Berlin-based Transportation division of the aerospace and railway company Bombardier Inc. has received two railway orders totalling nearly 314 million Euro

August 25th, 2010

Berlin/Montreal

The Berlin-based Transportation division of the Canadian aerospace and railway company ‘Bombardier ‘ has received 2 railway orders totaling nearly 314 million Euro.

No details were provided or the type of vehicles involved nor where and when they would be delivered – the company is legally obligated by North American stock market disclosure guidelines to disclose any sales contracts worth more than 78 million Euro.

The company also recently received a 21 million Euro order for 6 tramways to run on the Stockholm inter city line.

Bombardier is the world’s No. 1 train maker and world’s No. 3 plane maker.   

Bombardier Transportation is the largest railway manufacturer world-wide and has circa 100,000 vehicles in operation in around 60 countries internationally – in January 2008 this transportation arm of the  company had 31,500 employees - 23,800 of them in Europe.

The Montreal-based parent company had 15.23  billion Euro of revenues for fiscal year which ended January 2010.

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http://www.bombardier.com/

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JazzFest Berlin 2010 – 3 –7 November – Haus der Berliner Festspiele + other locations – see program*

August 24th, 2010

Berlin

Nils Landgren -foto- Wikipedia -Rolf Kamras from Stockholm / Simrishamn, SWEDEN

JazzFest Berlin 2010 – 3 –7 November – Haus der Berliner Festspiele + other locations – see program*

For the last 40 years each autumn JazzFest turns the Berlin into a major international meeting point for jazz musicians as well as attracting fans from all over the world.

This year’s JazzFest Berlin 2010, from November 3rd till 7th will put the emphasis on European jazz – it will showcase a lot of different styles in a very tight program balancing contemporary and tradition in a tasteful and popular way.

Several different generations of German jazz talent will perform live including:   Emil Mangelsdorff ,  Joachim Kühn  and Pablo Held, amongst others.

There will be a special concert  dedicated to the “Jazz Institut Berlin” – the city’s musical college- along with some jazz sessions with ‘Europe’s next jazz generation’ .

The JazzFest Berlin’s cooperation with the ARD – one of the public German broadcasting systems – will continue with joint projects such as Kinsmen with Indian alto saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath and his American counterpart Rudresh Mahanthappa.

Another collaboration commissioned with radio station SWR will see the  appearance  ‘genre-benders’ or  ‘zeitkratzer’ plus a concert by the ‘Frankfurt Radio Big band’.

From Austria the ‘Jazz Big band Graz’ are scheduled to appear along with improvisers like bass clarinetist Denis Colin and baritone saxophonist Céline Bonacina.  France will provide it’s “Orchestre National de Jazz” who will provide Berlin with an extraordinary ‘Homage to Billie Holiday’.

Artistic director of the festival is Nils Landgren -  a Swedish funk and jazz trombone player whose ‘musical home’ of Europe includes Helsinki to Skopje and  Kiev to Dublin – has delivered exciting results for the inquiring jazz ear and mind.

The 5 day festival calendar is as inviting as it is brimmed with enthralling jazz performances.

There will be a number of different venues, like the clubs A-Trane and Quasimodo, at the Savoy Hotel, at Georg-Neumann-Saal of Jazz Institut Berlin – and as always, at Haus der Berliner Festspiele.

The completely scheduled festival program will be released September 6th.

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* for program and information in English

http://berlinerfestspiele.de/en/aktuell/festivals/07_jazzfest/jazz10_infos/jazz10_info.php

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Berlin Airports on course for record annual traffic in 2010

August 24th, 2010

 

Berlin         2010

Between January and July 2010, both Berlin Airports handled 12.3 million passengers, an increase of circa plus 4.4% upon last year – with the number of incoming/outgoing flight movements remaining static at 134,000 for this same period.

Strong passenger growth of circa plus10% have put both of the International Berlin Airports – TEGEL and SCHOENEFELD/BBI – on course for a record annual traffic year in 2010.

The group, which operates Schoenefeld and Tegel airports in the capital, ‘Berlin Airports/ Berliner Flughafen-Gesellschaft mbH’ has reported that both airports together handled 2.16 million passengers in July this year.

[http://www.berlin-airport.de/EN/index2.php]

Berlin Airports/ Berliner Flughafen-Gesellschaft mbH  have reported a sustained passenger growth with an increase of circa 1/2 million travellers [JANUARY up til end of JULY 2010], and this with all the havoc caused by the Icelandic ash clouds, some labour disputes and a very sustained and intense winter.

Passengers transferring in Tegel has doubled ever since ‘Air Berlin’ started using the airport as its hub in May – this years total pax figure at TEGEL could well reach a cumulative annual number of record of more than 22 million passengers, which would be a new record.

