Thursday is now officially the new Saturday: locals have been doing the weeknight for years, and it’s becoming more and more established in Zurich's nightlife. Following Zukunft and Alte Börse, Das Haus has now started a regular Thursday night programme. Hausgemacht features deep funk, soul and rare grooves with The Tipping Point and alternating DJs – either DJ Goo or DJ Spruzzi. It's a place for us older folks, as you have to be at least 28 to visit the club or accompany someone of that age or above. 
Thursday 11 pm, Das Haus

The painter as outlaw: Kunsthaus Zurich dedicates its upcoming exhibition to Friedrich Kuhn (1926 -1972), recognised as a member of Zurich's Bohemian society and also known as an enfant terrible – sounds intriguing. The painter is considered one the strongest opponents of the 60s abstract and concrete art movements in Swiss art history. Art experts claim that his work is a mix between realism and abstraction and reflects Switzerland’s state of mind after the Second World War.
12 Dec - 1 Mar, Kunsthaus

And action: Temperatures are dropping so it’s the right time for nights at the movies. Razzia shows national and international short films on Saturday. Then on Sunday, Chinatown by Roman Polanski finds its way to Xenix, while Patti Smith brings her lyrics to Riff Raff's screens.
Saturday 8.30 pm, Razzia
Sunday 9.15 pm, Xenix
Sunday 9 pm, Riff Raff

The clock is ticking: Soon Rohstofflager will be no more, at least not in Toni Areal. But that's no reason not to party till the end. This Saturday, Dekadance presents Cocoon Night with legendary Der Dritte Raum (always on my iPod), plus Karotte and Mirko Loko. And topping off these prize acts, DJs Andaloop and Cosilli (playing live) and Benfay/Jagged honour us with their presence and their sets.
Saturday 11 pm, Rohstofflager

Unplugged: Once a month, Mark and Alex Lim, members of the Zurich band Redwood join some special guests, and invite you to an all acoustic night at Hafenkneipe. They play their own songs as well as many covers, which you can request on the night. Mine would be Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash...
Tuesday 7.30 pm, Hafenkneipe

The man behind the camera: The 51 brick arches below the viaduct in Kreis 5 are to become shops and ateliers by spring 2010. One arch gives a taste of things to come, with the temporary bookshop called Dezember Bücher. On Wednesday, portraits from the series Photographers in conflict by Goran Galic and Gian-Reto Gredig will be exhibited. They’ve captured photo journalists covering conflict situations, exploring the photographer’s perceptions of themselves.
Wed 8 pm, Dezember Bücher

Hot stuff: The city’s Tagblatt is Zurich’s original free weekly newspaper. It's all about Zurich and gives a more traditional perspective on our beloved town. It's where official dates, deaths and prosecutions are announced. Tagblatt is also the main paper used by the city council to publish details of their (low rent!) vacant flats and for other useful tips, such as: This week the periodical’s team did a taste test, sampling a variety of different Gluhwein's on offer (sounds like my kind of work!) and came up with a ranking based on taste, looks, temperature and percentage of alcohol. And the winner is.... topping the league table is the beverage from the Gluhwein stand at the Christmas market in the main station, followed by the Dolder Sportrestaurant in Hottingen and in third place is the Gluhwein stall at Sihlcity. We’ll spare you the others as they were either too sweet with barely any alcohol, or they turned bitter when they cooled down. As two of these places are only temporary you’d better hurry up. Bottoms up!

Online series: On Sidereel’s website you can watch almost all US series and Doctor Who (for the Brits) on your computer. A friend has suggested How I Met Your Mother (for those not in the know, HIMYM’s been hailed as a modern version of Friends) and Chuck (a nerd who becomes involuntary an undercover spy). It seems European channels have been slow to pick up on these two. There's no need to register on the site to enjoy the fun.

Rush hour: In less than two weeks most of us should have some presents ready for our loved ones. But where do you find them? Time Tunnel sells rare second hand clothes and furniture and you can get your hair cut during the same visit. Einzigart sells furniture and devices, mostly by small design labels that don't have their own shop. Saus&Braus stocks fashion, gadgets and accessories from more than 70, mostly Swiss, designers. Good luck!

If you've anything to say, discuss or declare, then this is the place to do it:

If you're looking for something (a flat, a ticket, love), have something to give away (a flat, a ticket, ex) or have anything else to say, then this is the place to do it: