My friend and Patron Robert Wimpory is a bastion of the indie music scene in Berlin.

He goes to see everyone’s shows, all the time. (“I try to support the scene”, he will say modestly when complimented on his showing up for the community.) Plus he has a band or two and is in the OK!Chorus and often co-hosts Uke Boogie and of course, also has a (really cool) job! And he is an archivist and curator of his own history, like I am, and has a wild collection of video and film from the 80’s. Here’s his YouTube channel!

So his birthday had to be celebrated at queer Berlin clubhouse Monster Ronsons, home of Pansy’s House of Presents, Merlin’s Berlin, Loving The Alien, and so much more. This is Robert with bumBlechum, above. They played “Disco Knicks” and threw masses of underwear aka pants out into the crowd.

Disco knicks! Shake your disco rear!

The crowd had a blast, as you can see!

One of my very favorite things about going to events in Berlin is that the crowds are of all ages. It’s rare that I am the only middle-aged person; often there are lots of us!

And this is the lead singer of Pump Gang, below, who played some serious 90s hits.

I was listening to alt-radio for the 90s so I didn’t know most of them! Plus, there is a whole Euro-dance thing that is very specific to this side of the Atlantic, like the Vengaboys, who I only learned about last year. Apparently, they were a THING!

I had to tip out suddenly partway through Pump Gang’s set, as the decibel level was just too much for me. But nobody ever judges me for doing what’s best for me, in this community <3

I am so very grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to document Berlin life and art!