OK, soldiers. The week has been hideously hot and I thought the weekend might be the same, with the sun bearing down on us like a magnifying glass on an ant. But according to the weather reports, it will be delightfully stormy and cool(er). So time to march!
Friday’s still scorching, but you can always compliment that mood with a stint at Kino Arsenal for the Bruce LaBruce retrospective (Fri, July 16 @ Kino Arsenal), where BLaB (photo) will present Lacan vs. Jung: “Judy” LaBruce Fucks the Dead – after going to the opening yesterday, I have it on good authority that a very special surprise is happening tonight. Maybe I’ll tell you in the comments section a bit before the event. You’re probably feeling like a zombie anyways, so follow, follow, follow LaBruce down to Search & Destroy’s three-year anniversary party (Fri, July 16 @ SchwuZ). Or stop by the sweaty/dirty/fabulous/basement-circus-y vibed VibeZ (Fri, July 16 @ ufaFabrik), an innovative breakdance and acrobatic event for those who would rather watch than dance.
If you’ve managed to dance all through the night and came out the other end into our supposed stormy Saturday, how about spending the late afternoon (probably the first part of your day) at the 12-hour art marathon Helter Skelter (Sat, July 17 @ Kulturpalast Wedding International): the program sounds like a hodgepodge of everything (performance art, live music, paella, beer, bubbly), so it’ll be perfect for a wander and a time killer. Plus, champagne receptions are always good for the, well, champagne. If you’re looking for a calmer Saturday, the Botanische Nacht open-air concert (Sat, July 17 @ Botanischer Garten) offers some breezy music – but maybe a bit too breezy, as chances are it will be raining by then. Instead, slap on your yamaka and head down to Meschugge (Sat, July 17 @ ZMF): longtime resident Joanna is saying goodbye to the unkosher Jewish discotheque, so the evening will be bittersweet, but promises to bring on the dance nonetheless. And I am obliged to mention Berghain, even though that’s already a given, since Gregor Threshor is headlining (Sat, July 17 @ Berghain).
On Sunday you can literally keep it quiet with a screening of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc at Babylon Mitte’s excellent Stummfilmfestival (Sun, July 18 @ Babylon Mitte). Check out the noisier La Périchole (Sun, July 18 @ Komische Oper) at the weird and wonderful Komische Oper Festival if you’re finally feeling the urge to get those culture levels up to par… but then, it’s really about the company you keep, isn’t it? Speaking of which, you could also (unless you’re a tourist) finally take that one-dip-a-summer at Badeschiff: Etienne Jaumet (Sun, July 18 @ Arena/Badeschiff) might be just the legitimate excuse you’ve been looking for. Stay cool while you can, kids. It’s not going to last for long.
