There are places in Berlin that make you feel as though you’ve slipped into the city through a back door. Ballhaus Ost on Pappelallee is one such venue, steeped in Berlin history and attitude. Built in 1907 as a celebration and assembly hall for the Free Religious Community of Berlin, it later became the “Casino des Handwerks” during the GDR era, then a billiards hall and club after reunification, before being reopened in 2006 by Anne Tismer, Uwe Moritz Eichler, and Philipp Reuter as a self-managed stage for artists. Since then, Ballhaus Ost has become an experimental anchor for independent performing arts — spanning theatre, performance, dance, and new music — shaped by a curiosity for social critique and a commitment to showcasing diverse artistic communities. It’s also a place rediscovered by Renko Heuer, a journalist and long-time editor who has worked with mono.kultur and Lodown Magazine. Since the 1990s, he has closely observed and accompanied Berlin’s independent music and cultural scene, as well as emerging artists. Starting March 21, 2026, he launches a new curated concert series, Yetze Casino Nights, bringing live shows from up-and-coming acts across a wide range of musical scenes and spheres to the stage. The concept is as simple as it is charming: to rethink classic show formats, treat the stage as a space of freedom, and give every act a “plus one”. What or who that “plus one” is is entirely up to the artists.
The first edition, Yetze Casino Nights #1, kicks off with the Copenhagen-based duo A Good Year, performing their very first concert in Germany. Their sound blends understated pop with cinematic arrangements and electronica. For this debut, they’ll bring along special visuals and Late Verlane as their musical plus one. Yetze Casino Nights #2 follows on 16.04, with a focus on female artists from Berlin. Headlining is Kazakhstan-born Maresz, presenting her new EP Taste. Setting the tone is ronja (Roomer), who contributed to one of last year’s most exciting indie releases with her dreamgaze trio Roomer and now follows up with her solo EP Up With The Sun. Across six tracks recorded between Berlin and Copenhagen, she traces longing and intimacy through recurring details, using only voice, guitar, and electronics. The evening continues with RIP Swirl spinning unreleased material. It’s a musical start to spring not to be missed.
Text: Milena Kalojanov / Photos: David Baltzer, Johanna Hvitved, Luka Seifert
Ballhaus Ost, Pappelallee 15, 10437 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Yetze Casino Nights #1: A Good Year 21.03.2026 20h. Tickets can be purchased via phone, email, online, or at the box office.
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