'Life is the Giving and Receiving of Respect' - Berlin, Deutschland. 13.08.2018 - 30.09.2020

 

Tempelhofer Feld am Sonnenuntergang, 30.05.2020

"Ich weiß nicht wohin ich als nächstes gehe, aber ich verspreche es wird nicht langweilig sein." - David Bowie

In the course of just over 2 years of living in Berlin, one of the best pieces of advice I received came from an established Artist friend in early September this year: "Life is about the giving and receiving of Respect." The advice resonates particularly in Berlin where 'Respect' and 'Distance' are words to live by.

Since 1900 Berlin has survived two World Wars, division by the Berlin Wall, and much more. The city has lived through more than its' fair share of trauma. So it makes sense that Berliners would place a high value on the concept of Respect. As for the Distance part of the equation - that's even more important since the Corona Virus arrived in Germany.

I'll come back to the concept of Respect later in this entry. First I want to say a few thank yous to my favourite city for letting me live through certain experiences over the last two years. In no particular order:

Thank you for letting me experience Berlin alone. Many places, such as Tempelhofer Feld at Sunset, or the Sowjetisches Ehrenmal in Treptower Park, were experienced this way. I enjoyed being left alone with my thoughts in the shadow of History.

Thank you for the small signposts and nudges you gave me along the way. Reminding me to slow down and enjoy being a Flaneur in my adopted home. Sometimes the signposts were on a wall in the form of Gedenktafel (placards that mark historically significant buildings). At other times these signposts were directly underfoot - as is the case with the Stolpersteins that give the names, as well as birth and death dates, for Jewish people who were persecuted by the Nazis.

Thank you for letting me experience Berlin in my own time, and in my own way. As the locals say, "Alles kann, aber nichts muss sein."

Last but not least, a big "Danke Sehr" to all the parties I was lucky enough to shake my ass at. These were consistently Fabulous even through Corona times.

Anali Goldberg (with Headdress at left) and her Dancers. Else Open Air Club & Biergarten, Berlin, Deutschland. 24.09.2020

I want to give a shout out here to Anali Goldberg. By far one of Berlin's best, and most original performance Artists. Yesterday he performed in an open air venue near the Spree. The short musical number with his backup Dancers was hilarious. It had a very Berlin feel to it. Spontaneous and Fun.

At this point I want to return to the idea of Respect and why it's so important. In a world where Capitalism sometimes distorts our understanding of the important things in life, the idea of Respect reminds us that other people are what comes first. When we treat each other with Respect we make each others' lives better. A positive feedback loop is created.

When we treat each other Disrespectfully a feedback loop is also created. But this one poisons our relationships and creates a rather dark and unpleasant cycle that can be difficult to escape from.

Walking through Berlin one becomes aware of the patched together Hasslich quality of some neighbourhoods. The city is by no means a unified whole. It has been shaped and defined by many different peoples - Russians, Turks, Americans, and Canadians - to name a few. This diversity of Nationalities and life experiences means Respect is critical if people are to live together peacefully.

Berlin somehow manages to do this. It is one of the most resilient cities on Earth. For readers who want a better understanding of Berlin's rich history, I recommend reading Berlin: Imagine a City by Rory MacLean. He tells the stories of Berliners who made their mark such as Frederick the Great, Marlene Dietrich, and David Bowie among others.

I have been lucky enough to feel the Magic in Berlin more than once. I attribute some of this Magic to something left behind by significant events that took place here. The feeling isn't something I can really describe in writing. But when you experience it, you will know what it is. 

Even as I prepare to pack my suitcases for a return to Canada, I know that I will return to Berlin. Being here fuels my creativity and desire to grow as a person. The city surprises me when I least expect it. The parties are inventive, sometimes intense, and always great Fun to be part of.

I am very much in love with Berlin. Berlin is my Home.

I will be back. But first a few Chapters (and hopefully this damn Corona Virus) need to pass.

Anali Goldberg's Edgy Borscht Belt Trilogy Brings the Laughs

Anali Goldberg, star of the one woman show 'The Borscht Belt Trilogy' performs in Berlin on February 20, 2020

The Borscht Belt Trilogy brings Berlin, "something Jewish, something Sexual" by Artist Ariel Nil Levy

Finding the performance space for The Borscht Belt Trilogy, Anali Goldberg's latest offering of comic absurdity, was half the fun. Held over two nights in an industrial part of Neukölln, I almost didn't find the venue. Fortunately, while walking down a dark laneway on Ziegrastraße, I spotted two people who looked like they, a) Knew where they were going and, b) Were dressed as if they were headed to watch an alternative Theater show. Thankfully I was right on both counts.

Walking up a dark stairwell I noticed the Graffiti covering most every available square inch, along with a run-down quality to the building. Outside the performance space was a torn up brown leather couch, big enough to seat two. I immediately plunked myself down to wait in comfort.

When the show did start, I was pleasantly surprised. As a one-woman show, The Borscht Belt Trilogy is even stronger than a group performance of Anali's I saw a few months ago in Lars Deike's Ostkreuz Atelier.

Theatergoers who attended were rewarded with a night of filthy, edgy humour. Ariel Nil Levy's alter ego for the show, Anali Goldberg, is a strange hybrid of Berlin clubber and Jewish mother. In character, Ariel's voice is rich, warm and deep. It easily filled the performance space, demanding his audience's full attention.

Since the show was staged in the middle of the space everyone had a good view of the action. A smart choice by the Director. Good use was made of props, including a large metal bucket, Aubergines (more on them later) and even the Bathroom.

Ariel Nil Levy's comedy has much in common with the late George Carlin, and the Canadian comedy group, The Kids in the Hall. It is consistently filthy, outrageous, and deliberately sets out to push the audience's buttons.

For example, near the end of the show, Anali has an argument with her husband, Edgar, who she has turned into an Aubergine. This argument ends with Anali losing her composure and crushing Edgar, along with a number of other Aubergines, under her feet. The moment was outrageous and very funny.

Keep an eye out for Anali Goldberg's return to the stage in April 2020 with 'Where are the Animals?' (Wu Seyen di Chayes?). It will be the piece's world premiere, and not to be missed.