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What's On in Amsterdam May 2012
May is a great time to visit Amsterdam, with pleasant late-spring temperatures and plenty to see and do. Check out our guide to what's on in and around the city for May 2012: |
| Museums & Exhibitions |
EYE Film Institute – A brand new venue for films and exhibitions is located on the north bank of the IJ in Amsterdam (opposite central station). The first exhibition is "Found Footage: Cinema Exposed" revealing how artists and filmmakers utilise the huge reservoir of images on Internet, TV and DVD. Runs until 3rd June 2012. Rijksmuseum – "OTTOMANIA: The Turkish world through Western eyes" - Observing 400 years of diplomatic relations between Netherlands and Turkey, this exhibition showcases 35 special prints from the museum collection. "Ahmet Polat: Modern Turkey" looks at Turkey today with portraits of Dutch-born Turks. Runs to 7th May 2012. Van Gogh Museum – "Dreams of Nature. Symbolism from Van Gogh to Kandinsky"– exhibition about the late 19th century Symbolism movement. Runs to 17th June 2012. "Beauty in Abundance" – exhibition showing highlights of the museum's print collection, including Bonnard, Gauguin, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Ongoing until 23rd September 2012. Amsterdam Museum – "Amsterdam DNA" – check out the relatively new permanent exhibition at Amsterdam Museum. The museum will also be celebrating the 400 years of Dutch-Turkish relations with various exhibits running until August 2012. Hermitage Amsterdam – "Rubens, Van Dyck & Jordaens" – Flemish paintings from the Hermitage (extended run until 15th June 2012). Tropenmuseum – "Culture Couture – Fashion in the Tropenmuseum" – Young fashion talent from of Antwerp’s Academy of Fine Arts showcase a selection of spectacular creations inspired by other cultures. Runs to 26th June 2012. "Death Matters" – a look at how different cultures deal with death. Until 26th August 2012. Allard Pierson Museum – "Horse and Rider: From Homer to Genghis Khan" – archaeological exhibition opens on 16th May (and running to 16th September 2012). FOAM Photo Museum – "The New York Times Magazine Photographs"– exhibition includes 300 objects by 37 photographers. Photos include New York themes and various international photo-journalistic stories - such as the Kuwait oil field fires. Runs to 30th May 2012. "Nina Poppe - Ama"- photos of Japanese fisherwomen from the island of Ise-Shima. 11th May to 27th June 2012. "Uncovered Expo: Wall of Fame"– exhibition of vinyl album cover sleeves as selected by FOAM's Facebook followers. Running until July 15th 2012.
Huis Marseille – "Guy Tillim – Second Nature" – Striking images of Polynesian islands by the South African photographer. Runs to 3rd June 2012. Stadsarchief – "In Memoriam: The Deportation and Murder of Jewish, Roma and Sinti children, 1942-1945" – exhibition at the city archive. Runs until 20th May 2012. Jewish Historical Museum – "Else Berg and Mommie Schwarz: Artist couple in the Dutch avant-garde" – 80 paintings and drawings on display, running until 24th June 2012. "Emmy Andriesse: Photographs of Jewish Amsterdam, War and Liberation" on until 30th September 2012. Verzetsmuseum – "Amsterdam through the lens of a secret camera" - wartime photo scenes at the Dutch Resistance Museum. Running to 17th June 2012. Van Loon Museum – "Wealth of the Golden Age" – Exhibition of paintings by Michiel van Musscher (1645 -1705). Running until 10th June 2012. Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis – "Yalis along the Bosphorous: Living in Historic Splendour" – Exhibition of photos of yalis and city mansion interiors around Istanbul. Includes a Turkish Tent overlooking the house garden. Part of the Dutch-Turkish 400 year celebrations. Running until 11th June 2012. Plus Sunday chamber concerts running in May. Bijbels Museum – "Belief in Nature" – Exhibition of flower paintings by Bosschaert, Davidz. de Heem, Ruysch and van Huysum. Running until 30th September 2012. Bags & Purses Museum – "Out on the Town!" - the development of bags and shoes from 1900 until today. Runs throughout May and until 2nd September 2012. Nieuwe Kerk – Throughout May the church is holding its annual commemoration of war victims with various events from concerts to lectures. Oude Kerk – "World Press Photo"– Photo journalism exhibition. Running throughout May to 17th June 2012. Rijksmuseum Schiphol – "Dutch Flowers" - 17th century paintings on show at Schiphol airport at the small Riksmuseum exhibition on Holland Boulevard. Free entry, runs to 25th June 2012. Check out our comprehensive Amsterdam museums section |
| Book a hotel for Amsterdam |
Consider booking your Amsterdam accommodation for May in advance if your visiting at that time. Find yourself a competitive Amsterdam hotel deal by booking below:
|
| Sport |
Football
- season comes to a close: International
friendly
/ Euro 2012 warm-ups: Archery European Championship (EK) – Qualification event for London 2012 Olympics takes place at Olympic Stadium Amsterdam, 21st-26th May 2012. |
What's
On Next Month in Amsterdam>>>June |
| Other Events in and around Amsterdam |
National Remembrance Day – Ceremony commemorating the war dead, held in Dam Square on 4th May. A 2 minute silence is held at 2000.
Liberation Day – Various concerts at stages throughout Amsterdam including Dam Square. 5th May. Fiesta Cubana – Check out DJ Arno's popular Cuban-style salsa night at the Badcuyp Amsterdam, €5 entry, Friday 4th May. Sunday Market – Monthly market event with a focus on fashion, art and design, plus good food and drink. Sunday 6th May from 1200 at Westergasfabriek. The day before (5th May) Sunday Market is holding the inaugural "Het Vrije Westen" festival event at the same venue between 1100 to 2300. De Pure Markt – Special Sunday market event (hours: 1100-1800) with a focus on selling local, seasonal and healthy produce of high quality. With music and other activities, cafe and food stalls. 6th May at Stadshart Amstelveen; 13th May at Amstelpark; 27th May at Park Frankandael, Amsterdam. (On 20th May 2012 there will also be a Pure Markt event at Piet Heinstraat in Den Haag.) NeighbourFood Market – Another Sunday market event (from 1100) featuring local food products. Westergasfabriek on Sunday 20th May 2012. Andy's Culture Market – Yet another Sunday market event (!) featuring art, jewellery and fashion. Westergasfabriek on Sunday 27th May 2012 from 1200. Rolling Kitchens 2012 – Outdoor food festival event at Westergasfabriek. Runs 17-20th May 2012. Toppers in Concert - Popular, kitsch Dutch singers perform at the Amsterdam Arena 17/18/19th May 2012. Boom Chicago – Comedy and dinner. Perform shows "Can't Dutch This" and "Branded for Life" throughout May. Muziektheater
Amsterdam (multiple performances throughout May): Other events in Netherlands: Floriade 2012 – Venlo in east Netherlands hosts the World Horticultural Expo, held every 10 years. Pavilions and exhibitions from more than 100 countries/organisations, stunning landscaped gardens with plants and flowers, workshops and the largest cable lift ride in Netherlands. Opens throughout May, runs until 7th October 2012. Keukenhof – The world famous tulip and flower park is open. The theme for 2012 is "Poland - Heart of Europe". Closes 20th May 2012. |
| Free Concerts |
Beurs van Berlage – Free memorial concert on 4th May (2045) with Bernd Brackman and Kimball Huigens on piano playing Schubert, Ravel, Bartok en Beethoven. Bimhuis – Jazz venue has free "Monday Match Dance & Music Impro Lab" on 7th May (2030). Free Session event held every Tuesday evening at 2200 in the cafe. Muziektheater Amsterdam – Free concert in the foyer every Tuesday at 1230 (except 29th May). Concertgebouw – Classical concert every Wednesday at 1230 in the Kleine Zaal. (Note: Grote Zaal on 9th May) Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ – Free concert on Tuesday 15th May at 1230 – Conservatorium van Amsterdam Percussion. Westerkerk – Free lunchtime organ concert every Friday at 1300. |
| Pop / Rock Concerts in Netherlands |
Amsterdam: Netherlands: |
What's
On Next Month in Amsterdam>>>June |