Roof-terrace at MILDBERRY office hosted the closed concert of JukeBox Trio. It was the first concert specially organized for close friends and most true admirers of the group.

To those who have never heard of JukeBox Trio, the musicians modestly say: “We are simply a genius band!” After such a statement it is worth coming and making sure it is really so. At JukeBox concerts you just can’t sit quietly on your chair – three persons on the stage create energy and atmosphere of a coolest rock band. They have no instruments, but they can easily drive the audience crazy without them. All you hear is created only by their voices in combination with a cappella and beatbox techniques. Jukebox Trio fits equally well in stadium rock concerts, elite jazz sites, glamorous or underground club events. Clips for their self-made songs break the records in number of online viewings; the band is now loved by all TV teams and radio DJs.

It was quite cold and windy, the guests who gathered on the roof-terrace were muffling in plaids and warming themselves with hot coffee,.. but when the musicians came out to the scene in kilts, nobody had any doubts the party would be joyful and energizing. JukeBox Trio were performing in a burst of inspiration making the audience to dance already in the middle of the concert and to forget about the cold and wind. Three songs were sung an encore, nobody wanted to leave – that was a real success, so habitual, however, on JukeBox Trio concerts.

MILDBERRY hosted a party devoted to one of the most beautiful islands of Antilles archipelago in Caribbean Sea — Barbados.

This island is also called “Little England”. Being under British protectorate since the mid of the XVII century, the island has taken in many traditions of the Empire: from five-o’clock tea to the islanders’ passion for golf, polo and cricket…

Barbados is one of the most developed Caribbean islands with high life standards and ramified infrastructure. Secluded bays and magnificent pink sand beaches, mangrove swamps and sugarcane fields determined economic and business development directions of the island. The famous rum has been produced on Barbados for 300 years already. Every year the island welcomes one of the biggest jazz festivals, starring well known musicians from all over the world.

Robert Keysselitz, Vice-President of Barbados tourist department came to Moscow for a special meeting with MILDBERRY guest and told them about the island. After that fascinating story all the guest were invited to MILDBERRY roof-terrace, to enjoy Caribbean cocktails, dishes and gorgeous Moscow sunset.

Strict limits and infinity of images. Mysterious art and rigorous pragmatism. Live metal bearing death. This is all about Japanese sword. Samurai katanas — elegantly curved, with a stiff tempering line on a smooth surface — are, undoubtedly, one of the most sophisticated and admirable kind of blade arms.

Farriers from distant Yamato land were perfecting smithery methods of flaky and fibrous steels over the centuries, having made an art out of every movement, every method and even the sword creating atmosphere itself.

MILDBERRY CONSPIRATION and TETSUGE Japanese Historical Arms Studio introduced an amazing world of Samurai sword. MILDBERRY guests learnt about philosophy, canons and art of katanas making, and had a chance to touch the rare objects from Moscow Kremlin collection as well as real Samurai armour.

That Saturday was spent under the slogan of Peoples Friendship. A special status of this event was acquired thanks to the presence of honored guests from the representative office of the Republic of Buryatia. Our yurta didn’t let us down and made us happy with its cosy atmosphere inside. National Buryat ethnic flavor was supported by Buryat music and national dishes, while Russian souls were warmed with real sheepskin coats and skiing. The active part of program was then changed by culture-educational one. Our guests learnt of decorative painting means and peculiarities, and were amazed by a famous traveller Konstantin Kuksin, who told about traditions of Mongolians. Then our guests had some tea with milk, ate plenty of buuzes, and all left being absolutely fond of far Buryatiya…

Any task is easy for a really strong team. On December 19 we proved this fact ourselves. It took us less than half a day to put up a real Buryat yurt on the roof of the Mildberry office.

We received the yurt from Ulan-Ude and as we looked at it for the first time we started having doubts about whether we’d be able to put it together on our own. The manufacturer’s claim that the whole structure was supposed to be held together by its own weight without a single nail just wasn’t entirely convincing to a bunch of urbanites.

