Free Amsterdam
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16 www.timeoutamsterdam.nl July 2011
Free Amsterdam
Our writers round up priceless ideas for the good life, edited by Mark Smith. With free advice from our free models
Free play
Check mates Rightly or wrongly, chess-playing types aren’t generally considered the most outgoing sorts, so it’s nice that this city provides enthusiasts with an appreciative audience, not to mention the opportunity to feel the sun on their pasty faces. Named after Holland’s first and only world champion, the Max Euweplein, with its outsized board and amphitheatrical terrace, is most definitely the place to be for exhibitionist tacticians. Don’t be misled by the Euro Shopper beer enthusiasts who throng the board rain or shine; the actual players here are part of a hardcore fraternity of serious chess buffs who have really mastered their game. You might have to get up early to secure your spot since the unwritten rule is that he who lays hands on the pieces when they’re unlocked in the morning rules the board until he loses or retires. If you and your pals have failed to snag the board, you could do a lot worse than decamping to the city’s other chess pitch, under the trees in front of the Tropenmuseum or stay put and visit the little-known but no less free Max Euewe Centrum chess museum, where – as well as the history of chess – you can learn from the strategies of the game’s very finest practitioners. Max Euweplein chess board Open daily 09.30-21.30. Tropenmuseum chess board Open daily 10.00-20.00. Max Euwe Centrum chess museum Max Euweplein 30a (625 7017/maxeuewe. nl). Open Tue-Fri 12.00-16.00, plus every first Saturday of the month 12.00-16.00. BB
Get over the net If net sports are your thing, there are plenty of ways to make a racket this summer. In Westerpark, there’s the ‘Big Ali Tennis Club’, a rather grandiose name for a couple of courts near the kiddy pool (next to the free bathrooms). The courts are free to the public daily until 1pm, and whenever they’re not holding lessons there (and by the way, the lessons are dirt-cheap; just ¤7.50 a pop for adults with a ¤45 annual membership). The ping-pong table between them is handy, too, if you need to pass the time while waiting for the courts to become available. If table tennis is your primary thing, find two more ping-pong set-ups in De Pijp in Sarphatipark, sandwiched between the free jungle gyms (complete with handy fitness instructions). If you plan to play, bring your rackets, paddles, balls – and beer, naturally. Big Ali Sport Westerpark (682 6001) EB
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Free concerts
Mulligans Irish Music Bar You’ll find Irish pubs in every major European city of course, but only a handful are as fun as Mulligans, because of the sheer variety of live acts that stream through the establishment on a weekly basis. Free music here ranges in genre from comforting, traditional Celtic acts to modern day rockers and pop singer-songwriters, who stop by every night of the week to croon. There’s also an open ‘Irish jam session’ on Sundays, great for budding musicians and onlookers alike. The sessions usually start around 7pm and continue until closing time,
and can range from three musicians sitting around a table to a fully blown group jam with musos scattered throughout the bar. No matter the night of the week, there’s bound to be a drunk fiddler on hand throughout the evening. He’ll play for free, but you might want to buy him a pint of Guinness for his efforts. Amstel 100 (622 1330/mulligans.nl). Open Mon-Thur, Sun 16.00-01.00; Fri, Sat 14.0003.00. AS
English Reformed Church Within the peaceful confines of the Begijnhof, the modest English Reformed Church facilitates much more joyful noise than just hymns on Sunday. Organised by Kenneth Ewen, chamber ensembles and choirs from around the globe regularly take advantage of the intimate acoustics of the rustic, wooden sanctuJuly 2011 www.timeoutamsterdam.nl 17
Free Amsterdam
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Combattimento Cosort Amsterdam (Sunday 12, 12.30) and performance envelope-pushers the Ricciotti Ensemble, a 40-strong troupe otherwise known for staging concerts in unlikely locations like orphanages, seniors’ homes and prisons (Sunday 24 at 12.30). Vondelpark, opposite Van Eeghenstraat and close to the Blauwe Theehuis (428 3360/ openluchttheater.nl). Classical concerts every Sunday in July and August, 12.00-13.00. TP
’Skek Run by the same student organisation that’s responsible for art-house cinema Kriterion, ’Skek’s focus is on quality music and plentiful drinks at knock-down prices. Students can lap up discounts including half-price drinks on week nights and enjoy regular free singersongwriter and jazz gigs. Every Thursday, the Amsterdam Songwriters’ Guild hosts an open mic session for budding musicians to take to the small stage. A few impressive names have dropped in of late, including New York songwriter Andrew Vladeck and The Mohawk Lodge. Some of the gigs here are organised so spontaneously it’s sometimes hard to plan a night out in advance. Still, if you pop in on a Friday or Saturday night, there’s bound to be someone strumming a tune and it’s all the more rewarding when you happen to stumble upon a winner. Zeedijk 4-8 (427 0551/skek.nl). Open MonThur, Sun 12.00-01.00, Fri, Sat until 03.00. AS
Jazz Café Alto
ary. On average, one concert per month is free, though this month, as luck would have it, the church’s full programme is completely gratis. The line-up includes The Children’s Chorus of Sussex County (New Jersey) performing sacred and popular music from America and Europe (Saturday 2, 13.00), plus The Junior and Senior Choirs of the British School of Amsterdam, who’ll belt out a bevy of British choral numbers (Sunday 3, 15.15). For a little free lunch music, visit on Thursdays between 11am and 3pm to hear the church’s marvellous house organist, Croatian Olja Bucˇo, practising on the 18th-century pipes for her recitals or Sunday service. Begijnhof 48 (ercadam.nl). See website or Classical & Opera listings for complete July programme. TP
Chet’s Bar Elegant men and women sipping fine wines, chatting and tapping their toes in time to the sound of acoustic jazz: entering Chet’s Bar feels a bit like stepping back into 1930s Chicago. When it comes to live music, owners Diego Rattenni and Rakesh Sharma believe in showcasing up-and-coming local talent without any cover charge, ensuring that young jazz musi18 www.timeoutamsterdam.nl July 2011
cians are able to gain risk-free exposure early in their careers. Quite often, students from the Music Conservatory of Amsterdam take to the stage with new compositions or just to practice at the piano bar. While the venue used to feature large-scale jazz bands four nights a week, they received noise complaints from neighbours and have since had to stick to solo musicians and jazz duos until they finish constructing a soundproofed bar. Hazenstraat 19 (061 986 3190/facebook.com/ chetsjazzcafe). Open Wed, Thur, Sun 19.0001.00 Fri, Sat until 03.00. AS
Vondelpark Openlucht- theater (Open Air Theatre) Worry not, Vondelpark picnicker-stoner – those exotic voices and sounds aren’t all herbally induced. Since last month, the Vondelpark’s centrally located open-air podium has been open for (free) business once again, showcasing in its mini arena a diverse cultural programme of dance performances, stand-up comedy (in Dutch), jazz, pop and world music, as well as a weekly dose of classical. On Sunday afternoons this month, established classical veterans will include chamber champions
Although it’s tucked in between a barrage of neon-lit, overpriced bars just off Leidseplein, Alto has a cosy brown café feel to it, with a mixture of locals and jazz-loving tourists sipping cocktails and listening to a host of jazz talents. The famous Dutch saxophonist Hans Dulfer has a long-running Wednesday evening slot while Tuesdays are hosted by Conjunto Amsterdam, a collective specialising in Latin jazz, salsa and flamenco. The quality of touring musicians on the other nights of the week is never much lower either, ensuring good, free jazz shows every evening. Pro tip: packing in about 100 punters, this intimate venue can often feel crowded, so it’s best to get there early to try snatch one of the few tables in front of the stage. Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115 (626 3249/ jazz-cafe-alto.nl). Open Mon-Thur, Sun 21.0003.00, Fri, Sat until 04.00. AS
Zaal 100 While Zaal 100 has its roots in the squatting scene – it was converted from a squat to a ‘cultural centre’ in the 1990s – it’s tastefully decorated with stylish furniture and hanging wall art, unlike some of its more grungy counterparts. Weekly jam sessions are held on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, featuring some of Amsterdam’s best known local musicians such as jazz fusion quartet The Ploctones, who regularly host the events themselves. While the music tends to lean towards
the jazzy and bluesy side of things, you can expect to hear a variety of styles, depending on who shows up at the sessions. De Wittenstraat 100 (zaal100.nl). Opening hours vary, check website for hours and listings. AS
Langendijk Eetcafé The perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon listening to swinging live free music. The sun-soaked terrace provides the stage for a host of local talent such as the Christiaan Brester Trio and Hot Club De Frank every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm throughout the summer months. The café also regularly welcomes touring world music acts like samba legends Estrella Acosta and Cuban band Carinhoso, so expect to hear everything from Balkan beats to Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Zeeburgerstraat 1 (427 5077/langendijkeetcafe.nl). Open Mon-Thur, Sun 09.00-01.00, Fri, Sat until 03.00. AS
Oude Kerk Ringing in at a total of 182 of the mighty instruments nationwide, the Netherlands houses the world’s largest collection of carillons. A carillon is also, by far, the largest instrument on the planet, typically composed of 23 bells of various sizes and collectively weighing somewhere in the neighbourhood of 100 tons. (Can you say Napoleon complex?).
