About 3 years ago I have been invited to a rooftop BBQ. What was supposed to be a BBQ, turned out to be a real good allnight party. 3 years later we were celebrating another (the 3rd) rooftop party. Petrus, the weather saint (as we say in Germany) had mercy. It was raining all day long but when the party started he had sent us the last cleaning shower and finalized it with a beautiful long lasting rainbow. What a way to start a roof top party. With the sunset more and more people came on the roof. Nobody counted, but 150 people were estimated to come and I’d say that number was far exceeded. People at Krisha and Dyagilev must have wondered where their regular expat guests have been that night. Yes right. We were on our own Krisha.

This party had everything to offer. From a chat between friends to a fierce fight to a wedding proposal and a girlfriend in tears. Just like life. Oh, I forgot the various fireworks around us and the lightened balloons. It must have been 50 or so, passing far over us around midnight. At first, I thought about space invaders a la Indepence day (movie) coming over Moscow, but that was probably the result of the various joints, I was offered that night. Nikl and I “two-zero” were spinning the music. Oh well, we were spinning the mouse wheels of our notebooks and “Traktor” for many long hours, but we got rewarded with a dancing crowd and some girls even showed us their … (smiling faces I mean, he he). I remember the moment Nikl asked me, if he should play “You gotta fight the right to party”. At first I thought it may be a little too harsh for this crowd. He played it anyway (we battled that night, meaning he played a tune and I answered with another and so on). It was a blast! Just imagine 50 or more people yelling “You gotta fight your right to party!”. It can’t get any better than this.

Being behind the notebook most of the night, I can’t tell you anymore tales about this party. I think it was sad to see people getting way too drunk towards the end of the night and losing control, but that is just human. Its vodka (dangerous stuff!) and the electric Moscow vibe. On the other hand it was good to see the happiness. Some people went home together. Some met new friends. Some became boyfriend and girlfriend that night. I made peace with someone and as I said before one girl (Katja) even told me that she received a serious marriage proposal on that very roof. I guess, they all will never forget that special Moscow summer night in July 2007.

Early in the morning, at dawn the trouble makers were long sleeping. The remaining few of us were sitting on the highest point of “our” roof and enjoying a last drink with friends. The organizers Martin, Philipp and Andreas finally found some time to rest. They were working hard to organize this party for weeks ahead, especially setting up all that stuff the days before took time, money and a lot of energy. A roof full of trash was left, after everybody went home. Empty bottles, the typical half full glasses, some food and all sorts of other stuff laying around. But the cleaning up work can wait. Now it is time to just sit, enjoy the fire, a drink and watch the sunrise. Then feel the warm rays of the sun on your skin while smoking another cigar and have a glass of fine gin (not me, I don’t drink these days).

It’s another summer day in Moscow. Yesterday is gone and it’s a pity, because we enjoyed the best party Moscow can offer. Yes, you heard right. This is probably the best Moscow event of the year. That just leaves us to wait (and hope) for July 2008. Martin, one of the organizers and the provider of the roof is leaving Moscow and so we can just hope that the others will find a new roof to invite us for another “Rooftop Party 2008”. Andreas is full of optimism, so let’s wait and see. Thank you for this great party anyway! We, and I think I can talk for all of us, really appreciate all the efforts and money you have spent to make this happen. Once again, let me say, that you can be proud of yourselves, you created Moscow’s coolest and best party. NYC Brooklyn style :-) … and even there, they can’t top this. And a farewell to Martin.

Music:
Nikl & Two-Zero (come back to this site next week and we’ll have an MP3 mix with the party music for you)

Photos:
Thanks to everybody who sent photos. These photos are from: Katya Ostorova, Alex Korthäuer, Olaf Warzecha, Matthias Wintzer, Felix Christiansen, Gilles Penning and me.

