HERE’S THE MAPTASTICALLY GOOGLY GOOGLE MAP for this very weekend …
Friday
Start your weekend at Antwerp’s most striking recent architectural addition -the new Port of Antwerp ‘Haven Huis’ -with Flying Pig (drinks, music, DJs) on Zahahadidplein from 5pm until midnight.
Saturday
Bar Nord (previously Cargo Summer Bar) celebrates World Gin Day from midday until 10pm, with 30 brands, offering 60 types of gin, and DJs providing music. After party: HAVN Church, Italiëlei 8, 2000 Antwerp.
The Geefplein at Costa Sint Andries seems to be becoming a regular event on the second Saturday of the month, at the shelter near the Sint Andries community center. I think ‘freecycling’ is the best translation to describe this event: bring household items which you no longer need and simply give them away. Take what you need from what others offer. Free, 11am – 6pm.
At T’ Werkhuys between 1pm and 5pm there is a Rommelmarkt (flea market), supported by the Antwerp Kringwinkels (second hand shops) featuring drinks, and also an exhibition about Ghana. Proceeds go to 11.11.11 which works with local organisations and volunteers for a fairer world. On Sint Jansplein there is also the regular rommelmarkt from 9am.
Grand Bazar Shopping center has some treats and activities for a nostalgic old-school Fathers Day between 1 and 5pm.
Meanwhile Scoop store on Kloosterstraat open a Live Art Weekend at 6pm, with online bidding for works at hammertime.be until 15th June. The proceeds go to Moeders voor Moeders which supports struggling families in the area with food packages, children clothing, school equipment and other essentials.
On Saturdays in June, July and August (excl. 5th & 19th Aug) Port of Antwerp offers free cycling tours of the port between 12 -5pm, covering 45km in all (but with regular stops for breaks) and starting at MAS. This is free but you need to register by clicking on ‘schrijf je in’. Make sure your bike is in good condition, and bring your own picnic in a backpack or panier.
Sunday
Provincie Antwerpen offers ‘Rose Day’ at Rivierenhof. Gardening friends of mine gave this event a glowing review last year. See the roses grown at Rivierenhof between the Rozentuin and Kasteel Rivierenhof. Purchase roses, enjoy music and entertainment with a rosy theme; between 11am and 6pm. Free.
It’s the Silver Run today -not just a run but a social event which also includes foodtrucks, drinks, music and lots of other entertainment.
Children aged 6-13 will enjoy this Henna tattoo workshop activity at Permeke library, from 11- 1pm. Free, no need to reserve.
Art lovers can get a Sunday afternoon fix at the opening of an exhibition of the work of Sacha Eckes and cartoonist, Ansu.
Markt van Morgen is on the Kloosterstraat from midday until 6 – very handy for a last minute gift or card for Father’s Day, if you need one!
After the weather nose-dived this week, the weekend is looking a bit better, with warmer temperatures (especially on Sunday where the top temp is predicted to be 25) and a low chance of showers.
Miscellaneous
Please note that during July I will be away. As was the case last year, there will be a Big Fat Summer Post (pressing on the 29th June) for the time that I am not here to write weekly posts.
If you are finding it a challenge to get around the various roadworks in Antwerp these days (especially since the Leien were closed off on the 5th June) then check slimnaarantwerpen.be to help you negotiate your way around town.
Don’t forget that the Sinksenfoor (funfair) is open daily in Park Spoor Oost until 9th July.
And the View on The Zoo ferris wheel is on Astridplein until August.
Buurtpleintjes is an initiative from Stad Antwerpen offering free sporting activities on local squares around the city. Last year, my son really enjoyed a series of free basketball lessons on Sint Andriesplaats as part of this initiative. Start by checking here to see what’s on offer near you.
During summer Antwerp offers two open-air swimming pools which are now open! It is free to swim at Boekenberg, but there is a small entrance charge at the Linkeroever pool (it is also recommended that you have a 1 euro coin with you to use the lockers; and your A-kaart, if you have one).
I’m proud to share my first guest blog post on Nessascityblog! If you missed it, have a read of Dolrish’s personal story of coming to live and work in Antwerp, all the way from the Philippines. And if you’d like to contribute and tell your story, please get in touch via [email protected]
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