#6 Every English language comedy show in and around Amsterdam this week (Apr 29 - May 5)
King's Day weekend, a Brooklyn headliner on Sunday, and two of Amsterdam's best improv teams on Wednesday night.
Welcome to issue #6 of The Live List - your weekly round-up of every English-language comedy show happening in and near Amsterdam.
Six issues in, we don’t have as many subscribers as we’d hoped. So if you find this useful, interesting, or any other positive adjective, and you think it’s worthwhile for the scene, I'd really appreciate you doing one little thing: please forward it to one other person who'd also find it useful.
Thank you.
Read on to find out what’s happening this week:
Lupe Estrada: What’s My Message? Vice Versa | Thursday 30 April | 20:00 | Free (RSVP)
Lupe Estrada is one of the best things about our scene: absurdist, warm, reliably funny, and apparently too busy collecting great jokes to bother assembling them into a “show.” Until now.
This is a work in progress in the most honest sense. No polished arc, no tidy message, no award submission in sight. Just Lupe, a stacked support bill (Katie O’Reilly, Adi Parmar, Nadine Froughi), and an attempt to build an hour live in the room with the audience doing some of the steering. New material will be born. Old bits will get stitched together. There may be an existential crisis or two. You will be complicit.
Wednesday 29 April
Wed 29 April: Natalie Cuomo @ Boom Chicago, 20:00 Internationally touring stand-up. Her debut album debuted at number 1 on the iTunes comedy charts. This is a one-night stand (comedy), so don’t sleep on it.
Wed 29 April: DEI HARD + DREAM QUEENS @ Amsterdam Comedy Studio, 19:30 Two of Amsterdam’s improv teams on one stage: DEI Hard (Irum Javed, Omar Breeveld, Manideep Mamindlapally, Lian Li, Shaakira Vania, Debbie Carvalho, Djamali Jones) and Dream Queens (Stacey Smith, Laura Maynard, Irum Javed, Caraline Golson, Rosalind Anketell, Lorena Smienk). Razor-fast scenes built from the room’s energy.
Thursday 30 April
TUNA: Newbie of the Month @ Oosterbar, 20:00 That Comedy Thing's monthly newbie competition: ten new comedians, one winner, audience decides. This month's finalists are an exceptional lineup, the best out of twenty who competed to get on this bill. Do yourself a favour and be there to witness the stars of tomorrow on their biggest night yet.
Shahak Shapira: Selective Identity @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:00 (also 22:00) Israeli-German stand-up, Berlin-based, known for sharp political material and a very specific disdain for being asked to explain himself. Both shows are sold out. Get on the waitlist: comedycafe.nl
That Silly Place: A Silly Comedy Night @ Subcult, 19:30 International showcase of stand-up and performance from local and visiting acts, hosted by Kristina Jak. This month's lineup includes Diederik Zuurmond, Alex Fletcher, Faris Abusada, Grace Xu, Thati Nkobeni and more. Sold out.
Oh My Word Comedy @ Bij Barba, 20:00, Carly Blair's weekly Thursday night of English stand-up in Amsterdam West. Local and NL-based comics, warm room, good pizza.
Comedy Night in English @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:30 The Thursday showcase at Comedy Café: international and local English-speaking stand-ups on one bill. A reliable room with proper production.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00, The flagship improv show. World-class improvisers turn audience ideas into scenes, characters, and songs on the spot.
Friday 1 May
The JR Scheme, @ Cafe Havelaar, Amsterdam, 19:30. Monthly night in which hosts Jacob Stewart and Robert Kim bring some of Europe’s top comedy talent.
Clink Comedy All Stars @ ClinkNOORD, 19:30, Weekly Friday showcase of international touring acts and Amsterdam’s best local talent, with the occasional surprise drop-in. Runs in the Galaxy Room. Sells out regularly.
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago, 22:15, Four English-language comedians, one stage, late-night energy. Every Friday and Saturday.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:30 The show that launched a thousand Boom Chicago alumni. World-class improvisers turning your suggestions into scenes, characters and songs on the spot.
Easylaughs Friday Night Show @ CREA Muziekzaal, 20:00, Amsterdam’s longest-running English improv night. Different format every week.
Saturday 2 May
The Original Mezrab Comedy Night @ Mezrab, 20:00 (doors 19:00) Monthly pro stand-up night at Amsterdam's cosiest room. This month's bill: Kim Schuddeboom, Marlon Kicken, Wisam Nassar, Michael Jäger, and Dave Thompson. Dave Thompson is the comedian who was fired from playing Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies, which tells you everything you need to know. Hosted by Tim van 't Hull (Amish Waldo).
Boom Chicago Academy Student Showcase @ Boom Chicago, 17:30 The Level 4 Long Form class performs their tight five. Free tickets.
Cocktails & Comedy in English @ Comedy Cafe Amsterdam, 18:00, Early evening English showcase at Comedy Café. English-speaking comedians from around the world, cocktails encouraged.
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago, 22:15 Saturday night edition. Four comedians, full bar, no passport required.
Vice Stand-Up Comedy @ Vice Versa (De Pijp), 20:00, The De Pijp indie stand-up institution, every Saturday. Seven years and counting.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00. The show that launched Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, and Jason Sudeikis. Still running, still sharp.
Sunday 3 May
Mad Cow Comedy International Showcase @ Kartoffel (Oudegracht aan de Werf 145), 15:00 Rachel Morton-Young hosts a rotating bill of international English-language comedians every other Sunday. Cosy German-themed venue on the Oudegracht.
Sunday Night Live @ Boom Chicago, 19:00, Long-form improv built on true, funny stories from the audience. Live musician. Every Sunday.
