Karaoke Lounge

Karaoke happening finds success at an unlikely location

A free event has been taking place since February 2009 every Sunday afternoon at the Berlin Wall: an outdoor free karaoke gathering where on sunny days, thousands show up to enjoy amateur singers perform.  The event is not official, it’s not related to the anniversary of the falling of the Berlin Wall, and it goes on without the required legal permit for music performances.

Organized by Joe Hatchiban, a bike courier from Ireland now living in Berlin, who likes the idea of organizing shows at strange places.  Called Bearpit Karaoke, these karaoke happenings take place on Sunday afternoons at Mauerpark’s amphitheatre, located in the area of the former death strip of the Berlin Wall. Hatchiban brings his laptop with speakers on his bike, and acts as karaoke jockey to the karaoke singers who sing everything from AC/DC to Opera.  The only banned items here are a few songs that Hatchiban would prefer not be sung, Britney Spears’s … Baby One More Time and Oasis’s Wonderwall, being two of them.

Like karaoke in general, the demographic of participants and spectators covers all ages. The karaoke gathering has continued every Sunday since its start in February, but may take a break over the rainy winter months, unless Hatchiban gets the music permit and/or finds another location.  Videos as recent as November 3rd have been uploaded to Hatchiban’s YouTube Channel, singers decked out in winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves.

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Best of Bearpit Karaoke

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Redhead in Polizei T-Shirt, sings AC/DC Highway to Hell, earns standing ovation

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Pianoman, singing and playing air piano

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Thriller, the voice is rough but the dancers are having fun

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Tomas, What A Wonderful World, what a voice!

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Classical karaoke

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Rappin’ Dancin’ and Clappin’ at Bearpit Karaoke

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Rollin’ on the River, a shakin’ crowd pleaser

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Every now and then someone performs Total Eclipse of the Heart, but never before like this

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Unchained Melody, karaoke at its best - mess up the words but keep on going

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Painted Black in a Green T-Shirt

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Summertime, in November

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Here’s hoping Bearpit Karaoke continues for a long long time.

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