Entertainment, Culture and Night Life

Amsterdam offers a diverse array of world-class entertainment. For centuries Amsterdam has been one of the leading centers of culture in Europe. A variety of performances is staged in hundreds of venues throughout the city. There is also plenty of affordable entertainment, special performances, festivals and cultural events. A multitude of street performers and live bands in bars and cafes completes this diverse scene. Check the free press, an excellent newspaper published in English - Amsterdam Weekly and an illustrated Dutch magazine, NL 20 - free, with a clear and complete Amsterdam cultural agenda. Both can be located on stands throughout the city.

Theatres

Amsterdam is an important theatre city. Each evening there is a variety of spectacles to offer. You can also find quality, English-language theatre in Amsterdam. Most of the major theatres are centered around the Leidseplein, and at the Nes street, within an easy stroll from each other.

Cinemas

Amsterdam has over 50 cinemas and art houses, where films are shown in their original language, with Dutch subtitles. The Tuschinski Theater deserves a special mention. Constructed in 1921 with a unique mixture of Art Deco and Amsterdamse school style, it features a lavish foyer, and is regarded as one of the most stunning cinemas in Europe.

Ballet and dance

There are two world-class ballet companies in the Netherlands. The renowned Dutch National Ballet is one of the resident groups in the Muziektheater, the repertoire encompasses both classical and modern dance. Another one, the Netherlands Dans Theater based in The Hague, regularly performs in venues throughout the city.

Nightlife

As the evening falls, Amsterdam starts to sparkle, especially on the nice spring and summer days. While all cinemas and theaters are busy, city clubs, cafes and restaurants are full of joyful, friendly crowds. Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District, an old quarter of town near the big church called Oudekerk (Old Church), not far from the Dam square, is invaded by groups of tourists. They come here to observe working girls exhibiting their charms in the brightly lit windows. This is also an area of many nightclubs, small restaurants and cafes. A big city square, Leidseplein with its theaters, cinemas, cafes, nearby casino and clubs is also a very busy place at night. Another always crowded square - Rembrandtplein, with its clubs and nearby cinemas and the old quarter of Jordan with its cafes and restaurants is also popular.

Events

Throughout the whole year, each day of the week many attractive events take place in Amsterdam. Several of them as the Holland Festival, IDFA documentary film festival or World Press Photo. But the are many other events – film and performing arts festivals, cultural meetings, annual art fairs exhibitions, which will make your stay in Amsterdam more, complete.

Music

Amsterdam is home to one of the best symphonic orchestras in the world – the Concertgebouw Orchestra. It is an opera house filled with rich tradition! All around you will find that Amsterdam is bursting with live music in many concert halls, clubs and jazz cafes. In summer, concerts can be enjoyed in one of the city's beautiful parks. Below is a list of some of Amsterdam’s most popular music venues: Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3 (788 21 88) At the beginning of 2005 the Bimhuis moved to a spectacular new building on the border of the river IJ, close to central station. It still maintains its stature as an internationally renowned contemporary jazz venue, and stages well-known international artists as well as local talent. The Bimhuis is a bit of a mix between concert hall and club, with for example open sessions on Tuesday, starting at 8pm.

Heineken Music Hall Arena Boulevard 590 (311 38 71) [subway stop Strandvliet/Arena] Megavenue with a capacity of over 5000 and acoustics engineered especially for live amplified music. Situated near the Arena stadium in Amsterdam South-East. Ideally suited for medium-size acts, and of course 'intimate' performances by big names. About the only thing in favour of its location is the excellent accessibility by public transport, and the parking facilities.

Melkweg Lijnbaansgracht 234 (531 81 81) Housed in a former dairy, the Melkweg (Milky Way) is Amsterdam's biggest multi-functional entertainment venue, and offers music, drama, movies, a weekend disco, a bar and a restaurant. The programming includes big(ger) international acts as well as local talent. In recent years a second concert hall was added, so that the Melkweg is able to host double feature nights. The hippies of yesteryear may have gone but every november the Melkweg still hosts the Cannabis Cup music events. Dance events (Dance Arena) are held during the weekend.

OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134 (671 77 78) A large former squat - now legalized - with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere and regular live alternative music, cabarets and other performances. Located at the far end of the Vondelpark.

Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8, near Leidseplein (626 45 21) In the sixties Paradiso was the hub of all things flower power; nowadays it's the number one venue for big acts. The former neo-gothic church has an impressive interior, with a towering ceiling and a high balcony overlooking the stage and dancefloor. There's also a upstairs bar with a smaller stage that is sometimes used for performances after the main event. The Paradiso public has in the past enjoyed some really big names, kicking off their European tour or just enjoying the intimacy of the venue. Over the past decade or so the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, the Artist Formerly Known As Prince and Lenny Kravitz all played Paradiso, which at its best houses all of 1200. Though Paradiso is home to all kinds of musical styles, municipal funding has been cut back, so there's a tendency towards programming crowd pullers. To see local bands in action, or to listen to something less mainstream, try the Melkweg or the Arena. Paradiso hosts dance events during the weekends.

Vondelpark Openlucht Theater Vondelpark (523 77 90) During the summer season (Jun-Aug) the Vondelpark Openlucht Theater is the venue for open air performances in the city's largest and most famous park. The theater stages a wide variety of music: pop, rock, world music, Latin and classical music. A very nice way to spend a sunny summer afternoon, as you can tell by the crowds.

Winston International Warmoesstraat 123-129 (623 13 80) This bar of the recently renovated Winston Hotel attracts a mixed crowd of travelers and locals, and has live music and other performances during weekends featuring local talent.