Clubbing experiences should not put guests in danger or create disadvantages. Renate is committed to accommodating autonomy and creating an environment built around mutual respect. We believe that club culture should not reproduce the discriminating structures of our society, but instead create an environment to counter and combat. Whilst we appreciate that we have no ready-made solutions, the team here at Renate are dedicated and are working on ourselves. From our own experience we know that things don’t always work out the way we want them to. That is why we want to continually reexamine our own positions and privileges and create an understanding and awareness for internalized and structural discrimination. By taking concrete action, we want to protect the club as a space where everyone feels safer, respected and welcome. Our team undergoes regular anti-discrimination workshops and has developed guidelines for dealing with substance abuse or aggressive behavior. Responsible staff are working to increase awareness for diversity and equality issues in the long term. We aspire to see this process of re-education reflected at all levels — from our programming to our guest experience and door policy through to our internal structures. Ultimately, we want to be there for our guests, in every one of those moments when urgent action is needed.
Renate is a place for acceptance and diversity, and a safer space for all. If you feel uncomfortable or want toshare any (negative) experiences please contact us: community@renate.cc
RENATE SHOW GARTEN 06/21
We are exited to welcome the artists of Overmorrow back to Renate Garten this summer – with stunning performances in a sparkling atmosphere every weekend. Overmorrow is an art collective founded in 2020, especially to support artists with roots in Berlin`s subculture.
Especially artists who are not part of the mainstream are struggling with the pandemic. These artists have been the fertile ground of Berlin`s cultural landscape for decades, making Berlin the diverse, unique and attractive place it is today.
Many artists in the subculture scene have come to Berlin from all over the world to live freely and work without oppression.
Since they are mostly passed over government funding programs, they rely on projects like Renate Show Garten or Overmorrow to make at least a little money and be seen and heard.
An artist without a stage is an artists without a voice. And a silent artist is excluded from social discourse.
In any free democratic society, artists are as important as free press.
OVERMORROW 10/20
Dear guests and friends,
With a heavy heart from all of our team, we unfortunately have to close Overmorrow early, The performances that were supposed to take place this weekend (before the lockdown on November 2th) cannot take place because we have to deal with unreasonable repression from the Police and the Ordnungsamt, which not only means the end of this segment of this wonderful project, but also could result in severe and possibly irreparable financial damage for us as a cultural location.
Before we go into the incidents of yesterday evening, we would like to apologize to our guests and for the inconvenience. We would of course be very happy if you would like to continue supporting the artists and to donate your already bought ticket we would be very grateful.
Of course, we fully understand should you want to cancel your tickets and have them refunded. In this case, please send us the Paypal data you used for the purchase to the following email address. office@renate.cc We will take care of the refund immediately. Yesterday we had a visit from the Police and Ordnungsamt. During the last 3 inspections we had, the Overmorrow project was not found to be violating any rules put in place by the government and our operations were not disrupted during the inspection. And even tho a large police force has been there in the past, only two to three officers carefully inspected the premises.
However During yesterday’s inspection on October 30, 2020, the ordnungsamt came with a reinforcement of around 20 police officers. We had to pause the entire exhibition for two hours, which resulted in considerable financial damage and stress. This action mainly affects the artists, as all profits are distributed directly to the artists Unfortunately the strength and attitudes of the police suggested that the authorities were expecting a large group, party or rave. They were disappointed to find guests peacefully enjoying an exhibition with some of our amazing performers in their Halloweeen themed costumes.
After the officers could not find any violations of the COVID 19 regulations, there was initially uncertainty among the employees of the Ordnungsamt, probably due to the unusual project and the unexpectedly low number of guests.
As a result, hypothetical visitor numbers and scenarios were used that are far from reality, suggesting there ‘could have been’ 500 people there – even tho at this moment the exhibition was at maximum capacity and it was clear that all guidelines were being followed.
The regulations were ticked off point by point by the responsible Managing personal of the Wilden Renate. This resulted in the Ordnungsamt repeating the ‘potential’ failures of the distance rules and the threat of fines of € 25,000. But having seen that we were clearly not doing anything wrong the Ordnungsamt had to determine that they had come across a well enforced hygiene concept they started to search for violations of other Regulations they thought could be a „success“.
OVERMORROW is and was absolutely compliant during the entire season and in particular under the tightened regulations to amend the SARS-COV-2 infection protection regulation, which has been in force since October 29, 2020.
As already mentioned, the regulatory office was repeatedly able to find no violations of the Infection Protection Ordinance, as in this case, when the exhibition was at its maximum capacity.
