May 24 /25 There's a special exhibition on just behind the castle at the moment. Go take a look at the headless man, with his hand in his pockets facing away from the lake. Why is he not taking in the fabulous lake view? Look up athe castle wall and you will see why. The castle vegetable garden is in full bloom and looking good. Scenes from the Saturday market. Organic plants for sale from this friendly stallholder. These girls below took it on their own intiative to paint pots and decorate objects to sell on a stand to help Terre des Hommes . Good for them.

On Thursday 20th November at 18:30 there will be a debate on the future of Nyon's "Rive", the lakeside area of the town. What is needed along the lakeside, what can be developed, what's next for the area? The debate will be moderated by Madame Marie-Christine Fert from La Côte newspaper. There will be various invited guests: Madame Fabienne Freymond Cantone (Nyon Municipal responsible for Urbanism), Mr Georges Darrer,  president of ProNovioduno, Mr Trevor Greenwood, resident of the Rive and other guests.   The debate has been initiated by the PIP party of Nyon (parti independent Nyonnais) . The debate begins at 18:30 followed by an apéritif and will be held in  the Ferme du Manoir in the place du Château in Nyon.

For those of you who can't wait for all the great local summer music festivals to begin, there is a festival going on in Nyon this weekend called Les Hivernales which should keep you going until the weather warms up. Various venues in the town have linked up together for two nights, Friday 12th and Saturday 13th Feb to create this mini music festival. The venues involved are The Usine a Gaz, La Parenthese, Le Cactus Jack, The Fishermen's Pub, the l'After night club and le Sky and also the associations of the Bains des Trois Jetées.   The price of entry to the festival for one night is CHF 25 and this will enable you to move between venues to check out all the music.  See the site for details of the bands playing each night (under programme). There was an interesting article in La Côte newspaper this week about how many groups and societies in this region have a presence on Facebook, from the Paléo fans (8,500 members), to the Gymnase of Morges (1113 members) to the nautical society of Nyon (39 members). Living in Nyon has recently started a presence on Facebook and also has a Nyon group on Mamicafé (see side bar). Visions du Réel the documentary film festival that takes place in Nyon in Spring, has announced that the video films of Tracey Emin will be shown at the festival for the first time in their entirety in collaboration with the Bern Kunstmuseum.   There will be an evening of debates alongside the projections.

This Living in Nyon editor first saw Johnny Clegg perform in 1988 in the Royal Albert Hall in London  supporting Stevie Winwood. Back then Johnny performed with abundant energy and superb stage presence. Last night under a Nyon sky (with the moon appearing from behind the stage to add dramatic effect to the concert), as he sang "Under African Skies" it was clear that 22 years later nothing had changed, the man still has what it takes to command and deserve the big stage - a superb concert.  Below the barefoot writer-Jonas Parson gives his impression of the same concert and also of  Crosby, Stills and Nash and Hugues Aufray. Paléo -Thursday Now if Tuesday was the trash rock evening, and Wednesday the hyped musicians evening, Thursday was definately a day of legends. Starting off with Hugues Aufray, 80 years old and still going. He was the one who wrote the famous Santiano song, along with many other classics that are still sung round campfires in all French speaking parts of the world.  Even under the pouring rain, you could feel the emotion of all those different generations who all grew up singing the same songs. Part of Aufray’s show was dedicated to Dylan, with versions of Blowin’ in the Wind, Mr Tambourine Man and other songs, sung in French! It was quite a disturbing impression at first, before you actually understood what’ was going on.  You started singing, only to realize that the lyrics aren’t the same… And then; “What? Is he actually singing Dylan in French ?” So that was a meeting with happy memories for the crowd, be they young or old. It isn’t because Aufray is old that nobody listens to him, quite the contrary. As many young people as older ones were there in front of the stage, showing once again the power of music to bring people (sometimes complete strangers) together. After two days of wonderful weather, Thursday was well set on becoming a remake of Woodstock and co, with the rain and the mud everywhere. IT was the occasion for everyone to take out their special Paleo rain jacket, the staff wearing last year’s unfinished stock.   But the rain didn’t last, and by the end of the concert, the sky was dry again, so as to give the boat Santiano good sailing conditions for its trip to San Francisco. It must have been one mighty boat, because nearly the whole of Paleo jumped on board, rocking the boat away! Traipsing through the mud after the concert, the comfortable squelch of mud under my feet, it was time for a morsel before another legend (or rather, legends) sent us sky-high at l’Asse. Not especially knowing Crosby Stills and Nash before the concert, all I knew was that they’d played at Woodstock, and that they were part of our musical history. I was amazed by everything they did. The guitar, the voice, the whole of the concert was just wonderful. I really had the impression of living part of history watching them, one of the bands that made it possible for so many small bands to play today. Had they not been playing in the 60’s, go knows what music would be like today. After the concert, I had the pleasure of meeting a real fan, a man in his fifties who told me that he’d been waiting for them for the last fifteen years. He was just more than happy. He could hardly speak anymore, rather overwhelming I gather. Then it was time for the "White Zulu" to take the whole of l’Asse  to Africa. After 30 years of concerts, Johny Clegg didn’t seem to be tiring. Quite the opposite if you can judge by his dancing and the way he behaved on stage. Running from one end of the stage to the other, jumping about in every direction, he just looked happy. That was probably the night’s main discovery for me, the concert was just amazing. I’m pretty sure that Johny Clegg might appear onto my Ipod one of these days…. So what an evening! And with all these concerts, I haven't had time to go and have a look at the Ruche, the area devoted to circus shows. There's usually always a nice company playing, and it's nearly always worth it! Photo below. Ed: Other concerts last night early in the evening included Hugh Masekela in the Dome. Even though a lot of fans were a tad bedraggled and wet due to the early rainstorm, Hugh urged the audience not to complain too much as he reminded us a bit of water didn't really do any harm as there those in other countries who really are suffering for so many other serious reasons, a sobering moment for us all.    Photo below the fires warming the fans up by night. This is the last year these fires will be here so go see them and sit by them to appreciate the atmosphere before it's too late. Over in the club tent and in the chapiteau the sound of very appreciative cheering crowds drew many people over to listen to Revolver and Archive. I caught only the end of each show but despite hearing only a few minutes of each I now want to hear more. That's the beauty of Paléo - discovering new music.

In addition to running this site, the editor also presents a programme on World Radio Switzerland called "The Connectors". Each week, she and a team of other expatriates discuss various issues from "Trailing Spouses" to " How we keep up with our own traditions and celebrations while living in Switzerland, to the "Ins and outs of Swiss Etiquette". It's a fun show and there is an opportunity for listeners to call in or leave comments on the WRS website. The Connectors also introduce phrases, idioms and words in French, German and Italian, so it's a useful programme to listen to whether you are newly arrived or have been here for a while. On the  last programme (17 June) , the team (inevitably) talked a little bit about last week's great result when Switzerland's national football team played Spain in the World Cup, but the rest of the programme is a discussion about all the technology there is out there for keeping in touch with family and friends back home. If you go to World Radio Switzerland , click on "Programmes" and then " listen" you can listen to them all again or down load them on podcast. If you click on the photos in th section  "Meet us" you can find out more about the team too.

Cleaning up the Toblerones, Barn dance, Arthur Smith at comedy night, Climate Conference, English Theatre, Rock at Usine, Next male trailing spouse meet up and Big Rugby match Photo above - Rock group Bench playing down at the Usine à Gaz tonight. There are lots of events scheduled for March in Nyon and the surrounding area. Here is a selection of them for you. Note: there will be another chance for  male trailing spouse readers to meet up again at the Brasseurs on the 9th March at 20:00. See below.  Conference on Climate Protection in English Monday 7 th March at 19:30 at the Beau Rivage, Rue de Rive 49, Nyon  The free presentation will last about 45 minutes.   The DESERTEC Foundation was established on 20 January 2009 as a non-profit foundation with the aim of promoting the implementation of the global Desertec Concept "Clean Power from Deserts" all over the world.  Desertec is a comprehensive concept, combining energy security and climate protection with fresh water generation, socio-economic development, security policy and international cooperation. This is due to the fact that in most cases the best locations for producing clean power from deserts lie in less developed regions of the world. Take a look at the following link. Come along to the presentation to find out more, and to hear how you can help. Email nickhalloin@yahoo.de March 19 Texas Barn Dance to benefit Rwanda Project If you and your friends would enjoy a good old-fashioned country-style barn dance, then book places at the Texas Barn Dance and Chili Dinner!  It will be held on the 19th of March at the Salle Communale of Chéserex from 19:00 to 22:30.In addition to enjoying a Texan meal of chili and barbecued ribs, assorted salads and desserts, you will learn real Texas "hoe-down" two-step and line dances.  You can have your partner thrown into a Wild West jail (and bail 'em out when you're ready.  You can buy a raffle ticket to win great prizes direct from Texas.  There will also be a draw for which EACH ticket holder has a chance to win Africa-themed prizes donated by "Jardins - Esprit Cadeau" in Nyon.  At least one person in four will leave with prize!  And everyone will take home wonderful memories of an evening of fun! Tickets are priced at 100chf per person, and tables can be reserved for groups of 8 to 10 people. For more info or to reserve places or make a donation see www.therwandaproject.info or send a mail to barndanceteam@gmail.com . See ya'll on the 19th!  The event is a fund-raiser for a team of youth and adults from Westlake Church in Nyon who will be travelling to Cyeza, Rwanda this summer to build sanitation facilities for a local school.  Three additional years have been added to the national educational curriculum and these new facilities will enable the school in Cyeza to host additional students.  This project is a continuation of the "Community-to-Community" (C2C) project that Westlake started with Cyeza 2 years ago, working with the organisation "Food for the Hungry". Saturday 26th March - Cleaning of the Toblerones. If you are interested in getting involved in a local  community project then why not help at the annual cleaning of the Toblerones?  The Toblerones are the line of triangular shaped stones (you can just see them as you drive on the route Suisse on the way to Gland from Nyon). These stones are actually made out of cement and steel and were erected during the second world war as an anti tank barricade. They begin at the lakeside and continue to the steepest point on the mountain side in Bassins. The path alongside the Toblerones is a very popular local hike but it does need cleaning up from time to time, so once a year so a group of volunteers get together to pick up debris and lost items, they have fun and finish off with a shared meal at the end of it. Ed note: I have been told by someone who has participated that this is a good day out for everyone, children included! If you want to take part please register here   or call Estelle Divorne (she speaks English) on 022 354 04 30 or email her   estelle.divorne@asgip.ch 19th March - European Nations Rugby Cup match between Switzerland and Andorra at Nyon's Colovray stadium. Match starts at 15:00 For more details see Nyon rugby club Comedy Nights "Funny Laundry" Comedy nights 8th March with  - Australian comedian Matthew Hardy and Marlon Davis at 20:30 and 22nd March  with British Comedian Arthur Smith and the Provocateers, also at 20:30  Doors open at 19:30 Theatre - Play  - Equus by Peter Shaffer from the 15-19 March at the Theatre du Centre de l'Esperance (Geneva) performed by GEDS Play synopsis - The play fold as a who dunnit as a psychiatrist tries to find out why a teenage boy blinded six horses. As the play progresses we find out as much about the psyche of the psychiatrist as the young boy. This production reflects the imaginative staging of the original production in London with abstract horses heads being rented from the National Theatre.  Book tickets at Theatre in English here  or see GEDS . 9th March -  Evening for male trailing spouses.  After last month's (Living in Nyon organised) successful get together of male trailing spouses ( see post here), another will go ahead at the Brasseurs pub in Nyon on Wednesday 9th March in Nyon at  20:00.  (note : later time). Didn't manage to get to this event last time  or want to go to this next one?  Send an email to  cnp@bluewin.ch   and your name will be added to the list for all future events. Rock Music  - 4th March in Nyon Rock down at the Usine a Gaz tonight March 4th with "Bench" . This band from Berne say their influences are a mixture of Creedence Clear Water Revival, The Kinks and Neil Young.  You can here some of their music here on their My Space site Free entry (hat passed round for the performers). Doors open at 21:00 Concert at 22:00

