TOP 8 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
A great mix of things to do this week – so you needn’t be in the dark about what’s going on in Geneva anymore! Enjoy!
THE LIBRARY IN ENGLISH BOOK SALE
Thousands of second-hand books, CDs and DVDs – adult, junior, fiction and non-fiction will be for sale at the Library in English Autumn Book Sale that takes places this Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 3rd, 4th & 5th November 2017. Make the most of this great opportunity to buy great quality English books and then head along to their tearoom to sample their homemade cakes, cookies, sandwiches and drinks. For opening times check their Facebook page – click here for further information.
THE GENEVA SCOTTISH FAIR
Don’t miss the Geneva Scottish Fair on Saturday 4th November 2017 at the Salle Communale in Grand Saconnex. Your chance to eat Scottish delicacies whilst listening to Scottish bagpipes & drums. Also on offer will be champagne, salmon, African food and home baked cakes, cookies and jams. You can buy books, children’s toys, Christmas gifts and many more things. Games for children held throughout the day whilst you enjoy browsing and eating. Further information can be found on their Facebook page – click here.
THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (GIFF)
If you fancy yourself a movie buff and you’re into art house movies, original European television series and original virtual reality projects, the Geneva International Film Festival is not to be missed. The programme may appear a bit overwhelming at first glance, but don’t let that put you off. The festival offers some groundbreaking movies, some of which have a direct link to Geneva, and most of which are shown with English subtitles.
This popular festival aimed at all ages offers a mixture of film, television, digital art and music events over a period of nine days. This year’s festival, now in its 23rd year, will take place from the 3rd–11th November 2017. Click here to see our tips for what to see at the GIFF.
THE SALON DU CHAMPAGNE
The 4th edition of the Salon du Champagne takes place on Saturday 4th November 2017 at the Grand Hotel Kempinski from 2pm-7pm, with more than 200 champagnes to choose from, from great vintages to rare cuvées; masterclasses; and for the first time…a blind tasting competition for champagne lovers! Many of the champagnes are only available to buy during the Salon du Champagne and with the festive season just around the corner, why not stock up? A closing party with Verve Clicquot at the #ClicquotInTheSnow Party will take place later in the evening.
Ticket price 79CHF (with a 50CHF voucher which can be used towards any order placed on the day). Tickets are available online, click here for information.
ART CAROUGE, MONTHLY BROCANTE & SHOPS OPEN ON SUNDAY IN CAROUGE
A busy weekend in Carouge this weekend, with Art Carouge‘s vernissages taking place on both Saturday and Sunday the 4th & 5th November 2017 from 11am-5pm. Founded in 2005, Art Carouge is an organisation comprising eight different galleries and one institution – the museum of Carouge. Vernissages take place twice a year – in March and November and are dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions. The opportunity to meet the artists themselves is not to be missed – look out for dutch artist Tineke Bruijnzeels‘ (who speaks perfect english) “Une seconde à la fois” (one second at a time) exhibition at the Galerie Marianne Brand, 20 rue Ancienne.
On Sunday 5th November 2017, the monthly Brocante will take place – a great opportunity to pick up an interesting bargain. From 11am-5pm many of the shops in Carouge will be open too, so a bit of Sunday shopping heaven!
BELCANTO, THE LUCIANO PAVAROTTI HERITAGE
A show mixing opera, ballet and song. “BelCanto, the Luciano Pavarotti Héritage” is a concert performed by talented opera singers selected by the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. The BelCanto concert presents unique and original performances of the great opera arias, traditional Neapolitan songs and international contemporary compositions arranged with the aestheticism and style of the Italian “Belcanto”. Two performances on Sunday 5th November 2017 at 2pm and 7pm. Click here for ticket information.
JAMES BLUNT IN CONCERT
James Blunt plays the Arena on Wednesday 8th November 2017, singing songs from his new album ‘The Afterlove’ which shows James Blunt in a new light from some of his more classic well known tunes, which of course will be included in the show.
Tickets still available – for ticket sales click here.
THE RENEGADE SAINTS
The Renegade Saints are a well-oiled improv comedy machine, having performed together for nearly three years and playing to sold out audiences in their incredibly popular monthly 
shows in Geneva. Blending a range of backgrounds in typically Genevan international community style, the Saints continue to bring their patented wit and side-splittingly hilarious fast-paced improv style for your entertainment. Performing on Thursday 9th November 2017 at 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm) at Mr. Pickwick’s pub, 80 rue de Lausanne. The 10CHF entry includes a drink voucher. Click here for further information.
FUTURE EVENTS TO BOOK NOW
NOTES N’ TOASTS MUSICAL BRUNCH
Like the sound of unlimited Bloody Marys and delicious tartines from the new restaurant/bar Toasted? The old-fashioned diner with retro décor serving up copious open-faced sandwiches and plenty of Brookyln style that’s set to be the newest and hippest spot to brunch in town!
Their Notes n’ Toasts Musical Brunch on Sunday 12th November 2017 (choose from two different time slots – midday to 2pm or 2pm-4pm) will feature the fantastic gypsy jazz trio with Sebastien Felix (on guitar) and NYC’s own John Intrator (on fiddle) followed by Geneva’s own blues man, Alex Ald (guitar). This is a date not to be missed.
To book tickets click here.
THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES
A comedy by Molière, The School for Wives is a lively romp of mistaken identity, lost innocence and shared secrets performed by the Geneva English Drama Society on 21st-25th November 2017.
Arnolphe, a pompous middle-aged man, has his future all mapped out and will take advice from no one. He has raised his young ward, Agnès, in a nunnery so that she will remain innocent and ignorant and thus be the “perfect” wife for him. Now she is 17, and he moves her to a house on his estate in preparation for the wedding. However, Agnès has other ideas…
In this biting comedy of errors, the hapless Arnolphe is undone by his own double dealing and double standards. Written by Molière, The School for Wives was first performed in December 1662, yet many of its themes remain relevant today in a fresh, witty English translation. Click here for ticket information.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
The Geneva Amateur Operatic Society has a reputation for producing high calibre shows since being created in 1971. Productions are in English and are performed entirely by talented amateurs at some of the city’s most exciting venues. This winter’s production of the Wizard of Oz, the tale of a young girl and her dog trying to find their way home with the help of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, has some of the best-loved songs in American filmdom, including “Over the Rainbow” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”.
FREE CONCERT & TED-STYLE TALK
A free concert and fascinating TED-style talk at the Athénee with superstar interpreter of music for the deaf, Amber Galloway Gallego takes place on Monday 4th December 2017.
Amber, a pink-haired punk from Texas, has become a worldwide sensation overnight. A music interpreter for the deaf, performing onstage with some pretty impressive names in the world of music explains what is sound to music, does music need sound to be enjoyed, can one love a song you’ve never heard before? Be it Madonna or the Beatles, music has an irresistible energy that is enjoyed by all and is oft attributed to its sound. But there is a person who begs to differ, an amazing talent who knows how to translate audio’s captivating energy into non-sonic terms.
Come witness what will surely be the most entertaining concert of your life – whether you have perfect hearing or not. This is a 100% inclusive event with simultaneous interpretation in English, French and LSF (French Sign Language).
Tickets are free, but registration in advance is necessary. Click here for further information.
