Bâlehoo

WINE FAIR – October 21 & 22
Head to Mulhouse, France for a wine fair at the Foyer Saint Geneviève. With more than a hundred different wines represented, the event features discussions and - bien sûr – tastings. Entry is only 5 euros. Additional information is available at at www.vin-henner.fr (French only).

TENNIS OBSESSED? – October 21-29
Today starts the Davidoff Swiss Indoors, Basel’s own international tennis tournament. The event will be held at St. Jajobs Halle, from October 21– 29,and will include world-class tennis talents like local hero Roger Federer. For more information and tickets visit the website: www.davidoffswissindoors.ch.

KANDINSKY EXHIBIT – FROM OCTOBER 21
Today’s also the first day of a new exhibit at the Kunstmuseum, featuring Kandinsky. This Moscow-born artist was a “champion for Modernism.” The exhibit, which runs through February 4, is mounted in cooperation with Tate Modern, in London, and is devoted to his work created between 1908 and 1921.

More information is available on the site.

Kunstmuseum
St. Alban-Graben 16
CH-4010 Basel
Phone 061 206 62 62
Fax 061 206 62 52
www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch

HALLOWEEN PARTY – OCTOBER 28 (PRE-REGISTER BY OCTOBER 23)
Mark your calendar – it is time for the annual “Monster Mash” at the AWC’s Halloween Bash. The American Women’s Club is hosting its Annual Family Halloween Party on Saturday October 28.

“Parading in gardens and dancing in halls.
A fun time will be had by ghosts, big and small.
Come ready for tricks. Come ready for treats.
It’s sure to be a blast
With “spooktacular” games and kooky crafts.
Don’t miss out on a howling good time
Guaranteed to send shivers up and down your spine!”

Cost: 20 CHF per pre-registered family up to 4 children
25 CHF per non-pre-registered family up to 4 children
Additional children 2 CHF each. Pay at the door

RSVP: Pre-registration Deadline is October 23. Please state number of adults/children. To pre-register please email AWCHalloweenparty@yahoo.com.

AWC Annual Halloween Party
October 28, Saturday
2:00 pm-5:00 pm ( 14:00-17:00)
Location: Kirche Jesu Chrisit der Heiligen der Letzten Tage
St Johanns-Platz 8, Basel (Tram #11, St. Johanns Tor Stop)

RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET – FROM OCTOBER 27
Don’t forget, next week marks the first performances of “Return to the Forbidden Planet” by Bob Carton. This Laurence Olivier award-winning musical cleverly fuses Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ with 60’s Rock & Roll Hits and 50’s science fiction B-movies.

If you haven’t already, get your tickets through www.upstart-entertainment.ch, www.ticketsgate.ch or at your favorite English Bookshop, Bider & Tanner, Aeschenvorstadt 2 in Basel. Or call 078 627 7357 for more information.

BAFFLED BY BASEL?
I arrived in Basel with a cat, an overstuffed suitcase (OK –five!) and a boatload of questions. Where can I find American cooking ingredients? What’s the deal with driving? Are there online resources in English? Over time, I’ve found the answers to some of these questions and now you can find them too! If you’re new to Basel, take a look through the FAQ section (try General Resources to start) of my website, www.balehoo.com, where I’ve compiled some of the resources and information that have helped me. I’ve categorized them by topic (Americana, Basel Eats, etc.), but you don’t find what you’re looking for, or if you have additional information to add, let me know!

BRASSERIE AU VIOLON
I am often one to comment on the poor value-to-price ratio found in Basel restaurants (perhaps spoiled by the many exceptional and inexpensive restaurants in Philadelphia and by several friends with significant talent in the kitchen), but Brasserie au Violon is a shining exception.

The fact that it is located in the ground floor of the Hotel Brasserie au Violon, makes its affordability even more surprising.

Unfortunately closed on Sunday and Monday, the Brasserie au Violon has a charming atmosphere – in good weather make sure to request a seat outside in their adorable courtyard – and an understated menu of well-prepared and reasonably priced dishes. With French classics such as chèvre chaud (warm goat cheese salad, 16 CHF), tartare de saumon (17 CHF), roasted chicken (29 CHF) and a killer steak frites (38 CHF) as well as tasty seasonal specials, it is a perfect place for a slightly up-market but still casual dinner.

Warning: It books up quickly, so call ahead for reservations.

For more information, visit the website:
www.au-violon.com

Brasserie au violon
Im Lohnhof 4
4051 Basel
Tel. 0041 61 269 87 11

Do you have news or information to share? Send it to Karena Meehan.