Your favourite tiny Mexican bar, La Catrina, is turning eight years old on Friday and it seems like they want to celebrate. As usual they’ll be attempting to squeeze far more fun into their small but perfectly formed bar than seems humanly possible. The ultimate party band, Paul das Pausenbrot will be playing live, followed by the Allstars dj team. If that doesn’t seem quite Mexican enough for you they’ll also have piñatas to beat and, of course, plenty of tequila to drink.
Friday 9 pm, La Catrina

 

 

In a world of mass production and consumption it's always refreshing to find something that's a little more unique and individual, which was one of the driving forces behind Blickfang's inception. This weekend at Kongresshaus, Blickfang will once again bring designers and unique products from all over the world including fashion, jewellery, accessories and interior design together under one roof.   And if you pick up a catalogue at the door, you'll find a special newsletter inside with tips for eating, drinking and amusement in the neighbourhood by a certain someone named Ron. I have 5 x 2 day tickets to give away. Email me, letting me know which day you'd like to go.
Friday 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday 11 am to 8 pm, Sunday 11 am to 7 pm, Kongresshaus

 

 

John Grant has just released his third album. While the first was full of baroque pop ballads, his second an electronica feast and his latest being somewhere in between, what has remained true across all of them is his deeply confessional and honest lyrics, a voice that sounds like it was cut from mountain granite and a sly sense of humour that saves him from being a funkier version of Leonard Cohen. He’ll be playing live at Kaufleuten on Saturday.
Saturday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

 

 

I'm not sure if you've noticed but there's a certain excitement in the air, a bustle in the shops and extra glistening lights in the streets that the locals like to refer to as Christmas, a strange custom that appears to celebrate the return of a fat, bearded man who seems a little too jolly for his own good. What also returns to town this time of year is ice-skating, and one of the best places to do this is at the ETH Polyterrasse. Not only do you get free entry to the rink (you only pay for the hire of skates), a warm tent with food, drink and a weekend brunch but you also get one of the best views over the whole city as you glide, fairy-like, across the ice. It opens on Saturday with a kid’s show, figure skating display and a performance by street dance/skating group Le Patin Libre.
Saturday to 18th December (Mon – closed, Tues, Thurs & Fri - 4 pm to 10 pm, Wed 2 pm to 10 pm, Sat – 10 am to 10 pm, Sun 10 am to 8 pm), ETH Polyterrasse

 

 

While Yugoslavia perished during the conflicts of the 1990’s many of its citizens fled to Berlin in search of a new life. All were victims of war, some were the victims of war crimes, others the perpetrators. Now an award winning play has been developed called Common Ground, that brings together actors and performers who came to Berlin, some of whom were children at the time, and explores the ideas of guilt and forgiveness, prejudice and love, and does so with the right blend of seriousness, humour and a little rock’n’roll music. In German but with English surtitles.
Saturday 8 pm, Schauspielhaus

 

 

Goosebumps. Getting them because winter’s coming but your apartment’s heating still thinks it’s summer - not good. Getting them because you’ve listened to your uncle Ron and headed down to Exil to hear the amazing voice of Alex Vargas – very, very good. Alex comes from Denmark, is now based in London and has a voice that knows how to massage the feet of your very soul, sitting somewhere between the smoothness of D’Angelo and the passion of Jeff Buckley. He plays his first headlining Swiss show on Wednesday and if you’d like to go, I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Wednesday 7 pm, Exil

 

 

In the pre-holiday season there are often fancy dress parties so I thought I’d provide you with some addresses for your costumes. Fancy dress:Möller Kostümverleih has the right dress for you for any occasion. You want to be Cleopatra? They have it. Invited to a Flower Power party? They have it. You're looking for a country specific outfit? They have it. And ten thousand other costumes right in the store. Hair: For a fitting wig, a matching moustache or perfect make-up, I always head to Haar-M. at Langstrasse 195. If you're in a mood to chat, ask him about his Furrii project. Party tricks: When dressed up, I always like to have a few tricks up my sleeve. At Zauberparadies you'll find everything you need for any party trick you can think of. And much more.

 

 

 

 

 

A short while ago, I came across the book «The Complete Switzerland» by Susann Sitzler  with all kinds of facts, graphics and everything useful you could possibly want to know about living in Switzerland. All texts are English and German.

 

 

A look at the hidden power of film props and how filmmakers use the everyday (and not so every day) objects in their scenes to enhance cinematic storytelling. Written, edited and narrated by Rishi Kaneria.