What have we got this week? There’s some design, some comedy, Colombia’s best export (no, not that one), and Zentralwäscherei are celebrating their fourth year. And after the weekend? Oh yes — a sprinkling of hip with a soupçon of hop. Have fun.

Thursday: Comedy Kiss Present Sean McLoughlin

Fri - Sun: Blickfang Brings Style And Design To Zurich (Scroll ⬇️ to find out more)

Friday: Rap, Hip and Hop With The Zoo Jam (Scroll ⬇️ to find out more)

Monday: Colombian Band Balthvs Plays Dynamo

Tues & Weds: The Start Of The Zentralwäscherei Festival

Hip hop lovers! The Zoo Jam, which was originally scheduled for May, is finally taking place this Saturday at the Volkshaus with a hefty line-up of acts featuring DJ Premier, Roc Marciano, Benny the Butcher and Lost Boyz. As the show has been rescheduled, the line-up isn’t quite the same as on the original date, but it’s still pretty damn amazing. All the early bird tickets have been snapped up, but at the time of writing there are still a few remaining.

Saturday 5pm, Volkshaus, Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004

Zürich gets stylish. Actually, was it ever not stylish? Okay, maybe it’s becoming stylisher as the Blickfang design messe gets underway. Three days of design, fashion, furniture and jewellery that’ll make your flat-pack shelf from an unnamed Scandinavian store blush. Meet the makers (there are over 200, don’t you know), sip prosecco, and pretend you’re «just browsing» while lugging a lamp the size of a toddler. Perfect for anyone who loves good design or simply wants to justify spending CHF 200 on a vase «because it’s sustainable». Tickets from CHF 20, cheaper than therapy and far more decorative.

Fri 12pm, Sat & Sun 11am, Blickfang, Kongresshaus, Claridenstrasse 5, 8002

Imagine a bar... and now imagine it’s ridiculously fun. Voilà, Bravo: the Swiss champion of Fleischkäse (or meatloaf as it is otherwise known,) bubbles galore, and something like a spa in the basement. After a visit to Bravo Bar, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this combination. The team has been tinkering for weeks, working away on Molkenstrasse for days, and today’s the day: the new pop-up opens its doors.

With the ingenious idea of combining meatloaf sandwiches and bubbles, the team has achieved the unthinkable — meatloaf is sexy again. Alongside the sandwich, available late into the night and in a vegetarian version, you can sip not only sparkling wine but also newly invented cocktails. Meanwhile, the lovingly designed interior surprises you at every turn. How about a quick detour to the «spa»? There you’ll find a water feature, soothing lighting, and face masks. Or spend your time enjoying one of the regular events.

Opening: Wednesday | 6 p.m. | Molkenstrasse 21
Until 24th January, Wednesday to Saturday

Second Hand Day may be in the past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep the circular economy going. It also reminded me of a pretty useful cog in the circular economy engine: Josy, the City of Zürich’s place to swap, recycle and keep working items in circulation, rather than dumping them in a landfill somewhere because no one is sure what to do with them.

You can bring items that are cluttering up your home. Take them down to Josy and the staff will check whether they can accept them. Be warned, though: filthy or non-functional items are of no use to them.

But it’s not only about clearing out your own home. You can also take whatever you like (within reason, as Josy is an environmental project and offers no vehicular access) — for free. The only conditions are that you take only what you need and inform the staff for statistical purposes. So make a date with Josy and swap ‘till you drop.

Wednesday to Friday, 11:30am to 7pm
Saturday, 9:30am to 5pm

Ai Weiwei ist ein Phänomen in der Zeitgenössischen Kunstszene. Der Aktivist und Regimekritiker sagt über sich selbst, dass er eigentlich keine Musik hört – schon gar keine Oper. 2022 inszeniert dieser Puccini's Turandot, sein Regiedebut, mitten in den Proben bricht die Covid-Pandemie aus. Eine Doku über die Schwierigkeit, ein Bühnenprojekt während der Pandemie durchzuführen, über politischen Aktivismus in der Kunst und darüber, wie sich alte Kunstformen revolutionär neu denken lassen. Der Film läuft heute an.

ab heute in verschiedenen Deutschschweizer Kinos