As this will be the last of my January give-aways I thought I’d offer you a chance to win something that will last a while, at least until the next time you need a helping hand through the January blues. If you like to watch challenging and intelligent films, set in a great atmosphere on comfortable seats with a drink from the bar, then how does a free pass to Kinos Riffraff and Houdini, for every film they’ll be showing, for a whole year sound? E-mail me for a chance to win.
Give my love to the city, Ron

 

 

The Photography Playground Night & Day exhibition at Photobastei takes a whole new approach to the photo exhibition for the next couple of weeks, in that you are the photographer. They’ve invited a group of international designers and artists including Leigh Sachwitz and MASER to create installations in various rooms with the themes of light & shadow, black & white and positive & negative. As you enter the exhibition you’ll be loaned an Olympus camera, which you can use to your heart’s content as you wander around, and when you leave you’ll be given the camera's SD card with your photos on, as a gift. If you feel like getting even more interactive, you’ll also have the opportunity to paint with light and shoot in a professional photo studio. Entry is free.
Thursday to 14th February, Photobastei

 

 

How brave are you? Would you jump into a torrential river to save a drowning kitten? Would you parachute from a plane (possibly to save a falling kitten)? Would you walk down the street, hand-in-hand, with a 6’ 5 drag queen? Whilst the last one may not appear to require the same amount of courage as the others, it does go to a deep-rooted fear of how we feel we might be perceived in public, as well as, perhaps, a confronting of our own prejudices. This idea is explored in the interactive performance piece Walking:Holding at Gessnerallee. One audience member at a time will walk through the city on a carefully designed route, holding hands and talking with a range of performers, also called ‘hand holders’, from different ages, races, genders, sexualities and social backgrounds. No kittens will be involved. Each performance lasts for 15 minutes and no specific language skills are required.
Friday & Monday 5.30 pm to 8.15 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12 pm to 6.45 pm, Gessnerallee

 

 

Zurich will always be my first love but that doesn't mean I can't have a wandering eye for the satellite towns that make the extra effort to flirt with me. Over the coming week, Baden will be having what is, possibly, the first music festival of the year in Switzerland. The One Of A Million Music Festival has a line-up of 45 bands from across 15 countries that will be playing live in 3 intimate venues, as well as a scattering of smaller venue sites around town. The bands are all under-the-radar, which suits a boutique festival like this, but all have an indie melodic quality that will make a trip outside of Zurich's city limits a treat. I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away for a day of your choice. E-mail me, letting me know which day you'd like to go.
Friday (29th Jan) to Saturday (6th Feb), various times and locations in Baden

 

 

Wearing the right pair of shoes can change your whole personality. They can make you feel invincible, confident, and even sexy (yes, there, I said it!), but being barefoot also has it’s own kind of seductive charms. As Eisbär takes over Kauz Club on Saturday, they have but one demand: No shoes allowed. The club will be made foot-friendly with all glasses being removed from the bar and the whole place covered in cozy rugs. To assist your free-feet dancing, the electronica will be provided by a great selection of djs including Mehmet Aslan, Clit Eastwood and Winona Slider.
Saturday 9 pm until Sunday evening, Kauz

 

 

God may have created the universe in six days, but you can be sure that come Sunday, she was eating brunch. There is perhaps no finer meal of the week than a lazy Sunday brunch, and with the Sunday Brunch Market at ewz-Unterwerk Selnau, your laziness will be truly rewarded. The stalls will be offering everything to scratch your brunch itch from warm waffles, eggs Benedict and churros to chia-pudding, Indian uttapam pancakes and overnight oats, they’ll also have coffee brewers and craft breads to try.
Sunday 10.30 am to 4 pm, ewz-Unterwerk Selnau

 

 

Beige was the first Zurich fashion label I was aware of. In 1996 Manuela Helg & Karin Maurer started out by making knitwear cool (hey it was the 90's) with bold colours and patterns. When you knew their style you recognized it everywhere, and even though they specialised in women’s fashion, you often saw men wearing it. 20 years later they've finally caved in and just launched their men’s line. Hurrah!
Beige, Josefstrasse 10, 8005. Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 12 pm to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm

 

 

An old, made up by me, proverb says: When the temperature falls, the mood for melted cheese rises. If you fancy a new location for fondue or raclette I can recommend Baracca Zermatt. It’s located in Zurich but comes with everything the name implies: The atmosphere of an alpine hut with a roasting fire. Afterwards, enjoy the view over the city and a digestive walk down into town.
Baracca Zermatt, Sorell Hotel Zürichberg, Orellistrasse 21, 8044. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 5.30 pm to 11 pm

 

 

It’s high season for cheese dishes in Switzerland, and I’m sure you've already invited guests over for a fondue or raclette. It’s so easy with these traditional meals. However, after the party the smell lingers, and lingers, and lingers. Here are some tips for getting rid of it. Vinegar: Boil a pot of water and add some vinegar. Some swear that this helps, personally I find the vinegary smell even worse. Scented candles: Uh, I wouldn’t go there, the mix of vanilla with cheese smell is something else. But there are some candles that were developed especially to get rid of smells. Natron: Good for baking, good for absorbing smells. Place little bowls of natron all around the flat and you should be fine. It also works with coffee as well as active coal. Let me know, if you have more or better tips for me.