I'm in town on 14 May and in the mood for a party. Come along to Exil and dance to Sweepline, a mix of trip hop, pop and funk. Afterwards Fiji heats up the venue. The electropop-combo will even get the two-footed moving. Entry is on me. I'll see you there.
Give my love to the city, Ron
Friday 8 pm, Exil

There are many ways to rebel, but the French Horn Rebellion may have discovered the best. A riot of rock, funk and electronic influences clash to provide a great escape. Along with djs Sebastian, Jackson, Round Table Knights and The Starshiptroopers as part of the Levi’s Colour of Noise Tour at Hive. They may not change the world but for one night only, they might change yours.
Thursday 10 pm, Hive

The sound of urban Africa comes once again to Zurich. Playdoe have been described as sounding like “Afrobotic-Ethnotechno-Rap”. If you want to know what this really means get down to Exil this Friday, to see them play live. Supported by Motherland Soundsystem, playing a mix of township and ragga-house, the heartbeat of African clubland, it may be time to let the summer begin early.
Friday 7 pm, Exil

With Langstrasse running along its centre, Kreis 4 and 5 have always been the creative heart of Zurich, and the place I call home. This weekend, Kreislauf 4+5 allows you to discover the boutiques, studios and designers that exist in the quarter. Whether you explore on your own, or as part of a guided tour lead by well know personalities. The locations are even opening specially on Sunday. And who knows, you may even bump into me if I survive my party.
Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm, Viadukt

If the idea of the crowded Kanzlei market seems a little hectic for you, why not head to Bar3000 on Saturday afternoon. Inside you can relax with some music and coffee whilst exploring the various stalls selling everything from Zurich fashion to kids stuff. Once refreshed and with your newly bought clubwear, head downstairs to Zukunft to hear the blissed-out dub sounds of Jahcoozi, the Berlin based band whose singer originated from London.
Saturday 2 pm, Bar3000 / midnight, Zukunft

The Fondation Beyeler holds a large retrospective to mark the fiftieth birthday of the American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). Originating from the New York underground, the artist became famous for his expressive paintings. You might know the name from the namesake biography which came out in 1996. At the opening of the exhibition this Sunday, friends of Basquiat will talk about his life and work. It’s in English and the event is included in the museum entry fee. If you’re still tired from my party on Friday, you can view the exhibition until 5 September.
Sunday 11.30-12.30 am, Fondation Beyeler

Tok Tok Tok are part of the European acoustic soul and jazz scene. The four stop at Moods this Sunday to render homage to the Beatles. What could be better on a rainy Sunday (sorry, but I don’t think the weather will turn soon) than to sit back and listen to tunes that remind you of your childhood and your parents LP collection.
Sunday 7 pm, Moods

Fuori dalle Corde will make you forget the rain and takes you to southern Trieste in Italy. The film is about boxer Mike who has to move back to his hometown. Instead of concentrating on a professional career as a boxer, he wants to make fast cash and gets involved with the mob. They organise illegal matches. Of course he soon realises that this was a mistake. The movie won The Swiss Film Prize Nomination for best fiction film in 2008. I have two copies (with English subtitles) to give away for you to start your Swiss Film collection.
e-mail me for DVD
more Swiss films with English subtitles

My Name is George come to La Catrina this Tuesday to promote their latest release The Bad Days Are Over. If the bad weather isn’t over by then, the guys from Winterthur will at least brighten up the evening – I like. If you miss them this week, they’re La Caterina’s houseguests this month, so they will play there every Tuesday in May.
Tuesday 8 pm, La Catrina

Looking at the new Arte web-documentary about prison valley gives me the creeps. In the middle of nowhere there are 13 Alcatraz like prisons. Arte describes: “A prison town, in which even those who’re outside, live inside”.  Certainly food for thought.

Aargauerhof at the corner Hohlstrasse/Langstrasse had a refurbishment last year. I finally managed to go there for dinner last Sunday. If you’re looking for a restaurant that serves traditional Swiss dishes in a pleasant surrounding served by a friendly staff – this is the place where you find that. I can recommend the chicken and will certainly give the Cordon Bleu a try next time.