„Bridging Realities“ - Berliner Clubkultur aus Ost und West
durch afrodiasporische Perspektiven

On Sunday, October 5, Maaya presents Bridging Realities — a night that explores the evolution of Berlin’s club culture in East and West through Afro-diasporic perspectives. A photo exhibition highlights influential spaces and communities, from student clubs in the East to the first Hip-Hop and Funk parties in the West, and the Afro-diasporic networks that began shaping both sides of the city in the 1980s.

A conversation between two voices — one rooted in East Berlin’s cultural life, the other from West Berlin’s club scene — opens a dialogue on shared experiences, differences, and music as a bridge.
The evening culminates with DJ sets that take the crowd on a musical journey through the decades: from Funk and Hip-Hop of the 80s, to House and Techno of the 90s, to today’s global club sounds. Past and present converge in a vibrant celebration of movement and connection.

Maaya

Since summer 2024, we have been transforming the former Haubentaucher in Berlin-Friedrichshain into Maaya – a platform for African and Afro diasporic art, music, and culture. Our aim is to make Berlin’s diversity visible and to create spaces for exchange, encounters, and creativity. Maaya is more than a club: it is a forum with cultural and social relevance beyond the night economy.

Our team of Berlin-based collectives, artists, and cultural workers with international roots combines hands-on experience with a shared vision of inclusive, sustainable culture. We collaborate with BIPOC and FLINTA collectives, international DJs, local artists, and initiatives from art and activism, building a network that links artistic practice with responsibility. The transformation from Haubentaucher to Maaya marks a turning point: from an established venue to a space embodying diversity, visibility, and cultural depth.