By Larissa Hoppe
“Mama goes dancing” – that’s the name of a series of parties in Berlin. Last Friday was the premiere. Does Berlin really need a party just for mothers?
“A real safe space in which women feel free and safe in a club for the first time, free from any worries about knockout drops and bottom gropers” or “180 minutes of partying and freedom!”. With these words I am loaded into the Great Crested Grebe. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. – officially it doesn’t last any longer than that.
Party founder Julia Wolf (40), mother of two kids (2 and 3 years old) from Schmargendorf, explains the concept as follows: “Otherwise it always doesn’t start until 1 a.m., but as a mom you don’t have the time.” Instead, you want to Use the three hours intensively.
Party founder Julia Wolf (40): “I’ve only been dancing two or three times in the past four years because the usual time is so crappy.” Photo: Larissa Hoppe
What’s actually noticeable is that the dance floor is already packed at 8:20 p.m. There is no long warm-up. Come in, get fucked and get out again. Party fun with maximum efficiency.
Does that resonate? Anna (36) from Pankow has two children (3 and 7). They’re at Dad’s that evening. Anna: “My husband works shifts and doesn’t have every weekend off, so it’s not that easy.” She hasn’t been out for five years. “You have a completely different biorhythm. And looking after a child while hungover is not possible. I have to celebrate early so I can be fit again the next day. And somewhere else the mood isn’t good early on.”
Anna (26, left, children aged 3 and 7) from Pankow hasn’t danced for five years. Moni (35) from Reinickendorf has two children (5 and 1 year old). Her last party was about six years ago Photo: Larissa Hoppe
560 tickets went out, sold out! The music from Beyoncé to Backstreet Boys (I have to sing along too) is danceable for everyone, and the atmosphere is harmonious and friendly. Or caring, as Maxi (29) says. She lives on the outskirts of Berlin and has one child (1): “I was bumped into by a woman earlier and they immediately said sorry. A nice energy, without men.”
How does the party without men feel for the others?
Mara (35), mother of a cookie (1) from Reinickendorf: “It’s definitely noticeable. Otherwise you look a little and want to please yourself.” She took out her high heels again “and the others walk around in sneakers.”
From left: Mara (35, one child) from Reinickendorf, Maxi (29, one child) and Lara (36, two children) from Reinickendorf. Lara last celebrated in August, but says: “For me it’s more relaxed this way. Now I go to bed when the others leave. And the mood was there immediately.” Photo: Larissa Hoppe
Anna, on the other hand, finds the evening without men quite pleasant: “Like a sisterhood. It doesn’t matter that the bacon rolls fit into the glittery dress. The women share the same fate.”
Party organizer Julia also says that women feel less competitive pressure. And she emphasizes: “Men are allowed. There are three here tonight too. But it’s not about picking up women, that’s why I don’t advertise it.”
Juliana (41, left) from Ahrensfelde: “Men are not missing at all, finally time for me. And you don’t have to prepare yourself so much.” Svenja (35, mother of a son): “Otherwise it takes a lot of organization or you don’t have the strength. And somewhere else it’s a lot about seeing and being seen.” Photo: Larissa Hoppe
My conclusion: The atmosphere is great. Less cool, less strenuous, overall less excited. However, without men I would miss the salt in the soup. What’s noticeable is that many women haven’t been partying for years. And many are calibrated to function again the next day first thing in the morning. Shouldn’t it be a given that dad takes care of Saturday evening and Sunday so that mothers can forget about time for once? Give yourself more credit, I think. So on to the next party!
In Potsdam on October 20th, followed by another in Berlin (November 3rd in the trumpet). cards (12 euros) only in advance!