Until 2 June 2004
Foam

30 May 2004 (World Première)
Stadsschouwburg

Composed and with libretto (using text taken directly from Herman Melville's American literary classic, Moby Dick) by Gary Goldschneider, this two-hour multimedia opera has its world première in Amsterdam...

28 May 2004
Heineken Music Hall

Featuring Bananarama and Curiosity Killed the Cat and Bucks Fizz!

6-24 May
Filmmuseum

A film programme dedicated to the unique genre-defying Japanese director coinciding with the première of his new film Bright Future (Akarui Mirai, 2003). Included in the programme are his films Cure (Kyua), Charisma (Karisuma) and Pulse (Kairo) and the (temporarily imported) experimental film Barren Illusions (Oinaru Genei).

23 May
Cavia

A documentary about the motley crew and voyages of the Amsterdam-based ship, the Azart. Dubbed the "Ship of Fools" after German humanist Sebastian Brant's 1494 poem about a mysterious boat full of mad pariahs (Katherine Ann Porter's 1962 novel updated this concept to the eve of World War II), a 1916 vintage Dutch fishing vessel has been refitted to accommodate nine energetic performers of varying nationalities. Helmer German Berger Hertz' first feature-length docu profiles thesps, trailing them through Mallorca, Portugal, France, Barcelona and various other ports of call from 1998 to 2000. Under the aegis of the Amsterdam-based Azart collective, performances are coordinated, taped and broadcast to further what their Web site calls "essence of European Renaissance thinking: The fool is king."

23, 24 May 2004
Paradiso

22 May 2004
Evenemententerrein a/d Luttenbergerweg (Hellendoorn)

Support is Level 42.

20 May 2004
Melkweg

The fomer Britpop hype who have been very quiet the past five years or so. I have a love-hate relationship with their music.

Beastie Boys
16 May 2004

A relatively secret concert as the BBs promote their new album. Tickets are just €10 (plus membs and €2.50 admin) and go on sale at noon on Thursday 13 May (most of them are being sold at the Melkweg box office).

15 May 2004

For some sad bastards, like myself, this is one of the highlights of the year as European countries compete at this cheesy song festival. Independent filmhuis Cavia will be screening it live within their cinema and no doubt, playing up its campness. If you know anywhere else in Amsterdam where it's been screened please let me know...

15 May 2004
Paradiso

The godfathers of hiphop.

14 May 2004
Paradiso

The hiphip pioneer appears at midnight as part of the Paradisoul night with DJ Leroy, KC The Funkaholic and friends.

14 May 2004
Paradiso

Finland’s lo-fi cheesy lounge artist often described as ‘techno’s first cabaret star’. His appearance with his band was one of the highlights of last year’s North Sea Jazz Festival.

13 May 2004
De Rode Hoed

One of New York’s coolest chroniclers, Auster, talking on his latest novel Oracle Night. See also Sari Hustvedt, 12 May.

12 May 2004
De Rode Hoed

Sari Hustvedt is in town to talk on her latest novel, What I Loved. The next night, her husband Paul Auster appears.

11 May 2004
ABC Treehouse

American author and voting-rights campaigner Steven Hill is giving a talk in Amsterdam as part of a European tour.

9 May 2004
Melkweg

Size live in the mix featuring Dynamite and Tali.

8 May 2004
OCCII

7 May 2004
Ahoy (Rotterdam)

6 May 2004
Ahoy (Rotterdam)

6 May 2004
Concertgebouw

The famous tenor saxophonist appears at the Concertgebouw.

3 May 2004
Pepsi Hall