I'm putting this in Entertainment cause I think it's the right place for it!
and apologies if this has been posted in some way already! not that I could see!
just wondering what everyone in Basel is doing for Fasnacht....more specifically the Morgestraich?!
I have the option of getting a bus into town at 3am or I'm thinking of maybe just heading in with a mate at 11pm Sunday evening and heading to a pub until it begins!
thing is I don't want to go clubbing/dancing!
anyone know of a pub in Basel that will be open just for Fasnacht drinking?

I'm planning on going too, but plan to get to the town centre around 3:30am. I've never been before; is half an hour early enough to get a good spot?

I might try and get a few hours sleep beforehand, but I worry that if I do that I'm going to just smash my alarm clock at 3am in a sleepy haze and go back to sleep.

Hi guys when is it? It sounds as though it is soon and we don't arrive until 22nd March.

I'm gonna go to my office and be happy about the one advantage of having moved from Basel to Zürich... No Fasnacht!

Sorry, had to be said but you all have fun.

I'm not around this Fasnacht (skiing in France for a week....whoop whoop!!) but on previous years I have had a short kip early in the evening and then headed into town at 10 or 11pm. Some of the bars close for a few hours before the 'show' starts but I seem to remember Grenzwert is usually open (on the corner, right hand side as you cross over to Klein Basel side of Mittlebrucke). Then we usually wander up to Claraplatz at about 3am to take in the pre-'show' festivities. Always entertaining and I'd highly recommend if you haven't seen it before!

Laney G - this Monday. It is the first Monday after Ash Wednesday (i.e. in Lent) in a snub to the Pope (if I understand it correctly).

Adrian - 30 mins for a good spot if you are on your own is fine, but with a group, you'll struggle to stay together.

Yupnya - although I've not done it (stayed up that is), I have been told bars do stay open 'til the early hours. Traditionally, the parade starts at 4 am then break for an early breakfast of traditional soup.

Check out the Gugge concert on Tuesday: http://fasnacht.ch/?pm_1=21&pm_2=34&mid=34

For first timers - don't use flash photography!

We always plan our ski holiday for the Fasnacht week...

wow downerbuzz way to bring a buzz down

thank you all for the responses I think I will go with the plan of not sleeping and heading in at 11!! otherwise I fear what adrianlondon fears dozing off again when I hear the alarm :P

we went to Therwil last night (usual haunt for wine and cigarettes ) and it was to say the least a drag! it was just comedy connected to fasnacht! the week before when we were there they all came in playing and dancing Ive never laughed so much in my life it was brilliant

am I right in saying there are unwritten rules about fasnacht?! about who to thrown confetti on and when you get a flower or an orange? etc

As NotAllThere said no flash photography during Morgenstraich

Add to that:
Get your blaggede (sp?) and wear it prominently
Don't throw confetti at the cliques as they parade
Don't get in the way of the bands as they march

otherwise can't think of any others...

Re: Downerbuzz's post: there are two groups of folks in Basel - those that love and those that hate Fasnacht, with little in between. That includes folks from Basel as well...

fhank yhoo that helps me greatly....

More rules:

Don't dress up unless you're a participant
Don't pick up confetti and toss it at anyone
Graciously accept any confetti thrown at you, stuffed down your back, etc.

I'm one of those in the latter category, but I have to admit the lanterne are amazing. As it is my last Fasnacht in Basel I'll probably go up to see them on display, but you won't get me near the fuss of the Morgestraich!

Thanks Carlos. I'm on my own, but if there are other people who will be going around 3 to 3:30am then I'd love to join you there.

I get the impression one Fasnacht, or at least one Morgenstreich, is enough for most people. So I'll be all cynical in 2011

Guess I lived up to my name

Sorry, but years of working in the hotel industry dealing with drunk customers screaming their heads off, puking in the hallways and playing that same tune incessantly has made me rather bitter.

Not to mention the time I was told to f** off back to my own country if I didn't care for it(I'm half swiss).

Anyhow, as someone said earlier, you either love it or you hate it.

Hi,

there are already a couple of events posted on the English Forum for Fasnacht:

Fasnacht--Kellers and Beer

and

Photoclub - Fasnacht

You don't have to be a photographer to come along and to enjoy the fun, though you will find a lot to photo.

Anyone new to Basel or been here for a long time, come along.

The more the merrier

Have fun

Martin

just a silly question..is wearing the locket/blaggede to watch the fasnacht parade, compulsory?

Not really... it isn't like they check, but you will be targetted by those sharing* their confetti if they see you don't have a blaggede. It is simply considered very very very bad form.

*by sharing I mean doused in the stuff

Ah well I guess I can forgive the negativity towards fasnacht so Im in love with all things that make noise and coming from Ireland this is exciting to me! the biggest thing we have every year is plowing championships and Paddys day :P

Quick question...can you explain whether this is a rule or just advice for getting better pics?

Thanks!

I just got an email from the Pathe cinema informing me that they have a special Morgenstreich premier of the film 'The book of Eli' which begins at 00:30. So it should finish in time for a leisurely stroll towards the Morgenstreich festivities.

Both! What is the point of having a night time event with beautifully lit lanterns, costumes & head gear, only to be ruined by flash photos. It can also temporarily blind those taking part - matching in near darkness only to be blitzed by a flash.

http://fasnacht.ch/?pm_1=21&pm_2=36&mid=36

Note it is not just people with flashing cameras that are not approved of - they also fine shops who don't switch of their lights and logos and have to be covered up by hand with large "black bin bags".

Pat