Consequently, being in the right place at the right time – for example, on the bridge in front of the Oude Kerk on a Tuesday or Saturday afternoon when the Oude Kerk’s carillonneurs Boudewijn Zwart and Gideon Bodden perform one-hour recitals of hymns and classical music – is key to hearing them in all their glory. Oudekerksplein 23 (625 8284/oudekerk.nl). Carillon concerts every Tue 14.00, Sat 16.00. TP
FREE LUNCH
Free Amsterdam
Great shakes
You may remember cocktail-catering cool kids The Fabulous Shaker Boys from our June ‘Hot Bars’ issue. Led by Mokum mix pioneer Ricardo Sporkslede, their well-groomed presence at an Amsterdam event is shorthand for ‘This is This quaint little Mediterranean restaurantgoing to be classy.’ Isla Visser, the design brains cum-bar has a secret second identity as a live behind endearingly eccentric local fashion label music venue on Sunday evenings. A keen Ready To Fish, clearly agrees: every first Friday clarinettist, owner Bob van Buren decided to of the month she becomes Amsterdam combine his love of music with food rag trade’s hostess with the mostess and invites crooners, jazz outfits when she generously throws open the and gypsy bands to perform doors of her grachtengordel atelier live until around 11pm every for ‘Friday Afternoons at Ready To Sunday. The entertainment The oost squAt Fish’, a party where Amsterdam’s isn’t exclusively aimed at dinscreens free fashionable folk get to drain an open ers; anyone is welcome to pass movies every bar catered by the Shaker Boys. The by for a casual drink and enjoy idea is for bright young things to share the music. Notable acts who’ve Sunday their creative ideas over a lubricating lygraced the place in the past include chee martini or two. That said, we’ve rarely jazz songstress Tamara Hoekwater brought anything constructive to the table and gypsy outfit Pietsiekata. Every first Sunand haven’t been evicted yet. What’s more, the day of the month, a free cabaret performance evenings feature some marvellous musical turns accompanies the musicians, featuring dancers, from the likes of tonic-voiced singer Beatriz Colactors and street performers. lin. Nothing fishy about that. Gebed Zonder End 5 (624 2057/zeppos.nl). Prinsengracht 581 (330 9332/readytofish.nl). Open Mon-Thur, Sun 13.00-01.00, Fri, Sat Friday 1, 18.00-20.00. MS until 03.00. AS
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Free Amsterdam
The daily grind With its smart black awnings, marble-topped tables and abundance of eye candy style mags, the chic unit on the corner of Herenstraat and Herengracht has a French brasserie feel that’s been compared by some to New York City’s fashionable Pastis. There’s a crucial difference, however: whether you’re a tourist or a cycling local getting your daily caffeine fix to go, manager Hendrik Stroscher and his staff will be happy to serve you without asking for a cent in return. From the Amaro Gayo brand organic espresso, supplied by Ethiopia’s only female miller and exporter, to the croissants, which hail from sumptuous Nieuwendijk patisserie Gebr. Niemeijer, refreshment here is free. That’s because, though it may look like an upscale café, Property Of… is actually the European flagship store for the Singaporean men’s bag brand of the same name. You’re welcome to peruse the (really very lovely) range of satchels and messenger bags, of course, but Stroscher and co really don’t mind if you don’t: ‘We wanted to provide a tangible service for the neighbourhood,’ says Stroscher, ‘so everyone who works in the store is a trained barista. We think of ourselves as hosts, rather than salespeople.’ Stimulating thinking indeed. Herenstraat 2 (622 5909/thepropertyof.com). Open daily 11.00-18.00. MS
