Conscious indulgence, rebellious bodies, new love, and a plunge into icy waters — Dry January has never been so wet (or so fearless). Here are CC’s Calendar tips for a fresh start. Tonight (08.01.2026) is already promisingly full. If you enjoy writings read aloud, this is for you. Cover Crop invites you to an early evening of readings and music at Café Tiergarten, where authors like Niklas Buescher and Anna R. Winder will share their work. It’s the perfect spot to kick off the year and discover new voices. At Gropius Bau, the new year (08.01.) begins with desire and a refusal to conform. The first Spätschicht event of the year, in collaboration with the Schwules Museum, is a queer space for reflection, blending screenings, book presentations, and performances. Here, the body acts as a site of negotiation with society, with queer ancestors, with one another. Live on stage, find Hugo Tepest, River Roux, Ulrike Ottinger, and more. Admission is free, and the event will be conducted in German, English, with German and international sign language. Mindful drinking? If the holidays left you out of practice, this is your chance for delicious lessons. The Mindful Drinking Club hosts a tasting of Proxies tonight (08.01.) with independent beverages that refuse to be measured against wine or cocktails. The English session All Eyes on: Proxies dives deep into production methods, fresh ideas, and distinctions. Drinks are served in the studio next door at MS Tapete and spots are limited. Another round takes place the following two Thursdays!
If you’ve ever wanted to attend a silent concert, here’s your chance. Shida Shahabi is coming to Hau to make music that leaves room to breathe. On Friday (09.01.), the Swedish-Iranian composer will demonstrate how piano, cello, and electronics can interplay slowly and subtly. Afterwards, Léopold Collin from Paris will enchant with Helen Island through atmospheric songs blending lo-fi, trip-hop, and floating melancholy. New year, new love? Not necessarily. The new group exhibition Love Is A Losing Game at PSM Gallery approaches the subject without romanticizing it. Artists like Tala Madani, Dean Sameshima, and Katja Aufleger explore intimacy, desire, and relationships at the intersection of technology and everyday life. Anyone in the mood to reflect on love should come to the opening on Saturday (10.01.). If you’re feeling crafty this year, join Snakegarden‘s Winter Floral Workshop. On Sunday (11.01.), Kaffeekreis offers a slow-paced start to the day: choose flowers, keep your hands busy, clear your head, and take home a beautiful bouquet. The atmosphere is calm and warm, with snacks. And for those who want a slightly more festive binding experience, there’s even a glass of Prosecco. This Sunday ritual makes a short, cold adventure: it’s time for the Plötzi Plunge. Meet on Sunday morning (11.01.) at Strandbad Plötzensee. After a brief group warm-up, everyone heads into the icy water together. Then it’s straight back out, but the amazing feeling of starting the week wide awake and in a good mood stays with you. Participation is donation-based and open to anyone ready to take the plunge.
Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Dwam Ipome, Marie Staggat, Plötzi Plunge, Robyn Steffen, Shida Shahabi, Helen Island, Snakegarden, Ziva Drvaric
Café Tiergarten, Altonaer Str.3, 10557 Berlin–Tiergarten; map
CC & Friends 08.01.2026 16–18h
@cafetiergarten
@cover__crop
MS Tapete, Prenzlauer Allee 30, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Mindful Drinking Club – All eyes on: Proxies 08.01.2026. Reserve your spot here.
@mindfuldrinkingclub
@ms_tapete
Gropius Bau, Niederkirchnerstr.7, 10963 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Spätschicht x Schwules Museum 08.01.2026 19h
@gropiusbau
@schwulesmuseum
HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Stresemannstr.29, 10963 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Shida Shahabi & Helen Island 09.01.2026 18h30
@hauberlin
PSM, Schöneberger Ufer 61, 10785 Berlin–Schöneberg; map
Love Is A Losing Game 10.01.2026 18h
@psmgallery
Kaffeekreis, Möckernstr.91, 10963 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Winter Floral Workshop 11.01.2026 14h
@snakegarden.berlin
@kaffeekreisberlin
Strandbad Plötzensee, Nordufer 26/c/o, 13351 Berlin–Wedding, map
Plötzi Plunge 11.01.2026 09h45
@strandbad.ploetzensee
