Archive for May, 2009

Zoo to Sue for Sums Due – the Knut Saga continues…

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

A court battle has ensued between two German zoos, Neumünster and Berlin Zoo, over custody rights of the famous Polar Bear, Knut.  Knut’s father Lars was originally loaned by Neumünster to Berlin Zoo in 1999.  His first born should therefore, according to zoo etiquette, belong to the original home of his father.  But the cuddly animal became the centre of attention in Berlin Zoo in 2007, thanks to the attentions of sympathetic visitors, after being rejected by its mother Tosca.  He became a worldwide star, attracting crowds to the Zoo, and leading to massive merchandising revenues.  The Neumünster Zoo believes they are entitled to a portion of these revenues and are attempting to sue Berlin Zoo. … Read more

Author: E. La Crey

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments

Hitler… a laughing matter? – The Producers, Springtime for Hitler

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

With the arrival in Berlin of Mel Brooks adaptation of his successful film, the producers, Frühling für Hitler (Springtime for Hitler) is causing a stir in more ways than one.  Germany never ending, deeply embedded sense of guilt over the actions of Hitler some of their ancestors leaves Berliners apprehensive about whether it’s ok to enjoy a comedy about the Führer, portraying the Hitler in a humorous manner.

However, after eight successful years on stage, Brooks has braved the cynics and premiered the show in Admiral Palast, where it is now booked to run for two months, and they audience, of whom were not exclusively the typical theatre going crowd, gave it very positive reviews.

The plot revolves around a failing Broadway producer who teams up with his reluctant accomplice, his accountant, in an attempt to produce the worst musical ever written. The idea is to raise funds from rich lonely old women, produce a flop which will close after one night, and run away to Rio with the money. Problems arise when the show is an unexpected hit, thanks to the hilariously camp depiction of a singing and dancing Hitler.  …Read more

Author: E. La Crey

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60th Anniversary Celebrations – Federal Republic of Germany

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

On 23 May 2009, Germany will be 60 years old.  The 23 May 1949 marked the beginning of a permanent democracy and the establishment of the state of the Federal Republic of Germany.  The 60 Year Celebrations will take place around the Brandendurg gate tomorrow between 10am and 10pm, with two stages featuring an orchestra and up and coming musicians and bands such as Udo Jürgens, PURE, 17 Hippies, Otto & The Friesenjungs, The BossHoss.

Information about Germany and its institutions will be available on the day in tents along the stretch of Strasse des 17.Juni near Brandenburg Gate.  Altogether more than 80 Institutions will be represented, including Federal Ministries, the Bundestag, the Bundesrat, the Bundesverfassungsgericht, all 16 Federal States of Germany, as well as social organisations. Some of Germany’s European neighbours will also be guests at the event.

Between 5:30pm and 7pm the Citizens of Berlin State Chapel will be performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony “The Ode to the Joy”, under the direction of Daniel Barenboim, at the Brandenburg Gate, whilst the Choir of the State Opera will perform on Unter den Linden.

Food and drink will also be available at the celebrations. More information about the program of events and featured institutions is available in this section of Berlin.de, although this particular info only appears to be available in German.

Author: E. La Crey

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments

How To Flirt with Germans in Berlin

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

If you have ever visited Germany you have either heard or uttered one of the following complaints, “German women won’t talk to me!” or “German women are so cold!” or “German men never approach me” etc. Germans are ahem, special people, and they really do require their own style of interaction.

While German women are generally the harder of the two to engage in conversation, if they do show interest in you, they mean it. They will not waste their time flirting with anybody, as German men might do in order ‘to make friends.’

I combined my own experience with some intense flirtation discussions with Germans, and these are the conclusions. Here is a step-by-step guide of how to approach the person you’ve had your eye on in the bar.

1. Make eye contact and hold it. This seems like a no-brainer but this is NEVER a step Germans themselves will skip. In fact, this IS the epitome of’flirting’ for most Germans. German men love being approached by women by suprise since they so rarely are. I would say just go talk to them if you find them attractive, however if they are not interested it could be uncomfortable if you skip the eye contact step. German women are more likely to turn on the cold if you approach them without the necessary eye-forewarning.

2. Smile. A German man is accustomed to German women who won’t give him the time of day, even when they are interested. He will probably leap out of his chair to come speak to you if you do this, I kid you not. Throw the guy a bone. German women on the other hand might be put off by this kind of ‘forwardness’ but it is pretty much the only way to break the ice, unless you care to send some drinks their way beforehand. That probably will do you very little good anyway, although they might feel forced to speak to you briefly out of gratitude.

3. Wave them over or move in for the kill. For German men I suggest signaling them over with your hand while you two are holding eye contact. This might seem bold but they are shy creatures, and without encouragement will easily pass up an opportunity, no matter how interested they are. For German women I suggest moving over to talk to them. They will NOT respond to the wave over, and if you attempt it, prepare to be unpardonably ignored.

Tip 1: If you arrange to meet a German later on in a bar or club, they will probably bring friends even if you two don’t discuss it. Therefore I recommend doing the same.

Tip 2: When a German man asks for your number he means business, 90% of the time you will hear from him within 24 hours. He won’t call you he will text you, and use a lot of smily icons. A German woman you should text first though.

Tip 3: German men are kind of like doves, in that they are looking to mate for life. What you think might be a fling might mean much more to him. German women on the other hand might be looking for a fling, so beware expecting more.

