5 Things to Do in Beijing This Week

Joan Cornellà Exhibition

You may not know his name but you’ve probably seen Joan Cornellà’s quirky work somewhere on the Internet – and now, you can see it in real life in 798. The Spanish cartoonist and illustrator’s artworks are unforgettable, and at times unbelievable, as the artist creates surreal imagery steeped with black humor to delightful effect. “For me personally it is fiction that allows me to laugh. Reality is quite creepy,” Cornellà once said. Indeed. 

Fri Jul 6-Sat Jul 28, 11am-7pm; RMB65 (Alipay); Parkview Green Art 798 @ 798 Art Zone, see event listing.

Jul 14: Sunset Rooftop Fest with Heyrobics & Sazon

Start your Saturday night with a productive rooftop workout party featuring back-to-back classes with fantastic views, brought to you by fitness class pass community GuavaPass Beijing. Heyrobics gets your heart rate up and your body moving with their one-hour Heyrobics Medium Session starting at 5pm. Finishing off the workout is Sazon’s fun one-hour body rhythm and salsa class at 6pm. Post-class, replenish your energy with some healthy bites. Oh, and don't forget to make your way to the Lorna Jane pop-up store for some discounted goods.

Sat Jul 14, 5-7pm; RMB50; 5Lmeet, see event listing.

Jul 14: Lonely Leary

The Beijing post-punk trio arrives in Beijing as part of the national tour for their gritty and razor-sharp debut album, Through the Park, Almost There, which Maybe Mars released back in April. Catch their show at DDC this Saturday and in the meantime, read our recent interview with the group here.

Sat Jul 14, 9pm; DDC, see event listing.

Jul 14: National Theatre Live: The Leading Man Returns

UCCA isn’t just a gallery – it’s also an excellent purveyor of the performing arts. Throughout July the space presents screenings of four National Theatre Live productions. This weekend catch Hamlet, featuring Mr. Sherlock Holmes himself (we mean Benedict Cumberbatch), and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

Sat Jul 14, 2pm (Hamlet), 6pm (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time); RMB120, RMB80 (UCCA member), RMB200 (ticket package, adult), RMB160 (ticket package, UCCA member); UCCA, see event listing.

Jul 14 & 15: Tel Aviv Brunch

The flavors of Israel are on show at Arcade by Hatchery this summer. The Tel Aviv pop-up, which first debuted at Hatchery’s erstwhile Dongsi location (RIP), is back for weekend brunches. A mezze set, for RMB188 per person, will get you dips, breads, spiced chicken, pulled lamb, shakshuka and a welcome drink. 

Weekends all summer, 11am-4pm; Arcade by Hatchery, see event listing.

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