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Ample samples It’s as if the managers of healthy supermarket Marqt want you to rob them blind. Everywhere you wander in its sprawling offRembrandtplein subterranean flagship store and the original shop at the Leidseplein end of Overtoom, there are tempting, skewered morsels of cheese, bread and meat, crying out to be sampled for free. Of course, the idea is that you savour a sliver of, say, organic pecorino before investing in an entire pricey slab, but it can be hard to harness one’s appetites in a store where everything looks so good; we’ve often left with a full stomach, empty hands and a guilty conscience. Overtoom 21 (422 6311/marqt.com). Open Mon-Sat 09.00-20.00, Sun 10.00-19.00. Other location: Utrechtsestraat 17 (810 0080). MS
FREE LOVE
Naked ambitions When a club boasts a quarterly ‘Mega Gang Bang Party’, it’s clear shrinking violets needn’t apply. The next gang bang isn’t scheduled yet, but this month’s Erotic Night at the free-spirited sexual liberation Club Paradise promises to include plenty of whips, chains and the like (bring your own). That’s not to say this free-love fest is reserved for the fetish troops; patrons are encouraged to ‘live 20 www.timeoutamsterdam.nl July 2011
‘We’ve probably seen just as many out their every fantasy’ in the comfort hook-ups as dedicated dating sites of the multi-faceted sex club. There’s have. Just take the awkwardness a ‘swinging’ dance floor, ‘naughty’ out of it and people are more likely swimming pool and sauna, and to fall in love.’ a rammed bar serving Sex On (meetin.org/amsterdam). MemberThe Beach cocktails and enough nipples and naughty bits to Free Dating, ship is free but prices for individual activities vary. AW keep even the horniest folk sated. page 68 Despite the coy terminology, the ‘mysterious private booths’ leave very little to the imagination. Bonus ball? Free condoms all round. Club Paradise Schaafstraat 26 (637 3416/ club-paradise.nl). Open Wed, Thur 20.0001.00, Fri, Sat until 03.00; Sun 16.00-01.00. Erotic Night 2 July. Ticket prices vary. AW
Single with kids?
Heavy petting
Free-spirited dating All you need is love, apparently, but dating aficionados know it’s not always quite as simple as The Beatles would’ve had us believe. MEETin is a free-membership, not-for-profit group for singles that organises social gatherings once a month with activities like bowling, group hikes and movie outings. The US-based group currently has 1,400 members in Amsterdam, so there are plenty of new faces at each event. Founder Mikey (he never gives his surname), who is based in Washington, DC, calls it a ‘non-pickup-scene’ to meet likeminded folk. ‘People should first start by having fun, which in turn may, or may not, lead to love,’ he says.
Heavy metal band Killdozer released its single ‘Free Love In Amsterdam’ in 1987. While it didn’t top the charts, the song’s gravelly vocals (‘Free, free, free love, love, love a love a love in Amsterdama-dam-a-dam’) still manage to raise a visit or two on YouTube.