Just like with any other project, we approached the ‘construction of the yurt’ with all seriousness and determination. First we gathered information and did some research; a whole week was spent on learning about the basic principles of assembling standard Buryat yurts and studying the traditions of the Buryats. By the way we’d like to give special thanks to the organisers of the Museum of Nomad Cultures in Moscow, Konstantin and Maya, who showed as a whole settlement consisting exclusively of yurts right in the centre of Moscow, gave us a lot of useful advices and convinced us that our idea was not in the least absurd.

Then, following all the rules of nomads, we started the work at crack of dawn on Saturday. We kept up our team spirit by listening to Buryat folk songs. Thanks to a carefully developed strategy and a very efficient team, the yurt was completed by lunch – solid, warm and smart-looking. The success was celebrated by a traditional nomad lunch consisting of mulled wine, grilled sausages and various dainties. Then, according to tradition, the home was consecrated by the owner in a ceremony complete with traditional ritual dances and skating on fresh ice. Guests of MILDBERRY CONSPIRATION will be able to enjoy our hospitality and fragrant tea in the new yurt in the New Year, 2010.

October 10 was met at the MILDBERRY office with burning passions — the closest friends of MILDBERRY came to join us in supporting the Russian team during the World Cup 2010 qualifying match between Russia and Germany.

Armed with Russian flags and scarves, drinks and snacks, the guests were enthusiastically watching the live broadcast of the match from a large screen. The tense silence was now and then broken by loud chants and witty comments, all those present were held their breath awaiting the outcome of the battle unfolding on the football field.

The event ended with heated discussion of the game and exchange of sentiments. The Russian team may have lost the match, but that did not stop our guests from leaving the MILDBERRY office in high spirits that night, after an evening spent in agreeable company.

We would like to give a special thanks to Heineken and personally to Yuri Schwalbe for their support to our event and their contribution to making everyone happy.

Pottery production Dymov Ceramics www.suzdalceramic.ru has been producing pottery in the town of Suzdal for 5 years already. XV-XVII centuries’ traditional technologies of pottery production has been restored here due to studies of archives on ancient Russian ceramics. The artists of the shop develop forms and ornaments for facade and chimney colorful tiles, decorative pottery, while restoring ancient motifs. All the items in the shop are hand-made.

This workshop made participants familiar with the history and basic technologies of ceramics production and decorating. They had a chance to produce a pottery item and to feel the great energy of this material charging everybody with positive emotions. The workshop was over very late in the evening.., when the participants run out of clay! In several days all the authors will get their first pottery “masterpieces”, just upon the baking in Dymov Ceramics.

Continuing MILDBERRY’S commitment to all things interesting, Yuri Petukhov — a professional artist, art critic and publisher, one of the founders of the “Kovcheg” Gallery, was another special guest.

Yuri has participated in over 350 exhibitions, including those in State Tretyakov Gallery and Pushkin Fine Arts Museum. In 2007 he opened the “2.36″ gallery and is the current Art Director of the Russian Realistic Art Institute, supervising and assembling the private collections.

Yuri outlined to MILDBERRY guests, art collecting fundamentals, sharing his considerable experience and professional advice. He also launched an exhibition of unique works by famous French artist Edgar Degas (1834-1917).

Degas reputation as an Artist is well established, although he is less known for his work as an illustrator — introducing this work, Yuri was able to take Mildberry guests on an entertaining, interesting and lucid explanation of a selection of rare Degas etchings (20) and monotypes (300).

Also included was an opportunity to see rare illustrated works by Degas, from two special editions, from a private collections:
“Hetaeras’ conversations” by Lukian (Lucien. Les mimes des courtisanes. Edition Ambroise Vollard. Paris, 1935) and
“Cardinal family” by Ludovic Halevy (Halevy, Ludovic.La famille Cardinal. Edition Auguste Blaizot. Paris, 1938).

