BIRDfest - date, location & artist line-up

BIRDfest - date, location & artist line-up

HAPPENING 1–2 November 2024 | Looking for something to do in November? BIRD invites you to 'celebrate the culture' at its very own festival: BIRDfest. 
 

Birdfest 2024 is set to offer an exciting array of musical performances and cultural events, promising a vibrant atmosphere for attendees. Scheduled for Friday, 1 November and Saturday, 2 November, the festival will take place at various venues, including Annabel, BIRD, and MONO.

 

BIRDfest artist lineup

Visitors to BIRDfest can expect a musical mix of jazz, soul, hip-hop, disco, house, singer-songwriters, DJs, vocalists and multi-instrumentalists. This is the line-up so far:

Mulatu Astatke // Thee Sinseers & The Altons // Carista // Moor Mother // August Charles // RolRolRol // Corto Alto
 

BIRDfest event details

The festival will kick off on Friday evening, with doors opening at 19:00. The Saturday programme begins earlier, with live music starting at 16:00 and running until the early hours. Saturday’s events are divided into concert and club segments, providing a diverse range of entertainment options.
 

Tickets and age restrictions

Tickets for Birdfest 2024 are available for purchase online. Pricing varies, with options for early bird and regular tickets, as well as club-only tickets. Attendees must be at least 18 years old, or accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Festival logistics

Festival wristbands can be collected at Annabel on Friday and at BIRD on Saturday. There is ample parking available near BIRD, with fees applicable between 09:00 and 23:00. For those using public transport, the venues are easily accessible from Rotterdam Centraal Station. 
 

Payment and amenities

All festival locations accept card payments. A secured cloakroom is available at BIRD, while MONO offers an unsecured option.
 

About BIRD Rotterdam

BIRD, Rotterdam's main hangout spot for urban music and culture started out as a jazz club and quickly branched out into soul, hip hop, afro and electronic music. With BIRDfest, the venue aims to create the ultimate environment in which different musical styles come together.
Rotterdam Architecture Month - events, locations, info

Rotterdam Architecture Month - events, locations, info

HAPPENING 1–30 June 2024 | The annual Rotterdam Architecture Month presents an array of events celebrating the city's architectural landscape. Visitors can explore green gardens, artistic tours, and engage in insightful lectures and discussions.

What to expect in 2024

The Rotterdam Architecture Month (Rotterdam Architectuur Maand) transforms the city into a hub of architectural exploration. With over 100 events already scheduled and more being added daily, residents and visitors alike are set to experience a diverse range of activities centred around architecture.

Opening ceremony on 1 June

On 1 June, the month-long event will be officially opened with a festive ceremony. Attendees can follow a special route through green gardens, visit various architectural interventions, and enjoy the art tour "Snakken naar Boijmans." The evening will culminate in a keynote lecture by Elma van Boxel from ZUS at the Henket Pavilion, discussing "Rotterdam, het Roer Radicaal om" (Rotterdam, the Radical Change).

Highlights of the programme

The event features numerous tours, exhibitions, and discussions focusing on housing and construction. Notable highlights include:

  • Exploring the residential history of Rotterdam Zuid
  • Attending Rotterdam Convening 2024
  • Diving into the Little C district
  • Previewing the Merwe-Vierhaven area as it is envisioned for 2030
  • Discovering bamboo as a sustainable building material
  • Participating in discussions on addressing the housing crisis sustainably and affordably


The Rotterdam Dagen

Every Sunday from 2 June to 23 June, the festival's heart will focus on the Rotterdam Dagen at the Museumpark. From 13:00 to 17:00, various activities suitable for all ages will be available, providing an engaging experience for the entire family.

Route maps and family activities

Visitors can enhance their experience at the Museumpark by obtaining a route map, available for €2.50 at the RA Month Kiosk and Henket Pavilion. Rotterdampasholders can get the map for free, which includes a complimentary scavenger hunt for families with chances to win prizes such as:

  • A €100 gift card for Diergaarde Blijdorp
  • Planting advice and a green-filled balcony box from Marvy Green
  • Children's gardening sets from STEK

 

Behind the scenes at Museumpark

Preparations for the interventions and exhibitions in the Museumpark are in full swing. Visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at the setup through the event's website or Instagram. An in-depth article by architectural historian Lindy Kuit reveals the stories behind these interventions, featuring interviews with the designers.

Directions to Museumpark

The Museumpark, located in the heart of Rotterdam, is easily accessible by public transport, bike, or car. The nearest metro station is Eendrachtsplein, and there are several tram stops nearby. The park is within walking distance from the city centre and is a vibrant area featuring various museums and green spaces.

North Sea Jazz festival Rotterdam - location, dates, line-up

North Sea Jazz festival Rotterdam - location, dates, line-up

HAPPENING 12–14 July 2024 | The annual North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam is a very high-quality festival where jazz music from the past, present and the future is presented, under one roof, for three days. In addition to jazz, you can also expect to hear blues, soul, funk, hip hop, world, pop and much more.

North Sea Jazz Rotterdam

The first edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival took place in 1976 in The Hague. The event drew about 9000 visitors and featured performances by artists like Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. Since 2006 the festival has been organized in a new and more spacious location: Rotterdam Ahoy. The North Sea Jazz Festival has developed into a major international event with fifteen stages. Nowadays, the event draws between sixty-five thousand and seventy-five thousand visitors a year.