FREE ENTERPRISE Great giveaways
Greeted by open fields and crowing roosters, just a short bike ride northwest of Westerpark, it’s hard for the first-timer to believe this volunteer-run, so-called ‘neighbourhood farm’ sits within the Amsterdam city limits. The first structure you’ll encounter upon entering is a small wooden hut bursting with donated clothing, books and small goods of all styles and sizes (see the extensive children’s collection) – all of it yours for the taking. A handwritten sign alerts visitors to even more free action: singer-songwriters of all genres entertain guests every Monday at 8pm, while Fridays offer retro-oriented ‘bring your own LP’ parties. Greeting all guests like old friends with an implied ‘Welcome and help yourself’, the free and easy attitude of the staff – like Tommie Thomas from the Jordaan, who began volunteering at the farm almost ten years ago – is complemented by comforting whiffs of cannabis drifting over the terrace. The generous outdoor seating, backed by a natural soundtrack, offers an inviting mini-vacation, interrupted only by the occasional rumble of a passing train. The food served here, though not free, is certainly not expensive (check out their €8 veggie and non-veggie dinners) but the idyllic sheep-spotted view and refreshing community spirit are yours gratis. Buurtboerderij Spaarndammerdijk 319 (337 6820/buurtboerderij.nl). Open Mon-Wed, Sun 10.00-22.00, Thur-Sat until 23.00. EB
Free Amsterdam is a more catch-as-catch-can affair, picking up whomever happens to be milling around the lobby when the tour begins. Just listen for a guide speaking your language and jump aboard. Smaller groups mean more Q&A time and more ground covered (fun fact: the ‘princess’ cut is cheapest because it loses the least size in p olishing), although without the hands-on temptations of Gassan. Coster Diamonds Paulus Potterstraat 2-6 (305 5555/costerdiamonds.com). Open daily 09.00-17.00. Gassan Diamonds Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 173-175 (622 5333/gassandiamonds.nl). Tours daily between 09.00-17.00; pre-register online. EB
abundance of intriguing stories. Whether it’s the history of ‘Lola’, the city’s famous brass statue of a prostitute in the Red Light District, or an explanation (but sadly not a demonstration) of why Magere Brug is know as ‘the kissing bridge’, these enthusiastic tour guides offer up their abundance of knowledge and million dollar smiles for nothing. Go on, take a walk on the wild side. For the New Amsterdam Tour, which covers the Jordaan and its landmarks, meet daily at Central Station Tourist Office at 11.00 or 13.00. For other tours, check newamsterdamtours.com. AW
Free rides
Unless you own a dirt-cheap lilo from a naff Marbella tourist shop, traversing water tends to come at a price. While the clunky GVB ferry from Central Station (jetty 7, specifically) to Buiksloterweg in Noord doesn’t quite rival the QE2 for grace, it does transport passengers, bikes, dogs and the occasional slothful seagull across the IJ for free. The sedate ride itself doesn’t exactly get the adrenalin pumping – the murky waters below are rarely choppy – but there’s nothing quite like feeling the wind in your hair and, of course, money staying put in your wallet. The ferry is also an efficient beast, running without fail every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. Needless to say, GVB Transport runs a tight ship. gvb.nl. AW
Roaming free
If you’re looking to unlock the secrets of your workday commute, the red-T-shirted crew at Sandeman’s Tours can offer a guiding hand. With a name and demeanour that conjures images of a US summer camp, for nada (although a little donation does go a long way) these jolly guides divulge Amsterdam’s
Free shipping
Free jewels The Diamond Museum (with its €7.50 entrance fee) may be Mecca for Marilyn Monroe wannabes, but who says you can’t enjoy the finer things in life for free? Certainly not Amsterdam’s famed diamond factories. Daily gratis guided tours at both glitter gardens in your pick of languages offer up the 411 on the four ‘C’s (carat, cut, colour and clarity – all of which determine pricing) in exchange for listening to a bit of marketing mumbo-jumbo, and then awkwardly squirming out of some far-from-free shopping opportunities. To follow the Gassan Diamonds busier but more orderly tour, sign up online in advance for your pick of times to be guided, probably along with a busload of tourists, through a brief explanation of cutting and polishing, and then a sparkling demonstration of the four Cs in action, as you fondle real diamonds in one of the private showrooms, under surprisingly trusting eyes. See a mammoth ¤15,000 ‘Gassan 121’ plonked before you, or a pair of white gold earrings for a snip at ¤1,730. If you opt out of buying there will be no baseball bats: Gassan’s staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic enough to make this experience more ‘Blokker fella’ than Rockefeller. In comparison, the Coster Diamonds tour
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Free Amsterdam
Free swim
Het Marnixbad The Marnixbad in West, with two indoor pools (one lap-swimming pool and a warmer free-play pool) has free swimming times for adults and for kids throughout the week. The surface of the water at the pool is at the same level as that of the canal just outside the scenic windows, which, even if you know you’re swimming indoors, creates a whimsical impression of swimming between the boats and birds. Marnixplein 1 (524 6000/hetmarnix.nl). Free swim: Wed 21.30-22.30, Thur 11.45-12.45, Fri 11.45-12.45. Parents with children: Wed 13.00-13.45, Thur 11.00-11.45, Fri 11.4512.45. ZF
