Next week, Zurich celebrates Sächseläuten, I celebrate 10 years and the workers celebrate the international labour movement. I won't be able to send you a newsletter, so this issue includes tips for both weeks. 
Give my love to the city and I'll see you on Tuesday, Ron

From initial planning until completion last year, it’s taken fourteen years to get Sechseläutenplatz to be the gleaming modern space that we see today, and this weekend is the official opening celebrations. There’ll obviously be food and drink, especially from Graubünden which is where the new stone floor originated, but there’ll also be an Open-air cinema tonight, a music festival on Friday, a circus and opera festival on Saturday and a family day on Sunday. You can also get your photo taken with the Böögg before he meets his fiery doom in the service of weather forecasting.
Thursday to Sunday, various times, Sechseläutenplatz

If the sunshine and blossoms have given you a little spring in your step lately, you’re not alone, as Dance Festival Steps comes to Zurich today and will stay for three weeks. Steps is the largest contemporary dance festival in Switzerland and draws in many international dance companies that tour throughout the country. The Zurich performances include a Taiwanese fable incorporating textile art, Japanese hip-hop and an Israeli synchronised techno troupe.
Thursday to 17th May, various times, various locations

Just like his name suggests, Dutch dj legend Legowelt puts together various forms of music to create a whole that is uniquely his. He’s described his output as romantic-ghetto, techno-funk and even eurohorror-soundtrack but whatever it is it’s a damn-sight cooler than a plastic man with a silly haircut. He’ll be playing at Zukunft on Friday night with support from a selection of Zurich’s finest.
Friday 12 am, Zukunft

If you’ve ever felt you were born a little out of time, spare a thought for the Electric Swing Circus from the UK. They’re a fantastic 20’s jazz and swing band that combine their tunes with club beats from today, whether that’s dubstep, breakbeat , house and even reggae. What they do prove is that music may have changed but partying has been pretty consistent through the decades. They play live at Komplex Klub on Saturday.
Saturday 10 pm, Komplex Klub

If those spring feelings just won’t leave you alone and you have the urge to be part of nature’s glorious cycle of rebirth and growth, rather than go looking for love in all the wrong places, why not get yourself down to Zurich’s Botanical Gardens for their Spring Festival on Sunday. Of course you’ll be able to buy plenty of spring plants for your windowsill, balcony or garden but they will also have a blossom deli, floral teas and spices you can mix yourself, beekeepers, soap making, guided tours of the gardens, food, drinks and music supplied by Die Blaskommoden.
Sunday 11 am to 4 pm, Botanischer Garten Universität Zürich, 
Zollikerstrasse 107, 
8008

It's that time of the year again, where a part of Zurich's male population plays Robin Hood - or at least «Men in Tights». And where most of us get half a day off! The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. The festivities start with the children's parade on Sunday but the highlight is on Monday when the guilds march through the centre – this year for the first time including the female guild. When the church bells start to ring at 6 pm (which is why it's called Sechseläuten) it's time to burn the Böögg, a snowman effigy stuffed with wadding and firecrackers. The sooner its head explodes, the better the summer weather forecast. The area by Bellevue will be very crowded but there are loads of stalls to get a bite to eat or a drink.
Monday 28th April from 3 pm, city centre

On Tuesday, it’s my tenth anniversary and I look forward to celebrating with all of you. You’ll receive a special newsletter from me on the day itself with more details to all the surprises I organised.
Tuesday 29th April from 6 pm, Zollstrasse/Ambossrampe

«The only way to avoid a pounding head and queasiness the morning after is to drink in moderation», explains Anne Harding in the Men’s Health article «10 hangover remedies, what works?». I don’t expect you’ll do that on my party. But as your employer most likely awaits your arrival on Wednesday morning, the rest of the article might be helpful. Anne tells what might cure your hangover and what might make it worse.

Zurich celebrates the international labour movement every 1st of May. Not all parts of Switzerland do that, so once again I’m glad I’m living in this town. The demonstration starts at 9.30 am in the city centre and ends at Helvetiaplatz. Afterwards there will be a large May Day party at Kasernenareal with international specialities, a very mixed crowd and various sounds. A great place to mingle on a free sunny day.
Thursday 1st May all day, all over town

Fashion writer Tsitaliya sent out a fashion invitation to bring more international designers to Switzerland. With the result that at her first seasonal one-day pop-up shop four designers from Bulgaria will present their work and tell their story of their creative journey. To stimulate all your senses, there will also be traditional Bulgarian nibbles as well as a short photo-shoot on the programme.
Sunday 4th May 10 am to 3 pm, Nuyu at Utoquai 37