In this workshop, Papa Leba forms a “mumbo jumbo band” with kids (ages 6+), who add an awesome groove to his swampy blues tunes and jams! They’ll use ukuleles, shakers and other fun little instruments. A party for the kids and the grown-ups around them. Chillun don’t be blue, join the jam too!
Magician Olivier Quist
Rotterdam-based magician Olivier Quist has become a familiar face across the country. With his trunk full of magic tricks, he has performed hundreds of shows. Seasoned by all those performances, he feels more at home on stage than in his own bed - but don’t think for a second that his act has become routine! This man has a gift for presenting every trick as if its success were a happy accident.
Belly Dancing with Soraya Sultan
The art of belly dancing is centuries old, yet it continues to captivate the imagination. Learn the basic techniques from Soraya Sultan and transport yourself into the enchanting world of One Thousand and One Nights. Suitable for ages 4 and up.
The Vaudevillian isn’t just treating you to a great performance at the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival - they’re also here to teach you the art of playing the musical spoons! Through their interactive workshops, they’ve taught over 5,000 people around the world how to make music with wooden spoons. Will you be next to join the club? Get ready to shine your shoes to do the skoodle um skoo!
Gabbergrass: Learn to stomp your feet Rotterdam Style to bluegrass
Last summer, we discovered that the traditional dance styles of bluegrass aren’t so different from Rotterdam’s signature dance: gabber, with which we achieved worldwide fame. We want you to see and feel it for yourselves. Because the more we focus on similarities rather than differences, the more beautiful the world becomes!
For Julia Beets, gabber and hardcore are more than music. They’re a lifestyle, a culture, a community. During the festival, she’ll lead a stomping/gabber workshop that immerses you in the energy, rhythm, and pride of this unique and truly Dutch subculture.
Julia loves showing people her world while discovering new influences herself. She can’t wait to explore together the surprising energy and dance parallels between bluegrass and gabber.
The Museum of Just a Tiny Bit of Modern Art, with Museum Director Gerard
After the great success in 2024, Suppoost, also known as Museum Director Gerard, is back again this year on the festival grounds for guided tours of the museum - featuring the latest collection, created by the younger artists this event brings. At the end of the afternoon, these unique works will be auctioned off. Suppoost Gerard will also make his presence felt here. So what’s stopping you? Come one, come all. Before you know it, it’ll be over…
Build Along with Maaike & Aimée!
We are Maaike Kalkhoven and Aimée LaFargue, social artists sharing a studio called De Stu in Rotterdam’s Old North. Our work revolves around encounters, collaboration and creating connections - often together with local residents and children. In the run-up to the festival, we’ll be building a miniature version of the Old North with children from the neighborhood, blending past, present and future. This artwork will be on display during the festival, where young guides will lead visitors on a tour. We also invite festival visitors to help expand this growing miniature neighborhood during our on-site workshop.
Drawing Workshop by Nick Shoulders
Did you know Nick Shoulders is not only a musician, but also a visual artist? He designs all his amazing album covers, merch, and flyers himself. That’s why we’re giving him not only a spot on stage, but also a place in the Museum for a Little Bit of Modern Art on the festival grounds.
On Sunday afternoon, July 6, Nick will host a drawing workshop to share his best tips & tricks with you, festival visitors of Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival. We’ll provide the supplies, you bring the creative energy!
While drawing, Nick will talk about the overlaps and differences between visual and musical art, and show how the two can blend beautifully in a world that often favors convenience over quality. Don’t miss out, as this is a workshop you’ll definitely want to be part of!
Maik Gnass (@maikelektro) and Jelle Jansen (@mr.flowerhand), master tattooists of The Office Electric Tattooing, the friendly tattoo shop from Rotterdam since 2015, will decorate your body with a lasting memory of an unforgettable weekend. No school like the Old School.
Online: @theofficetattoo
Bonsoir Saar is the label for free spirits who love the sixties and seventies. From handmade ceramics and colorful jewelry to groovy handmade lampshades and vintage clothing with character - here you will find unique items full of warmth and flower power.
Saar (ceramist, daughter) and Karin (Bonjour Kaar, fashion designer, mother) create from their passion for vintage and will transfer this love together to the festival market.
Online: bonsoirsaar.com, @bonsoirsaar
Whether you want to fix your bad hair day, want a cool rockabilly haircut or are ready for a well-groomed beard: Ilse from Moxie House of Hair is the right place for you.
For the little ones, she brings glitter and crazy colors. And just between us: they are also perfect for adults who want to shine!
Annick Odom brings not only great music, but also introduces shoppers in the Zwaanshals District to the art of square dancing!
Annick is a Belgian-American musician and storyteller who blends traditional Appalachian ballads with her own original songs. She sings, plays upright bass and clarinet, and is an experienced square dance caller. Her performances weave together music, dance and storytelling into one captivating experience.
