Entertainment

The Australian circus ensemble Gravity & Other Myths revolutionizes traditional circus by blending physical excellence with a powerful, emotional storytelling approach. Their award-winning performances, such as A Simple Space and Ten Thousand Hours, blur the lines of the circus genre, offering an intense and unforgettable experience.

In A Simple Space, the acrobats push their physical limits to the extreme. Accompanied by driving percussion, the performance creates an energetic atmosphere that merges the performers with the audience. Each movement tells a story of dedication and physical overcoming, with the audience fully immersed in these gripping moments.

Ten Thousand Hours delves deeper into the ensemble's philosophy. It is a tribute to the long journey toward perfection, a process tied to countless hours of hard work and perseverance. The acrobats demonstrate how dedication and continuous practice lead to extraordinary abilities. This piece is not just about circus art but the universal human drive for improvement.

Each performance combines artistic expression and physical virtuosity, creating an emotional connection with the audience. The circus is presented not as a mere spectacle but as an intimate, living experience that captivates viewers. Gravity & Other Myths elevates circus art to a new dimension, leaving the audience deeply moved.

The Hanke Brothers - four brothers, four instruments, one common mission: New Classical Music. Since their formation in 2017, Fabian, Jonathan, Lukas and David Hanke have been inspiring audiences with their unique blend of classical music, jazz and pop. Their unique style combines musical depth with a love of experimentation, surprising timbres and a pinch of humour. They take the audience with them, inspire them with their joy of playing and creative energy, and simply make you want to hear more.

They were awarded the OPUS KLASSIK 2024 and the honorary title of ‘JM artist’ by Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland for their commitment as classical music and cultural ambassadors. With their association BROTHERS FOR MUSIC e.V., they are committed to promoting young talent and innovative music projects. Their New Classical Music Festival offers a platform for cross-genre artists and brings their musical vision to the stage.

Photocredit: Theresa Pewal

Mimi Froes is a 26-year-old singer-songwriter signed by Universal Music in Portugal who already has two EPs and an album in her repertoire, including songs like "Não Faz Mal Não Estar Bem," which gained significant visibility and Declarações de Meia Noite," which earned her a nomination at the Portuguese Golden Globes in 2022. She grew up listening to Portuguese songs and pop music, and it was during her jazz course that she found the final ingredient to begin her songwriting journey after a year of classes with Luísa Sobral.

Her music has led her to collaborate with renowned Portuguese artists such as Luísa Sobral, Ricardo Ribeiro, Miguel Araújo, Tiago Nacarato, João Só, and to perform in venues and festivals across the country, including opening for Paul Anka at CoolJazz. She has also been performing abroad in cities such as Montevideo, Madrid, London and Paris.

She studied Jazz and Modern Music in Portugal but is now completing her master's degree in Songwriting in London. She is recognized for her great musicality and the poetry in all the songs she writes. To date, she has only released music in Portuguese, but she is now preparing work in English and Spanish to reach a broader audience.

Photocredit: Simão Pernas

Rakhshan Zhouleh, originally from Persia, moved to Germany in 1985 after his career as a professional soccer player. He trained in the restaurant industry at Hotel Intercontinental Dom in Cologne, where his passion for wines developed. He then completed a year-long traineeship at Franz Keller’s “Schwarzer Adler” and an internship as a sommelier in Koblenz. His career included positions at "Francais" in Steigenberger Hotel Frankfurter Hof, "Ente von Lehel" in Wiesbaden, "Haerlin" at Four Seasons Hamburg, "Margaux" in Berlin, "Elblounge" in Hamburg, and "Vitrum" at the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin. From April 2009 to December 2013, he worked as host and sommelier at “Tantris” in Munich.

One of Europe's top sommeliers, Zhouleh has received numerous accolades, including Sommelier of the Year three times (Meier Publishers 2001, Gault Millau 2002, Berlin-Brandenburg 2008). He has participated in national and international wine evaluations and served as a jury member for “Falstaff,” “Feinschmecker,” “Vinum,” and “Best of Gold.” As an independent consultant, Zhouleh advises gastronomes and hoteliers globally, moderates wine enthusiast events, and leads exclusive wine journeys. Since 2013, he has also created his own Wine Edition.

Thomas Pöllmann creates abstract works in which layered colors form dynamic structures full of movement and depth. Using spatulas, knives, and trowels, he continuously alters the surface, giving each piece its own expressive character. The intensity arises from his choice of colors and the technique of overpainting, which reveals hidden layers. Intuition and chance work together, resulting in compositions defined by their complexity and spontaneous development. These abstract works follow no fixed rules but unfold through the creative process itself. This freedom allows emotional and visual tension to emerge, inviting viewers to form their own interpretations. Color and structure merge into a unified whole that combines both rhythmic and impulsive elements. Each layer introduces a new dynamic and opens up fresh perspectives, creating a vibrant surface that captures the moment of its creation. Through his technique and deliberate choice of materials, Thomas Pöllmann enables endless variation. His works reflect a deep engagement with the possibilities of painterly expression and demonstrate how the interplay of intuition and experimental approach can lead to unique visual worlds.

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Thomas Pöllmann is an artist and coach. His professional career began in the field of object furnishing, where spatial design became one of his central focuses. This work took him to over 30 countries on six continents, including for the German Foreign Office. Over time, art became an increasingly important part of his life: in addition to sketching and watercolor painting, the self-taught artist became deeply involved in abstract oil painting. Intuition and a playful approach to chance characterize his often large-scale works, which can be found in private homes, well-known companies, and institutions such as Deutsche Bahn, the Joint Federal Committee, and government buildings like the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. His joy in creative creation is also conveyed through his coaching and workshops, where he shares knowledge and inspires others. Furthermore, he is passionately involved in environmental projects: Through his art, he initiated and supported numerous initiatives – both in his own projects and in collaboration with partners like WaldLokal or Mercedes-Benz – contributing to the sustainable planting of over 4,000 trees and making a valuable contribution to nature conservation.