After all the razzmatazz of the last couple of weeks, January can seem about as exciting as a deflated party balloon. That’s why, not only am I back, but my jamboree bag of January blues busters is back too. Each week this month I’ll be offering you a little something special to ease you into 2014. This week is a free one-night stay for two people (including breakfast) at a cool 25hours hotel in Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna or Zurich. If you’d like to chance to win, just drop me a mail.
Give my love to the city, Ron

It may be grey January outside but inside Hive it’s Neon all the way. This evening they will be hosting the dj/producer duo Umami who have been creating dance floor classics over the last few years via their Berlin based Burlesque Musique label. These guys aren’t about the darker corners of electronica as they chart their course directly into the heart of a party with beats designed to uplift. Along for the ride tonight are Nils Fraser and djs Max and Ines.
Thursday 11 pm, Hive

Zukunft are starting the year with a little action from the north of England as Manchester dub-techno dj Andy Stott comes to town. Since the mid-noughties Stott has been creating tracks with bass lines so deep and thick you can almost float in them, whilst also finessing his sonic textures to make the glitchiest of music sound richer and more human. He’ll be supported by djs Marc D'Arrigo and Peak and i have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. E-mail me.
Friday 12 am, Zukunft

Zurich’s largest photo exhibition is back at Maag Halle, starting this weekend. The program at photo 14 is huge, so here's some of the highlights:
-    125 Swiss photographers present their favourite pictures from 2013.
-    7 forum talks
-    7 special exhibitions
-    6 off spaces
-    2 after parties
-    25 francs for a day pass
Friday to Tuesday 11 am to 8 pm, Maag Halle

This Saturday, the annual costume and clothes sale takes place at the Opera House. Along side stage costumes you’ll also find wigs, masks, bags and helmets (I wonder which play used helmets!) and other hand-made surprises. The selection reminds me of a glittering treasure hunt. Prices between 5-180 francs.
Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, Opera House (entry Bernhard Theater)

If you think of Afghanistan right now, chances are rock music won’t be the first thing that comes to mind but Rote Fabrik hopes to change that on Saturday with the Afghan Rock Night. Headlined by Ariana Delawari, a US-born Afghan musician and filmmaker, whose debut album has been created by blending traditional Afghan musicians and instruments with West Coast psychedelic rock attitude.  The other act on the bill is White Page, who say they are Afghanistan’s hard rock band – not one of them, but THE hard rock band of Afghanistan. Given that creating music was banned under Taliban rule, the fact that these artists exist at all is remarkable, and now that they are on the road with both their political and musical messages we should probably pay attention.
Saturday 9.30 pm, Rote Fabrik

El Lokal is a great venue for live music and throughout the year they always seem to strive for that something just a little bit different and new, but for the first concert of each year they also seem to have started somewhat of a tradition. Maria Doyle Kennedy will be back once again to open up the El Lokal concert season. As well as her sweet Irish vocals, her husband will be accompanying her on banjo, guitar and piano as they serenade you with some Appalachian folk, hillbilly swing and bluegrass boogie.
Sunday 7 pm, El Lokal

The opening of the West Ring seems to have started off a bakery boom in town. How the two correlate I don’t know. It’s just an observation. The latest opening has the to-good-to-be-true name of John Baker, is located at Stadelhofen and is one of Yves Spink's projects (such as Volkshaus, Talacker etc.) But this isn’t the reason why I tell you about it. It comes with a new concept: The goods are produced in town (not somewhere in central Switzerland), it sells vegan and organic goods, you pay less for croissants without wrapping, it tastes great and...I don’t write about spots outside Kreis 3-5 often enough. 
John Baker, Stadelhoferstrasse 28, 8001. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 6.30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 6.30 am to 5 pm

Over the holidays I had time to visit a few exhibitions. Next to the usual suspects such as Museum Rietberg (Fascination Persia), Museum for Design (Vintage,  the Best of 2013 or Martin Parr), Migros Museum (Bar Restaurant) or the Swiss National Museum (Charles the Bold) – which are all worth to visit – I also found Sacred Science at Kulturama (extended until 23rd February) extremely well done.
Various places, various times

The time has come where i officially wish winter and it's snowy blanket were here. As a little inspiration for when the snow finally does arrive I introduce you to The Eight. A magazine that focuses on the people behind the camera rather than on the snowboarder in front of the lens. It comes in an elegantly simple layout and offers space for white dreams. Works also for skiers.

Google Map is named as one of the internet’s most important developments since its launch in 2006. Jon Rafmann took a closer look and publishes funny, scary or curious images on his page 9-Eyes.