What's on in Germany: December 13 - 19

This Week's Highlights: Fantasia in Cologne, a new kind of Nutcracker in Hamburg, and an art exhibition for kids opens in Frankfurt.

BERLIN



Music/Concerts


Lucia Christmas Market – Lucia Parade

Angelic voices fill the Culture Brewery's courtyard Thursday night when Lucia leads her choir of girls on a parade across the cobblestones. The former brewery's historic atmosphere becomes enchanting every holiday season when the Scandinavian style Christmas market sets up its wooden stalls, but it's especially magical on Decemer 13. Go and sip a warm mug of glogg as the candlelit procession streams by.

Price: Free
Location: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36-39
Times: Thursday, December 13, 6pm
More Information: www.lucia-weihnachtsmarkt.de



Galleries/Museums


Paule Hammer

For his series of “interview pictures,” the artist German Paule Hammer invited his friends to his Leipzig studio where he painted their portraits while they discussed issues close to their hearts. Text and imagery combine on canvas or cardboard with the vivid energy of bright contrasting colours. Get contemplative as you stroll among them at the Galerie Jette Rudolph this week.

Price: Free
Location: Galerie Jette Rudolph,
Strausberger Platz 4
Times: Tuesday – Saturday, Noon – 6pm; through January 12, 2013
Phone: 030 613 03 887
More Information: www.jette-rudolph.de



Music/Concerts


Stimmen-Voices – A Benefit Concert for Gaza

Jewish and Arab artists share the stage in Berlin this week in support of Palestine. Through original music and poetry, as well as works by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and the Jewish writer Lea Goldberg, the performers express their thoughts on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Bring your hand drums and join in on the jam session that wraps-up the evening. The event is free, but donations will be collected for Medico International, a human aid organization, supporting projects in Gaza.

Price: Free
Location: Filmbühne am Steinplatz, Hardenbergstrasse 12
Times: Tuesday, December 18, 8pm
Phone: 0176 312 12 109
More Information: www.facebook.com




COLOGNE



Film


Fantasia

Oh Mickey, you little sorcerer you. There's no denying the iconic mouse has cast a spell on young and old around the world. If you've fallen for his wizardry, be enchanted all over again in Cologne Wednesday, when Walt Disney's masterpiece unfolds with its melange of delightful animation and beloved music. Who can resist those charming little mushrooms hopping around to Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite? The Cologne Philharmonic presents the event at Filmforum.

Price: Free (Afternoon); €6.50 (Evening)
Location: Filmforum, Bischofsgartenstrasse 1
Times: Wednesday, December 19, 12:30pm and 8pm
Phone: 0221 221 24498
More Information: www.koelner-philharmonie.de




FRANKFURT



Children's Events


Storytime with Rita Storee – Holiday Happenings

Once a month, the entertaining Miss Rita tells stories in English to children ages three and up. Some of her favorites include classics from children's literature like Peter Rabbit and The Little Engine That Could. This week the friendly narrator pulls from her holiday shelf, bringing along books about Christmas and Hanukkah. No promises, but a Christmas carol sing-along may be part of the program.

Price: Free
Location: Theatre Language Studio Frankfurt

, Gärtnerweg 5
Times: Tuesday, December 18, 4pm
More Information: www.tlsfrankfurt.com



Galleries/Museums


Pssst. An Exhibition for Kids

What kid doesn't love a secret? Artists from Frankfurt and England created artworks especially for children around the theme “secrets” for a new exhibition opening Friday at the MMK Zollamt. Take the tots to the museum this week to meet characters like Rob Flowers' “Eyeclops Leafmann”and Matthew Bromley's “Piggy Back” monsters. Interactive pieces feature imaginary escorts, puzzles and secret compartments. It's never too early to start nurturing their art appreciation skills.

Price: €10; €5 (Students); Free (Ages 6 and under)
Location: MMK Zollamt, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst, 
Domstrasse 10
Times: Friday, December 14, 6pm (Opening); Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-6pm; Wednesday, 10am-8pm; through January 27, 2013
More Information: www.mmk-frankfurt.de




FRIEDRICHSHAFEN



Music/Concerts


Cuban Night With the Band Son Pa Ti

There's nothing like Cuban music to shake off the winter chill. Those Caribbean beats have an inherent warmth that conjures sunshine and palm trees. Seven musicians from Cuba, Mexico, and Germany comprise the band Son Pa Ti, who play in the Lake Constance town of Friedrichshafen Saturday night. Escape to the islands. If only for an evening.

Price: €12
Location: Dornier Museum, Claude-Dornier-Platz 1
Times: Saturday, December 15, 9pm
Tickets: 07541 487 36 00
More Information: www.dorniermuseum.de




KARLSRUHE



Film/Concerts


”Pilgrimage from Scattered Points” Film Screening, and Luke Fowler and Richard Youngs Concert

The concept was simple. With graphic scores, and an emphasis on improvisation, anyone could play in The Scratch Orchestra. Formed in London in 1968, the experimental ensemble is the subject of Luke Fowler's 2006 film Pilgrimage from Scattered Points. Fowler himself plays cinematic analog synth sounds after the screening with fellow Glasgow-based musician Richard Youngs. Go early to check out the exhibition “Sound Art. Sound as an Artistic Medium.”

Price: €5
Location: ZKM Medientheater, Lorenzstrasse 19 

Times: Friday, December 14, 8pm (Film Screening); 9:15pm (Concert)
Phone: 0721 81000
More Information: on1.zkm .de




HAMBURG



Dance


Antje Pfundtner – The Nutcracker

It's a nice tradition, going to see The Nutcracker every year. But how many more perfect pas de deux can you handle? This year supplement your grand ballet outing with something a little off the wall. Hamburg choreographer Antje Pfundtner has cooked up her own whimsical rendition of the classic Christmastime dance piece. Eight dancers and a corps de ballet move to original music by Sven Kacirek.

Price: €12-32
Location: Kampnagel Hamburg, Jarrestrasse 20
Times: Thursday, December 13 – Saturday, December 15, 8pm
Phone: 040 270 94949
More Information: www.kampnagel.de



Music/Concerts


Marcin Wasilewski Trio

These guys started playing together as teenagers in the early 1990s. They quickly caught the eye of Polish trumpet star Tomasz Stanko, who helped buoy their presence on the European jazz scene, and have been blazing a trail ever since. The critically acclaimed piano trio takes the stage at Hamburg's Laeiszhalle Friday night. Find a seat in the audience and take in Marcin Wasilewski, Slawomir Kurkiewicz and Michal Miskiewicz's blend of refreshing originals, covers of respected contemporary tunes, and maybe even a bit of improvisation.

Price: €11-39
Location: Laeiszhalle,
 Johannes-Brahms-Platz
Times: Friday, December 14, 8pm
Tickets: 040 357 666 66
More Information: www.elbphilharmonie.de




STUTTGART



Music/Concerts


The Traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

The Victorians started celebrating the birth of Christ with a dazzling service of bible stories and Christmas carols back in 1880. The program became a fixture of the Anglican church that's attended each year by Christians and non-Christians alike who just want to be immersed in holiday splendour and sing! Practice your vocal scales and harmonies, because St. Catherine's Anglican Church in Stuttgart is holding the Yuletide event at Leonhardskirche Sunday evening.

Price: Free
Location: Leonhardskirche,
 Leonhardsplatz 26
Times: Sunday, December 16, 5pm
More Information: www.stcatherines-stuttgart.de