If you have any more photos please send them to me. I am collecting them right now and I’ll send you a link where you can download the full package with high-res as well. rooftop (at) cygen.net

And a slideshow created by Matthias Wintzer:

We are waiting for friends infront of the Lushniki stadium in Moscow. The people around us are pretty scary and everything else than normal average Russians. Heavy Metal fans from all over Russia came to see the legends of Metallica today. It has been a while since Metallica have last been in Russia. 1991 to be precise. Rumor is that something has happened on their last gig. Another rumor is that James Hetfield had some bad “hunting experience” in Siberia a few years later. None of it is true, says Robert Trujillo, their bass player. It’s all rumors. The question, why they didn’t come for such a long time still remains unanswered, though. But, the 60 000 fans are happy and forgive their idols. In return the band is grateful they all showed up. Metallica know very well, that they are nothing without their fans and that Russia has a big following. It’s one of the largest gigs we have played on this tour, they say. It’s also the final gig of this tour. After the show they’ll head back home. Exhausted from weeks of touring and many gigs like this. But there is no long rest. After a few days they’ll be back in the studio, working on their upcoming new album again.

The original name of the tour was “Sick of the studio tour 2007”, but the members of Metallica called it the family tour. They all had family members with them. Wives, children and others came along, were sightseeing in Moscow. That was also the mood in the dressing room and backstage. Calm, friendly, family like. No signs of groupies, drugs, alcohol or whatever you’d expect from a heavy metal band with their status. Instead of vodka and beers they had Red Bulls and Gatorades in the fridge. After all, most of the members are in the 40’s, which doesn’t mean they are lame, instead they are energetic and rock on stage. Metallica played a none-stop 2 ½ hour gig, kicking like they were 18 years old. Respect. I guess besides their families, Don is one of their energy sources. Don, Kirks cousin and the bands chiropractor, travels with Metallica since more than 25 years. He has seen over 200 hundred shows and he cares at them as they are his children. He makes sure, they eat the right food. They drink enough and he gives them acupuncture treatments and other therapies to keep the band fit for their gigs.

The crowd thanked Metallica in a loud roaring sound for each song. It’s amazing how much noise 60.000 people can make. It’s also amazing to be on stage and see an ocean of lighters when the band plays one of their ballads. I am not a big Heavy Metal fan and I have been on many shows in the past, but this time I have been impressed a lot. I have been impressed by the band, their very professional and always (very) friendly team. And I have been impressed by their fans, which looked mean, dark and angry outside the stadium, but once inside turned into an ocean of light and waving hands, being grateful and happy that their idols returned after such a long time and gave them this very long concert. In return Metallica played 3 long add-on sessions, before they finished up. They bowed respectfully to their crowd, promised to come back sooner next time (not in 16 years again), said Thank you and Spasibo for a (very long) last time and then rushed into their van to drive to the airport, where their jet was waiting. We gonna make a “runner”, Robert said to me just a few minutes before they left. Sorry I can’t stay longer and hang out. I would have loved to see more of Moscow. Well, come back then and come back soon. Your fans will be grateful.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica

Videos:

Sorry, the sound is aweful in most of the videos. I shot these with my digi-cam and it was just too loud for the thing.

Photos:

Curious how the 1991 concert has been? Watch this…

You don’t have to be an educated person to understand that the following is none-sense. Unfortunately it was not aired on comedy central, but as a serious program on CNN. Feel free to comment. I am curious to see what you have to say about it.

Most interesting is that they talk about the press in Russia and propaganda of Putins PR people, but its clearly a propaganda attempt (from someone) against Russia. Who is paying these people? I just don’t get it and I am honestly shocked about this program. How low can you go?

Found on Sibirian Light

Here is another Film Festival invite from the A-Film crew. Although the films are entirely in Russian it is well worth going and watching some of these short films. Today you’ll see the Best-Off the past months. Check it out at Dom Kino, Vasilevskaya Ul. 9. It stars around 8, but you can come later as well, since its only short movies. The best… its FREE!

Дорогие друзья!

Мы рады сообщить вам, что в пятницу, 13 июля, в 20:00 в Белом зале Дома Кино состоится очередной A-FILM-фестиваль!

