YES WOW Museum Berlin

10/02/2022

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24/01/2020

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06/09/2018

Hey my friends,
if you would like to join me this autum in Ibiza for some Forrest Yoga, Creativity and Magic...check out my retreats and please share it with your friends and people, you love and who may need it...
Much

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08/09/2017

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tha-notorious-in-ibiza-single/id1279862324?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 out now!

19/07/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

The other day, after working and studying at home for several hours, I decided to take a walk and get a falafel wrap nearby. Sometimes I forget to leave the house and get outside, and if you work from home or are a student, I’m sure you can relate. So, there I was on my walk, enjoying my little piece of Berlin. As I began to walk back home I had a strong feeling of wanting to stay outside, and so I decided to take a seat on a bench just outside of the train station and just a few feet from my flat. A few minutes passed and I took out my phone for no apparent reason. I thought to myself, ‘I have no reason to be holding my phone right now,’ so I intentionally put it back in my bag and left it there. I then began to eat some of my favorite liquorice which I also had stashed in my bag. That was nice, but I still had the desire to just sit, without doing anything; a desire to just observed the buildings, people, trees and gum stuck to the concrete. So, that is what I did. About fifteen minutes into my ‘nothingness’ an older German man, perhaps in his sixties, sat down on the bench with me. He was homeless, with a red jacket and a bag on wheels. A few moments went by and he looked over and said, “Excuse me, are you waiting for someone?”. I looked back at him and kindly said “No”. “Oh okay, sorry,” he replied. I then said “It’s okay. And are you waiting for someone?”. He said "no," and then we both began laughing at the same moment. Perhaps happy to be sitting, and only for the sake of sitting. As you might imagine, we spent another forty-five minutes talking about life and such, lots of laughs. When it was time to go back home, I felt that that bench was the highlight of my day; both before and after I had company.

Life in a city, and even more a lifetime in a city, doesn't quite encourage us to be still, to be quiet, or to just sit for the sake of sitting and being without action. I've often noticed that in many of the western cities where I’ve lived or visited, there seems to be an unwritten rule that we should to be doing something. Sometimes, siting or just standing outside without doing something can be perceived in a funny way unless you’re in a park, where the foliage gives permission to just be and observe. In Paris for example, the tradition of taking time to enjoy your meals, and sitting for hours in cafes or alone with friends suggests otherwise, but I’ll trust that you’ve felt what I’m talking about out. During the week, the 9 to 5 work schedule and the busy lives of people definitely influence our frequent movement and tendency to only be still and without action at home, or in a park. Even on the weekend, when people go out to bars or social events, they don’t usually go alone, and even if they’re accompanied, when they go outside to get some fresh air, there seems to be a discomfort if they aren’t accompanied by a drink, a cigarette, a cell phone or another person. In many western cities, we seem to be uncomfortable simply being with ourselves and not engaging with a book, phone, cigarette or another person while in the public eye. Unless, we’re in a place that gives us permission to do so. Of course, there are many exceptions and circumstances where this isn’t the case, and of course it depends on who you talk to. Either way, this was a small part of why I loved my time on that bench.

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

12/07/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

The other day I realized that I had a pretty important question to ask the foreign registration office. It was a question about how long international students are allowed to be out of the country without compromising their student visa and ability to come back into the country and extend it. I had a few other questions as well but that was the main one. I had asked my university these questions but in the end, they didn’t have the answers, and invited be to write an email to them so that they could forward it to the Foreigner Registration Office in Berlin. That’s exactly what I was going to do until I thought, why would I write you an email, have you forward it, and then wait for the response to go through you before I get it? When I could just email them myself instead. Then I got an even better idea: I’ll just go to the office myself during business hours! Genius. And that is exactly where my troubles began.

