No plans yet this weekend? Overwhelmed by all the options in Amsterdam? Then check out our new bi-weekly culture column. Cultural tips from our editors between March 15 and 29: from dancing till dawn to talking about women and magic in ancient times.
Stukafest | between €8.30 and €17.30
Thursday 16 March | 19:30-02:00
Tonight is the sixteenth edition of the annual student room festival (Stukafest) in Amsterdam. Spread across nine student rooms in the city, you can enjoy music, dance, stand-up comedy, spoken word and more. All in the cosy atmosphere of an actual student room.
Editor Jazz Stofberg spoke with musician and conservatory student Chris Richter (22) about her upcoming performance. Be sure to stop by if you're in the mood for a good story. “I often use Greek mythology as the basis for my songs, and I link it to people's everyday lives today. An example is my first EP, ‘Atlas’. If people don't know the stories I sing about, they will probably recognize themselves in them.”
Richter does not allow herself to be tied to one genre of music: “The texts of stories are very important to me, and music is the best way for me to share that. The lyrics come first and the music follows. As a result, the genres of the songs I write vary.”
At Stukafest, you can choose to go to one or three performances. Check the website for different 'Stukafest routes'.
Rembrandthuis | free
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March | 10:00-18:00
The Rembrandthuis reopens on March 18. Citizens of Amsterdam can visit the museum for free on March 18 and 19 by showing a postal item addressed to them. The building was the home, studio, and art gallery of painter Rembrandt van Rijn for nineteen years until he went bankrupt. The museum is set up to reflect Rembrandt's daily life as closely as possible. You can reserve a time slot for free online.
World Storytelling Day at Mezrab | free.
Sunday 19 March | 12:00-23:55
In honour of World Storytelling Day, Mezrab-The House of Stories-is hosting twelve hours of storytelling. Mezrab is known for its storytelling nights where people come together to share stories. On March 19, the twelve-hour storytelling marathon focuses on the sensory experience, accompanied by music and good food. Admission is free.
Diaspora in Parallel | € 12
Saturday, March 25 in Parallel (Tolhuistuin building) | 23:59-06:00
If you are looking for a party, you can go to Diaspora in Parallel on Saturday, March 25. Diaspora is an energetic club night held for the first time in Amsterdam. Expect a mix of musical cultures at Diaspora, because DJs like Hagan, S!RENE and Blck Mamba are known for their fusion of musical genres on the dance floor: from house and dancehall to R&B and hip-hop.
Parallel is part of the Tolhuistuin building in Amsterdam-Noord, accessible with the ferry to ‘Buiksloterweg’.
Poetry and dancing in de New Anita | free
Saturday, March 25 | 20:00
Feeling less like dancing to music and more like listening to spoken word? Then the poetry collection presentation by Joost Oomen in the Nieuwe Anita might be the event for you. The new collection (after ten years!) will be celebrated with performances by musician Willie Darktrousers, poets Kasper Peters and Joep Hendrikx, and writer Lisa Weeda. If you still want to dance, you're in luck, because DJ collective Team KTW will end the night with their tunes.
Antiquity through the eyes of women in SPUI25
Wednesday, March 29 | 17:00-18:30
For those who can’t get enough of stories about Greek antiquity after Chris Richter, there will be a lecture at SPUI25 on Wednesday, March 29 about the female perspective in classical antiquity. Speakers Lien Foubert, Patricia Kret and Jacqueline Klooster will discuss their work and research with moderator Diederik Burgersdijk. Topics will include the recent surge of retellings of ancient stories from a female perspective, travel opportunities for women in the Roman Empire and ancient women and magic. Register here on SPUI25's website.