Программа будет состоять из лучших короткометражных фильмов за год - в список “BEST OF” попали следующие авторы и их работы:

1. «Дверь» 19 мин.
Режиссер Владимир Котт, ВКСР 2004

Иногда может быть очень полезно, гуляя по городу иметь при себе дверь…

2. “Угольная пыль” 20 мин.
Режиссер: Маша Миро

Фильм о жителях маленького городка Челябинской области. Посвятив жизнь работе на благо государства, люди не заметили, как превратились для него в угольную пыль.

3. «Евровидение» 5 мин.
Режиссер - Семен Фролов

Удивительный музыкальный ролик, в котором Семен выступил не только режиссером и сценаристом, но и актером, оператором и автором музыки.

4. «Звуковое письмо». Игровой фильм 12 мин.
Ирина Раненко Ильина

Вернувшись из армии, молодой человек узнает о смерти своей матери, получив кассету с ее «завещанием». Из звукового письма он узнает о том, что мама завещала жить в мире с отцом, но мира не получается. И только чудо их может помирить…

5. “Рукокрылый”, 7 мин.
Режиссер: Вадим Оборвалов - анимационный шедевр, победитель майского фестиваля.

Напоминаем, что вход свободный. Цветы для участников и победителей фестиваля приносить не запрещается!!!

Ждем вас на нашем фестивале!

Address:
Dom Kino, Vasilevskaya Ul. 9.
Between Metro Belaruskaya and Mayakovskaya
From 8 PM - Its FREE

A few days ago I ran into the wife of the Brazilian ambassador at my favorite terrace Coffeemania on Bol. Nikitsky. She complained about the high prices of Coffeemania and told us that she likes Coffee Bean much more. So what and where is this Coffee Bean place? I had a closer look.

There are a few Coffee Bean’s across the city. My two favorites are the one on Tverskaya and another one on Pokrovka. Coffee Bean generally looks like some Seattle Coffee Shop. They serve many different flavors and blends of international coffee and you should not just have the obligatory Café Latte, but try one of their coffees. Their pastry and the sandwiches are very delicious. All of it comes for a price much lower than Coffeemania, but its still pretty pricey. A sandwich or a pieve fo cake are between $5 and $7. The cafe latte is $4, compared to more than $6 at Coffeemania. Then again you don’t have the comfort, service and people watch of Coffeemania near the music conservatory.

The service of Coffeebean can be lame sometimes, especially in the Tverskaya location. Still, this shop is excellent for a quick meet with friends in the centre or just to hang out at one of the large windows and watch the people on Moscow’s most busy sidewalk pass by.

The Pokrovka shop is much nicer in terms of the interior and it offers a small terrace, where you can lounge and enjoy one of these hot summer nights in Moscow. This is an excellent place to have a desert and a coffee after you have been in one of the various restaurants on this busy and upcoming street. You can also have a walk around the nearby Chistey Prudy Pond and grab a coffee before or after. A downturn is the always busy Pokrovka street. Traffic jams and bypassing cars are just not too nice to watch, especially here in Moscow and 3 feet away from your face. That of course, doesn’t bother the Moscovites. Some even seem to like it.

Ah, one more thing, don’t go visit the toilets (if you don’t really have to). They have been among the worst I have seen in a long time. Nice and modern interior, but stinky and dirty like a train station toilet. Someone needs to clean them you know? There is a list on the door, where the staff signs off every half hour, after they have checked it. Seems like the staff is blind and cannot smell anything or they have a similar mess at home and find it normal. How good is that list and sign-off, if nobody does anything about the filth? A typical Russian story. Some imported American mechanismn that doesn’t work with and for the Russians.

Address:
Throughout the city center.
1) Tverskaya st., next to Tsentralnaya hotel (down along Tverskaya from Pushkinskaya metro);
2) Kuznetsky Most street, #12 in front of Moscow Artist House and Jagannath vegeterian restaurant (#11) - metro Kuznetsky Most;
3) Pokrovka, #17 (metro Kitai Gorod). Open: 8.00-23.00