Now that I think about it, I’ve had quite a few visas in different countries and one thing that never changes is that you can’t just ‘drop in’ at the Foreigner Registration Office. It just doesn’t work like that. You either make an appointment 1-3 months in advance (I know, it’s ridiculous but true), or you bring your camping gear and a hot water bottle and arrive at the office at 5:00am, long before any of the workers have arrive to do their job of assisting you, and accompanied with a large number of other foreigners waiting in line, bitter and determined. And of course, there will be someone who arrived at 4:30am, and even a few others who arrived before that. So, there I was on my way to the Foreigner Registration Office. According to Google maps, it should have taken a 17-minute train ride and a 15 walk. I felt like I was up for a walk so I didn’t choose a faster route. After the first train, and with my internet not working, I couldn’t seem to find the right path to the Foreigner Registration Office. I asked a few people for their insight, and most people confirmed that the office was nearby but that they didn’t know exactly where. After looking for a suggested bus that didn’t exist, and walking down a wrong street and back while tracking, I took someone’s advice to go one train stop further and then follow signs towards the office. So, I did that. I took the train one more stop and then followed the signs that led me down several blocks and over a bridge to the office. I got there and I was told that I was at the wrong location, and that no one there would be able to answer my question. Classic. The secretary gave me a piece of paper with directions to the correct address. It would require a ten-minute walk and a 20-minute bus ride. I was already exhausted and this wasn’t helping. I nearly went home at that moment, but the secretary assured me that the office was still open and that I had time to make it. So, there I was, another ten minutes walking and a 20-minute bus ride. When I arrived to the correct office, the guard said hello and then kindly told me that the office wouldn’t accept any other guests today as there were no more tickets to give out. And so, I would have to either make an appointment 1-3 months in advance (I know, it’s ridiculous but true), or arrive at the office at 5:00am, long before any of the workers have arrive to do their job of assisting me, and wait with a large number of other foreigners in line, bitter and determined. Thanks Berlin.

I left you a photo of what such an adventure might look like. I snagged it from the Jakub Marian Blog.

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

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10/07/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

Many have said that Berlin is the best city to in Europe. Although I agree in many but not all ways, I guess it depends on what you’re looking for and for what reasons you decide on what city you’ll call home. I’ve written at least once before about the Berlin Ubahn (train system) and some of the events that have unfolded as I’ve sat on those charming metal boxes, zipping through the city. The other day I was sitting on the train, and I started to remember a past life in Paris, another city that is magic. The trains in Paris are off the hook when it comes to creative people performing their talents, and sometimes taking everyone by surprise. Not everyone that comes on the train to showcase themselves is impressive though, sometimes it’s just an off-pitch person singing along to a recorded melody. But I remember one time, among others, that I’d like to recall. It was classic.

It was a summer morning in Paris and I was sitting on the Metro gazing out of the window. It was one of those weekday mornings, like any other, where everyone including me was a bit too tired to be up making our way to our separate parts of the city. We approached the next stop and two men in their 30’s, dressed in black business suits and carrying a large black duffle bag entered the train. I didn’t think anything of it, but what unfolded next was pretty epic. One of the two men calmly opened the black duffle bag and revealed a small stereo, he quickly pushed the play button and a seductive and upbeat tune came on, and both men began to dance. They grabbed the poles in the train and swung around them a few times before they began to strip. Yes, strip. The two men continued dancing with a classic strip aesthetic while giving courageous and flirtatious gazes to the train riders, I was about three feet away from their show. The men ripped off their black blazers and white collared shirts, danced a bit more and then ripped off their pants in one move. It turns out that they were wearing pants that looked like real pants but were actually held together by velcro down the side of the leg. So, off their pants went in one move and then I saw their underwear; White boxers with the map of the Paris Metro printing on them! Not one rider could manage to not look at the performance. People’s faces were so amazing and entertained and it was so lovely to see a train cart of people with awakened and joyful faces, laughing early in the morning, and on a weekday. The st*****rs finished off their performance, collected some tips and left just as quickly as they arrived. Whether you’re in Paris or Berlin, you’re likely to run into something that reflects the celebration of theatre and other arts in these cities. I’m happy to have had both of them be a home!