Even after 3 exemplary checks carried out in the past, yesterday’s action by the Ordnungsamt and the police felt strange and different.
The officials were unnecessarily aggressive yesterday. This mission in question had the character of a raid rather than a control to ensure compliance with the infection control. The number and sheer strength of the uniformed officers was threatening.
At least two of our artists who belong to marginalized groups and who have to deal with mental stress in contact with police officers in the past, suffered from panic attacks and were not okay.
When asked to proceed as carefully as the officers who had carried out the first checks in the summer and a few weeks back , we received the answer
“One can’t disguise as a secret shopper, and best of all come to visit by appointment “.
At this point we would like to make it clear again that controls on our part are not only tolerated, but even welcomed.
However the threat of more checks and more officers has made us feel intimidated. When we were more than clearly well within all guidelines.
Our Hygiene protocol –
Here is a brief explanation of our processes: Only two people from two households are allowed into the exhibition every 5-10 minutes. The exhibition is divided into 16 stations with 16 stages. The shows of the performance artists that take place on these stages last 5 minutes each. After 5 minutes the guests have to switch to the next stage. the artists keep the prescribed distance of 1.50 m at all times. We also employ employees who are solely responsible for meticulously enforcing this rule.
we all have a common goal. The Ordnungsamt is welcome at any time. We have nothing to blame. However, we would like the authorities to take action that does not directly threaten our existence and our artists and us as a cultural location. Overmorrow was a lifeline for so many artists and cultural workers. With this project we were able to distribute over 94,000 € to our artists and production staff in the last 3 months. It is important!
Overmorrow is a project that was launched together with the Bad Bruises and Trash Era collectives to support artists who have no income, no stage and therefore no voice during the pandemic. The cast of the exhibition consists of 95% LGBTIQ * artists.
We absolutely understand that in times like these, controls have to be carried out. These controls are in our interest and we are ready to make sacrifices. We all want to leave this pandemic behind us as soon as possible. In order to achieve this goal, we have developed alternative concepts to support our artists and to keep the cultural landscape of our city and ourselves alive as a cultural location.
Unfortunately this has now come to an early end. We cannot bear the risk of the threatened repression. Thank you and stay with us.
Your OVERMORROW team
STATEMENT FROM WILDE RENATE TO ADDRESS RACIST INCIDENTS
This is a statement to address incidents of racism that occurred at Wilde Renate in 2019. Discussing this publicly allows us to openly apologise to the affected person, take ownership of our mistakes as a company, communicate the actions we have taken since then and continue to take towards anti-racism and anti-discrimination practices within our organisation.
We are deeply sorry for what happened and for the hurt that was caused. We have been taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again within our team, club or event space moving forward.
What happened
A former employee of Wilde Renate (who was working with us from April 2017 to October 2019) was subject to racist incidents within the company involving two other staff members in 2019. The management were made aware of the incidents at the time and they were discussed in depth between all parties involved. At that time we believed the matter had been amicably resolved between all parties.
In July 2020 talks related to this incident were reopened. As soon as it became clear there were unresolved issues related to the incidents mentioned we have been active in attempting their resolve including actively seeking mediation by a third party. We understand more must be done including a public apology and outlining our commitment to anti-racism as an organization.
Apology to our former employee
To our former employee, the management of Wilde Renate are deeply sorry for not taking more direct and clear action in response to the racism you faced while employed within our organization. We see now how offering more options to support you in the investigation and mediation with these racist incidents were necessary to their proper resolve. We are also sorry that so much time has passed between these conversations, it is disappointing for everyone involved.
What We Are Doing
As a result of the incidents that took place at Wilde Renate and the BLM movement we have begun to understand our personal privileges and responsibilities and are implementing necessary organisational structures to prevent similar incidents happening in the future, and if they should happen, how to deal with them in a clear and urgent manner. We recognize there is an immediate need to improve our practices as a company.
Here are some of the things we have been doing:
• On 6 August of this year we started anti-racism training for the entire team, the next session will happen on 20 October. Topics covered: understanding white privilege, how to become actively anti-racist, how to respond in situations involving racism.
• A company wide anti-discrimination policy was implemented. This includes improving our HR processes for dealing with staff discrimination and dismissals.
• We have appointed two Awareness Managers. They are the first point of contact for staff and guests to interface between management and staff for incidents. They are in charge of internal mediation as well as input regarding the diversity of our bookings and HR. They will hold regular meetings ensuring diversity standards and accountability for the company are met. They will also coordinate workshops and learning resources for the staff.
