Dresden Nightlife

Unlike the name indicates this operetta theatre is not run by the State but by the city. Actually, they claim it's the only one in Germany - don't know if it's true, and it doesn't matter IMO.

They perform operettas mostly, but sometimes also musicals. The repertoire reaches from the classic Johann Strauß, Karl Millöcker and Franz Lehar operettas to "My Fair Lady" and even modern musicals. The musical quality (orchestra and singing) is really good, the productions are mostly traditional so you won't be shocked by any "Euro Trash".

However, the problem is the building. It has not been renovated for too many years and that shows. While the auditorium is ok - although A/C is a problem - and a new lobby has been built some years ago, the backstage area is a nightmare for the artists. Besides, the location far in the eastern residential areas is not convenient for visitors. Thus the city administration decided to reconstruct a 19th century industrial complex in the western old town and turn it into a home for the arts - Operetta theatre, other stages for smaller theatres, ateliers for artists etc. I don't see that project finished before 2015, though, and it might take even longer. But there's at least hope for an improvement ...

Nonetheless, attending a performance at the Staatsoperette is highly recommended. Prices are very reasonable (about 15-25 Euro) but sometimes they sell out quickly.

Getting there is easy - take tram #2 from the city centre or tram #6 from the Neustadt to the stop "Altleuben/Staatsoperette".

Dress Code: No need to dress up, but I would generally not wear jeans and sneakers for such an event.

The Theatre

Said to be one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, Semper Opera features both operas and ballets, both as part of a regular season and for special performances. If you can't make it to a performance, at least a guided tour is a must to appreciate the interiors of the building.

Performances

There is a usually a good mixture of famous works (you can usually count on seeing a Verdi, a Mozart, and a Donizetti in the same season) and premieres, often following a particular theme - e.g., Slavic theme with operas by composers from neighbouring countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Evening shows typically begin at 8pm

Tickets

Depending on the seat category and performance, a ticket can cost anywhere from EUR 10 to EUR 150, provided you're buying it officially. Tickets are available on the website (http://www.semperoper.de), and you can book a year in advance.

Dress Code: Formal

You like good movies but dislike the sticky atmosphere in cinemas? Then you should go to "Filmnächte am Elbufer" (Movie nights at Elbe banks). But the event does not only offer the newst movies but also life acts. Party together with over 100,000 crazy people or watch with your honey the newest movies.

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There are numerous theatres in Dresden - from the Classical Theatre to smaller theatres and cabarets.

Here are some examples:
- Schauspielhaus (with some locations) www.schauspielhaus-dresden.de
A highly acclaimed theatre company. I saw some excellent productions there - and this is also for folks that don't speak German but are interested in theatre. You might enjoy Goethe's or Schiller's works in original language as well as Shakespeare in German :-)
- Komödie Dresden www.komoedie-dresden.de
Contemporary comedies given by the local company mostly, but also guest companies on tour.
- Theater Junge Generation www.tjg-dresden.de
Innovative modern theatre, young company especially for younger folks.
- Societaetstheater www.societaetstheater.de
The oldest civil theatre in Dresden. Often performances from guest companies, festivals.
- Kabarett Herkuleskeule www.herkuleskeule.de
The political cabaret with the longest tradition in Dresden. A *must*! Often sold out long in advance.
- Kabarett Breschke & Schuch www.kabarett-breschke-schuch.de
Another political cabaret, not quite as good as Herkuleskeule but still enjoyable.
- Theaterkahn www.theaterkahn-dresden.de
One man shows, cabaret, recitals on the boat that docks next to Theaterplatz square. In combination with the restaurant it makes for a very nice evening.

Dress Code: Except Schauspielhaus you don't need to dress up. And even there nobody will scold you for wearing jeans - it's just that others *do* dress up and I personally feel uncomfortable then. I would recommend to wear no sneakers, though.

