After last year’s visit at the Treptower Park the joyful music carnival that is the Lollapalooza Festival unfolded its tent at the unusual location of the Hoppegarten horse race course. Embedded into the normally unused inner circle of the race course the festival had a much more straight-forward set-up than in recent years at the park and and the former Tempelhof Airport which made orientation much more efficient. It felt like it was also easier to locate and reach all the special areas of the festival such as the Fun Fair that was once again hosted by Absolut, the Kidzapalooza grounds and the Urban Nation exhibition cube.
Like last year we had the pleasure to visit the Lollapalooza with our partner Absolut. It was hard to miss their involvement in the festival thanks to their big bottle-shaped gate to the fun fair that also acted as a viewing platform, as well as multiple big glittering bottles. At the Absolut bar they served their newly revised Absolut Lolla cocktail made of Absolut Lime, wild berry soda and fresh berries. There was also a couple of other fun activities such as the photo booth, a flower crown workshop à la Midsommar and a little performance inspired by the Swedish tradition of Saint Lucy’s Day with illuminated creatures and a glowing unicorn. Some impressions of the visually stunning festival below…
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by Frank | Music, Party, Photos
For everyone who wants to stay open-minded for new ideas and suggestions for their Sunday program in addition to the usual flea market visits, Berghain and staying in bed, here comes an unusual alternative recommendation. We visited the Hoppegarten horse racecourse for the highlight of the racing season – the 125th edition of the Grand Price of Berlin – and had a look at all the horses and well-dressed people. Actually, some of the (older) ladies could have easily been mistaken for the Queen from behind – it was very fun to watch outfits in general and try on hats at the hat shop!
The horse names in all the different races were also quite exceptional, for example, A Miracle, Waky Sol, Kimberley‘s Dream, Banana Split and Amorous Adventure. But all those wacky names didn’t give them a big advantage – in the end, the horse with the almost subtle name Second Step and its jockey Jamie Spencer took the victory of the most important race on Sunday. Between races, you could enjoy your Florida ice cream or a glass of wine listening to the live band playing songs from Buena Vista Social Club (one of my very favorite summer music) to modern pop or jazz interpretations. Or you could have a closer look at the beautiful horses at the parade ring or the presentation ceremony.
A visit to Hoppegarten is a very nice opportunity to swap your dark clothes for your Sunday dress, hat and picknick basket. And with a bit of luck and knowledge, you could actually leave the racing not only with great new impressions but also with a bit of betting money in your pocket. Enjoy my impressions below.
The next races are on June 9 & 10, July 25, August 11 & 12 and October 3 & 7 in 2018.
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by Alicia | Photos, Stories
photo: Tobias Nielsen / CC
With the sudden summer outbreak we had no other choice than to rethink our editorial schedule for the weekend to bring you something that will please you more than any party, exhibition or other indoor activity would do today. We’ve given you parks, we’ve given you outdoor pools and open air bars, we’ve given you bike routes – and now we’re going one step further and send you into the outskirts of Berlin to enjoy a bit of fun in the nature. Enjoy our list of the 5 most iconic destinations in the outskirts of Berlin.
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by Frank | Places
As Vice put it in a recent feature: Sunday at Hoppegarten is the new Berghain. It’s a hilarious, yet unfair comparisson, but I admit these where my thoughts too when I was at the horse race course on Sunday thinking how much more enjoyable my time there was than it would be in the cement garden of the techno club.
I was invited by Warsteiner who is one of the main supporters of the Hoppegarten horse race course to join them for the Big Price of Berlin which is the biggest award for horse races in Germany. I didn’t really know how to imagine it would be. I imagined it like a day-time version of Boheme Sauvage. And actually the reality was not too far away from it. We had such a beautiful afternoon there that we remained in a daze of wonder for days to come.
It was as nostalgic as you imagine it: A glamorous picknick in the park, pretty ladies with fancy hats, dandy gentlemen, horse-shaped balloons for the kids (I bought one too though). It is a really picturesque setting at Hoppegarten. And I haven’t even started with the horses yet. Hot Like Mexico, Sugarbabe, Lucky Speed, Berlin Berlin. Talking about popculture references for horse names here. It’s really as much of an elegant sport as it was promissed to us. In 8 races spread out over the afternoon all these horses with funny names and fancy manes gallopped over the meticulously groomed lawn for the main price. Three year old stallion Sirius turned out to be the winner of the Big Price of Berlin, unfortunately none of us made a bet on him due to lack of general horse race knowledge. But it was fun nontheless and I would definately come back here for another sunny afternoon at this beautiful place full of balloons, horses and hats. Enjoy my impressions after the jump.
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by Frank | Photos
photos: galoppfoto.de
Berlin is known to be a modern metropolis and a thriving hub for contemporary culture. It’s known for it’s progressive nightlife, pulsating art scene and liberal lifestyle. But the city does have a different side to it as well, one that cherrishes traditions and past decades. Just think of the Golden 20s-themed parties such as Boheme Sauvage or the historic ballet and operas at Deutsche Oper. Berlin is certainly a place that let’s you indulge in the past.
One of those many opportunities to enjoy some old traditions of Berlin is the horse racing course Hoppegarten. Next week on Sunday the 124. Big Price of Berlin is taking place there and that is the most important and prestigeous horse race award in Germany. Of course an event like that is not simply about the race itself, there is also the betting for the winning horse and the glamorous style of the guests.
Together with Warsteiner who is the exclusive partner of the horse race course Hoppegarten we are giving away a pair of tickets for the loge at the finish line and a few more goodies. Find out how to win after the jump.
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by Frank | Events