If you are looking for a a souvenir of Switzerland, a gift for a friend or colleague, or simply a work of art for your own home, then it's worth taking a look at the work and gallery of local artist Rita Mancesti.  This gallery, named Artiswiss is located under the lovely old arcades in the village of Coppet and Rita welcomes both expats and English-speaking tourists interested in acquiring an original painting of the area. She  also accepts orders for specific scenes; whilst incorporating her own personal style,  if required she  can integrate some of the client’s personal history within the painting.  Plus, there is no upfront fee at the time of ordering the painting! One of the key advantages of Rita's workshop is that you can meet the artist and watch her working on-site. If you are a regular visitor you may even see a painting develop from very start to completion. This usually takes around  three weeks.    Rita told Living in Nyon   I like this direct exchange: creating an artwork in front of visitors’ eyes. We share stories, and it then turns to be a living art, in the sense that I can explain how I am working and which ideas inspired me. Often children are the first being attracted by the gallery, and encourage their parents to come inside”. Photo above - Rita Mancesti  - Rita was born in 1970 in Geneva, and has lived in Vaud since 1994. Future plans for the gallery include representing locally-famous painters, bringing diversity in the interpretation of Swiss scenes  particularly the beautiful Leman area.  The opening of Artiswiss Mancesti Art Gallery c oincides with the launch of her book called “Coquille de Lumière - an interesting 25 years-retrospective covering 450 paintings and some sculptures - in a high quality 110-page book. It can be purchased at the Artiswiss Gallery in Coppet or ordered on the website. An English version will be made available in 2015. You can find the  Artiswiss Mancesti Art Gallery – Grand Rue 28b, Coppet  Telephone  079- 216 5599.  The gallery is open daily from 09.30-12.30 (except Wed and Sun), or via appointment.  Rita speaks English, German, Italian spoken and the gallery accepts credit cards.  There are also monthly highlights and updates on Rita's own website

The rain held off last night for the first few hours of Longirock when the fans began to arrive for a second night of rocking. If you want to go up to this three day festival, free buses will leave from Gland and Bassins to take you to the venue. Dress warmly, wear your boots, be prepared to get muddy and have fun as these fans did in the photos below. On the programme for Saturday is the band the Scorpions (their only date in Switzerland) Juliette Lewis and more. Check out the other bands playing on the programme . Below: Images of the festival from last night Below: Salome Faure and Vincent Borgeaud from the Valleé de Joux. They are camping at the festival for the whole three days to see all the bands but are big fans of the Scorpions playing tonight Saturday

There was a good turn out to the Usine a Gaz on Friday night to see the superb production of  Dicken's "Great Expectations", performed by the Kayonan theatre company. A mesmorising production, superb acting by two very talented actors, it made for a great start to the weekend. Thankyou VERY Much to all those who came to see the play and to say "Hello". Let's hope there will be more collaborations with Nyon art events and this site in the future. The next date for your diary is Thursday 28th January when there will be a "Living in Nyon" evening talk in English, on "Swiss Politics for Dummies" by Jordan Davies of World Radio Switzerland.  The talk will be followed by an introduction to your local councillors and they will explain their role on the council. Full details to follow soon. December is just round the corner and with it, a whole host of Christmas events on the Nyon and area calendar. We'll try to get as many listed as possible here. The first event coming up is that the iceskating rink returns to Nyon on the 4th December and will be in place until the 28th February. This year it will be down on the Rive, not by the railway station. See the ice rink website for full details. Other news, although the Paléo music festival maybe 8 months away it has already launched its poster for next year. Each year a competition is held to design the poster and this year's winner is 21 year-old Philippe Comte, a student in visual communication at the High School for Art and Design in Geneva. The shapes on the poster are placed in a way that allows you to make out the word "Paléo" and also discern a smiling face. Paléo has also unveiled a brand new website too, check out the great video on the home page, a great reminder of previous festivals.

Nyon circus school On Saturday 29th May at 20:30 and Sunday 30th at 17:00 L'elastique Citrique (the circus school in Nyon) will be presenting a show by a London-based company called "Like the rain when it stops".  Performing in this London based company is an ex pupil from the Nyon school. The circus school is just next to the car parking in Place Perdtemps and two minutes from the train station. Based on previous performances this should be a superb show.   -------------------------- Play in English  The Chalk Garden Also a reminder that next week Geds ( Geneva English Drama Society) will be performing "The Chalk Garden" by Enid Bagnold - Directed by Jenny Buffle at the Théâtre Pittoëff Geneva (rue de Carouge) 1-5 June 2010 Tuesday to Friday 20:00 Saturday 19:00  Written in the 1950s, this play was recently revived in the West End of London to great acclaim. See GEDS Synopsis - A modern parable about growing up and growing old and combines humour, drama, poetry and passion. In an old manor house on the Sussex downs, an aging London hostess struggles to control her unruly granddaughter and her equally unmanageable garden. When she hires a new governess for the child, she opens the door to more than she bargained for. However, help often comes in unexpected disguises and dark, brooding secrets may resolve themselves in happy endings!  First night patrons may join the cast for a glass of bubbly after the show.  Tickets - CHF 28.- (seats are numbered). British comedy night The following week  on Tuesday 8th June "Funny Laundry" will be bringing  two comedy acts to Switzerland with Arthur Smith and Josh Widdicombe. Venue: Le P'tit Music 'Hohl, 54 Avenue Louis-Casai, Geneva. Show starts at 18.30 Doors open at 19:30 Pre-show dinner reservations 022 798 8798. Tickets 35chf in advance from www.starticket.ch or on the door. See Funny Laundry

A reader has sent me details of this apartment to rent in Gland details below. Photo above -the Swissquote building in Gland (note this photo was taken last summer so stock prices maybe somewhat different today!) Beautiful apartment for rent in Gland.  Available immediately.   Grand-Rue 61, Ground Floor  Surface 150 m2 Apartment Monthly rent (excluding charges) CHF 3.700 .- (nref: 1493.01003) charges CHF 200 .- Duplex apartment fully renovated in 2006: Ground floor: hall, a room with slate floor, access to terrace and delightful, enclosed garden. 1st floor: hall (accessible from inside the building), fully fitted and equipped kitchen, shower / sink, toilet and washbasin, bathroom / toilet / lavatory with washing machine and dryer, living room with fireplace and balcony, dining room, storage cupboards, 2 bedrooms. Parking: garage chf 150.00/mois. Cellar and storage. Building Description / Amenities include: dryer, washing machine, cable TV, concierge. Conveniently located for shops, schools and Gland train station. For more information, contact Rytz et cie rental service Tel. +41 22 36 36 037 Fax +41 22 36 36 085 location@rytz.com  Disponible de maintenant  Adresse GLAND, Grand-Rue 61, Rez de chaussée Surface 150 m2 Appartement Loyer mensuel (hors charges) CHF 3,700.- (Nréf. : 1493.01003) Charges CHF 200.- Description  Appartement en duplex entièrement rénové en 2006 comprenant : Rez : hall, une pièce avec sol en ardoise, accès terrasse et beau jardin clos. 1er étage : hall (accessible depuis l'immeuble), cuisine entièrement  agencée et équipée, salle de douches/lavabo, WC/lavabo, salle de bains/WC/lavabo avec lave et sèche-linge, séjour avec cheminée et loggia, salle à manger, réduit avec armoires, 2 chambres. Parking: garage pour chf 150.00/mois. Dépendances: cave, réduit. Description de l'immeuble / Equipement inclus: sèche-linge, lave-linge, téléréseau, conciergerie. Idéalement situé pour les magasins, les écoles et la gare de Gland   Pour de plus amples informations, contactez Rytz et cie service location Tél. +41 22 36 36 037 Fax +41 22 36 36 085 location@rytz.com

It's the time of year when parents are on the look out for summer camps for their children in the Geneva and Vaud area. There are many available and it can be difficult to discover where they are all to be found and when they are taking place. However, help is at hand as the website "Know it all Passport" has come up with an excellent comprehensive list of summer camps in 2015, a list which has been divided into the following categories: Multi-activity, Sport, Languages, Technology and Maths. Click here for more details   Meanwhile for those adults who are looking for a 70's 80's and 90's disco evening in Nyon, check out Le Café Vivant's annual show on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June whick will take place at the Théâtre Marens.