This year’s Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), commemorating its 30th anniversary since its inception in 1996, brought nearly 4,000 performing artists to more than 300 venues over a five-day span. The event featured iconic ADE venues like Gashouder, Paradiso, Melkweg, and Ziggo Dome, while also integrating notable locations such as the Centrale Markthal and ARTIS Aquarium into its program.
A Unique Opening Night
The festival kicked off with a sold-out performance of Swan Lake Remixed at Gashouder, blending classical ballet with modern dance by the Dutch National Ballet and ISH Dance Collective. Additionally, Kybba performed with the Metropole Orkest at Melkweg, while Boris Acket’s EINDER installation showcased the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Centrale Markthal on the opening night, followed by exciting collaborations throughout the week.
Jean-Michel Jarre's Prominence
Jean-Michel Jarre served as the official Guest of Honour, engaging in discussions on artificial intelligence and spatial sound at Felix Meritis. He also delivered an audiovisual live performance at AFAS Live, highlighting his prominent role in the festival.
ADE Lab and Cultural Insights
The ADE Lab expanded its offerings this year, featuring two tracks: the free ADE Lab Discovery and ADE Lab On Track, which is an academy program. Moreover, ADE, in collaboration with VibeLab, introduced the Nighttime Culture Index, which analyzes a wide range of event lineups, venues, and cultural occurrences globally.
Future Announcements
During the event, ADE revealed plans for the Map Point Summit, a new rave culture conference slated to debut in Las Vegas in May 2027. The festival organizers also indicated that more special initiatives celebrating ADE’s 30 years will be disclosed in the upcoming months. Additional information can be found on the official ADE website.
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