The Visions du Réel Festival starts today in Nyon and we have two pairs of tickets up for grabs for film screenings for readers of this site.  Just email cnp at bluewin.ch with your name and telephone number by 22:00 on Friday 20th April.  Names will go into a hat and 2 lucky winners will be informed on Saturday a. m 21st April.   Every year, Living in Nyon writers review a selection of films on the festival  programme and today we begin with the first review of the film "Virgin Tales" by Suzy Nelson-Pollard.  Suzy is currently a student of International Relations at the University of Geneva. Read her first review below. "Virgin Tales", directed by Mirjam Von Arx , to be shown on Saturday at 17:00 (Théâtre de Marens) and Sunday at 10:00 (Salle Communale) is a Swiss made documentary about a family of evangelical Christians in Colorado. The Wilson family, who have seven home-schooled children, are vocal and influential within the local community, spreading the message of purity. So vocal indeed that for around a decade they have organised annual purity balls for the daughters and fathers of the community, a chance for both to pledge to protect and guard the daughters’ virginity until their wedding days.  Religious middle America is an easy bandwagon for a European filmmaker to jump on. To many moderate Europeans, scenes of the tea party movement or politics entwined with religious rhetoric provoke incredulous disbelief, or even just plain mocking. But this is no sensationalist, hate-mongering portrayal of those “crazy Americans over the ocean”, the merit of this film comes from the family itself. The Wilsons are generally likeable, (perhaps with exception to the father, a tad creepily overzealous when talking about the responsibility to protect his daughter’s purity), the children are loving, caring, incisive, mature and extremely intelligent. "Purity brings joy" The focus is on the third daughter Jordan, a beautiful, poised and extremely bright 20 year old, waiting to follow her older sister’s footsteps in to marriage. Jordan is clearly full of contradictions. She speaks confidently about how “purity brings joy”, but looks positively bored to tears waiting for her “wonderful husband to arrive” and to move her in to the next chapter of her life. She talks about how she looks forward to being a mother and a wife most of all, and asks “why would I spend thousands of dollars on an education that I’m not going to use?”. As time goes by however and the wait gets longer, she starts a course in etiquette for young ladies, which by the end of the documentary blossoms, proving that she has quite the talent for business that an education may have boosted. One of the most interesting things about the community that was highlighted in the film was the use of symbolism to encourage purity in teenager years. Young daughters wear long white dresses to the purity balls and dance around a cross. Sons have coming of age or manhood ceremonies in which they are presented with a sword and even armour, so that they can fight their enemies (such as inappropriate thoughts and desires). A scene at the purity ball shows a father slipping a ring on his daughter’s engagement finger, telling her that the ring was a symbol of purity, and that she would never regret saving herself for her wedding day. The young girl looked about twelve years old, and one cant help but wonder if there would be a moment in her life when she wasn’t under the “protection” of a man, be it her father or husband. Although it's a subject that has been documented many times, this film offers an interesting and balanced insight in to not only the politics and ceremonies, but the thoughts and emotions of one of America’s most important religious groups today. For ticket sales, programming and all information on the film documentary festival click here for website  (in English)

There will be an Easter Fête at the Moulin de Chiblins on Saturday 28th and Sunday March. Decorated eggs, Easter farm, jumping rabbits, sheep and more! This old water mill has now been turned into an interesting agricultural museum full of vintage tractors and farming implements, it's worth a visit! The museum is on the road to Gingins, turn left after the second roundabout after Signy centre. See map here

