Dear friends,
It's that time again: This Saturday we will leave the city’s streets behind and celebrate the city's rooftops, with my Rooftop Day. Everything’s arranged, rooftops are ready and I’ve even made sure the sun will be out and shining (you're welcome). At this point, I just want to send a huge thank you to all of you who are opening their roofs and private places to the Ronsters of the city. The details will follow on Friday with a special newsletter. I look forward to seeing you closer to the sky on Saturday.

Give my love to the city, Ron

The  Sofa Openair Kino isn't in some mysteries quarter of Zurich known as Sofa, but is actually located in Wipkingen and the sofas in question are the array of comfortable seating that are provided as you watch movies under the night sky. Tonight you can see the great Irish comedy The Guard, starring the always-great Brendan Gleason alongside Don Cheadle, while on Saturday you can see Moonrise Kingdom, another of Wes Anderson’s whimsical classics. Also, as a bonus, on Saturday you can see a concert by acoustic songstress Liv Summer, prior to the movie. Tickets can be ordered in advance from l'ultimo bacio in Wipkingen or at the box office on each evening from 6.30 pm. A bar and grill will also be on site.

Thursday and Saturday 9.30 pm, Pfarrei Guthirt, Guthirtstrasse 3, 8037

To be or not to be, that may be the question but, frankly, all I’m interested in is whether you want to see Hamlet performed in a macabre cabaret style by The Tiger Lillies. In their performance at Schiffbau, The Tiger Lillies take one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays and wrap it around their strange and dark little fingers, taking the monologues, intrigue and poetic images of the original and turning them into songs as dark and haunted as Hamlets own soul.

Thursday to Saturday 8 pm Sunday 3 pm, Schiffbau

I know last Sunday was called midsummer but, if we’re honest with ourselves, that’s just crazy talk. We all know summer has only just begun and to prove it Sommer Republik on Hechtplatz will be opening for the summer season from Thursday until the end of August. On this cobbled square on the edge of the old town they will be serving spicy Vietnamese food and homemade ice cream, and no summer party would be complete without drinks and a fine selection of cocktails. The opening party on Thursday will also be soundtracked by some great bands and djs including SKOR and Patrischa. 

Thursday (Opening night, 5 pm) until 30^th August, Hechtplatz, 8001

Since it was first established in France in 1982 the Fête de la Musique has been musically celebrating the start of summer, eventually spreading to over 100 different countries. This weekend, as if they’ve suddenly realised that Zurich also has seasons, we will also join the sunny celebrations for the first time. The Rote Fabrik will be hosting 60 artists from all musical genres and places from Mexico to Belgium, Anatolia to Australia. There will be 3 bands performing inside the club room (Narcisse, The Dead Brothers and KKC Orchestra) for which you’ll need to pay an entrance fee but the other musicians will be playing on an openair stage next to the lake for which the ‘buskers principle’ will apply.

Saturday 1.30 pm, Rote Fabrik

I know you come here looking for fun and frolics but what about a challenge? The lake lies before us like a great big watery tease. Its far shore looking close enough to reach but, then again, almost too far to swim to. Well, enough with the teasing and let’s show the lake what we’re really made of. Every year, since 1985, the city fathers organise a lake-crossing swim called Seeüberquerung. From Strandbad Mythenquai to Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen, it’s a 1500 metre crossing but with little boats and buoys along the way in case you need a rest or something to hold on to. Your clothes will be transferred to the opposite shore, where you’ll also be met with a risotto, a drink and a total sense of accomplishment and pride. It's all weather dependent so check the website on Monday to make sure it’s happening.

Wednesday from 2 pm, Strandbad Mythenquai

First there was Moudi’s Lecker Cafe, then Moudi’s Lecker Garten and now a third location has opened right next to the Schanzengraben canal, where the Dinghy restaurant used to be. This time they’ve named it simply Moudi. The concept remains the same: fine Lebanese mezze in all shapes and flavours. Especially nice are the large window fronts and inviting terrace.

Moudi, Brandschenkstrasse 5, 8001

Welcome to a tropical paradise in Zurich! Close your eyes and imagine squawks and roars, butterflies fluttering by and tropical breezes. The clothing and accessories store N°2 will start the summer season with the theme "Tropical Island" and is brim full of individual pieces which you won’t be able to resist, even with the best of intentions. Stylish, sassy and always just right, the choice is huge. Surrounded by flowers and small exotic touches, you’ll feel that N°2 is holiday at home

We’ve all been in this situation, surely: Your friend takes a photo of you, naked, standing in your apartment, they give you the camera and the next day you take a photo of another friend in their apartment, naked, you then give them the camera and they take a photo...you get the idea - lots of apartments, lots of nakedness. Do this 365 times in Berlin and you get the Daily Portrait website. You might be thinking: Why? But after viewing the site you may just think: Why not?