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ONLY BE BERLINER
Only-Be Berliner
Berlin Marathon 2013
Among the marathons that all runners must run there´s Boston (which this year has sadly been in the news for all the wrong reasons), New York City, London, Chicago and, of course, Berlin. The experience as a runner or as part of the crowd is definitely worth it because they say that it´s one of the most historical and beautiful routes in terms of architecture. Write this down: the date is Sunday 29th of September and the time is 9am and the majestic Brandenburg Gate is the start and finish of this race. Photo: Amy EWen This is a call to all runners around the world. Berlin is one of the World Marathon Majors and a luxury for those runners who enjoy strong challenges. It´s not easy to get a number for this popular race and it´s a luxury to be there for those who understand marathons as an exercise of improvement and daily effort. It´s the goal of all goals and the stage could not be better because the race starts and finishes in the famous Brandenburg Gate. In total it´s 26.2 miles of pure visual training, a different visit to the German capital because the race also goes past all the main city landmarks. The ideal thing is to stay a few days there and walk around it calmly with less people around. The Wall, Alexanderplatz, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag, the museums… there´s plenty to see. The current world record of the Berlin Marathon is held by Patrick Makau, who ran it in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 38 seconds. If this year you were thinking in beating that...
Schöneberg, a stylish and extravagant district in the center of Berlin
If you ask anyone under the age of 50 to list the neighborhoods in Berlin, you’ll hear Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln … But it is likely that one will be left that would have been the first on the list had you asked the question to a young person about 40 years ago: Schöneberg. Photo: Roger Wollstadt Schöneberg is a central spot in Berlin, located in what was once West Berlin, between Charlottenburg and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, south of the river Spree. It has a stately elegance and was an important area in the past, before Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg became the more popular areas for new arrivals to Berlin. Historically, Schöneberg is one of the most popular districts of Berlin but it is also one of the most overlooked by new generations who visit the German capital. It’s a district that evokes both the history and the golden age of the city without losing a bit of its charm and attraction. The Schöneberg district of Berlin epitomizes the golden era of the 20s and early 30s during the Weimar Republic and was where the majority of intellectuals frequented. They arrived from all over Europe to this liberal city to enjoy its arts and literary scenes as well as its open homosexuality, since Schöneberg was the gay center of Berlin until the Nazis came into power. Bars like Eldorado and cabarets were frequented by intellectuals of the time such as the English writer Christopher Isherwood and his contemporaries who once went to see the actress and singer Marlene Dietrich or other cabaret artists. Berlin flourished after the First World War...
The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
It´s one of those productions that only happen once in a lifetime, that combines the music of the great king of pop and his choreography with the creativity of the Cirque du Soleil, to offer fans around the world a unique view of the spirit of Michael Jackson. More than 60 participants intervene, from dancers and musicians to acrobats. Inside their European tour they will perform in Cologne on the 15th and 16th of December at the Lanxess Arena. The show with which the Cirque du Soleil wants to impress us with this time is dedicated to someone who because he greatly contributed to music, inspired so much love among his fans and had such an abrupt ending, is a legend. Few have achieved as much as Michael Jackson. A combination of fantasy (that Jackson loved so much) with a fascinating fusion of music, dance and audiovisuals will transport the crowd to the creative world of Michael Jackson, making their bodies feel like they´re facing the legacy of the King of Pop World Tour is though both for fans of Jackson and for those who are just discovering his creativity, attempting to capture the essence, soul and inspiration of the star of this show. They show us the different sides to him that he loved, the creativity based in his own sources of inspiration, his love for music and dance, the fairytales and the magic and the fragile beauty of nature. Recreating unforgettable performances, they emphasize on the global message that he always wanted to transmit: love, peace and unity. All details have been carefully checked, up to the...
The Born This Way Ball Concert by Lady Gaga in Berlin
Everyone knows that one of the biggest musical phenomenon of recent times called Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga, the famous American singer, record producer, composer, pianist and dancer, that charmed the entire world with her incredible talent, will perform a great concert at the O2 World in Berlin on the 20th of September. In 2008, she launched her debut album “The Fame” and just a year later, she was already the diva we all know today. Her songs “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” catapulted her to top positions in the charts around the world, while dethroning Madonna as the queen of pop. The 23-year-old singer is particularly known for her exceptional staging and provocative performances, that have led her to win 5 Grammy Awards, while being finalist in twelve of them. Since then no one can stop her. Lady Gaga is also a great songwriter, who has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Britney Spears and the Pussycat Dolls. In 2010, Lady Gaga made her first appearance at the O2 World concert hall, and two years later, she returns to Berlin to perform a magnificent show, as part of her tour “The Born This Way Ball”. What could be better that a short trip to Berlin and watch Lady Gaga’s concert, while exploring one of the most vibrant and emblematic cities in Europe? As everyone knows, the German capital was almost three decades divided by the famous “Berlin Wall”. You can still see the remains of this wall, which became an iconic site of the city after its fall in 1989. While in Berlin, you can also visit some...
Berlin Festival: A Chance to Enjoy Modern Music in a Historical City
One of the main reasons for visiting Berlin is that it’s always bustling with energy. There is always some event or festival taking place in Berlin. It isn’t the type of place which needs an excuse to party. This passion for a party is nowhere as evident as in the numerous festivals, events, and parades occurring all year round. One such festival is the Berlin Festival. The Berlin Festival has been held since 2009 at the location of the former Tempelhof Airport. This year, The Berlin Festival will be held at Tempelhof Airport on 7th and 8th September. Besides the main location, the festival will also be held at Club Xberg. The lineup for the Berlin Festival 2012 has been confirmed. The Killers, the amazing combo from Las Vegas, will visit the Berlin Festival. After releasing 3 studio albums and making million sales, The Killers, will release their 4th album somewhere in 2012. Kate Nash has also been confirmed to visit the Berlin Festival 2012. Kate Nash is ready to release her 3rd album after the success of her first 2 albums, Made of Bricks and My Best Friend is You. It has also been confirmed that Juniors Boys will be present at the festival and We Have Band will again make an appearance. An ex-member of Aeroplane, Stephen Fasano, has been confirmed to perform magic under the name of The Magician at Club Xberg. Some other remarkable newcomers such as I Heart Sharks, Grimes, Friends, Sizarr, Etnik, and Michael Kiwanuka, are said to be present at this year´s Berlin Festival as well. Junip was initially confirmed to appear at the Berlin Festival 2012, but they had to cancel their performance at short notice. They released a statement saying that they had originally planned to perform some songs from their 2nd album, but some unforeseen circumstances have prevented them from doing so. They have also apologized to their fans that had planned to go to their shows. The organizers are again giving the festival full throttle about two weeks before the start of the festival. Except presenting the complete lineup, some other projects, have also been introduced, such as the Berlin Debate, which will take place during the Berlin Festival 2012 to discuss copyright. Everyone will surely find something to enjoy with a wide range of music being played at the Berlin Festival, from Grimes to Nicole Jaar, from Little dragon to Kate Nash, from Major Lazer to Orbital. And this is only for Friday, there are many more artists coming on Saturday. The two days of the festival are an excellent chance to see some very successful artists in a great musical environment, and to enjoy all that the beautiful and historic city of Berlin has to offer....
The Berlin of Good Bye Lenin
Today there are many vestiges of communism in Berlin. Not only the Wall but also the famous Checkpoint Charlie, huge avenues built by the Communists, the last flag of the Kremlin, or numerous monuments and cemeteries that remind us those who were killed trying to cross the Wall from its beginnings up until 1989. Let’s start the tour. We all learn from history and from what we’ve seen that the world is more just now that the Wall has fallen. And the Germans began a new stage of no return, marking the end of communism. In Berlin it is possible to take a tour of the most significant places of the former GDR. And you can even take a tour aboard a Trabi, the model of the former Communist regime. With the company Trabant Berlin, you can visit the typical Communist avenues with large gray buildings, at a cost of around 70 euros an hour. The tour also visits the East and West sides of the Wall (where you’ll notice the difference) and Checkpoint Charlie (the most famous crossing of the Wall between 1945 and 1990). It is located near Friedrichstraße and was under the control of the U.S. The name Charlie is the phonetic alphabet used by NATO, it stands for the third letter. There are also others, such as Checkpoint Alpha, in the autobahn in Helmstedt or Checkpoint Bravo in Dreilinden. In addition this route will pass through the museum of the Wall, the last flag of the Kremlin, and the Wall itself, or what remains of it. You can continue this “Good Bye Lenin” style tour...
Heimspiel Festival
While Berlin and music have always gone hand in hand in some way, it is true that summer is perhaps the most propitious time in the German capital for the expression of that condition which, according to Walter Pater seeks all art, these mysteries both abstract and concrete, at a time in which according to the Pythagorean-Hermetic tradition they uncover the secret of the universe. Following the physics of the avant-garde, is it possible that, strictly speaking, all that is and always has been a vibration of strings? The importance of music in the summer life of the residents of Berlin is seen in the prestigious Citadel Music Festival, which takes place from early June until late August in the imposing Renaissance citadel in the Spandau neighborhood of the German capital. It features a wide and varied range of international artists. The spectrum is truly staggering, and it includes both true living legends of contemporary culture of the past half century, such as Lou Reed or Bob Dylan, as well as new bands which are quite refreshing like the British group Kitty, and Daisy and Lewis, champions since their brilliantly arrogant youth of a stimulating and exciting revival of rockabilly, blues, country, swing, and rhythm and blues. Between these extremes there is also space during the summer months for classics of different genres, those musicians who are reluctant to completely abandon the scene, such as Billy Idol, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Snow Patrol or the ever powerful group The Pogues. However, within this very extensive program we would like to direct your attention to the Heimspiel festival on July 13...
David Garrett in Berlin
Berlin is without any doubt, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe. In this city, you can easily find people from all over the world, of all colors, all sexual preferences and all styles. The German capital has the power to be very dynamic in its structure; you can scroll to the underground, S Bahn, buses, taxis, bicycles and walking without any problem. A tour of the various faces of Berlin is always entertaining and lively, and can be done at your own pace. The city continues to change, with new buildings and public spaces for its citizens and visitors. The significant influence of immigrants, students and tourists, make Berlin one of the most preferred places to spend spring and summer in Europe. If it comes to entertainment and nightlife, there are endless options. The wide variety of clubs and bars with live music in Berlin is quite long and has all the contrasts you´d expect from a big city. From electronic, rock, classical, jazz, experimental, all music is in its main streets and districts. Berlin has also been part of the “gentrifrication” affecting big cities, and clothing chains, boutiques, restaurants and well-known cafes have invaded many of its most popular venues. However this does not stop you to get to know this important city. The costs of food, lodging and entertainment, are still much lower in comparison to other European cities. A trip to Berlin can take your best seven days. And there are so many options to go for. A weekend won’t be enough. Your journey can start at the national museums; with a single three-day...
Concert of the Jacuzzi Boys in Berlin
On April 9, the pop band Jacuzzi Boys, will perform to promote their new album Glazin, gone on sale in August 2011 at the Comet in Berlin. Jacuzzi Boys is an interesting indie pop mainstream music band. Their music is reminiscent of sixties rock, they have something unique from the sound of The Beatles in their early stage, that captivates the essentially feminine audience, perhaps due to the warmth of their songs Formed by guitarist Gabriel Alcala, drummer Diego Monasteri and bassist Danny Gonzalez in Miami in 2007 they quickly reached the public´s preferences because of that garage rock band flavor of the 60´s they had, along with an important musical imprint that differentiates them from other similar groups and that makes them a great XXI century product The first to start this adventure were Gabriel and Diego, who insisting on finding a different band, decided to board Danny Gonzalez´s project, who provided tonal richness and complemented the work Monasteri and Alcalá had begun to develop, thus Jacuzzi Boys definitely formed. The newly formed trio caught the attention of an indie music label in Orlando Florida. From that moment they became a musical revelation, admired by young women, kids and an older audience who enjoyed the rock sound of this group and are only looking for some good music to dance to. Until now, these “guys from the south”, as they are called in the media when referring to the city they are from, Miami, have managed to enter furiously the U.S. market of music, performing successful concerts, especially in Miami where they have positioned themselves as the most famous...BerlinApotheke
Apotheke is a pharmacy that has various stores in the centre of Berlin that are open 24h a day so that their clients don´t have to worry about the time.
