to her job description. Yet, despite its fresh façade, Plancius, its name, and its building enjoy a rich history in the Plantage Kerklaan neighborhood. In fact, Plancius is an established neighborhood tradition. For nearly ten years, the restaurant was called Plancius before the name was changed for a period of two years. Hanna explains that the reversion to its original name has to do with getting back to traditional roots. Plancius takes its name from the historical building in which it is located, which dates back to the 1870s and formerly housed the Amsterdam Jewish Choir. The building gets its name from Dutch astronomer, cartographer, and clergyman, Petrus Plancius. Building a Relationship with the Neighborhood At Plancius, it’s all about customer satisfaction. Each day they strive to make every customer a returning customer, so whether you’re a local or a newcomer, you’ll want to come back. “People get really excited when they hear that we’re back to ‘Plancius.’ The new interior design fits more with what people in this neighborhood want,” Hanna explains. “We want to offer people a atmospheric and nice place to go to, which the locals will enjoy as much as they did a few years ago”. Before making the changes, Plancius’ management team asked real customers what they thought would be good improvements. They discovered customers wanted a bar where you can have a coffee or drink a beer and they

wanted a return to the cozy, yet somewhat modern café of the past. The new Plancius corresponds to the style and feel of the charming Plantage neighborhood. It is a restaurant that pays attention to kind and personalized service. The interior and positive atmosphere make it a great place to get together with your friends. Next to the interior changes the menu’s have changed as well. You can expect sophisticated and accessible dishes. The lunch menu offers a much larger variety of options than before and notably, Hanna reveals, meals and drinks actually came down in price after the reversion. In addition, all menus will be available in Dutch, English, and German (with Spanish and Italian on the horizon). Plancius caters to all walks of life. Hanna explains, “We want to make sure that everybody in the restaurant speaks at least some of those languages, so we can make everyone feel that they get the same service as any Dutch person that comes here.” Conveniently Located near the Artis Zoo Makes it a Perfect Combo Adjacent to the Dutch Resistance Museum and across the street from the Artis Royal Zoo, Plancius is the perfect stop after a cultural and or fun day out. Lunch and dinner meals are prepared for tourists and locals alike—it’s really a cozy spot that everyone will enjoy. If you’re not hungry, have a seat for a Dutch ‘borrel hapje,’ a beer or glass of wine. Plancius is a café, bar, and restaurant for the entire neighborhood, a meeting place for friends, family, local

businesses, and of course, people who have just been to the zoo. To accommodate families, museum and zoo visitors, they now offer a handy children’s menu that caters to your hungry little critters! Exquisite Dishes and Deserts to Die For at a Reasonable Price In addition to their expanded lunch and children’s menus, Plancius offers a three-course dinner priced à la carte including starters, main courses, and desserts. The chefs prepare a sophisticated selection of reasonably priced main courses including (just to name a few) the Tournedos of beef with roasted rosemary potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a red wine gravy or the Crispy fried salmon with tagliatelle puttanesca including tomatoes, olives, lemon, garlic, and capers. Some sumptuous starters are the Carpaccio with parmesan cheese, olive oil, rocket salad, pine nuts, pesto dressing, and chopped basil or the Salmon double-decker on two slices of toasted bread with dill cream sauce, smoked salmon, and a savory cucumber salad. Yum! In addition, nightly specials are frequently offered, which makes every night at Plancius a unique experience. Remember, Plancius makes it a goal to satisfy all their customers. “It’s a place where you can trust what’s on the menu,” says Hanna. “We’re not a restaurant that says ‘no.’ If it’s possible, then it’s possible. In other words, if we have the ingredients, we can make it for you.” It’s that sort of positive, customer-oriented attitude that sets Plancius apart from other Amsterdam restaurants. Eet smakelijk! Open Daily from 10:00 to 22.00; For reservations call +31 20 330 94 69. Plancius Amsterdam Plantage Kerklaan 61a 1018 CW Amsterdam

RESTAURANT INFORMATION LOCATION:

WEB:

CUISINE:

PHONE:

Plantage Kerklaan 61 1018 www.restaurantplancius.nl

International

020 330 94 69

our rating

TASTE & QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

INTERIOR

VALUE FOR MONEY

FINAL SCORE:

8.5

HIS TOMB AND HIS TREASURES

AMSTERDAM EXPO NEXT TO STATION AMSTERDAM ZUID (SOUTH) BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE UNTIL 5 MAY 2013 PRESENTED BY

WWW.AMSTERDAMEXPO.NL

THE DAM REGULARS

If you are looking for an event a little off the beaten track – Look no further. Check out the ‘Dam Regulars’ for some real local events and a chance to mingle with some like minded people.

EVERY SUNDAY

‘ Easylaughs’ Comedy Workshop @ CREA

Café Cultural student centre for the University of Amsterdam Time: 15:00 | Location: Nieuwe Achtergracht 170 | Price: €30 for 4 work-shops EVERY MONDAY

Okido Yoga: Training for health, strength and mobility @ OT301

Famous squat which contributes immensely towards community activities. Check out their program! Time: 19:00 | Location: Overtoom 301 | Price: €12 EVERY MONDAY

Drag Bingo @ The Queen’s Head Pub

A night which everybody should experience at least once, if not regularly! Time: 22:00-03:00 | Location: Zeedijk 20 | Price: €2.50 EVERY MONDAY

Sneak Preview @ Kriterion Movie Theatre

Locally famous student-run theatreregularly! Time: 22:15 | Location: Roetersstraat 170 | Price: €5 EVERY MONDAY

Cheeky Mondays @ Winstons Kingdom

Time: Starting at 23:00 | Location: Warmoesstraat | Price: €7

EVERY TUESDAY

Open Mic Night @ Jet Lounge

Great venue, great vibe and totally acoustic. Time: 21:00 | Location: Groen van Prinstererstraat 41 EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY

Noche Latina @ Candela

Grab a partner for a bit of Salsa dancing Time: 23:00-04:00 | Location: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 85 | Price: Free before 12 EVERY SATURDAY

Organic Farmers Market

Organic Local Produce Time: 9:00-16:00 | Location: Noordermarkt, De Jordaan EVERY SUNDAY

Nude Swimming @ Zuiderbad

Not for everyone, but if you’re into it, well here it is, strip of a few layers and jump in! Time: 16:30-17:30 | Location: Hobbemastraat 26 | Price: €3.30 Have you got a small local event or activity and want to let people know? Send us an email @ events@amsterdo.com

GUIDED TOUR STEDELIJK MUSEUM

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MODERN ART WILL BRIGHTEN UP THE DARK DAYS OF MARCH

It might be your first visit to the Stedelijk Museum or perhaps a reunion with cultural icons like Malevich, Jeff Koons, Van Gogh and Ellsworth Kelly. Either way it is such a joy that the museum is open again for the public after many years of renovation! The Vrije Academie like to share this excitement with you during a highlight tour throughout the Stedelijk Museum. While walking around the new and improved Stedelijk you will experience all of the different movements in modern art from the second half of the 19th century till today. Art historian Harma van Uffelen will be your guide, showing you the collection of the Stedelijk Museum. Enrol here!

Diamonds, jewelry and watches Coster Diamonds Paulus Potterstraat 2-6, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel. +31 20 305 55 55, www.costerdiamonds.com

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Opening hours 9.00 am - 5.00 pm daily, including weekends

Visit the Diamant Museum Amsterdam and become a diamond expert! DIAMANT MUSEUM AMSTERDAM Museumplein, between Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum Paulus Potterstraat 8 | Amsterdam | Tel. +31 (0)20 30 55 300 Opening hours: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm daily, including weekends

diamantmuseumamsterdam.nl