What's on in Germany: August 11 - 17
This Week's Highlights: Public art in Frankfurt, tall ships in Rostock, and Berlin marks the 50th anniversary of the building of the Wall.
BERLIN
Events
Commemoration Ceremony for the Berlin Wall's 50th Anniversary
Choirs sing and dancers sway Saturday as Berlin dignitaries lay a wreath at a new memorial for the Berlin Wall in honour of the 50th anniversary of the building of that infamous structure. Across the street from the Berlin Wall Documentation Center, the outdoor exhibition area on Bernauer Strasse encompasses one of the most notorious parts of the actual wall as well as a 60-meter strip of the former "no-man's land."
Price: Free
Location: Berlin Wall Memorial, Bernauer Strasse 111-1119
Times: Saturday, August 13, 10am-7pm
More Information: www.50jahremauerbau.de
Mies van der Rohe Birthday Picnic
Fans of Mies Van Der Rohe can celebrate the great German architect's 125th birthday, Saturday at his wondrously modern house on the lake. Architecture experts talk about the master while the Sekt flows. Raise a glass to simple, sensational design and commemorate the memory of a building pioneer.
Price: Free
Location: Mies van der Rohe Haus, Oberseestrasse 60
Times: Saturday, August 13, 4pm-Midnight
More Information: www.miesvanderrohehaus.de
Opera
Wansee Lake Festival - The Magic Flute
If you've ever taken the S-Bahn out to the Wansee in southwestern Berlin, you can testify to the refreshing effect of those sparkling waters. As of this week, in addition to having a dip, you can take in a little opera at the lovely lake. Watch the drama unfold upon a floating stage during a performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Price: €41.85 - 80.95
Location: Seebühne Wannsee, Wannseebadweg 25
Times: Thursday, August 11 - Saturday, August 13, 7:30pm; Sunday, August 14 and Thursday, August 18, 6:30pm; Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20, 7:30pm; Sunday, August 21, Wednesday, August 24 and Thursday, August 25, 6:30 pm; Saturday, August 27, 7:30pm; Sunday, August 28, 6:30pm
Tickets: 01805-570070 (.14/min)
More Information: www.deag.de
COLOGNE
Circus Performance
Cologne Summer - The City is the Stage - Phare Ponleu Selpak Cirk
Those Cambodian contortionists can sure do some freaky things. See the young artists in the circus and theater group Phare Ponleu Selpak Cirk bend and balance in ways you don't want to try at home. Vibrant backdrops and costumes give the show tropical flair.
Price: Free
Location: Schokoladenmuseum, Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a
Times: Tuesday, August 11, 8pm
Phone: 0221 888950
More Information: www.sommerkoeln.de
DÜSSELDORF
Galleries/Museums
Tomma Abts
London-based artist Tomma Abts applies myriad layers of oil and acrylic paints upon 48 x 38 cm canvases to create vibrant geometric works. Look closely at the twelve selections hanging at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and perceive the depth of Abts' dynamic paintings.
Price: €5.50
Location: Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Grabbeplatz 4
Times: Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 6pm; through October 9
Phone: 0211 89 962 40
More Information: www.kunsthalle-düsseldorf.de
FRANKFURT
Festivals
Playing the City 3
Public participation is integral to the art displayed throughout Frankfurt this week. Performances and installations by fifteen artists from around the world focus on public space as a venue for artistic activities. Don a historical headdress and pose in a 20th century photo studio or dance within a circle of light at night.
Price: Free
Location: Various
Times: Thursday, August 11 - Thursday, August 25
More Information: www.playingthecity.de
Events
PUT Eventbühne Theatre Fleamarket
Feather boas, fedoras, and glittering gowns fill the bins at PUT Eventbühne Sunday when the theatre company holds its fleamarket. Get their early for your pick of the best cast off stage costumes and props.
Price: Free
Location: PUT Eventbühne, Brotfabrik, Bachmannstrasse 2-4
Times: Sunday, August 14, 11am
Phone: 069 705 821
More Information: www.puteventbuehne.de
HAMBURG
Events
Weisses Dinner Hamburg
Paris started the trend of all white open-air dinners with its famous "Diner en Blanc." Now Hamburg is getting in on the fun. Bring your own table, chairs, and fully stocked picnic baskets Saturday to Osterstrasse for a fancy picnic under the stars. Don't forget to wear your whites. You won't want to be the odd man out at this ethereal affair. And don't skip out on the provisions. Fine China and silver candelabras are encouraged.
Price: Free
Location: Osterstrasse (between Schwenckestrasse and Methfesselstrasse)
Times: Saturday, August 13, 5pm-Midnight
More Information: www.weisses-dinner-hamburg.de
The Ship Europa's 100th Birthday
The 100th birthday of a grand ship is always a reason to celebrate. Wish your most heartfelt good wishes to the three-masted square-rigged barque this weekend in Hamburg. Once a fire ship, Europa has sailed around Cape Horn and across the United States' Great Lakes. Climb aboard to see the special exhibition portraying the boat's history before she sets sail for the Falklands.
Price: Free
Location: Sandtorhafen, Sandtorkai
Times: Saturday, August 13, Noon - 4pm; Sunday, August 14, 10am-4pm
More Information: www.hamburg-magazin.de
MUNICH
Events
European Juggling Convention - Gala Show
Jugglers, acrobats, and unicyclists have been gallivanting around Munich this week. In town for the 34th European Juggling Convention, the gleeful tricksters showcase their skills at a trio of gala shows. Bring the kids and watch the jaws drop.
Price: €29.20
Location: Circus Krone, Marsstrasse 43
Times: Thursday, August 11, 7:30pm; Friday, August 12, 3pm and 7:30pm
Tickets: 0180 54 81 81 81
More Information: www.ejc2011.org
Summer Festival - Olympia Park Munich
There's nothing more magical than a late summer night's spin on the Ferris Wheel. Far below, the amusements of a summertime fun fair glimmer with warm lights as the cityscape stretches to sunset's pink horizon. Head to the Summer Festival at Munich's Olympia Park Thursday night when fireworks erupt overhead.
Price: Free
Location: Olympiapark, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21
Times: Monday - Saturday, noon - 11:30pm; Sunday, 11am- 11:30pm; through August 21
More Information: www.olympiapark.de
ROSTOCK
Events
Hanse Sail
Ahoy landlubbers! The 21st annual Hanse Sail maritime festival brings fantastic tall ships to the Baltic Sea city of Rostock. Visitors can experience more than a dozen windjammers and other sailing vessels at the pier and on the high seas.
Price: varies
Location: Stadthafen
Times: Thursday, August 11 - 14
Tickets: (0381) 208 52 26
More Information: www.hansesail.com
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BERLIN
Events
Commemoration Ceremony for the Berlin Wall's 50th Anniversary
Choirs sing and dancers sway Saturday as Berlin dignitaries lay a wreath at a new memorial for the Berlin Wall in honour of the 50th anniversary of the building of that infamous structure. Across the street from the Berlin Wall Documentation Center, the outdoor exhibition area on Bernauer Strasse encompasses one of the most notorious parts of the actual wall as well as a 60-meter strip of the former "no-man's land."
Price: Free
Location: Berlin Wall Memorial, Bernauer Strasse 111-1119
Times: Saturday, August 13, 10am-7pm
More Information: www.50jahremauerbau.de
Mies van der Rohe Birthday Picnic
Fans of Mies Van Der Rohe can celebrate the great German architect's 125th birthday, Saturday at his wondrously modern house on the lake. Architecture experts talk about the master while the Sekt flows. Raise a glass to simple, sensational design and commemorate the memory of a building pioneer.
Price: Free
Location: Mies van der Rohe Haus, Oberseestrasse 60
Times: Saturday, August 13, 4pm-Midnight
More Information: www.miesvanderrohehaus.de
Opera
Wansee Lake Festival - The Magic Flute
If you've ever taken the S-Bahn out to the Wansee in southwestern Berlin, you can testify to the refreshing effect of those sparkling waters. As of this week, in addition to having a dip, you can take in a little opera at the lovely lake. Watch the drama unfold upon a floating stage during a performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Price: €41.85 - 80.95
Location: Seebühne Wannsee, Wannseebadweg 25
Times: Thursday, August 11 - Saturday, August 13, 7:30pm; Sunday, August 14 and Thursday, August 18, 6:30pm; Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20, 7:30pm; Sunday, August 21, Wednesday, August 24 and Thursday, August 25, 6:30 pm; Saturday, August 27, 7:30pm; Sunday, August 28, 6:30pm
Tickets: 01805-570070 (.14/min)
More Information: www.deag.de
COLOGNE
Circus Performance
Cologne Summer - The City is the Stage - Phare Ponleu Selpak Cirk
Those Cambodian contortionists can sure do some freaky things. See the young artists in the circus and theater group Phare Ponleu Selpak Cirk bend and balance in ways you don't want to try at home. Vibrant backdrops and costumes give the show tropical flair.
