Vocational courses for all interests on offer. Book fair with English programme this weekend

It's the time of year in this part of Vaud, when children are returning to school in both the public and private sector. It's also when institutions offering vocational courses are now opening their doors for registration. These academies and institutions, offer both adults and children the chance to learn a new skill, study a new language or learn to play an instrument  plus a wealth of other vocational possibilities.  If you are interested in trying out a new hobby or want to pursue an existing one, here is a list of  some of the options available in Nyon, Rolle and Morges. The Conservatoire of Western Vaud. Firstly, COV (the Conservatoire of L'ouest Vaudois - one of Living Nyon's main sponsors) is now open for registration. The Conservatoire in Nyon is in a lovely lake side setting  and offers a wide range of courses in music, theatre, jazz, classical, traditional music, percussion, guitar, saxophone, piano, trumpet and more . Courses are run in French but most of the teachers at the Conservatoire speak English; a big help for newly arrived expatriates who have not yet mastered French! 

Photo above - a concert at the Conservatoire. The COV also gives regular jazz concerts (usually on a Friday ), and classical concerts on Sunday afternoons in term time.  For more information, either click on the advert on the side bar, click here or call the receptionist (in Nyon), Nicole Rentsch, Monday to Friday from 14:00 to 17:00  Tel 022 994 2360.  For courses in Morges, call Magali Kramer, Monday to Thursday 14:00 -18:00 Friday 14:00 -17:00 Tel 021 802 43 24 L'ADAC Another academy in Nyon which also runs courses in Gland and Rolle is L'ADAC (Académie des arts créatifs). This is a non profit-making association of creative arts. It offers work-shops given by specialised teachers where "everyone has an opportunity to explore different forms of art such as music, painting, photography, dancing, etc". The site has a section in English for you to discover more about their courses. There are other private and commercial courses available in the area such as language learning and hundreds of other options through Migros Ecole. Either see their site or pick up a brochure in the Migros Nyon supermarket or visit the Migros Ecole registration office (below the supermarket). For fitness classes, check out the Clinique Lingiere near Gland which offers swimming lessons for adults and children, and runs classes in aqua gym, Zumba, Pilates and more.   Book fair and literary event along Morges quayside and on CGN boats - English programme with English authors at Le Livre sur les quais!

 British authors Monica Lewycka, (author of  "A short history of Tractors in Ukranian"), crime writer Mark Billingham, (latest novel - "Good as Dead"), Simon Toyne (author of Sanctus), and other authors including  the Nyon living American basket ball player artist and writer Jon Fergusson, will  be attending "Le livre sur les quais". For the programme of events in English, see end of this post.

Photo in banner  Morges town centre-  above Morges quayside. This fair will provide "a unique opportunity for readers and authors to come together in a relaxed yet thought-provoking  atmosphere". Over 200 authors will be present over the weekend.  "After the phenomenal success of the 2010 edition that attracted more than 25,000 visitors, this year’s event plays host to more than 200 Swiss, French and French-Canadian authors, as well as English-language writers. Devoted exclusively to writers, books and literature, this event is unique in Switzerland. The ingredients of the 2011 edition will echo those of last year’s success : a large marquee will be erected at the lakeside where authors will be available for signing their works; more than 80 lectures and debates will be organised in downtown Morges; various activities will be organised for schools and families. This year, boats provided by the CGN will host on-board conferences and discussions on the lake. Entry is free of charge.

English literature will also be featured for the first time with eight English speaking authors being present. The international flavour of the event will be highlighted with discussions and conferences taking place in English. Note. The festival is still looking for a few volunteers to help out at this festival on Friday and Sunday. ( non francophones, just Sunday). Please contact Emmanuelle Staub e.staub@lelivresurlesquais.ch] for more information.Details of English programme belowSaturday September 3rd 14:00 to 15:30 Meeting with S. Clarke (Boat « Henry-Dunant », main deck). Presented by: Helen Stubbs 15:00 to 16:15 Meeting with D. Kennedy (Casino, salle Belle époque). Presented by: Helen Stubbs 16:00 to 17:15 Anglo-Saxon writers (Boat  the " Henry-Dunant ", rear upper deck). Authors: M. Billingham, M. Lewycka and S. Toyne. Presented by: Helen Stubbs. 17:30  to 19:00 Meetingwith H. Hamilton (Boat  -"The Henry-Dunant", main deck). Presented by: Helen Stubbs. Sunday, September 4th10:30-12:00 Meetingwith R. J. Ellory(Boat The "Lausanne "-  Salon Genève). Presented by: J. Ferguson. 15:00 to 16:15 Meeting with D. Kennedy (in French) (Casino, salle Belle époque). Presented by: D. Rochebin. (With the support of BCV) 15:30 to 17:00 Meeting with S. Clarke (in French)(Boat "The Lausanne"- Salon Haute-Savoie). Presenter: M. Audétat.