I would like to celebrate my 100th newsletter with you this Thursday. Unbelievable that it’s already been two years since the first issue. All around town, 100 drinks are waiting for you in my favourite bars: Piazza, the lovely venue at Idaplatz, Gartenhof, the new haunt where Divine used to be, Zum Guten Glück, which serves the best pancakes, Für Dich, where Ron readers seem to like to meet, Nordbrücke, with my beloved bar team, Bar3000, where the music is always great, Rio, the small but fine place in the centre, Kaufleuten Hof, for a bit more upscale, La Stanza, where you feel like in Rome, and La Catrina, the only real Mexican bar in town. All of these locales have drinks waiting. First come, first served. All you need to do is mention that you’re there because of Ron. And it has to be this Thursday. The bar will then serve you my usual, which might be soda, coffee, beer, prosecco or something else. Just ask the staff.
Give my love to the city, Ron

Hindi Zahra brings the warmth of a Moroccan summer to these chilly days. Her sound is a smoky combination of jazz, soul and blues mixed perfectly with her North African influences.  With her languid voice and exotic rhythms for company it’s certainly a much easier way to keep you warm and mellow than flying south for the winter. Especially when I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away!
E-mail me for tickets.
Thursday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

If you’re interested in art and viewing it in the company of other English speakers, Art Tours, Etc have the answer. They are arranging an exclusive tour of Hubertus Exhibitions, which temporarily house some of Zurich best art galleries. After the viewing, drinks and tapas at Maiers has been organised. Ronsters have been offered a 10% discount when you book the tour. Who said art had to be expensive?
Saturday 4 pm, Albisriederstrasse 199A

One of the things that give Zurich its vibrancy is its multi-cultural mix.  Even you, dear Ronster, have probably brought a little outside flavour to the Swiss fondue pot. With this in mind, Radio Lora and klipp klang radio school are holding a public discussion, in English, entitled ‘What is intercultural (media) literacy?’.  Experts and educators in the field will be there to discuss and answer questions about different approaches to intercultural education.
Saturday 2 pm, Rosengarten, Kalkbreitestr. 2

If you happen to have a soft spot for both animals and indie-electro then Bright Lights have a special treat for you. Der Zoo (2 djs and 6 animals) will be playing their set at X-tra followed by dj Tigr Tigr Tigr. Playing live are Berlin newcomers ZPYZ, who may not follow the animal named theme but having heard their music I’m sure it will set something primal free in you.
Saturday 10 pm, X-tra

Denis Hopper is well known as actor and director. Two good reasons for Xenix to dedicate October to him. They’ll screen (or have already) all his films. I have five pairs of tickets to give away for the film Out of the Blue on Sunday. Dennis Hopper directed this portrait of a teenager of the punk generation ten years after legendary Easy Rider. The parents in Out oft he Blue are an answer to the question what would have happened to the hippies in Easy Rider if they hadn’t been killed.
E-mail me for tickets
Sunday 9 pm, Xenix

If you crave curries, rice dishes and spicy soups, try Ah-Hua.  In my opinion, its one of the best addresses for Thai food  in town, though I find it difficult to pronounce its name. Ah-Hua has  two branches that lie very close to each other: Brauerstrasse 9 and Ankerstrase 110. It doesn’t matter which you choose, the food will make you feel, like you’ve just stepped from your hammock into a nice restaurant in Thailand. Preferably on a beach. Hmm, makes me want to go to Thailand. Bangkok has 33 degrees today, by the way.

How do the British see Europe, what does Europe look like with the eyes of an Italian and what do the North Americans know about their southern neighbours? The website Mapping Stereotypes explains all of this, with easily readable maps filled with lots of prejudices. Funny.

 This might be THE book about urban art: Trespass. Various artists contributed to this unusual project, and it includes so far unpublished street art by Jean-Michel Basquiat and some others. And what's more, there's a really good trailer about it: watch on youtube.