Playful #3 featuring Ellen Allien, Freddy K, Berlin Strippers Collective and many more...

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ELLEN ALLIEN BERLIN STRIPPERS COLLECTIVE - @NACHTCLUBSBERLIN FREDDY K - LUSTY ICE - LOVE IS BLIND - MATE HOROSCOPE - ANONYMOUS STORY

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ISSUE THREE IMPRESSUM Playful Magazine and playfulmag.com are published by Playful Magazine GbR Publisher: Filip Sandström Beijer Address: Jablonskistraße 26 104 05 Berlin Umsatzsteuer-ID: DE325812848

EDITORIAL TEAM AND DESIGN Editor-in-Chief: Amanda Sandström Beijer Art Director: Lauren Kavanagh Contact: hello@playfulmag.com

PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING Ads and partnerships contact: Cover: Ellen Allien Photo: Stini Röhrs Styling: Halla Farhat Hair and make-up: Servulo Mendez Shot at Studio Cherie

hello@playfulmag.com +4915212902945 Copyright @ Playful Magazine All of Playful Magazine’s contributors are responsible and retain the reproduction rights of their own words and images. Reproduction of any kind are prohibited without the permission of the magazine, editor and each contributor.

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CHEEKY JEWELS

@playful.jewelry playfulmag.com/jewelry

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CONTENTS ANONYMOUS WRITER Oh how we’ve missed clubbing, even by ourselves.

@NACHTCLUBSBERLIN Sabrina tells us about how it all started and we’re just drawling and longing to get back in line to see the beautiful Berliners dressed up.

ELLEN ALLIEN Berlin’s queen of techno takes us into the depth of how she creates the unique connection with the audience, her new album and why Berlin’s club life is different.

SUMMER GUIDE The city is opening up after its lockdown but still no clubs allowed. We’re guiding you through the best outdoor spots instead.

LUSTY ICE Vulva and penis shaped ice lollies – Marc Poggia cools down Berlin.

BERLIN STRIPPERS COLLECTIVE They are smart, they are sexy, and they are fed up with your bullshit. BSC work in one of Berlins biggest strip clubs and got inspired by ’the Lusty Lady’.

FREDDY K We met up with Freddy K in his favourite place – Hard Wax record store to talk about the techno scene today and in the past.

MATE Club Mate is mainstream and we dig a bit deeper together with Mate guru: Krithika to find out more about the benefits.

LOVE IS BLIND – AND GAY AS FUCK Netflix series Love Is Blind goes queer and it’s much more steamy than the original!

FOOD REVIEW Fresh, tasty and big – this bowl is delicious.

TAROT-SCOPE Throw away the lucky rabbit’s foot – get your tarot-scope for June, July and August.

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INTRO AMANDA SANDSTRÖM BEIJER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

No matter how different we may be, the Berlin vibe is for people with a need to feel free, unbound and accepted. Together we form the Berlin we live in, something that has become even clearer during the lockdown. The power that is created here cannot disappear even when the clubs do – the energy finds new ways to trickle out. This city has needed to be rebuilt before, and it’s in the build-up that the energy becomes even stronger.

The power remains in the streets – no matter how empty they are, in the buildings – even though people are isolated inside them, and in the energy that comes out through the openings. Together with United We Stream, one man radio shows such as Krzrzrz with Freddy K, Balcony gigs with Ellen Allien, online striptease with Berlin Strippers Collective and “Love Is Blind”-inspired matchup games. Even sharing our outfits for the evening on @nachtclubsberlin as we rave alone in front of the computer to our favourite Berlin DJs, we’ve proven that we’re still standing.

We’ve proven that we find ways to do what we love and the ones that shared this with us during the lockdown, are the ones that we will never forget. Those who have spread their energy and continue to share their passion with the rest of us are the ones who build the foundation of what will emerge. Thank you for fueling the new Berlin that will grow even stronger. United we continue to build a Berlin where we will live our creativity and where we will lift each other up, and scheiße, the world will want to be here when we celebrate the doors of Berlin opening again.

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A NIGHT OUT

BY MYSELF WRITTEN BY “ANASTASIA STEALS” ILLUSTRATED BY EWA ŻAK

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Before moving to Berlin, I had never been to a club alone before, but it did not take long for this new habit to start. Deep in my – now shameful – deep house phase, I was getting increasingly frustrated by the fact that my flat mates didn’t always agree to come to the parties I was interested in… until I had an epiphany. I could go alone.

I don’t need someone to hold my hand while waiting to greet a scarylooking bouncer!

And so it began. First, Kater Blau, then Berghain, then Kitkat. I had been once in my early twenties and I recalled the experience as nothing but pure, unaltered fun. I had gone with my high school best friend and we danced the night away, playing around the poles with a mesmerizing ballet dancer and pretending to be a couple to make sure no one would try to flirt with us too hard.

I now have a solid group of close friends in Berlin, and I do sometimes regret the fact that my dancing alone days are almost over, though I relish in the occasion every time I do pick a party no one else is interested in.

There is one night in particular that I hold fond memories of. Still trying to navigate this whole “dating in Berlin” thing, I had temporarily lost interest in the myriad of dating apps I was using and decided to give real life a go. Plus, I probably had decided I wanted to wear as little clothing as possible that night, so it made all the sense in the world to head to Kitkat by myself.

I got ready and poured myself a couple of mate-vodkas while Skyping with a friend from back home, a thing I used to do often before heading out over my first months as a Berliner. By the time it was time to go out – not too early, not too late – I decided wearing a skirt over my bodysuit for the U-Bahn ride to Heinrich-Heine-Straße wasn’t necessary. After all, it was dark, I was feeling myself and most of the people I would stumble upon would be drunk anyways.

I stood in line, got into the club and headed to the cloakroom before getting a drink and inspecting the dancefloor. The music was good, as always. I’ve always liked the main floor’s accessible and sometimes nostalgic electronic beats, and the DJ that night was doing a particularly good job at keeping me moving.

It was probably 4 or 5am when everything changed. All of a sudden, a gorgeous man in his early 30s entered the room. His presence was magnetic, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, probably because he was exactly who I had been hoping to find that night when I had decided to go to this club alone. I could see him screening the room the way I had a few hours prior, which I found amusing.

I decided to take action before someone else did and headed towards the bathroom as an excuse to walk in his direction. I smiled at him, he smiled back. I can’t remember who started talking first, but we

rapidly ended up making out. He said he had been searching for someone like me tonight, and I said I had, too.

After what felt like just minutes, he asked if I wanted to go home with him. I agreed, and we hopped on the bus towards his apartment.

Once we were seated, he leaned over and asked: “Have you heard of 50 Shades of Grey?” I nodded. He then asked me whether I was interested in the topic it covered, and I answered that I was definitely curious. He seemed pleased with my answer and said he had some things to teach me.

At this point, I could hardly contain my excitement about what was about to happen. Berlin had already been mind-opening for me, and I welcomed every new experience that allowed me to get to know myself better, especially pleasure-wise.

Once we finally got off the bus – he did live slightly outside the ring in a quiet suburb, gasp – we walked towards his apartment and this is where it all began. He showed me his living room, then pointed towards his bedroom and told me to wait there. After a few, interminable seconds, he entered with a large box in his hands.

He then proceeded to tell me this box was full of every accessory I could ever want to try, and told me we would do that to help me figure out what I liked and didn’t like. From gag balls to a Wartenberg wheel (yes, I did just Googled it and just learned what this is called), we went through his entire box for several hours and well into the morning, having sex in the meantime. Some objects just made me giggle endlessly, while others had the effect he was hoping for.

I remember this encounter as so fun and lighthearted, far from the typical BDSM cliché I had thought was the norm. Though he was looking puzzled when things made me giggle, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy this session too, which made me like it – and him – even more.

We slept for a few hours and when I woke up, the previous events seemed a lifetime away. I don’t think we exchanged phone numbers.

We just got up and said goodbye to each other after he let me know he was expecting friends. On my end at least, not asking whether we would see each other again was a way to keep the magic of this night untainted.

I started getting dressed, and then it sunk in: I had decided to not wear a skirt for the U-Bahn ride! Here I was, strolling down the streets of this quiet neighborhood, wearing nothing but a bodysuit.

The wait for the S-Bahn was the longest ever, as I sat awkwardly among children and their parents getting ready for a wholesome Sunday excursion into town.

You have no idea how happy I was when I finally made it home.

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I DON’T NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD MY HAND WHILE WAITING TO GREET A SCARY-LOOKING BOUNCER

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NACHTCLUB FASHION WITH @NACHTCLUBSBERLIN WRITTEN BY AMANDA SANDSTRÖM BEIJER

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SABRINA JEBLAOUI IS THE PERSON BEHIND THE INSTA-FAMOUS AND BERLIN BASED ACCOUNT @NACHTCLUBSBERLIN THAT STARTED WHEN SHE MOVED HERE IN 2017.

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I ALWAYS TRY TO BE MYSELF AND TO COME VERY CLOSE TO PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY BARRIERS

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Tell us more.

I felt really free from the social constraints when I moved to Berlin, I used to live in Paris so you can imagine. I also did party a lot during the first year, though I didn’t take a lot of photos and might have felt a bit lost. I got the idea and thought it would be interesting to take pictures of party people like myself. As I started a relationship with my current boyfriend, I calmed down with partying and decided to give the project a try. One day, I took my analogue camera and decided to go check out the Berghain queue with a friend. Yes just the queue. I was so excited and afraid at the same time that people would reject me when I asked to take their photos. But I forced myself, and I really enjoyed these first shots.

People were interested in my project but of course not everybody wanted to be photographed, which is totally understandable. When I saw my first pictures developed I was so happy that I decided to create the Instagram account NachtClubsBerlin. I just wanted people to find the account. And they did.

What inspired you?

Streets, other photographers, people I met. Everything can inspire me – especially in Berlin. With photography, I’m in the present moment, and that moment inspires me a lot. Also, I’m a big fan of the American photographer Nan Goldin. Her work is really deep and documents the LGBT Community and the heroin addicted subculture. She also documents herself through her intimate autoportraits. But I’m also inspired by women like Oprah Winfrey and Marina Abramovic.

How do people react when you want to photograph them outside the clubs, since there are ’no photo rules’ inside?

In the beginning, I had to put a lot of efforts and energy into explaining my project and convince them to be part of it. I always try to be myself and to come very close to people without any barriers. Now it’s easier because some people already know of the project. But in general, people are freer when they are out from a party. Some are shy and some are comfortable. It really depends.

What do you think inspires the Berlin fashion?

Berlin is known to be the underground city par excellence where people are free to wear what the heck they want. I love how Berlin Fashion can change from an area to another. Punk and techno culture from the 90’s and the historical moment of the fall of the Berlin Wall led to what people today call « Berlin Fashion ».

The Monster

What is the most common outfit people have when they party in Berlin?

Black outfit, leather, waist bag and sneakers. Definitely.

What is the most spectacular outfit you’ve photographed?

Outfit of Lucio Vidal when he came out from Berghain, long white fur with huge disco heels. I really love when people dress up and are being creative. I was also amazed by the guy in front of Berghain with the monster. (Pic will with monster mask) What are your favourite places in the summer to: Eat: Picnic made by my boyfriend in a park or a lake - a little Spätkauf hidden in Prenzlauer berg who makes very tasty cheap toasts and cake – Holzmarkt or the beer garden Präter Drink: Club der Visionäre – drinking in a park like Görlitzer Park Party: Sisyphos of course – Else – Hoppetosse – Heideglühen Hide from the heat: under a tree in a hammock. ●

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EVERYTHING CAN INSPIRE ME – ESPECIALLY IN BERLIN.

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I LOVE HOW BERLIN FASHION CAN CHANGE FROM AN AREA TO ANOTHER

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Friedrichstraße 140 10117 Berlin +49 30 200 771 90 Mon–Sat 12:00–19:00 Neue Schönhauser Straße 17–18 10178 Berlin Berlin Ost +49 30 240 477 88 Mon–Sat 12:00–19:00 Tamara-Danz Straße 11 10243 Berlin Berlin Ost +49 30 275 874 73 Mon–Sat 11:00–18:00 weekday.com

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club fashion tips

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SABRINA’S BEST: 1. Don’t try to be someone you’re not – be yourself and be comfortable 2. They say black is Berlin, but colors are fun too and it won’t be the reason you get rejected, don’t worry 3. Discover something new about yourself and try it out, again – comfort is key

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ELLEN ALLIEN

WRITTEN BY AMANDA SANDSTRÖM BEIJER PHOTOS BY STINI RÖHRS

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WHEN CREATING MUSIC TURNS PHYSICAL.

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PLAYFUL MAGAZINE’S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WENT ON A DATE WITH BERLIN’S QUEEN OF TECHNO.

The first new person I met in a very long time is Ellen. We were supposed to go for a walk, but it’s the one day that is rainy so we decide to meet at the office. She enters with a black rain jacket with yellow neon details and a brightly awake face. Greeting me without showing any concerns for the social distancing that we’ve gotten used to by now.

Playful had a chat with her for the web-project we did – “Corona Diaries” – where she mentioned that this period has made her see Berlin in a new light.

“Since the clubs are closed my days are completely different now, especially my Sundays,” she laughs and continues; “I’ve done streaming though, since I love sharing music and it’s a physical need. But normally I come back home completely dead after a gig and lay down on my bed.

Now I bike on Sundays. I’ve bought a new bike since my last one wasn’t outside anymore.” she jokes; “I have this route that I really like in the city, and I always do the same one. I really enjoy Berlin with less cars. I feel it gives more freedom to the city. Even though people are staying meters away from me and that’s a bit weird. But well, I guess it’s normal since the media is handling this situation in their own way, and since it’s a ‘rule’. But actually I don’t know if it’s such a good rule. We’ll see when the vaccine comes, I don’t really know what they want us to do, but I’m not the person that would take any vaccine.”

Ellen relaxes on her chair with her feet elevated – you can tell she’s used to a hectic lifestyle by now and knows how to be in the moment and in charge of her own time so that it doesn’t consume her.

Sheer white dress by Olivia Ballard

“I need to be very strict with taking time off for myself sometimes. Because there’s always something to do. But now since we’ve been staying at home I’ve gotten even more connected to my mum, sister and my nephew and I feel very close to them. The same goes with my flatmate who’s working from home, and our relationship has changed.

We’ve started cooking together and look at new recipes all the time. We’ve also been doing ‘home gym’ nearly every day while listening to streams or podcasts by other DJs, and that’s been so much fun and more effective than going to a gym, so that’s on the good side of the situation.”

“But at the same time, I have a lover overseas and not knowing when we’ll be able to see each other again is tough.

This person is working for festivals in the USA and all jobs are gone now, so it’s problematic in so many ways.”

Many artists and creative people have shown that they’re not going to just sit and wait for it to be over, but have taken time to give of their work and spread positivity to help us feel united and keep a positive mindset. One of them is Ellen. ➝

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“Music is not about money, it gives so much. I wanna share something and spread positive vibes. The first streaming I did on Instagram or Facebook I did because I felt very depressed, and since I know I’m a person who’s often very happy I wondered how bad others must have felt then. I was lying in my bed and saw a live stream from Addison Groove and it was incredible, I realized how much music gives.

There’s also this old couple playing classic music every weekend on the route where I’m biking, and people are sitting all around them listening to it.”

Ellen’s new album that she started recording last year before she went on holidays, (Released on June 12th) is also very accurate for this situation.

“Mixing music and the whole creative process gives me so much. It’s very physical,” she says and continues; ”In one of the tracks, I’m saying “Covid19 - Bitch”, she laughs. “So I let my drama out in the music.”

The track is on on a compilation of “The Third Room” – a group of promoters from Essen who works with creating a space of cultural exchange by combining musical styles and going beyond limits.

“They organize the best techno events in very industrial locations,” Ellen says.

Going her own way and never compromising is what brought her to where she is today, and of course, her love for the music.

“It is very important for me to feel free. I need to feel free, no matter what is said by the government and society. I feel manipulated by what we get told to do. Also I feel that we’re ‘puppets of the pharmacy’ in the end, it’s pretty much slavery for the pharmacy. But you’ll find me at the next demonstration, they have to understand that we’re not so easy to manipulate. Many of the tracks in the new EP is about this kind of situation, who we can trust and things like that.”

