Berlin 19-22 September 2014

The Rome 4 became the Berlin 4 but this time Phil could not make it but Bego did. There was not a special event in Berlin but we had heard that there is always a lot of tango to choose from, so we just picked a weekend that suited us. A very early start on Friday and a late flight on Monday meant that we had 4 days for the price of 3. We stayed in the Park Inn Hotel with rooms on the 31st floor of the 35!
Berlin is different, it aims to be moving forward and not harking back to past days of BsAs. The atmosphere in all the places we visited was vibrant and more than anywhere else I want to go back.
On Friday evening we went to the Haus der Sinne, which we hopefully translated as Sin but it turns out to be Senses. It is host to many cultural activities. There was a live band, a trio with a great singer who really put his heart into the songs. Dimmed lighting, much more of a club and we all loved it. We felt at home despite no cortinas and little chance of cabaceo.
Saturday afternoon we danced outside on some rough-ish chip board but the sun shone, a good number of people danced and many more watched and were good enough to applaud! A feel good factor was created.
Saturday evening we went to Tango Loft which is perhaps the most well known venue. It was in an old wharehouse but they had to use a different floor to normal and it was .....rough! The music was varied and although I liked it the least of us, it provided exciting challenges.
Sunday afternoon we found a lovely friendly place (it even had a crèche) and they did have a special event as a 10 piece band played for an hour! They were excellent and that raised everybody and we danced for about 4 hours. This time with tandas and cortinas. Almost reluctantly we moved onto Tango Loft in its normal room. We walked in and my first words were this is a Great Gatsby party! It is a big L shaped room with a grand piano in the middle, with candelabra and large vase of lillies. Settees surrounded the floor with people lounging and drinking wine. We had arrived when they were playing some crazy fast music and people were dancing accordingly. It was scene of total decadence and we loved it! Of course there were strange characters. An Indian gentleman in long white robe, hair tied back and carrying two glasses of wine, both for himself. He did not dance, just walked about, maybe he owned the place. Maybe he was Gatsby metamorphosed!
The standard of dancing was good but not special but the character of all the places we danced in was very special. Berlin is not standing still and not wishing that it was in the classic era for tango.
I must revisit!