Many songwriters and lyrics claim the high mantle of poetry but only a few have ever succeeded. Perhaps Bob Dylan in rock, Notorious B.I.G. in rap and, of course, the eloquence of Justin Bieber can truly claim poetic status. Rather than attempt the near impossible, Dalia Donadio has gone straight to the source with her music. Over a flowing and improvisational jazz-pop base of guitar and double-bass she sings and interprets the poems of great poets from all over the world, including ee cummings, Charles Bukowski, Gertrude Stein and Fernando Pessoa. She and her band will be playing live at La Catrina on Thursday evening.
Thursday 9.30 pm, La Catrina

 

 

If the sunshine and blossoms have given you a little spring in your step lately, you're not alone, as Dance Festival Steps comes to Zurich today and will stay for the next three weeks. Steps is the largest contemporary dance festival in Switzerland and draws in many international dance companies that will tour throughout the country. Some of my Zurich performance highlights include Dancing Grandmothers (8th & 9th Apr), a crazy and frenetic dance piece inspired by, and incorporating, grandmothers from South Korea; four sensual and emotional pieces from the São Paulo Dance Company (23rd Apr), which has a reputation for being one of the best dance ensembles in Latin America; and Huang Yi & Kuka (14th & 15th Apr), a precise and intricate performance between Huang Yi, a dancer and choreographer and Kuka, an industrial robot.
Thursday to 1st May, various times and locations

 

 

I write to you about Zurich every week but, as the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, if I can get over my feelings of inadequacy, I want to let you know about a Zurich-themed double photo exhibition at Photobastei that has it’s opening night tonight (Thursday) and is on for the next couple of weeks. Zurich by Night is a beautiful collection of 360°-panorama photos taken from a birds-eye view of our fair city, which can also be explored ‘virtually’ at the exhibition. The other collection of photos is called Ein Platz an der Sonne, which were taken from a helicopter of the swimming spots of Zurich’s badi’s, lake and river during the heat wave of last summer. And if you happen to spot yourself lounging like a sexy sun-kissed sea lion in any of the photos, they'll give you a discount on the entry price.
Thursday to 24th April, Photobastei

 

 

The period from the mid-sixties to the late-seventies was a revolutionary time in American cinema. It was an era when a new generation of directors, writers and actors took over from ‘classic’ Hollywood to, essentially, create modern cinema, and one of the leading revolutionaries of this movement was the smiling shark himself - Jack Nicholson. This month, Xenix are showing a collection of his movies from these ‘New Hollywood’ years. They’ve got 19 movies in total, from classics like Easy Rider and Chinatown to lesser-known masterpieces such as Professione: reporter and The Last Detail. And, of course, one of my all-time favourite movies, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. See program details here.
Thursday to 27th April, Xenix

 

 

Langstrasse changes almost daily and this Friday another new kid opens its doors on the block: The former Latin Palace makes space for Lexy Club at Militärstrasse 84. The club comes with a stylish interior, an electronic sound carpet and – unofficially – hopes to attract a clientele that’s over 25. Good news for the non-teenagers out there who still like to dance until the sun comes up. Welcome Club Lexy, I look forward to meeting you properly this weekend.
Friday 11 pm, Lexy Club

 

 

 

 

 

Spring showed its face a few times over the last few days, so what could be better than heading to one of Zurich's green oases. Here are some of the city's hidden secrets. Old Botanic Garden: In the middle of the town lies a gem. It rarely gets busy and if you're thirsty there is nice café as well as a recently renovated museum if you fancy something cultural. Fritschi Wiese: The green space between Idaplatz and Albisriederplatz doesn't seem like much until you sit down. Then the small park turns into a lovely oasis filled with children, couples and small groups of all nationalities. Sihlfeld Park: If you prefer quiet to buzz, then the small park behind the graveyard is the best place to go to if you like to read a book or just lie in the sun. Irchelpark: Walking in the park you'd never guess that it covers a highway. With a pond and trees it is spacious and a great place for a picnic or a bbq with a group. More: On The city council's website you find a list of all parks in town.

 

 

Lydia and Viktor love to travel - even if it’s just for a weekend – especially when they get to try local dishes with unusual ingredients. Food became their tasty souvenirs and rather than keeping it all to themselves, they decided to open their shop, Westgarde, filled with international delicacies. It’s like the land of milk and honey but with fig vinegar and green chocolate – everything your palate could desire.

Westgarde, Bäckerstrasse 22, 8004. Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm