Includes Rock: Jazz: Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Classical: Netherlands Chamber Choir, Ballet: Don Giovanni, Cinema: WALL-E and links to ongoing events in the Netherlands, Children's events, getting into Amsterdam's Art scene, technology scene plus how nightlife in Amsterdam differs from other major Dutch cities.

October 11
Ballet: Don Giovanni
Muziektheater, 20:15h, E59-E20.  Also 14, 15, 17, 18, 23, 24, 30 October and 1 November, and 12, 26 October and 2 November at 14:00.

For many, Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” is the kingpin of operas – Kierkegaard, for one, thought it the salient highpoint of all art.  So what’s it doing as a ballet?  Actually, the question is: What took so long?  With romantic roundelays, shameless seduction, arch coquettery, play-acting, womanly rage and more, it’s a story that yelps for movement.  The National Ballet’s new production uses much of Mozart’s score, with interpolated material by Dutch composer Rob Zuidam replacing the arias.  Earlier performances around The Netherlands were loudly lauded – notably the choreography by Krzysztof Pastor and the sets by Steven Scott – so don’t be surprised if you emerge from this sumptuous evening wondering why anyone would ever tell this tale in song.  (Steve Schneider)

October 11, 12
Jazz: Pharoah Sanders Quartet
Bimhuis, 20.30h, 28E.

The great period of Free Jazz in the 1960s can be seen an extension of the Civil Rights movement, with African-American musicians seeking to unshackle themselves from Western conceptions of form, harmony, propriety and much else.  With his wailed overblowing and unrelenting energy, tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders was transparent in his desire to capture protest in sound, and he did so with such passion that he converted no less than John Coltrane to his idiom.  Alas, perceptions of that period have shadowed Sanders ever since, even as he turned to other modalities – R&B, African homages – with often winning results.  Marking his 68th birthday on Monday, he’s a textbook example of purity of conviction not translating into mainstream success.  So when, these days, he leads his piano quartet through ever-more febrile excursions, it becomes even more stirring.  By now, this uncompromising player has got something else to protest.  (Steve Schneider) 


Cinema: WALL-E

 6 and 7 October in Den Haag – Lucent Danstheater

Dance: Nederlands Dans Theater

To arms!  Cultural subsidies in The Netherlands have recently been vandalized by the ever-more right-lurching government, so it’s time to pull the plug on World of Warcraft and check out – i.e., support – one of the real richnesses of Amsterdam, its cultural life.  A great starter is this typically venturesome-though-accessible triple bill by the brilliant Nederlands Dans Theater, which counterpoints an award-winner from company choreographers LightfootLeon – the relationship-soaked set-twister called “Shoot the Moon” – with two premiers, by Wayne McGregor (who, by the by, designed flight scenes in a Harry Potter movie) and Crystal Pite, director of the Vancouver-based company Kidd Pivot.  So off you go.  To legs!  (Steve Schneider)  Muziektheater, 20.15h, E36.50 – E20.50.  Also Wednesday and 4 October.

                                                           Shoot the Moon 

 2 -11 October

 Classical: Netherlands Chamber Choir

Just in time to shame the Dutch government for cutting its subsidy by a kneecapping 60%, The Netherlands Chamber Choir is offering yet another canny, adventurous and found-nowhere-else program.  With facility and daring, the evening hopscotches across 300 years of Western musical history, contrasting works by the 17th-Century giant Heinrich Schütz – whose mastery of modal, polyphonic writing made him a profound precursor to Bach – with selections by the 20th-Century German composer Hugo Distler, whose choral compositions were an avowed response to his beloved forebear.  Distler committed suicide rather than serve in the Nazi army – another illustration of the influence of politics on art.  Klaas Stuk conducts, and the Holland Baroque Society lends instrumental support.  (Steve Schneider)  

5 October: Den Bosch - Toonzaal
8 October: Arnhem - Musis Sacrum
9 October: Assen - Jozefkerk
10 October: Utrecht - Pieterskerk
11 October: Eindhoven - Catharinakerk

Until 26 October
Art exhibition: Black is Beautiful

De Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
www.nieuwekerk.nl/nl/index.htm

'Black is Beautiful, Rubens to Dumas' includes a special study in oils by Rubens, an intimate drawing by Rembrandt and paintings by Karel Appel and Marlene Dumas. It shows the fascination for black people through the ages.

The exhibition consists of three parts: The Old World, the New World and the Modern World. The main themes are: the black king, strong men, strong women, Africa, South America and slavery, and portraits.

For more information read Black was always beautiful by Patrick Dorder.

Through October
An artist's view of climate change

It's a good example of the way nature can combine with a fragment of our cultural inheritance. From now until the end of October, there's even a scenic art route in this Waterloopbos (Waterway through the woods). Read more...

Photo: Pedro Marzoratie, Water heads

Traditional children's events coming up:

 2 November
Bonfire night celebration
From 4pm at Watersportcentrum SloterplasChristoffel Plantijngracht 4, Amsterdam. (Parking AvailableTram 1 OR 17 to Piet Wiedijkstraat)
Cost: BritSoc Members 10 Euro, Non Members 15 Euro. Children under 14 Free(Membership Card required for Discount).

Bonfire, refreshments, Bonfire & Guy Competition, Fireworks Display (6pm). 

11 November

St Martin's night

In certain parts of the Netherlands on 11 November, groups of children with lanterns walk through the streets, ringing at doors and singing to those who open wide. Make sure you've stocked up with sweets to help them on their way.
Read more...

 Looking for Kabouters, sprookjes, fun parks, zoos, beaches, restaurants to visit with your children? Then read our  Tips for entertaining children in the Netherlands

Ongoing events:

Ongoing: music and concerts

Ongoing: parties in Amsterdam

Ongoing: events in the Netherlands

Getting into the Art scene

The Editor's tips on how to get into the Dutch Art scene and where to find listings of gallery openings.  

Getting into the technology scene
British entrepreneur Katie Lips on how to get into the Amsterdam technology scene.

the  Night scene:

 Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague or Utrecht? Which city night scene offer what? Read more...

For previews and reviews visit our  What's on channel.

Expatica 2008