As of: February 22, 2024, 4:00 p.m
By: Raffael Scherer
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Hopes for many spectators: Gerald Huber, cultural director of the Brothers of Mercy.
© RS
The Brothers of Mercy offer artists a stage and residents a place to work.
Nevertheless, most events remain a loss-making business.
Dorfen/Algasing – Gerald Huber, cultural representative of the Barmfühlen Brüder for the disabled in Algasing, has an open ear for smaller local artists from the Dorfen region and the district.
He always brings newcomers onto the stage here.
The concerts are not about making big profits: “For us, culture is just a way to make inclusion possible,” explains Huber.
In addition to unknown names, there are also experienced stage stars.
The Austrian singer Austrofred will perform on Saturday.
The concept behind it is to bring healthy people and people with disabilities together.
That's why the event team consists mainly of residents of the facility: "They do everything very independently, from the cloakroom to the catering." Huber only delegates "a little bit".
For some bedridden residents, the events are also the only opportunity for contact with people from outside.
At the same time, external visitors also come to see for themselves, overcome the barrier and learn how to deal with disabled people.
Letting people from the facility and the region come together and talk over a buttered pretzel, toast each other, pat each other on the back, all those little things are a “win win” for everyone.
Nevertheless, Huber is aware that most events remain a “loss business”.
After all, the effort is great, from the general organization to the nursing staff, on whom several residents depend for the events.
“Everyone wants people with disabilities to be integrated into society, but no one does anything about it,” he said.
Accordingly, it will have to prove financially this year whether the cultural project can continue or “will be canceled at some point” due to the negative business, he explains.
Franz Wenzl alias Austrofred is also familiar with working in facilities for the disabled; after all, he “worked in this area himself, in community service and for a few years after that,” the artist remembers.
The Austrian singer has not been to Algasing yet.
Huber invited the artist for two reasons: “Firstly, because people like him.
Secondly, because it’s a really great show that he puts on.”
Wenzl gave himself the stage name Austrofred in reference to the Queen singer Freddy Mercury, including costumes and performance.
He sings over the songs of the world-famous band with Austrian lyrics as “the true pop star of Austria”.
“Another One Bites The Dust” is merged with the Austropop lyrics of “Zwickts mi”, the music of “Bohemian Rhapsody” is mixed with “Märchenprinz”, and “We Will Rock You” becomes “Schifoan”.
Huber had seen the singer at a live performance in Freising last year and thought: “That would be a great thing for us if he came with his Queen Revue.” Since the Barmfühlen Brüder’s budget is “rather manageable,” he is looking Cultural representatives always look for artists from the area.
This also includes Wenzel's current place of residence, Munich.
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But the names shouldn't be too unknown.
Unfortunately, the demand from viewers is “rather manageable,” Huber has to admit.
“The people of Dorfen are not very keen to experiment when it comes to their musical wishes.” Accordingly, it is usually only bigger celebrities like Claudia Koreck or Konstantin Wecker who ensure full halls.
What works just as well in the cultural offering of disability assistance is jazz, for example at the Sunday matinee.
As for Austrofred's appearance, Huber is sure that the evening will be "very casual" for everyone.
Especially when the colorful audience participates together and passionately: “Everyone in their own way.”
Tickets for Austrofred
Austrofred is coming to the Forum of the Brothers of Mercy in Algasing 1 on Saturday, February 24th at 8 p.m. Tickets starting at 20 euros are available online at www.muenchenticket.de.
Discounts for severely disabled people, schoolchildren, students and pensioners are possible.