North Sea Round Town, the fringe festival of NN North Sea Jazz, presents innovative new formats this year and has revamped several successful programmes. As the city is accustomed to from the festival, there are many concerts spread across the entire city. To be precise, 350 concerts at 125 locations! And a lot of them are free to attend. A festival warm-up is scheduled for Thursday, 20 June. 

Visit the official North Sea Round Town website for the complete event programme and information regarding tickets.

North Sea Round Town's artist in Focus 2024

This year’s Artist in Focus: Italian bassist Alessandro Fongaro. Fongaro, an emerging talent, is given a unique platform to showcase his artistic growth through a series of curated projects from June 27 to July 14. This opportunity allows him to present his dream collaborations and creative innovations to an international audience.

Kick-off with North Sea Round Town Lab

Traditionally, the Artist in Focus begins with the annual North Sea Round Town Lab, held at Boerderij Driebergen. Fongaro collaborates with actress and vocalist Carmen van Mulier and guitarist Jelle Roozenburg, spending three days creating new music. Their fresh perspectives on improvised music will be showcased on June 5, as a preview to Fongaro’s upcoming projects. “This is not your average residency, and I’m so excited about this invitation,” Fongaro states. “I’ve been given so much room for creativity, for experimenting with new spaces and concepts.”

Hunters in the Snow: Audiovisual Storytelling

Thursday, June 27, Cinerama

Inspired by Pieter Bruegel’s Renaissance painting "The Hunters in the Snow," Fongaro's project delves into elements of his Italian childhood and his years in The Netherlands. He examines works by photographers Giacomelli, Scianna, Koudelka, Brandt, and directors such as Tarkovsky and Tarr. Drawing from various musical traditions, Fongaro composed ten themes for an ensemble, including violinists Pablo Rodriguez and George Dumitriu, violist Yanna Pelser, and cellist Thomas van Geelen, along with saxophonist Nicolò Ricci, pianist Marta Warelis, and drummer Jim Black. This project is a highlight of his residency, offering a unique composition for the ensemble.

Omaggio alle Rose

Sunday, June 30, Boerderij Driebergen

Inspired by renowned Italian singer-songwriters De Gregori, De Andrè, Dalla, and Battisti, Fongaro presents original compositions and new arrangements of works by these artists. He collaborates with singer Beatrice Sberna, guitarist-singer Gabriel de Oliveira, and drummer Giovanni Iacovella to bring these classics to life.

Gleason's Dance

Sunday, July 7, Boxing school Maaskracht

Boxing and jazz have a long history together. Fongaro, a boxing enthusiast, collaborates with Brussels Jazz Orchestra’s Bo van der Werf and celebrated drummer Sun Mi Hong for this dynamic performance.

Pietre

Friday, July 5, WORM

In collaboration with Space is the Place and WORM, Fongaro presents Pietre, a contemporary jazz piece inspired by love, friendship, and personal connections. This project features Sun-Mi Hong, saxophonists Jesse Schilderink and Nicolò Ricci.

Laboratorio de Suono

Wednesday, July 10, Batavierhuis

Concluding Fongaro’s Artist in Focus tour is the "Laboratory of Sound" at Batavierhuis. Fongaro, with fellow musicians Mark Schilders and Lucija Gregov, will explore new musical ideas in a day-long session, culminating in an evening performance. “This venue means so much to me. I have created so much here, and I really wanted to get the rest of the ‘house’ involved in this project.”

What to expect at Kidsstock?

The Kralingse Bos in Rotterdam will be the setting for a day full of entertainment for young and old. Think of a unique programme spread over several stages, with music being the common thread. Also be sure to take a stroll to be surprised by a special mix of walking theatre and entertainment. Or join one of the many workshops where crafts and new skills are taught. Of course, there will also be plenty of goodies to eat at the food trucks on the day, such as poffertjes or pizzas, and for parents there will be a fine wine bar with a varied selection. Besides dancing to the finest house classics, the kids can also get to work themselves at the craft square led by the duo Klieder en Klodder. From making a musical instrument to designing and making a hat or your own Kidsstock bag, it's all possible here. Of course, there is also plenty of room for craziness and magic. Like Turbo Touw Tornado's giant rope-jumping machine. 

KIDSSTOCK Rotterdam 2024 programme

A food truck at Kidsstock. Credit: Yvette de Wit

Kids participating in creative workshops at Kidsstock. Credit: Yvette de Wit

The organizers behind Kidsstock

HAPPENING 29 SEPTEMBER 2024 | Discover Rotterdam up close and personal this autumn by joining Urban Walk. Various locations in Rotterdam will open their doors to welcome walkers during the walk of about 10-12 or 18-20 km. Every year, the organisation revamps the route, adding unique and special locations.

