Hendrik Otremba

MMW_Hendrik

The 2 Minute Interview

Hendrik Otremba sings. Hendrik Otremba paints. And boy, does he! Both, we mean. And then he’s also a lecturer, works as a free-lance author, journalist, lector, songwriter and hosts his own radio show at BYTE.FM. Boy oh boy! His band Messer is well known in the indie world. His paintings caused a stir in the press, can be found on various album covers and grace many walls, for example those of the Galerie Jäger. Last Friday, he opened his latest exhibition together with Thorsten Nagelschmidt aka Nagel in the Tennisbar in Neukölln. A word with the artist, Sir! Do you have a favourite film?

Name: Hendrik Otremba
Age: 31
Home: Berlin
Profession: Artist
Shoe size: 42
Favourite tool: knife
Contact: www.hendrikotremba.de


Who or what inspires you?
Films, books, paintings – pretty unspectacular.

What satisfies you more: music or painting?
I can’t really distinguish between them. But painting is harder – if it’s grotty there, it’s really grotty.

Where should one of your painting definitely be hanging?
In a prison.

Your song for eternity? And yes, just one!
Scott Walker – It’s raining today

Your generation’s biggest problem?
Short-sightedness.

What did you want to grow up to be?
Singer and detective, so I made it.

Which knowledge would you have liked to have had at 20?
Smoking is bad for your skin.

What are you really bad at?
Baking.

What goes wrong?
Everything?

Which moment changed everything?
My birth. After that, everything was different for me.

You can travel in a time machine. Which year do you set it to and why?
2015. That was nice.

With which famous person would you like to go out for drinks?
Pogo McCartney

What would you cook for us if we came to visit you?
Pasta a la Norma

What are you afraid of?
Something happening to my nearest and dearest.

Which super power would you like to have?
Being invisible.

What should no one know about you?
I’m incredibly vain.

Which question should we have asked?  
What’s your favourite film?

Last words:
Love.

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: People | Autor: | Datum: 04. Mai 2016 | Tags: , , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Ceci n´est pas du Jazz

The “Schlesi”, the gateway to Kreuzberg, is always good for a jam. Those who pitch their musical tent here in a sunny moment are rewarded by an instant audience gathered around them within seconds. Which makes this area an excellent geographical entrée into the XJAZZ-Festival, taking place from May 5th to 8th. Starting in the afternoon, visitors can dive into the contemporary continuation of Jazz. Because XJAZZ is just more than Jazz. It’s Jazz magnified by x. It’s Jazz in x different shapes and sizes.  It’s a hybrid of various influences, a crossover from related types of music. The festival presents over 80 concerts in 11 clubs (and one church) and a musical range from traditional Jazz to Funk, Soul and Hip Hop to singer/songwriter melodies and new classical music. Of course, we are aware that this leaves visitors exquisitely spoilt for choice. So we went and hand-picked a few acts from this kaleidoscopic bouquet and are giving away 1×2 tickets for them. Those of you looking for music that “sounds like a hug, a kiss feels” will find it at the cinematically inspired session of German-American-Persian Malakoff Kowalski  on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Lido. Friends of contrasts will love the combination of intimate lyrics and driving beats of Me & my Drummer (Friday, 9 p.m., Emmauskirche). Hip Hop Aficionados should head for the Prince Charles at 11 p.m. on Thursday. The trio Green House Expansion is playing the logical connection of Jazz and Hip Hop, lyrically led by the first Hip Hop artist ever allowed to perform in the legendary Blue Notes Jazz Club: MC Stimulus. If you feel like dancing, we’ll send you to the Bi Nuu at 11 p.m. on Thursday to experience the international ensemble Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions – instrumental music made for hoofin’ it. Or, our final offer: The temporary, dynamic and musical collaboration of greats such as Casper Clausen, Martyn Heyne or Greg Haines. »The Group« will be filling the Lido with their spherical sounds at 12.30 a.m. on Friday. If you want to go to one of these concerts, send an email headlining ‚AND ALL THAT JAZZ‘ to hurra@muxmaeuschenwild.de. Everyone else will find some other amazing acts in the elaborate programm on offer at XJAZZ (Sophie Hunger! Miss Kenichi!! Nightmares on Wax!!!). Because Jazz ain’t just Jazz ain’t just Jazz.
____
XJAZZ Berlin | 5th to 8th Mai in 11 clubs und 1 church | www.xjazz.net | Facebook | Events

MMW_XJAZZ

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Events | Autor: | Datum: 04. Mai 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Shop this, Folks!

