We fully support the campaign for a four-day working week. Don’t get us wrong, we love working, but we love three-day weekends more. For us, the weekend really starts on a Thursday – not because we want to go on a total rager, but because we want to fit in as much culture as possible. Here’s a rundown of what we’re most looking forward to this [long] weekend.
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Mixtape Menage
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Category: Music
Where: repeat bar
When: 21:00
Admission: Free
We love this event concept: get to know the cultural facilitators of Berlin through a live mixtape and conversation. For each edition, a different cultural figure from Berlin plays a selection of their favourite music and has a conversation with the host, Eiliyas. The music that we love says a lot about who we are as people. It can reveal more than just personal taste – it tells a story about someone’s background and experience.
As well as happening live in the delightfully cosy Repeat bar, the shows are also recorded and uploaded as podcasts. The guest for this week is Moises Harta Valenzuela aka Hoexorcismos.
For more information about Mixtape Menage, visit their website, and if Facebook is your thing, here is this week’s event.
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Jewish Film Festival
Berlin and Brandenburg
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Category: Film
When: runs until the 22/08
Admission: €8-12
The Jewish Film Festival has been running for a week, but you still have a few days to catch some movies before it closes on Sunday. The festival is dedicated to capturing the diversity of Jewish life on film, and the varied programme features productions from a range of different countries, with extra attention paid to those made in Israel. This is an opportunity for film lovers of all backgrounds to see sides of Jewish life, in Germany and around the world, that are not represented in the usual output of daily media. The goal is to not only showcase new Jewish cinema, but to provide a forum to spark dialogue and debate around a range of issues. Screenings are split between Berlin and Potsdam.
For more information about the JFFBB, visit their website.
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Zinefest // X-Maschine
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Category: Market
Where: Revier Südost
When: Friday 18:00 (Saturday: 12:00)
Admission: Free
It should come as no surprise to learn that we bloody love zines here at LOLA. There is something about committing creative work to print that gives it a bit of a special edge. That’s why we go to the effort of printing our magazine – we love to see the creativity of our photographers, writers and designers come to life. We also love to see other people’s zines, so the Zinefest is an event that is close to our hearts.
Zines can be about pretty much anything, and it’s this open-ended approach that makes them so interesting and exciting. At the Zinefest you’ll find many stalls filled with brilliant work, so be prepared to splurge on some well-crafted artefacts.
As well as the zines themselves, there will also be a visual art exhibition, live tattooing and silk printing. The silk printing is especially cool – if you bring a piece of cloth or fabric, you can get the event poster printed on it for free. It all takes place at the new Revier Südost location, which is a great place to spend a day.
For more information about Zinefest Berlin, visit their website.
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GLB – Improvised Comedy
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Category: Comedy
Where: Comedy Café Berlin
When: 21:30
Admission: €8.50
We’re really happy that Comedy Café Berlin has opened its doors again. It is one of the best venues in the city to experience live comedy and their programming is always top notch. We’re also very happy to see the return of the GLB improvised comedy troop. It works exactly like you might expect – the audience throws out suggestions, and then the trio of Nicole Ratjen, Josh Telson and Noah Telson weave these ideas into hilarious, off the cuff scenes. What we love about this kind of improvisation is that the comedians are often as surprised by what they are coming up with as the audience is.
For more information about Comedy Café Berlin‘s events, visit their website.
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Sonic Wombs – Photo Exhibition
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Category: Art
Where: The Watershed – Urbanstraße 64, 10967 Berlin
Opening time: Thurs. to Sun.: 14:00 – 20:00 (runs until the 03/09)
Admission: Free
There is something incredibly special and magical about experiencing music in a live setting. Venues themselves play a very significant role in the experience – there are reasons why certain spaces are so revered. In this new exhibition, Lebanese photographer Choucri Bechir has produced a series that reflects deeply on the dynamics of concert halls and the transcendental power of live music. The images themselves have all been taken in the darkness of music venues, and the results give an immersive portrayal of the gig-going experience.
The reverence with which the subject matter is treated works to make you realise how powerful live music is, and how it can evoke almost spiritual experiences. This is in part due to the rituals that have grown around it and the ways in which artists present themselves. Sonic Wombs captures this magic, and offers a chance to immerse yourself in a visual representation of what makes live music so special.
For more information about Choucri Bechir, visit her website.
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Sunday Techno Breakfast
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Category: Club
Where: ASeven Club
When: 14:00
Admission: €12
You know the meme format ‘Tell me you are X without telling me you are X’? Well, this event is 100% a ‘Tell me your event is in Berlin without telling me your event is in Berlin’. The name is a total giveaway – Sunday Techno Breakfast. We’re sure there are other cities in the world where they ingest a diet of quality techno on a Sunday afternoon, but nowhere does it better than Berlin. The fact that you go out dancing outdoors on a Sunday afternoon is one of our favourite things about this city. We think that partying during the day when you’re nice and fresh is just real nice.
This event series is brought to life by SYMBIOTIKKA, who are best known for their sex positive parties at Kit Kat. It means that you can expect a kink-friendly vibe and some wicked outfits on show. It also means that you should make an effort with what you wear. You are advised to be creative and express yourself, and kinky outfits are always welcome. It’s not an absolute must to be sexy – just don’t turn up in jeans and a t-shirt, or something you might wear while lounging around on a Sunday.
For more information about the Techno Breakfast Club by Symbiotikka, visit their facebook page.
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Balcony Affairs
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Category: Performance
Where: Berlin Mitte, exact locations will be communicated shortly before the start of the event
When: 16:00
Admission: €35
The pandemic has been devastating for the cultural sector, but one small silver lining has been the emergence of new and innovative types of events – culture will find a way. Balcony Affairs is one stellar example of this new, creative approach to event production.
Rather than happening in one fixed location, Balcony Affairs will happen in various backyards, balconies and windows of Mitte. The event takes the format of a cultural walk where participants travel from location to location and are treated to a special, intimate performance at each spot. An interdisciplinary range of artists will be involved, and you can expect performances from dancers, singers, musicians, poets and more. This is a chance to not only enjoy vibrant cultural performances, but also to experience some new parts of Berlin in a unique way.
There will be five different stages on the walk and all are within easy walking distance. The exact locations will only be communicated before the start of the event, but you will be able to find out details of the performers on the Balcony Affairs Instagram account. This will be a day for fresh air and fresh culture.
For more information about Balcony Affairs, visit their website.
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For more cultural tips and ideas follow LOLA on Instagram.
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