Passengers transferring thru Tegel has doubled ever since ‘Air Berlin’ started using the airport as its hub in May – this years total pax figure at TEGEL could well reach a cumulative annual record number of  more than 22 million passengers..

Schoenefeld/BBI Airport reported 730,775 passengers in July, a year-on-year increase of plus 6.9% while Tegel handled 1.43 million, up by 11.6%.

Related article about Air Berlin on previous OTA-Berlin Constituency Blog;

http://www.ota-berlin.de/blog/berlin/2010/08/07/air-berlin-being-wooed-by-frankfurt-to-switch-future-traffic-away-from-berlin-to-frankfurt-airport/

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15th Annual Art Forum Berlin Oct. 7th -10th

August 23rd, 2010

 

Berlin

In the last 15 years since it inception , Art Forum Berlin  has become one of Europe’s most sought after contemporary-art fairs, for both buyers, exhibitor gallery owners and also art curious Berliners – of whom there are many.

More than 40,000 collectors, dealers, curators and museum directors are expected to attend from all over the world -works from at total of 105 international galleries will be on display.

During the ‘Art Forum Berlin’ other local museums, galleries and private cultural institutions will present programmes, exhibitions, receptions and other events and attractions in conjunction with the Forum.

Two smaller simultaneous events, not coordinated but nevertheless will see visitors cross viewing are the ‘Berliner Liste’ and ‘Preview Berlin’ – both of which will feature more contemporary artists.

OTA-Berlin participated in a similar show previously. Unique in every aspect, Bridge Art Fair launched a radically new concept in art fairs with its inaugural Berlin showing: the first-ever apartment building art fair. Taking place concurrent with the prestigious Art Forum Berlin, Bridge took over an entire apartment complex and courtyard, using every available space in the 19-unit, 3-story OTA Berlin as temporary gallery space. 

http://gallery.ota-berlin.de/bridge-art-fair-berlin-2008/

The  ‘Art Forum Berlin’ will take place at the ‘Berlin Messe’ Exhibition Grounds daily, noon to 8 p.m. Two-day tickets will cost €32, and single day entrance €18.

For further info pls see:

http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/Internet/Internet/www.art-forum-berlin/englisch/index.html

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Konzert BERLIN – Frédéric Chopin zum 200. Geburtstag – mit Dan Deutsch 3.9.2010 – Studio Niculescu

August 22nd, 2010

Berlin

Freitag um acht

Israelische Musiker in Berlin

Klavierabend
am 3.9.2010, um 20 Uhr

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN ZUM 200. GEBURTSTAG
Dan Deutsch

Nocturne Op. 9 Nr. 1 in b-Moll

Polonaise Op. 40 Nr. 1 in A-Dur “Militärisch”

Polonaise Op. 40 Nr. 2 in c-Moll

Ballade Op. 23 in g-Moll 

Sonate Op. 35 in b-Moll

Polonaise Op. 53 in As-Dur “Heroisch”

Eintritt: 10 Euro, ermäßigt 7 Euro

Voranmeldung erbeten:
 
E-mail: cristianniculescu@gmx.de

Wir freuen uns auf Sie!

Ihr Studio Niculescu

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Studio Niculescu

Oranienstrasse 163 / 10969 Berlin
HH 1. Etage, Ehemalige Schokoladenfabrik

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http://www.dandeutsch.info/life.asp?id=1

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JAZZ in Berlin – Edith van den Heuvel quartet – Hidden Waltz – Sa. 28.08.10 – 2200hrs

August 22nd, 2010

 

Berlin

Vocal Jazz evening at the ‘b-flat’ jazz club on Saturday 28th of August starting at 2200 hrs, until……..well thats up to you! Tickets at the door 10 Euro.
Artists on the evening will include; Edith van den Heuvel who will be “carrying the piano” –leading- doing the vocals, Marque Lowenthal will be actually ‘playing’ the piano, Robin Draganic will do bass, and with Andrea Marcelli on drums.

Jazz vocalist Edith van den Heuvel was born in the Netherlands in 1970 – and at an early age fell in love with jazz and the voice of Ella Fitzgerald. She currently performs a lot in Germany.

Edith has played in concerts with: Georg Ruby, Blue Art Orchestra, Donald Regnier, Boris Schmidt, Yves Peeters, Jean-Yves Jung, Jean-Marc Robin, Davide Petrocca, Dany Schwickerath, Daisy Becker, Nils Thoma, Ben Heit, Christian Mariotto, Jean-Luc Deat and Andreas Schmidt.

