Popular German tradition Where you can dance into May in Bonn and the region
BONN · Tanz in den Mai, or dancing into May is an age old tradition revived every year at this time. Numerous parties and dance events are a big attraction as people welcome in the month of May. Here are some places you can go to dance the night away.
Dance into May is one of many traditions associated with the first day of May. Some of the customs are so old that it is often difficult to find out the exact origin.
All of Northern Europe celebrates the start of spring at this time of year. Not only the ancient Teutons practiced this tradition but the ancient Romans as well. Back then, they lit May bonfires on Walpurgisnacht or Hexennacht (Witches’ Night) to chase away the evil spirits. When the fire died down young couples jumped over it together. Dancing into May is still preserved today as a folk festival but without any superstitions involved.
In Bonn and the region, there are many places and events offering you a chance to dance and party into the month of May.
Zeughaus der Beueler Stadtsoldaten
The St. Paulus women’s committee is holding their seventh Dance into May, featuring DJ Wolle (Norbert Aretz). The event is being held at the Zeughaus der Beueler Stadtsoldaten, which roughly translates to: Hall of the Beuel City Soldier Corps and implies that there are ties to carnival. It is located on Rheinaustraße under the Kennedy Bridge. Tickets in advance cost 9.90 euros, and 12 euros at the door. Must be 21 or older to be admitted.
Das Sofa
This club is located at Maximillian Str. 8, and the party gets going at 10pm. Ladies get in free if they come before 11pm, after that they pay 6 euros. Music will be a wide variety from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, along with party classics and chart hits. Manu Pop is responsible for the music.
Hotel Königshof
From 8pm, there will be dancing into May at the Ameron Hotel Königshof (Adenauerallee 9). DJs and various live acts will be in all the event rooms at the hotel as well as on the Rhine terrace for the After-Job-Party. Tickets can be purchased here.
Tanzhaus Bonn
At the Tanzhaus Bonn (Dance House Bonn), the dancing into May will begin at 8:30 pm (located at Gartenstr. 102). With live music, you can dance everything from the disco fox to salsa. Tickets cost 18.90 euros in advance and 28.90 euros at the door.
Basecamp Bonn
It’s the first time that Basecamp (located at In der Raste 1) will offer a Tanz in den Mai event. They will offer two dance floors with music from the 90’s and party classics, presented by “Holi Colors Festival Bonn.” The music duo Stereoact will also perform. Tickets are 15 euros online. Or they can be bought at Basecamp.
On the Godesburg
The “Witches’ dance on the Godesburg” (Auf dem Godesberg 5) begins at 9pm. The party is an Ü-30 party which means it’s for guests 30 years and older. Musically speaking, there will be everything from house music to chart hits and German folk music. Tickets are 12 euros at the door and cannot be purchased in advance.
Kasalla in the Rhine-Sieg Hall
For the third time, the popular Cologne band Kasalla will play in the Rhine-Sieg Hall for Tanz in den Mai. The concert begins at 8pm, at midnight DJ Ronaldo takes over. Entry begins at 7pm and tickets cost 27.50 euros. They can be purchased here.
Meckenheim dances into May
Some carnival clubs are organizing a dance into May for the second year. It will be held at the Dorfplatz (village square). It begins at 6pm, with party-goers listening to music from DJ Mütze. Entrance is free.
(Orig. text: Judith Nikula; Translation: ck)
