Describe who you are in 3 sentences:
My name is Edith Buttingsrud Pedersen, I am a Contemporary Dancer, Choreographer & Model. I’ve been living in Berlin for 4 years, but I’m originally from Denmark. After moving to Munich at 17, I needed some fire under my feet, and Berlin seemed like the perfect place for that.
What is your relation to this city?
I love this city (most of the time) it is versatile and gives you a feeling of everything is possible and everything is ok - meaning everyone is an artist in some shape or form and it is a quite individualistic city, which is what attracted me at first place, but is not always a plus.
Best experience?
Some years ago I was taking my regular morning dance class and a guy asked me if I wanted to go with him and his dancers to Fusion Festival to Perform. They needed a extra female dancer, so the next day I was in rehearsal. The morning after we left to Fusion to perform on the Hanger Bühne, which is one of the biggest. Performing in a lighting full body suit in front of thousands of people, it was a crazy adrenalin rush & a moment I will never forget! Somehow things like this happens in Berlin, if you are open to it, suddenly you’ll find yourself in the wildest situations.
Weirdest experience?
In the city of parties, I felt I had to experience “pornceptual” I guess the title says it all. The less you dress, the cheaper the entrance. We go in a bigger group, but with 4 floors of basement, no reception and a bunch of half naked people, you quite easily end up alone. As I was wondering around people, blowing each other, having sex everywhere around me - in berlin, I think I got used to seeing this in clubs, however suddenly I hear a familiar voice screaming “Edith!” - It’s my colleague (whom is married with 2 kids). He is all up in there with some girl - smiling at me “Come join us”. Really awqaurd seeing him again after that.
Your top 3 hangout spots?
“Tempelhofer Feld” is super beautiful and a great spot to grill, have a drink on the grass or just walk/bike/skate through. They also have a little community garden, which is quite cute in the Summer.
“Klunker Kranich” is a rooftop bar located on the “Neukölln Arcaden”, they have concerts/dj’s almost everyday, the best view of Berlin and a Christmas Market at Winter time.
“Admirals Brücke” to have a sundowner and suck in the atmosphere.
Favourite restaurants?
“Grill Royal”: The best steaks and fish.
“Dr. To’s”: Amazing Korean tapas in Neukölln.
“Eins44”: Hidden old industrial hall, slightly pricy for Neukölln Area, but worth it if you’re up for a tasty experience. They cook seasonal 6 course menus and have a great wine card.
Best date place?
I like “Gaston Tapas Bar”. In the area around there’s lots of nice bars to do some bar hoping after dinner as well.
Best Sunday spot?
“Roamers” or “CabSlam” for brunch. Hangout in Körnerpark - there’s also a small gallery with changing exhibitions. Germans loves their sauna’s, so a good Sunday activity, if the weather isn’t great, is to visit one of the sauna’s in Berlin - my favorite is “Stadt Bad Neukölln".
If you were to live in another place, where would that be and why?
Really hard question, ‘cause I fell I could live in lots of places, maybe after Berlin somewhere hot would be in order! Next place I want to visit would be Lisbon.
Where is your escape place from this city?
There’s lots of lakes around Berlin, taking a day trip to Liepnitzsee can really make a good escape - I work a lot abroad, so I always get fresh air like that, but if I have holidays, I go visit my family and friends in Denmark or meet them somewhere in the world.
Best 5 local advices?
1. Dont plan too much; go with the flow.
2. Keep an eye on your bag.
3. Don’t buy drugs from guys in “Görlitzer Park”.
4. Rent a Bike.
5. Party hard!
