Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
32
Felix Meritis
ARTS CENTRE
This wonderful arts and culture space hosts experimental theatre, music and dance per-
formances, as well as lectures on politics, art and literature. The cafe here, with its huge
open windows and clever outdoor seating (you'll see) overlooking the canal, is particularly
great. 2013 marks the centre's 225th birthday with a slew of special events.
(
www.felix.meritis.nl
;
Keizersgracht 324, Felix Meritis Bldg;
13/14/17 Westermarkt)
Understand
Dutch Design
Dutch design has a reputation for minimalist, creative approaches to everyday products, with a dose of humour
mixed in to keep it fresh. A few big names - Hella Jongerius, Gijs Bakker and Marcel Wanders - are known inter-
nationally, but the best work often comes out of collectives such as Droog and Moooi.
To see Dutch design in action, check out Frozen Fountain (
Click here
)
and its tongue-in-cheek versions of
Delftware and traditional textiles, as well as patchwork tables made from salvaged wood. At Droog (
Click here
)
in Nieuwmarkt, signature designs employ surreal wit, such as a chandelier made of 80-plus light bulbs clustered
like fish eggs, or an off-centre umbrella, surely inspired by the country's blustery weather. For bargain designs,
all-purpose shop Hema (
Click here
)
has developed a cult following by commissioning design students to put a
spin on everything from espresso cups to handbags. Once you have a hand towel with a rivet in one corner for
hanging, you'll wonder how you lived without it!
33
Korsakoff
LIVE MUSIC
It's dark. It's a little dirty. And the punk rock chick in the corner is wearing an outfit you
haven't seen since Kurt Cobain was alive. Welcome to the heavy metal/punk/industrial
heartbeat of the Jordaan. There are two levels of dancing, a diverse crowd and a video
screen projecting everything from '90s grunge to '70s new wave to techno, depending on