Past performers at North Sea jazz Rotterdam

In the past, many great names have performed at North Sea Jazz Rotterdam. To name a few: Nat Adderley, Erykah Badu, Paul Anka, Steve Coleman, Miles Davis, Candy Dulfer, Ibrahim Ferrer, Ella Fitzgerald, Alicia Keys, Lionel Hampton, Al Jarreau, B.B. King, Wynton Marsalis, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Jamiroquai, Shirley Horn, Tania Maria, Roy Hargrove, Rachelle Ferrell and The Zawinul Syndicate.

 

What to expect at North Sea Jazz 2024?

Over the weekend of 12 to 14 July 2024, the NN North Sea Jazz Festival will host more than 150 performances across 16 stages in and around Rotterdam Ahoy. The complete schedule is available on the festival's website.

There are tons of artists performing at North Sea Jazz this year. But to name a few: Sting // Andre 3000 // Joss Stone // Jessie Ware // Jamie Cullum // Vulfpeck // Al di Meola // Karsu // Cory Henry // Black Pumas // Benjamin Clementine // Joshua Redman and many more.

Unique collaborations and projects

This year, the festival will feature a number of special projects and collaborations. Saxophonist Chris Potter will introduce a new band with acclaimed musicians such as pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Johnathan Blake. Together, they recently released the album 'Eagle’s Point'. Tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman will also present a new band, featuring singer Gabriella Cavassa in a leading role. This marks Redman's first collaboration with a vocalist. Bassist Avishai Cohen will perform with his new band Banda Iroko, showcasing Afro-Caribbean music supported by percussionist Abraham Rodriguez Jr. Additionally, pianist Shai Maestro will collaborate with the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (JOC), one of the most renowned big bands in the world.

Focus on spiritual jazz

There will be special attention given to the current resurgence of spiritual jazz. Instruments like the flute and harp, characteristic of 1970s spiritual jazz, will be prominent in the music of British trumpeter Matthew Halsall. Chief Atunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) will blend vocals with intense, deeply spiritual music on a self-built kora, an instrument related to the harp. Kahil El’Zabar will bring his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, which he founded fifty years ago, to Rotterdam. One of the most surprising figures is André 3000, known primarily as a rapper from the hip-hop duo OutKast. Last year, he impressed with his album 'New Blue Sun', which features an hour and a half of flute music without any rapping or hip-hop beats.

Composition commission

Every year, the festival awards a composition commission to a promising Dutch jazz composer. This year, the honour goes to Tijn Wybenga. The premiere of Wybenga's composition will take place on Friday, 12 July, featuring the Metropole Orkest and guest artists Ambrose Akinmusire and Lizz Wright.

Open stage and Paul Acket Award

Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to showcase their own musical talents during sessions on the Open Stage. On Saturday, 13 July, the Paul Acket Award for "Artist Deserving Wider Recognition" will be presented to British keyboardist Kit Downes.

Visual arts

As in previous years, the festival will also feature a prominent selection of visual arts in various forms.

Location: Rotterdam Ahoy

Not sure how to get there? Check out our directions Rotterdam Ahoy.

North Sea Round Town Rotterdam - locations, dates, artists

North Sea Round Town Rotterdam - locations, dates, artists

HAPPENING 27 June–14 July 2024 | North Sea Round Town is the North Sea Jazz Festival's fringe festival. Expect poetry, dance and jazzy musical performances at Rotterdam's famous jazz hotspots, as well as unexpected pop-up events at often surprising locations.
 

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.”

Kidsstock family festival Rotterdam - dates, artists, info

Kidsstock family festival Rotterdam - dates, artists, info

HAPPENING 16 June 2024 | Kidsstock is a family festival with workshops, performances, and food court. The event takes place every summer at the Kralingse Plas in Rotterdam. 
 
Attend performances by popular singers and illusionists. Dance together to the best house classics, or rather bump into your friends in bumper cars? It's all possible on at the Kidsstock family festival. The Kralingse Plas 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.
 
The next Kidsstock event takes place on Sunday, 16 June 2024 at Kralingse Plas, Rotterdam, from 13:00 to 20:00. Tickets are required for entry. For the most recent information regarding pricing, be sure to visit the official Kidsstock website
 
 

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 programmeKIDSSTOCK Rotterdam 2024 programme


 
A food truck at Kidsstock. Credit: Yvette de WitA food truck at Kidsstock. Credit: Yvette de Wit
 
 
 
Kids participating in creative workshops at Kidsstock. Credit: Yvette de WitKids participating in creative workshops at Kidsstock. Credit: Yvette de Wit
 

The organizers behind Kidsstock

Kidsstock is a co-creation of four fathers and their seven children. The dads are no strangers to the festival world; they are also behind Boothstock and used to conceive and run the Dance Parade. "Our kids comment on everything. Everything we come up with has to be better, more fun and wilder from them. Then we decided they should organise a festival themselves. That's how this youth advisory board came about. From the name to the programming, the children have determined what this festival looks like," says the organisers.
 
For more information about the programme and conditions, take a look at the Kidsstock website.

About RotterdamStyle.com

RotterdamStyle.com is the largest and most popular online platform for expats and longstay tourists in Rotterdam.

Business inquiries

We're always open to receiving press releases or business inquiries. Just send us an email at hello [@] rotterdamstyle.com.

Acquire us

We're looking to get acquired by a startup or enterprise with deep pockets. Go ahead, make us an offer we can't refuse. ;-)