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

05/07/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

This is just a heads up: the Grammy Award-winning Malian Wassoulou musician Oumou Sangare will be performing in Berlin, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. If you’re in the city I seriously and genuinely suggest that you make the effort to make one of her shows. Sangare is an inspiring, strong, empowering and beautiful woman whose music is majestically beautiful and whose talents are appreciated and celebrated all around the world. Before you continue reading, I offer you one of the more well-known songs by Sangare, this one is called Moussolou, which means “Women”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9shQQJXdQ

Sangare’s story is quite interesting. When Sangare was a child she sang as a way to help her mother provide for their family as Sangare’s father had abandon them. Classic. I bet he felt even more like ass when he saw these women and the rest of his family make it without him. Booya! Anyway, at that time, she was already a gifted singer, and by the time she was five years old, Sangare was recognized for her musical gifts. While still in school, the singer was able to sing in front of 6,000 people at the Omnisport Stadium by making it to the finals in a contest between the nursery schools in Bamako. When the singer was 16 years old, she went on her first tour with the group Djoliba. And the rest is history! She is a world-renowned singer, activist and advocate of women’s rights, and a business woman. She inspires me, and will be performing at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt – Auditorium on Saturday, on August 5th at 19:00, in Berlin!

Sangare’s mother was also a singer, named Aminata Diakite.
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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

song: Moussolou artist: Oumou Sangare album: Moussolou year: 1989

05/07/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

I remember when I first came to Europe. I was 19 years old and had originally planned on taking the trip with two friends. As it got closer to our departure date I realized that I didn’t have enough funds, and subsequently I would have to postpone my flight by two months. So, it turned out that I took the trip alone, and it was amazing. Solo traveling was in my blood, and that truth manifested into the following decade of traveling alone. As you might imagine, many things happened during that first time in Europe, and among them were falafel and kebabs. Döner kebab shops are everywhere in Berlin (see photo below). They are cheap, from 1.50 EUR, to 3.50 EUR and most of them are delicious. Imagine freshly cooked falafel with salad and sauces stuffed into a grilled flatbread. For meat eaters, the falafel is replaced with juicy meat that is sliced from a rotating skewer. But why would you get the meat version when you can save some animals and enjoy falafel instead?! Actually, there is no guarantee that a döner kebab shop will have falafel, but you get the idea. Oh, and I snagged a couple of photos from the internet for you to see the deliciousness. Anyway, believe it or not, the city of Berlin has more döner kebab shops than in Istanbul. On top of that, they were apparently invented in Berlin as well.

The man that is credited with inventing the döner kebab is Kadir Nurman, and he actually died in December, 2013, in Berlin. In 1972, Nurman apparently set up a stall in West Berlin where he sold grilled meat and salad inside of a flat bread. No one actually knows how many other döner kebab “inventors” there were at that time, but Nurman was recognized by the Association of Turkish Doner Manufactures in Europe in 2011, which is pretty cool if you ask me. That same organization reported that there are at least 16,00 places selling kebabs in Germany. When you come this way, you won’t have to look for one of them, they’ll find you.
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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

30/06/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

So, this past weekend a friend of mine from Frankfurt was visiting Berlin. Just a couple of hours before she was schedule to depart on a bus down south, I presented the idea of going to an event that I had seen on Facebook. It was one of the enumerable awesome events going on in Berlin but this one was happening at a pretty convenience time and it was only 15 minutes away from my house. It was a youth dance battle called Hip Hop Meets Drums, and it was hosted by the Youth Centre Grenzalle to pay tribute the roots of various urban dance styles and to also engender intercultural sensitivity through the magic of dance. My friend agreed to come. As we all waited for the bus to arrive it started to rain. The rain began to fall harder and the wind started to do its thing, you know, moving about. The came within a few minutes and then dropped us off in a place with large fields and hardly any buildings. We found a sign that led to the Youth Center which was tucked away behind some trees. We walked in, and found that nothing was happening. There were four people cleaning up a BBQ area, moving boards where graffiti had been painted, and inside was another person near some lonely bows of fruit. All of us were confused. I asked someone where the event was and they said it was over. I wasn’t satisfied with that answer so I asked someone else and they clarified that the food was over, but the dance battle was just one floor above us. So, we went upstairs and found a large room with a crowd that had formed an amphitheater style circle around the dance floor. On the dance floor, we saw loads of young dancers breaking it down to the rhythms of two live drummers, a panel of judges and an audience that had nothing but support and love for their performances. These youngsters were passionate talented and full of energy.

