Next Week in Munich – Barbarossa, The Pretty Things, Japandult

The first week of December is upon us, which means Christmas markets, roast chestnuts, mulled wine,and cosy nights in with Netflix and Lebkuchen.

The week starts with Reinhold Messner at the Gasteig, talking about survival. Tickets are pricy, starting at 30 €, but he is something of a cult figure in Germany.

France’s very soulful Charles Pasi is at Milla on Tuesday. He’s superb, and has quite a pair of lungs on him.

London’s The Pretty Things (yes, they’re still going!) are playing at Strom on Wednesday. Tickets are available for just under 30 € here, and I really wish I was going:

Also on Wednesday, Leipzig’s Marbert Rocel are at the Rote Sonne as part of their German tour. Their singer, Antje Seifarth, is excellent.

From Wednesday until Sunday, Cirque de Soleil is on at Olympiapark. It’s a (pricy) spectacle for the whole family, and tickets are available here.

On Friday, Barbarossa, the nom de plume of James Mathé, is playing at Milla. He’s just finished touring with Jose Gonzalez, and has also played with Johnny Flynn over the years. If you’re still not sure who he is, this song might jog your memory – it’s everywhere at the moment:

The Contact Festival is on in the Zenith on Friday and Saturday, celebrating the best of electronic music. I heard mixed reports about the first festival last year, and tickets aren’t cheap at 70 € for the two days, but if you’re a fan of electronic music, take a look at the line-up here and decide for yourself.

On Saturday, the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times is showing in the Philharmonie, with live music provided by the Gärtnerplatz theatre. Tickets are available from 43 € here.

And on Sunday, Japandult is on in the Glockenbachwerkstatt. It’s a chance to pick up some beautiful Japanese crafted goods (Christmas presents!) and runs from midday until 7pm.

Also this week – check out the events at Tollwood and see if anything takes your eye at the Literaturfest.