Although this might sound political, Ellen doesn’t want her music to be political, but rather a way to release thoughts.

She finds key words and plays around them. But of course there are thoughts behind the keywords.

“Believing in rainbows and music doesn’t mean that I trust capitalism. Yesterday I talked with my mom and my nephew about what’s behind all of this, like who’s going to profit from it. It feels like some people want to push the paranoia.”

Ellen highlights that our lives are right now, and if we are digging ourselves into the scarcity mindset we might as well not live at all. ➝

MUSIC IS NOT ABOUT MONEY, IT GIVES SO MUCH

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White trench coat by Melissa Minca

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“Everything changes so quickly and nothing is constant.

We have to enjoy our lives and understand that nothing will remain the same forever. Appreciate what we have. Be careful and stay awake, but don’t forget to enjoy your life every day. I understand that it’s not easy. Many people are depressed, but we’ll come out of this much stronger. We have to try and get out of this and enjoy. Be playful,” she laughs.

It seems that this time has unified Berlin even more, and even though this summer isn’t going to be the same we know that things are changing quickly. Some of Ellen’s best memories are from this season in previous years, when Berlin takes on the aspect of summer town. Ellen goes back to when Griesemule opened up its garden where she played on May 1st.

“It’s a very important day for me and it’s such a unique day here in Berlin. It’s funny that it never rains, it’s like the first days of summer. Last year I just got back to Berlin and I was so thankful to be back – everyone was so happy and I played

for the perfect crowd with people from all over the world,” she says and continues; “There’s this community of people who run stuff, and who are enjoying running it. You feel it in their energy, and this is also what makes Berlin and many clubs here so unique. It’s not like a heavy burden on your shoulders to do stuff, but it’s an uplifting energy in creating it, and that’s beautiful. We as artists, as well as the guests, can really feel this. We’re people from all over the world coming here and meeting on the dance floor.”

Meeting on the dance floor is something Ellen has an extraordinary ability to create an atmosphere for. The ability to connect with the audience creates a totally unique energy and I’m curious to hear how she sees it.

“For me it starts with the music connecting me into itself,” she says and continues, “But of course there are some preparations beforehand, where I see what songs can be

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played in that specific room, since it’s different depending on the acoustics of the room and how the sound is floating.

On certain dance floors there’s some stuff that I can’t play because the sound doesn’t work with that kind of acoustics.

So, it’s a combination between that and watching, connecting and understanding the audience. If the people know me as a DJ, then they’re just waiting for the point when I come in to overtake them – to let them inside the music.”

“The people that know me and how I perform and know my energy are just waiting for this. Sometimes if I’m not there, they push me like ‘Ellen, come on’, it’s pretty interesting how this works, what makes me put one track after the other and the whole creative process during gigs. But it for sure also depends on the audience, If there are people that don’t know the music for example when I play specific tunes or a track of mine or an edit that I did. It’s a very physical thing – it’s a tribe experience I would say.”

Knowing what track to put after the others is a certain way of reading the audience, connecting with them and know how to bring them from point A to point B in such a smooth way that they just start going crazy.

When Ellen talks about her gigs and connecting with the audience you can feel the way she loves it. Her voice changes and her face is smiling. Yes, she will do this until she dies.

“The tracklist I choose to play, is something I base upon the current energy in the room, reading the audience and building the energy to win them over. When they meet my energy they start going crazy, and in this moment, when we meet, it’s a huge energy flow and it gets insane.”

“People are waiting to have this uplifting moment together to celebrate the music. It’s the celebration of the music, and how it has the ability to push your body and brain in a specific direction with the combination of tones and notes of the record. It creates a lifestyle – it’s the energy that we ➝

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need to be able to get into a specific spirit on the dance floor.

And this kind of mood that surrounds us, is made up of feelings we don’t normally have in our ‘every-day-life’, with all the adrenaline. The more we dance and sweat the more hormones our bodies are producing and that brings us up to a certain level.

Doing this together, it’s beautiful.”

If you haven’t yet put on music while reading this I guess you’re just dreaming away of the times we share together. Remembering how life is supposed to be and longing for the moments. We will be back and when we are, oh my, we will enjoy it!

“The need to lose ourselves together in a room filled with people we don’t know, and to share the moment in the present is what brings us together. Sometimes when my friends tell me about someone they met in a club, I ask them why they didn’t exchange numbers, you know, make some friends. But it’s not always about that, it’s also an experience you create in the moment. Its a different world outside the normal world.”

“This is also thanks to the bouncers. They are doing a great job, thank you for that. Depending on who they let in and who they don’t – that creates a club – otherwise it wouldn’t be a club. The Berlin club owners really know what they’re doing. I’m so proud of them and thanks to the government that allows us to create the scene in this specific way. It’s not like in other cities where the clubs close at 6 and you as a DJ don’t get the chance to build up the vibe. We’re much freer in Berlin to create the club scene and make it special. Without the club owners we wouldn’t be able to celebrate the underground scene in this way.”

Together with Freddy K, they both represent the first generation of DJs, and besides that they also share the conviction to go their own way and never compromise.

“I feel very connected to Alessio. When we started to DJ it wasn’t about being cool. When we started it wasn’t cool, we did it because we’re music lovers. There’s so much passion behind it.

We’re not people trying to be liked. We do what we want to do and no one can tell us what to do, no club, no manager, no one.

Some DJ’s today question themselves what they would need to play to be famous or to earn money. And I just wonder, does the importance lie in becoming famous or to DJ? It shouldn’t matter, I really respect the DJ’s who are playing alone on their Instagram accounts with no-one listening but your parents and two of your friends. Many DJ’s are just playing at home alone, and they’re happy, it shouldn’t be about fame or money but being a real DJ instead of a big DJ.”

THE BERLIN CLUB OWNERS REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING. I’M SO PROUD OF THEM

Some of Ellen’s favourite clubs: Griessmuehle Berghain Wilden Renate KitKat ://about blank Tresor Ohm

Styling: Halla Farhat Hair and make-up: Servulo Mendez Shot at Studio Cherie

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Wide white pants by Catalogue of disguise, Pvc belt by house of marmol

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TOP HANGOUTS THIS SUMMER As clubs and major events are forced to stay closed, we predict it will be a summer with small gatherings and parties in parks and biergartens instead. We are very lucky that Berlin is well suited for that. Here are some of our favorite spots, and yes, Corona made us buy an inflatable boat on Amazon.

RUMMELSBURG It feels like you’ve left town, but you’re still, literally, a stone’s throw away. Rummelsburg, is perfect for hot summer days and if restaurants and bars stay open as we hope, this will be a popular place this summer. The place is known for its Open-Air parties, but we dare not even hope that it will be allowed this summer, either.

Or do we?

MAUERPARK Since we predict that summer in Berlin will not be as full of tourists as usual, we choose to include Mauerpark on this list. We look forward to late park hang outs and beautiful sunsets behind the apartments on the old west side of the wall. And the karaoke at the outdoor theater… if it’s allowed, it will be better than ever!

ON A BOAT Take advantage of the river! When we are not allowed to go to nightclubs this summer, we can instead get a little creative and pretend we are in Amsterdam. We bought an inflatable boat on Amazon for five people and we plan to party as if there was no tomorrow on it this summer.

THE LAKE We choose to hang out with people this summer, if we’e allowed, and therefore we take the S-Bahn to Strandbad Wannsee. Imagine lying on the beach with a cold beer in your hand, with a jumble of people around you? We are well aware of that there are lakes that are hidden, but wouldn’t we print them here?

No, Wannssee and plenty of people will do well this summer.

BIERGARTEN The closest we’ll get club atmosphere. The table is reserved at Wilde Renate and we are praying for a reducing of corona and longer opening times. Fingers crossed.

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BREAK THE ICE WRITTEN BY FILIP SANDSTRÖM BEIJER PHOTOS BY LUSTERY

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PHOTO BY JAVIER CERRADA

IF YOU’VE BEEN AT A PRIDE, FESTIVAL OR A NIGHTCLUB, YOU MIGHT HAVE COME ACROSS MARC POGGIA AND HIS PENIS- AND VULVA SHAPED ICE LOLLIES.

LOLLIES THAT CONNECT PEOPLE. WRITTEN BY FILIP SANDSTRÖM BEIJER

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With his background from a more conservative environment, the personal journey with ice lollies has led him to develop and explore himself as well. Today Lusty Ice is more than just having fun with an ice stick, it’s become educational.

“I come from a background where we didn’t talk about sex, and I think it’s important to do that. This is why I don’t just do ice lollies.

I do sex education via the product as well as through the events that I’m organizing. That’s what I stand for. Its empowering!”

The ice lollies come in different tastes – strawberry, basil/ apple, raspberry, mint/apple, banana, orange, mango (100% pure fruits) and then two vegan cocktail versions (Mango Collada and Strawberry Daiquiri). Both with and without alcohol and yes, you can combine getting drunk and getting cooled down on a warm summer’s day… and even “hot” up by this sensual dessert.

“The ones we have are quite strong. And they are also quite big, so it’s like drinking a beer alcohol-wise. The Mango Colada doesn’t taste strong because it’s got coconut in it. The daquiri feels stronger, a little too strong for some, but others love it.”

As a penis and vulva lolly vendor in some of Berlins hottest clubs and events such as Gegen at Kitkat, House of Red Doors at Wilde Renate and Pornceptual in Alte-Münze, we all wonder if he and his crew gets invited to more than just lolly licking.

“I definitely get a lot of attention. I have created a reputation around me and my ice lollies. I believe, that it’s definitely a magnet for fun. My coworkers get that feeling too, they can score a lot of phone numbers very quickly!” Marc laughs.

Paris-born Marc Poggia chose to move to Berlin because of the culture and for his interest in people living hedonistic and alternative lives. Growing up in an environment that was the opposite, he fell in love with the city that stands for openness and freedom. Today he runs Lusty Ice and sells phallic and labia shaped popsicles at the city’s hottest clubs and festivals in large parts of the country.

Thanks to his previous involvement in running a magazine in the city, he came in contact with festival culture, hardcore feminists and proud sex workers – people who inspire him.

“Those perspectives inspired me to developing what I thought was a product of our time. I saw that trend in the millennial generation, of having people like Miley Cyrus who were wearing dildos on stage. Going from Hannah Montana becoming this over sexualised Miley Cyrus – I found that fascinating.”

The ice creams are a reflection of society’s contemporary change and of the new generation (although the lollies are sucked on across the generational borders).

“I have a lot of clients born in the 70s who find it cool too.”

The summer of 2020 should have been on the road for Marc and Lusty Ice. But since the corona virus banned all major events, he had to change his plans and is now looking forward to Christmas.

“I am living week by week. Adapting to the news however I can.

Planning winter events (Queer Xmas Market, Merry Clitsmas Market and Kinky Xmas Market). I’m hoping things go back to normal or even better next year. I try to stay positive and make sure my friends, family and chosen family are in good health.” ●

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PHOTO BY JAVIER CERRADA

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WHERE IN BERLIN SHOULD YOU LIVE? PRENZLAUER BERG & MITTE If you’re new to Berlin and are looking for a cool techno-clique to hang out with – don’t move here, you won’t find them. Are you all about fine coffee and wine bars? Welcome home!

WEDDING It’s still the next area that’s ”up and coming” if you believe what they say – that’s up to you! But at least they have a great magical tree house.

FRIEDRICHSHAIN You don’t even have to change from your morning robe to go out – in this area all is allowed. Even a tuxedo, though people will assume you’ve gone mad with the latter.

CHARLOTTENBURG Fed up meeting people on their way home from the club when you’re taking the dog on a morning walk? In this peaceful area you can focus on your yoga, theater and salads in peace and quiet.

KREUZBERG & NEUKÖLLN A fun place if you’re new to Berlin. In retrospect it may seem terrifying, when watching old pictures of what you looked like when you first came here.

Probably since this area is so much fun.

FIND YOUR NEW HOME WITH

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W h e r e i n t i m ac y b e g i n s

Empowering campaign & period sex — meet INTIMINA Being a brand oriented towards women's intimate health while simultaneously breaking the taboos and improving female wellbeing is challenging. The fact that the world has been going through an unprecedented health crisis this year isn't making things any easier. But in order to empower as many people worldwide, INTIMINA's goal is to shine some light on powerful historical female characters and also share the stories of modern time heroines. #WhileBleeding campaign has a purpose to educate and empower women and to remind you of all the awesome things women can do. Not because they're women, but because they're individuals who cared enough to do something. The popular hashtag #WhileBleeding serves as a symbol that periods aren't making women weaker in any way. Having ovaries or identifying as a woman should in no way diminish anyone's accomplishments.

That is why INTIMINA has been highlighting some of the awesome ladies who stole our hearts and minds in 2019 and 2020 — Greta Thunberg, young activist whose voice was heard across the globe, Sanna Marin, the Finnish Prime Minister with an impressive resume, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, US congresswoman whose professionalism is remarkable.

We also must not forget about women who meet hardship and pain or fight gender inequality every time they bleed.

These inspiring women are all around us. INTIMINA gathered six of them and recorded their stories to empower millions of others. They are strong, accomplished, and brave, especially #WhileBleeding, and they are just what we need in this day and age.

The one thing that everybody can learn from all of the stories INTIMINA conducted in this campaign is how there is no shame in being a woman who bleeds.

Emotions, needs, and desires are making us who we are. Therefore, things like having sex during the period shouldn't be frown upon, and those who enjoy it shouldn't be slut-shamed. Every single person who bleeds should be able to have an orgasm when they want to. That is easier now thanks to Ziggy Cup — a first-ever menstrual cup that can be worn safe during sex! Ziggy is made of petal-thin latex, and it has a double rim that will prevent any leakages. The best thing is — it's reusable, which means it can be used for years!

Join us, meet women that will inspire you, and become an inspiration yourself.

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STRIPPED BARE

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CAN YOU BE A FEMINIST AND A SEX WORKER? THE LONGSTANDING BELIEF THAT STRIP CLUBS ARE SEXIST AND INCREASE THE GENDER IMBALANCE IS SOMETHING THAT THIS STRIPPER COLLECTIVE WOULD LIKE TO DISPUTE. THEY WORK IN ONE OF BERLINS BIGGEST STRIP CLUBS AND GOT INSPIRED BY ’THE LUSTY LADY’ WHICH WAS A COOPERATIVE STRIP CLUB OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE DANCERS THEMSELVES DURING THE 70’S IN SAN FRANCISCO. MEET BERLIN STRIPPERS COLLECTIVE. WRITTEN BY AMANDA SANDSTRÖM BEIJER PHOTOS BY IDA MARIE TANGERAAS

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Outside the building there are screens showing pictures of the strippers working inside. The entrance is tiny, and I don’t expect the place to be as big as it is when I enter. I walk past a smaller stage with a pole and the bar until I come to several private boots and the main stage. Some of the girls are sitting by the main stage, as the place hasn’t opened yet. There’s no smell of smoke, even though some of them are relaxing with their phones, having a cigarette and waiting for the night to start.

“We’re about 60 strippers working here, all in all and most of us work during the weekends which can be a bit challenging, but thankfully most dancers are really nice and we still manage to have a good atmosphere among us compared to many clubs where things can get really tense among the dancers, specially when there isn’t enough customers for everyone,” Karo says after greeting me by the bar. We walk past it to find a more secluded part just behind the booths as Anna joins us by the round table.

“When I told my mom what I do, we had a disagreement since she’s a second-wave feminist, so her way of thinking is that strippers are victims and we had this huge discussion where I mean that stripping is not giving up the autonomy of our bodies, and that it’s my decision if I want to do this kind of job,” Anna says.

Feminism and sex-work are subjects that may be especially trending at this time since the new feminist era and the secondwave’ feminism are clashing.

“I’ve worked at a few clubs in Australia and there you stick to yourself. You may have one or two friends, but here I’ve got like 20 fucking awesome friends at once who are really interesting and powerful,” Anna says.

The club has obviously attracted a diverse and political group of women, something that made the collective possible, and also something I could understand would attract more clients since the energy around their job makes a difference at the club.

