More Parties, Performance, Memories – inside, outside and beyond the conference
On the main stage in the Global Village all through the week there will be performances and events. Here are a few of the highlights I have picked out:
On Wednesday 25 July, 17:20 – 18:20 there will be a U=U 2018 dance party! And don’t forget on the Monday there will be U=U section of the march.
For more news about U=U and what is being planned apply to join the Facebook page here
The wonderful performance and visual artist Adriana Bertini and her creations will be on display. ‘Condom Couture’ features three magnificent garments made entirely of men’s condoms. But no fear about waste, all these condoms were rejected by industry quality tests.
There will also be a short ‘taster’ of the Sex workers Opera on Tuesday 24 July, 12:20 – 12:40 on the main stage of the Global Village Theatre.
It opens on the 21st July and runs until 2nd August at the compagnietheater in central Amsterdam. This ‘rousing’ show from England draws packed halls and gets lyrical reviews, sex workers and their friends break stigma and stereotypes around the world’s oldest profession’. For more information and tickets go here.
Outside the conference
A pre-conference party and networking event for youth is happening on Friday July 20th organized by the Amsterdam Youth Force and Y+ (the global network of young people living with HIV). This is happening at The Student Hotel from 9-12 pm. Hit up their Facebook page for more details.
Want to have some fun and explore a Community Arts Workshops for No Pants No Problem? If you are in Amsterdam early please think about attending and checking them out.
NPNP Community Arts Workshops
When: Wednesday, July 18 and Thursday, July 19th
Time: 12-5pm
Where: Vrankrijk
Address: Spuistraat 216, 1012 VT Amsterdam
This is just a 100 yards from Dam Square
‘All our welcome to come make activist art for the No Pants No Problem event and for the AIDS Conference. We will have some food, childcare and lots of fun with artists and activists from around the world’.
If you are unable to get a ticket to NPNP, on Thursday the 26th from 21:00 at the Tolhuistuin there is an event hosted by AFEW International ‘From EECA with LOVE’. If you want to do both parties, a taxi between the two will cost approximately 20 euros after the regular buses stop at about 12.30 am.
“#AFEW_International presents a chance to wind down after the #AIDS2018 sessions with music from the amazing DJ Kate Orange. Free entrance and one free drink”. For more info go to their Facebook page.
Beyond the conference
Amsterdam GAY PRIDE starts on July 28th and runs through until August 5th; . So, if you are staying on, here are some events happening on Saturday 28th July.
The week kicks off with a MARCH, well more of a stroll really, from the Homomonument at 11.00 am to an event in the Vondelpark which starts at 2.pm. For more details go here and here.
In the evening will be an event hosted by COC Amsterdam. It commemorates and celebrates The Shakespeare Club, and will run for nine nights until August 5th. This club was was founded in 1946 and was the first club for gays and lesbians in the Netherlands. Their very first meeting had an attendance of 150 people. Theme of the evenings for 2018 is to explore identity within the super diverse LGBTI + community.’ By sharing stories with each other, we make visible what distinguishes us from each other and what connects us’. The evening take place in the courtyard of the Amsterdam museum at Kalverstraat 92.
These are just ta few of the many events that are happening on day one of the official PRIDE .
A full agenda of activities for PRIDE can be found on the PRIDE organisation page including details of the TransPride event on Sunday 29th of July and the world-renowned CANAL PARADE on Saturday August 4th
And finally, on a sober note, lest we forget
From the 6th July until the 2nd September the AMSTERDAM City archives (Vijzelstraat 32 ) will be holding an exhibition entitled AIDS in Amsterdam 1981 -1996 .
‘The exhibition shows images from the period in which the disease ran through the capital like a predator. The photographs in the exhibition show fear and sadness, but also love and the will to live’.
EVENTS ALIGNED WITH THE EXHIBITION
Positive Flame: Wednesday, July 25 from 5 to 7 pm
The City Archives is one of 37 places on the route of the Positive Flame Torch and organizes a Meet & Greet at the exhibition with photographer Han Singels (he made the documentary photo assignment Aids in Amsterdam in the early 90s). Stefan Silvestri of Stichting NAMEN project Nederland talks about the history of the AIDS Memorial Quilts.
Evening opening: Thursday 26 July from 8.30 pm to 10 pm extra evening opening of the exhibition Aids in Amsterdam.
