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The March agenda offers many and varied opportunities to get out and about. There are practical activities offering help with taxes, choosing schools and improving your Dutch, social events including theatre, comedy and our first monthly drink of the year, and initiatives that might inspire us to get thinking green!
There is a Dutch saying ‘Maart roert zijn start’ (March is making its start) – and we start the month with our diaries out to plan our activities! There is a lot on the agenda; what will you join in with?
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Saturday 7 March
Haarlem Comedy Cafe (English spoken)
20:30 @ Cafe de Zwaan
Our first comedy night of the month is the Haarlem Comedy Cafe event which promises to be laughs galore thanks to the six comedians on the bill at the cosy Cafe de Zwaan. There is limited availability so, to be sure you don’t miss out, buy your tickets online while you can here. The ticket price is €12.50 per person.
Saturday 7 March
expatsHaarlem
22:00 @ Cafe de Zwaan
Our next monthly event for expats and Dutchies to get together for a social drink is happening on 7 March. We invite you to join us at Cafe de Zwaan for a chilled-out evening of convivial chat. Starting directly after our comedy night, this social get-together is free entry and drinks are at your own expense.
9–13 March
Week Zonder Vlees
Various times @ Nationwide
The first of this month’s green initiatives is the national Week Zonder Vlees (‘week without meat’), which is an annual event that encourages people to think about the impact that their eating habits might be having on our planet, animals and the environment. This is the third edition of the event and you can discover what is happening in Haarlem during the week via the map on the event website.
Friday 13 March
Comedy on Top of Haarlem (English spoken)
20:30 @ DeDAKKAS
Our second comedy night of the month is the popular Comedy on the Top of Haarlem event (which sold out last month – you have been forewarned!). Get another dose of laughter while at the same time enjoying the best views of the Haarlem skyline at the high flying DeDAKKAS. Yes, this may well sell out; so get over here without delay to grab your tickets. The ticket price is €12.50 per person.
Saturday 14 March
Irish traditional music session
21:00 @ The Wolfhound
It is the greenest of days – yes, we are talking about St Patrick’s Day – on 17 March and so, in preparation, why not make a (very) long weekend of it? Start your celebrations early at The Wolfhound for an Irish traditional music session on 14 March. A ‘session’ like this usually means, if you play a fiddle or bodhran (or other easily portable traditional instrument), then you can bring it along with you and perhaps you’ll get to join in with the musicians!
Sunday 15 March
Photo walk (fully booked)
@ Coastal dunes
Our expatsHaarlem events team also organises outdoor activities and we have our first springtime saunter to get out in the fresh air this month. A photo walk in the dunes will invite participants to capture moments – and perhaps wildlife – that they encounter while getting out and about and appreciating nature. The bad news is that this event is already fully booked but be sure to check out our listings here to get on the list next time.
Wednesday 18 March
Open Day
9:00–11:00 @ Optimist International School
The Optimist International School in Hoofddorp opens its doors on the morning of 18 March and you are invited to visit to meet the education staff and ask any questions you might have. Koops Expat Services will also be present to answer questions about rental properties, as well as Stichting Kinderopvang Haarlemmermeer who can give you a tour of the childcare and after school facilities next door.
Wednesday 18 March
Dutch Language Cafe
19:30 @ Vooges Haarlem
Our monthly event allows you to practice your Dutch in a friendly and relaxing environment. On 18 March, we’ll meet in a new location – Vooges Haarlem (near the station) – and apart from that, it will be business as usual! What to expect? It is an informal place to try out your Dutch; we all know the only way to improve is to practise as much as possible, so let’s make our word of the month for March: oefenen. Start time is 19:30 and entrance is free, though we do ask you to register so our host Nick knows that you will attend.
Saturday 21 March
Free Tax Seminars
11:30 & 13:00 @ Cafe de Zwaan
Yes, it is that time of year again when ‘taxes’ come to mind. Need help? Then, look no further! Our business partner Vincent van Wijngerden of GVN Adviseurs/Expat Taxes will be on hand during this free seminar to present information about how to file your taxes in the Netherlands, for private and small companies, as well as offering advice with some legal tips and tricks and there will also be time to ask your questions. There are two start times; both events are free and registration is compulsory.
Register here for the 11:30 event
Register here for the 13.00 event
Friday 27 March
Mu’ Mu’ Mu’
20:00 @ Toneelschuur
Going to the theatre in the Netherlands for those who don’t speak the language can be a bit tricky with most shows being Dutch spoken. The theatre production Mu’ Mu’ Mu’, currently touring the Netherlands, is by the performance collective URLAND and is inspired by Hamlet and Star Trek. It happens to feature some Klingon (the name of the show more-or-less translates to ‘words, words, words’) though, we have been assured by URLAND that this event is a ‘language no-problem play’. So, if you aren’t fluent in Dutch or Klingon, you’re still in for a fun evening!
Saturday 28 March
Earth Hour
20:30 @ Global
Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is a global event where the environment is in focus for 1 hour. Millions are engaged across the globe to switch off their lights to show support for our planet. This symbolic action becomes a catalyst for wider actions to help us consider our environmental impact.
In Haarlem, various activities are planned, including free board games offered by the Toy Library to keep you and your family entertained while the lights (and other electrical gadgets) are switched off, and restaurants serving up ‘candlelit dinners’ – keep updated here.
Nagy Arnold 
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