I look forward to another year of inspiring tips, innovative projects and fresh ideas which I’ll send to your inbox in the hope to connect you to our beloved city and to make your life more colourful. My service will stay free as it always has been. That’s important to me. But I would like to offer those of you, who appreciate my work, the chance to support me financially with an amount of your choice.
Either way, thank you for reading me, as I wouldn’t be where I am without you!
Yours Ron

If you didn’t have the time or cash to buy a new winter jacket by now, this is your chance. I have two beautiful winter jackets from the Zimtstern Street Collection to give away for free, think of it as a January blues blaster: the model ‘Harry’ for the lads and the model ‘Riggs’ for the ladies. If you’d like to get this stylish attire, just send me an e-mail.

I like new party series as I always hope to integrate them into my routine. Kinski – the new club in town I was telling you about before Christmas – seduces with its series Chop Suey. Every Thursday a rotation of Djs will spoil our ears. So tonight is a good night to visit the newcomer at Langstrasse – especially if you haven’t done that so far.
Thursday 10 pm, Kinski

I’m not sure how this came to be but Helsinki are hosting a Russian play, acted by an Italo-Swiss, in Zurich, but performed in English. The play is Diary of a Madman by Nicolai Gogol, the story of a civil servant who slowly loses touch with reality and begins to live in a world of fantasy and delusion. As this is a Russian play you shouldn’t expect a carnival atmosphere but it’s already toured New York and seems to have done great out there. It’s a one-man play supported by two musicians playing original music.
Thursday and Friday 8 pm, Helsinki

Some parties like to announce their arrival with a loud crash and flash of neon, others like to just pop-up unannounced and be found by those with the right connections. Well, guess what? You, dear Ronster, have the right connections. This Saturday at Hönggerstrasse 51 will be one such pop-up party, aptly named Party Partei Party . There’ll be two floors for dancing and plenty of local dj talent including Playlove and Kalabrese. You may think it’s too soon after New Year to be partying but you’d be so wrong.
Saturday 11 pm, Hönggerstrasse 51

If the New Year has brought forth a new you, and this new you wants to meet new people then Theater Neumarkt have the perfect opportunity for you. Together with zurich-expats.org they have organised a New Years drink at Neumarkt . It’s an open door policy which means Swiss as well as ‘foreigners’ are invited. They’ll have snacks, drinks, some live music and a dj. And whilst it’s obviously a great chance to meet some new people, it’s clearly an excellent opportunity to tell other expats about the wonderful Ron Orp newsletter and how it enhances and lifts your life (this will also make you look very cool). 
Saturday 8 pm, Theater Neumarkt

Ron Pope is coming to Komplex 457 this Sunday. I like his name. Ron has a good ring to it, I think. But before you get any wrong ideas, I’m not related to the American folk-singer. I’m not that good looking and believe me, you wouldn’t pay any money to hear me sing. But for Pope, you should have some to spare and let his husky voice and poetic lyrics take you away from this cold and grey season, far away from the Monday that lies ahead. I have three albums to give away for free. To win one, just send me an e-mail. Don’t forget to include your address.
Sunday 7.30 pm, Komplex 457

With their electronica-indie-rock mix, unashamedly approaching and combining the genres, Le Dompteur turn every wild party lion into a tame dancing cat. The collective around Zurich dj and producer Jimi Jules will turn La Catrina into a sweat house – every Monday in January.
Monday 9.30 pm, La Catrina

After 2.5 years, the day has finally come! Hallenbad City (the indoor pool between Stauffacher and Neue Börse) will reopen on 19th January. Many delays had to be endured during the renovation but soon, water rats won’t have to go to Oerlikon or Altstetten (very cool water slide though!) anymore. Next Monday (1 pm, 2 pm, 5.30 pm, 6.30 pm), it’s possible to take part in a guided tour before it opens to the public, just reserve your spot by this Friday: 044 413 93 93.

Do you do new year’s resolution? If no – is it because you never kept them in the past? Sometimes we just want too much. Maybe Monina Velarde can help you – her resolution-generator helps you to aim for simple things which are feasible to achieve.