• Starting in November our security staff will undergo separate anti-racist / anti-discrimination training, which will be provided by the Berlin Club Commission.
• Our booking team have an ongoing commitment to diversity on our line ups and are working to develop this further
• Continuing to host a workshop series in the Wilde Renate garden: Open Culture Lab – free music workshops committed to supporting and the inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, female identified, non-binary and LGBTQI+, and people of color
• From 2018 – 2020 we have supported Kuniri, which hosted sewing workshops for refugees to prepare them for future jobs and design for the fashion label itself.
• A small anti-racist library in the Wilde Renate beer garden was set up in May for our guests and team to read. All resident DJs also agreed to reading and sharing books on the subject between themselves and continuing to discuss how to actively be anti-racist in the club, and in their lives.
Our priority is to listen, learn and develop further this plan of action with clear targets and a timeline for accountability. We will continue to update this list on our website. More plans are also in discussion but cannot be implemented immediately due to the ongoing pandemic and its effects on our daily business. We are committed to this work.
Moving forward
We hope that positive change will come from this and will encourage a wider discussion around how clubs can make the necessary steps to become more inclusive and to challenge discrimination in all its forms within our institutions. We are committed to diversifying our team and seek to employ more people in key positions (including bookers and resident DJs) that offer a better representation of our community, and the wider history of dance music culture.
In addition it is our responsibility to protect the livelihood of our staff and those who were indirectly involved as a result of the mentioned incidents and the subsequent actions by management. Ultimately we want our patrons, guest DJs, resident DJs and staff to feel that Wilde Renate is a safe place for them.
We are open to receive feedback from the community and to have meaningful and constructive discussions around these topics. If you or a friend has ever felt unsafe or experienced anything untoward by a staff member or patron then we want to hear from you: community@renate.cc
UPDATE 21.10.2020
We would like to start by sharing that an official and sincere apology on behalf of the club, its new management and the entire team was sent to our former employee, who was a victim of racist abuse during the time in which he worked in Salon zur wilden Renate. No one should tolerate discriminatory behavior in the workplace, in private communications or anywhere else.
The events took place between January 2019 and June 2019 between three persons who were employed by Salon zur wilden Renate at the time. During that period, two former employees of the club made several racist and discriminatory comments against the person concerned in the course of professional as well as private communication between the then friends.
Since then, extensive personnel consequences were drawn and structural changes were executed. All persons involved, including the club’s management, no longer work for Salon zur wilden Renate.
In the context of the intensive investigation of the incidents by the new management it has become evident that already in the summer of 2018 there were racist and discriminatory remarks in a private communication between another former employee against the affected person, which we strongly condemn. When this was brought to the attention of the former management, it was not handled well and the affected person rightfully felt that he was not taken seriously. We acknowledge this mistake, regret it deeply and do not see it as representing the new direction we started in Salon zur wilden Renate.
From its very first day of establishment and up to now, Salon zur wilden Renate was and is a welcoming home to staff, guests and events of all backgrounds – a space that enabled the creation and development of an open minded and free spirited culture. A place of such nature cannot harbor nationalism, racism, sexism, homophobia or discrimination of any kind.
Creating this safe environment, free of any discriminatory behaviour, was therefore always on top of all priorities in the Renate family. We promise to use this opportunity in order to learn from past mistakes and to meet what is rightfully expected of us.
Renate Garten
Wed. – Sun. 15h – till late •• Fresh Tank Beer •• Cocktails
DJs & Shows: Thu. •• Fri. •• Sat. •• Sun.
Italian Pizza: Wed., Thu. & Sun. from 18h •• Fri. & Sat. from 17h
Program 29.07. – 01.08:
Thu. 29.07.
DJ (18:00–22:00pm): José Manuel
FREE ENTRY
Fri. 30.07.
DJ (16:00–22:00): Esther Silex •• Franca •• Helmut Kurzweiler
Shows: AISSATOUS •• Fifi Fantôme •• Noemi
Peepshows (20:00): Hottie De Paris •• Lady Lee •• Ixa
Sa. 31.07.
DJ (16:00–22:00): Mehmet Aslan
Shows: AISSATOUS •• Evilyn Frantic •• La Sonar
Peepshows (20:00): Noemi •• Evilyn Frantic •• Julietta La Doll
Sun. 01.08.
DJ (16:00–22:00): Johannes Albert •• Soul Bait
Shows: AISSATOUS •• Mona La Doll •• Mezkalito