Art.Gerecht, the day after

So it was really unexpected. When you see Art.Gerecht from outside, it looks like a small coffee bar. The door is even in paper. You don't expect such a cosy place nor a concert location. Ok, all acoustic but what a pleasure to discover new artists live, round the corner with good atmosphere. We had the time to taste the very good coffee and later on, the tea. I was not in the mood for wine that evening but I heard it tastes good. Then you access the room where the artist will perform. Comfortably sat in chairs or sofas, your glass on the coffee table, facing the stage, you wait for the performance to begin. Before that, the artists display their merchandising, fair enough. There was no tickets to buy. In the middle of the concert, the owner of the bar gave us a basket to donate money. That is good because you don't feel struggle with the price of a concert, nowadays rarely affordable for me. The surprise came from the first part. Because there was one. Phia. Also from Merlbourne, Australia, living in Berlin since 7 months and having a good time, so she says, and performing often in the city. Yesterday she came with electronic devices that she pushes with her feet, connected with an african instrument called Kalimba that she plays with her hands. Amazing and entertaining. I bought her CD because I thought it was a good thing to do and also because I was thrilled by her creative talent. Coby Grant was enjoying the music. With each song, we had a little story about the process or the story about it and we felt like connected. After the performance, Coby Grant started hers. She is also staying in Berlin for the time being. She explained that she is recording next week her next album in the city. A few songs you can already listen on her website. The mood was really good and I appreciate very much when the artist puts a connection with the audience. I think that, where big concerts with thousands of people give you energy, the acoustic ones in bars or small locations simply give you happiness, the feeling that you're having a privilieged moment. And that's what happened. I also bought the CD but not for me. A friend of mine wanted to be with us but could not make it, being away from the city. That will be his Christmas present with a special word and signature from Coby Grant. I hope he will be thrilled with the music and word as we all were.

Art Gerecht

This evening we try something new. Art Gerecht. Live will play Coby Grant. I noticed the place a few months ago and I thought first it is only a (good) coffee bar, only open during day time. But it happens to be much more than that, very much more. On the rear there is a concert room where coms artists who play acoustic music. Last month I found no time to go but I book my evening and wants to go. This is what is said about the artist (from the main page of Art Gerecht) : "Australia’s sweetheart of acoustic pop, Coby Grant is a woman of many talents. Fiercely independent, she is a free spirit, savvy business woman and most fittingly, a genuine artist. The popular single, “A Song About Me” has been used on television commercials around the world, revealing new supporters in the most surprising places, such as Scandinavia! Having performed over 170 shows in the past year throughout Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, the UK and the USA and securing a number of stellar support slots alongside international artists such as Don McLean (USA), Newton Faulkner (UK #1 Artist) and Toni Childs (USA), Coby’s soaring vocals and candid lyrical style continues to win the hearts of Australian audiences and now, she’s going global. This year, Coby Grant will embark on her most epic journey yet, with tours planned through Europe, Canada and the USA." I quite interested I must say. I never had the idea such a place was so nearby and I am already a fan on Facebook. I might go more often at concerts. They also give singing and other art lessons.

World AIDS Day

Please don't forget that today December 1st, is World Aids day. It is sad to remember but there is still so much work to do. Of course medication exists but not anyone does have the access to it. I heard that before 2015, we want to eradicate the disease transmitted from mother to child. I'd like also that my fellow LGBT friends, this community always very prompt and active for a cause, and most of the time has access to doctors and medication, probably feeling safe in the city, and mostly the young ones who don't have nearby someone dead from AIDS, stops to think that they can cure with meds and they can carry on sucking dicks all night long and be fucked or fucked without protection. It's for life, you will never get rid of it. I also think that it is the duty of the oldest ones, me for example, to explain this matter. But believe it or not, I'm not listened. Worse : people of my age start to take advantage of the so-called innocence of the youngs. Not sure it really gets better.

Get married

when my gay canadian friend says to me he will get married, at first I laugh. then I remember he can

Kumpelnest 3000

After a very nice concert evening at the Philarmonie last Saturday (I just love the Mozart's requiem, everytime I listen to it, I'm shivering), my boyfriend asked the right question: where is the bar? It’s not that I don’t like Potsdamer Platz, I know very well the cocktail bar of the Mandala hotel and I used to go from its opening at the Victoria Bar but It’s not my favorite outside their school of drunkenness (see website) but that, I can do on my own. Because we didn’t want to travel through the city to find something to drink (though it’s no big deal in this city), because we wanted to stay in the neighborhood and not going back to East, we figured out what the options were … walking down west on the Potsdamer Straße. On this street, you will find dance and drink clubs and all look like a red light district with neon color lights inside, men with black suits and hair gel, with doorkeepers and luxury cars at the entrance, girls with so short dress that every man on the planet is their gynecologist. In the middle of that, you also will find the Wintergarten. I remember a few months ago the place became famous because of the gay parties inside which was abandoned because there was too much noise. Anyway, opposite of this  legendary theater, there is a dark road, the Lützowstraße and at the number 23 please open the door and get into Kumpelnest 3000. You will not believe it. Well, you will. After one or two drinks or more. If you are used to go out with me or follow my links, you certainly know the Roses in Oranienstraße, this tacky bar with walls covered with plush and kitschy taste. Coming in, Kumpelnest has been entirely decorated by art students, using old scraps of carpet and broken mirror, but the bar – in all of its crumpled glory – is still one of the stalwarts of the deep down and dirty Berlin club scene of yore. The crowd is as chaotic as the interior is, getting going to disco dance anthems into the extra-early mornings, as this place often stays open past 5am, and even later on weekends. Gay or straight, you're welcome here. All that's asked is that you enjoy a kinky good time in what used to be a brothel. This crowded and chaotic place is really a bar now. Berliners often show up here for early-morning fun after they've exhausted the action at the other hot spots. This lurid bat cave is sensuous, kooky and kitschy enough to feature in a 1940s Shanghai noir thriller. A true classic, famous for its wild, debauched all-nighters, it attracts a hugely varied public, from 20’s students to 70’s retired (but the lady with leather jacket please) without forgetting the 30’s mid something straight guy, feeling not so comfortable, sharing a beer with his so-called straight married friend (searh for the ring). You could also have the opportunity to chat with a black wigged woman or with the blond legged transexual. Some say the doorkeeper, arrived late, is not as friendly as he seems, maybe true but didn’t have to complain that evening. Don’t be surprised if your bar keeper is not there anymore, service changes. Once my friend Axel comes back to work in Berlin, he will have to taste aperitif there (he’s not working far from the place and I’m sure it is on his way home). Latest advice: forget the wine, any color.

