Ahmed Gallab is a professional base player, singer and composer, and just launched his album Mars:  a multi-layered piece influenced by Brooklyn-rock, soul-pop, funk and African vibes. Zukunft is ready for his European premier as front man this Thursday. And I hope you too. Entry is for free – as always on Thursday – and in midst of the cool temperatures, Zukunft is a good place to be. The music will warm your heart, the crowd your body and if you dance along, you’ll even forget that winter is here.
Thursday 11 pm, Zukunft

On Thursday and Sunday, Neumarkt presents a performance in English: Show Real Drama. The production observes two actors trying to find work by putting together a script of their favourite scenes. Keren Cytter’s piece is a mix between video, performance and reality show. On Thursday it’s staged in Switzerland for the first time and on Thursday, the director will be present. Tickets: 35 francs.
Thursday 8 pm & Sunday 11 am, Neumarkt

The Kilbi – with much ado about rock, pop and open mind – started out in Germany. This year, already for the second time, the festival brings various acts to Zurich, where four host welcome them with open doors: Exil, Helsinki, Moods and Bogen F. They’re all within walking distance so you can switch back and forth between your favourite bands on Friday and Saturday: The fathers of post-punk, Mission of Burma, visit Switzerland for the first time; electric blues king Jon Spencer gives the honour; and the almost forgotten free jazz combo The Pyramids will do their thing. Add 25 bands and djs to that mix and you’re in for a musical weekend. Day ticket: 60 francs. Two-day ticket: 90 francs.
Friday & Saturday 7 pm, Exil, Moods, Helsinki, Bogen F

Still in search for presents but not in the mood to go into the city centre? I whole heartedly agree! Last Saturday I had to turn around, as one shop was too crowded for more customers to fit in. I rather give the two Heiliger Bimbam markets a try. 1. At Plaza (7-9 December) with daily changing local designer stalls is the heart for some serious (night) shopping in the districts 3&4 with various concerts, exhibitions, readings and degustations in more than 60 venues.  2. At Maag-Halle (21-23 December), will mirror the event from this weekend with a focus on district 5, with 100 designers exhibiting daily and 30 shops taking place in the neighbourhood . Download their app so you don‘t get lost.  
Friday 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday 1 pm, Plaza & Maag Halle (21-23 Dec)

Northern Lights? Harry Potter? Hunger Games? I like fantasy literature. And if the writer is Swiss, I’m curious. If it’s written in English, I want to know more. If the author is 19 years old I’m intrigued. This is why you’ll find me at The Bookshop on Sunday, getting a signed copy of The Peculiar. Reviews were great and the teenager seems down to earth in his interviews, not letting the journalists compare him to Dostoyevsky or J. K. Rowling. Why he writes in English? Stefan Bachmann, was born in Colorado and but now lives in Zurich. I’m still intrigued.
Sunday 3-4.30 pm, The Bookshop

I decided to celebrate the pre-festive season, so I’ll try to squeeze in as many concerts, parties and dinners as possible. If I can keep up, I’m glad. If not, it gives me a good new year’s resolution. Limmat records seem to think alike and host a proper party night at Kaufleuten on a Tuesday. With concerts and an after show party with a live dj set until 2 am. I think I’ll schedule a late start on Wednesday. If you want to join me, I have 2x2 tickets to give away. Just send me an e-mail.
Tuesday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

Two weeks ago, I was already talking about Fondue. But I have to repeat myself: It’s Fondue time. I categorized the restaurant tips on my website for you, to give you a choice of venues where to stir your cheese. And if you’re looking for something special: head to the train station, buy a ticket to Baden, step on the train, and get out in Baden. Head to the square next to track one and enter the Humbel's Fondue-Hütte. There, four varieties of Fondue are served in a cosy hut, accompanied with a large selection of the best local Kirsch (Schnapps). My suggestion: Choose one kind to dip your bread in, another to drink, and a third to digest. En Guete.

Thinking of ice, usually the song by Vanilla Ice comes to my mind. Long live the 90s! Anyway, this has nothing to do with the ice rinks all over town. The temperatures feel right to give ice skating a try. Heuried, Dolder and Oerlikon are ready for you, dressed up prettily with coloured lights and music in the air (maybe even Ice, Ice, baby). They’ll stay open until 10th of March and on the first Wednesday each month (2nd January, 6th February & 6th March) you can go for a free after-work-skate at Heuried and Oerlikon and on 6th January entry as well as rental is for free. A good start into urban winter pleasures even though the ice rink at the Landesmuseum won’t open this year, due to construction work.

The expats in town are becoming entrepreneurs. I like that, so I’m introducing yet another start up to you. Rushad Vevaina and his wife recently founded a custom design photo book service: pikperfect. You just need to upload all (!) the pictures of the holiday, party, person the book is about. Then the team selects the best photos, personalizes the design, sends you review for approval, and your printed photo book is done.