Finding a flat in Zurich proves to be more and more difficult. The prices are high, empty flats are scarce, so people are willing to do anything for a lease. But to force new tenants to take on your old furniture if they want the flat is just not right. Therefore I won’t include ads in the newsletter, where furniture has to be taken over or where extra money has to be paid.
Peace, love and happiness to the city, Ron

A little bird told me that a new venue will open its doors. The name of the new shop, declared as a pop-up-bar and restaurant – is Hausbar. It found its new home in the former Boos-Lounge, as central as you can be. Today is the opening but for the entry you need to know the password. But from Friday its open daily and for everyone.
Mon to Wed: 9.30 am to midnight, Thu: 9.30 am to 2 am, Fri to Sat: 9.30 am to 4 am, Sun: 3 pm to midnight. Hausbar, Schweizergasse 8, 8001 Zurich

Hive is celebrating its anniversary this Friday. Looking back on six years filled with electronic music, live gigs and party goers it brings Canadian James Teej to the party. Support act are Hanne & Lore who always bring a smile to my face when I see them behind their decks. Happy Birthday Hive!
Friday 11 pm, Hive

APART call themselves the green culture café and it’s certainly a fine place to relax and while away a few hours if you’re ever around Kreis 3. They also put on some cultural events throughout the year. Tomorrow an event called Züri Unplugged will showcase show of the more rustic charms of the city. Tanja Kummer will tell stories of her experiences of Zurich, Christine Lauterburg will yodel (yes, I said yodel) and Dide Marfurt will play zither, Helvetic bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy. As it’s too cold to visit the mountains, why not bring the mountain culture to Zurich?
Friday 8 pm, APART grünkulturcafé

The UK scene has stolen the hip-hop fire from the US and is lighting up dark corners unexplored by their American cousins. Young Montana, voted ‘Favourite unsigned artist’ in 2010 brings his grime, hip-hop and electronica influences to the Life Bricks night at Exil. Lapalux who defines the Life Bricks mantra of ‘experimental hip-hop and bass’ joins him, also from the UK. If you want to see what a new generation are turning hip-hop into, this would be a good place to start.
Saturday 11 pm, Exil 

The French-Finnish band The Dø have thrilled audiences since early 2005. Honing a real independent pop production, they stand out from the crowd with their use of strings, jazz passages and indie-pop elements. While this mixed bag of genres could sound chaotic in more mundane hands, The Dø lead us on a merry adventure and never lose their way. They play live at Mascotte this Sunday and I have 3 x 2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Sunday 8 pm, Mascotte

The ewz.stattkino opens its doors for a 10-day run of great cinema this Wednesday. Some classic movies are on show including Bullitt, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Hellzapoppin’ but what makes these shows unique are the extras that go along with them. Many have their soundtracks played live by dj’s or electro bands, some offer a dance course, aromas (smelly-vision) or even a free breakfast box to go along with your viewing pleasure. This must be the ultimate 3-D cinema experience.
Wednesday until 26^th February, ewz-Unterwerk Selnau & Arthouse Le Paris

I first spotted the new Asian restaurant at Kalkbreitestrasse cycling past -and forgot all about it. A few weeks later, I read a review on Spotted by Locals about the place- and forgot all about it. Until a few weeks ago. I was cycling home from work hungry and came past the corner Weststrasse / Kalkbreitestrasse and saw Weibian. Stopped, walked in, chose a take away, left tip for the friendly service, went home, ate – and was happy.
Weibian, Weststrasse 146, 8003 Zürich

Brrr, it’s freezing. So here a few tips on how to stay warm. Saunas: Zurich has various Saunas so it should be easy to find one that you like. Have a look at the overview and don’t forget the latest addition at Volkshaus. They all have one thing in common, it’s really warm inside. Tea: Tea warms from the inside. Zurich hosts many specialized tea shops such as Schwarzenbach, Teehaus Cha or Shui Tang, in which you’ll certainly find a flavour you like. Stay in: And watch DVDs, for example you can order food and Fight Club at Lilys. Or brush up on your Swissness with some Swiss films on DVD (with English subtitles of course).  Enjoy: Don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It’s likely that many lakes in the Canton will freeze over by the weekend and will be open to the public. That doesn't happen very often. Check the local newspapers.

Urban farming does not necessarily have to be done outside, as the website our.windowfarms.org shows. There are numerous tutorials and models that allow you to create your own window farm out of household objects. And who has a good tip, passes on his knowledge to the rest. So create your own Hanging Gardens of Babylon and join a growing community of indoor urban farmers. Now is a good time to start planning. Get involved!

The photographer Richard Mosse documented the conflict in Congo. He did it with a special AeroChrome infrared film that turns the forest landscape into a candyfloss dream, giving these tragic images of war a strangely innocent hue. This enormous contrast, Mosse hopes, will draw our attention to the trivialization of this war.