A fascinating evening for the simplest of reasons Yuri is always interesting and impossible not to find so.

A selection of Degas work will be on display at MILDBERRY for the next 3 weeks.

Pavel Shvets – the President of Moscow Sommelier Association, the owner of BioWine company and Managing Director of De Gusto salon – revealed to guests gathered on MILDBERRY roof-terrace the secrets behind biodynamic winemaking and presented a selection of the best biodynamic European wines. Pavel was instrumental in establishing Russian professional wine culture. A passionate wine connoisseur, he is well known in Russia for his impressive wine tastings.

For many years biodynamic winemaking has been misunderstood. Wine production without using chemical fertilizers and heavy equipment, with organic manures and potions, in accordance with moon phases and space energy, seemed to most as something very strange, almost crazy and certainly not something that could be taken seriously.

After years of forced production, harvest-hunting, the influence of chemistry and machines to “refine” winemaking – another view was taking shape – these previous methods could be seen as reducing taste and quality and today the best winemakers of the world are turning towards the art of biodynamic winemaking.

After sharing his expert knowledge with the MILDBERRY guests they were able to sample wines from various sources including the best biodynamic winemakers of France and Italy – to see why today biodynamacists from all over the world are focussing their attention on the highest quality and purest methods for wine production.

The real adventure seekers gathered expectantly on Mildberry’s roof-terrace – tonight’s special guest Igor Grigorenko – an extreme explorer, hunter and the owner of Royal Safari Company – recounted stories about his exciting travels, unique opportunities and highly unusual treks from all over of the globe.

Igor didn’t come empty-handed: he brought his collection of fantastic photos, real shark’s jaws, leopard, wolf and even giraffe skins! Surrounded by these trophies the guests, listened intently to Igor’s tales about extreme hunting including a spectacular Seychelles, 200 kilo marlin fishing expedition.
The party ended with a an evening cruise on Azimut’s luxurious 50’ yacht where the guests could exchange impressions, ask Igor questions and share visions of future journeys, together.

Galina Gorkun, the leading expert of Guerlain, told MILDBERRY roof-top guests about the unique methodology of individual aroma matching and the art of “wearing” fragrances.

Guerlain’s history and timeless pursuit of perfection were clearly revealed as were exclusive scent bottles, many of which were crafted more than 100 years ago. Those included: Eau de Cologne Imperiale, created  specially for Empress Eugenia; the first unisex fragrance: Jicky, as well as the renowned “bee”-bottles, gilded by hand.

Galina presented unique perfumes, created by Guerlain individually and these are sold exclusively in the Guerlain boutique in Moscow . Such timeless quality is rare indeed and this is reflected in prices that can reach 400k Rubles, as each is a tribute to Guerlain’s love of fragrance, without any concessions to quality.

Galina shared many fascinating insights into how the peculiarities of fragrance can match and influence one’s own image and personality, sharing with MILDBERY guests gifts from Guerlain to help them interpret successfully the lasting effects and enticing notes of the world of perfume.

On the 4th of July the president of MILDBERRY Oleg Beriev and the managing director of Eventica Sergey Kolushev gathered their friends on the roof-terrace of MILDBERRY Space. Our guests were walking in the Royal Yacht Club territory, having a look at yachts exhibited, and watching the regattas.

In the evening all the MILDBERRY guests moved up to the roof-terrace, where they could enjoy the gorgeous sight on the floating stage. At that very stage the headliners of the fest, rock-and-pop monsters, Moomy Troll group was performing, making even the extremely excited VIP-guests sing along.

Astonishing nature, fresh air, yachts, an impressive sight from the roof-terrace, interesting programme, and – what is more important – a great company left nobody indifferent. In spite of the unusually chilly weather (the outside thermometer showed only +12 C!), the party’s atmosphere was exceptionally warm and friendly.