#7 Every English language comedy show in and around Amsterdam this week (May 6 - May 12)
Halil Caliskan brings his Edinburgh show home. Plus Luana Matei, Deirdre O'Kane, David Nihill, and a Thursday so packed it should be illegal.
Welcome to issue #7 of The Live List - your weekly round-up of every English-language comedy show happening in and near Amsterdam.
As Amsterdam readjusts after the high of Conan O’Brien’s guest appearance at Boom Chicago last Saturday night, there’s lots to look forward to this week, and to start booking for the rest of a comedy-packed May.
So if you’re looking for excuses to get out of the house, to arrange to meet friends, and generally have a great time, look no further.
And if you find this newsletter useful, I'd really appreciate you sharing it with one other person who might like it too.
Thank you. Now read on to find out what’s happening this week:
Halil Caliskan did his Edinburgh Fringe debut, took the show to Barcelona, and is now bringing it back where it belongs: a proper intimate Amsterdam room. Homesick is 75 minutes of English-language stand-up about all the things that feeling means, in a city full of people who know exactly what he’s talking about. Patron Stage shows at Le Flaneur punch above their weight every single time, and this one looks no different. Get there early, the room fills fast. Pop-up cocktail bar from 7pm.
Wednesday 6 May
Luana Matei @ Huis van Iemand Anders, 20:30 A solo show billed as "the first comedy show that feels like a theme park for your soul" — jokes, stories, and crowdwork designed to take you through every emotional loop. 16+.
David Nihill: Taking Tangents @ Boom Chicago, 19:30 After a sold-out world tour, Nihill is back with a brand new show. Comedian and author, known for his book “Do You Talk Funny.” This is Night 1 of two.
Honk! Honk! @ The Wolfhound in Haarlem 20:30, Well curated, always hilarious comedy night in an Edinburgh Fringe-style venue in the heart of Haarlem. Hosted by Rebecca Kingston.
Boom Chicago Academy Student Showcase @ Boom Chicago, 18:00 Friends, family, and curious strangers welcome. See the next generation of Amsterdam improvisers take the stage.
Thursday 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.
David Nihill: Taking Tangents @ Boom Chicago, 19:30 Night 2 of the Taking Tangents Tour.
PowerPints at Comedy Café, 20:00 Presenters get five minutes each to deliver a PowerPoint presentation on any topic they choose. Subjects have ranged from beginner’s guides to hypnotism, to whatever the next person has decided is worth five minutes of your time.
Oh My Word Comedy @ Bij Barba, 20:00 The weekly English stand-up night in Amsterdam West, hosted by Carly Blair. Local and NL-based acts on a relaxed Thursday.
Voices of Resilience: The Architecture of Anxiety @ Mezrab, 20:00 A neuroscientist, storytellers, a musician, and a comedian take apart anxiety from every angle. Science meets personal narrative, with immersive sound and a dedicated Q&A. Doors 19:00. There's also soup.
Vice Comedy: FREE IMPROV — GARY INDIANA @ Vice Versa (Amsterdam), 18:30 Free English-language improv at one of Amsterdam’s indie comedy homes. Free entry.
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 8 May
Clink Comedy All Stars: Hello Spring Special @ ClinkNOORD, doors 19:30, show 20:00 Amsterdam’s longest-running Friday night English showcase, in the Galaxy Room at ClinkNOORD. International touring acts alongside Amsterdam’s best local talent, with the occasional surprise drop-in. Cocktails, drinks, and bites on the night. Sells out regularly — book ahead.
Deirdre O’Kane: O’Kaning It @ Boom Chicago, 20:30 Irish comedian Deirdre O’Kane on tour, “mercilessly mining hilarity from the human condition.” Solo show at Boom Chicago, one night only.
easylaughs: What If?! The (Unplanned) Musical & Level 3 Improv Grad @ CREA Muziekzaal, 20:00 Two impromptu musicals built from audience stories, plus Level 3 students graduating to the stage. Classic easylaughs Friday night.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00 The show that launched a thousand alumni. World-class improvisers take audience suggestions and make something out of nothing. [check price]. boomchicago.nl
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago (Upstairs Theater), 22:15 Amsterdam’s highest-rated stand-up showcase. Four comedians, two hours, full bar. Every Friday.
Saturday 9 May
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 10 May
André de Freitas: Public Display of Affection @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 18:00 Award-winning comedian with 60 million video views and a globally shaped perspective. One night only at Comedy Café.
Diederik Zuurmond and Rogier Bak, New and Improvd @ Huis van Iemand Anders, 19:00 Two heavyweights of the Netherlands comedy scene pitch all-new jokes to each other based on recent news, local and global, with crowd interaction and plenty of intrusive thoughts. 100% in English.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 19:00.
Monday 11 May
English Comedy Talent Award @ ComedyClub Utrecht, Oudegracht 36, 20:30. Heat 2 bringing the hottest new talent from across the Netherlands & Belgium.
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 12 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.
Look out on the scene for That Comedy Thing’s Newbie of the Month, Alice Raffegeau, and April’s Comedian’s Choice Luca Ciufu!
About Alice
Describe your comedy in one sentence. My comedy’s a blend of chatty and witty style, quite energetic overall.
What topic can’t you stop writing about right now? I write a lot of jokes about my parents these days: good thing they don’t speak English!
Best gig so far. TUNA newbie of the month (is it simply because I won and I love winning? Yes.)
Three words your last audience would use to describe your set. 1. Hilarious. 2. Uproarious. 3. Relatable
About Luca
Describe your comedy in one sentence. Former class clown gets an audience and a mic.
What topic can’t you stop writing about right now? Myself. I’m narcissistic like that.
Best gig so far. The sound ‘hahaha’ was audible on multiple occasions.
Three words your last audience would use to describe your set. What was that.
If you like the idea of following in Alice and Luca’s footsteps and testing yourself on the stand-up stage, find out more about TUNA (the tiny underground newbie award) and and sign-up here
That Comedy Thing: Open Mic @ Cafe de Buurvrouw, Wednesday 20:00 English open mic in a cosy bar setting. I’ll be MC-ing this show, so come along for a super fun evening.
Hump Day Comedy Open Mic Night @ Cafe De Knoop, Wednesday 20:00. Weekly curated English open mic in the Jordaan. A step above the average open mic: sign-up in advance. Free.
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.
Dishoom! @ Café de Plakhoek, Thursday, 19:00 Weekly English open mic in De Pijp. Raw, unfiltered, expat trauma as material. 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.
Boom Chicago Academy Stand-Up Comedy elective with Katie O'Reilly on sale now: Saturdays 2–5PM from 16 May (4 sessions), and Sundays 2–5PM from 21 June. Term 3 classes also on sale, several already sold out. Improv Taster Classes available most weeks at €30.
Workshop: “Find YOUR Funny” — Saturday 9 May, 14:00–17:00 at CREA. A 3-hour deep dive into stand-up writing and idea generation for female participants, taught by the fabulous Eniko Varga.
A Performative Workshop on Body, Presence, and Collective Expression, Sat May 9 at Q Factory, Amsterdam, by Halina Mihutskaya-Tsikhamirava
easylaughs: weekly courses in improv and stand-up. and stand-up courses for beginners and improvers. Weekly Friday shows and Sunday workshops.
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.
Amsterdam Comedy Studio Improv, musical improv, comedy writing and drop-in workshops.
This section updates monthly. Know of a course? Hit reply and tell me.
Thu 14 May: Sweet Home Amsterdama @ Boom Chicago The brand new Boom Chicago mainstage show opens.
Thu 14 May: Adi Parmar, Sunny Boy @ Boom Chicago, 22:15, Join Adi Parmar as he recalls his unforgettable childhood in North India and his unexpected fatherhood in North Holland, and makes sense of it all using the best medicine there is: Laughter.
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, 18:00 & 20:00 Six years ago, Olivia Flood-Wylie was doing the Amsterdam open mic circuit. She quickly became one of Amsterdam's original undisputed headliners, then moved to New York and started gigging at the Comedy Cellar, the Comedy Store, and the Hollywood Improv. Next Saturday she's flying back, just for this one show, her only date in Europe, for two time slots, with Sarah Warren (another Amsterdam alum) and Adi Parmar (Newbie of the Year 2023) opening.
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. If you enjoyed this, please forward it to one person who’d find it useful.
Know about a show I’ve missed? Just hit reply, or email livelistnl@gmail.com