Happy New Year to you all. I hope you enjoyed the holidays, got everything you asked Santa for and have broken at least half of your resolutions already. I know January can be the time-that-joy-forgot but to try and raise your spirits a little I’ll be offering, in addition to my usual tips for the week, some special gifts every week throughout January. This week I have an overnight stay for two at the wonderful Sorrell Hotel Zürichberg, with a welcome drink at the bar. It may still be in Zurich but the fantastic view over the town and lake will make you feel like you’re a million miles away. E-mail me.
Give my love to the city, Ron

 

 

If you’ve come into the new year feeling a little punch-drunk and not quite sure what you want to fulfil your clubbing needs, then Hive may have a solution for you. Simply called Donnerstag in Hive, they’ve split the club in two – downstairs for dancing with a house and techno combination supplied by djs Manuelle Musik and Vonberg, while upstairs in the Salon you can chill and lounge with the easy listening, chilled-out sounds of dj ClemenTimes. One club, two floors, free entry (before 11pm), for you, five francs (after 11pm).
Thursday 10 pm, Hive

 

 

January isn’t known for its days of laughter, in fact I think i’ve already seen some tearful faces on the tram as people reluctantly realise that the holiday season won’t be going on forever this year. Despite the January blues there are a few pockets of joy to be found around town, if you look in the right places. One of these is Mascotte on Friday night, as the International Comedy Club, now in its 10th year of importing the best English-speaking comedians into Switzerland, will be letting Scottish-Canadian comedian Phil Nichol loose to cajole us into laughter. Phil is a ball of energy on stage, mixing comedy with music, and a frenetic style that will help you forget your troubles.
Friday 8 pm, Mascotte

 

 

Friday sees the start of Photo(16), the largest annual exhibition of Swiss photography. Across the five halls of the Maag Halle will be the best examples of Swiss photographers work from the last twelve months, gathered from the disciplines of advertising, arts and press. As well as the exhibition itself there will be a daily photoFORUM where world-class photographers such as Christopher Morris and Max Vadukul will be discussing their backgrounds, careers and experiences. If you'd like to go, I have 5 x 2 tickets to give away. E-mail me.
Friday to Tuesday 11 am to 8 pm, Maag Halle, Hardstrasse 219, 8005

 

 

I once woke from a dream where I was naked in public, only to find that I was, in fact, naked in public. You can imagine my confusion, not to mention that of my fellow plane passengers. Those drink trolleys really are too enticing. I mention this only in passing, and as an introduction to the band playing at El Lokal on Saturday. Naked in English Class are an experimental art-pop duo that revel in their eccentricities. They cover everything from The Stooges’ ‘Gimme Danger’ to Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’, retitled ‘Our Worst Song’. They may be weird but they know how to groove and you’ll certainly be dancing, perhaps even naked.
Saturday 8 pm, El Lokal

 

 

Jennifer Cardini has been the queen of Parisian club-life for over a decade now, honing her craft as the tastemaker of minimal, down-tempo, cinematic beats and experimental techno sounds. A move to Cologne has only enhanced her reputation as a dj and producer of international renown. On Saturday she’ll be bringing that sultry Parisian style to Zukunft, supported by Berlin dj Peter Schumann and local boy Sampayo.
Saturday 12 am, Zukunft

 

 

The name Kennedy has entered the mythology of modern US politics almost as much as Lincoln and Washington dominate its distant past. The brothers, John F. and Robert F., have been immortalised for their actions in life, as well as for their unfulfilled promise cut short by their early and violent deaths. But the name lives on. Robert F Kennedy Jr is the son of Robert, nephew of John, and has made his own impact on the world as a successful environmental activist. He’ll be discussing his current priorities and activities, as well as the USA’s role and responsibilities in the world, with Christoph Münger, Chief Foreign Correspondent with Tages-Anzeiger at Kaufleuten on Tuesday.
Tuesday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

 

 

Le Raymond is the new brother of Grande and Bovelli, two well-established café bars and popular venues of coffee lovers. The new place fits seamlessly into the concept set by it two predecessors with first-class drinks and excellent coffee in a stylish atmosphere. The highlight in this new bar is probably the outdoor terrace right on the Schanzengraben which, come the warmer weather, will be a treat in the centre of town. You can also pick up a Classic espresso for CHF 3 at the bar, which seems pretty fair.
Le Raymond, Bleicherweg 8, 8001

 

 

There’s a new pop-up furniture store in Kreis 3 called Uhl & Olf. Where do I begin? The store looks great, the furniture comes from the designy decades (50s, 60s, 70s), it has a great atmosphere, fine espresso, and at the right moment sometimes a glass of champagne. All this until the end of January.
Uhl & Olf, Zentralstrasse 76b, 8003

 

 

The idea of a ‘life hack’ may seem like a modern, internet-invented invention but we’re not the only generation who needed help with life’s little problems. 100 years ago Gallaher’s Cigarettes printed a series of insert cards that also offered help. They’ve since been digitized and are part of the New York Library’s online collection. So read on as you learn how to extract a splinter, light a match in the wind or cool wine without ice. See here.