Boom Chicago Academy Student Showcase @ Boom Chicago, 17:00 Level 5 Long Form and Level 4 Long Form classes take the stage.
Monday 4 May
English Comedy Talent Award @ ComedyClub Utrecht, Oudegracht 36, 20:30. Discover new comedians battling live for a place in the festival lineup - including ME! Come, watch and support me doing my thing!
Monday Night Laughs @ Brouwerij De Prael (Oudezijds Armsteeg 26), 20:00, The weekly English stand-up night at the brewery in the city centre.
Tuesday 5 May
Tuna: Newbie of the Week @ Cafe de Knoop, 20:00 That Comedy Thing's weekly new comedian showcase. First timers and fresh faces doing their thing, every Tuesday.
Hump Day Comedy Open Mic Night @ Cafe De Knoop, Wednesday 20:00. Weekly English stand-up, every Wednesday. Mix of professionals testing new material and brave newcomers. Sign up on the night for a spot. Doors 19:30.
The Comedy Underground Night Time Show @ Theater de Richel (basement), Wednesday 21:00 Weekly English open mic in the basement of Theater de Richel, near Dam Square. Stand-up, clown, improv, sketch, music — anything goes. A genuine Amsterdam underground institution.
Open Mic (EN) @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, Wednesday 20:00. Weekly English open mic. International comedians, local comedians, first-timers and tomorrow's stars.
That Comedy Thing: Open Mic @ Cafe de Buurvrouw, Wednesday 20:00 English open mic in a cosy bar setting. Pay What You Can — free if you’re broke.
Dishoom! @ Café de Plakhoek, Thursday, 19:00 Weekly English open mic in De Pijp. Raw, unfiltered, expat trauma as material. Free entry.
Thirsty, an open mic @BijBarba, Saturday, 20:00 The monthly show up, go up returns. Cheap beers, delicious pizza, an all-round cosy fun time. Doors 19:00, Show list 19:30)
Comedy Open Mic @ Mezrab, Monday 20.00 Mezrab’s revamped open mic with only one rule: Every joke must be under construction. Free entry.
The Comedy Womb (Comedy Room Open Mic) @ Huis van Iemand Anders (De Pijp), Tuesday 20:00, Weekly English open mic from The Comedy Room Amsterdam. New comedians taking their first steps, experienced comics testing new material. Doors 19:30. Show-up-to-go-up spots available on the night.
First time doing an open mic? The Comedy Womb on Tuesday is built for exactly that. Friendly room, supportive crowd, and they'll cheer for you whether your jokes land or not.
Boom Chicago Academy Term 3 classes now on sale. Stand-Up Comedy elective with Katie O'Reilly has two new sessions: Saturdays 2–5pm starting 16 May, and Sundays 2–5pm starting 21 June. Both go on sale 1 May at noon. Summer intensives also available: Musical Improv (week of 20 July, 10 spots only) and Long Form intensives (August).
Meisner for Improvisers @ Boom Chicago, Sat 30 – Sun 31 May: Two-day intensive with guest instructor Octavia Gilmore. 11am-5pm each day. For improvisers who want to build scenes that are truthful and alive. Advanced level.
That Comedy Thing Stand-up courses and MC workshop. Affordable, practical, taught by working comics.
easylaughs Improv and stand-up courses for beginners and improvers. Weekly Friday shows and Sunday workshops.
Amsterdam Comedy Studio Improv, musical improv, comedy writing and drop-in workshops.
Coming soon: A Performative Workshop on Body, Presence, and Collective Expression, Sat May 9 at Q Factory, Amsterdam, by Halina Mihutskaya-Tsikhamirava
This section updates monthly. Know of a course? Hit reply and tell me.
6 May: Honk! Honk! @ The Wolfhound in Haarlem 20:30, Well curated, always hilarious comedy night in an Edinburg Fringe-style venue in the heart of Haarlem.
6 & 7 May: David Nihill: Taking Tangents Tour @ Boom Chicago Irish-American storyteller comedian, back from a sold-out world tour. Two nights.
Thu 7 May: Nutty Anita’s with Harri Soinila @ Nieuwe Anita, Regular first-Thursday show, running nearly 13 years. Headliner this month is Harri Soinila from Finland.
Thu 7 May: Powerpints Amsterdam @ Comedy Cafe, 19:30, Drink and learn things as comedians present educational and entertaining presentations on literally anything.
Fri 8 May: Halil Caliskan: Homesick @ Le Flaneur, Edinburgh Fringe breakout, English stand-up.
Fri 8 May: Deirdre O’Kane - O’Kaning It @ Boom Chicago, 20:00, Irish stand-up with 20+ years on the circuit. One night only.
Sun 10 May: Sweet Home Amsterdama (free preview) @ Boom Chicago Boom’s brand new show about Amsterdam housing, rents and chaos. Free tickets for the Sunday preview.
Thu 14 May: Sweet Home Amsterdama @ Boom Chicago The brand new Boom Chicago mainstage show opens.
Fri 15 May, Improvision, the Improvised Song Contest @ Dijktheater, 19:30, Mashing together the campy chaos of Eurovision with the high-stakes panic of improv.
Sat 16 May: Olivia Flood-Wylie: Get Well Soon @ ClinkNOORD LA-based Olivia Flood-Wylie flies back to Amsterdam for one night with her new special. An underground Amsterdam comedy scene original.
Sat 16 May: Clown Open Mic @ Boom Chicago Attic, 19:30 An hour of clowning, foolery, and buffoonery in the attic of Boom Chicago.
Fri 29 May, Split Bill feat Kristina Jak & Prashant Khanchandani @ Boom Chicago Attic, 19:30. Two brilliant local talents, one shared bill.
The Live List comes out every Wednesday.
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