At 4:00 PM, it’s Van Tastik’s turn to entertain shoppers with a 45-minute set full of dark delta blues, blues rock and southern gothic gospel.
Van Tastik is a one-man blues rock act known for raw vocals, gritty guitar riffs and a whole lot of energy. His shows are always packed with humor, audience interaction and foot-stomping vibes - guaranteed to give you a serious energy boost!
Piotr Bułas and his son Michał have been building instruments together for over ten years. Bulas Instruments is the only workshop in Poland that focuses on handmade mandolins and banjos of this exceptional quality.
Their collection includes various types of banjos and instruments from the mandolin family, such as the mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin and mandocello. You can find them every year at bluegrass festivals throughout Europe; even at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in the United States. And now also at the festival market of Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival!
Online: www.bulas.pl
Two violin makers from the Swiss Alps, with a great love for their craft, bring their violin making skills to the festival market. They specialize in five-string fiddles, but also make completely custom, so that your fiddle fits you perfectly. Curious about how such a violin comes to life? They bring their unique instruments and build a new one on the spot. Be sure to stop by to have a look, and for a chat about everything that has to do with fiddles!
But of course Strictly Country will be there again! Especially for the real music lovers and record collectors, Rienk will bring a lot of LPs and CDs with bluegrass and country music to the festival market.
You can also go to Strictly Country for purchasing collections.
Online: www.strictlycountry.nl
Vintage Prints sells original old and antique prints, advertisements, maps, illustrations and much more. From antique botanical prints to hilarious advertisements from the 50s for food and drinks. But also: fashion prints and French art deco illustrations, old postcards of Rotterdam and beautiful colorful school cards of the Netherlands.
In short: all beautiful and unique works for on the wall!
Online: @vanderreijdenillustration
Richie is the ‘pin king’ of Rotterdam. From FC Barcelona to Feyenoord, from Felix de Kat to Dragonball Z, and entire collections of pins from the 80s, 90s and 00s. His complete collection will be brought to Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival!
In addition to the coolest vintage pins at Pintage, Richie will also bring a nice selection of vintage prints, stickers and key rings.
Online: www.pintage.nl, @pintagepost
When Rotterdam's Carin van Es first came to 'bead heaven' Athens in 2005, she fell under the spell of this new passion for her. In 2013, she opened her own studio in the Oude Noorden.
Together with various employees, Carin creates a new collection twice a year. These trendy pieces of jewellery are made entirely by hand. You can discover them at the festival market on the Noordplein in early July!
Online: jazu-jewellery.com
Okini serves Japanese Curry Rice and Katsu Sandwiches - fresh as a daisy and bursting with flavour. Everything is homemade and served with love.
Ice cream parlor Koen
Ice cream used to be 'something typically Italian'. Great, because that's how Koen also learned the trade of ice cream maker. Since 2014, he makes it the Rotterdam way: honest and naturally delicious.
Outside of the festival, IJssalon Koen can be found at 't Zwaanhals (around the corner from Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival) and in Schiebroek.
Online: www.ijssalonkoen.nl, @ijssalon_koen
Smaakvolvo is a mobile coffee and tea bar from a Volvo Amazon. All senses are stimulated. That is triple enjoyment!
Online: www.smaakvolvo.nl, @smaakvolvo
European Premiere Bluegrass Country Soul at KINO
Don’t miss the European premiere of the iconic bluegrass documentary Bluegrass Country Soul (1971)! A must-see film for bluegrass lovers - both purists and newcomers.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director and a live performance in the KINO foyer.
More info and tickets: kinorotterdam.nl/films/bluegrass-country-soul-1971
Pre-Party at Theater Walhalla
The official pre-party of Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival takes place at Theater Walhalla! Expect an evening full of surprises, and one thing’s for sure: there will DEFINITELY be dancing at this Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival celebration!
Jamming with the Jam Pope
Feeling inspired to play some bluegrass yourself during the festival? You totally can! On the grounds, there’s a large yet cozy jam area set up. So bring your instrument along (you can safely store it in our guarded locker in between jams), and join ‘Jam Pope’ Laurens Joënsen and your new bluegrass buddies for a jam session. From beginners to advanced players, everyone is welcome. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself jamming with artists you just saw on stage!
Get to know the art of Square dancing by Annick Odom.
Annick Odom is a Belgian-American musician and storyteller who combines traditional Appalachian ballads with her own work. Especially for us, she gives a unique Square dance workshop. Learn the tricks of the trade and dance along!
The opposite of line dancing, by the legendary bluegrass band with the attitude of a punk band. This is going to be dynamic!
When you hear him play, it’s hard to believe Ceder Smets is only 11 years old. This multi-instrumentalist - he sings and plays guitar, mandolin, banjo and piano - won over every heart (and a spot on stage!) during the RBF Talent Contest in 2024.
This year, this young bluegrass hero is back, and together with Laurens Joënsen he’ll show just how much he’s grown as a musician. Trust us: this is one to watch!