FOLKDAYS Store_3

Our friends from Folkdays are opening a shop. Enough said, really. The mission is obvious. Go there, shop some incredibly great products and make the world a better place. At Folkdays, you get hand-made products from countries that aren’t exactly at the economic centre of globalisation – real, traditionally manufactured accessories, jewellery, clothing and interior products far away from ethno-kitsch. All products are purchased directly from the manufacturer at a fair price. On site, support is given to improve the working and living conditions and at the end of the year, a full 10% of profits flow back to the manufacturer. And because one kind of wants to touch and feel potential new favourite products, best case while having a chat and a cup of coffee, Folkdays is now finally available to walk in, look around and stay. Starting from May 6th, Manteuffelstraße 19 is not only a great address for shopping, you can also celebrate there and exchange with various protagonists on sustainability, design or social business. The official opening is already happening in situ tonight at 6 p.m. Be there or be square!
_____
FOLKDAYS Store | Opening on 4th May 2016 | Manteuffelstraße 19, 10997 Berlin | Facebook | folkdays.com

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Events | Autor: | Datum: 04. Mai 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Spring Greens

 MMW_Moos.f0bfe2a155e25675f6e7eb515056a34b

Spring Greens

It was April 2013, so pretty exactly three years ago, when we first put foot on the lawn and later inside the ancient hallowed halls of the former crematory in Wedding. It only felt strange for a moment – before we went in, to be precise. Because this enchanting place, that seems to welcome each visitor with both its wings stretched out like open arms, radiates peace, serenity and vigour and is pretty unique in this loud, fast city. We arranged our third Golden Dinner there and in the four weeks of its existence, we became one with the rooms, floors, walls and the grand dome hall. Today, the silent green Kulturquartier is breathing life into the space. It wants to be understood as an open yet protected room for thinking, research and experimentation. A particular focus is set on multidisciplinarity, encounters and transformation. And what could be more suitable for interactive exchange than a comfortable and cordial restaurant. Exactly. The question is, of course, rhetorical and yet there is an answer: The Moos Restaurant in just that location is a culinary oasis of tranquillity. Street food pioneer and deli professional Charlie Huber runs the breezily designed restaurant (and its garden) with the unspoilt view into green nature and serves varying dishes, coffee and cakes. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives go without saying – delicious and fresh, of course.  The cuisine is in no way dogmatic, in fact it’s quite surprising – even for the chef, who often doesn’t decide what he’s cooking until he’s been to the market. Where moss is seeing to its important role as nutrient reservoir, this idyllic treasure is fulfilling its function as provider of nutrients in a creative way. Breakfast on weekends and holidays, for example, is presented so magnificently that the resident squirrels Erich and Egon can get quite tempted by the crunchy muesli. And starting in May, evenings can be spent sitting around the bonfire in the garden with a glass of wine and some small delicacies.
____
Moos Restaurant in the silent green Kulturquartier | Gerichtstraße 35 in Berlin-Wedding |open Monday to Friday 12 to 6 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | moos-restaurant.de | facebook |

Photo: kathamau.com

 

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Places | Autor: | Datum: 21. April 2016 | Tags: , , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Dandylicious

