maBoum.com

Local acoustic duo Zen, playing rock and pop music.

A new 3 star hotel has opened close to the Place d'Armes on rue Grimaldi. The small, boutique style Ni Hotel, with just 17 rooms, also boasts a fitness room and sun terrace with sea view, although we've not seen those yet.

It couldn't be more different from the old, traditional Hotel Helvetia, which it replaces. The decor in the lobby has a slightly psychedelic, neon, 60s / 70s theme.

It looks like there are changes afoot in the Ambiance Cafe. We were taking a stroll yesterday and passed the restaurant, which is in the Condamine area, close to the Police Station. There's a new sign outside saying Silver Spoon, and some flyers on the wall advertising a 10 euro formula, open from 10.00 to 23.00, seating for more than 100, and a large space for smokers. The cafe has a terrace on the main street and a room just below street level.

Here at maBoum we're looking forward to a great 2009, with lots of restaurants to try, some old and some new. We're going to be making changes to the website, especially when we get feedback from you, so be sure to check back regularly or use our RSS feed.

Organised by the Crescendo Association. With Nicole Curau on violin, Charles Lockie on viola, Frederic Audibert on cello and Marcelle Vidal-Dedieu on piano. The programme includes Ernest Chausson's opus n° 30, and Johannes Brahms' opus n° 25.

An evening of South American music with the Opus Latino Ensemble, with solo vocals Silvana da Costa, Norberto Pedreira on guitar, Julio Vega on bass, Patrick Mendez on percussion and saxophone. Organised by the Crescendo Association. For more information phone 06 80 86 46 54.

Concert of chamber music by a group of musicians from the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, with Zhang Zhang and Niclolas Delclaud on violins, Tristan Dely on viola, and Florence Leblond on cello. The programme includes Haydn's Lark Quartet Op. 64, No. 5, and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy's Quartet 1 Op. 12. For more information, phone +377 98 06 28 28.

Organised by the Women Business Leaders Union of Monaco. For more information phone 06 07 93 08 63.

"Serait-ce la Mort ?" [Would this be Death] by Maurice Béjart
Set to music by Richard Strauss and performed by the Lausanne Béjart Ballet
"Vers un Pays Sage" by Jean-Christophe Maillot by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

The final chance to see it again on Sunday at 16:00.

Party, music, dancing. Dress code white, live DJ Briskass.