What's on in Beijing: Aug 21-27

Aug 20-Aug 24: Mosto's Wine Popup Shop

Swing by Mosto (or sit there, for several hours, like we did) for top-notch Spanish wines at wholesale prices. Wine importers Pasion are hosting a pop-up, and are more than willing to let you try one (or 10) varieties. Either come just to shop, or enjoy your bottle over a meal. 

Through Thursday; Mosto, see listing

Aug 23-Aug 27: Uncle Vanya

Part of the 2017 NCPA International Theatre Festival (Aug 24-27), Uncle Vanya is a theater production directed by famous Chinese contemporary director Li Liuyi. The stage director and screenwriter of Beijing People's Art Theatre, Li is known for his particular style of ‘method’ (described as “pure drama”).

Wed Aug 23-Sun Aug 27; RMB100- 580; Drama Theatre of NCPA, 2 Xi Chang’an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Aug 26: Rumble in the Jungle Birthday Party 

One year ago, Rumble in the Jumble was born “out of a love for British jumble sales and American thrift stalls.” Since then, the monthly market has taken on its own magnificent form featuring a mix of haberdashery and homemade goodies. From baking, clothing, jewelry, books and more, the bazaar is a one-stop shop for all things vintage and craft. This month is an extra special one as the rumble celebrates its first anniversary with a birthday party featuring the usual stalls and more, plus a party afterwards with music from Rebel5. Applications for stalls will be open from Aug 1, so if you’re more of a maker rather than buyer, be sure to sign up quick.

Sat Aug 26, 12pm-late; Modernista; for more info add the WeChat ID: RumbleBJ), see event listing. 

Aug 26: Vertical Run

Bored of your usual running route? Have you considered introducing a few stairs? Yeah, how about 82 floors of stairs? Well, China World Summit Wing is giving you a chance to do just that with its annual ‘Vertical Run.’ Taking place on the staircase of China World Summit Wing, the race ends at the top of the building. Climbing a height of 330 meters may sound intense – but runners can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city at the finish. That’s 2,041 steps for one of the best views of the city and is definitely something to write home about – or post on Instagram. The ‘team challenge’ and ‘fun climb’ have already sold out, but participants are still open to sign up as an ‘individual.’ Note: participants must be 18 years old and over.

Sat Aug 26, 2.30pm; RMB150 (individual); China World Summit Wing; deadline for online registration is Aug 11: http://beijingverticalrun.com/register) , see event listing.

Aug 26: Midnight in Peking Walking Tour 

Check out the official Midnight in Peking walking tour (in conjunction with Penguin Books no less), courtesy of Bespoke. Based on Paul French’s international bestselling murder mystery of the same name, ‘Midnight in Peking’ runs on the last Saturday of every month in Beijing. Examining the death of Pamela Werner, the tour starts at the scene of the crime before winding through the hutongs. Walk along Beijing’s old city walls and find out the truth about what really happened that night.

Sat Aug 26; RMB388 (for more info email info@bespoke-beijing.com; tickets via https://yoopay.cn/pay/89813932).

Aug 25-26: NEU ’17

NEU ’17 is billed as China’s “first international future festival.” The inaugural NEU was held in Berlin in 2016 and featuring over 5,000 attendees, was a rad tech and music conference highlighting artists from China and Berlin. Expect the same at NEU ’17.

But what exactly is a ‘future’ festival? According to its organizers, the festival will see experts from different industries, such as tech, science, music, the visual arts, film and media, explore questions about a host of topical issues (like global warming, investments, changes in energy and culture, AI and VR). The festival will be held across venues including Chao Hotel, 798 Art District and Fashion Technology Institute, and 30 speakers, performers and hosts from eight different countries are expected to grace the stages.

International live music and DJ sets complete the weekend’s activities. The first announcement of speakers includes media mogul Hung Huang, Intro magazine editor-in-chief Thomas Venker, Alesca Life CEO Stu Oda, senior producer at CNN's Beijing bureau Steven Jiang  and co-founder of FakeMusicMedia Philipp Grefer. Musical guests include Nova Heart, SHAO and GOOOOOSE.

Sat Aug 26-Sun Aug 27; tickets TBD; various venues (for more up-to-date info visit www.neutechchina.com ).

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