El Gran Circo Pobre de Timoteo (Timoteo's Fabulous Ragged Circus) by Lorean A. Giachino Torens, Chile. Screening today (23.02.13) at Capitole 2, 14:00 Buy tickets to this film here Lorena Giachino Torens's documentary captures the remaining vestiges of a colourful and ragged circus that has spent the last 40 years traveling around Chile. The troupe is made up of a group of transvestites who have coalesced around René, the circus owner and irrevocable centre of their marginal community. Full of joy and threaded through with melancholy, documents a wonderful way of life that is approaching its end. Against the backdrop of faded circus materials, tatty caravans and the Chilean mountains, we see the joyous group preparing for shows, eating together and sharing problems – we are introduced to their family through their everyday lives. The ordinariness of life in caravans, putting up tents and rehearsals sits nicely beside the glamour of performance. However, this great motivating factor, this purpose, could soon no longer be available. Times are tough. Less people are coming to see the show – something we are reminded of as discounted prices are posted at the circus and René worriedly completes the accounts. It is understood that times have changed, that 'the audience is less naive', as one member of the circus puts it. It is a reminder that today's society seeks other forms of entertainment, that the time of being entertained by simple things has passed and that people have other necessities to direct their money towards. Yet René is determined to remain authentic and true to his circus, to not become 'bombastic' in any attempt to attract more people. A new tent is purchased, but as René states: 'Lots of light and lots of paint – that's all we need'. It is their bawdy and subversive performances that brings in the people that do come. There is a sad acceptance, a philosophical bravery captured in the documentary. René is well aware that 'everything in this life ends'. René is a hero for those who live on the sides of society, or on stage. His efforts to save this community and way of life in the face of an inevitable end is moving. Before them lies an unknown, far removed from the glamour and passion of performance, the bright lights and make-up and the thrill of the stage. It is acknowledged that 'An old man in a circus just makes a fool of himself', yet ex-circus people end up selling popcorn or magazines – an outcome that is recognised as sad by all. For while these people are accepted in the circus and have an important place within it, they are not as accepted in the outside world – this is seen in the difficulty of obtaining a Catholic priest to perform a service asking for blessings for the circus and a good tour – yet another attempt at prolonging their world. Tatty and ragged, but full of life, Timoteo's Circus presents tender hope in the face of adversity. So too does this documentary – against the bright materials, city and mountain backdrops we see this microcosmic universe play out. And we hope that it lasts a little longer and that René and his fellow artists die in a manner that they would wish – onstage.

Photo above (cnp).  Backing singers Plan B   It was another good night at Caribana on Friday, the weather stayed mostly dry and the crowd were in an "end of the working" week party mood. There was an eclectic mix of music on offer from Plan B, to Morcheeba, OMD, to Swiss Solange la Frange (from Vevey).  Morcheeba seemed to be particularly happy as Skye, the lead singer announced the group had been taken for a sail on the lake that afternoon by the organisers of Caribana!  On the agenda tonight are Julian Marley and Kool and the Gang amongst others. For the full line up see the Caribana programme.  Photo above - cnp  Solange la Frange  Photo above cnp - Skye from Morcheeba Photo cnp - Dancing at Caribana Photo cnp -  Plan B

If you are keen to know how to take a great photo like the one of Chateau Chillon below, then Alistair Scott the local author of The Greatest Photography Tips in the World ,will be on hand to give advice at the next Living in Nyon event this Thursday evening. He also will be garnering interest to see if there are enough keen photographers out there in the Nyon area to run a course on the subject in English, so come along and meet him to find out more. If you are a newcomer to the area and love skiing there will also be someone who is passionate about the sport (he managed to ski every month last year) so he can advice on skiing locally and in the Alps. Finally there will be a representative from the Oak Hill School of Nyon, this school is dedicated to supporting children with learning differences all in English, she will be there to answer any questions you have about the school. And of course I will there too. A few readers have asked me the format of these evenings, so here's the answer below. Firstly, the evening is FREE! There is no entry charge, however as it is held in a café/tea room it would be much appreciated that you bought at least one or two drinks, whether it is a soft drink, coffee or wine etc to keep the owner happy, and for us to be able to continue in this lovely, cosy central venue . Did you know you can borrow English books from the large range of books that are on the shelves around the café, and have a sandwich, soup or slice of quiche during the day too? Secondly, although I ask experts in their fields to come along there is no "talk", they are just making themselves available to give advice. Thirdly, I don't ask people to register in advance in order to turn up, but it helps with numbers if you do. Also if you have a specific question about Nyon that needs answering, then email me in advance cnp@bluewin.ch and I can try to get an answer for you by Thursday. And finally, the event starts from 18:30 but come along when you want. I tend to introduce the "experts" to those there at around 19:00 and folk come and go until around 20:30. Even if you have lived in the area for a long time you are still welcome to come along to meet new faces. I hope this answers your question and I look forward to meeting you.

Party to mark one season ending, another party to mark the beginning of a new one! Here is a selection of events coming up in the Nyon area over the next couple of weeks. From the "end of season" closing party of La Roulotte café behind the railway station, the opening party for the outdoor winter sauna, the screening of two movies in English, to raclette a "gogo" in the castle to live music events. Plus, photos taken at the Nyon Fête du Vigne 2015. This year, not only did the cows come down from the mountain in St-Cergue but they also came into Nyon, along with some Alpenhorn players! Thanks to Brian Jackson for the super photos above and below Events coming up "Raclette a Gogo" in the cave of the château of Nyon  "A gogo" means as much as you can eat! Raclette for 35 CHF including a plate of cold meats and fruit salad, served in the atmospheric cave of Nyon castle on Friday 16th, Thursday 22nd and Saturday 24th October from 19:00 onwards. Reservations recommended. Email: info@caveaudenyon.ch  Winter Opening of the Sauna by the lakeside in Nyon The outdoor sauna run by the volunteer organisation Bains des 3 Jetées will officially open on Saturday 17th October with a party from 13:00 to 18:00  Music, fun and the inaugaration of the sauna. The sauna sits right on the lakeside, a sauna with a view! La Roulotte,  the railway carriage café behind the railway station will hold a party from 17:00 to mark the end of its season. Fish and Chips on the menu! The fish served will be "fera", the local lake fish. Films Monday Movie in English in Aubonne -   19th October at 20:30  -  Martian A Ridley Scott film starring Matt Damon. See trailer below. Cinema details here.  Also on 19th October at 20:30 the Monday Movie in Nyon (as part of the Vision du Réel on tour), is the documentary  Wolfpack. This is the extraordinary true story of the Angulo brothers who were locked away from society in an apartment in New York.  The only way they discover the outside world is through the world of film. Nicknamed, "The Wolfpack," the brothers spend their childhood reenacting their favourite films es. Their world changes when one of the brothers escapes.  See trailer below. Details of cinema and other screenings click here Music  Friday 16th October at 22:00 the Parenthèse in Nyon  - Swiss Band - Howlong Wolf   Video below - "The Next in line" taken from their album "Where do we go from here?" Friday 30 October at 20:30  Jazz in the old town of Nyon at Club 1306   Free entry. Hat passed round for a contribution to the artists

There's Jazz down at the Conservatoire in Nyon tonight with the group "Injaztigator". Jazz from the 70s and electric jazz. Concert starts at 20:30.  Reservations call 022 994 2360 Also, latest news is that Nyon Capitole cinema is now under new management and is planning to show more films in their original English version. English films being shown at the moment are "The Fighter" (screening times  every day at 15:30 and  20:45) and  Oscar winning "The Kings Speech being shown every day at 18:15.   See an interview with the programme manager here on Know it all Passport. Living in Nyon will bring you more news on other future plans of this cinema - watch this space.

Photo above: taken at Geneva Car Show 2012. C. Nelson-Pollard Flat to rent in Crans-Céligny available from 1st May 2012  Ground floor flat, 2 double bedrooms Large bathroom with bath, shower, WC.  Separate guest WC Separate laundry & tumble drier. Lounge & beautifully equipped kitchen Garden, patio and large sunny terrace. Double garage. Cave with 25 m2 storage /work room, Temperature - controlled wine cellar. Surface without the garden and patio is 91.26 metres. Terrace 17.50 m2 Garden 103.90 m2 Cave 23 m2 Rent: CHF 3,500, plus charges. For more information and visit please call 024 420 23 44 or 076 559 41 52 or email  desgeorge@addypac.ch "The Cat without a Tail " - Puppet Show in Nyon at the Usine a Gaz on Wednesday 14th March at 15:00 for children up to 12 years of age. Performed by the "Théâtre de Marionettes de Geneve" . Doors open 30 minutes before the performance. For reservations, more info see Usine a Gaz  Tel 022 361 44 04 Rugby Match Saturday 17th March-  Switzerland versus Slovenia 15:00 at Nyon Rugby club. See site for more details F_O_N Funky Orchestra - Nyon .  A new band is being formed with a  funky R and B sound! L'ADAC (The Association of Creative arts ), l'Ecole de Musique de Nyon and the l'Usine à Gaz  are getting together to form a new group made up of musicians of the area. The group will be called F_O_N, Funky Orchestra-Nyon.  This group will be directed by Dominique Favre, (professional musician) and made up of 8 to 15 musicians . These musicians will be chosen via audition in the following fields: drums, base guitar, keyboard, wind instruments and vocals.  The repertoire will cover from the "70s" to  today's music with intepretations from Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Michael Jackson, etc. The aim of the group is to perfrom two or three times a year at the Usine a Gaz. For more info dates/ times etc contact   Enzo Miraglia 076/441 07 10   or see website here

Quick round up on a couple of pieces of recent news taken from La Côte plus an interview with Braulio Mora, local resident and one of the youngest members of Nyon town council. Pool for Chéserex: The citizens of Chéserex (a village near Nyon)  voted on the 31st January to go ahead with the construction of an indoor swimming pool in the village. Here is the PDF plan showing where it is planned to be situated. The popular vote brought in 383 votes for the plan, to 270 against (653 residents voted out of a possible 852). New superstore for Nyon: Secondly, news that are plans are afoot for the Migros Home store at the top of Nyon to be demolished and a brand new building put in its place, with a food supermarket, an M-Electronics store, a new Home Store and possibly other non-Migros commercial stores within the same complex. These plans are subject to an inquiry but if they are approved, work will begin before summer and will finish before the end of 2011. Braulio Mora - Passionate about local issues New Centre for La Redoute There is now a brand new centre called Maison de la Redoute for the people who live in La Redoute area of Nyon. La Redoute is a block of flats which has a resident population of around 1000 people. This new centre is seperated into two parts. One part is open for children's activities, birthday parties and also for the use of residents when they want to hold events. The other part of the centre is a "youth centre-espace jeunesse" and is reserved for  young people from 15 onwards. The opening of this  centre is the culmination of a long campaign  by Braulio Mora to get it up and running. At 28 years old Braulio Mora is one of the fourth youngest elected members of the conseil communal and is passionate about local issues, particularly those involving the youth of Nyon.  Originally from Costa Rica (his family moved here when he was just one year old), he lives in Nyon and studies in Lausanne on an internship studying clinical pathology. Says Braulio “ I have a degree in medicine and I could have chosen the career path of going on to be a general doctor or surgeon, but I knew that would mean extra long hours at work, all necessary to succeed in the profession. I chose pathology as it would enable me to have a life outside a normal 8-5 work routine.” Not only is he curious about the human body and diagnosing human diseases, he is also very interested in the human mind too as he enjoys meeting people, discovering more about them and where he can, helping them. “I know that if you want to get involved in any kind of volunteering whether it is local issues or political work, you have to time to devote to it. I was an active member of the student council when I was at university and now in Nyon I sit on various committees and commissions. “ "Because I’m one of the younger members of the council, young people can approach me as they know I may be able to relate to some of the issues that concern them. One of the main subjects that often comes up here in Nyon time and time again is the lack of suitable affordable housing for young people which is a subject we are addressing. We don’t want people to feel they have to go elsewhere to live, we would like them to stay in the town". The town itself of course is a great place to be and I love living here. When I’m not studying or sitting in council meetings I like to travel and I am a keen amateur photographer too. I represent the Spanish Language Catholic society here in Nyon too. There are quite a few of us that live here in the area that originate from Spain or Central and South America. There are many different nationalities that sit on the conseil communal representing Nyon’s own rich mix of citizens. We all have different viewpoints of course but we all come together for the common good". La Redoute has its own website (note, so does La Levratte , another area of apartment buildings to the north side of Nyon).

Did you know that in the summer months it is possible to have dinner in Yvoire in France and you can still return to Nyon in Switzerland for a "digestif?" If you take the 19:20 ferry from Nyon you can arrive in Yvoire just 20 minutes later in time for dinner, have a quick wander round the pretty medieval village and return to Nyon on the 22:00 boat (the last one of the evening) to round off the evening with a digestif in Switzerland. Check out the Living in Nyon video below (just 41 seconds long)  of the wonderful Nyon skyline that greets you as the boat makes its return journey.  Listen to the captain announce  "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are arriving in Nyon, this is the last stop, we wish you a pleasant evening and most of all - sweet dreams"! This video was taken on a warm summer's evening although the sound of the flag blowing in the breeze makes it appear windier that it actually was! Note: it is best to make reservations for dinner in Yvoire, restaurants here can often be very busy. One of Living in Nyon's favourites is the Hotel/Restaurant du Port in Yvoire at the waters edge and right next to the embarkation point. For CGN boat website and time table - click here .

Spectre, the latest James Bond movie is currently being shown in English at the  Capitole Cinema  in Nyon at 20:30 until Tuesday 17th November 2015. Note: Did you know that an Aston Martin DB10 (one of the latest cars that is driven by Bond in the film) was presented to the press and public a couple of weeks ago at the Aston Martin garage in Nyon?   See article here (in French) Booker Prize winner in Montricher  Sunday, 22nd November at 15:00  Conversation with Eleanor Catton Eleanor Catton has won numerous literary prizes both for her debut novel, The Rehearsal (2010), and for her second novel, The Luminaries, including the prestigious 2013 Man Booker Prize. The author will be in conversation with Lisbeth Koutchoumoff, journalist at Le Temps at the Jan Michalski Foundation  in Montricher Entrance CHF 10   Reservation required: Email:   Conference-ECatton@fondation.janmichalski.ch Photo above - Eleanor Catton courtesy Jan Michalski foundation There will be a "full moon" fondue by the lake side in Nyon on Saturday 21 November at 19:00. The event is organised by L'Association des Bains des 3 jetées  Reservations required

Happy music fans at the Fete de la Musique, a sea of orange down at the arena. There were lots of orange T shirts, balloons, and happy Dutch fans down at the arena on Saturday night lending a fun atmosphere to the game. Unfortunately the result didn't go in their favour but the few Russian supporters that were there, went home content. During the day the fabulously hot weather brought out lots of townsfolk and visitors to the Nyon music festival with bands singing and playing across many venues.