There’s a very clear shift between seasons in Zurich. Winter, summer — things open, things close, and the city rearranges itself accordingly. As the weather warms and we move back outside, three opening parties mark the change, and I’ve thrown in a bit of photojournalism for good measure. And don’t forget — Thursday’s a day off, so Wednesday night can stretch a little longer.

Thursday: Opening 1: Photo Journalism At Its Best At Landesmuseum

Friday: Opening 2: Seebad Enge Opens For The Season (Scroll ⬇️)

Saturday: Opening 3: Gump At Letten Opens With A Party (Scroll ⬇️)

Saturday: Comedy Kiss Brings Lily Phillips To Zurich (Scroll ⬇️)

Wednesday: Frieda's Büxe Gives You A Late Wednesday Night

Wednesday: Opening 4: Barfussbar Kicks Off Their Wednesday Concerts

What’s next in our sally into summer openings this week? If the past few weeks of warm weather have had you longing for a dip in the lake, you’re in luck, as Seebad Enge is opening on Friday. Are they going to quietly slip into the season without getting their hair wet? Of course not. They’re leaping in, screaming, splashing and «bombing» with a party featuring three DJs. And what’s the cost of this delightful waterside soirée? Nothing. But get there early, as space is limited.

Friday, 5pm, Seebad Enge, Mythenquai 9 (next to Enge Quai), 8002

Sick of openings yet? No? Good! Our third opening this week is Gump at the Oberer Letten. You know the place, the collection of shipping containers that has been turned into a bar. Are they going to quietly slip into the water… (okay, i’ve done this already.) Are they going to have a party? The answer is a simple and emphatic yes with four DJ’s keeping you dancing from 3pm until late-ish.

Saturday 3pm, Gump, Oberer Letten, 8006

Moving away from season openings, Comedy Kiss keeps us laughing and entertained all year round with (mostly) British-based comedy. This Saturday’s show at Club04 features headliner Lily Phillips, a British comedienne with an impressive track record of awards, who has racked up appearances on UK channels including ITV and the BBC, notably in the brilliantly titled «Period Dramas». The program is completed with local talents Benjamin Delahaye, and Pavel Zborik.

By the way, don’t try to Google Lily Phillips, click this link instead, because my search for Lily Phillips turned up a significantly different sort of performer if you take my meaning.

Saturday 7pm, Comedy Kiss, Club04, Brauerstrasse 37, 8004

Online and in the newsletter, I bring you Good News from Switzerland and around the world every week – as a little reminder that, among all the bad news, there’s still plenty of good happening too. For the full dose of positivity, all the good news has been gathered here in one everlasting list. First up this week - how science is saving delightful little hedgehogs...

May leans towards the expressive, the sensual, and at times just a little uncanny. At least, that’s how visual artist Marlène Pichler describes her style. Her works accompany this month’s daily Ron Orp newsletter. Though «accompany» doesn’t quite do it justice: Marlène has developed an artistic process that gives her images a very distinct aesthetic and pull. How exactly she does it – and what enriches her life beyond art – you’ll find out in the interview.

I’m currently working on a thermometer revolution: 25 degrees means 250 ml of gelato. 30 degrees means 300 ml of gelato. 40 degrees means 400 ml of gelato and a new pair of trousers. But where do I get my hands on the good stuff? One option, that i recently rediscovered, is Lucy Goose at Stadelhofen station. This charming takeaway café wins people over with constantly changing (and sometimes pretty crazy, but not mangoose sorbet unfortunately,) flavours, plus a wide range of topping options. So yes, the east side of town is definitely prepared for a hot summer.

Try: daily gelato specials, affogato

Lucy Goose | Mon–Sun | 11am – 6pm | Kreuzbühlstrasse 8