So it’s the new year with new resolutions, a new outlook and a new you. Maybe-ish. All that’s missing are new clothes and accessories to drape across that now perfect frame of yours. For this weeks January give-away I have 5 x CHF100 fashioncheques to give away. They’re a new voucher card that can be used in many high street and web stores in Switzerland, and will make you look better on the outside even if it may take a little longer for your inside to catch up. E-mail me if you’d like a chance to win.
Give my love to the city, Ron

 

 

 

 

 

Video games are fast becoming the dominant media experience for many people. Whether it's on a smart phone, social network or especially on a console, games now have bigger budgets, character development and emotional immersion than many movies, books or music. Ludicious – Zurich Game Festival is a 3-day festival at Alte Kaserne aiming to become the main computer gaming hub for young emerging talents in Switzerland. As well as being able to mix with the industry experts and young game designers attending, you’ll be able to wander the exhibitions, play 40 different video games in the Arcade, play a 360 degree wall projection of old classic 8-bit games and even sing Marioke, which is video game karaoke, obviously.
Thursday 8 pm to 10 pm, Friday 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Alte Kaserne, Kanonengasse 16, 8004

 

 

The future seems to be arriving faster than it used to, but with me as your fearless guide you’ll have a front row to the unfolding spectacle. In fact you’ll have more than a front row view, I’m going to give it to you in 360 degrees of ear-popping, eye-pounding, head-surrounding virtual reality. At Labor Bar on Saturday evening will be Zurich’s first Virtual Reality Pop-Up Cinema experience. The films being shown remain a mystery for now but each separate half-hour showing will surely take you to a place of wonderment. The eight half-hour shows will begin on the hour between 5 pm and 12 am and I have 1 x 2 tickets to give away for the 5 pm and midnight showings. Send me an email, letting me know which one the two shows you’d like to attend. E-mail me.
Friday 5 pm to 12 am (8 half-hour shows), Labor Bar

 

 

There are some people who believe that Elvis is still alive, possibly working as a short order cook in a Memphis burger joint, but I know the truth: Elvis is dead. And how do I know this? He’s playing live at Devi’s Pearl Bar on Saturday night. Dead Elvis & His One-Man Grave are part of a rockabilly night at Devi’s that also includes Sherriff Perkins and Tongue Tied Twin playing live, with djs Lance Vegas and Faxe letting you rock around the clock. The night promises performances that are cool, raucous and extremely fun. Free entry.
Saturday 9 pm, Devi’s Pearl Bar

 

 

 

 

 

We Swiss call a restaurant «Beiz» whenever we mean a low key comfortable locale in the neighbourhood. Similar to a pub. In this sense, the successor of Büscion at Zweierstrasse carries the perfect name as it comes with local, seasonal and fresh cuisine as well as a friendly staff and reasonable prices. Nonetheless, the name «Beiz» makes it a bit confusing to arrange going there with your friends. Just imagine the conversation:
Me: Fancy going to Beiz?
You: Sure, which one?
Me: Beiz!
You: Yes, but which one…
Me: Beiz...oh,forget it!!
Beiz, Zweierstrasse 114, 8003. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 5 pm to 12 am. Closed on Tuesday

 

 

The temperatures feel right to give ice skating a try. But where? The ice rink at Landesmuseum seems to be closed for good, Heuried is under construction until 2017 and Oerlikon is fully booked for clubs and not open to the public. Fortunately, I found three rinks where you can spin and twirl as much as you like. Dolder awaits you dressed up prettily with coloured lights and music in the air (maybe even Ice, Ice, Baby) and also hosts some special theme nights. Open until 13th of March. Sportanlage Sihlhölzi is one of the new ice kids on the block. Lovely location right at the river, but you’ll have to bring your own gear. Open until 28th of February. Pfingstweidquartier: Skate in the midst of the high-rises of Zurich West – with a little bit of imagination it will feel like at the Rockefeller Centre in New York. Open until the end of January.