Traditionally Ruud and Ineke organize ONE fan dinner during the Maastricht concert series, just like in the past. This year’s dinner will be held on Friday July 8, which will be the first Friday of the concert series as announced by André Rieu. Due to the two-year global Covid-19 pandemic, many fans are still cautious about booking a trip to the Netherlands in 2022, which created consequences for the fan dinner registrations. The number of participants started with 26 persons and are not enough to rent an entire ship. The shipping company offered us a pleasant alternative: the use of the former restaurant “Brasserie Bonhomme”, which is located on the quay viewing the Stiphout river cruisers. Former Maastricht visitors know the location of the restaurant, which is now owned by the shipping company and has been completely renovated and refurbished. It has been given a new name: “Riverside Lounge”. For this location the maximum occupancy is: 50 fan dinner guests. Currently we have 49 participants of 13 nationalities, and we closed the registration (July 1st 2022). For the first time we have guests from Italy.

Below more information about the fan dinner 2022: We’ll welcome the guests at the restaurant at 5 pm. From 5 - 5.30 pm: Reception of the guests at the Riverside lounge. During good weather you can use, if you desire, the side terrace. (Non fan dinner guests may take a seat on the main terrace.) Ruud and Ineke will give you three drink coupons. These can be used as desired for consumption of your choice; soft drinks, water, coffee/tea, beer or house wine. Other drinks are pay as you go, by the guests themselves. Appetizers of Bruschetta tomato / basil are on the tables. The buffet opens at approximately 5.30 pm. Cold dishes Ardennes ham with melon Poached whole salmon with remoulade sauce Caesar salad (romaine lettuce, chicken, croutons, dressing) Pasta salad Coleslaw Bread and mini rolls with herb butter Warm meals Ham with honey-mustard sauce Spinach risotto with scampis Potato gratin seasonal vegetables Approx. 7.15 PM: Dessert will be served at the table: Fresh strawberries with white chocolate mousse and Bastogne crumbles. Dinner will end at approx. 8 PM. It’s a 15 minute walk to the Vrijthof: enjoy your concert!!

Photos by Ineke, Jeanette Heijkoop and Theresa Helen.

Watch the video of the fan dinner, in which Ineke is introducing the fans and their nationalities. Duration: 25 minutes.

Gary Bennett, tenor, came to the fan dinner to greet the fans. Thank you Gary, it is much appreciated!