Is it the beginning of the end, or the beginning of summer’s second wind? It seems that the “dark” days of 40 degree weather and its paralyzing effects are behind us, and we’ve got a mellower wave of hospitable weather to propel us toward a beautiful, hectic, hedonistic run into the night and through to the next day. We’ve still got an exuberant blast of young tourists completely psyched to sink their teeth (and their money) into Berlin’s arts and culture – and Berlin is nothing but happy to oblige.
Along those lines, in the “OMG, look who’s playing while we’re here” set, you can catch a taste of 2003 along with hundreds of other spandex-sporting girls and their long-haired, blank-eyed boyfriends at the Fischerspooner DJ Set (Fri, Aug 6 @ Weekend). The fly-by-Berlin crowd could almost be said to chase the Arcade Fire Record Release Party (Fri, Aug 6 @ Magnet Club), except the fact that it’s a record release party (for an amazingly good record) makes it a bit more relevant. If hitting the hype with tons of strangers isn’t your thing, and you’d rather party with a few more locals, then hit up London Calling (Fri, Aug 6 @ Schwuz) for some down-home electro sparks.
Saturday is full of fun and games before the nightly blitz, if you can get up. High Tech Street Games (Sat, Aug 7 @ Kunstraum Kreuzberg / Bethanien) is nothing short of nerdtastic: games of Hide & Seek and Capture the Flag with high-tech (and not-so high-tech) devices like GPS and walkie-talkies will help you sweat out Friday’s toxins. If you keep up that energy, you can take it on to the bombastic Berlin City Groove Festival (Sat, Aug 7 @ Arena/Badeschiff), with over 25 acts spread over several venues – although the cover could get you into Berghain, so you could stay there to avoid spreading your debauchery so thin.
The following day there’s the usual mill-about fare, so you can casually take in exhibitions or flea markets after your late brunch. Not to put any pressure on, but… it’s your last chance to see the super-fun but also super-important Heroes, Freaks and Super-Rabbis (through Sun, Aug 8 @ Jewish Museum) – a crazy, colorful, serious, funny, fahklumpt-experience and insightful as well. Also to see Olafur Eliasson’s dreamy hodgepodge Innen Stadt Außen (through Mon, Aug 9 @ Martin-Gropius-Bau). And speaking of mixed up, why not tie it all up with the DIY Trunk Show (Sun, Aug 8 @ La Bastellerie), where everything from dolls to bling to cookies out of trunks and suitcases will be sold. I don’t know if that is some sort of metaphor for the transitory state of Berlin, but the image is appropriately gaudy, kitsch and hip.