Sloterparkbad The biggest swimming complex in the Netherlands, with four indoor pools, including a recreational pool with a water slide and massage jets, offers free swim for everyone on Wednesday afternoons. Outdoors, there’s a recreational pool and a paddling pool for children, as well as an amusement park with a shipwreck and a raft. President Allendelaan 3 (506 3506/optisport.nl/ sloterparkbad). Free swim Wed 13.00-18.30. ZF
Stooterplas Lake Het Twiske is a natural recreation area north of Amsterdam, just above Landsmeer. Onethird of its fat 650 hectares consists of nothing but good ole swimming water. The big lake,
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Stooterplas, was in fact a pleasant accident as efforts to procure sand in the area resulted in a large puddle back in the ’70s. Today, dunkers, divers and dippers will be happy to know that entrance to the park is free and water quality is tested once every two weeks. So pack a lunch among various articles of whimsy and take the ferry to Noord (NDSM is closest to Twiske, but the ride from Buikslotermeer, which leaves more frequently, is scenic and lovely). The Twiske Mill is a good sign that you’re almost there. LM
Free your mind Higher ground
Amsterdam’s Svahayoga centre in the Jordaan takes its inspiration from New York’s Jivamukti, which in turn gets its inspiration from gurus in India. This may seem like a long and winding road toward nirvana, but it sort of makes sense: Eastern traditions are filtered through Western fitness trends to create vigorous aerobic Hatha yoga classes sprinkled with spiritual teachings. If you want to forgo the sweat, though, and head straight to the spiritual centre, Svaha offers free mantra-chanting sessions (or kirtan) that typically include some 30 to 50 people on Friday nights from 8pm to 9:30pm, as well as guided meditation sessions (in English) the first Wednesday night of each month from 8.45pm to 9.30pm. Led by Rekha Joshi, this ‘Twin Hearts’ meditation is intended as a form of pranic healing, to ‘raise one’s vibrations toward higher states of awareness
and expanded levels of consciousness’. That sounds like some seriously good vibrations. Svahayoga Willemsstraat 133 (065 247 7669/ svaha.nl). Meditation sessions are free and in English; a small donation is appreciated. NS
Laughing all the way to nirvana Monday through Saturday mornings at 8am and 9am sharp, you can find Dhiraj van Rossum in Vondelpark, having a good laugh. And you can join her, for half-hour free morning ‘laughing meditation’ sessions intended to clear the mind and raise the spirits before the day starts in earnest. Van Rossum is a ‘laughter coach’ who believes that laughing (even if it’s forced) helps deepen breathing, lowers the heart rate and puts us in touch with our inner playful spirit. After laughing for 15 minutes, participants sit in 15 minutes of meditative silence, gathering the effects. You’ll find her six days a week with as many as a dozen giggling cohorts near the fountain next to the Groot Melkhuis. Laughing meditation Mon-Sat in the Vondelpark (610 4380/lachenisliefde.nl). Two sessions: 08.00-8.30 and 09.00-09.30. NS
Enlighten up Could there be a more picturesque location for inner-city meditation than the leafy (and not inexpensive) Brouwersgracht? The Maitreya Institute occupies a beautiful canal house in the heart of the Jordaan, where courses in Tibetan Buddhism are available in both Dutch and English at every rung of the ladder to enlightenment. Much more than just zoning out, Tibetan Buddhist meditation involves using various concentration and visualisation techniques to transform negative ideas – that tend to burn so much energy – into positive ideas about humanity and the planet. The first session is free and after that you can join the 45-minute guided group meditations for just €3.50 a pop. Maitreya Institute Brouwersgracht 157 (428 0842/maitreya.nl). Beginners meditation in English Mondays 19.00-19.45; in Dutch on Wednesdays 19.00-19.45. KR
Free WHEELING Blade runner
It’s Friday: instead of investing in a mindnumbing hangover, get your skates on and head to ‘the round bench next to the Filmmuseum’ in Vondelpark for Amsterdam’s adrenalin-fuelled Friday night skate. Founded in 1997 by Yuri Engelhardt and a troupe of die-hard rollerbladers, the free group meets every week at 8pm for a fun, energetic 20km glide through the city. Skaters of all standards (beginners are advised to swathe themselves in protective gear in case of a high22 www.timeoutamsterdam.nl July 2011
Free Amsterdam
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Free Wi-Fi Catalina Iorga nominates five top spots for getting online, gratis Bagels & Beans The Wi-Fi password here is ‘cheesecake’, which happens to be a very tasty selection from the menu, as well. Sit as long as you like, refresh and refill. About a dozen locations in Amsterdam, including Waterlooplein 2 (428 8906/ bagelsbeans.nl). Open Mon-Sat 08.3017.30, Sun 11.00-17.30. Openbare Bibliotheek (main public library) Setting up the Wi-Fi is as bureaucratic as all things Dutch, but free surfing bliss and plenty of old fashioned texts make the OBA research heaven for the bespectacled bookworms among us. Oosterdokskade 143 (523 0900/oba.nl). Open daily 10.00-22.00. Starbucks We can compensate the astronomical cost of our venti frappuccino by taking advantage of some free browsing at this addictive coffee chain. Leidsestraat 101 (facebook.com/starbucksnederland). Open Mon-Thur 07.0023.00, Fri-Sun 07.00-midnight.
