The month has begun, but you don’t yet have a trusty copy of SIEGESSÄULE by your side? Great opportunity to drop by our new SIEGESSÄULE lounge at Kreuzberg bar Monarch and pick up the new issue, hot off the press. Starting tonight and happening every first Wednesday of the month is frisch gepresst (“fresh-pressed“), a little release party of sorts with the staff and friends of the magazine. “We want to clink our bottles to the new issue, along with our readers and contributors,“ explains chief editor Jan Noll, “as well as introduce interesting DJs and new music. Now and then we’ll have live acts as well. Bands, performances, readings, whatever excites us at the moment.“ Network, meet with friends or give direct criticism – here’s your chance. Hosted by Jan Noll and English-language editor Joey Hansom, each edition will have guest DJs in tow. Tonight’s launch features SIEGESSÄULE columnist and journalist Walter Crasshole (pictured – see also p. 35) and a performance by editor Kaey together with her pianist Marcus Mundus, presenting selections from her new show 50 Shades of Kaey (receiving its full premiere Feb. 20 at Rauschgold). “Monarch Bar is great. It’s located directly at Kotti with a view of the elevated train,“ says Jan Noll. “There are queer events here once in awhile, but it’s a spot that’s still relatively unknown within our community. But that’s not the only reason to start our new series here.“ Entry costs the same as the magazine itself – that is to say, it’s free!