One week ago I had the pleasure to spend half an hour with the Iranian born Sahand. His idea is something connected to the basic nature of mankind: sharing experiences and learning from each other.

Almost 8 years ago he tested his idea in his parents’ house  and it worked. Two years later it begun Cafè Mezrab (watch this video) and now everything is a gallery in Domselaerstraat 120 (Amsterdam):

“Amsterdam is multicultural place but many times people are withdrawn in their culture. The talents that exist in Amsterdam that do not have a place, from various disciplines, from different countries, can meet here.”

The activities of Mezrab (click here for agenda):

- Every monday: documentary film, 20:30
- Every Wednesday: fiction film, 20:30
- Every 1st friday of the month: Dutch storytelling, 20:00
- Every 3rd friday of the month: English storytelling, 20:00… drop by and tell a story!

Entrance is free, but donations very welcome.
All films are spoken or subtitled in English.
We serve: thea, Iranian soups and more!

So people, again: if you want to enjoy something really authentic and free in Amsterdam, consider to pay a visit at Mezrab!

Doei

The “underground cinema” was reborne at De Niuwe Anita (DNA), every Monday (bar open 19.30, entree € 2,50). It is a perfect place where you can relax with a beer or a tea while watching a movie that never ever will bore you.
Usually at the Niuwe Anita there’s live music 3 days a week.

Now the question is: where is Jeffrey during the rest of the week?
Jeffrey is also active with his “underground cinema at OT301 (Sunday night, 20,30, 4€ for entrance) and at CAVIA (Thursday, 20.30, entree 4€… really fair!).

Well, I could say many things about these places and this smart guy, but I prefer his words:
“No rush: I like a cinema from underground, something able to awaken heart and brain.” (I hope I noted it straight!)

Doei.

Located on the northern banks of the IJ,  NDSM – Werf is an old shipyard transformed in an underground cultural center at the end of the 90′s, when a group of artists, theater people, skaters and architects, known as Kinetisch Noord, approached the city council with a plan to redevelop the place.

The area host the NDSM hall, a hangar of 20,000 sq. meters, and two historic ship reused for housing workshops and artists’ studios. The aim of the project, in fact, is to offer facilities for artistic disciplines, small crafts and independent organization and a place for exhibitions, try-outs, performances, festival and parties. In total there are 10,000 sq. meters of workshops, a 2,000-sq. meter skate park, 4,200 sq. meters for other youth activities and 6,000 sq. meters of exhibition and theater space.

You can easily go there by taking the free ferry in front of the central station.

Located at the end of Harlemmerdijk, about 20 minutes walk from the Dam Square, with four auditorium and almost 400 seats,  The Movies is mainly an Arthouse Cinema, or an “author cinema” with a palimpsest of selected no commercial movies. By the way there is a diverse mix of titles accessible for the audience and special festival programs.

Inside the place there is also a cafè/restaurant, “the Movies Wild Kitchen”, where is possible to consume a nice dinner or just chill out at the bar before or after the movie, having a nice relaxing chat with your friends.

Good belgium beers, french and italians wine, nice and friendly staff and the art deco interiors make the place cozy and pleasant.

Prices are not so cheap but regular for Amsterdam’s cinemas and cafe. If you think to stay a bit longer in the city you can buy the strippenkart movies, ten entrance for 65 euro, a not personal card you can share with your friends (por a maximum of four tickets for show) and the filmdiner (dinner + movie) from 27 euro for person.

For reservations call: 6386016 or visit the page on the web.

Doei

The Binnenpret is a social center in South-west of Amsterdam, close to the Vondelpark.

Originally it was an horse tram station which was closed in 1920. Then different private workshops and small factories until the spaces were abandoned at the end of ’70’s. Since 1984 the building have been reused for social and artistic activities.

The place consists of three different buildings and a nice, cozy garden in the center, with a lot of different uses: The Occii, concert hall, cine forum, bar; the MKZ, the popular restaurant; a theater; a music practice room; an info cafe’; a sauna; a bike workshop. Some artist’s ateliers and residence.

You can pass by during the afternoon to have a cheap coffee’ or beer, a bit of relax in the sauna (very cheap, 9 euro for the entire afternoon and evening or 4 euro from 10 pm. to 11 pm. with a bar inside where you can eat a snake or drink a tea). Have a cheap and good dinner, enjoy some gigs or performance. Speak with people from everywhere or just enjoy a book in the calm of the garden.