speed prang) rock and roll their way across tarmac, cobbles and pavement – a different route is chosen every week – in all manner of high-visibility garb. According to Engelhardt, ‘It’s the best way to see Amsterdam because it’s fast and furious – like the city!’ Rock and, of course, roll. Just bring your own skates. fridaynightskate.com AW
FREE SHOWS
Time travel in 100m2 While architecture fanatics will want to take advantage of the free entrance to pay tribute to Zuiderkerk designer and Golden Age wunderkind De Keyser’s grave, and visitors in general can gawk at the surprising mix of old (the church was begun in 1603) and modern (it was renovated in 2000), the star of the Zuiderkerk at the moment is the 100 square metres of space enclosed in a cave of modern slotted walls upstairs. While about half of the church is temporarily dedicated to the desks of employees
of the National Museum of History, this special space upstairs allows visitors to sprint through centuries of Dutch history in under an hour. A preview of what the museum would do in a larger, more permanent venue, the exhibition highlights important periods of Dutch history through sometimes startling imagery. Non-Dutch speakers should pick up one of the illustrated booklets from the friendly guide positioned in front of the exhibit. Free Zuiderkerk extra: Enjoy the ringing of the oldest church bell in the Netherlands during the free carillon concert each Sunday from 4pm to 5pm. Zuiderkerkhof 72 (088 020 2280/zuiderkerk. innl.nl). Open Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat by appointment. Exhibition runs until 9 Sep. EB
Free future Amsterdam’s own ARCAM architecture museum (which is always free) has teamed up with New York’s Center for Architecture to put lots of big heads together on the issue of sustainable urban development and the results of their efforts are being presented this month in exhibitions in Old and Nieuw Amsterdam. On this side of the pond, we’ve got ‘Glimpses of New York and Amsterdam in 2040’ a free exhibition at ARCAM organised
Canvas op de 7e Kick back with a cold biertje, panoramic views of the city and Facebook or Skype all your friends, of course. 7th floor of the Volkskrantgebouw, Wibautstraat 150 (716 3817/canvasopde7e.nl). Open Mon-Thur 11.00-01.00, Fri until 03.00; Sat 12.00-03.00, Sun 12.00–01.00. Café Studio/K A cinema doubling as a club and café, this Oost outpost simply has it all, including great sandwiches, a huge terrace and free internet access that extends all the way outside. Timorplein 62 (693 0422/studio-k.nu). Open Mon-Thur, Sun 11.00-01.00, Fri, Sat until 03.00. around the themes ‘breathing, eating, making, moving and dwelling’. Lectures, public meetings and debates let us lay folks participate in the eco-minded architecture, landscape architecture and design discussions. On 5 July, anyone can join the symposium on the same subject, with a panel of heavy-hitting speakers that includes David Bragdon, NYC’s director of long-term planning. Imagine a future free of emissions, free of pollution, free of… the need for eco-conscious symposiums. It’s okay to dream. Prins Hendrikkade 600 (620 4878/arcam.nl). Open Tue-Sat 13.00-17.00. NS July 2011 www.timeoutamsterdam.nl 23