Author: CA

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments

Gallery Weekend – Art Lives in Berlin

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Berlin’s glory pulsates in its artistry, and Gallery Weekend is a farther proof of that. The internationally recognized ‘arm aber sexy’ appeal of Berlin naturally manifests itself in an inexpensive and authentic art scene, steadily attracting streams connoisseurs of unique art and artists who reject categorization. Yet, not every type of art dealer thrives in this sort of environment, at least as well one might expect them to. Berlin’s local art galleries are often overshadowed by international distributors and spotlight-stealing artists.

From May 2 to May 4 during Gallery Weekend, the limelight shifts to these under appreciated galleries, bringing with it major collectors from art havens like London, Madrid, Switzerland, southern Germany and New York. This is a chance for local art dealers to make connections that could ensure them years of profitable business, along with setting them up along a domino row of their dreams, where one affluent acquaintance leads to another.

Beginning on Friday, 38 local studios will open their doors to chauffeured guests who are expecting nothing less than the best. Dinner parties, after parties and the like are on the menu for visitors who will be meandering from gallery to gallery on foot, if they aren’t lucky enough to be chauffeured.

New York Times blogger Kimberly Bradley quotes gallery owner Asia Zak explaining the importance of the weekend as, For us, Gallery Weekend is about meeting new people.

The heart of the event unfolds around Potsdamerstr., Linienstrasse, Rudi-Dutschke-Strasse and Zimmerstrasse to name a few.

Carsten Höller designed the Prada Foundation’s Double Club in London, and will be exhibiting his work at Galerie Esther Shipper. Also notable are Robert Elfgen, a fresh young German, as well as proven artists such as Richard Artschwager and Robert Therrien, whose work can be found in Sprüth Magers Berlin.

If you needed a reason to explore Berlin’s electric art world, then Gallery Weekend is that and more.

Source: http://globespotters.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/galleries-come-alive-at-a-weekend-extravaganza/

Author: CA

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments

Spotted: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt lurking in Berlin

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Berlin is not a city associated with celebrity gawking and crazed paparazzi, this even though it has provided the backdrop for myriad Hollywood films for decades. Nevertheless, two of the biggest stars in the world, power-couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, were for a time a fixture in Berlin’s quaint Wannsee.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have almost as many children as they do houses (six children so far.) From October 2008 to the beginning of 2009, while Pitt was filming ‘Inglorious Bastards’ in Berlin, tourists and fans were on the prowl for any spottings of the family. Director Quentin Tarantino also spent several months in Berlin while the war drama was produced, although his presence flew much more under the radar.

Pitt an Jolie stayed in a 12,000 meter residence composed of three villas, which was hidden from the view of all passersby. 14 security guards were required to ensure the safety of the golden family, along with nannies for the children.

While they were in Berlin, they were spotted dinging at Restaurant VAU (www.vau-berlin.de) in Mitte. If you would like the opportunity to graze at the same place, for around 50 Euros a person, they take reservations. It is the closest most will ever come to them, especially in Germany.

Author: CA

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments

A Live and Kicking Music Venue

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Fischerspooner recently played a stormer to a near capacity crowd at Lido in Kreuzberg. Fischerspooner is an art pop outfit headed by Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner, whose conceptual lyrics and deep, expansive sound fuses art and pop culture through Warren’s pulsating, addictive beats, Casey’s synthesised rich emotional vocals, and a crew of experimental theatrical performers.

The show, complimented by androgynous male and female dancers, and Casey’s wardrobe of flamboyant outfits and illuminated head-gear, left one standing in awe at the innovative on-stage performance. Through extremely energetic dance sequences, where exaggerated facial expressions played as much of a part as enthusiastic synchronised routines, the dancers endeared themselves to an attentive crowd. Especially since they continued unscathed despite an intense and building heat, which at one point caused Spooner to pause and say: “I can’t do this, hold on, I gotta take some of these clothes off”.

Unlike at some larger, more formal shows, the crowd were not forced to stand a metre and a half from the stage, behind a metal barrier. In this relatively small venue fans can get right up to the stage, providing for a far more intimate experience between the band and the crowd. Although someone did, perhaps accidentally, spill some water on a monitor that the singer and dancers were using to keep their movements in time, thus obscuring their view and forcing them to pause for a moment to wipe the monitor. Still, it only makes the performers seem more human when small things go wrong on stage and they make a joke of the situation, and interact with the audience, as Spooner did on a few occasions. Fischerspooner left the fans still wanting more, even after a multi-song encore.

Lido hosts concerts or DJ sets most nights of the week in an intimate and atmospheric setting, with DJs, musicians and bands from various musical genres. This well laid out venue with two bars and a beer garden, friendly staff and reasonable drink prices (€3 for a bottle of Carlsberg) is a worthwhile venture for all live music lovers.

Author: E. La Crey

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments

And the Wall Came Tumbling Down – Berlin Festival of Freedom

Monday, May 11th, 2009

On the 9th of November 1989, the Cold War came to its definitive end, without a single shot being fired. As the Berlin Wall fell piece by piece, and East-Berliners flooded into the West, some for the first time in their lives, the Iron Curtain rose and re-united Eastern and Western-Europe.

Twenty years on, Berlin is celebrating two decades of reunification, staging a range of events throughout the year. Accompanied by guests from around the world, with contemporary witnesses as well as public personalities, the city will celebrate this unforgettable event.

This poignant moment in history will be remembered in particular from the 7th to 9th of November, with the Festival of Freedom taking place on both sides of the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of the German capital. This event will be attended by famous artists, cultural figures and prominent politicians, the highlight of which will be the staging of a symbolic fall of the Wall using a ‘domino effect’, featuring oversized stones designed by the youth of Germany.

Author: E. La Crey

OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog, brought to you by OTA-Berlin Holiday Apartments