Category Archives: Current Events Berlin

Private Tour Of The Exhibit “It’s A Balance Trick”

The Berlin Chapter of the Princeton Alumni Association of Germany invites the Ivy Circle to a private tour of the exhibition “It’s A Balance Trick” to take place September 13, 2026 starting at 4 p.m. at the Kommunale Gallery at Hohenzollerndamm 176 in the Charlottenburg neighborhood of Berlin.

The exhibition’s curator Norbert Wiesneth will guide us through the exhibition and several of the artists will also join, sharing insights into the exhibit and inviting you to join them in conversation

“It’s A Balance Trick” explores the fragile moment of balance through a multidisciplinary approach. The act of balancing is explored across a broad artistic spectrum from social, physical, and ecological perspectives and is reflected in the exhibition’s fluid concept: While some elements remain static, others gradually shift their position, extend into the urban space, or are only made complete through audience participation.

 Although the still moment of equilibrium is a symbol of tranquility, it is based on the constant balancing of various forces. Sometimes equilibrium is achieved almost effortlessly; other times, it is the result of coordination and dialogue. Balance is considered an ideal, especially in a democratic society. The organic approach of “It’s A Balance Trick” mimics this balancing act; it remains in motion, evolves, weighs different forces against one another, and constantly creates new moments of equilibrium and coexistence.

 The event is free of charge. Complimentary wine will be served.

The event is limited to 20 people and an RSVP to carl@alumni.princeton.edu is essential.

We meet at the entrance at around 3:50 pm. The tour will be around 45 -60 min.

More on the gallery here https://www.kommunalegalerie-berlin.de

Carl Kruse

Ivy Circle Berlin Stammtisch – 2 September 2026

by Carl Kruse

Hello All!

The Ivy Circle Berlin Stammtisch returns this coming Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 6PM onwards at QUASIMODO at Kantstr. 12A, just a quick walk from Bahnhof Zoo.

The Quasimodo is one of Berlin’s storied music bars and clubs, with roots going back to the late 1960s when they first operated in the basement of the Delphi Filmpalast. Over time it evolved into a cornerstone of Berlin’s jazz scene, hosting legends like Prince, Chet Baker, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Today, Quasimodo operates as both a live music venue and a stylish cocktail bar, balancing tradition with a more contemporary nightlife offering. 

The bar serves high-quality cocktails—from classics to inventive house creations.  The bar has reserved an outdoor space for the Ivy Circle to enjoy the waning days of summer weather.

Complimentary wine while it lasts.

A cool atmosphere and a perfect place for an after work monthly cocktail rendezvous.  Come meet new friends and old.

I hope to see you at Quasimodo!

Cheers!
Carl Kruse
Berlin Chair, Princeton Alumni Association of Germany
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Former events include Champagne and Art with Jade Cassidy, and the Boros Bunker Sammlung Tour.

Theater Reading Group in Berlin

by Carl Kruse

Niraj Welikala, a member of both the Oxford and Cambridge alumni societies in Berlin, founded a play-reading and theater group in Berlin last summer and is looking to expand the group to fellow thespians and those who love the theater.

The group’s objective is recreational play reading and perhaps putting on a production one day.  Details from Niraj below. You can contact Niraj directly at niraj.welikala@gmail.com or fellow co-founder Nigel Luhman at nigel@luhman.de

Cheers,
Carl Kruse
Ivy Circle

P.S. Carl Kruse ia also involved with Renselear Polytechnic Institute’s Milkyway@Home project.

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An Actor Prepares…

Calling actors and theatre enthusiasts!

We are a play reading group (in English), originally formed from members of the Oxford and Cambridge alumni clubs in Berlin and we are looking for new people to join us. We meet every 2 weeks on a weekday evening from 6-8 pm (usually on a Monday) at the Theaterhaus Mitte Berlin (https://www.theaterhaus-berlin.com/).

We aim to select and read a diverse range of plays. Plays we’ve read so far include Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, J. B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’,  ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and we are currently in the middle of ‘The Crucible’.  We usually start with a few minutes of warm-up exercises. During the reading, we switch characters to give people a chance to explore different roles and also experiment with different acting and directing techniques.

The play readings are meant to be recreational although we hope to put on a production as well. We have a range of experience in the group (from little or no experience to some with years of acting and directing experience). If you are interested, please email Nigel or Niraj mentioning any previous acting experience (but this is not required) and we will send you more details including our WhatsApp group that we use to organise readings. You are welcome to come to a session and see if it’s for you.

Hope to see you there!

Niraj, Nigel, Kaya and Justin 

The Berlin Play Reading Group committee