 MMW_Dandy_Diner

Dandylicious

What can happen when two eccentric-narcissistic and, in the best sense, perpetually pubescent fashion-bloggers and fashion week veterans, extremely successful in zeitgeist, porn, pop and freak show so far, now tackle the subject of food? That’s right: a style-forming, rosy Culinarium following a fast-food model that brings multicultural vegan speedy cuisine in cardboard boxes from the heart of Neukölln to people not only hungry for actual food but also for the potentiality of the future. On April 16th, the most well-known male fashion bloggers of Germany and authors of Dandy Diary, David and Jakob, will be opening their Dandy Diner at Karl-Marx-Straße. The first branch of their self-declared takeaway empire was designed in the style of 1980s fast food chains by Studio Karhard. The studio that also created and implemented the toilets in the club Berghain. And just like there, anything is possible in the Dandy Diner – except for animal products. The culinary repertoire that features dishes from burgers to salads, sandwiches to desserts and pastries is purely vegan aka kosher aka halal. Besides very good coffee, beer and wine, long drinks are also on offer – a definite advantage over all the imperialistic competitors. And because the dandies just can’t do without fashion, the staff-outfits have been meticulously designed as well. Aprons and hats with the little piggy-logo are also for sale for non-employees at the Voo Store. Items available free of charge are first impressions, burgers, drinks and loud music at the opening party on the Danish queen’s birthday, April 16th.
____
Dandy Diner | Karl-Marx-Straße 9, 12043 Berlin |  Opening hours: daily from 12 pm to 12 am | dandydiner.de | Facebook | Opening: 16. April from 8 pm

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Places | Autor: | Datum: 13. April 2016 | Tags: , , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Bite me if you can

Bite me if you can

The undead are on the loose and they are right in the midst of us. At least since yesterday and we’re pretty sure you can find them in the pit of the Komische Oper unter den Linden. That’s where Heinrich Marschners opera „Der Vampir“, created 1828 and now presented by Antú Romero Nunes, celebrated its premiere yesterday. The 33 year-old wunderkind director has become known for his imaginative, unconventional twist on classics such as Schillers „Räuber“ at the Maxim Gorki Theater or „Don Giovanni“ and „Moby Dick“ at the Thalia Theater in Hamburg. He took the story and condensed it into 90 minutes without intermission, whittled the cast down to a total of 6 actors (zombies 1-33 not included), donned Count Dracula, pardon, Lord Ruthven a fetching pale undercut, carpentered an insane stage design and spiced up the whole thing with a dash of musicomical demonic splatter. This can, of course, lead to the occasional bowel flying through the air and extremities being swung like clubs over the head of the deformed, wheezing zombie creature. Bon Appétit! This is spooky in a most entertaining way, funny from time to time and never truly disgusting. The story is told just as quickly as it is experienced. Vampire Ruthven has to charm and, well, slaughter three virgins before midnight and leave them to be devoured by the mad zombie mob. Otherwise he is history. The seducer’s lure is hard to resist and his magnetic pull on the female sex can’t even be dwindled by his likeable little paunch. Confidant Edgar can only watch his fiancé Malwina succumb to the gruesome lord and knows no way out of his dilemma: if he betrays the vampire, he will become one himself. If he doesn’t, he’ll send his beloved straight into the trap. In the end, everyone…  well, we’ll see. We’re giving away one pair of tickets for the show on March 26th to the particularly bloodthirsty among you. Write an Email with the subject ‚BOTTOMS UP‘ to hurra@muxmaeuschenwild.de  But beware: a seat in the first 12 rows might put you closer to the action than you had bargained for. Have a close look at the person sitting next to you before the curtain rises…

_____

DER VAMPYR – Musiktheater nach Heinrich Marschner | 26.03./03.04./17.04./23.04./05.07. | Komische Oper, Behrenstraße 55-57 10117 Berlin | Karten 12-69 Euro | www.komische-oper-berlin.de |  Photo: Ilko Freese

 Der Vampyr

 

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Events | Autor: | Datum: 23. März 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare

The sweet soul of life

MMW_Candy

The sweet soul of life

Sweets lift the spirits. Good sweets even make you happy. And delicious sweets in unrivalled quality can even make you euphoric. As we experienced ourselves recently during our visit to the Green Market Berlin. Curiosity and an appetite for sugar made us indulge in a few bars from Retos Candy Farm. The „Figaro“, for example: a combination of fantastic fig, rich ricotta and bewitching balsamico. Fluffy malt drops made from creamy, top-fermented British stout. Or the ultimate boost of energy Elvis Presley style: the “Banana Monkey”, a tummy-filling mix of the yellow fruit and sticky peanut butter. That’s about as American as these Retos bars get, mind you. Their delicious creations have absolutely nothing in common with the industrialised, plastic-infested, imperialistically produced calorie bombs that we find lined-up at the supermarket check-out, waiting to attack starved binge-watchers. The products being brewed, stirred and weighed by the gram in a former restaurant kitchen on the shore of the Spree in Kreuzberg are, as their creator Reto Brunner says, “small portions of hand-made joy”. Which brings us back to the beginning. The good things in life. And what made us return to the Candy Farm booth to shop some more after that first taste. Did we mention that the ingredients of Retos sweets are not only hand-picked and merged after countless experiments, but also organic? Goes without saying? Yeah, you know us pretty well by now. And our taste.
____
Retos Candy Farm | for example at Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstrasse 42-43, 10997 Berlin | candyfarm.org

