Curry favour: At this time of year I feel like laughing in the face of winter before it gets a hold of me. That’s why I follow my own tips in Ron Orp’s Mail to make sure that I’m kept entertained as the nights draw in. But it’s no fun on my own, so I’m e-mailing this newsletter to 5 friends and enlightening them with news and views in their inbox. If you do the same, one of you could warm-up with fiery flavours by winning a free dinner at Kahn’s curry house in the Niederdorf area of town. Just e-mail 5 friends this newsletter and copy [email protected] into the CC.
Give my love to the city
Ron

Arrrrrriba: La Catrina calls itself the first real Mexican bar in Zurich, but don't expect sombreros or ponchos. The place is tiny but manages to squeeze in a band every Thursday: this week, Death of a Cheerleader. I don't understand why the band hasn't been snatched up yet by a label, as their song writing is traditional without being tired.
Thursday, 7 pm La Catrina

No sleep: After a great opening with a lot of pomp, the new club at Paradeplatz rolls out its red carpet once again: Welcome Donky! Every Thursday from now on is Donky night, featuring Zurich-based electro DJs. So, if Zukunft is too crowded this is a good alternative to start the weekend if you're over 20 - and entry is free.
Thursday, 10 pm Alte Börse

Iceland: GusGus from the far north will heat up Zurich with soul electro or as they put it: "playing techno music as live as it can be, bypassing the brain, heading straight for the heart." Their show is aimed at small and sweaty clubs - which describes Hive fairly well.  
Saturday, 11 pm Hive

More to buy: I was telling you all about markets last week but it slipped my mind to mention the night market that takes place a few times a year at different venues. It's a good place to browse for gifts and sample Glühwein and roasted chicken and this time is at the Aroma logistic centre next to SZU station Manegg.
Saturday, 7 pm Allmendstr. 25

Classic: Short Cuts (USA, 1993) is one of the films you must see at least once in your life. It is made up of ten artistically and satirically interwoven stories set in and around Los Angeles. Touching, unsettling, inspiring and with a lot of well-known names such as Tim Robbins, Tom Waits and Julianne Moore - ideal for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Sunday, 3 pm Filmpodium
Filmpodium

False notes: Karaoke From Hell is a band, with one thing missing - the singer. Audience members pick songs from a list and then get up on stage and perform with them.  They're back at Mascotte, supported by The Clowns - winner of the first Mascotte-cover-band contest, for an explosive season opening.
Tuesday, 9.30 pm Mascotte

Tune in: Swiss By Design is a new weekly show on World Radio Switzerland, by Inside Switzerland Magazine's co-editor-in-chief Jennifer Davies, which focuses on Zurich's design & contemporary culture. Catch it on Thursdays at 9 am and Saturdays at 11 am or download as a podcast to capture the essence of the city that I call the "capital of Switzerland". Listen to other anglo-audio (not so Zurich-based) on The English Show, Swisster on Radio Cité and Switzerland in Sound.

Say it: I'm not such a fan of online slang dictionaries as what's hip today is out of date tomorrow. But it's still fun to browse through them. The word of the day last Monday was great - "Blackberryjam: A people traffic jam that occurs in public transport stations, caused by inconsiderate workaholics walking too slow while their noses are glued to their Blackberry device." On the other hand, I'm keen about urban legends and was very disappointed to find that my urban myth IQ is only beginner's level.

Spring clean: Langstrasse doesn't have a reputation for glamour and many locals like it that way. But the new openings and refurbishments certainly brighten up the district. So if you're looking for a something more sparkly try Bling, Boneville, Rothaus or Bar3000, all within walking distance of each other. Bar3000 opened its doors last week and offers coffee in the morning, food during the day and turns into Zukunft's club lounge at night.

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