Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – If you are in town on New Year’s Eve 2012 and are still planning evening entertainment, here are a few tips:
- Geneva’s Mayor Remy Pagami is hosting a reveillon at the Plainpalais plaza (including dancing under a circus tent), and staging concerts by rue de l’Ecole de Medecine. From 22:00 to 03:00 the plain will fill with Latin music (mostly DJs playing reggaeton and salsa but some Brazilian music is expected as well), blues, electronica and rock. Zurich-based band My Heart Belongs to Cecilia Winter will be in town to ring in the New Year, as well as Geneva’s own Aloan – one of my faves – which will be playing some of their old trip hop melodies and songs from their new “rock” album.
- Avenue du Mail will be closed to traffic, however you will be able to access the Plainpalais parking from the entrance on Boulevard Georges-Favon. Parking for bikes and motorcycles will be on the southern tip of the plain (Temple & 23-Cantons), download the programme.
- Another cost-free option is bringing your own bubbles to the Mont-Blanc quai where hundreds of Genevois and tourists meet for small fireworks and impromptu gatherings overlooking Geneva’s fanciest hotels.
- Start your evening early by touring Geneva’s Arbres et Lumieres which features several beautifully decorated trees and bridges in the heart of the city.
- Of course there are tons of pay-and-dance parties around Geneva, worth mentioning are the Chat Noir hosting a groove, house and electro party – those wearing capes will receive a gift; a house music party in Jonction; and at Bateau Genève near the Jet d’Eau. L’Usine à gaz in Nyon is also hosting a costume party on 31 December.
- If all above fails, think of visiting Lausanne where a bunch of free events take place.
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Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The last of the 2012 neighborhood flea markets in Geneva, takes place this weekend – 29-30 September – in Paquis.
Geneva rock band, Ghost Engine at the Paquis La Ville est a Vous
In spite of the rain, hundreds of people showed up on 29 September at the popular neighborhood to enjoy the festive atmosphere: music, flea market and food vendors.
Food vendors from Ethiopia, the island of Mauritius, India and other regions, were grilling and cooking filling the streets with exotic aromas, and selling their food at great prices: CHF12 a plate.
Latin flavor in Geneva
Laila Rodriguez
This is the view at the La ville est a vous in Charmilles on 9 Sepetmber 2012 – The neighborhood flea markets in Geneva go on until 30 September
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The neighborhood flea markets better known as La-Ville-est-a-Vous fairs are back from their summer hiatus bringing music, food and cheap second-hand items to Geneva neighborhoods.
The fun parties go on until 30 September, plenty of kids activities. Check out the schedules here.
Here’s one more idea for what to do on those lonely Sundays in Geneva.
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Laila Rodriguez
Concerts in the Park at the Geneva musiques colorees ©Claire Cuti
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The 2012 Musiques Colorées free concerts, part of the series Musiques en été festival, takes place at the Ella Fitzgerald stage at La Grange Park every Wednesday and Friday from 6 July until 24 August. All concerts start at 20:30 sharp and last anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes.
The 11-year-old event is reminiscent of the popular Summer Stage in NYC’s Central Park, and specializes in World Beat music (hence the title musiques colorées). However, the 2012 repertoire features mostly European and North American-based artists ranging from chanson to jazz.
Laila Rodriguez
The Temple Jazz Orchestra in Geneva for the Independence Day celebration
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – It may not seem so in Geneva, but today over 300 million US citizens celebrate the 236th anniversary of their independence from the British with patriotic songs, barbecues and fireworks.
For those of you wanting to sing the Star Spangled Banner along a few compatriots, you will have to wait one more day (unless you are one of the lucky few invited you know where).
If you want to celebrate your stars and stripes, think of attending a special event hosted by the US Mission in Geneva featuring the Temple Jazz Orchestra.
Laila Rodriguez
Fire eaters during Fete de la musique in Geneva
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The Fête de la musique or World Music Day is a not-to-be missed musical extravaganza around Switzerland.
If you are new to Geneva and have never been to one the fetes around the world, let me tell you that it transforms the city into a gigantic amphitheater with a wide range of musical ensembles entertaining thousands of revelers.
Laila Rodriguez
La ville est a vous or Geneva neighborhood flea markets and outdoor parties return for twelve weekends between May and September 2012
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – To the delight of many Geneva residents the popular neighborhoods flea markets / public outdoor parties return.
The La Ville est à vous, also known as the city’s Fêtes de rues, is an event for citizens to “take back the streets,” using the public space for their enjoyment.
For its ninth edition, the city, through neighborhood associations, organizes 12 street fairs between May and September.
The fairs offer outdoor concerts, art performances, food stalls, a flea market in designated streets, and outdoor ludotheques or children’s play areas.
Anyone can set up shop on the streets and sell everything from bicycle parts to clothes you no longer fancy.
Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Finding something to do on Sundays in Geneva and surrounding areas seems to be the perennial conundrum for many expats (and a few locals too) who find the area a bit tame on the weekends. Allow me the pleasure then, to bring you a selection of some of the most fun and interesting activities in the Lake Geneva region, and beyond.
Swinging in the outdoors
Just visit the Events page of GenevaLunch where I have posted an eclectic collection of what-to-do-on-Sundays, from antique fairs and flea markets to hiking and Nordic walking.
I hope you enjoy the list and happy Sunday everyone!
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Laila Rodriguez
The Cully Jazz Festival poster
LAKE GENEVA REGION, SWITZERLAND – The Cully Jazz festival, also known as “the most intimate of Switzerland’s big jazz festivals,” is almost here; tickets are on sale now.
Every spring, for nine days, the charming wine-making township of Cully is transformed into a jazz heaven; sort of a warm-up for the larger Montreux Jazz Festival. The 2012 dates are 13-21 April.
What I like about the CJ is that unlike other fests, it is all about jazz or world beat jazz fusion. There is no pop, rock wanna-bes or one-hit wonders here. They’re all new or relevant artists that use jazz as their main means of expression.
For 2012, the gifted Mina Agossi will be bringing her world beat jazz inspired music. Another interesting artist attending the rendez-vous is the Cuban-born pianist Harold Lopez Nussa who will be playing with Mamani Keita in what can be described as Latin jazz meets African-funk.
Laila Rodriguez
The Staches at BAG - Photo BAG ©Christophe Losberger 2011
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – If you like live music, and have an appreciation for blues, then, you’ll love this resource.
The Geneva Blues Association, BAG in French, a Swiss non-profit dedicated to “preserving and advancing the exchange of blues between the English and French communities,” opens its doors to Blues enthusiasts Mondays and Thursdays.
Better still, paid shows are affordable; CHF25 for “special eves”, CHF15 otherwise; kids with the 20ans/20francs card pay only CHF10, members get in free to all concerts, while the Monday jam sessions are free for all.