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Products | Autor: | Datum: 23. März 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Juice Owusu

 

MMW_Juice.78dec0295505e71245575ec55c10e8ad

Juice Owusu

The 2 Minute Interview

What a name! And what a guy! Juice Owusu is manager of The Grand – one of the hottest clubs this awesome city has to offer. Gone are the days when he used to hang out on hip-hop stages together with a, back then, very young man called Sido or organised his first legendary parties at the Boogaloo and 90 Grad. Nowadays, it’s more about heading out to the Schlachtensee with pasta  – after a great night of clubbing and a lie-in, of course. After all, the last song is always ‚Sex on Fire‘ by Kings of Leon – no further questions, your honour. P.S. We never said anything about Rumpelstiltskin…

Name: Kwame „Juice“ Owusu
Age: 37
City: Berlin / Schöneberg
Job: Club manager
Shoe size: 44.5 / 45
Favourite place: Berlin / Schöneberg
Contact: Facebook or instagram
 

Are you living in the right city?
After about 30 years, I think I must be. Or I must have done something wrong.

 

What’s so special about The Grand?
It’s like a reflection of life. You meet nice people, enjoy good food and celebrate life. For a few hours, you can step into a completely different world. Places like that are hard to find.

 

Truth be told, what would you have never done without alcohol?
Putting my car keys on the driver’s seat and leaving the door open.

 

Which legendary party would you like to have organised yourself?
Hmm, that’s a hard one. The 90s BACK IN THE DAYz hip-hop-party – if I hadn’t done it myself already…

 

Friends of yours are in town for the first and last time. What are your plans?
I’ll show them the typical sights of Berlin – ones that are often forgotten. Instead of Kastanienallee or Friedrichshain I’ll take them to see the „Goldelse“ Viktoria in the middle of the huge Tiergarten. After a night of clubbing, we’ll then go on a trip to the Schlachtensee the next morning, rent a boat and chill out.

 

How can you tell that you’re all grown up?
I’m more sensible now… and unfortunately I need more sleep.

 

An evening you’ll never forget?
My old rap band was the supporting act for Outcast. Being on stage with your idols? #priceless

 

If you met your 18 year-old self, what advice would you give him?
“Hey kid, do everything exactly the same way – and have faith in the right people“.

  

Where do you go when you go out?
I’m practically „out“ every night. So I like visiting my friends at home.

 

The coolest Berliner ever:
I always thought Harald Juhnke was very cool. A real Berliner to the core. All of the others are just Berliners by choice.

 

With which famous personality would you like have coffee?
Karl-Heinz Müller (founder BBB).

 

What would you cook for us if we visited you at home?
An easy meal my wife taught me. Tasty, quick and – of course – organic. Pasta with dried tomatoes, tuna, olives and goat’s cheese….mhmmm, very yummy.

 

What are you afraid of?
Fear is a bad adviser. So I tend to stay away from it. My environment and I both benefit from that.

 

Which superpower would you like to have?
I’m a Batman fan, although he’s not really a typical superhero. Sometimes, all it really takes is will power to move mountains just like superheroes do.

 

What should no one know about you?
…that Rumpelstiltskin is my name…

 

Which question should we have asked?
When can our team come visit you?

 

Last Words:
Love, laugh and enjoy spending time together. We’re all only here for a little while. Don’t take anything for granted and remember that nothing lasts forever.

 

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: People | Autor: | Datum: 16. März 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare

Are Saudis strange?

DUM_Cover_Wennwirlängstwoanderssind_151104.indd

Are Saudis strange?

