Event Guide: 1-4 July

June 30, 2019

Monday 1 July

Science & Cocktails

Where: Paradiso Noord, IJpromenade 2, 1031 KT Amsterdam

Science & Cocktails is a summer programme of public talks by scientists, but don’t stress — the only thing dry about this event will be the dry-ice cocktail smoking away in your hand! The programme features a different scientific theme and speaker each time, but your dose of science is always served up with a side of cool cocktails and funky live music. Just how I like it! This Monday, evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Anna Machin will be in Paradiso Noord to talk about the Science of Fatherhood. Once you’re good and informed, you can have impressive intellectual conversation over the sweet sounds of groovy world beat band Thaïti. 

Keti Koti Festival

Where: Oosterpark 

The Surinamese community is an essential part of the vibrant culture of Amsterdam, and the annual Keti Koti festival marks the abolition of slavery in the former colonies of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles on this date in 1863. Keti Koti is a Surinamese concept meaning “Broken Shackles,” and the festival provides a day of reflection on the past as well as a celebration of continued freedom and equality for Dutch people from every cultural background. The festival kicks off with a Big Spikri Procession from Waterlooplein to the festival grounds in Oosterpark. A crazy, colourful celebration of traditional dress, dance and music — this is always a sight to behold! A quick tip from a raging roti fan: if you’ve never tried Surinamese food, you need to. Like, now. You can thank me later. 

Tuesday 2 July

Amsterdam Roots Festival

Where: Warehouse The Zwijger, Piet Heinkade 179, 1019 HC Amsterdam

More than just another World Music festival, Amsterdam Roots Festival is also about celebrating, well… your roots! That’s why it’s opening this year with the second Root Seekers project — a day of performance, storytelling, conversation and discovery surrounding identity and where you came from. It’s a celebration of the incredibly diverse roots of Dutch people, with the festival itself continuing this theme by giving a platform to artists who tell their stories through various art forms. Come and hear the stories that define us at this opening day of Amsterdam Roots… it’s free, and you might just learn something about yourself too! 

Lizzo 

Where: Paradiso Noord, IJpromenade 2, 1031 KT Amsterdam

Are you a thick bitch? You need tempo? Then you gotta get down with Lizzo at one of her two shows at Paradiso Noord this week. The sassy American rapper/singer/professional flute player (yes, really) has been blowing up the scene with her trademark, taboo-breaking honesty, self confidence and positivity. Her smart, personal lyrics, catchy Prince-vibe melodies, and classic R&B beats have rocketed anthems like Tempo and Juice to the top of the charts, and her electrifying live show is not to be missed (for any reason, at all, ever). She’s brutal, she’s banging, and she truly is THAT Bitch. In the words of Lizzo herself: “If I’m shinin', everybody gonna shine!” 

Wednesday 3 July 

ComedyTrain International Summer Festival

Where: Toomler Comedy Club, Breitnerstraat 2,1077 BL AMSTERDAM 

Get down to Amsterdam’s Toomler club this Wednesday and climb aboard the very first departure of the International Summer Festival ComedyTrain! Every summer, the world-famous festival arrives in town, with carriages full of top comedians from America, Australia, Canada and the UK. They’ve all packed plenty of laughs to give out to us lucky punters, as they takeover the renowned Toomler club from July 3rd to August 10th. Tourists and expats of Amsterdam, don’t fear… your inability to grasp even a slight understanding of Dutch won’t be exposed yet, as the entire programme is in English. We’ll see you on board the ComedyTrain, toot toot! 

Thursday 4 July

Summer Breeze Latin Night

Where: Westergasterras, Westerpark, Klönneplein 6, 1014 DD Amsterdam

Samba your way through these sultry summer nights every Thursday at Westergasterras, when their beautiful waterside terrace nestled within Westerpark is transformed into a Latin ballroom. Kicking off for free at 7pm, dancers can choose to strut their stuff on the outdoor terrace, or get some practice in first at one of the free workshops inside. After 8pm entry is €7.50, and it often fills up before 9, so get there early: This event has been running for 14 summers straight, so the secret is well and truly out! The style of Latin music and workshops varies for each edition, with the programme announced two-days prior, just so you know what shoes to wear (or how many pre-drinks you need). 1drink, 2drink, cha cha cha! 

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