Price: Free
Location: Schokoladenmuseum, Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a
Times: Tuesday, August 11, 8pm
Phone: 0221 888950
More Information: www.sommerkoeln.de
DÜSSELDORF
Galleries/Museums
Tomma Abts
London-based artist Tomma Abts applies myriad layers of oil and acrylic paints upon 48 x 38 cm canvases to create vibrant geometric works. Look closely at the twelve selections hanging at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and perceive the depth of Abts' dynamic paintings.
Price: €5.50
Location: Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Grabbeplatz 4
Times: Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 6pm; through October 9
Phone: 0211 89 962 40
More Information: www.kunsthalle-düsseldorf.de
FRANKFURT
Festivals
Playing the City 3
Public participation is integral to the art displayed throughout Frankfurt this week. Performances and installations by fifteen artists from around the world focus on public space as a venue for artistic activities. Don a historical headdress and pose in a 20th century photo studio or dance within a circle of light at night.
Price: Free
Location: Various
Times: Thursday, August 11 - Thursday, August 25
More Information: www.playingthecity.de
Events
PUT Eventbühne Theatre Fleamarket
Feather boas, fedoras, and glittering gowns fill the bins at PUT Eventbühne Sunday when the theatre company holds its fleamarket. Get their early for your pick of the best cast off stage costumes and props.
Price: Free
Location: PUT Eventbühne, Brotfabrik, Bachmannstrasse 2-4
Times: Sunday, August 14, 11am
Phone: 069 705 821
More Information: www.puteventbuehne.de
HAMBURG
Events
Weisses Dinner Hamburg
Paris started the trend of all white open-air dinners with its famous "Diner en Blanc." Now Hamburg is getting in on the fun. Bring your own table, chairs, and fully stocked picnic baskets Saturday to Osterstrasse for a fancy picnic under the stars. Don't forget to wear your whites. You won't want to be the odd man out at this ethereal affair. And don't skip out on the provisions. Fine China and silver candelabras are encouraged.
Price: Free
Location: Osterstrasse (between Schwenckestrasse and Methfesselstrasse)
Times: Saturday, August 13, 5pm-Midnight
More Information: www.weisses-dinner-hamburg.de
The Ship Europa's 100th Birthday
The 100th birthday of a grand ship is always a reason to celebrate. Wish your most heartfelt good wishes to the three-masted square-rigged barque this weekend in Hamburg. Once a fire ship, Europa has sailed around Cape Horn and across the United States' Great Lakes. Climb aboard to see the special exhibition portraying the boat's history before she sets sail for the Falklands.
Price: Free
Location: Sandtorhafen, Sandtorkai
Times: Saturday, August 13, Noon - 4pm; Sunday, August 14, 10am-4pm
More Information: www.hamburg-magazin.de
MUNICH
Events
European Juggling Convention - Gala Show
Jugglers, acrobats, and unicyclists have been gallivanting around Munich this week. In town for the 34th European Juggling Convention, the gleeful tricksters showcase their skills at a trio of gala shows. Bring the kids and watch the jaws drop.
Price: €29.20
Location: Circus Krone, Marsstrasse 43
Times: Thursday, August 11, 7:30pm; Friday, August 12, 3pm and 7:30pm
Tickets: 0180 54 81 81 81
More Information: www.ejc2011.org
Summer Festival - Olympia Park Munich
There's nothing more magical than a late summer night's spin on the Ferris Wheel. Far below, the amusements of a summertime fun fair glimmer with warm lights as the cityscape stretches to sunset's pink horizon. Head to the Summer Festival at Munich's Olympia Park Thursday night when fireworks erupt overhead.
Price: Free
Location: Olympiapark, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21
Times: Monday - Saturday, noon - 11:30pm; Sunday, 11am- 11:30pm; through August 21
More Information: www.olympiapark.de
ROSTOCK
Events
Hanse Sail
Ahoy landlubbers! The 21st annual Hanse Sail maritime festival brings fantastic tall ships to the Baltic Sea city of Rostock. Visitors can experience more than a dozen windjammers and other sailing vessels at the pier and on the high seas.
Price: varies
Location: Stadthafen
Times: Thursday, August 11 - 14
Tickets: (0381) 208 52 26
More Information: www.hansesail.com
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