From rags to riches is a cliché often heard but with the Congolese band Staff Benda Bilili it might just be true. They used to live in the grounds of Kinshasa zoo, the core members of the band are wheelchair bound and are backed by a rhythm section of abandoned street children. Since their debut album in 2009 they’ve received various music awards, had a film made about them and successfully toured the world. They’ll be playing their joyous rhythm ‘n’ blues infused rumba music at Rote Fabrik tonight.
Thursday 8 pm, Rote Fabrik

HVOB is the Vienna based electronica act fronted by Anna Müller. The initials stand for Her Voice Over Boys, which pretty much describes the idea behind the project, as she languidly sings over the hypnotic beats produced by Paul Wallner in the studio and, when playing live, to the backing an actual drummer. She headlines the P//arty Now night at Hive on Friday supported by Jan Blomqvist, also with live drummer, and a selection of Zurich’s finest djs.
Friday 11 pm, Hive

As we go through life we are protected and insulated by the outfits we choose to wear but it is the humble shoe, but more specifically the shoe’s heal, that is perhaps our greatest defence. Forever in contact with the world, they record our journeys, our own history in their unique blemishes, marks and scratches. At the new art and project space, Kassette, an installation called Abgelaufen (Expired), will display a collection of several years worth of various detached heals, each telling a subtle story of their former owners and their past lives. The opening night is on Saturday, with the exhibition open until the 24th September.
Saturday 6 pm until 10 pm (Opening Night), Exhibition open until 24th September, Kassette, Wolfbachstrasse 9, 8032

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives it can often feel like we’re swept up in a hurricane with no end in sight. Well, this Sunday why not travel to the eye of the storm for a while and enjoy a moment of tranquillity and peace. On Sunday afternoon at Museum Rietberg, itself a gentle oasis in the city, you can take part in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, hosted by Soyu Mukai, a true tea master who knows how to distil this ancient art into a contemplative and restful experience. Altogether now, slowly exhale and say, ahhhhhh. To register.
Sunday 1pm and 3 pm, Museum Rietberg

CocoRosie are a band that has the same effect on me as the scratching of a tree branch against the window on a dark and stormy night. The music is intense and brooding, and the vocals from this US sister-act float around like the teasing of a child from a Grimm fairytale. Despite the unease their music produces, it is also hypnotic and gorgeously addictive. As the nights draw in and you feel like you need a musical accompaniment to the change of season we’re going through, these girls will do you right. They play at Kaufleuten on Sunday and I have 3 x 2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Sunday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

The name sounds sporty but the Sport Bar in Kreis 4 isn't. (I actually never found out why it’s named Sport Bar). Instead of football games and tennis on screens you’ll find a sleek interior with strong coffee, home-made ice tea and a great selection of drinks. It’s one of the first places in Zurich that served Pimms, long before it became the drink of this summer. And when the sun is shining, the tables outside are great for people watching.
Kanzleistrasse 76, 8004. Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 8 am to midnight, Thursday to Saturday 8 am to 2 am, Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.

Even though I’m a big fan of emails, I also like to send postcards to friends and family. And it happens frequently that I carry a postcard around with me for days until I find the time to buy some stamps. But that was before the Swiss postal service became inventive. Nowadays I just send an sms with «MARKE» to 414. And within seconds I receive a code that I note in the right hand corner of the postcard or the letter (yes, I also write letters). The stamp costs 1.20 instead of 1 franc but I find the 20 cents are worth the time I save. If you want to try it out, you can send me a postcard to my office (Ron Orp’s Mail, St. Jakobstrasse 54a, 8004 Zurich). If you prefer a proper stamp, you can also order them online to keep a stack at home.

Crop circles are yesterday's news, the fresh enigma is patterns under water. Until Yoji Ookata showed that it’s tiny fish that create the designs in the sand. His pictures are beautiful but it was still difficult to imagine what was going on under water. So he returned with a film crew and made a video that shows how the fish traverse the sand to attract mates. This film is now available on thisiscolossal.com - watch.

There aren’t many corner shops left in Zurich. But luckily there is one in my neighbourhood with the beautiful name Balasso & Betulius. As well as neighbourly gossip you can also get fresh vegetables, fruit and bread, a great selection of cheese and cured meat, wine as well as goods from all around the world. With their range of decorations and small goods such as towels, napkins, bags or postcards I also found many last minute gift there.
Balasso & Betulius, Gertrudstrasse 68, 8003. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7.30 am to 1 pm & 4 pm to 7 pm; Saturday 8 am to 4 pm.

Inspired by bags from the days gone by, this roomy Shopper is made of linen. After the sewing, the bag is washed to give it its beautiful used look. Two interior pockets help that small objects don't get lost. You can buy the Shopper here.