b12 Berlin Festival for Contemporary Dance: Week 1 Diary

Daily musings from a dancer.

Photo by Lonely Girl, Lonely World.

b12 Festival for Contemporary Dance and Performance Art (officially stylized in all lowercase) is an annual dance festival every July in Berlin, Germany. A training ground for professional-level dancers, the Festival offers more than 70+ research workshops, along with somatic, yoga, and outreach classes; free improv sessions; performance projects; and more. Their slogan is, “Research or die.”

I attended b12 from July 1 - 28, 2024.

Dancers come from all over the world to attend b12. It’s one of the most comprehensive dance festivals in the world. But what is it actually like? From the head and experience of an extroverted-introvert dance artist from Canada, solo in Berlin, here’s my story:

Week 1: July 1 - 6, 2024.

June 29 — Flight to Berlin! 9 and 1/2 hours.

June 30 — Arrived in Berlin. Tired, sleepy, eyes supremely dry. There’s just no good way to sleep in an economy seat.

As soon as I had signal, I saw an email saying my first b12 course starting tomorrow is cancelled! That means a whole week of no plans before my next course. (╥﹏╥)

Spent the whole train ride to the city centre in a state of anxiety because I forgot to buy my ticket beforehand. Then, when I thought I could just buy it online, the Wifi failed on me, and there was no data reach on the moving train. Thank goodness no one checked me this time.

Luckily, I was able to check in early to my hostel, so at least I had a good 3-hour nap.

Cue: frantically searching up drop-in dance classes to make up for the lost training.

July 1 — Moved into my friend’s place for the month. Turns out I’ll be alone tonight while they’re on a business trip.

Dumbbells, yoga mat, and a foam roller provided + my stretch band. Super clean and cozy couch-bed, bathroom, and kitchen. Finally made a homecooked meal in Berlin! What more could I ask for?

(The grocery store lineups are crazy! Especially at the local Lidl.)

July 2 — Fourth time I’ve gone grocery shopping in 3 days.

I needed something to do, so I looked up shows in Berlin. FALLING | IN LOVE at the Friedrichstadt-Palast came up. I saw the ads for this last year on my trip to London but didn’t think I’d actually have the chance to see it.

Swarovski crystals? Circus? Dance? Let’s do it.

It was a literal glitter-bomb, and I’m all for it. Full review article coming soon.

July 3 — Took my first drop-in dance class in Berlin this morning (modern at motion*s Moritzplatz)! It was so nice to get sweaty; though, is it a thing that not even the dance studios in Berlin have air conditioning?

However, major bonus points for providing a warm-up/cool-down space in the lobby (with mats, foam blocks, and rollers) and a shower area! Even more bonus points for not rushing to kick people out after class, so there’s actually time to use the shower.

I figured I’d get a head start on scouting out the Dock 11 Eden location for next week, so I’m not panicking last-minute at not being able to read German directions 10 minutes before class (like I was at motion*s, hehe).

Good thing I did because the entrance to Dock 11 Eden (aka. Eden Studios*****) is misleading. More details coming soon.

I went to b12’s “free radicals” showing — short performances by participating b12-ers (separate application required).

Getting really nervous now. Are we all supposed to know how to do aerials and running somersaults and handstand-to-fish-rolls for this festival???

Had to leave the show early because it was getting too late, and I live an hour away. .

July 4 — Slow, peaceful morning to start. I finally had time to talk to my friend/roomie as she prepared to leave (again!) for London. I cooked; she did her nails.

Tried 2 dance classes — contemporary and ballet — at Tanzfabrik today! It’s a much quieter atmosphere than motion*s, with fewer students too, but the classes were great (and the studios big!).

There are 2 locations: Tanzfabrik Berlin Schule (the studios) and Tanzfabrik Berlin e.V. (the theatre). For Toronto folks, Tanzfabrik has a similar vibe to Dance Arts Institute (formerly The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (STDT)). If their theatre location is the company, the studios are for professional training.

Plus, LPG Biomarkt — an organic food shop and bakery with seating area — is just a few steps away for a break between classes.

July 5 — Was going to attend a handstand class at motion*s this morning but didn’t wake up until 11 AM. Those 2 classes yesterday must’ve really tuckered me out.

My legs and shoulders were particularly sore this morning.

Instead, I went to iki-iki TAIKO for a drop-in beginners session. I ended up learning almost a full song, Narushima, in one class. It ran overtime, so 20 EUR for 2.5 hours was more than worth it. Everyone was super kind and thoughtful.

I’d seen iki-iki TAIKO online last year on my trip to Berlin but didn’t get a chance to try them out. I’m so glad I made it this time!

Now my arms are sore in addition to my legs. My hands are still slightly shaking from maneuvering the bachi for so long.

Before class, I bought a prepared chicken leg to make myself brunch with. Feels like I haven’t eaten meat in forever. (Check out: A Week of Food in Berlin.)

My friend’s friend moved in for the weekend. I’m not alone anymore! Yay!

July 6 — Time to take a break from lessons and give my body a break.

Which means … shopping!!!

But first, I had a nice lunch at Green Tea Café MAMECHA. Their bento box and mochi cake were great.

Finally, I checked out Joe Nimble. I passed by them last year too and regret not stepping in then. They specialize in sneakers carved to the natural foot shape (i.e. non-tapered).

I bought myself a nice pair for 169 EUR (yikes). Hopefully, they’re as functional as they say.

It’s 30°C today and finally feeling like summer. It’s strange; 30°C in Berlin doesn’t feel so hot. In Toronto, I’d be a whole different shade by now. Maybe there’s a thicker ozone layer here.

Took a shower, cooked myself a great dinner, and am now feeling really good. Fingers crossed this feeling remains for tomorrow, when I finally start my b12 workshops!

Week Summary: This entire week was pretty grey and cold. Toronto is getting more sun right now than Berlin, and that’s saying something for a city that had less than 30 hours of sunlight last winter. (For some reason, the sun only comes out at 7 PM in Berlin right now.)

As a solo traveler, again, it can get pretty lonely. But it is nice to have a private home to come back to each night.

This time, I really feel like a local. I’ve seen the tourist sites already, so there’s no pressure to hit all the landmarks. My friend exclaimed, “You look like a real Berliner!!!” when she passed by me as I was walking confidently toward the U-Bahn, already familiar with my local connections.

Ok, dear, time for some deep breathing. You’ve got this, and you’ve got your KT tape. *Pats myself on the back*

Photo by Lonely Girl, Lonely World.