This impressive opera house has a long standing tradition for premiering great works and remains a big draw for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Check their website for current offerings and pricing. I was surprised that there were some very affordable tickets for certain shows. Not sure how easy it is to get tickets but worth a try if interested. For those not so inclined but who want to see its ornate interior, tours are available daily though their times depend on show times of the operas.

Dress Code: I certainly didn't have the right thing to wear for an evening performance but casual wear is fine for the tour.

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The most popular place to hang out in the old town in the evenings/at night is the so called "Kneipenviertel Weisse Gasse". Conveniently located between Altmarkt and Pirnaischer Platz, just a few steps from the Kreuzkirche it is easily to reach by tram/bus from anywhere in the city.

More than 20 restaurants offer food and drinks from all over the world. You can have sushi or pizza, thai or local food. If you want to join the crowd watching soccer then go to the Irish pub. Or hang out in the lounge at Haus Altmarkt, relocate to the nightclub upstairs later.

Outdoor seating is to see from early spring to late fall - heaters is the magic word (not exactly green, though). On mild summer nights the places are very busy - it'll be tough to get a table with one of the comfy rattan sofas and chairs with the soft cushions.

The food is of pretty good quality. Don't expect any fancy food, but some of the restaurants really try and may surprise you with creativity. Prices are a bit higher than average (central location) but still acceptable.

The crowds that gather here are in the majority from mid twenty to mid fourty or so, but you'll see plenty of older folks as well. This is really for everyone.

Dress Code: Casual.

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Dresden is blessed to be home of two top orchestras, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and the Dresden Philharmonic, plus several other orchestras, not to mention the orchestras below that level (which are still good) in the city and the surrounding region, the many choruses, solo singers and ensembles. Thus you can almost every day attend a concert in town, from chamber concerts to full orchestra concerts.

Most popular places for concerts are the Semper Opera house where the Staatskapelle is at home (www.staatskapelle-dresden.de) and the Kulturpalast, opened 1969, which is home of the Dresden Philharmonic. While the acoustics in the opera house are excellent the Kulturpalast unfortunately cannot compete - and the ambience is not exactly very festive either. The powers-to-be realised something has to be done about the Kulturpalast and decided to reconstruct it completely. I don't expect it to be done in the near future, though, as there's a huge argument going on if it would be better to build a new concert hall somewhere and just do some minor changes to the Kulturpalast.

Anyway, in addition to the two places mentioned you have the choice from several others: churches (Frauenkirche, Kreuzkirche, Lukaskirche to name the most famous but also others), Schloss Albrechtsberg, the chamber music hall of the Music College etc.

And of course there are not only the local orchestras, choirs, ensembles that perform in Dresden. Artists from all over the world flock into town and give concerts - most for the festivals, but also throughout the year. I've had the pleasure to attend concerts of the New York Philharmonic, the Mahler Youth Orchestra, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival orchestra and of many others. Just watch out for them. Good ressources are www.dresden.de and www.ticketcentrale.de

Dress Code: You can dress casually and nobody will cast a strange look at you, but I personally prefer to dress up (suit and tie) as do most people.

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If you want to see a movie in a more individual ambience than the big movie theatres provide then there are several options in Dresden. One of them is "Programmkino Ost" which is located in a 19th century residential area east of the city centre. The building can look back on a long history as a theatre. Just recently they enlarged it by a modern structure, modernised A/C and other facilities and added a couple of new auditoriums. The two old auditoriums preserved some of their charm - some stucco works are kept as you can see in pic #3.

They play blockbusters as well as artsy productions from smaller, independent labels. I particularly like their annual French weeks in fall.

Important to non-German speakers: They also play movies in original language, mostly French and English/American. See this page:
http://programmkino-ost.de/v3/index.php?page=originalfassungen

Tickets cost between 5 and 7 Euro, small surcharge for long movies.

To get there take trams #4, 10 or buses #85, 86 to Altenberger Str.

Dress Code: Casual.