What's going on in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is one of the most attractive cities in Europe for gays and lesbians. The city with the first Gay Monument and the first Gay marriage in the world. Nowhere else will you find so many gay attractions per square meter than in Amsterdam’s city centre. It comes to no surprise then that Amsterdam is so popular amongst gay visitors. Historically Amsterdam has always had a relaxed and tolerant approach to alternative lifestyles. A favourite expression is, ‘Vrijheid is voor geen geld te koop’ (freedom cannot be bought). Because the gay life is concentrated mainly in the centre of the city, most gay bars, sauna’s, shops and other attractions are all within walking distance of each other. Of all the millions of foreign visitors that visit Amsterdam each year, hundreds of thousands come specifically to visit the many gay attractions that Amsterdam has to offer.

This Newsletter offers an overview of gay events and news from Gay Amsterdam that will take place in the next six months. Additional information for visitors on gay Amsterdam and tourist and cultural events can be found on www.amsterdam4gays.com, www.gayamsterdam.com and www.iamsterdam.com/visiting
‘Everyone’s gay in Amsterdam’ campaign on U.S. Market
With the catchy slogan ‘Everyone’s gay in Amsterdam,’ the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC), the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board (ATCB) and Delta Airlines started a gay-campaign on the U.S. market. Goal of this campaign is to bring destination Amsterdam to the attention of gay tourists. The campaign will run through December 2009. The campaign plays on the liberal and open character of Amsterdam. The slogan is a nod to the original definition of the word gay, namely ‘happy’. The campaign isn’t about sexuality, but about being happy and being able to be yourself in Amsterdam. This approach reflects the experience that Americans find the Dutch tolerant, hospitable, friendly and helpful.
Additional information: http://us.holland.com/everyonesgay

Mayor Job Cohen opens first gay Tourist Office in the World
On August 29th, the Mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen opened the GAY Tourist Information Centre (GAYtic) on Spuistraat 44. GAYtic is an official Tourist Office that is specialized in gay tourist information for Amsterdam. With this, Amsterdam has another world scoop; GAYtic is the first and only official Gay Tourist Office in the World. GAYtic offers gay tourists a unique service as a one-stop-shopping address for gay hotels, bars, events, excursions and more. Via www.gaytic.nl tailor-made information packages can be ordered for the length of your stay. Via this site tickets to gay parties can also be reserved as well as other tourist products such as the I amsterdam Card
GAYtic is located in the basement of Gay&Gadgets, and is open from Monday through Saturday from 11 am until 8 pm and on Sunday from 12 until 8 pm.
- GAYtic, Spuistraat 44
Amsterdam wants to be Gay Capital again
Amsterdam wants to reclaim its international fame as the Gay Capital. For this purpose the action plan Amsterdam Gay Capital 2009-2011 was developed. For this total plan 1.2 million euros have been made available. Alderman Freek Ossel (Diversity): “I welcome this plan of action. The city has explicitly asked the gay community to give advice on the future of Amsterdam as a Gay Capital. With this, a great foundation was created for intense collaboration between residents of Amsterdam, organisations and gays.” The city wants to stimulate the organization of gay-events and research the feasibility of a Gay Museum, a museum about tolerance and the emancipation of gays in Amsterdam. This research needs to be completed at the end of 2009.

Café April completely restyled
After 18 months of renovation and restyling, Café April reopened it doors at the Reguliersdwarsstraat 37 in July 2009. The spectacular new interior was designed by renowned interior designer Eric Kuster who previously designed the ARC Bar, Jimmy Woo and Roque Club. His inspiration in April were "tattoos": fashionable, gay, hetero, sexy, boundless and international, exactly what April wants to convey. The popular Happy hour is from Monday through Saturday from 23.00 - 00.00 hours on Sunday from 19.00 - 21.00 hours. Thursday Night is Cocktail Night. April's Hunks serve these € 5 cocktails all night. April is open Sunday through Monday from 16.00 to 01.00, on Friday and Saturday from 16.00 to 03.00 hours.
The April is probably the most famous gay bar in Amsterdam and has existed since 1981. It was the first openly gay bar in Europe with a night permit. Until 1981 gay establishments still had curtains before the windows and a doorbell had to be rung before the doormen would let you in. Because of Aprils open policy, more openly gay bars were opened in the Reguliersdwarsstraat and in other parts of Amsterdam. Because of this, Amsterdam could become the gay capital of Europe in the 1990s'. In 1996, a –for those days- spectacular carrousel bar was built, a rotating bar that made April even more famous far beyond its borders.
More information: www.cafeapril.eu and MySpace: cafeapril.hyves.nl and www.reguliers.net
- Café April, Reguliersdwarsstraat 37

New Havanna: gay restaurant and club
A new addition to the Reguliersdwarsstraat is restaurant-club Havanna, a restaurant with a Spanish and international kitchen. After 10pm Havanna transforms into a club with trendy R&B and House music. There is also a wine- and cocktail bar with a large assortment of drinks. The combination of authentic Cuban and modern Western elements has made the Havanna warm, classy and exclusive.
The Havanna has an illustrious past as a gay bar. In 1976, the first gay disco of the Reguliersdwarsstraat, De Viking, was located here. After this came Danscafé Havanna, a very popular establishment in the 1990s that appealed to both gay and straight. Now, Havanna is reborn as a restaurant and club with great atmosphere.
Additional information: www.havannaamsterdam.nl and www.reguliers.net
- Havanna, Reguliersdwarsstraat 17-19

Reality Girls opens, the first black lesbian bar in Europe
On September 24th 2009 the first black lesbian bar in Europe will open its doors: Reality Girls on Reguliersdwarsstraat 123-125. It is the fourth lesbian bar in Amsterdam, the first lesbian bar in the Reguliersdwarsstraat and the tenth gay establishment in that street, an absolute record. Reality Girls is an initiative of the owner of the Reality Bar, two buildings further down the road. This bar is aimed at gays from Suriname, Latin America and Africa. Because more and more lesbian women visited the bar, the owner decided to give them their own bar. More information: www.reguliers.net
- Reality Girls, Reguliersdwarsstraat 123-125

Leather Pride Amsterdam 2009 ‘Get Ruff!’
One of the most exciting Leather Prides in the World takes place in Amsterdam each year, this year from October 28th through November 1st 2009. With the theme ‘Get Ruff!’ this years Leather Pride Amsterdam will embrace five days of leather, rubber, army, sportswear and other fetishes. Highlight of the weekend will be Ruff! The Party, larger than ever and held at a location that will give over 2000 fetish lovers two dance floors, DJs such as Ibiza’s Nicolas Nucci, and even larger playrooms than last year. The Cockring will host the large after party.
Amsterdam is internationally renowned for its leather- and fetish scene. The heart of this has been the Warmoesstraat for over half a century, with around 15 fetish-related establishments in walking distance from each other. Some examples: the Argos – the oldest leather bar in the World, since around 1950 -, the Eagle and Dirty Dicks, the famous dance club Cockring, and fetish shops such as RoB Flagship Store and Mr. B. Other famous leather- and cruise bars in the area are The Cuckoosnest and The Web. Besides Ruff! The Party there will be more parties during the Leather Pride Amsterdam, such as in Club Church.
The GetRuff Host Hotel is the IBIS next to Amsterdam’s Central Station, being ideally located for the Warmoesstraat leather bars and the Bus Transfer point for Saturday’s Ruff! The Party. Fixed price GetRuff Package € 99 per night. Bookings via www.getpruff.com/hotel
For additional information and the complete programme: www.leatherpride.nl and www.amsterdam4gays.com

Exposition Twenty years Dolly Bellefleur
From November 7th 2009 through January 7th 2010, Dolly Bellefleur will be the glowing heart of an exposition held in Amsterdam’s Public Library (OBA), on the sixth floor at the IHLIA Homodok. The occasion is the twenty year artist anniversary of this Beauty with brains, the alter ego of writer and theatre creator Ruud Douma. Step into the wonderful world of Dolly! Main themes are Dolly and the Gay Rights movement, Dolly and the battle against Aids, Dolly as a muse for photographers, costume designers, poets and artists. The exposition includes photographs, videos and costumes. Entrance is free and can be visited during the opening hours of the OBA, daily from 10.00-22.00 hours.
For the complete programme: www.dollybellefleur.nl
- IHLIA Homodok, Oosterdokskade 143

LoveDance on World Aids Day at Paradiso
For the occasion of World Aids Day, LoveDance will take place in Paradiso for the seventh time on December 1st 2009. An exuberant party with music and dance in the large hall, small hall and in the basement. Over one hundred artists will perform. Alongside the party this night will also pay serious attention to the battle against HIV and Aids and fundraising for the Aids Foundation. The party will take place from 20.00 - 04.00 hours, entrance € 15,- (incl. Paradiso membership). Pre-ticket sales via PinkPoint, Boekhandel Vrolijk, AUB Ticketshop, Concerto & online via www.ticketservice.nl Additional information: www.lovedance.nl
- Paradiso, Weteringschans 6 (near Leidseplein)

