As I write this, a delightful ray of sunlight comes streaming through my window, caressing my face with its silken warmth. It’s official: spring is finally here! This is the last bit of motivation we’ve all been waiting for to go outside and do something! Wondering what it is that you could be doing? Well, conveniently I just happen to have list for you right here with all the hottest, hippest and most happening happenings in and around Amsterdam for all of April! Check it out!
Frank 9 April in cinemas. Surrounding the lives of the music band members of The Soronprfbs, Frank takes you by the hand to show you the ultimate musical creativity. Not without a big portion of comedy, the film promises more adventure than any other music film has ever done.
Het grote Museumpleindebat 12 April, 4 pm @ De Rode Hoed. The big three of Museumplein will discuss its future. Expect a lot of discussion and art experts. Need I say more? I’ll be there. Tickets €6,50 for students.
Etcetera’s Book Club Reads Orlando 14 April, 8 pm @ Werkplaats. A new month, a new book. This time Etc.’s book club is reading Virginia Woolf’s ground-breaking gender-bending Orlando.
Crisis of History 14 April @ Tolhuistuin. Showing of the documentary From My Syrian Room (2014), in cooperation with Festival Cinéma Arabe, in the presence of director Hazem Alhamwi. How do you stay true to yourself in a dictatorship that wipes out your individuality like an eraser and fosters a culture of fear? The Syrian Hazem Alhamwi (1980) retreated to his room and found freedom in drawing. When the revolution breaks out in 2011, the filmmaker and artist does not dare to confront his inner demons directly. Instead Alhamwi explores his memories, from his childhood to the present day – and thus the desire for freedom of his people. Free admission, reservations @ reserveren@framerframed.nl.
Amsterdams Studenten Festival 16-17 April @ several locations. Talented students from Amsterdam and beyond will gather their creative powers to host a two-day festival this April. There will be theatre, film, music, art and more, accumulating in a spectacular after party by Wicked Jazz Sounds on the 17th. Tickets are €6 for students. More information can be found here www.amsterdamsstudentenfestival.nl.
Record Store Day 18 April @ Concerto. Come and support your favourite record stores today to save them from extinction! Concerto, a vinyl/CD/film lovers Valhalla on the Utrechtsestraat, has organized a daylong line-up of revered and upcoming bands that you can listen to in the cosily crowded store. A long list of new releases specially (re-)issued for this day will also be sold in Concerto and other stores from this day on.
De lange avond van het korte verhaal 22 April, 8 pm @ Tolhuistuin. Seven short stories have been chosen by writers Sanneke van Hassel and Thomas Heerma van Voss. Both have been reading all short story collections published between 2010 and 2014 and ultimately decided on seven of them to outline on this evening. An evening that focuses on the powerfulness of the short story. Tickets: €10,- students.
Weijers & Van Saarloos: Mijn geheim with Dan Hassler-Forest 22 April, 8 pm @ De Rode Hoed. An incidental benefit of keeping up with this agenda is that you’re allowed to stalk your own teachers. Especially if they’re at an interesting event as this one about the utility of secrets. Tickets €10,- for students.
Wijsgerig Festival Drift 25 April, from 19.30 @ De Brakke Grond. The philosophically savvy can eat their hearts out on this evening filled with lectures, debates, and other cultural festivities. The theme of this year “Toward Chaos” will certainly lead to lively discussion about paradoxical topics such as structure and order, chaos and destruction. Tickets are €6,50 for students (in pre-sale, €8,50 at the door).
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