The Do-Over Berlin hosted by Aloe Blacc
Originally started in Los Angeles, the Do-Over is an outdoor party meant to celebrate the end of Summer by saying goodbye to the warm weather and skimpy outfits with live music, fresh food, and cold drinks. The first Do-Over took place in 2005 and since then it’s grown huge each year, becoming known as the best summer bash and most dependable party out there. In it’s seventh season things move to Berlin, where the party is hosted by Aloe Blacc, co-hosted by San Gabriel and liveDEMO, and again sponsored by adidas Originals.
The afternoon and evening event took place at the Picknick club in the west side of Berlin’s Mitte (center) neighborhood. Entrance was free for guests who RSVP’d, which is the nature of all Do-Over parties, making it an accessible fiesta for all who care to join. Spanning over two outdoor areas and one indoor room, party-goers were met with many options as to where they could lounge and relax or party hard.
Rosa Caleta was cooking up jerk chicken wraps and other tasty morsels in the first courtyard next to a miniature table tennis setup, and DJ Day had the packed dance floor opening up to a Bboy circle in the backyard. Aloe Blacc’s voice could be occasionally heard on the microphone, hosting the party and singing along to the music, reminding people that they should dance and enjoy the sunny Berlin weather.
As Benji B took control of the decks he was frequently joined by El congo from Machete Horns on the trumpet, together blastin’ a more new school style of hip hop jams than one might normally expect of Benji. As the UK-based DJ carried the party into the evening, the sky was filled with flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder that accented the party greatly and brought the guests energy levels to a new high. Umbrellas were passed out and opened to cover the moving bodies as rain began to pour down.
The weather worsened but it didn’t stop folks from dancing up a storm and liveDEMO passed out free New Era caps to help shelter people’s heads. Once Benji B had finalized his set for the night everyone headed indoors for cover and party began to get really steamy as it pushed late into the night.
What a great way to end the summer Berlin! Big thanks to Aloe Blacc, San Gabriel, liveDEMO, adidas Originals, and everyone involved (performers and party-goers) for making this a night to remember!
written by Dylan Cromwell
photography by Jacob Hopkins