Brazilian born José Neto moved to New York in 1978 to join Harry Belafonte as guitarist and later Musical Director—roles he held for thirty years touring around the world, including South Africa.
Neto has collaborated co- written songs , touring and recording 20 years for legendary Steve Winwood. During his extended career performances with Eric Clapton, Herbie Mann, Jim Capaldi, Paquito D’Rivera, Tania Maria, Carlos Santana, and the Allman Brothers, those whose music helped to uplift and continues to impact culture.
He’s the founder of The Netoband and co-founder of the jazz-fusion group Fourth World with Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. He starred in the internationally award-winning documentary The Man Behind The White Guitar.
Dutch singer and musical actor Shay Lachman, born and raised in The Hague, will star in the lead role of Universal Music’s new stage production Once Upon a Time in Dubai.
The production opens in November 2025 in Dubai and runs through February 2026. They’re currently planning a tour in America from February 2026.
Lachman is known for performing in Disney’s Aladdin musical in The Hague and for appearances on luxury cruise stages and major musical productions. He now steps onto an international platform to connect with a global audience. The show blends contemporary pop with cinematic staging and brings Dubai’s energy to the theatre.
“I’m proud to carry a bit of The Hague onto an international stage,” says Lachman. “This role is a milestone and a chance to speak to audiences from many cultures through music and story.”
Highlights
Lead role in Once Upon a Time in Dubai
Engagement: November 2025 to February 2026
Hometown: The Hague, Netherlands; now performing internationally
Prior credits include Disney’s Aladdin
About Shay Lachman Shay Lachman is a Dutch singer and musical actor based in Amsterdam. He has performed worldwide and focuses on projects that connect diverse audiences.
If you love a big American breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, or an amazing musical experience, then you’ll want to see what’s cooking in the American School of The Hague theater!
Rehearsals are underway for the High School production of The Spitfire Grill, a powerful, moving musical written by James Valcq and Fred Alley. This musical tells the story of a young ex-convict, Percy Talbot, who travels to a small town in Wisconsin, looking for a new start. Percy’s arrival becomes a much-needed catalyst for rebirth and renewal across the town. The folk-music score, at times haunting, at times rollicking, is poignant and resoundingly beautiful, and this heartwarming story of healing and hope is one that sticks with the viewer long past the closing bows.
“It’s a story about acceptance and rebirth,” says Luke, a student actor. “A story that will hold a place in everyone’s heart.” Students rehearse three times a week after school, putting hours into their preparation, and enjoying laughs together as well as building a strong community with each other. Nina, another student actor, explains how working on this musical has affected her: playing a character so different from herself helps her “build empathy toward others. The beauty of change and self-growth reflects real-life experiences.”
ASH’s outstanding drama department has been producing high-quality theatrical productions for years. The school regularly sends graduates on to prestigious theater schools in the Netherlands, the UK and the US. Arts is one of the main pillars at ASH, and the productions incorporate students into every aspect of creating a show. Yes, students act, sing and dance onstage. But students also play their instruments in the live band, work backstage on the tech team, and even build sets, props and costumes during the school’s Technical Theater classes, under the guidance of a team of talented theater and musical professionals.
Felix, who performs in the show and is also a member of the Tech Theater class, loves “building the sets and seeing the show come together.” Felix also expressed that “seeing people’s passion for theater come to fruition through teamwork, on stage and behind the scenes, is really an honor.”
Many people outside of the school don’t know that the wider community is not only invited, but very welcome at the ASH theater performances. Those who have found their way there mark their calendars to return year after year. Harriet Putter, who attended for the first time last year, said she “was deeply impressed. Clever staging, wonderful instrumentalists, and the students’ acting and singing was incredible. I’m already looking forward to the next ASH musical!”
There’s one surefire way to find out what you’ve been missing — come and see what’s cooking at ASH yourself! Performances are Nov 21 and 22 at 19:00, and Nov 23 at 14:00, and will be in English. Tickets are €10 (excl. service fees) and can be purchased online via https://bit.ly/HSTheaterASH. Please follow our process on Instagram at @ashtheaterarts.
In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes.In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams lie waiting.
A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.
What if by engaging our imagination and opening our minds we could unlock the door to a world of wonders?
ABOUT THE SHOWKURIOS™ – Cabinet of Curiosities is Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production since 1984.
Cabinets of curiosities are the ancestors of museums, also known as cabinet of wonder in the Renaissance Europe. Aristocrats, members of the merchant class and early practitioners of science formed collections of historical relics, works of art or mysterious travel souvenirs or artefacts.
KURIOS™ – Cabinet of Curiosities has a cast of 50 artists from 21 different countries.
The Hague makers bring art outside in the Museum Quarter Take a look inside the studios of Billytown, Tixie and West End.
From Saturday, October 4th, to Sunday, November 2nd, three art installations will be on display in glass display containers at Lange Vijverberg.( Photo: WestendProject – solo Angelika Hasse – 2021 photo Angelika Hasse)
The Hague–For the first time,the artists ofBillytown,Trixie, and WEST END are bringingtheir work from the studio to the heart of the city, the Museum Quarter. They’ll be showcasing their creations in three glass display caseson Lange Vijverberg.From Saturday, October 4th, to Sunday, November 2nd,discoverhowtheseHague-based artists surprise, move, and inspire the city.
The Hague Incubators are collaborative and creative initiatives led by professional Hague artists from the arts and culture sector. These initiatives take many forms: from studio and gallery spaces to online and nomadic platforms. Their goal is always to foster experimentation, exploration, exchange, and play. They bring together artists from various disciplines, including visual arts, photography, design, music, dance, and theater .