“This place really is special for the camaraderie among dancers which is actually quite rare at most clubs, I think Berlin also attracts a certain type of people, most of the dancers here are very creative and free spirited,” Karo says.

She continues, “Most of us think of ourselves as feminists and due to unpleasant situations we had to endure during our dancing careers, we had the need to create these collectives in order to provide a network support. A sisterhood that understands your struggles and also the need to show our side of the story. We are all incredibly creative and we know the future of the erotic industry is more inclusive, open and certainly feminist. We understand very well how it feels to have to hide what you do, to be judged or to have to overlook certain situations because you need the job.

This power imbalance is something most managers and owners understand very well, therefore immediate sacking as well as unfair work practices aren’t unusual in this industry”.

“I guess I subscribe to the newer way of feminism, the ’sex positive feminism’ I guess they call it nowadays, which from my understanding is more about empowering females’ sexuality and including that into the disillusive feminism. My understanding is that the second-wave feminism is about keeping back females’ sexuality and that if we please men’s sexual desires we are somehow upholding the patriarchal order. There is no room for exploring and strengthening women’s or other gender’s diverse sexualities in that mode of feminist thinking. But I think that’s changing. That’s why a steadily increasing number of younger women are able to combine a feminist identity with being a sexworker,” Karo says.

“In general, this is pretty rare and magical. Since women normally compete against each other in a patriarchy, and if you are divided you can’t conquer, right. We’re all from different places and we all have a need of sharing, since we’re in this together,” Anna says.

Karo’s been working at three other clubs in Berlin before and says that she could never have imagined starting a collective with the strippers she used to work with over there.

“Yes well, you’re not a baby stripper anymore.”

“For them this was a job, and they had accepted the way things were no matter how shitty it was. It’s a feminist vibe at this club. Here some people are identifying as queer or non-binary, challenging gender roles and norms and they’re very politically conscious. I think that’s the kind of attitude you need in order to start this kind of collective,” she says.

“What’s unique about this club is that we’re really close,” Karo says and continues, “We also get to pick our own music here, which is great because many of us really enjoy performing and the music is really important for being able to express ourselves. We undress to express.”

“That’s why I stayed here for over 7 months.”

The political consciousness and engagement that pervades Berlin, while also being a city filled with young expats, may be reasons that this collective came to exist here. But in the end, there’s other stuff that makes this city a good place for strippers.

“Not only is it the one city where you can go out after stripping, particularly in the summertime when it’s bright outside and you can go to Kater or whatever. You have this huge nightly variety compared to other cities that are all closed down when we’re off work.” ➝

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IN CASE YOU WONDERED: YES, WE CAN KICK IN THOSE SHOES AS WELL!

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“There’s a good and a bad part about that,” Anna jokes.

“Yeah, sometimes it’s hard to resist going to Kit Kat after a Wednesday shift, even though some of us might have to work on Thursday! It’s nice that we can just go there wearing our work clothes.”

Berlin Stripper Collective may have started as a necessity to support each other during the challenges of the often-precarious nature of the job itself. But they’ve started to spread their word to a broader audience through Social Media.

In one of their posts, with a picture of an illustrated busty woman showing her cleft, they write: “They are smart, they are sexy, and they are fed up with your bullshit. Watch out!! We are ready to bring you down with all our brains and boobies!! And we prefer to do so in our 8-inch pleaser heels (they make us seem arousing and intimidating at the same time). In case you wondered: yes, we can kick in those shoes as well!”

Meanwhile Instagram and other platforms are trying their best to delete sex workers out of existence. Also deciding that it’s not a legit job to promote – being a stripper, or anything else that includes nudity, the collective is doing their best to get their message out.

But the rules make it hard for them to open up a private account to promote themselves.

“The less direct you can be with your clients, the more misunderstandings there will be, and that makes work more dangerous. Since Instagram for example is a platform we could’ve used to communicate with clients, it would’ve been a lot safer to keep the communication open and direct,” Karo says.

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“Being a feminist stripper means being there for one another, creating events that allows us to share our art to a wider audience that appreciate what we do in a respectful and fair environment, we are just trying to survive in a system that is clearly unbalanced.

We have autonomy of our own bodies and we decided to do this because it suits our needs, there aren’t that many jobs around that supports such a varied group of women, from so may different backgrounds, all doing this for million different reasons, being a feminist means to understand each other’s struggles without judgement,” Anna says.

Movies, on the other hand, try to foster these myths about sex workers. Karo mentions the movie Hustlers with Jennifer Lopez, and how it portrays strippers as money-hungry people who hate their clients and that they’re perpetually trying to cheat them.

“That’s pretty damaging. And it’s so wrong as well, since we’re not providing a service like a sales job. We’re no more manipulative than people who work in marketing. There’s also that myth that stripping is glamorous. That it pays bundles of money all the time and that you can quit your corporate job and start dancing and just get rich.

That’s an accurate lie,” Anna says.

“Another myth is that we’re all doing more than just stripping.

People like to fetishize that, and actually it’s normally the first question journalists ask us when doing interviews, like, ‘is it true that you’re doing more?’ That we would be prostitutes. There are girls who do full service, but there are plenty who just dance and never even consider doing that. And also, why is that so relevant?

Do you ask models that on interviews too, if they have sex with their photographer or whatever,” Karo fills in. ➝

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“Yeah, and If you do full service, that’s fine and if you don’t that’s fine. It’s not something secret that we’re trying to hide. It is what it is.”

The men going to the club, on the other hand, are also portrayed in stereotypes. Either young men on a bachelor party, or really fat and old.

“I guess that’s one of the myths that are actually partly true. But one thing I learnt working here was that there are all kinds of people. And maybe 20 percent of them are female, at least here”, Karo says and continues, “There might be more here than at other clubs, and I guess It’s something that’s changing. At the club I worked at before for example, I rarely saw women and the women who went there were kinda aggressive.”

“They usually are. Because they feel threatened or that you’re an object of sexual tension and it’s like they think they can touch you because they’re also women, so they’re quite grabby sometimes,” Anna fills in.

“It’s just self righteous, that I would be able to touch you because I am not a man, so my touch will not be as patronizing, and that’s not the point. You’re here and this is a space for the service that I provide, so I will treat you just like everybody else, it doesn’t matter what gender you are.

But most clients are actually pretty shy.”

“Cause they’re horny,” Anna laughs.

“I guess they’re not used to this since it’s like a parallel world. They’re not used to being approached by half-naked people. So I think that’s also why they can be shy at first,” Karo says.

Shy or not, there’s a lot of stuff that can happen in a Strip club where you might have to get comfortable (even on stage) no matter how shy you are.

“There was this stud who got hand-cuffed to the pole as part of a stag show on our stage, and whoever was doing the show didn’t know where the key was. So he was on the stage for forever, and the bar guys tried to help, but we couldn’t manage to get him off. We’ve never seen so many men on the stage at once before,” Karo jokes.

“Finally they cut him off and he had to leave with the cuff still hanging from his arm.” ●

MAYBE 20 PERCENT OF THE GUESTS ARE FEMALE

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49 [The interview was made just before Corona came and locked us all in. Ever since, Freddy K has been livestreaming his daily DJ-set “Krzrzrz”. And if you want to know more about how he’s been handling the situation, see our #coronadiaries online.]

AFTER CLOSING THE FAMOUS PANORAMA BAR MONDAY MORNING, FREDDY K IS MEETING UP WITH PLAYFUL IN HIS SECOND HOME – HARD WAX RECORD STORE.

What could be a more relevant place to meet an iconic Berlin DJ than at the Hard Wax record store in Kreuzberg? As old as the falling of the wall, Hard Wax is the record store that has been a specialist for electronic music and is now regarded as a pioneer of the techno scene in Berlin.

Alessio Armeni, also known as Freddy K, arrives in time, very fresh looking for closing Berghain’s legendary Panorama bar just 24 hours ago.

His closing has become famous for its feeling of never ending and when his name is on the Berghain schedule, you better make sure to arrive early. For him, Hard Wax has always been the place to go to explore new music and inspiration in his techno lifestyle.

