As promised last week, I’m here again to ease your January burden and/or boredom. This week I can offer you a flight for two via SWISS to anywhere in Europe. You choose where and when to go and, of course, they’ll get you back home again. It may already have been taken but I think the phrase "Ron gives you wings" would be appropriate here. If you’d like a chance to win, just drop me an e-mail.
Give my love to the city, Ron

Highlighting the multi-cultural aspect of our town tonight are La Perla Mode who are hosting a Russian play, acted by a Swiss-Italian, and performed in English. The play is Diary of a Madman by Nicolai Gogol, the story of a civil servant who slowly loses touch with reality and begins to live in a world of fantasy and delusion. You know the kind of thing – dogs writing letters, noses living on the moon. As this is a Russian play you shouldn't expect a carnival atmosphere but it's already toured New York and seems to have done great out there. It's a one-woman play supported by two musicians playing original music.
Thursday 8 pm, La Perla Mode

If you’re a stand-up comedian it must be tough to stand out from the pack, especially in the gladiatorial comedy clubs of England. Obviously being hilarious helps, but if you can make people laugh whilst doing something a little different on stage, you may just live to laugh another day. On Friday at Mascotte, the International Comedy Club brings over two English comedians who both have that something extra. Andy Askins is a guitar-wielding comedian who rewrites popular songs with perverse twists – The Police’s Massage in a Brothel, anyone? Milo McCabe performs his comedy through characters such as Philberto, a Portuguese reality TV show contestant or Nobbo Johnson, an ex Aussie Rules star turned art critic.
Friday 8 pm, Mascotte

If you live in Zurich, chances are you also own a bike. And if you’re anything like me, you think of your mechanical marvel as more than just a metal frame on wheels. They are your winged-wonders, transporting you to every corner of the city, occasionally by ignoring road signs and thoughts of safety. Fretsche is a small bicycle store that design and hand-build their own bikes; although these things are more like unique and beautiful sculptural works of art. They’re normally out of reach for mere mortals, but this Saturday they are having a sale/auction with around a 75% discount. However, if you just want to go along to drool and make your old bike jealous, they are also offering a free drink to visitors.
Saturday 2pm until 6 pm, Fretsche, Hermetschloostrasse 70, 8048

There’s often a wide, bright line drawn between pop or dance music and classical or avant-garde music, but this is more a matter of taste rather than anything intrinsic about the music. German-born classical pianist Hauschka has been blurring, if not excitedly erasing, this line over the last 10 years with collaborations with artists such as Calexico, albums of house music inspired tunes and even electronica projects. He’ll be playing at Exil on Sunday with prepared piano (a piano whose sound is altered by placing objects on the strings) alongside Zurich’s own Nik Bärtsch, in what should be a mind expanding musical journey. I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Sunday 8 pm, Exil

Winter may have started to loosen its grip and the days have started to get a little longer but it still feels like darkness and slumber have the upper hand. What better time then to go see Asleep playing at La Catrina on Tuesday night. Their floating slices of heartfelt pop sound like the intermission soundtrack between your dreams, whilst the light-as-air voice of singer Fabio Andres gently coaxes you to follow it through the dark forest into the streaming light ahead.
Tuesday 9.30 pm, La Catrina

Did you spend too much money over the holidays? Or do you fancy trying something new this year? Either way Réservé, the voucher book by Lunchgate is a good option. 24 restaurants are part of it (such as Bederhof, Bürgli, Tres Kilos or X-Tra) and by showing the book they offer you one of the main courses for free. Up to four times. The only condition – the offer is only valid between 6-8 pm. Which is ideal if you head to one of my suggested concerts or films afterwards. Last but not least, the book looks wonderful. Price: 59 francs.
I have 2 books to give away for free. Just send me an e-mail, explaining why you should be the lucky winner. And don’t forget to send me your address.

It’s the time of the year I struggle most to stay fit. Next to training my arms with a pint and my legs by hopping around at a concert, I rarely manage to do anything to stay fit. I don’t fancy jogging or biking by myself when it’s dark outside and the weather unappealing. So I decided to get a sports partner. If you feel the same, here are some options. Ron’s-Join-me: On my website there is a category where you can ask for company to concerts, films and of course also find a training partner. Bootcamper: Train in a group with bootcamper, there are training groups all around town that you can join whenever you like. City Council: The  city's sports department just set up a new page where people can post classifieds for a training partner. Have a look if someone is looking for you. Or place one yourself.

Between beautiful vintage furniture there are unique pieces of art to be discovered at the pop up shop Rost & Gold. Amongst them are photos, paintings, illustrations and hand-crafted goods by Saskia Widmer and Janet Müller. They’ll also host art weeks, concerts and films while being located at Talstrasse 37. Coming up next is a film night with Andy Goldsworthys «Rivers & Tides» on Wednesday 22nd.
Talstrasse 37, 8001. Opening hours: Thursday & Friday 11.30 am to 6.30 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm

I love top-of-the… lists, especially when they review the bygone year. With little effort I’m up to date about the most important happenings of 2013. And learned a few things which I totally missed in the big data overload. For example, that there are billions and billions of earths within our milky way. On wired, you find a summary of all the top discoveries of 2013.