Three vibrant incubators showcase their creativity, giving the public a unique insight into The Hague’s art world.
West End
Housed in the monumental Spanjaardenhof, once a 17th-century orphanage, is home to over 31 artists, connecting young and established makers in an inspiring environment.
WestendProject, solo John Mc Kellar, 2011. Photo Roel Wijnants
WEST END Project space and studios in the historic Spanjaardenhof Westeinde 58, 2512 HE The Hague spanjaardshof.nl Instagram @westendprojekt
Billytown
Billytown is located in the “De Helena” building. It’s a space for showcasing work, but also for developing practices , building community, and engaging in dialogue.
Trixie Located just a stone’s throw from The Hague’s red- light district , it ‘s a platform led by a diverse group of young artists and offers a platform for experimentation, collaboration, and sustainable initiatives.
Trixie – group show Residential Aliens, 2023 at U10 Belgrade. Photo: Marijana N Jankovic
Trixie
Artist initiative with exhibition space in the Rivierenbuurt
Together, these three initiatives show how versatile, groundbreaking and surprising The Hague as a city of art.
Besides museums and galleries, The Hague also boasts many wonderful artist initiatives and incubators where you can view art. To showcase this, we asked three of them to present themselves along the Hofvijver . With surprising results!Mary Hessing – Binnenhof Buiten programmer
Art in the Museum Quarter The Museum Quarter is a true cultural magnet. With 13 cultural hotspots , located around the Lange Voorhout , it is bustling area year-round of beautiful stories about old masters and young heroes. And of With the arrival of the display cases, you will temporarily find even more stories,literally on the street, right on the Hofvijver under the trees of the Lange Vijverberg with the Binnenhof in the background. A public outdoor exhibition where art and the public meet .
Inner CourtyardOutside BinnenhofBuiten organizes events and activities during the renovation of the Binnenhof and is a project by The Hague & Partners commissioned by the municipality of The Hague. BinnenhofBuiten is curated by Mary Hessing in consultation with the artists.
The outdoor exhibition ‘ A Peek into the Studios of Billytown , Trixie and West End’ , co-curated by Mary Hessing , opens this weekend and can be seen until Sunday, November 2nd.
Lucas Jussen, Leonard Elschenbroich and Sinterklaas Concert with the Residentie Orkest
In November, the Residentie Orkest welcomes star soloists Leonard Elschenbroich and Lucas Jussen. The programme features masterpieces by Elgar, Debussy, Ravel, Walton and Beethoven. The Residentie Orkest closes the month with the traditional Sinterklaas Concert. The conductors at Amare are Jun Märkl, Richard Egarr and Leonard Evers.
Fri 7 Nov (8.15 p.m.) & Sun 9 Nov (11 a.m.), Amare
ELGAR’S CELLO CONCERTO WITH LEONARD ELSCHENBROICH
The fantastic cellist Leonard Elschenbroich plays the melancholic sounds of Elgar’s beloved Cello Concerto. The composer wrote this work from a place of deep emotion, after the devastating First World War that tore the British Empire apart. An intimate and direct composition. The orchestra then zooms out with Images by the grand master of sounds: Debussy. A rich and impressionistic work that evokes scenes: along streets and roads, the colors of the night and the sparkle of promise, the morning before the party begins. Chief conductor Jun Märkl concludes the concert with Ravel’s Boléro. The rhythm of the Spanish dance, which is endlessly fascinating, provides a compelling climax.
Fri 14 Nov (8.15 p.m.) & Sun 16 Nov (2.15 p.m.), Amare
BEETHOVEN’S EMPEROR CONCERTO WITH LUCAS JUSSEN
While Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops besieged the city, Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Piano Concerto No. 5, the Emperor Concerto. It’s a grand, heroic and majestic work – and the pianist Lucas Jussen, who’s known for his Beethoven interpretations, does it justice. It is a striking combination with the second part of the concert: Walton’s Symphony No. 1. “Play as if you are angry!” wrote Walton. “Play lively and fiercely!” Turbulent, agitated and sometimes sad, the symphony ends with triumphant determination and is extremely innovative. Walton built a bridge from Romanticism to Modernism. An exciting combination with Beethoven, another hero who bridged movements. Lucas Jussen shares the stage at these concerts with resident guest conductor Richard Egarr.
Sat 22 Nov, 11:00 & 13:00, Amare: SINTERKLAAS CONCERT
A mysterious package, an exciting adventure and lively music. The Sinterklaas Concert is hilarious, mischievous and perfect for anyone who loves mystery, music and surprises.
A party, presents and cake. Sounds fun, right? Well, not for Klaas. He thinks birthdays are stupid, with boring presents, nasty cake and annoying visitors. But then a mysterious uncle suddenly shows up with a mysterious package. Along with his best friend, Krum, Klaas embarks on a crazy adventure involving strange animals, stubborn horses and dangerous sweets. The Residentie Orkest, conducted by Leonard Evers, plays the soundtrack to this adventure; Oorkaan, together with actors Amy van der Weerden and Jacob de Groot, provides a clever mix of theatre, humor and music. With sharp dialogue, unexpected twists and mischief galore, they keep the entire orchestra and the audience on their toes. But the biggest question remains: who gets to open the package? And is there actually anything in it?
Photos above: Lucas Jussen, Leonard Elschenbroich & Sinterklaas Concert
