About 3 years ago I have been invited to a rooftop BBQ. What was supposed to be a BBQ, turned out to be a real good allnight party. 3 years later we were celebrating another (the 3rd) rooftop party. Petrus, the weather saint (as we say in Germany) had mercy. It was raining all day long but when the party started he had sent us the last cleaning shower and finalized it with a beautiful long lasting rainbow. What a way to start a roof top party. With the sunset more and more people came on the roof. Nobody counted, but 150 people were estimated to come and I’d say that number was far exceeded. People at Krisha and Dyagilev must have wondered where their regular expat guests have been that night. Yes right. We were on our own Krisha.

This party had everything to offer. From a chat between friends to a fierce fight to a wedding proposal and a girlfriend in tears. Just like life. Oh, I forgot the various fireworks around us and the lightened balloons. It must have been 50 or so, passing far over us around midnight. At first, I thought Moscow about space invaders a la Indepence day (movie), but that was probably the result of the various joints, I was offered that night. Nikl and I “two-zero” were spinning the music. Oh well, we were spinning the mouse wheels of our notebooks and “Traktor” for many long hours, but we got rewarded with a dancing cowd and some girls even showed us their … (smiling faces I mean, he he). I remember the moment Nikl asked me, if he should play “You gotta fight the right to party”. At first I thought it may be a little too harsh for this crowd. He played it anyway (we battled that night, meaning he played a tune and I answered with another and so on). It was a blast! Just imagine 50 to 100 people yelling “You gotta fight your right to party!”. It can’t get any better than this.

Being behind the notebook most of the night, I can’t tell you anymore tales about this party. I think it was sad to see people getting way too drunk towards the end of the night and losing control, but that is human. Its Vodka (dangerous stuff!) and the Moscow vibe. On the other hand it was good to see the happiness. Some people went home together. Some met new friends. Some became boyfriend and girlfriend that night. I made peace with someone and as I said before one girl (Katja) even told me that she received a serious marriage proposal on that very roof. I guess, they all will never forget that special Moscow summer night in July 2007.

Early in the morning, at dawn the trouble makers were long sleeping. The remaining few of us were sitting on the highest point of “our” roof and enjoying a last drink with friends. The organizers Martin, Philipp and Andreas finally found some time to rest. They were working hard to organize this party for weeks ahead, especially setting up all that stuff the days before took time, money and a lot of energy. A roof full of trash was left, after everybody went home. Empty bottles, the typical half full glasses, some food and all sorts of other stuff laying around. But the cleaning up work can wait. Now it is time to just sit, enjoy the fire, a drink and watch the sunrise. Then feel the warm rays of the sun on your skin while smoking another cigar and have a glass of fine gin (not me, I don’t drink these days).

It’s another summer day in Moscow. Yesterday is gone and it’s a pity, because we enjoyed the best party Moscow can offer. Yes, you heard right. This is probably the best Moscow event of the year. That just leaves us to wait (and hope) for July 2008. Martin, one of the organizers and the provider of the roof is leaving Moscow and so we can just hope that the others will find a new roof to invite us for another “Rooftop Party 2008”. Andreas is full of optimism, so let’s wait and see. Thank you for this great party anyway! We, and I think I can talk for all of us, really appreciate all the efforts and money you have spent to make this happen. Once again, let me say, that you can be proud of yourselves, you created Moscow’s coolest and best party. NYC Brooklyn style :-) … and even there, they can’t top this.

Photos:

Thanks to everybody who sent photos. These photos are from: Katya Ostorova, Alex Korthäuer, Olaf Warzecha, Matthias Wintzer, Felix Christiansen, Gilles Penning and me.

And a slideshow created by Matthias Wintzer: