Taking place between 6th and 10th December and celebrating its 23rd edition this year, the Montreux Comedy Festival is one of the leading comedy festivals in Europe, attracting the crème de la crème of French speaking comedians and professionals.
In response to the huge demand from international audiences living in Suisse Romande, the festival management has decided for the first time this year to organize some additional events in English.
On the 6th December, there will a stand-up comedy show including a number of popular English-speaking comedians, such as Yianni, Brian O’Gorman and Mickey Sharma. This event is described as being a wonderful opportunity to “discover new talents and enjoy a slice of English life and humor in Montreux”. No tickets for this event are required as the show is free and you just need to turn up at the door.
Here are a few insider tips for Lisa’s favorite Geneva locations. Do you have some that you can send along? Maybe for Lausanne, Evian, Annecy, Montreux, Lyon, Nyon? Whatever you want to send in but at least 4 items of varying interest. Why not give some more on Geneva that are not included here! Just write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with some ideas!
One of Lisa's favorite Geneva restaurants:
Buvette des Bains
30, quai du Mont-Blanc
1201 Genève
022 738 16 16
In the evenings, you must try their cheese fondue made with sparkling wine. It’s deliciously creamy and only Fr. 22.-/person including a bowl of fresh fruit salad! In winter, don’t forget to wear layers as the windows are plastic (cold) or you might be next to a heater or fireplace (hot)! If you are up for it, you can try the steam baths next door, dip in the lake, and then come over to the restaurant to warm up. Place your order for the food at the counter and then carry your own drinks over to your table. Reservations highly recommended! Be forewarned that this place is not fancy and your conversation might be drowned out by the table next to yours singing Joyeux Anniversaire at the top of their lungs! The place closes around 21h30 so if you have room you can mosey over to the Kempinski's Floor Two for a coffee with a view!
The countdown is on for one of Europe’s most-anticipated and lavish annual fundraising events, the Geneva Charity Ball - and with this year’s ‘Wonderland’ theme, the 2012 Ball looks set to be the most magical yet.
Hailed as “a must-attend event on the European expatriate social calendar” by The Telegraph, more than 500 guests, amongst them well-known personalities from the worlds of business, finance, media, sport and high society, are expected to attend this year’s event being held at the Intercontinental Hotel on 10th November.
With a glitzy champagne reception, a sumptuous dinner, performances from the UN Orchestra, an auction hosted by acclaimed auctioneer Helen Molesworth, and an after-party where some of the Ministry of Sound’s most in-demand DJs will keep revelers on the dance floor until the early hours, organisers say this year’s Ball will be an unforgettable evening.
Photo: CIO/A.Meylan
Organized by the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, this year’s Olympic Week celebrations will take place between the 14 and 18 October. Around 5000 youngsters between the ages of 9 and 15 years old will have the opportunity to try out approximately 30 different sporting disciplines along the Ouchy lakeside. This year’s special theme will be food and the five senses.
Although the main Olympic Museum is officially closed for renovation at the moment, this has not prevented the organizers from hosting the 32nd Olympic Week. Around 30 sporting clubs, and about 300 instructors and volunteers will be on hand throughout the school holiday week, to help initiate youngsters in sports such as fencing, rock climbing, sailing, capoeira, taekwondno, and even skiing! The Ouchy lakeside between La Place de la Navigation and the Olympic Museum will be shut throughout the week of sportive festivities.
Since 2012 is the year in which Lausanne was nominated “Ville du Goût” (City of Taste), young participants will have the chance to take part in a variety of workshops based on the theme of the 5 senses. Cooking lessons will be organized to help children become more familiar with fruit and vegetables and to concoct some surprising, but delicious recipes that are easy to make again at home.
This Saturday, 13 October, the Ethiopian Children's Appeal will hold its annual Fall Fundraising Bazaar in Geneva.
The bazaar, which will take place at 99 Espace de Quartier between 11am and 11pm, will feature lots of new items and jewelry made by many different designers, including ECA Founder, Jo Butler. Textiles, scarves, baskets, Christmas decorations and paintings will also feature amongst the wide range of products on sale.
For the children, there will be puppet shows, and beading classes, whilst Ethiopian dance classes will appeal to both young and old. A Chinese auction and tombola prizes should also prove popular with adults.
Jo told knowitall.ch, "All the proceeds from this event will go towards helping rural school children and HIV/AIDS orphans in Ethiopia. Our fundraising events have proved so helpful in the past, and have enabled us to deliver much-needed supplies such as school books, clothing and sports equipment to these children. We have now installed solar energy at one school, built two new quarters for teachers, installed vegetable gardens, and even taught the children how to grow their own vegetables! We have also refurbished the local health clinic, and installed solar power and a fridge for vaccinations. In addition, we have helped to support 16 HIV/AIDS orphans living in a home environment in Addis Ababa."
