I discovered the Blijburg Beach last week when biking through my new neighborhood in the oost. The beach is really nice, not nearly as crowded as Zaandvoort, and super close to Amsterdam.

You can get there really quickly by hopping on Tram 26 from central station in the direction of ijburg or you can ride your bike. From central station go behind the station and head east for about 30-40 minutes on the same road, the road will start as De Ruyterkade, then turn into Piet Hienkade, and then eventually into ijburglaan. You will start to see beachy areas and there are plenty of bike signs that lead you straight to the beach!

Here’s a map of your final destination.
View Larger Map

Hot and sunny, doesn’t even look like Amsterdam.

According to the NDSM website: A former shipyard on the northern banks of the IJ and larger than 10 football fields, the NDSM wharf is now a center for underground culture in Amsterdam. This huge area contains the NDSM hall, a hangar-like structure 20,000 sq. meters in area and 20 meters in height, and two historic ship slipways (Hellingen) housing workshops and artists’ studios.

If you wander around the surrounding area, you’ll notice that bohemians and anarchists alike have taken to alternative living quarters from broken down buses, to abandoned buildings and manholes.  Make sure to check out Noorderlicht, which is a really cozy cafe with delicious snacks housed in an old greenhouse.

The evening program on May the 9th is Guest Curated by Heido Lobato, director of the Africa in the Picture Film Festival. She will be screening one of her favorite African shorts and provide you with a little preview of the upcoming 2010 Africa in the Picture festival.

Live performances by Lake Montgomery (singer songwriter); Born and raised in Paris Texas. Influenced and inspired by Nina Simone, Billy Holiday and Miriam Makeba and the countless old blues mammas that have kicked vocal ass in the past 100 years.

Spoken Word performance by Dutch MC Blaxtar; Blaxtar is a dutch rapper from Zwolle. He has been active in the dutch hiphop scene for 10 years already. In 2006 he released his first album “Ozmoses”. Followed by his second album “Chronozbaäl” in 2008 and most recently with his latest album OZMO6:2

Afterwards the Boogieman Crew will kick mad funk flavor and takes you on a ride across multiple genres, woven by Soulful vocals, lush piano chords, warm bass lines and boom-bap drum patterns.

Time: 18:00 – 01:00

Place: Supperclub, jonge roelensteeg 21, Amsterdam

Entrance: 5 euros

Boat parties all over the Jordaan

Friends!

Live concert out of a canal side window

hangin on the houseboat

ORANGE

Here’s a little recap of what I’ve been up to the last month:

I went back home to Texas after 9 months of being abroad and was reminded of how fabulous it is to be from the south. Here’s a little video I made of my night out in the ATX.

also ate a ton of tex-mex

and met a new family member!

then I went to Brooklyn and had a  lovely reunion.

and this past week I’ve been physically in Amsterdam but mentally immersed in the cubinator project. Possibly the worst 24 hours of our lives.

the shout out wall

the final cubes

Alright, back to posting about this lovely city!

Every year World Pillow Fight Day is celebrated in many cities around the world. It is a free event that is all about fun. Last year Amsterdam participated for the first time and we all had a feathery blast

Our world is increasingly obsessed with regulations, security and commercialism. This threatens our freedom and creativity. That’s why we must reclaim the streets as a place where everybody can simply have fun – without meddling authorities or corporate sponsors. So grab your pillow and join the massive pillow fight on the Dam Square!

There are usually free after parties happening after the pillow fight that last deep into the night. Keep your eyes and ears open for some serious pyjama partying

This is an event that is even more fun if you bring your friends. So invite them through the menu on the right. Everyone can join!

How to join the pillow fight in 5 easy steps:

0. Invite all your fluffy friends
If you hadn’t done so already

1. Dress for press and mess
Wear something photogenic and feather-proof.

2. Bring your own pillow
Soft pillows with feathers are the best!

3. Get there in time
Be there before 5pm and wait for the signal.

4. Fight fluffy
Swing subtly and don’t hit anyone without a pillow.

5. Clean up after yourself
Use public space responsibly. It is not ours only.