Amanda Palmer Reportedly Arrested in Amsterdam for Staging Free 'Ninja Gig'

Posted on May 11th 2011 4:30PM by Jason MacNeil
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Daniel Boczarski, Redferns

American singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer was apparently arrested earlier today in Amsterdam for staging what she called a "ninja gig" at a city square.

"Dear Amsterdam, sorry I got arrested & the gig ended prematurely, you will all have to come to Utrecht tomorrow," Palmer wrote earlier this afternoon (May 11) via Twitter following the incident.

"...took my belongings and put me in a holding jail cell, and after a while let me go with a fine," the Dresden Dolls singer added in subsequent tweet. "Still really unsettling.

Palmer later said that some fans held a vigil outside the station "and we all came to a salsa night to celebrate my freedom. My life is weird."

Prior to the concert, fans sent Palmer messages alerting her that half of Dam Square -- the location she was going to stage the concert -- was "sectioned off" due to some kind of function. Palmer had announced earlier via Twitter that there would be a "NINJA GIG IN AMSTERDAM @ DAM SQUARE" at 6PM which was free. She also added she might try to cover a Violent Femmes song. "On my way, everybody avoid the cops and the royal families and head towards the monument," Palmer wrote via Twitter prior to the show.

A series of subsequent tweets from people with the hashtag "Amsterdamninja" relayed info that Palmer was arrested by five officers for staging the performance, which apparently consisted of her with a ukulele.

The YouTube clip below shows Palmer surrounded by officers and talking to them before being taken away by a female and male officer into a nearby police vehicle. Palmer waves to the crowd before entering the van which drives away.

Palmer -- who continues her European tour tomorrow -- recently participated in a studio project with husband Neil Gaiman, Ben Folds and others attempting to write and record eight songs in eight hours.

Watch a Clip of Amanda Palmer Getting Arrested in Amsterdam