The Museum für Gestaltung had a couple of exhibitions starting yesterday that highlight the differences between Eastern and Western design and aesthetics.  The first is a collection of Japanese poster art, marking 150 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan, which showcases the unique and mystical visual culture that Japanese graphic design inhabits. The second is a collection of poster art by Bern graphic artist Claude Kuhn, who is most famous for creating gorgeous posters for the Natural History Museum of Bern, recognizable by their simplicity and sly humour.
Japanese Plakattkünstler, Thursday until 25th May, Claude Kuhn, Thursday until 30th March, various opening times, Museum für Gestaltung

The language school and exchange organisation EF organises Valentine’s dinners in five towns in Switzerland for singles. In English. So if you don’t have a Valentine, it might be worth trying your luck at Blue Monkey on Friday. Register on EF's facebook page and explain, why you’d like to be a guest at that dinner. And with a bit of luck, a place at the table will be yours. For free including the after party.
Friday 7 pm, Blue Monkey

We’ve all seen a beat-boxer before. You know, those guys with the rubber lips and throat contractions creating noises and beats, which under any other circumstances would be a sign for dire medical assistance. Well, you may have heard beat-boxing but you’ve never heard anyone quite like Beardyman, who plays live at Mascotte on Friday. This guy creates soundscapes and improvised songs that make records, instruments, djs and bands seem about as necessary as shoes on a snake. I have 1 x 2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Saturday 9 pm, Mascotte

Straight outta Denmark comes synth-pop minstrel CALLmeKAT, who brings the warm sound of vintage keyboards to her delicate wintery vocals. With songs that float between lightness and darkness, like the sunlight momentarily streaming through a cloudy sky, CALLmeKAT manages to sound both playful and heartbroken at the same time. She plays at Bar Rossi on Saturday night.
Saturday, 9 pm Bar Rossi

As we’ve all seen in the news, the problems in Syria are only getting worse at the moment and, as usual with these things, it’s the non-combatants that are taking the brunt of the pain. If you’d like to do your bit to help the men, women and children who are being affected by the crisis, you can take your winter and summer clothes, books, shoes and toys to Club el Social in Viadukt 10 on Sunday afternoon, where they have organised a collection.
Sunday 11 am until 5 pm, Club el Social

Remember when you were young and sat around playing games with your friends all day? Ah, if only we could go back to those halcyon days of innocence and fun. Well, I wouldn’t be writing this if I had no options for you, would I now? At Hive on Wednesday evening they are having a games evening – Spielrausch – where you can relive your childhood as you prove once again that you’re the very, very bestest at the many tabletop and board games they’ll have on offer.
Wednesday 7.30 pm, Hive

All is new: the team, the menu, the venue and maybe you: In the heart of Zurich the restaurant and bar Löweneck opened its doors at the end of January. On the first floor of the Hotel City (also just renovated) you find a cosy locale with regional breakfasts, fresh lunches and special cocktails. As well as music once in a while. At Löwenstrasse 34, it’s lies perfectly for a business lunch with people from out of town, who have to catch the train afterwards.

When you move to Zurich there is now way around co-operatives. Especially if you’re looking for a flat with a lower rent. But there are different forms of these associations all over town. Housing: The city of Zurich lists all the housing associations in town. You have to check each co-oopeartive individually to check if you’d qualify and if they accept new members. The latest project is Green City at Manegg, where a new part of the city is built. Shops: Chornlade is an organic corner shop in Kreis 5. The co-operative were able to rent the former pharmacy at Idaplatz and are looking for supporters/member to fund their latest branch. If you want to be part of the organic movement, join them until 22nd of February. Coop & Migros: Migros is still a co-operative and you can join it for free at every customer desk. You don't get anything for free though. Coop, contrary to what the name implies, isn’t a co-op anymore.

The Swiss fashion label « Botschaft» opened its first store, in Kreis 3 in Zurich. What I like about it: The brand supports fair trade and ecological production. The design is a mix of timeless classics, complemented with unique accents.
Idaplatz 2, 8003. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9 am to 4.30 pm

It looks as if thousands of glowflies take a bath at the beach of Vadhoo Island on the Maledives. The reason for the blue glow is a special kind of plankton. The waves move the organisms to the beach and the physical connection of something solid and the plankton creates a  light. Very beautiful. You’ll find more pictures on Will Ho’s Flickr Account.

Imagine, if you will, that Andy Warhol and Prince had a baby, and now imagine that baby being stranger looking than Andy and more pervy sounding than Prince. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Connan Mockasin with 'I’m the man, that will find you'.