Wednesday September 9, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: Stevie Wonder books an arena show at Ziggo Dome, schools receive guidance to support home languages in classrooms, and bridge foundation works advance along De Clercqstraat.
At a glance
🌦️ Weather: Hi 18°C / 65°F (3° cooler than yesterday) · Lo 14°C / 58°F · 50% chance of rain · wind W 26 km/h (14 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Dry until about 09:00, wet after that.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 07:04 · Sunset 20:09 · Waning Crescent · Moonrise 04:34 · Golden hour 19:39 to 20:09
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality good (AQI 19) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,116 (+0.1%) · S&P 500 7,692 (-0.3%) · €1 = $1.16 · $1 = €0.86
Rubbish bin placed in middle of bike path: A renovated roundabout in Noord features a rubbish bin positioned directly on the cycle lane. Municipal officials say it is a temporary stopgap to keep cars off the path.
Stevie Wonder to perform at Ziggo Dome: The American singer will bring his anniversary tour to Amsterdam on 28 October. It marks his first performance in the Netherlands since 2014.
Schools told to accommodate pupils’ home languages: Updated national curriculum targets encourage primary teachers to let children use their native languages during lessons. The advice reverses older policies, though schools retain discretion on how to apply it.
Low military flights begin across the Netherlands: Forces from eleven countries are taking part in the Falcon Leap military drills running until mid-September. Flights operating from Eindhoven Air Base will drop cargo and paratroopers across the country.
Diaper recycling plan may raise costs for families: Ministers want manufacturers to collect and recycle used diapers and incontinence products under polluter-pays rules. The scheme could cost households hundreds of euros each year.
Foundation work advances on De Clercqstraat bridge: Crews are drilling the final support piles deep into the ground after earlier structural issues paused the project. Rebuilding can begin once the foundation is secured.
Cyclists face detour as IJtunnel stays closed: Public transit strikes will leave ferries halted across the IJ while the car tunnel remains shut to bikes. The Fietsersbond argues the city has left Noord commuters without viable alternatives.
Cycle wisdom and gentle yoga for teen girls: Ten spots for girls to explore menstrual physiology and emotions through breath work and restorative Yoga Nidra. 9 September, 16:30-18:00, FEM – Feminine Flow Movement Centre. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Robot building and visual programming for curious children: Children build and code simple robots using Lego Mindstorms and craft supplies in a bilingual afternoon session. 9 September, 14:00 – 15:30, OBA Oosterdok – Public Library (Junior Lab). 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Circus physical theatre about starting a normal school: Physical circus acts drive this family tale of children from a stranded troupe adjusting to everyday classrooms. 9 September, Meervaart Black Room. 📅 FAMILY SHOW
Muzikaal voorlezen in the Staatsliedenbuurt youth corner: Children from age two sit down for a morning story read alongside music in the neighbourhood library. 9 September, 11:00, OBA Staatsliedenbuurt – Jeugdhoek Woutertje. 📅 STORY / READING
Crafting wire and clay sculptures at De Kinderboekwinkel: A table full of beads, wire, and clay balls for young makers to bend into small figures. 9 September, 15:00 – 16:00, De Kinderboekwinkel. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Bilingual robotics and coding workshop for children: Aimed at kids aged eight to twelve, pairs build and program prototypes using LEGO Mindstorms and craft supplies. 9 September, 16:00 – 17:30, OBA Oosterdok – Public Library. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Toddler drama and dance sessions begin their autumn term: Weekly morning play built around mime, dressing up, songs, and props for preschoolers alongside their parents. 9 September, Amsterdam Kids Drama & Dance. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Afrobeat and massive percussion conducted entirely by signs: Thirteen percussionists and a live brass ensemble follow hand gestures invented by Argentine bandleader Santiago Vázquez. 9 September, 20:00, Cinetol. 📅 WORLD / FOLK
Improvised chamber jazz from cello, violin, and piano: Cellist Ernst Reijseger handles his instrument like percussion and guitar alongside violinist Mario Forte and pianist Harmen Fraanje. 9 September, 20:00, Theater de Roode Bioscoop. 📅 JAZZ / BLUES
One-man electric blues and social dancing at De Nieuwe Anita: Slaphead Stephens works guitar and bass drum live between DJ sets as the seasonal dance floor reopens. 9 September, 20:30, De Nieuwe Anita. 📅 JAZZ / BLUES
Intimate acoustic soul and rock with Chanel Haynes: Backing musicians on piano, guitar, and horn frame Haynes during an unamplified set spanning gospel, rhythm and blues, and originals. 9 September, 20:00, Posthoornkerk. 📅 POP / ROCK
Icelandic songwriter Ásgeir brings folk pop to the Main Hall: The Icelandic singer-songwriter headlines Paradiso’s big room with delicate melodies, supported by British duo Hailaker. 9 September, 19:30, Paradiso (Main Hall. 📅 SINGER-SONGWRITER
Midday violin and piano duos in the Recital Hall: Thirty uninterrupted minutes of Grieg, Rachmaninoff, and Falla played by young talents Emanuel Akopian and Yulianna Beziazychna. 9 September, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM, The Concertgebouw, Recital Hall. 📅 CLASSICAL
Austrian university players tackle Mendelssohn, Elgar and Sibelius: Violinist Katja Naegele joins the touring Austrian ensemble to play Mendelssohn’s concerto alongside romantic overtures and Elgar’s Enigma Variations. 9 September, 20:00 – 23:00, De Duif. 📅 CLASSICAL
Organist Andries Bogerd plays a free midday church recital: Organ music echoes through the historic nave for half an hour during the weekly Wednesday lunchtime concert. 9 September, 13:00, Westerkerk. 📅 CLASSICAL