“Since I was a teenager, and when I started DJing, it was already existing. In the early 90’s it started to be the most iconic shop in Berlin. It was the most important in the world and it still is. When I moved here from Italy, it really was a point of refinement of the quality and history of techno, dub and reggae,” he says.

It’s very relaxed to meet Freddy K in this environment. Between his travels around the world, the store and Berghain is what makes him feel at home.

“I realize that I go here once or twice a week.

I’m addicted to buy vinyl. I play vinyl only and the guys working here sometimes gives me stuff that just arrived. I’m super happy for this, it’s a big satisfaction.”

Living and breathing Berlin since the early 90’s, Freddy K has seen how the city has changed over the years. But he still loves it.

“It’s a bubble, Berlin. And It’s a paradise Island.

There are so many clubs for all kinds of music.

When Berlin is changing, the whole scene is being affected. Everything is in one way or another created here. And it’s changing, but it’s still steps from the rest of the world. Berlin also make the rest of the world change, and there are many cities that are getting inspired. We can see that on the queer scene for example.

Sometimes you take everything for granted here.

If you want a queer party, there are like 40 every month.” ➝

WRITTEN BY FILIP SANDSTRÖM BEIJER

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IF YOU WANT TO GO NAKED, NOBODY WILL CARE

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WE’RE LIVING A LEGEND BECAUSE BERGHAIN’S STILL OPEN. THE DAY THEY WILL CLOSE… WOW… According to Freddy K, the main thing that makes the city so special is the lack of rules and restrictions. If you want to go naked, nobody will care, and the parties don’t close after six hours.

“You can spend a whole day in a club. You feel free. You don’t feel that you have to go out, that the police will stop you with the car. The public transport is working and everything you need is outside. It’s different from the rest of the world.”

With Freddy K it’s pretty much all about Berghain. And if the techno temple was a person, it wouldn’t surprise us if that would’ve been him. To him, the vibe of the club has changed in the past years since it became the most famous club in the world.

“In Berghain, a place that is my life, you can see that three years ago, the naked people and freedom was spontaneous. Now, people who go there for the first time, they dress up only for Berghain. But still, it’s super solid inside. There’s still the no photo or video policy and to me who has an overview form where I stand and watch this massive dancefloor, it’s crazy that there’s no pictures or videos online,” Freddy K says.

He continues: “The club culture is completely different from other places. Since there for example are no separated toilets and so on, it’s about the deep moment you share with other people. Something that we don’t have in normal life. You get into a certain state of mind.”

Talking about the techno temple with feelings as someone does about their own mother, you kind of take for granted that he doesn’t

want it to ever close. But, no, you’re surprisingly wrong.

“We are living in a different era. We are living a legend because Berghain’s still open. The day they will close… wow… we will see documentaries and books about it. But honestly, I love Berghain so much that I hope it will close one day. But the day it happens, I will be first in line of the protest.”

Celebrating his 20th birthday in the early 90s, Freddy K comes from an era without social media. Today he’s on Instagram but his relationship with social media is complicated.

“When social media came, it was the most beautiful thing. It was a way to reach out on your own. But the day you could start to pay for likes and followers, it all went down. Today it’s like a dictatorship.

It doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad, as long as you can pay for visibility. But, if you have the knowledge and experience, you have to use it, it’s where the young people are,” he says.

Together with Ellen Allien he represents the old school DJs on a scene that’s constantly growing with up and coming DJs and influences. Except from not being close to stop creating music, another thing they have in common is being friends. “Ellen is a crazy motherfucker. Even though our music is different sometimes, she’s a legend.”

Best places in Berlin for techno: Berghain Tresor Pornceptual ●

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PURE MATE – NO SUGAR – NO ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS

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The unique pure taste of SHANGHAI MATE is achieved through the special brewing process in which the valuable antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and the natural caffeine are optimally released from the mate tealeaves. Thanks to this special brewing process, there is no need to add synthetic caffeine or coloring agents.

Lara Maria Schön came up with the new natural Maté brause drink together with her father, brewmaster Dirk Frauenheim.

“We used his brewery and his know-how to develop the SHANGHAI MATE recipe. Instead of craft beer, we brewed mate in the brewing kettles for a long time, until we had the perfect recipe for natural SHANGHAI MATE.”

SM HARD MATE Mix: 4 cl Black Forest Dry Gin 200 ml Shanghai Mate A squeeze of lemon Enjoy your delicious and sugar free, ‘no headache’ summer drink.

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MATE WRITTEN BY AMANDA SANDSTRÖM BEIJER

Getting energized and talkative without the hangover? It doesn’t sound very common among the Berliners – yet the sparkly beverage is synonymous with the hipsters in the city. Playful was invited to drink the non-sparkly traditional tea and talk more about the benefits it brings.

The sparkly Mate drink is mainstream in Berlin, yet it’s a hipster drink that, for expats and tourists, is synonymous with the underground and club culture in the city. We wanted to find out more about the South American traditional tea and met Krithika who opened Berlin’s first Mate café in Prenzlauer Berg nine years ago.

What is Mate?

So, if Tea was the beverage of the colonial era and Coffee the fuel of the Industrial Age, then Mate is the new brew of our globally conscious interconnected society and we celebrate this movement by encouraging everyone to Mate under the motto Drink Renewable Forest Energy. Berlin is a perfect playground for this ‘trend’, being the melting pot of where east meets west in modern day.

How come Mate became a trend in Berlin?

Unknown to many, Mate has been synonymous with the underground Berlin culture for the past 30 years. Club Mate is mainstream. Pepsi and lately also Coke have jumped on to the Mate bandwagon. But there are also a lot of cooler conscious alternatives available that are made in Berlin. Mate brausen are being exported to trendy cities such as NY, LA, London and so on, as part of the creative Berliner clubbing culture start up. Whether you are a hacker, clubber, student, or designer, you’ve probably had at least one Mate in the past 3 months.

What’s the story behind the café?

There was a vision of creating a space hidden from the bustle of the city, where time would stand still and conversations would flow as the Mate was passed around. Though after our idealistic plan we adapted our strategy to be a bit more commercially concentrated.

We are a small group of crazy passionate Mate drinkers doing all we can to promote this ‘drink of friendship’.

How does it make you talkative?

The Combination of caffeine and theobromine, the same stuff that you find in chocolate that makes you happy, play together to put you in a cheery talkative mood. Also there is something to be said about sitting down together with someone, and passing a gourd back and forth that you each take turns sipping from. There is a subtle sense of intimacy.

Though you can also have your very own, since people are not used to share their drinks here, as you traditionally do in South America.

Which brings another level of intimacy and it’s true that, due to the colder climates there are a lot more viruses going around. I find youngsters, 25 and below, are more open to sharing.

What benefits are there?

So all of the Detox, fasting fans would be happy to know that Mate is very conducive towards cleansing the system, burning fat and suppressing your appetite. I am always cautious of making such claims. But I can personally attest that I drink so much Mate that it’s a wonder my blood is not green and I’m like the Energizer Bunny that goes non-stop from morning to late night fueled on mate. I’m rarely sick, generally in a good mood, even in February in Berlin, and it boosts my focus and productivity in general.

What’s the ”devil’s drink”?

You got to come and visit us when Fabricio is serving Mate for that story, he does a very theatrical demonstration of drinking the devil out of the Mate!

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LOVE IS BLIND — AND GAY AS F*CK WRITTEN BY BRADEN BJELLA

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LIBEuro host

Naoki

MORE THAN ONE QIQ UPDATE HAS BEEN GIVEN FROM THE BATHTUB.

ts

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Tracey is pacing around Red Bull Music Studios in Berlin. She’s live streaming, nervously entering and exiting the building as she tries to find a solid wifi connection. In just a few moments she’ll be connected with Mya, the woman with whom she’s been chatting intimately over the past week. She takes a deep breath, and Mya logs on.

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But Tracey’s name isn’t Tracey. Mya isn’t Mya. In fact, neither of them have ever even seen each other in the flesh until this very moment — and it’s all being streamed live for a rapidly increasing number of viewers.

When Netflix released Love Is Blind in mid February, the response was swift. Memes about the show spread rapidly across the internet, and the series quickly became a pop culture fixture for a population drawn closer to their televisions thanks to COVID-19. While some were content as viewers, others saw the series as an opportunity.