Bass player Robin Draganic was born in Zagreb in 1963 in Zagreb but grew up in Canada and studied literature at the University of  Montreal. He has been in Berlin since 1988 and has played in various jazz groups along with studying classical music. He organizes his own jam-session every We

For more information about the ‘Flat b’ Accoustic Music & Jazzclub and its artists;

http://www.b-flat-berlin.de/

http://www.robin-draganic.de/

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Berlin’s cream-coloured Taxis voted 4th best in World

August 21st, 2010

Berlin/London

Behind London’s well known Black cabs, New Yorks and just after Tokio’s taxis, Berlin yellow cabs rate high in value for money,safety, security and poltieness of drivers. Also tourists, especially from North American and Japan are amazed to be driven about in Mercedes Benz taxis – which are known for being very expensive and never used for taxis back home.

The B-class Mercedes has become a real hit with both drivers and passengers – whether they are an economic success the taxi companies have not said, however it would seem to be so with the great number of them in Berlin.

Taxi School at Sennefelderplatz Berlin Mitte

A friendly, honest and knowledgeable taxi driver gives a visitor a positive lasting first impression about any city and they are a very important part of any country’s tourism industry – Berlin’s taxis are known for being efficient, fast and with honest drivers who do not hike or jack up fares.

This particular survey by ‘ Hotels.com’  to find out which city has the best cabs – London taxis has won the ‘best taxi in the world’ title for the third year running – Madrid’s taxis came 6th in the poll, followed by Copenhagen, Dublin,Frankfurt and then Paris.

Mercedes Benz’ B-Class’ Berlin TAXI’s are fuelled by natural gas

Not surprisingly Rome’s taxi drivers were voted the worst when it came to quality of driving!

Travel website Hotels.com conducts this yearly survey of tourist attitudes to taxis and invites respondents to assess taxi drivers performances  in various areas like friendliness of the drivers, availability of taxis, cost vs. distance, driving ability  and local knowledge etc.etc.

Alongside the well developed network of buses, trams and U-Bahn/S-Bahn trains in Berlin, there are circa 7000 taxis ready to drive their fares -both residents and visitor tourists – all around this large city.

In Berlin finding a taxi is easy: whether just hailing one down, at a taxi rank or by phoning in advance – guests at OTA-Berlin can easily book a taxi or our own personalized taxi bus for groups to either of the two airports – Schoenfeld/BBI or Tegel.

www.ota-berlin.de or call  [030 - 5471  3890]

The local 24hr number in Berlin for a taxi is 030-44 33 22.

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Konzerte des Piano Salon Christophori – 2 Pianos series -20.08. 20.30 Uhr – Konzertsaal -Musikschule Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

August 20th, 2010

Photo of the Piano Sound Board – all the sounds come from here. View from below of a 182-cm grand piano. In order of distance from viewer: softwood braces, tapered soundboard ribs, soundboard. The metal rod at lower right is a humidity control device. foto Wikipedia

Berlin

Konzerte des Piano Salons Christophori – - Pianos series -20.08. 20.30 Uhr – Konzertsaal -Musikschule Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

The 2 – Pianos series

Die beiden Virtuosen Maria Masycheva und Ulugbek Palvanov spielen zwei Klavierkonzerte in der Version für 2 Flügel

Beethoven Klavierkonzert No. 3 c-moll

Tschaikowski – Klavierkonzert No.1 b-moll

 

Die Konzerte des Piano Salons Christophori und die Sammlung benötigen eine neue Heimstatt und werden kurzfristig freundlicherweise von und in Zusammenarbeit mit der Musikschule Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg in deren Konzertsaal in der Zellestraße 12 ausgerichtet.

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http://www.konzertfluegel.com/N_konzerte.html

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‘MODERN PIANO SOLO FESTIVAL’ im BABYLON -BERLIN KONZERTE: 18-21 AUGUST 2010 ModernSoloPiano Festival10

August 19th, 2010

 

Berlin Babylon Teatre

What is modern solo piano? Modern solo piano is a movement. The piano has for centuries been the main and central instrument for composition and western classical music – during its entire development stages it has both assisted and help created both composers and performers.

 In the last half century a strong tendency to  bring the piano down to earth from its classical and elitist position and is now to be recognized in jazz, popular music and other genres. One needs only to think of Elton John famously sitting and singing behind his hugh amplified concert grand to get an idea how much things have changed over the years.

 This is only part of a larger movement and it goes both ways – witness the artist STING  taking old classical English composers and appearing on stage with a symphonic orchestra – David Bryne singing Verdi opera arias solo.

Modern solo piano playing has become a genre unto its own and encompasses a network of international solo pianists, connects jazz, Pop, classical period and so-called ‘new music’.

This symbiosis, of all this solo piano music is versatile, exciting and beautiful.

