Berlin celebrates May Day 2012

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  • We break down some of this year's May 1st clubbing options in the German capital.
  • Berlin celebrates May Day 2012 image
  • Ah May 1st, the day Berlin converts itself into one enormous city-wide party. While gentlemen like the one pictured right smash things up on Oranienstrasse, the rest of us participate in a more controlled form of anarchy at clubs and open-airs around the city. Here's our break down of some of the highlights. Unsurprisingly, Berghain's party might be the one with the most buzz surrounding it. They'll stick to tradition by opening the garden, this time with a slightly surprising Minus twist: Richie Hawtin will headline and Gaiser will play live, joining Matthew Styles and resident DJ Ryan Elliott. That one starts at noon and wraps up around 8:00 PM. Meanwhile, Club der Visionaere will be keeping up another venerable May Day tradition with their official opening party. No more tarps or heaters: the intimate dockside space is now in summer mode, with nothing covering it up aside from the weeping willow. Per usual the lineup is cryptically described as "the usual suspects," which usually means some combination of regulars plus Zip and Ricardo Villalobos (but don't quote us on that). Show up early if you want to beat the line. Görlitzer Park is always a good bet for taking in the scene, and this year there will be at least two open-airs happening just nextdoor in Spreewaldplatz. Kleine Reise's hosting one of them, featuring The Mole vs. Cristobal, Chymera (playing live), True Story (AKA the Passion Beat Crew vs Hrdvsion), Franz Underwear with Emil Doesn't Drive and the Loftus Hall residents, Peter Power, Patrick Reddy, Le Fox and Dara Drea O'Neill. The other will be happening a stone's throw away at Locke Müller with M.A.N.D.Y., DJ T., Stassy and a host of others. Dozens of other events will be taking place across the city. Renate are throwing a boat party with Margaret Dygas and club regulars Peak & Swift and Samanta Fox. Nôze will be playing with their live band at Volksbühne in Mitte. Spree-side club Fiese Remise are throwing a beach party and club night featuring Ian Pooley, Oliver Deutschmann and Tristen among others. As for KaterHolzig, their May Day hootenanny has been raging since Saturday and should go straight through to Wednesday. The lengthy bill includes some of the Bar25 crew—Beaner, Danny Faber, Dirty Doering—plus dOP, Pan-Pot, Axel Bartsch, Camea, Nôze, Lee Jones, SIS and more than 30 others. You can cool down tomorrow evening with a Dial Records Night at Cookies, featuring Carsten Jost, Pawel and RNDM. Details on all of Berlin's May Day parties are available via the link below.






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