I really liked what the event’s page had to say about, “Social artistic expression has always been important in African and African American traditions and created a kind of collective identity, especially in black marginalized communities. Dance can channel an emotion, communicate a message and create a social environment and structure which is based on ancient traditions, movements and rhythms and until today supports individual identity and plays a great role in many communities.” I love that. I also snagged their photo to share with you below.

This was just another day in Berlin. Music, dance, all sorts of creativity and sunshine that could deceivingly lead to rain and even hail out of nowhere. Thanks to global warming and likely a number of other things that humans have screwed up without yet realizing and thus haven’t named yet, hew!) we never have to be bored with regular weather patterns and predictable seasons. Sarcasm, anyone?

Anyway, this dance event was so lovely, a part of the Black Lives Matter Month 2017 (June), and a real inspiration to move the body and collaborate and express all that comes with being human. Berlin is in so many ways that, a city that is a space and platform facilitating diverse expressions of what it is to be a human being. For at least this reason, I’m grateful to call this city my home.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

24/06/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies…

The other day I was on the Ubahn going somewhere in Berlin. Everything seemed pretty standard; a train wagon full of people, a few dogs here and there, a strange liquid streaming down the walkway, people collectively staring at each other until they were noticed and a few drunk people that might have had something to do with the liquid moving slowly past my Birkenstocks. As I glanced around the train, I was thinking about living on the land, the time I had spent in the past and the life ahead of me which I intended to also spend a large chunk of in that same way. I was thinking about how ready I’ve been to leave the urban world, and all the complexities that come with it. I always imagined living outside of the city, with the earth, and occasionally coming into the city the share and celebrate and co-create music and other arts. Suddenly, my eyes stopped at the small TVs that the new trains have installed high up on the ceiling. I usually never pay any attention to them but this time I noticed that the screen had info about a march against N***s in Berlin. It was inviting everyone to join in the march and fight against hate and racism in Germany. I thought to myself, am I reading that right? It wasn’t news to me, but I’m just so used to people not realizing the significance of N***s in Germany.

Now that I actually think about it, I remember seeing something similar in the US. Last year, while waiting for a train in Oakland, California, I noticed a large advertisement posted and framed on the station walls. It was an ad published by a radio station, it could have been NPR, but I honestly don’t remember. Apparently, there had been a massive survey that asked white Americans how often they think about race. The overwhelming majority didn’t think about race very often at all. The ad compared that to how often people of color think about race, which is quite the opposite of those white folks in the survey. The ad simply said that this free mental space, where race is not thought about (regardless of what it may be filled with instead), was an expression of white privilege. The ad found a way to say all of that in just about three or four short sentences. And nothing more. When I read it, I felt similar to how I felt in Berlin last week. Surprised and confused. “Who let that happen?” It was a bit too true, too transparent, to have mainstream public advertising space. Though I was so happy to see it. It was strange, to feel happy and then a moment later continue walking through the world as it is. The socio-political history of the U.S is obviously quite different than Germany (and in many ways not so different), and all of that context (including who paid for each advertisement in those trains and what organizations were behind them) needs to be considered if we compare the two.

I’ve heard both Germans and North Americans say that Germany has dealt with its past, and that the United States has failed to do so, even as its past continues to rise to the surface. First, yes there is a difference between the two countries, and even though I prefer to live in Germany over the U.S, it isn’t that simple. Things are complex and it is a complexity that this post won’t be able to honor. Anyway, there are protests against Neo-N***s in Germany because there are Neo-N***s in Germany. And a number of them are police officers, which you’ll find if you do your research. As far as the U.S is concerned, U.S history isn’t history. That’s while it’s still happening. Slavery is legal if you’re in jail, the K*K and white supremacy in general still play a key and deep-rooted role in the “justice system”, segregation in the education system is still observable in many parts of the U.S, health, income, access to various resources and even life expectancies between African American and white neighborhoods across the country are grossly unequal. And if you were to do your own research you would be amazed at how deep the rabbit hole goes. With that being said, I’m so happy to live in Berlin right now and not in the USA, it’s just a bit easier to breathe. Not easy, but easier.

