I’ll be away next week in the midst of an extended 1^st August National Day extravaganza, which unfortunately means you won’t be receiving my newsletter, but dry your tears and be assured that I’ll be back and full of Zurich zeal the following week. I wish you all a happy National Day.
Give my love to the city, Ron

Each year the city fathers like to support Zurich’s fantastic music scene by putting on Stadtsommer. From Thursday until the 4th August, seven bands and musicians from around Zurich get to perform a concert in the open air at a location of their choice within the city. This year's highlights include the electro-glitching Bit-Tuner (under Kornhausbrücke), a Spezialmaterial Label Night (Summer Stage, Rote Fabrik) and Grand Pianoramix(Bäckeranlage) as well as the one and only (if you were living in Switzerland in the 90s) Baby Jail (in front of Helsinki Club)
Thursday to 4th August, See website for locations and times

Anna Kaenzig is a Zurich born singer/songwriter that I discovered a little while ago, as her light-as-air vocals floated into my head and decided to stay. Her music combines pop, jazz and folk into songs that bounce along with a carefree swagger and feel like a cool summer breeze. She’ll be playing at La Catrina tonight which, given the summer heat we’re expecting, may need all the summer breezes it can get.
Thursday 10 pm, La Catrina

Hidden away down a not too promising side entrance is the Kaufleuten terrace, also known as The Hof; a bubble of peace amid the city bustle. This Friday night it is being taken over by the Love Cult, unfortunately not a dodgy sect but an intimate evening of the finest sounds curated by leader of Zurich’s Drumpoet Community, Alex Dallas. He’ll have a few dj’s on hand to help him weave the musical magic, and if that wasn’t enough for you, you can really get that ‘summer-in-the-city’ feel as cold drinks and grilled food accompany the beats.
Friday 6 pm, Kaufleuten Hof

* 

Hola, mi amigos. If you’re stuck in the city this weekend but have dreams of Sangria, sunburn and partying on the Costa Del Sol, Cabaret may have just saved you an air ticket. This Saturday, Cabaret becomes Hacienda, La Discoteca. The club will have a complete Spanish refit, from the hacienda style decoration to music that is made to forget home. The only thing missing will be a moustached waiter hoping to learn more about your strange Swiss ways and which hotel you stay in.
Saturday 11 pm, Cabaret

"Dear friends of ‘danceable’ green areas", starts the email from the collective Zigifabrik. They organise an electronic open air this Tuesday to dance into the Swiss national day – I love it when we get a day off in the middle of the week – and August, where summer hopefully awaits us. It only takes place if it’s dry so check their page before heading out to Allmendstrasse 20. Tip: Bringing along food or drinks is not allowed as already the entry is already for free.  
Tuesday 7.30 pm – 4 am, Allmendstrasse 20

To celebrate 1 August in style, start your lazy Wednesday with a Swiss Brunch at Dini Mueter accompanied by folkloric music from the band with the fantastic name Echo vom Chalberschwanz (echo from the calf’s tail). Afterward I suggest hitting Fritschiwiese to digest this Swiss overdose with cosmopolitan sounds from all around the world, art and “sport” projects as well as food from Venezuela. And once it gets dark it’s time to light the fireworks. Happy 1. August!
Wednesday, 10 am to 2 pm, Dini Mueter
Wednesday, 2 pm, Fritschiwiese

From Friday until 12 August the Olympic Games are taking place in London. For all of you, who won’t go to London I bring a small piece of the Olympics to Zurich (next to watching the games on TV). Exhibition: 12 designers (6 from Zurich and 6 from London) created a poster for the Olympic Games under the theme “we paint the town red”. The results you see at the exhibition at Museum für Gestaltung until 26 August, or rather their smaller exhibition area Vestibül. Radio: The International Radio Festival that visits Zurich every September organized a special pop up edition for the Games until 12 August. London djs will show their best, combined with some Swiss talents. Branding: If you ever wondered how you would brand the Olympics if they took place in Zurich instead of London (well, who hasn’t thought about that), then look at George Strouzas designed answer symbolizing unity and neutrality. May peace be with you and all the athletes!

If none of the above events satisfied your yearning for some British culture. Afternoon Tea: Eden bar (at the Eden au lac hotel, Utoquai 43, 8008 Zurich) serves daily a traditional Afternoon Tea from 1-5 pm, with fifteen different teas to choose from and an impressive three-tier tray piled with finger sandwiches, mini crepes, short bread and scones. Costs: 29 francs / 39 francs with Prosecco. Pubs (a small selection): Big Ben Pub (Niederdorfstrasse 52, 8001) has always a game on, so I’m pretty sure they’ll be screening the Olympics too. It attracts a mixed crowed and you find its younger version in Kreis 5 (Big Ben Pub West Side; Hardstrasse 234). Nelson Pub (Beatengasse 1, 8001) provides a true Anglophile atmosphere. As they showed all football games during Euro 2012, I’m convinced they switch on the TV if you ask nicely. Oliver Twist (Rindermarkt 6, 8001) will screen the Olympics all day in a leathery but cosy atmosphere.