ZOJazz Stage Opens

On 11 May 2026, ZOJazz Stage officially opens its doors in Zandkasteel. A fully equipped concert hall with 190 seats, complete hospitality facilities, and space for the kind of talent that has thrived in the Bijlmer for years but never had a real platform.

Years in the making, finally here

ZOJazz started small. In 2023, initiative founder and jazz vocalist Graziëlla Hunsel Rivero hosted her first concerts on Zandkasteel's theater square. Room for 90 people. A year later came a rehearsal space with a small stage. Still too limited for what she envisioned.

"Jazz is in the DNA of the Bijlmer," Hunsel Rivero told Het Parool earlier. "But the city was falling behind here culturally compared to the rest of Amsterdam."

That gap is closing now. ZOJazz Stage is more than a concert hall. It's proof that Zandkasteel is evolving from a former ING headquarters into a cultural hub where different worlds meet.

More than a stage

The new space holds 190 guests seated, around 250 standing. But the numbers tell less than what actually happens here. This is a space where Dutch and international jazz talent perform, where local artists grow, and where the neighborhood gathers. A musical living room, as Hunsel Rivero calls it.

"Community is central to what we do," she told Het Parool. "We don't just want to be a concert hall. We want to be a place where people from Zuidoost can flourish as artists."

That's what happens when you transform a former office building into a place where hospitality, culture, and community find each other.

Who is ZOJazz Stage for?

For companies that want more than a standard meeting room. For teams that want to experience live music together in a unique, characterful setting. For communities that want to connect. For artists seeking a real platform. For everyone who wants to experience Amsterdam differently.

What's next?

The opening month starts 11 May. ZOJazz Stage rolls out its full program, and you get the chance to discover what's possible here. Follow their website and socials for the schedule.

Want to explore ZOJazz Stage as a location for your corporate event, team gathering, or something else? Get in touch with us. We're happy to help.

This is the Bijlmer taking its place. Join in.