While rummaging through the throw-away items at a yard-sale, Southern Californian musician Damon Aaron came across a box of audio tapes of old field recordings, from the early 20th Century, by the Contact Field Orchestra. This 'orchestra' was, in fact, a collection of miners and workers playing music on entirely home-made instruments. This distant and otherworldly music was the inspiration for his current project - Contact Field Orchestra. He digitized the old tapes and then added and remixed in his own guitars, electronic ambiences and digital beats, creating in the process something new, and yet utterly ancient. He'll be playing live at the Museum of Digital Art tonight (Thursday), as the inaugural act of their new FM concert series.

Thursday 9 pm, Museum of Digital Art

The Openair Cinema at Xenix begins on Friday, with the bawdy comedy Wrong Cops, and this year they are collaborating with the curator of Manifesta 11 to design a program structured around the Manifesta 11 theme of 'What People Do For Money'. So all of the movies, in one way or another, will be highlighting a profession. They'll be showing such resume-teasing films as Taxi Driver, Matador, Anchorman and The Killer of Sheep. And, unlike usual film festivals, rather than have the actors or director speak and answer questions at the end, they want people who actually practice these professions to comment on the film and share their own experiences and stories. So if you're a taxi driver, Swiss banker or killer of sheep (or maybe a combination of these) then now is your time in the spotlight. I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away for the opening night movie, Wrong Cops. Email me. All films are in English, or have English subtitles.  As an extra treat, Xenix are also beginning a season of Bill Murray movies on Thursday. They'll be shown inside, which somehow seems appropriate for a Bill Murray film, and include pretty much everything to satisfy your Murray-munchies, including Groundhog Day, Rushmore and Broken Flowers. 

Thursday to 31st August, Bill Murray season, various times

Friday to 20th August, Openair Kino, various times

I remember the nights I spent at Abart as if they happened yesterday and I have to say, I still miss the concert venue frequently. Ever since, I haven't visited the neighbourhood between Manesseplatz and Sihlcity very often. Until the opening of Wirtschaft zur Au, when they awakened the neglected Sleeping Beauty just across the tram stop. It's the same team who turned Nordbrücke into a favourite haunt and if you like Nordbrücke, you will love it here with the nice terrace and the cosy interior. They offer a weekly changing lunch menu as well as à la carte dinners. 
Wirtschaft zur Au, Manessestrasse 208, 8045. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10 am to 11 pm, Friday 10 am to midnight, Saturday 2 pm to midnight

Dear Ronsters, is there any amongst you who has never taken, or thought about taking, a yoga class? Except for you at the back there, that's what I thought. There are hundreds of options for workouts and I just came across a new one: Pop Up Yoga. I like their changing locations from art galleries to night clubs and especially during the summer months, when they bring yoga outside. You will probably sweat but what's not to like about sunshine on your skin while sinking deep into a pose? If you like to meet the faces behind the concept, head to their launch party this Tuesday at Collab. There will be a yoga class at 8 pm, followed by an apéro with a chance to get some yoga bags.

This weekend is the start of school holidays in the Canton of Zurich. That's wonderful news! While the last school bell is still ringing, not only the classrooms empty but also the city. This means space in trams and buses, space at the river and the lake, space at restaurants and bars... Lovely! I always try to be in town for that time and time my own holiday before or afterwards. If you have the choice, you should do the same, as holidays within Switzerland and Europe double in prices during July and August. And everything is crowed. In Switzerland, holiday times vary from Canton to Canton to reduce traffic jams in the summer and spread out the skiing season in winter.

The shy summer calls for some melancholic tunes...