As it’s been such a stop/start summer this year, I think it’s best to consider the sunny periods as bite-sized mini-summers and just enjoy them while they last. To help with the current summerette that we’ve experienced the last few days, Bogen F in the Viadukt, have Alela Diane playing live tonight. She’s a singer/songwriter in the freaky-folk style whose music sounds as if it’s covered in sunlight and dust. She’s supported by Nick Porsche, a honey voiced crooner from Biel whose name is the exact opposite of his sound. Both are perfect for a warm evening (while it lasts).
Thursday 9 pm, Bogen F in Viadukt

Galerie ArtSeefeld has a great exhibition starting on Saturday entitled ‘fragmentiert’ (fragmented), that has 4 young artists producing picturesque and sculptural images of the body. From self-portrait to metallic animal sculptures each of the artists finds subtle forms of self-expression within the subject matter. The exhibition opens on Friday evening with a bar and grill, and closes a week later with performances from Alexandra Meyer and Chris Hunter. And I know it’s been on for a few weeks now but I haven’t yet mentioned Art and the City, which is the public art festival in town. A number of public locations are being used to show works by many world famous international artists (map available) or, if you need a little more in-depth information, you can also join a guided tour. 
Friday 6 pm, Galerie ArtSeefeld, Seefeldstrasse 301a, 8008
Art and the City until 23rd September

Café des Amis is a bar/restaurant on the north side of the Limmat in Wipkingen. It has a cool summer atmosphere with a terrace that catches the last of the day’s sunshine as you quaff a beer and munch on some pretty good bar food. Each Saturday they are also putting on some unplugged concerts to really bring home that ‘wouldn’t want to be anywhere else’ feeling. This Saturday it’s the turn of The Jesus Taco, a country/blues combo who’ll gently rock your world with warm acoustic guitars and mandolins.
Saturday 5 pm, Café des Amis, Nordstrasse 88, 8037

Exil hosts a night of the living bass this Saturday. Three great Zurich record labels - Divercity, Ruhestörung and Harddrums - are coming together to try and vibrate your heart out of its bony cage. This is a drum n bass night that will be looking to the past and future, as the djs move from the smooth, past the energetic and onto the downright pneumatic. They’ll be 10 djs on call as well as Flowrian & Lameduza playing live to fulfil all your d ‘n’ b needs.
Saturday 11 pm, Exil

The Monday Rimini Markets had to be postponed a few times already, due to the rainy weather. But the organizers don’t give up and try their luck this Tuesday and for once at Landesmuseum, amongst Rundfunk.fm. I hope they get rewarded with sunshine this time, if not; the event will be postponed for yet another week.
Tuesday 5.30 pm, Landesmuseum

When entering Grubenstrasse, you’ll spot a pretty little terrace in front of a hall with a few tables. Though the name of a transport company is written above, I still took my chances and walked in. With a large smile, the lady of the house welcomed me. She explained that they are indeed an import company but also a Take Away – with goods they import themselves from Greece. She cooks everything herself, with the help of her children, and everything is original Greek, of course. Behind the Take Away I see large shelves with large cans and glasses full of Greek specialities, which she shows me full of pride. Lovely! But most important: The food is good and the price as well.
Zorbas, Grubenstrasse 15, 8045

School holidays started this week and I can already tell that the Zurich is emptier than usual. Which I like a lot. For all of you who like to enjoy the summer in the city, a little overview what’s going on over the next few weeks regarding open-air events. CINEMA: Xenix Open air, until 18 August: in the middle of Kreis 4 with a large variety of alternative films. I have 3x2 tickets to give away for the British classic Get Carter (shown on Friday, 27.7.2012) from 1970. Just send me an email to see one of the best gangster films. Filmfluss, until 29 July: Enjoy films at the Limmat with German, French and English films, such as In Bruges this Friday or Little Miss Sunshine on Saturday. Ciné au Lac, until 22 August: The Orange Cinema is on the right lake side, while you find a more intimate open-air-cinema at the left hand side, in Richterswil. I’m sure the beautiful pictures of the Serengeti migration will be even more intense under the dark summer sky. CONCERTS: Bäckeranlage, every Wednesday: Regional bands play unplugged – and if you don’t like the sound, it’s a nice place to be anyway. Open Air Langmatt, 25. August: The open air festival in Witikon is still casting bands. So far The Bullet from Zurich as well as Uslender project are already worth the trip. Sommerbühne, until 1 August: Rote Fabrik hosts several concerts right at the lake ranging from rap to rock and folk.

A group of students from Zurich and Berne developed a new platform for vintage-fashion: la morette. They select each piece carefully, take a picture and put it with details and a price on their website, where you can order it. I like the idea of sitting in the shade and browsing through the clothes and accessories instead of going clothes-hunting in the town, when summer is here. Have a look

30 years ago, Sherry Turkle began her research at MIT about what technology has to offer to mankind. In the meantime, she doesn’t see it all rosy anymore and shares her thoughts in her latest publication Alone Together. She warns that people who solely communicate through smartphone and social network can become very isolated and removed from reality. She suggests a virtual diet. As she’s not a techno-phobia, her thoughts are worth considering. Watch TED speech