“We are looking for amateurs, not professionals singers. This casting is open to individual performers, not to groups. All phases of the casting will be filmed,” says the public invite sent by the TSR.

A similar show is already in its second season in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (Schweizer Talente) but unlike the francophone version, it is open to all kinds of performers and not just singers.

The invite is extended to singers aged 10 to 100.

The Schweizer Talente discovers an amazing teen singer (forward to 2:20 and listen!)

This also means that you can go to any sports bar around Switzerland, ask them to tune to TSR2 and watch the game. However, once the bars closes at 2:00 you will be asked to leave.

If you’d rather hang out all night long with a few die-hard fans then visit:

• Mr. Pickwick in Geneva or Mr. Pickwick Basel. The bars will stay open all night long (or until 5:00 on Monday 6 February to be precise), serving hot dogs, chilli, buffalo wings and more
• Darling Pub or Le Zinc in Lausanne
• Bolgenschanze in Davos

Reports that the Super Bowl would be shown at the Marriott in Zurich seem unfounded. A clerk we spoke to said they would not be showing it there this year.

On the eve of this game and being a former resident of Secaucus, NJ (home to Giants Stadium), all I can say is: Let the game begin! And.. Go Giants!

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Child birthing classes for women who do not speak French well or not at all

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Here’s one great resource for you preggo ladies out there. If you are interested in birthing courses but would rather do so in your native language, and that is other than French, then sign-up for the courses offered by The Midwives Arcade and Appartenances-Geneve.

These two organizations (one which offers services for migrant families and the other an association of independent midwives) offer childbirth courses for women starting on their fourth month of pregnancy. The midwives also offer a meeting with moms and babies after birth and help guide families through the Geneva healthcare system.

Classes are taught in several languages including, but not limited to: Arabic, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish, and are given to women regardless of their immigration status.

The courses which are run by midwives and interpreters, are opened to all women. These can participate with their partners or with a person of their choice. Birthing lessons are covered and reimbursed by basic health insurance.

Meetings are held at the Midwives Arcade, 85 Boulevard Carl-Vogt, 1205 Geneva. Tel: +41 (0) 22 329 0555.

In addition, the midwives association also offers water aerobics and swimming training for pregnant women in the Paquis area.

Stay healthy and strong!

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This cute vest was the last on the rack. Original price: CHF590 sold for CHF60

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – We all know that comes January stores slash their prices significantly however, I had almost but forgotten that at the Bon Genie store at the Geneva International Airport January means huge discounts on selected designer clothes. The best, is that the store (as all stores at the airport) is open on Sundays from 10:00 until 20:00.

For those new in town, the Bon Genie (or Bongenie Grieder) is a subtle, understated upmarket department store found in several cities around the country. The airport’s BG store works as a “stockout” center during the January and summer sales so you will find one-of-a-kind items that you will not find at the Rue de Confederation store (see left).

Just a couple of days ago I found a great Lanvin dress for nearly CHF100, a beautiful Max Mara dress for CHF80 a SEE by Chloé dress for under CHF200 and other great prices.

Although most of the sizes left are small, there are also a few medium and large sizes left and some men’s clothes as well.

Happy shopping!

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Kids skiing... two have more fun!

SWITZERLAND – On 22 January the Anzère ski station joins hundreds of ski stations around the globe, and 30 more in Switzerland, for “World Snow Day,” by offering one free day on the slopes.

Children 15 and under will get to ski or snowboard, rent equipment, ride the ski lifts and participate in all outdoor activities planned for the occasion, free of charge.

In other words, kids get to celebrate “all things snow” at selected ski stations thanks to the International Ski Federation and other sponsors.

Although activities are free, registration at the Anzere ski station is required -all relevant information will be sent by e-mail the week before the event.

In addition to Anzere, ski stations in Arosa, Verbier, Saas-Fee, Grindelwald and other cities will offer free skiing. To find the slopes near you visit the World Snow Day website. Remember that thousands of little skiers are expected to attend, so register early.

Let the snow games begin!

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Before leaving home for the slopes make sure to check-out the weather and avalanche conditions. Here are a few resources:

• Hazardous conditions, updated maps provided by MeteoSwiss
• Updated weather bulletins, provided by MeteoSwiss in French, German and Italian only
• Updated maps showing dangerous avalanche and snow conditions across the country, provided by the SLF
• Swiss snow reports: Ski, cross-country, sledding, snow-shoeing and weather info, provided by the Swiss tourism office.

Stay safe and dry while enjoying the outdoors!

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McSorley , Simek, Fritsche, Vukovic and Matte - Photo GSHC

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND  – Geneva hockey fans might find that this season wine and hockey make the right Christmas gift.

La Cave de Genèveand the Geneva-Servette hockey team are teaming up to toast the new year with two wines, a Geneva Gamaret AOC 2010 and a Chardonnay AOC Geneva 2010 aged in oak barrels, featuring photos and bios of the players.

The wines which were presented yesterday 18 December during the Christmas game, are now on sale. Labels have space reserved for autographs and can be easily removed making them de facto collection items.

If this is one of those Geneva Christmas gifts you have to have, you can get them at La Cave de Genève per CHF19.50 a bottle.

The last question remaining is… Do you want McSorley in red or white?

Happy Holidays!

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The Geneva tourism department offers guided walks that range in price from CHF10 for students and seniors, to CHF15 for adults. Free for children under 14 years of age.

Explore Old Town, Carouge, the financial district, or take one of the themed-walks: watch-making history, Calvinism and the city, parks and residences, tales and legends, Rousseau, Henry Dunant & the Red Cross, and in December only, the Escalade with its famous hot soup and hidden trails.

Squeeze through the Passage de Monetier opens only once a year

Exiting the Monetier dressed as back in the day

Tours are offered in French, English and German; Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages available upon request.

Enjoy Geneva in winter!

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The aim is to finish with a smile (and make others smile too). Here an apprentice reporter was teaching tricks to the bride-to-be.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Say you forgot to dress up during Halloween and still, however, want to play dress-up. Here comes the Escalade run, well known for its fun, festive atmosphere. (See GL photo album)

If you have never been to one, here’s what you can expect. It takes place the first Saturday of December.

A serious athletes’ race around Geneva’s Old Town takes place in the morning, followed by kids’ races, and adult 3k and 8k races as well as Nordic walking competitions.

Then there are several activities at Bastions Park.

The day ends with the fun, costume-filled run/walk/or just plain roll known as La Marmite. It is a non-competitive race. The aim of participants, I dare say, is to finish with a smile and make others smile, too.

Now, don’t get too carried away with your costume, as the very Swiss organizers say: “Tram and trolleybus cables and footbridges (3m) prevent the carrying of huge objects. If you try to do so, you could be excluded from the event.” So better get those horns in check.

Enjoy!

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Christmas in Switzerland, enjoy the outdoor markets

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – It is an American tradition that no sooner has Thanksgiving ended than Christmas sales begin. Switzerland, minus the turkey, does its own version of Christmas shopping right around the same time.

The beautiful outdoor Christmas markets start taking place this weekend; some of them run through late December.

No need to repeat the list here, see the GenevaLunch events page where you will find several of the Christmas markets in the area, and under Swiss events at large you will find a comprehensive list.

Also remember that before Christmas, stores are open on Sundays in Carouge, Geneva.

Enjoy the handicrafts and the mulled wine. Buy artisan gifts!

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