Urban Walk Rotterdam unveils new attractions

On Sunday, 29 September 2024, the Urban Walk Rotterdam will offer participants a unique way to explore the city while engaging in a delightful walking tour. This year’s event introduces a new route that promises a refreshing experience through Rotterdam’s notable locations.

The walk begins at Plein 1940, adjacent to the Maritime Museum and centrally located within the city, providing easy access to various parts of Rotterdam. One of the highlights this year is the inclusion of Comedy Club Haug, the first stand-up comedy venue along the Maas, featuring national and international acts as well as emerging talents.

Another key destination on the route is Brouwerij Noordt. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the brewery’s tasting room and explore a variety of beers from their classic, seasonal, and NXP series, directly from the tap. The brewery experience includes a tour and a chance to relax on the terrace while enjoying a selection of beers.

You can register via the Urban Walk Rotterdam website.

Memorable short and long routes

The Urban Walk not only offers a unique way to see the city but also serves as an opportunity to explore undiscovered spots and engage with the community. Whether opting for the shorter 10-12 km route or the longer 18-20 km path, walkers will experience Rotterdam in a special and memorable way.

The short route is a great opportunity for novice runners to join in. You pass slightly fewer locations on this route than on the long route. You indicate your choice of distance during registration. During the run, you can change distances at the junction. Please note: always take into account the opening and closing times of the supply points and finish line. Make sure you pass the different points on time.

In previous years, the same fee was charged for both distances. The start and finish of both routes are at the same point. There is a start in starting blocks.

Participation package

This information may not be fully accurate, but registration in previous editions included the following:

- A unique organised walk through Rotterdam
- Fully mapped out route through various special locations
- The stamp card will be sent before the event
- Refreshments for on the way
- Various music points on the routes
- A unique Urban Walk Rotterdam souvenir
- Medical assistance

Urban Walk Rotterdam - date, registration, info

In support of the National MS Fund

In partnership with the National MS Fund, the 2024 Urban Walk Rotterdam continues to support research aimed at combating multiple sclerosis (MS). Funds raised during the event will benefit the research led by Dr. Wia Baron at UMC Groningen, focusing on the role of astrocytes in hindering myelin repair around nerve fibres.

Participants can contribute to this research by donating during registration or by setting up a fundraising page through walkforms.nl. Those raising more than €150 will have their entry fee covered by the National MS Fund.

Directions to Plein 1940

Plein 1940, starting point of the Urban Walk Rotterdam, is easily accessible due to its central location near the Maritime Museum. 

HAPPENING 30 MAY–28 JULY 2024 | A new cinematic experience debuts in Rotterdam, allowing music enthusiasts to immerse themselves in classic albums with just the power of sound.

Sound sessions without visuals introduced

Pathé cinemas are introducing a novel entertainment format dubbed 'Sound Sessions,' enabling visitors to experience classic albums in unprecedented audio quality, devoid of visual stimuli. This concept, a first in the Netherlands, involves guests listening to albums from artists like Tame Impala, Miles Davis, and Daft Punk in complete darkness, aided by sleep masks provided by Pathé. The sessions are set to begin on 30 May and will run through 28 July at Pathé Rotterdam Schouwburgplein.

Experience tailored for music purists

Designed for music lovers who appreciate albums in their traditional sequence, the Sound Sessions offer a communal yet intimate setting to experience music as never before. The distraction-free environment ensures attendees can immerse themselves fully in the audio experience, enhancing the intensity of the music.

A diverse line-up of classic albums

The inaugural series of the Pathé Sound Sessions will showcase a variety of influential albums, starting with Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" in a special 5.1 mix. This will be followed by sessions featuring albums from Tame Impala, Nas, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Daft Punk. Each session aims to create a unique listening environment that elevates the conventional album experience.

Background on Pathé’s musical offerings

Aside from traditional film screenings, Pathé has a history of hosting special music events including opera, music documentaries, and live concert recordings of artists like Coldplay and Beyoncé. These events have been well-received, demonstrating a consistent demand for music-oriented features within the cinematic space.

Directions to Pathé Rotterdam Schouwburgplein

Pathé Rotterdam Schouwburgplein is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport or car. The venue is surrounded by several parking options and is just a short walk from Rotterdam Central Station. The Schouwburgplein area is known for its vibrant cultural scene, featuring numerous restaurants, cafés, and shops. It's a perfect spot to enjoy a day out in the city, either before or after a session.