Tag Archives: “Glücklich in Berlin”

An art salon in West Berlin.

Moscow artist Katya Elizarova at art salon March 21 2018 by Suzanne ForbesThis week I was invited to the delightful art salon of curators Denis Leo Hegic and Michelle Houston, in the historic queer art neighborhood of Schöneberg.

This is Moscow graffiti artist and fine artist Katya Q in front of her latest work. There is a deliberately ephemeral work at the heart of these salons, a huge antique chalkboard that is turned into an artwork and then erased a month later.

H Geil at art Salon March 21 2018 by Suzanne ForbesThere was also a performance by H. Geil and R.L. Fardoe.

H. Geil sang the wonderful Marlene Dietrich song Wenn die beste Freundin, a lesbian anthem of the ’30s. He was accompanied on ukulele by Robert Lee Fardoe. It is a song about two married ladies going shopping and sharing secrets, revealing the intimacy of their relationship, and a very snappy number!

Hostess Michelle Houston and guests at West Berlin art salon March 21 2018 by Suzanne ForbesHere you see hostess Michelle Houston chatting with guests.

What a lovely evening, talking art, writing and cooking with creative people!

An evening at Barbiche, a woman-owned art space!

Alfred Ladylike at Barbiche March 18 2018 by Suzanne ForbesDo you know what Barbiche means? It means the little beard of the goat!

Isn’t that the best damn thing ever?? Barbiche is a new bar and art space created by artist Lena Braun, legendary Berlin queer gallerist, salon hostess and culture curator. I went there to see my friend Alfred Ladylike perform. Here she is rocking out onstage!

And below is woman rocker Kitty Solaris.

Performer at Barbiche March 16 2018 by Suzanne ForbesI took the bus in the snow to get there, which sounds onerous but was actually delightful.

I was bundled up and cozy, the bus comes every five minutes and is right on the corner, and the snow flickering down in the night was like glitter. And Barbiche is in the West! It’s a gorgeous space with lots of cool art on display. In Schöneberg, where the art scene is getting stronger and stronger. As per Lena: “In the west of Berlin,” she says, “something is happening again.”

Alfred’s consort Chris was petting their dog Georgie Boy here. One of my Patreon Patrons also makes an appearance in this drawing, as does the hostess herself, Ms. Lena Braun!

At Barbiche March 18 2018 by Suzanne ForbesIt’s totally normal to bring your dog to your gig in Berlin.

And Georgie is a good boy! You can see I’m drinking Fritz-Kola, the ubiquitous independent soda of Berlin, in my fave flavor, rhubarb. Pink vegetable soda, sweet doggos, original art, woman-owned art business, friends rocking out. It’s a damn good life.