“We were hanging out in New Orleans, and we were a little bit drunk,” remembers Ruby Joy. She’s referring to her friend Harold, with whom she co-hosts the @loveisblindqueersinquarantine account. “We just started thinking, what if we were on the show? And we couldn’t stop laughing.”

Soon, the duo had created their own queer-centric Love Is Blind-themed Instagram game, inviting their friends from around the world to take part. Some of those invites eventually landed in the inboxes of Rio and Naoki, two Berlin-based artists who had previously shared a similar idea. They joined, and a brand new Instagram dating game was born.

The rules are simple. Fill out an application form, then wait. If you’re one of the ten selected, you’ll be contacted by — then immediately blocked from — the main account. Over the next two days, you’ll get to know the other contestants over text under a false name, detailing your experience in video recaps at the end of the day. On Wednesday, phone calls start, with contestants connecting more deeply until the weekend rolls around and the final selection officially begins.

Friday night brings proposals, and on Saturday, the (hopefully) happy couples share their first face-to-face experience on Instagram Live.

Admittedly, this isn’t a totally original concept. A similar — straight — Love Is Blind-themed account recently picked up some positive press in the New York Times and even managed to get verified by Instagram.

“Ours is objectively better,” boasts Ruby Joy with mock braggadocio. The two were unaware of the other Instagram account when they launched QiQ. “The original Love Is Blind is amazing for what it is — but it’s really just like, oh my god you’re from Illinois, I’m from Illinois… We’re going to get married. I think, like, gay people are just smarter,” she laughs. ➝

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After all, she adds, “it’s not fun if it’s not gay.”

QiQ has since proven to be a runaway success, something neither host could have anticipated. “We were like, how are we ever going to find ten queers who don’t know each other? It’s impossible!” recalls Harold.

Seasons now routinely get anywhere from sixty to seventy applicants, with that number increasing as the online word-of-mouth spreads.

Rio and Naoki, who both participated in an early season of QiQ, have since split off to form their own Euro-centric version, @libeurope. While both enjoyed their experience on QiQ, they knew their own iteration had to have something different.

“I think because we wanted to do our own thing from the beginning, we already came in like, hmm. Let’s critique,” shares Naoki. The time difference between the US and EU made participating difficult, and at a base level, playing the American game was “more serious.” “That’s really nice, but sometimes we need some silly stuff to happen in our little reality show,” they remark. “We’ve all seen [traditional reality] shows, and we wanted to see that on our show.”

The two games now run concurrently, with fans watching globe-spanning relationships unfold across both accounts. Much like the Netflix original, contestants drift from person to person, sharing heartfelt and occasionally tantalizing exchanges for a live audience. And when the reveal actually happens, it’s always a sight to behold.

As comical as all this may sound, running the accounts is serious business. “We definitely put a lot of work into our shitty graphics,” Naoki reveals with a self-effacing smile. Along with those “shitty graphics” (helmed for by season one contestant “Bo” for @libeurope and designer @momalleydesign for QiQ), @libeurope and QiQ now employ a resident astrologist, Maya Ru aka @coconut. mystic. They have also both committed significantly more time to the project to make sure everyone keeps active and content with the game.

“I’m overwhelmed by it,” admits Harold half-sincerely.

He laughs. “It was a goof! It was supposed to be a goof!”

Despite this increased time and effort, the sailing hasn’t always been so smooth. Contestants on the first season of @libeurope apparently considered staging a quasi-coup against the hosts, a move that radiates a powerful “my subs have unionized” energy. To their ➝

Rascal

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Ruby Joy

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THEY WERE FORBIDDEN FROM SENDING NUDES UNTIL THE COMPETITION ENDED

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pictures of dildos or whatever.” To that end, season one’s contestants had to be reminded they were forbidden from sending nudes until the competition ended; Mya from season two promised all fellow participants free OnlyFans subscriptions.

All this is not to say that the show’s Americanbased counterpart is unsexy. More than one QiQ update has been given from the bathtub. Season two’s Angel introduced themselves with a quasistriptease that ended with them shaking their ass on the hood of a car. And that’s not even mentioning the private messages — or the many flings that have continued well after the show’s end.

Rio

credit, the hosts (who laugh recounting the ordeal) took it in stride, bringing the group together on Zoom to ask how they could improve the show and, naturally, make it sexier.

“We’re not trying to push people to do anything they don’t feel 100% comfortable with,” Rio stresses. @ libeurope now has more group games, such as a particularly salacious round of “Never Have I Ever” featuring questions like Have you ever said “I love you” to get laid? Games like these ease the tension, bringing contestants closer to both their potential partner(s) and the group as a whole.

“It’s a weird time to be queer and in quarantine,” Naoki confesses. “It’s nice to not just have some romantic match, but it’s also cool to have, like, friends.”

“Friends” doesn’t mean things can’t still get a little risqué. “The way of communication [in Europe] is a bit different,” observes Rio. “It’s less polite.

It’s a bit more spicy, more weird.” Here, they continue, “it’s just a pretty common thing to feel comfortable talking about sexuality — and sending

For the @libeurope hosts, running the show has shown them another side of queer life, especially in the German capital. “I always complained about how no one’s silly in Berlin,” details Naoki. “Like, if I met any of these people at the club I’d wonder how silly they really are — but everyone’s so much goofier on our show.” Being in a group enhances this. “You can kind of gauge who everybody is when you’re all in a group chat… You can see, oh, three other people sent a picture of a dildo. I can totally talk about my piss fetish.”

So far, neither queer Love is Blind account has proven lucrative enough to be a full-time job replacement. Both Ruby Joy and Harold are seeking work in television, while Naoki is a creative advertising copywriter for hire in Berlin. Still, the hosts are reveling in their newfound roles as matchmakers. There’s talk of reunions, bringing back contestants from previous seasons, and, in the case of @libeurope, a possible “wedding ceremony.”

“The future’s partially up to the contestants, but I’m very here for our weird wedding plans, if everyone else is down for it. I think we were kind of like, it’s a joke, but we could also do it,” Naoki explains.

“That’s the thing with queerness. Everything’s serious, but also everything’s a joke… That’s somewhat of the theme of the show: haha... but really... unless? Yes.” ● Follow @loveisblindqueersinquarantine and @libeurope

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KIMCHI PRINCESS

FUCK, THAT BOWL WAS DELICIOUS WE TOOK A CULINARY TOUR DOWN TO A KOREAN CLASSIC IN KREUZBERG. Last year, “Kimchi Princess” celebrated ten years at Skalitzer Strasse. The restaurant is one of the more well-known Korean alternatives in Berlin, but that didn’t stop Playful’s food reviewer from visiting.

“Kimchi Princess” is one of the few restaurants in Berlin that actually breathes metropolitan metropolis. The neon light outside illuminates the dark Kreuzberg street in pink and we are always delighted when in places that make you feel transported to a different environment.

Kimchi Princess is just such a place.

The menu offers a variety of bowls, both meaty, vegetarian and fishy. We chose the right “Hweh Deopbap” which contains (yes, this is copied from the menu) salmon sashimi on rice with rocket, lamb’s lettuce & a fine chili-sesame vinaigrette.

Sounds good right? In other words, flavors are promised, and flavors are delivered!

And this bowl was superbly fresh and saturating.

The staff is experienced, prompt and friendly and are happy to help with recommendations and questions. The food is so good that we wish the office was closer – although it would probably drive us to bankrupcy. Not because of expensiveness (it’s cheap) but because we would eat there every day.

Kimchi Princess is one of many modern classics in Berlin that were forced to close during the Corona pandemic, so when the restaurants have now reopened – remember to support your local restaurant.

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TAROT FORECAST: 06 - 08.2020

BY KATERINA PAVLOU, THE LIGHTWORKS METHOD

TAURUS MAKE A WISH. YOU ARE THE ONE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. WISH AGAIN. WISH GRANTED. LUCKY NUMBER: 24 (AND 2, 4, 6, 13)

ARIES MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED. ACTUALLY KEEP WISHING, YOU GET THEM ALL. LUCKY NUMBER: 28 (AND 1, 2, 8,10) Accept it dear Aries, the horns on your head are not (just) ornamental. Also not there for butting heads (social distancing or common sense and all) but for reminding you that you’re wild at heart and head, and your desire is a bitch not letting you reminiscing in your past but draggin’ ya to partaaay with your future – which is checking its phone, wondering where the heck are you. Abundance, crazy happy love and a genie lamp are picking you up in 5 so rest a bit if you have to, but freaking show up already. Forget proper, do this your way, you sexy beasts!