What’s the point of all this? History will never be “dealt” with, and I don’t see racism going anywhere anytime soon. Any attempt to deal with global, national and personal history is and will continue to be a constant work in progress. A path and a way of thinking, living, speaking and holding the world, its make-believe nations and the precious people who inhabit them accountable. Saying something. Doing something. Thinking something. Demanding justice. Working for peace. Practicing radical, humble, unconditional LOVE. It’s harder than it sounds and worth more than we can imagine.

So, how’s your path going? How is your love manifesting?
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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin

19/06/2017

Yes Wow Museum Berlin presents: The Berlin Biographies...

As I’ve mentioned in the past, the months following my move to Berlin earlier this year haven’t been the most socially active. With the winter howling outside the living room window, and somehow finding myself in another ‘broke student’ situation, cuddling up in my flat and exploring my old books, music and plant medicines was more than enough for me. In most cases, such things make up my preferred social activity anyway. About two months ago however, a friend of mine suggested that I check out an event called Poetry Meets Soul, here in Berlin. The name of the event was enough for me to confirm my attendance. The warming of weather also had something to do with it to be honest, but just a bit. So, I went and it was amazing. As I mentioned, that was two months ago. Last week I decided to go again.

Just as my first time, last week I didn’t know anything about the headliner before I arrived at the venue. I only knew I was excited to see the open mic performances. The first time I had gone to the event I was so inspired by the open mic performers that I felt I had to contribute my own voice and so I asked if I could perform at the last minute. As usual, after performing I felt a release that was spiritually and politically therapeutic and even more an encouragement to stay close to communities like these and to continue my music and poetry, which I sometimes keep on the backburner.

So anyway, there I was on my way to the event, where a majority of beautiful people of color had come to express the diversity of experiences of and reflections on blackness in this world. Among other inspiring narratives, talents and music from other beautiful backgrounds. I arrived a bit late, but I caught a performance by a lovely woman singing with the loop station who was later joined by a drummer who was off the hook. Then came the headliner, Kenny Wesley. Who would have known that echoes from the spirit of Prince (not to take away from Wesley’s own creative process) would be vibrating through the air, with most of the crowd singing along to Jackson, Prince and other legends in between Wesley’s original works that blew us away. The piano was one instrument while his voice was about five additional instruments. Now, as I revisit the event’s page, I’m finding some pretty amazing background on the artist. Kenny Wesley is a pianist, songwriter and vocalist that has a range of more than four octaves, which he made evident during his performance! Wesley has apparently had 25 Grammy award considerations, three acclaimed projects, a win as a finalist at the 2013 Montreux Jazz Festival Shure Vocal Competition and has appeared on a long list of TV, film and radio programs. His presence was full of joy, positivity and humility, while is performance was magically impressive. Before Wesley left the stage, he reminded the crowd to love themselves and each other, and although I’ve only attended two Poetry Meets Soul events, I’d say that that is the common them and energy felt there: Speak your mind, love yourself and others. Like Nina Simone proclaimed, to be young, gifted and Black! Open you heart to what I mean…

Unfortunately for you, that night was the last of the series for the season, with only a possibility of it starting up again. With that being said, look up some of Kenny Wesley’s work to get an idea of what he does. And if you’re in Berlin, keep an eye out for similar magic.
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I hope you enjoyed this edition of Berlin Biographies. - If you ever come to Berlin and you’d like to see a space that tells the story of what was, that came to be from visionary immigrant artists developing their visions over 20 years, and in a place that gentrification hasn’t quite touched yet...stay here:
http://bit.ly/LuxuryLoftInDavidBowiesBerlin