Documentary screening and discussion on rural Turkish life: A Turkish village grappling with depression during the pepper harvest, followed by an in-person discussion with director Aybüke Avcı. 9 September, 19:30, De Balie. 📅 FILM
Tracking forest gnomes in an open-air theatre expedition: Het Houten Huis leads audiences outdoors on an uncanny theatrical search through the trees, complete with strobe effects. 9 September, 15:00 – 16:15, Amsterdamse Bostheater. 📅 THEATER
Writers debate mother-daughter bonds in modern literature: Authors gather to discuss feminism, motherhood and why daughter-focused family literature remains surprisingly scarce. 9 September, 20:00, De Balie. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Paintings, photos and posters exploring the color green: Local artists fill the gallery with personal takes on green, spanning moss hues, photography and graphic posters. 9 September, 12.00 tot 17.00 uur, Arti et Amicitiae. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Seven-minute artist presentations on SWANA photography: Six festival photographers share short slide shows of their visual work followed by an open room discussion. 9 September, 18:30, Framer Framed. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Sashi Perera unpacks family, culture, and love onstage: The Melbourne-nominated comedian blends cultural misunderstandings with geopolitics and singing in her solo hour Pear Tree. 9 September, 20:00, Boom Chicago. 📅 COMEDY
Wim van Tuyl lectures on Mozart’s life and music: Audio fragments guide this evening talk tracing the Austrian composer’s brief life and enduring classical catalogue. 9 September, 18:00, Sociëteit De Kring / Club UP. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Vote for eight newcomers in an English comedy showdown: Beginning stand-ups take short turns at the mic while the pub crowd picks who advances to the finals. 9 September, 20:00 – 22:00, Café De Buurvrouw. 📅 COMEDY
Climbing the steep medieval tower of Oude Kerk: Narrow stairways of 155 steps lead up to wide panoramic views across the city centre with a guide. 9 September, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16, Oude Kerk. 📅 TOUR
Mindfulness techniques for musicians and concertgoers: Peter Prommel explains conservatory-developed attention exercises and polyvagal theory in an English-language session. 9 September, 20:00, Splendor. 📅 WORKSHOP
Crates of vinyl for sale alongside half-hour DJ sets: Local collectors dig through Japanese pressings, rock, and Italo disco while six DJs rotate in half-hour slots. 9 September, 20:00, De Nieuwe Anita. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES
First-come open mic storytelling on the Mezrab stage: Unscripted, unexpected tales from first-timers and seasoned regulars, with two spontaneous slots saved for anyone brave on the night. 9 September, 20:00 – 22:30. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES
Girls Forward pairs fitness with post-workout chat in Noord: Teens gather for an active group workout followed by healthy snacks and open conversation about weekly topics. 9 September, 16:30 – 18:00, De Kinderboom. 📅 SPORTS
CEO Bob van Luijt talks AI infrastructure over homemade soup: A casual lunchtime discussion on human creativity versus machine scale, served with bowls of the speaker’s own soup. 9 September, 11:30, Hatch – Experiential Interventions. 📅 SEMINAR / TALK
Practical LLM workflows, technical building, and pizza in a church: Three short technical presentations tackle practical artificial intelligence tools before founders and engineers talk shop over slices. 9 September, 18:00, Maarten Luther Kerk. 📅 SEMINAR / TALK
Casual pub drinks and climate talk at Café Kiebêrt: No pitch decks or panel stages, just local residents discussing grassroots sustainability over pints at the neighbourhood bar. 9 September, 18:00, Café Kiebêrt. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
Governing banking algorithms and EU AI Act compliance at Cedar: Risk managers and algorithm auditors dissect new regulations and technical safeguards before evening networking drinks. 9 September, 17:30, ING Cedar. 📅 SEMINAR / TALK
roef: Taking over the former Novi location on Middenweg, this warm dining room serves global dishes paired with honest wines for an easy night out.
R21: Helmed by chef Orlando David in the city centre, this restaurant pairs a warm, classic interior with visually striking, ingredient-focused gastronomy.
Kim’s so Korean Food: Tucked down a side alley off the Zeedijk in the city center, this spot serves authentic Korean dishes prepared with the owners’ own distinctive touch.
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Windtalkers (Prime Video), Chad Powers (Disney+), Klara (HBO Max), Untold Mr. T: I Pity The Fool (Netflix)
New on the big screen: Anomalisa returns Saturday to Studio/K, and Breve Storia d’amore opens Sunday at Cinecenter. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post asking about an influx of wasps across Amsterdam drew varied reactions, with some residents noting that colonies become more aggressive and drawn to sugary food late in summer, while others shared trap designs or argued against killing them amid declining insect populations.
Today’s supermarket deals: Perla House Blends Lungo dark capsules (2+1 free) from Albert Heijn, Pedigree, Catisfactions or Whiskas treats (1+1 free) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp depicts a real public dissection in Amsterdam’s Waag, using the body of an executed criminal.
82 years ago today: On September 9th, 1944, ballerina Olga de Haas was born in Amsterdam; she later became a star and audience favourite of Dutch National Ballet.
Adoptable pet of the day: Meet Brioche, a 1-year-old rabbit at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: DONNIE plays at Theater de Krakeling, literature festival Read My World returns to Tolhuistuin, and Saman Amini brings his reprise to De Kleine Komedie.
Have a great Wednesday.
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