For Free - Berlin - page 137

Dance
With independent choreographers and youthful companies consistently promoting experi-
mental choreography, Berlin's independent dance scene is thriving as never before. The
biggest name in choreography is Sasha Waltz, whose company Sasha Waltz & Guests has a
residency at the cutting-edge Radialsystem V . Other indie venues include the Sophiensaele ,
Dock 11 and Hebbel am Ufer . The latter, in cooperation with Tanzwerkstatt Berlin, organ-
ises Tanz im August ( www.tanzimaugust.de ) , Germany's largest contemporary dance fest-
ival, which attracts loose-limbed talent and highly experimental choreography from around
the globe.
In the mainstream, the Staatsballett Berlin (Berlin State Ballet) performs both at the
Staatsoper Unter den Linden and at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Live Comedy
Berlin's vast expat community fuels a lively English-language comedy scene with
everything from stand-up to sketch and musical comedy being performed around town. Up-
coming events are posted on www.comedyinenglish.de . One of the better-known regular
shows is the biweekly Fish Bowl Comedy Showcase. The Kookaburra comedy club does
English-language shows on Tuesdays nights.
Entertainment by Neighbourhood
Historic Mitte Tops for classical music and opera.
Potsdamer Platz & Tiergarten State-of-the-art multiplexes, casino.
Scheunenviertel Cabaret, comedy, cinema and the 'East End' theatre district.
Kreuzberg & Neukölln Live music, off-theatre, art-house cinemas.
Friedrichshain Live music, outdoor cinema.
Prenzlauer Berg Live music.
City West & Charlottenburg Theatre, opera, jazz and indie screens.
Lonely Planet's Top Choices
Berliner Philharmonie One of the world's top orchestras within its own 'cathedral of sound'.
Staatsoper im Schiller Theater Top-ranked opera house.
Babylon Diverse and intelligent film programming in a 1920s building.