Friday

Today my horoscope said : "Daydreaming will bring your downfall. Do not count on others to do your work. If you run from a situation, it will follow you in the worst possible way". How can I survive the day ? I looked at tv series all day, tried to paint the guest room but the colour does not match my desire and I think I'll go to the bar to end all this.

Doubt

Not sure again I've made the right choice. It looked right at first but then, like everytime, my personality takes over everything. I mean, what's the point of having a relationship if I'm not happy ?

CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) - Hits Me Like a Rock von BlastroNetworks

One lazy afternoon in Berlin, in Autumn

Tante Horst

Always on the thirst to investigate new bars, I was appointed 2 weeks ago on Saturday evening at Tante Horst, in Oranienstraße, Kreuzberg. I talked with friends about it after my wild night and this understated and modestly-priced café happened to be famous, that I didn’t know before. Anyway, when the meeting was set up, I liked spontaneously the name of the bar : Tante means aunt and Horst is a male name. So I wondered what kind of bar could be named with a male aunt ? Well, I was not disappointed : It’s a queer bar, meaning all kind of people can meet there and It’s no cliché : LGBT welcome and hetero friendly, let’s say. When I saw those boys with full make up and silver dress, I thought “they’re going to a party afterwards” but no, the party was meeting friends at the bar. Oups. When the students request free seats at our table, I thought “there is a birthday party upstairs” but no they sat next to us and ordered beers. When the DJ played louder the music, the mood really rises and changes from a nice and gentle start sipping caperihna to dance floor, which was good because after that we had to join a lesbian party called “mermaids” (didn’t see many, really, but It is another story). For the record, the bar, where like Bloona you can stay at the bar, is located on the less-trod side of the Oranienstraße, near Moritzplatz where Prinzessingarten is, closed now for winter : don’t forget to make yourself a note for next spring to go there (and It’s again another story). Drawing its entirely mixed crowd, Tante Horst prides itself on being a Likörchenkollektiv, which translates as a schnapps collective, offering an array of liquor that includes, but luckily is not limited to, sheep’s milk schnapps.With a rotating display of artwork by various local artists, the café creates a comfy atmosphere, ideal for unaffected cups of tea or glasses of beer. Every Sunday, Tante Horst hosts a vegan/vegetarian brunch buffet (12:00-16:00), whereas every Saturday night a DJ spins the crowd into a tizzy. We couldn’t stay too long and moved on to GoldenFinish before visiting the Mermaids (still makes me laugh) but I went back last Tuesday for apéritif. It’s of course quieter but you will appreciate the good mood of the bar to make a good start in the week.. I also read they are linked with other “Kollektiv” like Silver Future in Neukölln, but this one I know already. Didn’t I write about it? OK, next time then. (But it’s another story).

Bloona

I thought I knew every bar in my neighborhood but no, there are still some I have to discover. Coming back from drinks at Place Clichy the other day, we wanted to have the “one for the road” drink. I didn’t have the bike so walking through Boxhagener Platz, I noticed that between Schlecker and the Ampelman shop, there was a bar, with nice lights, a real big wood bar with stools. And people were smoking inside. My kind of place. They have also a very nice room behind the big tables for a more comfy living room atmosphere. But It’s also the room where you can book to launch your private party. OK, if you’re at the bar and want to go to the toilets, you will have to cross the crowd of screaming girls and boys with strange hats maybe but It’s part of the fun and you can make nice acquaintances. They have everything you like to drink from beer to wine and Ricard to Absinthe, I guess they also can make cocktails but I’ll stick with the standard, though the Riesling was a bit sour. During the week, It’s of course quieter but there is a big chance that you’ll meet the barfly. I was there twice this week and he was twice there. I wouldn’t say It is a coincidence because he talks a lot with the (nice and smiley) waitress and always tries to make conversation with the others sitting next to him, same chair, same place, same drink, same attitude.You want to be at Bloona's because you like it. Simple as that.

Need a drink

Honey, I ordered you a gimlet. I know you don't drink in the afternoon but you will eventually so why not starting now ?