Electronic music and art intertwine in sophomore edition ADE Arts & Culture

Deep relaxation

Five days of ADE can be demanding in energy levels, even for the most experienced ravers among us. The city is buzzing with energy, positivity, and more events than one can count. To service your mental and physical health, ADE has invited renowned artist and filmmaker Tamara Shogaolu to transform the iconic central Westerkerk church into an oasis of peace and tranquillity, inspired by the practice of Forest Bathing. The artist has captured the serene rainforest of Panama in vision and sound in her piece 'Where There is Light' and is to be experienced in an enhanced form right in the centre of Amsterdam (for free). So, whenever you feel like taking a break, settle in and recharge!

Where art meets dance

There are three opportunities to step into the universe of Amsterdam’s own and world-famous contemporary artist Nick Verstand’s ‘Within Without II’ for an hour long experience of light and sound on the opening night of ADE. Thousands have visited part one at the iconic Carré theatre, and during ADE there will be an exclusive premiere of the new project in collaboration with creators Salvador Breed and Wes Broersen.

Another iconic central building, the Zuiderkerk church, visual artist Vincent Rang and violinists 3VIOLAS will present a new piece that pushes the boundaries of electronic music, nature, and art. The 50-minute show called ARBOR combines, get ready for it, sounds and compositions from a live tree through distorted violas with a spatial scenography. The result will be a unique experience in which many worlds collide.

Sharpen your mind

After you have calmed and stretched your mind with these dazzling experiences, there is time to reflect. Villa Buitenlust is a place of contemplation, rest and shelter for people who need to unwind, regroup, and focus on more meaningful things. During ADE they host their second artist in residency, in collaboration with community-based event collective Orphic. Part of their offer is a series of talks and live podcasting sessions with Bakkie Bakkie, Golden Hour and Orphic, covering topics that connect the atmosphere of the location with developments in nightlife and the electronic music scene.

ADE is nothing without its community of artists, professionals, and of course music lovers. It is also a week in which connections are made all across the board. For the second year in a row, ADE joins forces with NXT Museum to offer a residency for artists to collaborate on new work and showcase it on the high-level NXT Stage, in an effort to gather an artistic community, but also to offer unique live experiences for audiences.

But even if you’re neither an artist nor a professional, you can create your own piece of Amsterdam Dance Event. Music Moves and ADE offer a program leading up to organizing your own ADE event in collaboration with social enterprises. By joining the programme you will gain both experience in event management, and you will contribute to making dance culture available to all. Read more and sign up here.