I'm back and as promised, I brought the sun with me. Sorry if I overdid it. With the summer spirit in mind, this week's newsletter includes a lot of outdoor tips as well as some suggestions of where to watch the World Cup. Also, make sure to mark the 28th of June in your calendar. On that day, I'll organize the second Roof Top Day. I'll keep you posted about the details in the weeks to come and you'll receive a special edition with the programme on the 27th of June.
Give my love to the city, Ron

Cars have always represented something of a paradox in society – they’re the sleek chariots of romance and freedom as well as the polluting death mobiles clogging our city streets. In Autoballett, the theatre company Mercimax, examines our tricky relationship with the automobile. The show uses drivers of different sorts – one drives a classic car, another a Tesla; one drives a touring band’s bus, another a hearse and so on. For the first part of the performance the audience will get into the cars and be driven through the city, whilst the second part includes an actual choreographed car ballet.
Thursday 8 pm, Rote Fabrik

With the kind of sunshine we’ve been having lately my mind starts to drift toward the joys of music in an open field, and what better way to ease into a festival vibe than with the Stolze Openair. It's Zurich's largest, free music festival and is well within the city limits. The line-up has an eclectic mix of local and international bands including Afro-electro band Oy, 60’s rockers The Animen and gypsy blues with The Pussywarmers.
Friday 5.45 pm and Saturday 2.15 pm, Stolzewiese

Switzerland has always had a progressive attitude when it comes to the LGBT community, being one of the first countries to decriminalize homosexuality in 1942, and since 1994 has had it’s own Gay Pride festival and parade. This year’s festival takes place on Friday and Saturday at Kasernenareal. Many acts are due to perform with perhaps the highlight being Conchita Wurst, winner of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The parade will happen on Saturday afternoon, going through town from Helvetiaplatz to Werdmühleplatz.
Festival - Friday 5 pm and Saturday 2 pm, Kasernenareal
Parade – Saturday 2 pm, Helvetiaplatz

If you want to know what the future of dance music might sound like you could get a glimpse of it on Saturday at El Lokal as The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band weave their exotic beats and rhythms into the hot summer night. Inspired by the party compilation series Paradise Bangkok, the band has taken Thai pop music of the 60’s and 70’s, twisted in a little 21st century attitude and delivered a dance party that sounds like the past, present and future.
Saturday 8 pm, El Lokal

Summer in the city means that we can leave the confines of our rooms and let the night sky be our roof and the warm breeze our walls. On Idaplatz on Saturday evening will be one of the open-air cinema’s that occasionally pop up in Zurich’s city squares. They’ll be showing the new Wes Anderson movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel. They also have a bar, grill and ice cream for that real al fresco feeling. Tickets will be CHF 10, collected as you sit, but if you’re feeling lucky, I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. E-mail me.
Saturday 6 pm (film begins at 9.30 pm), Idaplatz

It’s clear to me that for such a land-locked country, Switzerland has a certain masochistic urge toward surfing, and all things wave related. This is none more evident than in this Saturday’s SurfZurich fair and party. The fair takes place next to the lake at Areal Wässerig, where you’ll see demos of the likes of wake boarding and SUP. You’ll also be able to buy gear from top surf brands. It’ll also be a chance to listen to music, grill and chill. The after-party then moves to the Mühle near Bahnhof Tiefenbrunnen. Entrance will be CHF 10, if you’re on the guest list. To get on the guest list email - [email protected]
Saturday (Fair 11 am to 6 pm), (Evening party 6 pm to 9 pm), Areal Wässerig, (After Party 9 pm to 4 am) Mühle near Bahnhof Tiefenbrunnen

On my recent travels I managed to find myself on a Tuscan farm surrounded by peacocks and baby donkeys. I realise this sounds like the beginning of a rude joke but is never-the-less true. This farm happened to grow and make its own wine, cheese, meat, honey and vegetables. I’m happy to say the meat and cheese were from the sheep and goats, and not the peacocks. After a few wines, I got talking to the owner and discovered that he shared a space in a wine shop, Weinhaus Währinger, in Zurich where he sells some of his fantastic, and award winning, products. This Friday they are having an open door tasting where you’ll be able to pop inside, sample some stuff, and if the mood takes you, buy a little. And if you see Michael (the farmer) tell him Ron sent you.
Friday, 7 pm, Weinhaus Zähringer, Josefstrasse 182, 8005

If you’re counting the days until the World Cup starts, then this week’s Good to Know is right up your sleeve. Unfortunately, there won’t be as many public viewing areas as in prior years but I have some good tips for you. Wohnzimmerbar: The bar used to be located next to RiffRaff, it closed down over a year ago and just opened again in its «old» living room style a couple of weeks ago in the Kalkbreite complex. They’ll screen all the games and have a grill going. Plüsch goes Casablanca: The two venues join forces, so if you want to watch the games head to Langstrasse’s Casablanca, if you don’t then your find peace at Aemtlerstrasse’s Plüsch.  Europaallee: The public viewing consists of two spots: 1. The Beach Club, which is open daily from 11.30 am to midnight, and 2. The WM Lounge in a tent where all games are shown on a massively large screen. Last but not least my map: I compiled a google map with all the venues that show the games, I’ll try to check them out once the World Cup starts and will let you know about the highlights.

My break took me – among other places –  to New York.  I loved the buzz there and thought I'd share my favourite top three locations/activities for free with you. High Line: It used to be a rail road track but was transformed into a park. From the West End you can walk all the way to the Meatpacking District, enjoy popsicles or take a break in the shade. It’s beautifully done and you get a great view as you’re about 9 meters above ground. Moma: Clothing label Uniqlo sponsors Friday nights at Moma at present so you’ll get in for free on that day (instead of paying 37 dollars). Ferry with a view: It’s great to see the Manhattan skyline from the water. Instead of hopping on a tourist boat, walk to the boat station at Wall Street on Saturdays, from there the Ikea ferry runs to Brooklyn and back for free.

If you like street art, I’m sure you’re familiar with 5pointz – the place where the greatest street artists have been spraying for the last decade. Unfortunately, I have to say were spraying. I was shocked to find out that the estate was bought and whitewashed overnight in November. Just when there was petition going to have it landmarked. But the scene is looking into new locations now. On their  website you’ll find all the information including pictures and statements as well as  ways to support the street art scene.