How can we deal with this feeling of unfamiliarity that seems to be irresolvable? In the face of the global flow of refugees and the desperate struggle for more humanity, this question is subject of daily concern. It is also a question that Rasha Khayat has been asking herself all her life. Born in the Ruhr area in 1978, and raised in Saudi Arabia, the writer tries to find answers in her literary debut »Weil wir längst woanders sind«, which tells the story of the siblings Layla and Basil. Born and raised in Germany, and socialised by the western culture, Layla’s beloved brother is shocked by his sister’s plans to marry a man in the family’s former home country. And what is even worse: Lalya does not want to marry out of love but as a matter of principle. Find out why and what happens next in this story about keeping with traditions in modern times, about a sense of belonging and feeling out of place, about day-to-day racism and family ties. On March 18th, during the Literatur: Berlin festival, Rasha Khajat will be reading excerpts from her book hot from the press. Listen closely and dive into the novel about the challenging search for cultural identity. For the past six years, Rasha has also been writing a blog about this particular quest. Here, Rasha opens the »German window to Arabistan« – for us and herself – with keen observations, sensitive descriptions and wit. Well-formulated education in a world that has got all caught up in xenophopic emotions. We’re giving away a pair of tickets for the reading at the Kulturbrauerei. So, if you’re interested in finding out how Layla’s decision will change her future and what Basil can learn about his supposed home country, send an email titled ‚NOTHING QUIET ON THE EASTERN FRONT‘ to hurra@muxmaeuschenwild.de.
____
Reading ‚Weil wir längst woanders sind‘ by Rasha Khayat | 18.03.16, 8pm | Bibliothek am Wasserturm | pre-sale tickets 8 Euro, tickets at the door 10 Euro at Kulturbrauerei and Georg Büchner Buchladen | Facebook Event

e

 

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Events | Autor: | Datum: 16. März 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare

You’re so Berlin, Baby!

MMW_LIL.jpeg

You’re so Berlin, Baby!

Before we get to the actual topic of this article, we’d like to sing a song of praise about life in the most beautiful, fantastic, fascinating and utterly sublime city of all. Oh Berlin, how wonderful you are. No matter how loved you are, you remain true to yourself – whether we’re just here for a quick visit or here to stay. You are unpretentious, hard-headed and genuine. We can have breakfast at 10 pm, or enjoy a Currywurst whenever we please – preferebly wearing a tux or almost nothing at all –  and yet you’ll always be your unpolished self. Berlin, you’re not just a city, you’re a way of life – from morning till night. You have your own rules and your own time. Which brings us to the main topic: there’s a new watch in town! It’s made in this city and that’s exactly why it’s sooo perfect. It answers to the lovely name Lilienthal Berlin, is très chic (of course!), and sustainably manufactured in Germany under fair conditions and with the highest quality of materials (expecting anything less?). But best of all, there is a piece of Berlin in every single part of it – sometimes visible and sometimes not, but always noticeable. The minutes are displayed on an outer ring on the face of the watch, and since we’re always on the go, we wouldn’t want to miss any of them. The digits are set in the different typefaces used for former East (minutes) and West (hours) street signs – you know, it’s all about overcoming borders and so on. Taking a closer look, you’ll find the embedded crown resembles the shape of the Urania, our beloved clock at the Alexanderplatz. And much more. Each Lilienthal Berlin can be styled according to outfit or time of day – the collection’s wrist straps can be changed with a simple click. In addition, 5 Euros of every sold watch will be donated to charitable projects in Berlin. Brilliant! The pre-sale has just started and features a limited edition of 1440 (total number of minutes in one day) watches in matt silver or gold with either a blue or white face. Each of them come with an engraved edition number and two naturally tanned leather straps in blue and brown. Please order here! Use our special promo code FRIENDS20 with your order before March 21, and get an extra 20 percent off! The complete collection will then be on sale at the end of April. We’ll keep you posted! But for now, we’re proud as a peacock and are giving away a Lilienthal Berlin in silver/white to those of you particularly in love with Berlin. Send an email titled IT’S TIME to hurra@muxmaeuschenwild.de.
____
Lilienthal Berlin L1 – limited edition | 249,00 Euro with engraving and two straps | www.lilienthal.berlin

 

 

Weiterlesen

Kategorien: Products | Autor: | Datum: 09. März 2016 | Tags: , , , |  Keine Kommentare