The big day is almost here and i’m so excited i can barely speak. Fifteen years ago this coming Monday i penned my first ever newsletter and if that isn’t a reason for a party i don’t know what is? From 5pm on Monday head into the Ron Orp triangle formed by Schickeria, Olé Olé and Gonzo/Fat Tony where time and space will be altered and people, cars, light aircraft and beverages have been known to disappear. See you Ronsters there…

Give my love to the city

Anyone who has travelled in North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean will know just how delicious the food is. Thankfully you don’t need to take a flight to Tripoli or Tangiers to enjoy it because Thursday sees the opening of Yalda at Europaalle, just a stone's throw from the main station. Confusingly for English speakers it say Cuisine Orientale on the website but don’t worry, middle eastern food is what it is and it looks yummy. Enjoy.

Spring is a season of regeneration and change and what better way to reflect this than going shopping. This week there is multiple opportunities so i have decided to list them. Everything from clothes to fresh tomatoes are on sale. Hit the button for the full list.

The great thing about living in Zurich is that it is always on bands' touring itineraries. What does that mean? Great gigs, week in, week out. This week Ron Gallo (pictured changing a lightbulb) is stopping off in the city to play at Bogen F. If you like your rock to be cerebral but with the energy of garage punk then this gig is for you. Have a listen here and then buy a ticket.

Did you know Zurich has a botanical garden? Well, actually it has two. The old one near Selnau and the new one in Kreis 8. On Sunday the later opens its doors for its spring festival entitled « The Garden Awakens.» It’s a great chance to experience and learn more about this beautiful corner of the city. There will also be live music, food and hopefully a cold beer to wash it down too. It’s going to be blooming great.

It’s the big day. My birthday. In case you didn’t know (i’ve been banging on about it for the past month) i’m going to party hearty at the Olé Olé, Gonzo, Fat Tony and Schickeria from 5pm on Monday night. Not only do we have a great line up of live music and DJ’s but we also have…wait for it…Ron Orp beer and Ron Orp rum. Make sure you’re not doing the early shift at work on Tuesday morning. See you there.

Okay, i know you are probably going to be suffering from all the Ron Orp beer and rum you drank the previous night but i really know what will help. Hair of the dog and a classic film. Cinema Houdini are showing the 80’s classic Dirty Dancing and (very kindly i think,) are throwing a free cocktail in with the ticket price to take the edge of last nights hangover. I’m sure you are going to have the time of your life.

Mayday, AKA International Workers Day rolls around again and, at least in Zurich, we have a public holiday which means you don’t have to say no to that extra glass of wine or beer the night before. But lets not forget, this is a day to celebrate the workers contribution to society and with that in mind there is the annual 1.Mai Fest which takes place in the Kaserneareal on 1st of May and also on the following weekend. A protest is planned at Helvetziaplatz at 10am on Wednesday but if marching is not your thing then a more chilled program takes place on the weekend with bands, food and lots of stalls with ideas for alternative political and living ideas. Up the workers.

It’s so beautiful. Zurich re-opens like a giant flower after its long hibernation and this week sees the opening of some of the city swimming spots. For the really brave, Seebad Utoquai has been open since the 13th of April but on May the first Freibad Letzigraben and Freibad Seebach open their doors for the summer. The rest of the cities swimming pools and «Badis,» open on the weekend of the 11th of May. Have a look at the website for a full list and bear in mind you can buy a discounted ticket for the whole summer if you buy before the end of May.