A M S T E R D A M P

HOLLAND ON ICE

Nothing brings greater joy to the Dutch than when everything freezes and for a short while they have definitively mastered the water. They prove this by ice-skating on any frozen surface available, gleefully whizzing along in elegant strokes of their mighty blades. Frozen water, and what happens on it, is virtually an "anything goes' zone, so people go crazy.

It's CARNIVAL on ICE.


Friday Night Party on the Herengracht, Amsterdam 2012. The boat is blaring disco music. Everyone is drinking and partying. The bright spot in the mid-right is a woman Skyping the scene on her laptop. Awesome vibe in town.

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First image and following photo reportage:

Sarphatipark, De Pijp, Amsterdam

Pop-Up Gallery & Jesus in a Skirt by Femme X

STRAUZZ, CONCEPT & DESIGN Studio had an opening last night in association with Femme X on the Vijzelstraat 80 @ Keizersgracht. They rent out the space to creative artists for exhibits, brands, upcoming designers and online shops as a pop up store for 1, 2, 3 days. Great way to get your work out there.
NY was in the house!

Lamb @ the Melkweg!

02/02/2012

Absolutely brilliant sold-out show last night by Lamb! Braving Siberian winds in below zero temperatures, the crowds were surprisingly out in full force. Dreamlike, Lamb took us into a trance, starting with the premiere of their new film "Butterfly Effect", and finishing with a mind-blowing electro vibe and light show that was an out of body experience. Check out their latest album "5" . They are only getting better and better.

p.s. They are having a "Butterfly Effect" Remix Competition. Entries due 29 Feb 2012. Winning entry gets on their next album.

Stills from the film "Butterfly Effect"

Around Town: Winter Highlights

Slideluck Potshow Amsterdam II @ Pakhuis de Zijger
14 Jan 2012

*Next Slideluck Potshow: 04 June 2012!

The other night I stepped out to check out this new phenomenon that began in NYC. The Slideluck Potshow started when an artist got together with fellow artists to look at work and share some food. Now in 40 cities around the world! This was Amsterdam's second one and it was sold out.

The slideshows are curated and all were set to music. FUN! Check it. 5 bucks and a home cooked meal/dessert gets you in the door. The food was judged by Elle Eten (you get a spread in their mag with your winning recipe.)

This year's winner: Stamppot Sliders! Become a member on the Slideluck NETWORK and stay connected to other photographers around the world.

Cinedans @ Rialto

24 Jan 2012

Early in December I was invited to attend the opening of the Cinedans Festival at Cinema de Balie. Absolutely delightful array of dance films from all over the world. I was extremely impressed and inspired.

This Sunday you can see the highlights of the festival at the Rialto Theater from 13-17:00.

*Highly recommended.

**Submission of your films for Cinedans Festival 2012 is from 1 Feb-1 June 2012. See the website for details.

Wie is AAN? @ De Verdieping
25 Jan 2012

A special evening of new creative enterprises pitching their story and getting crowd feedback at De Verdieping in East. Great space under the old Trouw newspaper building with a SF style restaurant upstairs. (However, I haven't tried the food, yet.) *Great concept, terrible presenter and sound.

Today in Amsterdam . . .

Best Ski Holiday: Breuil Cervinia, Italia

We went skiing after Christmas and through the New Year at this fantastic little town, Breuil-Cervinia, Italy at the almighty Matterhorn. Our "Inn" (not swanky, but comfortable except for the incessant heater), Hotel Grivola, is famous for their restaurant and apparently people come from all over the mountain for their food. All of our meals were included except lunch. Wow, what food! Every night a 3 course meal with wine and every morning a delicious breakfast buffet with endless cappuccinos.

On New Year's Eve they served us a fancy 10 course meal with wines (images below). It was amazing! At midnight everyone in the restaurant got firecrackers and a bottle if champagne and we all spilled onto the street and celebrated. Super, super cool. Oh yes, and the skiing is also GREAT I hear.