May 15-21: Chili Festival, Berliner Theatertreffen, Italian Market Festival and More!
Things to do in Berlin, week of May 15, 2023!
I asked ChatGPT to turn my thoughts about Berlin and its relationship with sun into a poem. This is what I got:
Hey Sun, is that truly you? It's been so long, it's overdue. What's your secret that brings out Berlin's best hue?
I saw more Barbie pink and Ken blue Porsches yesterday, Than my eyes have witnessed in all my days.
Crafty Sun, enticing tourists with your summer rays, Even luring those who hibernate through winter's haze.
What's your secret? Why does everyone follow you? Or am I just seeing the world differently, thanks to you?
As always, I’ve dedicated several hours to curate the finest upcoming events in the city for you.
Here's a sneak peek of what's in store this week:
🎭 Berliner Theatertreffen (theater)
🎹 Midday Melodies at Philharmonie (live music)
🥨 Bite Club: Food and Music
🤣 International Comedy Show
🌶️ Chili Festival
👌 Italian Market Festival
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Enjoy and have fun!
1. Berliner Theatertreffen: Celebrating 60 Years of Theatre Excellence
The Berliner Theatertreffen holds the distinction of being Germany's most significant theatre festival. It serves as a gathering point for actors, theatre professionals, journalists, and guests from around the globe in the vibrant city of Berlin. The festival showcases a wide range of theatrical forms, including dance, puppetry, musical theatre, and theatrical installations. Now in its 60th edition in 2023, the essence of the Theatertreffen lies in the careful curation of the ten most exceptional productions from a pool of around 400 performances throughout the season. To accommodate theatre enthusiasts, the ten nominated plays can be enjoyed through streaming platforms, ensuring wider accessibility and reach. Most shows have English surtitles. The Program.
Cost: €15+
Date: 12.05 (Fri) - 29.05 (Mon)
Location: Various locations
Interest: #theater
2. Midday Melodies at Philharmonie: Lunch Concert Series
Every Wednesday between September and June, the Philharmonie hosts a lunch concert at 13:00. The program showcases 40 to 50 minutes of chamber music, piano performances, or occasionally a percussion duo, spanning a diverse range from Tchaikovsky to tango. While members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra or the Karajan Academy frequently take the stage, guest musicians from the German Symphony Orchestra, Staatskapelle Berlin, or Berlin music academies also participate in this format. A catering service is available to accompany the concert experience. Read more.
Cost: Free
Date: 17.05 (Wed) - 13:00
Location: Berliner Philharmonie
Interest: #livemusic
3. Spring Celebration at Bite Club Season Opening: A Food and Dance Event
It's been a while, but now it's time to leave Winter behind and embrace the spirit of Spring. And what better way to do that than by joining the Bite Club Season Opening? They've whipped up an incredible street food experience! With their famous Bite Club All Stars and some exciting new additions, you're in for a treat. Now, let's talk about drinks! They've got you covered with craft beers by Berliner Berg and a great selection of tasty beverages at the BITE CLUB Cocktail Bar. And don't forget about the 8greenbottles wine bar for all you wine lovers out there. This is the perfect event to kick off your weekend in style!★ Food trucks and stalls ★ Bite Club Sound-system ★ Sunset on the Spree ★ Craft beer ★ Natural wines ★ Cocktails galore. Read more.
Cost: €4
Date: 19.05 (Fri) / 17:00 - 23:00
Location: Treptow Arena (Arena Berlin)
Interest: #Foodmarket
4. International Comedy Extravaganza: A Hilarious Showcase of Global Talent!
A night of laughter and cultural insights with a lineup of hilarious comedians from around the world. Maya Upchurch, the half Polish, half American sensation, brings her unique perspective as an old grumpy man trapped in a 21-year-old girl's body. With her sassy and punchline-packed rants, Maya shares hilarious and thought-provoking observations about herself and dives into important cultural topics. Joining her is Dion Owen, a Canadian comedian and passionate cyclist. Having performed at prestigious festivals and toured extensively, including a remarkable cycle/stand-up tour spanning 10 countries over 7 months, Dion is guaranteed to bring his comedic brilliance to the stage. Also gracing the spotlight is Kat Nip, a Polish stand-up comedian based in Berlin. Her rapid-fire delivery, brutal honesty, and unexpected punchlines will take you on a rollercoaster of laughter. Buy tickets.
Cost: €15
Date: 20.05 (Sat) / 20:00
Location: The Wall Comedy
Interest: #standupcomedy
5. Berlin Chili Fest: Spicy Delights and Craft Beer Galore
At the Berlin Chili Fest attendees immerse themselves in a world of spicy flavors and craft beer. The festival features market stalls offering chili pepper products and tantalizing hot sauces for sampling. The vibrant atmosphere includes live music, comedy acts, a mesmerizing fire show, and engaging beer garden games. Families with children can enjoy a dedicated play area. As for refreshments, the festival's BBQ & Food Trucks offer cocktails, mouthwatering spicy wings, and delectable dishes to satisfy any appetite. Aspiring home cooks can showcase their skills in the festival's exclusive hot sauce contest, held on Saturday afternoon. Participants are invited to bring their homemade (non-commercial) hot sauce creations. A panel of judges will conduct a taste test, and the contest winners will be announced on Sunday. Buy tickets.
Cost: €6-€12 including free tote bag and Margarita
Date: 20.05 (Sat) - 21.05 (Sun) / 12:00 - 22:00
Location: Berliner Berg Brauerei
Interest: #chili
6. Italian Market Festival: A Weekend Immersed in Italian Excellence
The Italian Market Festival offers a delightful experience for both adults and children, showcasing a wide range of authentic and mouthwatering specialties. Accompanied by music and entertaining shows, visitors can indulge in wine tastings featuring selections from all across Italy. Explore and savor Italian products that have long piqued your curiosity, but were difficult to locate. Why not celebrate the arrival of summer alongside talented Italian artists, jugglers, magicians, fire eaters, and enjoy a diverse musical lineup? Admission is €4.00 on-site (free for children under 12), or take advantage of the Early Bird ticket on Eventbrite for €5.00, which includes a wine glass holder bag and no queue! Buy tickets.
Cost: €4+
Date: 20.05 (Sat) / 12:00 - 00:00 & 21.05 (Sun) / 11:00 - 20:00
Location: NÅPOLEON KOMPLEX
Interest: #italianmarket
Restaurant of the week:
Cat Tuong - (Vegan restaurant - Prenzlauer Berg)
The restaurant, situated near Mauerpark in a bustling area, serves vegan Asian cuisine. The food is good, but I found the portion sizes to be somewhat inadequate considering the prices.
Track of the week:
Old but Gold!
Movie of the week:
Hustle: A basketball scout discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA.
Thanks for the post! I've been following you recently and this is super helpful. I like to do more activities in the city but never know what to do and where to go and this is really getting me out!
Gonna try the food stuff probably