by Billy | Aug 14, 2026 | Arts & Entertainment, Highlighted Events, Music
Macy Gray has the unique ability to create refreshingly honest music that resonates deeply with listeners. As an R&B/soul singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Gray uses her vibrant voice, her unshakeable command of soul, and her funky presence to fully harness the power of music.
Originally from Canton, Ohio, Gray moved to Los Angeles to study screenwriting at the University of Southern California (USC). While studying, she began writing songs for friends and discovered her own voice when the singer meant to record the demos failed to show up. That defining moment marked the beginning of a legendary career.
Gray broke through in 1999 with her debut album On How Life Is, which went triple platinum and established her as a leading force in R&B and soul. She built a loyal global fanbase, sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, received five Grammy® nominations, won the 2000 Grammy® Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance for her iconic hit I Try, and also received two BRIT Awards.
Now, more than two decades into her career, Gray continues to evolve as a versatile artist. She has collaborated with renowned musicians including Bobby Brown, Ariana Grande and Galactic, and remains a compelling live performer who sells out venues around the world. Her talent extends beyond music: she appeared in Tyler Perry’s Black Reel Award-winning film For Colored Girls, as well as Brotherly Love and Cardboard Boxer, appeared in Netflix’s Fuller House, and made a memorable appearance in Training Day alongside Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.
Where: Paard, Prinsegracht 12, 2512 GA The Hague
When: Thursday 12 November, 20,00
TICKETS:
Entry: 49.00eur
For more information click here
by Billy | Aug 14, 2026 | Arts & Entertainment, Highlighted Events, Music
Magnetic on stage and impossible to categorize, Greentea Peng will be performing at PAARD on October 9 for a very special SUPAFLY opening concert. The singer delivers a unique blend of soul, dub, and jazz that fuses into something entirely her own, performed with her unmistakable voice that packs an even bigger punch live. Her sets are known for their raw energy, authenticity, and a connection with the audience that simply can’t be faked.
Behind the alias is Aria Wells, born and raised in South London. After spending some time in Mexico, where she performed with a local band and rediscovered herself as an artist, she returned to the UK. In 2018, she broke through with her debut EP Sensi, a mix of soul, trip-hop, and dub. Her single “Downers” put her on the international map, and since then she has steadily built a body of work that effortlessly blends neo-soul, jazz, dub, and hip-hop. Highlights include her much-talked-about debut album Man Made (2021) and the mixtape GREENZONE 108 (2022). She has collaborated with legends such as Tricky and Lee “Scratch” Perry, and along the way has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices on the British music scene.
Where: Paard, Prinsegracht 12, 2512 GA The Hague
When: Friday 9 October, 19,30
TICKETS:
Entry: 41.50eur
For more information click here
by Billy | Aug 14, 2026 | Arts & Entertainment, Highlighted Events
Jazz in de Gracht is the summer music festival in the city centre of The Hague, bringing together jazz lovers and fun seekers. Along the atmospheric quays of the Bierkade, Dunne Bierkade and Groenewegje, the sounds of top artists can be heard from boats and floating stages.
During the music event, you can enjoy snacks and drinks at the various cafés and restaurants along the quays. There will also be a large number of food trucks on the quays offering all kinds of culinary delicacies. Without a doubt the most enjoyable jazz festival in the Netherlands!
Programme
More information about the programme and the festival can be found on the Jazz in de Gracht website.
Where: On the city centre canals of Bierkade, Dunne Bierkade and Groenewegje
When: Thursday 27 to Saturday 29 August from 16:00 to 23:00
Entry: Free
by Billy | Aug 14, 2026 | Arts & Entertainment, Highlighted Events, Music
Get ready for SUPAFLY Festival, the festival where neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, and (UK) jazz fuse together! On the 10th of October, PAARD will be the place to discover new music and enjoy fantastic live performances. Get ready to be surprised by a wide-ranging lineup featuring artists from all over the world and right from your own backyard. Expect performances by, among others: Kofi Stone, Moses Yoofee Trio, Nectar Woode & Dominique Fils-Aime.
Where: Paard, Prinsegracht 12, 2512 GA The Hague
When: Saturday 10 October, 19,45
TICKETS:
Entry: 30.50eur
For more information and tickets click here
by Billy | Jun 19, 2026 | Highlighted Events
Bryan Stevenson is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and the visionary force behind the Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama, including the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum. Through this work, Bryan Stevenson has brought national and international attention to how the legacies of slavery and racial violence have shaped — and continue to shape— American society today.
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, Stevenson’s story speaks directly to the core contradictions—and promises—of the American experience. His reflections show how democracy has been expanded through the courage of those who resisted exclusion and oppression, and why the fight for civil rights and equality is still unfinished. At a time when democratic institutions are under strain and historical narratives are increasingly reframed to serve political agendas, Stevenson’s message feels especially timely and necessary.
His words will be interwoven with musical interludes by composers from diverse American backgrounds, with particular attention to underexposed compositional voices, including Tania Léon, Valerie Coleman, Julia Perry, and Betty Jackson King, concluding with a piece for wind quintet and piano by Billy Childs. These works will be performed by musicians of the renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra together with Spanish-American pianist-composer Daahoud Salim, and are inspired by Mind the Gap!—a festival celebrating diversity and the evolving landscape of classical music. Together, spoken word and music create a compelling dialogue—one that invites reflection on America’s past, its ideals, and the paths toward a more just and inclusive future.
Bryan Stevenson: The unfinished Promise of American Justice
The John Adams Institute – 24 June 2026 @ 19:30
De Duif, Prinsengracht 756, Amsterdam
For more information go to https://www.john-adams.nl/bryanstevenson/
