Christmas time is here again and, just like Santa, I’ll be packing my sack with goodies and travelling around the world, whilst avoiding any real work, over the next two weeks. The next newsletter you'll receive from me will be on the 7th January 2016, but I've included some Christmas week previews and New Year's parties in this one for those of you that will miss me as much as i'll miss you.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & give my love to the city, Ron

 

 

Christmas always brings out the romantic Ronster in me. After all, isn't love the greatest gift of all? (Actually, it isn’t. The greatest gift would be this Santa mankini. Hint, hint. But, don’t get me wrong, love’s certainly in the top 5). Anyway, if you wander down to Stadthausquai, near Rathausbrücke, this evening you can take part in the Zürich Christmas tradition of Lichterschwimmen, where you, and usually hundreds of people, will be releasing candles on little boats, created by the kids of Zurich, into the Limmat. Hot punch and sweet treats will also be on hand as you gaze off dreamily into the flame flickering river.
Thursday 6 pm, Rathausbrücke, 8001

 

 

In Jewish folklore, a Golem is an animate slave-man conjured into existence from a lump of clay. The pioneering British theatre collective, 1927, have taken this premise and created a groundbreaking show that incorporates performance, live music and animated/clay-mation video projection. The show takes a satirical swipe at our smart phone/Google generation, as the Golem transforms, as is often the way with these things, from a helpful servant into a slightly creepy, omnipresent master. It is showing at Schauspielhaus on Thursday evening. In English.
Thursday 8 pm, Schauspielhaus

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ve been to any ice rinks in town this year, I’m sure you’ve been pleasantly entertained by your own sliding and gliding, and the occasional fearful grabbing of anyone or anything close enough to stop you falling, but have been perhaps a little bored with the plastic penguins and genteel background music. Well, the Zürcher Schlittschuh Disco at the Dolder Kunsteisbahn on Saturday hopes to rock your world a little more. Five djs (Nadeeya, Max Bunt, Condor, Lexx & Dario Camiolo) along with host Tinguely will be turning the ice rink into something more like a club with laser light show, fondue, grill and a glühwein inferno. You’ll still be grabbing people to stop yourself falling but at least you’ll be able to fake it as your special dance move.
Saturday 4 pm to 10 pm, Dolder Kunsteisbahn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas always has a cosy feel about it, although that may also be the Glühwein working it's wily magic on me, so I was happy to see that Xenix are continuing their tradition of an open-air (yes, that means outside) movie screening on Christmas Eve. The movie they’ve gone for this year is Groundhog Day, which obviously isn't a Christmas movie, but if you close your eyes slightly it certainly could be. Sure, you’ve seen it before (isn’t that the ironic fun of it?), but have you ever seen it on a Christmas Eve, beneath the Zurich starlight and snuggled under a warm blanket with a warmer friend? Blankets, glühwein and Chilli con/sin Carne are all provided.

Thursday 24^th December, 9 pm, Xenix

 

 

Christmas is the time of good cheer, good deeds and, of course, good clubbing. For all those who think that they may be done with the good cheer and deeds by the evening of the 25th, then the annual Mocca Ursive Legendary X-Mas Party (their name, not mine!) will be happening in the Restaurant Kino ABC. Djs Skor, K-Rim, John Player and Suivez will be on hand to provide the electronic sounds and beats we all need to cleanse our Christmas palates.  As it is happening on Christmas Day I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away as presents. Email me.
Friday 25th December, 10 pm, Restaurant Kino ABC, Waisenhausstrasse 2, 8001

 

 

That age-old question of, ‘Who would win in a fight between...?’ has many permutations. Who would win in a fight between... Superman and Batman? ...a gorilla and a bear? ...a horse-sized duck and 10 duck-sized horses? You get the idea. During the post-Christmas week you’ll have the opportunity to answer this question, musically at least, as Moods provide the battleground for two bands of jazz musicians as they compete against each other for the loudest applause, as they alternately play the hits of musical icons. Saturday (26th) sees Madonna vs Bob Marley, while on Sunday (27th) it’s Johnny Cash vs Elvis. And just in case you embrace the whole ‘cover song’ evening idea, then on Tuesday (29th) you can also see a James Brown Tribute Show.
Saturday 27th December 8.30 pm (Madonna vs Bob Marley), Sunday 28th December 7 pm, (Johnny Cash vs Elvis), Tuesday 29th December 8.30 pm, (James Brown), Moods

 

 

This is my last newsletter this year, but of course I won’t just wish you a great holiday without suggesting some locations for New Year’s Eve. Kinski: The pretty club at Langstrasse will open its doors for one last time at the end of the year. But it wouldn’t be Kinski if it left without a big bang. Their last party of the year and of Kinski starts at 11 pm with djs Sin Silvie & Frustfoul providing the rock background for a proper goodbye. Escherwyss Club: One day of partying is not enough? Then dance away at Escherwyss Club to rnb, hiphop, reggaeton and Latin hits from Thursday until Saturday. There will still be enough time to recover afterwards. Hive: Fancy a theme party? Then get on your cowboy hat and dancing boots and join the Wild West at Hive. The electronica party goes on until 2nd of January. Exil: The Crystal Fighters join the Exil team for an exclusive dj set combining electronica with melodic beats and indie rock, starting at 11 pm. Amboss Rampe: If your New Year’s Eve party needs some glitter then you probably find some like-minded souls at the disco funk party at Amboss, starting at 10 pm. Rote Fabrik: Let there be light is the theme of the psy trance party at Rote Fabrik that celebrates the start into a year, filled with peace, love, unity and respect. I wish you a happy new year and look forward to seeing you in 2016. Take care!