Itching for action, dear Taurus? Change, change, change and a restlessness rather unusual for you. I know you think you should curb your enthusiasm and put logic first, but as you may have noticed, your head seems to side with the rascal in you dangerously much lately. Oh well, you are strong like a bull, or more like a lion, and you know it in your bones that this thing you are burning for is supported by the angels (or the devils or usually by both). I see a throne with your name on, so chop chop, you know you wanna and your people wanna too. Lucky bastards.

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GEMINI

LEO

MAKE A WISH. GRANTED GRAND. LUCKY NUMBER: 6 (AND 2, 22, 222, 2222 - I KNOW..)

MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED. LUCKY NUMBER: 12 (AND 1, 2, 3)

Once upon a time people thought that everything comes in pairs; sausages and buns, lipsticks and lipliners, problems and solutions. And do you have solutions indeed. What? Can’t be talking about you?

No no, it’s you alright. Your heart sings siren songs to the future, and fate falls at your feet like you do with the incredible creature(s) who melt(s) at your sight too.

You are magical, no past defines you, so cut loose and fall. You’ll soon be a rock, but for now be the siren on it, and enjoy this orgy of love in every part of your life. It’s spirituality 101, I swear on the Tarot.

It’s all business with you, hah? Well, money and recognition as a healthy ego booster is exactly what the witchy doctor prescribed.

Your luck is down deep in the south (get your head out of the gutter -but not completely, because love and Eros are what it is all really about). You’re wearing your heart on your sleeve for easy access, and it is easily accessed indeed (gutter alert).

Love is insane – yes, yes, YESSSS – you get the picture, you dogs and bitches! You are asking for it (mmm… ok, gutter it is) and you are freaking loving it. Freak less, love more, I say.

CANCER

VIRGO

MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED LIKE NOW. YES, THAT OTHER ONE YOU SNEAKED IN THERE TOO. LUCKY NUMBER: 1 AND 10 (AND 11, 2)

MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED. JUST LIKE THAT. LUCKY NUMBER: 16 (AND 1, 6, 7)

Skies open, angels jam, romance and success pour down, dear Cancer. You wanna keep your feet on the ground and seem pretty serious about it – I assure you that you are nailing it with the responsibility thingy, so focus on your head which is in the clouds where it belongs, trust me – becaaaause (drumroll) you’re in love! What you want, name it and you get it. Can’t imagine? Good luck and your supportive environment will make you a believer if their face won’t do it (it will. And yes I just did the Beatles parallel, I am only human). You just can’t lose. Promise.

You’ve been waiting for this moment, dear Virgo and it is here and now. Yes now.

You just take the first step and you’ll be catapulted to Magic Land like a human cannonball. You’ve prepared, you’ve trained, you’ve mastered – and you’ve also seen it coming. The sun is shinning upon you and all eyes and hearts follow your celestial path. As a pro and as a person, you are nailing it. Don’t you worry about a thing, nature itself will bend its own laws to make sure you land not just safely, but gloriously – and the crowd goes wild, ladies and gentlemen! (*crowd going wild*).

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LIBRA

SAGITTARIUS

MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED. ACTUALLY EVERY WISH AND ANY WISH GRANTED. I KNOW, I AM BAFFLED TOO. LUCKY NUMBER: EVERY SINGLE ONE. 26 IN PARTICULAR (AND 2, 6, 8)

MAKE A WISH. YOU ARE SO CLOSE! ASK AGAIN IN A BIT, IT WILL GET GRANTED IN TIME. LUCKY NUMBERS: 29, 9

No idea if you are winning the lottery, hacking into a Swiss account or inheriting one, but your cards spell out one thing loud and clear: wealth on all levels. One way or another you’ve earned this, and it may be long overdue to the point where you thought it’s huh huh never gonna happen. Well it’s happening and also the way you wanted it.

You are coming home to your heart and to a love either known or new, but blessed and real like the coin in your account (couldn’t help it). And in case you need to hear this, you freaking deserve every bit of it all. Love ya.

SCORPIO MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED NOT SURE IF JUST A BIT LATER OR WITH A BANG. LUCKY NUMBER: 6 (AND 1, 4, 5, 41) If you’ve been waiting for a lucky break, keep your eye on the opportunity(-ies), because you get at least two (breaks, opportunities are plenty). People see your talent, so if you have any doubts, ask them.

The real question is not if you got this (you got this) but which one you got - plainly put, if you feel like giving up one thing for another, trust you gut and accept the fact that you won’t finish everything you started - and that is called insight, my friends. Be nice to yourselves, Lady Luck couldn’t care less for responsibility and is coming by.

Now smile like a good host.

Doors of opportunity are wide open, luck is all over you like a horny dog and you are fighting for your life as if none of this was happening. I get it, you’ve been proving yourselves and your skills over and over and over again, while patting you on your own shoulder and pep talking you in your own ear. It takes some time to realise where you are at and start picking daises in the sun, but better get to it, they won’t pick themselves. Success, gain, happiness and self realisation (and coin) is yours, you made it and you are worth even more. Time to be silly. Enjoy!

CAPRICORN MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED. LUCKY NUMBER: 8 You want big, sure, you know that, but do you, really? know it? Because you want big big, and not sure if you’re admitting it even to yourselves. And since you manifest faster than you’re blinking right now, you’re already basking in the glory of a payday (yep, you got something big) and maybe you don’t want to seem greedy. Trust me, you do. What you really want is awesome on so many levels outside yourselves, so keep demanding it ‘cos you’re getting it. Oh, you’re getting love too. Now repeat after me - I want big big big big big big....

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AQUARIUS MAKE A WISH. WISH GRANTED EVENTUALLY. LUCKY NUMBER: 28 (AND 1, 2, 8, 10) Ahhhh you are falling in love with the strength of a lion, the lust of a Satyr and the clairvoyance of a fairy. This time you are getting it right (or wrong, whatever you are set on) -in any case you go for the gold. My my, haven’t seen you so determined in a while! Determined indeed - to enjoy this.

No more worries, no more extra work, this love is to drink and get wasted on (and not responsibly). Be crazy, be careless, above all be free. You know what you’re doing and the World is with you. Set the roof on fire and ruffle some feathers. Make great (bad) choices. Live a little - a lot!

PISCES MAKE A WISH. A CONCRETE WISH. CONCRETE WISH GRANTED. LUCKY NUMBER: 16 (1, 6, 7) In case you are not running Reuters (well a happy one) I suggest you buckle up, because a flood of great news is heading your way to match your wishes (especially in business). You might think that it is wise to be cautious and not expect much, but first, no it isn’t and second, you just worry because you are used to (excuse my bluntness). You’ve sensed the progress for a while now, it just took its sweet time. Oh well, it’s worth it. Soon you can exercise that legendary enthusiasm of yours and go get them. Congrats! Now go party like an animal.

UNICORN MAKE A WISH. CONCENTRATE. WISH GRANTED. LUCKY NUMBER: 39 (AND 3, 9, 12) Of course you have the most bombastic reading of all, you attention spoiled creatures. Moons, suns, true love, creativity, money, you got it all. You are strengthening yourselves with every breath you take and your future is brighter than your forehead wand in action. You creatives out there, don’t you worry much, rewards are near, even if they aren’t visible yet. Finish what you need to finish and go on ‘cos if you had any idea what awaits you, you wouldn’t even take time to read me right now. You’re on the right path and it’s a rainbow in the sky.

Of course.

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In response to the fact that clubs in Berlin are closed and the rest of the world is also in quarantine, Berlin is declaring its solidarity.

Every day, clubs, event organizers and artists open their virtual doors on United We Stream.

Only with support clubs get a chance to survive.

DONATE AT UNITEDWESTREAM.BERLIN

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