In an increasingly mixed-up and globalized world the getting together of like minded international artists is a natural consequence and this festival in Berlin -MODERN PIANO SOLO – is one such example.

MODERN PIANO SOLO  at the Babylon theatre is such an example.

See program below;

 http://www.babylonberlin.de/konzerte.htm

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Was ist ModernSoloPiano? ModernSoloPiano ist eine Bewegung. Das Klavier ist seit Jahrhunderten das zentrale Instrument für Komposition und musikalischen Vortrag und hat während seiner gesamten Entwicklung stetig große Künstler hervorgebracht.

 In den letzen Jahrzehnten ist eine starke elitäre Verödung zu erkennen. Die einzelnen Genre kapseln sich ab, bilden nur noch für sich aus und feiern sich als Zentrum einer neuen Entwicklung.

Dabei sind sie nur Teil der ganzen Bewegung. ModernSoloPiano ist ein genreübergreifendes Netzwerk internationaler Solopianisten, verbindet Jazz, Pop, Klassik, Neue Musik und alle symbiotischen Formen und zeigt, dass Solo Piano nicht nur existent, sondern vor allen Dingen vielseitig, spannend und schön ist. In einer vermischten und globalisierten Welt ist ein internationales und genreübergreifendes Podium in der musikalischen Königsklasse eine natürliche Konsequenz und wird der Musikentwicklung entscheidende Impulse geben.

http://www.modernsolopiano.net/

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PROGRAMM | LINEUP
MITTWOCH 18.08 | 20 Uhr | 9 Euro
Eröffnung Filmpremiere
Piano Encounters (Live: Enrique Sanchez Lansch)

DONNERSTAG 19.08 | 18 Uhr | 19 Euro
Nik Bärtsch, Jazz, CH
Maria Lettberg, Tango, SWE

DONNERSTAG 19.08 | 21 Uhr | 19 Euro
Katarzyna Kluczynska, Klassik, PL
Axel Zwingenberger, Boogie, D

FREITAG 20.08 | 18 Uhr | 19 Euro
Sonja Sungkono, Klassik, RI
Shanti Sungkono, Klassik, RI play Symphony X for two pianos (UA) by Ari Benjamin Meyers, USA

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‘Be Afraid’ …………and ‘Rejoice’! at the Berlin Fantasy Film Fest

August 18th, 2010

 

Berlin

Germany is gearing up to savor some fear as vampires, zombies, ghosts and all other kinds of nightmarish undesirables come to theaters over the course of the next month.

Germany’s eight-city ‘Fantasy Film Fest’ kicks of August 17 in Berlin, where it will spend a week before heading over to Hamburg. Eventually it will also hit Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich , Stuttgart and Nuremburg.

Each night new freaky films will be debuted, beginning in Berlin with Frank Richard’s french horror film,“The Pack,” in the Cinemaxx on Potsdamer Platz and will close with Quentin Dupieux’s ‘Rubber.’

“The Pack,” is the tale of a young woman who makes one of the classic fatal horror film errors and picks up a hitchhiker, who soon disappears using the bathroom in a restaurant. She is then kidnapped looking for him and in danger of being fed to a very hungry, ghoulish pack. Can she escape or is she their next course?

“Rubber” is directed by the famous electronic artist Mr. Oizo under his real name, Quentin Dupieux. It appeared at the Cannes Film Festical this year. Here he debuts a new concept of horror film killer – a tire killer. That’s right – Robert, the main character, discovers an abandoned tire and becomes psychically connected to it. Suddenly he can wreak all sorts of havoc with his new found passion for eradication and destruction. Rotund rubber wheels do more than just propel cars – they can also squash everything in their path.

The film considered the festival’s ‘centerpiece’ is, “Chatroom,” directed by Hideo Nakata. “Chatroom” tells the story of a teenager who goes from being on the brink of suicide to creating his own chat-room, in which societal outcasts like himself, feel gloriously at home. However, his ascendency over his minions grows to such an extent that it becomes dangerous. It also appeared at Cannes this year.

The horror festival which runs with the motto, ‘Fear Good Movies’ began in 1998 and has, in just over twelve years, transformed from a small recognition of scary movies into an internationally acknowledged fear-fete. The ‘Fresh Blood Award’ will go the film given the highest mark by festival attendees who will have the option to rate every film the watch from 1 (fantastic!) to 6 (terrible!).

Tickets are 9 Euros for regular films, and 12 Euros for 3D and can be purchased online or in person.

If you’re in Germany, take advantage of the chance to let your skin crawl in the theater.

LINKS

http://www.cinemaxx.de/Home/?SwitchCinemaId=12

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Oizo

http://www.fantasyfilmfest.com/

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/05/16/cannes-review-quentin-dupieuxs-wacky-tire-movie-rubber/

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