Pink Film Days 2009
The Pink Film Days, the 13th Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, will take place from the 11th through the 20th of December 2009. This international film festival focuses on homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films and film makers. Although standard Dutch cinemas run several movies with gay themes, a great deal of interesting films and documentaries won’t reach the larger audiences. The goal of the festival is to present a broad range of national and international films; movies, short films and documentaries that portray the diversity of the gay community. But the festival is more than just the showing of films; alongside high standing films there will be debates, meet & greets with film makers, school presentations, parties and more. Additional information on the programme and the locations: www.rozefilmdagen.nl

Pink Christmas 2009 with Pink Christmas Market
From December 17th through December 26th 2009, the Amsterdam Pink Christmas will take place for the second time. Pink Christmas is the winter alternative to the world famous Amsterdam Gay Pride. A week filled with film, shopping experience, sport, culture and the atmosphere in the various gay- and lesbian bars etc will make the days before Christmas extra colourful. The 'Drag Winter Olympics' will also take place this year. A hilarious competition for drags that takes place on the ice and revolves around earning the honourable title ‘Winter Drag Queen'. On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20th of December the Pink Christmas Market will take place in Amsterdam’s most famous gay street, the Reguliersdwarsstraat. Countless chalets where gifts for underneath the Christmas tree can be bought. From naughty to nice. There will be performances by a variety of artists, a true Christmas sleigh, great food and special entertainment inside the various gay bars and restaurants. In the weekend 'Pink Winter Wonderland' will take place. Additional information: wwww.pinkchristmas.nl

Christmas lights in Reguliersdwarsstraat
This year, the Reguliersdwarsstraat will yet again be decorated with spectacular Christmas lights. Around mid December until halfway through January these lights will create an extra festive atmosphere, with the subtle colours of the rainbow.
More information: www.reguliers.net

OTHER HOT ITEMS

Church Celebrates its First Year
It seems like it has been part of the gay establishment for so long that it’s hard to believe that Church, the gay club on the Kerkstraat in Amsterdam, has only just celebrated its first birthday this last August.
Defying all attempts to categorize it, Church is a unique mix of cruise club and dance venue that literally has something for everyone- its famed theme nights span from naked evenings to kinky SM parties, from drag events to sportswear nights.
Some of the most successful parties include the (Z)onderbroek underwear nights every Friday (Drop Your Pants and Dance!) and the Hooker's Ball (last Saturday every two months) with outrageous shows and acts where local celebrities like the happy hooker herself, Xaviera Hollander, can be found. Further information: www.clubchurch.nl,
- Club Church, Kerkstraat 52 (near Leidsestraat)

Hot Pink, beautiful photo book about Amsterdam Canal Parade
Missed Amsterdam Gay Pride? Don't worry, Hot Pink has just been released. Hot Pink – an intensely colourful photo book about Amsterdam’s annual Gay Parade (the only one in the world that is held on canals) – has just been published by American expatriate and photojournalist Shirley Agudo, a long-time resident of the Netherlands.
A great gift and souvenir book for friends and family, it has shots of the most glamorous and beautiful boats and people in Amsterdam's Gay Parade. Books are reasonably priced at €10, and are available directly through Pink Point gay and lesbian information centre at Westermarkt, Amsterdam. See www.pinkpoint.org for further information.
To see a sample of photography from the book, as well as other photography and books by Shirley, visit www.shirleyagudo.com

CD by Gays&Gadgets’ with best Gay Hits Ever
In collaboration with Cloud 9, Gays&Gadgets has released a wonderful CD with dozens of great mega hits: the Gays&Gadgets’ Best Gay Hits Ever. There all on there, The Village People, Wham!, Culture Club, the Weather Girls and Shirley Bassey. Naturally the CD also contains songs by some of Holland’s pink stars, such as de Toppers, Bearforce1, Jamai, Gerard Joling and Marianne Rosenberg. The CD costs €19,95 and is available at Gays&Gadgets, Spuistraat 44 in Amsterdam or can be ordered online via www.gaysandgadgets.com
[Note to the editors: for additional information www.gaysandgadgets.com/pers For potential special reader actions contact: Hans Verhoeven, tel 020 - 3301461 or 06 - 5461 7854]

Information billboards gay cruise area De Nieuwe Meer
One of the oldest and most popular cruise areas in Europe are De Oeverlanden at the Nieuwe Meer on the south border of Amsterdam. It is located in the Slotervaart district and has recently placed new information billboards at the entrances of the recreational area. On the map visitors can find the beaches and playgrounds, but also the recreational area for cruising gays. It is, as far as we know, the first cruise area in the world that is officially included in governmental information billboards.
- De Oeverlanden van De Nieuwe Meer

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