In case you missed it last week: On April, 29th I am celebrating ten years of Ron Orp's Mail in Zurich. You are all invited to the big anniversary Block Party on Zollstrasse, which will be closed off to any annoyances like traffic. Come in large numbers with your child, pet and toys. More info soon here. Admission is free / FB-Event #happybirthdayron #10yearsron
Tuesday 29.04., 6 pm Zollstrasse/Ambossrampe

Today, the Ocean Film Tour drops anchor at Volkshaus Zurich. For two hours you’ll be transformed into a world, where people make their dreams come true, such as youngster Laura Dekker who sails around the world alone. Or Ray, who still dives at the age of 75. The movie is a compilation of eight films and the passion of the protagonists is intoxicating. It’s the only show in Switzerland this year. You can also buy the dvd, but I suggest, don’t miss it.
Thursday 8 pm, Volkshaus

According to popular urban myth, if you listen to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at the same time as watching The Wizard of Oz, the two synch up perfectly and you can enjoy having your mind blown as Dorothy realises she's not in Kansas anymore.  Theater Rigiblick have taken this idea and made a truly synchronised event. They have adapted the music of Dark Side of the Moon to piano and string quartet and are merging it with a reading of a great Ray Bradbury short story, Kaleidoscope. This is one of the greatest science fiction authors and one of the greatest albums of the 20th century in perfect, blissed-out harmony with you along for the space ride.
Friday 8 pm, Theater Rigiblick

Arche Brockenhaus has more than just second-hand gear loitering in its warehouse this Saturday. Firstly, they have the Second Life Flea Market, which exists for the motto - one person’s junk, is another person’s treasure. If you get a little restless of bargain hunting you could always join the ping-pong competition they’re holding or chill out at the bar. Later in the evening, and after their long winter sleep, the party label Do What Ya Like! will be setting free their djs to keep the after-party jumping.
Saturday 5 pm, Flea Market & Ping-Pong, 10 pm, After-Party, Arche Brockenhaus

Ugly Duckling is a hip-hop group that come from Long Beach, California and they let that mellow West Coast sunshine ooze into their music. Layering old school samples, scratches and even samba beats, under a lyrical dexterity that echoes the Beastie Boys at their intelligent and hilarious best, these three guys are all about the pranksta, rather than the gangsta, rap. They’re playing live at Stall 6 on Sunday and I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. E-mail me.
Sunday 8 pm, Stall 6

Metronomy are a slightly quirky four piece from Brighton, England who mix their electro-pop sound with real charm and danceable vibes. Their last album, The English Riviera, was full of melancholy dance tunes that seemed to feel like the sunrise of an early morning walk home after the party has ended. They’ve just released their newest album, Love Letters, which adds classic 60’s song writing to the electro mix and they’ll be playing at Kaufleuten on Monday.
Monday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

In a kind of technological time loop, the Open Reel Ensemble from Japan, take old analogue reel-to-reel tape machines and use them, along with the latest digital technology, to mix and create complex and pulsating soundscapes both from pre-recorded sound but also live noises captured from the crowd or room. To listen to these five guys standing in front of their machines, mixing and looping the magnetic tape as one entity, is to hear both the future and past of music in perfect symmetry.  They play at Kunstraum Walcheturm on Wednesday.
Wednesday 8 pm, Kunstraum Walcheturm

In the menu, a finch (German: der Fink) is sitting either on a corkscrew (representing drinks) or on a sausage (representing food). So I played a bit of «find the finch» while waiting for my food. Once it arrived I didn’t need any other distraction. The Restaurant zum Fink opened its doors a short while back at Josefstrasse and comes with a small but tasty selection of dishes and friendly staff. What more do you need?
Restaurant zum Fink, Josefstrasse 146, 8005. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9 am to 10 pm. Friday & Saturday 9 am to midnight and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm

This weekend, Sneakerness resides at Maag Halle. A heaven for everyone who likes their sneakers. More or less every brand you can think of will be there, showing off with their trendiest and rarest collections and maybe convincing you to get a pair. Or two. The opening party takes place on Friday (entry: 30 francs), Saturday and Sunday (one day: 10 francs, two days: 15 francs) are then reserved for some serious browsing and shopping.
Friday 11 pm, opening party at Härterei
Saturday 12 -6 pm & Sunday 12-5 pm, fair at Maag Halle

The weekend is perfect to  stroll through a market, either to buy some vegetables at Helvetiaplatz or in Oerlikon, to pick up some flowers like at Bürkliplatz or to browse through goods at Kanzlei. These are the usual suspects, but I take pride in sharing the rather unknown. Predigerplatz: In the old town you find a small but fine flea market filled with character and charm, stalls run by kids, pros and freaks and a proper Swiss «Ghackets mit Hörnli» on offer in the Predigerkirche. Always in Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. First Hand vs Second Hand: On the court between Josefstrasse 142 and 144, five labels sell their goods in company of good food, good drinks and good music. The selection ranges fashion to furniture and design and from first hand pieces to second hand objects. It takes place this Saturday from 12-5 pm.

Rap lyrics are sometimes hard to get. Or do you know what Fancy means when saying: « I just knew that she was fine like a ticket on the dash»? The website Understand Rap translates the verses into standard English, with some light bulb moments and comic results.