We love writing articles about entrepreneurs that have found the right balance between work and pleasure. Olivier Dunand founded Changez d'Air in 2000 and after 22 years, is still going strong. We asked him to let us know more about this passion for hiking locally, a bit further afield, and trips around the world!
What has been the inspiration behind Changez d’Air?
I started traveling after I graduated to countries such as Nepal, India, Patagonia, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and more... the desire to share the taste of travel associated with the joys of the outdoors quickly arose.
Now I propose day trips locally, overnight trips to destinations a bit further away, and longer trips to India and Morocco.
What has been the inspiration behind Changez d’Air?
The desire for wide open spaces, travel, discoveries and to share them with like-minded people. I speak French and English (even though my website is only in French) and enjoy meeting new people.
What is the newest hike or trip you have added to the Changez d’Air menu?
Calanques - Sainte Victoire et Marseille, a 4-day trip including an initial city walk on arrival followed by 3 days of hiking through the hills and mountains. Click here if you are interested in the upcoming dates of 21-24 November 2022.
The Exiles playing at Nyon Rive Jazzy festival on 14 July 2022
Some of you know about local band The Exiles already, but for those that don't, we asked Colin Colvin to give us some additional information, "The Exiles arrived from the UK and Sweden with much semi-professional experience and were brought together through different contacts. Not being Swiss and living in Switzerland initially inspired the name ‘The Expats’ but ‘The Exiles’ came along soon afterwards and seemed cooler!"
Formed in Nyon in September 2010, The Exiles perform cover songs plus their original compositions but now mainly focus on their own compositions. This is not their day jobs, and they do this as a passion.
Oliver (left) - from Stirling (Scotland) skis & jogs, likes cheese & bacon toasties, Tartan Special, fan of Queen: plays guitar
Col (middle) - from London (England) into hiking, football, Frank Lloyd Wright, souris d'agneau, London Pride, fan of The Beatles: vox & plays bass
Henrik (right) - from Luleå (Sweden) skis & bikes, likes Big Macs, Tartegnin Clos de Roussillon, fan of Rush: plays drums
What has been the inspiration behind your musical style?
A mix of many different rock and pop artists who have created great melodies have created the sound of The Exiles.
How has the pandemic changed/influenced your creative side?
We were a covers band before the pandemic but always played a few compositions well received by the public. Our concerts were cancelled due to Covid so we took the opportunity to create many new songs with strong melodies. This then gave us the confidence to drop our cover song repertoire and the gamble has paid off. The public are really enjoying our efforts when hearing them for the first time. We're getting great feedback after our shows.
Théâtre de Carouge ©David Wagnières
The newly renovated premises of the Théâtre de Carouge is now open for visits every first Saturday of the month at 11h (1 October 2022 is the next one). It’s free, just reserve in advance at this link. They will show you around every nook and cranny. Planned with the City of Carouge, the architect François Jolliet and the team of the Lausanne firm PONT12 architects, as well as all the various partners, the Théâtre de Carouge is proud of how this has turned out.
Olga Timofeeva, explains to us, "Accompanied by some members of our team, you will walk through the corridors, the foyer, the workshops, as well as the administration. The simplified spaces of the small hall and the rehearsal room located on 3,500 m2 will wow you. The large hall of 460 seats has really boosted what we had before."
The visits are free and take place from 11h-12h30.
Don't forget that The Théâtre de Carouge also hosts these upcoming shows with surtitles in English:
Art by Julia Wimmerlin, K-Syran & Dan Thomas
Katrina Syran wrote to knowitall.ch, "I’m organising for the children in Ukraine a concert in the old town of Geneva 7th of October. There will be 17 amazing artists performing. Ukrainian pop star, DJ electric violinist, pianists, rock singers, violinists, opera singers etc. Also it lasts only 1h20 so people can go for dinner after!"
The International Concert in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people will take place in Geneva. Many musicians willing to support Ukraine will perform on the stage in the historical heart of Geneva as a gesture of solidarity with those standing against aggression. There will be a rich, diverse and exiting program with classical, rock and pop music, Ukrainian pop star, DJ electric violinist, pianists, rock singers, violinists, opera singers, etc.
Before and after the concert there will be an opportunity to purchase Ukrainian crafts and souvenirs. All proceeds from the tickets, crafts sales and any donations raised will be managed by the Association DETI and the Geneva Branch of the Ukrainian Society in Switzerland.
Join the concert to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and to stand for peace.
We asked Katrina a few questions and hope to raise awareness for this worthwhile cause.
What has been the inspiration?
I feel this is so close to us all. Now with the news this week I also feel it’s even more relevant than ever! We all wish for peace! So what better way than through music. Music touched us all and makes us all come together.
I recently put on a concert for the children from Cambodia and Irina Chkourindina played the piano of course, we have done a few events together. She came up with the idea and here we are!
Copyright photo: John van der Valk
With a bus transformed into a mobile workshop, musicians go to meet the public to create musical instruments from recycled materials.
A participative artistic approach that takes music out of the institutions, highlighting inventiveness and musical creativity. The fun is for everyone; it is not required to already be a musician.
Creating links in a musical experience take place over several stages:
- recovering everyday materials and objects
- imagining and building musical instruments
- exploring a sound universe
- playing in group
Two musicians meet up with the residents of Geneva neighborhoods with their workshop/bus to immerse themselves in a participative musical experience.
Copyright photo: Alexandra Tundo
