DEGEM News – BERLIN – Kiezsalon season opening at Schloss Britz: 30-31 May • Full weekend of art and music

Dear friends and music lovers,

In six weeks, we open our Kiezsalon season at Neukölln’s serene and secluded 18th-century neoclassical manor house—Schloss Britz. In the castle’s farmyard on Friday 30 May, we present Scottish smallpipes virtuoso Brìghde Chaimbeul, British saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi w/ ensemble and the new collaboration between Dana Schechter & Paul Wallfisch.

We continue on Saturday 31 May with three Berlin premieres by Ann Annie, Alice Hebborn with Nao Momitani and Merope with Shahzad Ismaily.

Brìghde Chaimbeul

Friday, 30.05.2025

Composer and musician Brìghde Chaimbeul breaks new ground with the Scottish smallpipes. A native Gaelic speaker, Brìghde roots her music in her language and culture. On her debut The ReelingThe Guardian writes: “It feels simultaneously ancient and modern, profound and direct, led by the peculiar, beautiful sound of the smallpipes.”

Since then, she has collaborated with Canadian saxophonist Colin Stetson and pop innovator Caroline Polachek, amoung others. We are happy to host Brìghde in Berlin following her closing performance at MADEIRADiG last year.

Cassie Kinoshi

Friday, 30.05.2025

Newly Berlin-based alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi leads the jazz ensemble seed. and has composed for the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as for productions at the National Theatre and Globe Theatre. She also worked with Aurora Orchestra on the 2021 performance Three Suns Suite. Her latest album, gratitude, features collaborations with turntablist NikNak and the London Contemporary Orchestra and was released on the renowned Chicago label, International Anthem.

Paul Wallfisch & Dana Schechter

Friday, 30.05.2025

In their Berlin premiere, former Swans members Dana Schechter and Paul Wallfisch present their new collaborative project, The Heart Of A Whale—the soundtrack to Kleist prize winner Wolfram Lotz’s play Die Politiker. Recorded live at Vienna’s Volkstheater, the surrealistic, doom-metal score will be released in May 2025.

Wallfisch has played with bands such as Firewater and Little Annie, while Schechter has worked with American Music Club, Angels of Light and her own project, Insect Ark. Friends since meeting in New York in the 1990s, this marks a renewed chapter in their creative partnership.

Schloss & Gutshof Britz

30—31.05.2025

Schloss Britz, a historic estate dating back to 1375, is a charming retreat in Berlin’s Neukölln district, where a beautifully restored manor house sits amidst open green spaces.

During the Kiezsalon, their current exhibition, Die ganze Zeit, will be accessible for our guests. The show brings together ten contemporary artists including Carsten Nicolai, Ahmed Ramadan and Anna Borgman, amoung others.

With its blend of history, nature and culture, Schloss Britz is an ideal setting to open our Kiezsalon season under the warm spring sun— and there’s even a petting zoo.

Michael Rosen & Team