What's on: Mercury, museums and mountain golf

A look at what's going on this weekend, including a golf tournament in Crans-Montana and a triathlon in Locarno. Art lovers should check out Biel's photo days or head to Zurich for museum night. Meanwhile, Freddie Mercury memorial day is coming up in Montreux, and a troupe of dancers will rock you in Basel's musical theatre. Last but not least, prepare to crane your neck in Geneva or go "potty" in Zurich. A look at what’s going on over the next few days, including . . .
Garden-City, Zurich, through September 19
Visitors in Zurich can admire more than 300 enormous plant pots featuring a variety of bold and beautiful plant species. Starting on September 4, many of the artfully-designed pots will be up for auction online.
 
Omega European Masters, Crans-Montana, September 3-6
Golf in gorgeous surroundings awaits players and spectators alike. The stakes are nearly as high as the area’s mountains: the best players will be in line to compete at the next Ryder Cup in the USA.
 
Irish open air festival, Toggenburg, September 4-6
Why wait until Saint Patrick’s Day? This festival at the foot of Mt. Säntis in St. Gallen promises live Irish music, food and drinks, including 16 kinds of whiskey. Seven bands are scheduled to play, including the Beermats and Tailteann – both in from Ireland for the occasion.
 
Photo days, Biel, September 4-27
Biel is the place to be for photography fans this month. With 26 photographers on board, this year’s event explores the relationship between community life and individualism. Work is on display in museums and galleries throughout the city.
 
Freddie Mercury Memorial Day, Montreux, September 5
It’s time to remember legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Expect live music by the decorated Freddie statue, video footage under the covered market place plus tea at the palace and a boat ride with Peter Freestone, who was Mercury’s personal assistant.
 
Museum night, Zurich, September 5
This annual event draws visitors to 38 Zurich museums well into the wee hours, and the 25-franc ticket includes local city transport plus use of the museum shuttle and bicycle hire. Free for kids under 16 if they’re with a paying adult.
 
Fête de l’Air, Geneva, September 5-6
This lofty festival celebrates all kinds of flying machines, including hot air balloons, helicopters and fighter jets. Daring parachutists also contribute to the excitement. This year’s event marks the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Aéro Club.
 
Triathlon, Locarno, September 5-6
It’s triathlon time in Locarno, and it’s not too late to sign up to swim, cycle and run in this lakeside Ticino city. The medium-distance version covers a total of 102.5 kilometres, and there’s also a children’s version.
 
Rock the Ballet, Basel, through September 6
This fresh take on ballet will electrify the Musical Theatre Basel this weekend. It combines classic ballet with hip-hop, jazz and tap dance moves as well as Broadway-style choreography. But don’t expect tutus – the cast of seven includes just one ballerina.
 
OHA 2009, Thun, through September 6
The 50th annual OHA festival is underway at the Thun expo centre. “OHA” stands for “Oberländischen Herbstausstellung“, which is German for Oberland autumn expo. It offers a mix of entertainment and market stalls, with plenty of food, drink and fun for all ages.
 
Wilhelm Tell, open air theatre, Interlaken, through September 8
This classic story of Switzerland’s folk hero is retold every year in Interlaken. Based on the play by Friedrich Schiller, the show features casts of amateur actors who’ve toiled for weeks to get their parts just right. Shows are in German.
 
Classic music weeks, Ascona, through October 16
This weekend marks the kick-off of Ascona’s 64th “musical weeks”. The event covers the full gamut of what the classical oeuvre can offer today, from symphony concert performances to chamber music orchestras, from choirs to single instrument recitals.
 

A look at what's going on this weekend, including a golf tournament in Crans-Montana and a triathlon in Locarno. Art lovers should check out Biel's photo days or head to Zurich for museum night. Meanwhile, Freddie Mercury memorial day is coming up in Montreux, and a troupe of dancers will rock you in Basel's musical theatre. Last but not least, prepare to crane your neck in Geneva or go "potty" in Zurich. A look at what’s going on over the next few days, including . . .
Garden-City, Zurich, through September 19
Visitors in Zurich can admire more than 300 enormous plant pots featuring a variety of bold and beautiful plant species. Starting on September 4, many of the artfully-designed pots will be up for auction online.
 
Omega European Masters, Crans-Montana, September 3-6
Golf in gorgeous surroundings awaits players and spectators alike. The stakes are nearly as high as the area’s mountains: the best players will be in line to compete at the next Ryder Cup in the USA.
 
Irish open air festival, Toggenburg, September 4-6
Why wait until Saint Patrick’s Day? This festival at the foot of Mt. Säntis in St. Gallen promises live Irish music, food and drinks, including 16 kinds of whiskey. Seven bands are scheduled to play, including the Beermats and Tailteann – both in from Ireland for the occasion.
 
Photo days, Biel, September 4-27
Biel is the place to be for photography fans this month. With 26 photographers on board, this year’s event explores the relationship between community life and individualism. Work is on display in museums and galleries throughout the city.
 
Freddie Mercury Memorial Day, Montreux, September 5
It’s time to remember legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Expect live music by the decorated Freddie statue, video footage under the covered market place plus tea at the palace and a boat ride with Peter Freestone, who was Mercury’s personal assistant.
 
Museum night, Zurich, September 5
This annual event draws visitors to 38 Zurich museums well into the wee hours, and the 25-franc ticket includes local city transport plus use of the museum shuttle and bicycle hire. Free for kids under 16 if they’re with a paying adult.
 
Fête de l’Air, Geneva, September 5-6
This lofty festival celebrates all kinds of flying machines, including hot air balloons, helicopters and fighter jets. Daring parachutists also contribute to the excitement. This year’s event marks the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Aéro Club.
 
Triathlon, Locarno, September 5-6
It’s triathlon time in Locarno, and it’s not too late to sign up to swim, cycle and run in this lakeside Ticino city. The medium-distance version covers a total of 102.5 kilometres, and there’s also a children’s version.
 
Rock the Ballet, Basel, through September 6
This fresh take on ballet will electrify the Musical Theatre Basel this weekend. It combines classic ballet with hip-hop, jazz and tap dance moves as well as Broadway-style choreography. But don’t expect tutus – the cast of seven includes just one ballerina.
 
OHA 2009, Thun, through September 6
The 50th annual OHA festival is underway at the Thun expo centre. “OHA” stands for “Oberländischen Herbstausstellung“, which is German for Oberland autumn expo. It offers a mix of entertainment and market stalls, with plenty of food, drink and fun for all ages.
 
Wilhelm Tell, open air theatre, Interlaken, through September 8
This classic story of Switzerland’s folk hero is retold every year in Interlaken. Based on the play by Friedrich Schiller, the show features casts of amateur actors who’ve toiled for weeks to get their parts just right. Shows are in German.
 
Classic music weeks, Ascona, through October 16
This weekend marks the kick-off of Ascona’s 64th “musical weeks”. The event covers the full gamut of what the classical oeuvre can offer today, from symphony concert performances to chamber music orchestras, from choirs to single instrument recitals.