The French have always been masters of electro-pop and with dj/producer Yuksek’s new album out a couple of months ago, it still shows they have the je ne sais quoi needed to fill a dance floor. Rather than double down on the raw beats and acid loops of his previous efforts, this time Yuksek has brought out the pop and melody in his songs, and they’re all the better for it. See him as he plays tonight, with a live band, at Abart. I have 2x2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Thursday 8 pm, Abart

Long time regulars of Kaufleuten will know the sound of Sweet & Sexy, but this Friday they have their debut at Exil alongside Nasty Collective. Joining these djing powerhouses will be Luvin’Lou and Grim Reaper from Munich, as well as London mc Kie. One thing all these djs have in common is a love of UK garage and house music, so if you want to hear what the genre is doing in 2011, Exil is definitely the place to be this weekend.
Friday 11 pm, Exil

Forget what you know about Irish music and take a listen to Solar Bears. This electro-indie duo from Dublin twist and bend their synths and beats into almost pastoral prog soundscapes. The Solar Bears languid take on electro is new and retro at the same time, and is the perfect sound for a late summers night. They play Zukunft this weekend and will be the soundtrack to your unwritten Autumnal movies.
Saturday 11 pm, Zukunft

Riding my bike around town is often an A to B proposition and whilst, even if I say so myself, I often look pretty good, style and elegance are not my main concern. This Saturday, however, is a different matter. The Gentlemen’s Run is a chance for the men amongst us to get on your best outfit and join other dandies as they ride through town in a hybrid swarm of man, machine and material. It begins at the Landesmuseum and finishes a few hours later at the Park Hyatt Hotel for drinks, very nice prizes for the best dressed and general mutual admiration of how good looking men can be when we try. Registration required.
Saturday 2.30 pm, Schweizerischen Landesmuseum

We may not have the beach in Zurich but we know a thing or two about relaxing by the water’s edge as the sun shines. So with Donavon Frankenreite, and his chilled-out, So Cal, surf vibe coming to Kaufleuten on Tuesday, it shouldn’t be too hard for us to get into a mellow enough mood to enjoy the concert. From the same stable as Jack Johnson, this is just the right sunny vibe to carry into the coming weeks as skiing, and not surfing, enters our thoughts. I have 3x2 tickets to give away. Email me.
Tuesday 8 pm, Kaufleuten

Moules et frites, the traditional Belgian national dish found its way to Dani H. Eat as much as you like, each Monday including white wine for a set price of 49 francs. Quite a deal I think. If you know Dani H. then you also know that you should book ahead: 044 241 41 78. Seating is limited in the small bar at Müllerstrasse 51.
Mondays from 6 pm, Dani H.

Wherever tourists are around, you’ll find them in swarms – caricaturists. Their quickly drawn portraits often look all alike. Given that, I prefer the comic drawings of The Portrait Project by far. They’re full of character. Take a picture, upload it to a website, and state the URL when paying for the image. After 1-3 weeks you’ll be proud owner of your comic-portrait.

I love faded glory. 40’s Hollywood, seaside towns in winter and old fairgrounds. A sense of beauty hidden beneath the dirt. Video Games by Lana Del Rey is both faded and glorious. Enjoy.