What's On in Guangzhou: December 2018

By That's Guangzhou, November 30, 2018

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That's Guangzhou takes a look at the best events of the month: 


Dec 1-9: Guangzhou Jazz Festival 

gz-jazz.jpgImage via Xinghai Concert Hall

Having organized and played host to the Guangzhou Jazz Festival for the past three years, Xinghai Concert Hall, the iconic, glass and concrete structure sitting along the shoreline of Ersha Island, has done a remarkable job boosting the city’s jazz music scene. Now in its fourth year, the nine-day celebration of jazz music will return to Guangzhou this December. Starting from December 1, Xinghai Concert Hall will host nine performances by jazz musicians from China, Germany, Spain and the United States. We suspect this year’s Guangzhou Jazz Festival lineup will once again impress music fans, with performances by Grammy-winning double bassist Ron Carter, Spanish jazz band Jazznesis & Mar and Guangzhou jazzwoman Wang Cong. 

Dec 1-9, various times; various prices. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 6-16: Chicago the Musical 

chicago.jpgImage via Chicago the Musical website

“Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery… all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.” So begins the award-winning musical Chicago, which is scheduled to visit Guangzhou this month. With six Tony Awards, two Oliver Awards, one Grammy, two Bafta and six Academy Awards, Chicago truly is “the sharpest, slickest show on the block.” You can count on this memorable musical to offer the thrills that only come with seeing a Broadway show. 

Tue-Sun Dec 6-16, 2.30pm/7.30pm; RMB280-1,180. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 7: Annual Aussie Gathering – Christmas White Party

white-christmas-party1.jpg

Guangzhou’s Aussie community is holding a white-themed Christmas party at LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou this month and you’re invited to partake in the festivities! Expect a Christmas buffet, wine, beer, prizes and more! 

Dec 7, 7-10pm; RMB280 members, RMB360 nonmembers. LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou. See event listing


Dec 7-8: TNT Theatre Britain – Macbeth 

macbeth.jpgImage via 247tickets

Founded in 1980, TNT Theatre Britain quickly established itself as one of the most renowned touring theater companies in the world. On this visit, the celebrate ensemble will present one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies: the one and only Macbeth

Dec 7-8, 7.30pm; RMB100-320. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 7-9: Heel’s Kitchen 

heel-s-kitchen-1.jpgImage via Grand Hyatt Guangzhou

A cheeky play on Hell’s Kitchen, a popular American reality show hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, Heel’s Kitchen will be the Grand Hyatt Guangzhou’s first-ever female-only culinary event. While men are allowed to attend the event, you won’t find any in the kitchen – all the dishes are prepared by talented female chefs. The culinary event will run from December 7 to 9 and feature an array of different activities and meals for hungry Guangzhouers to enjoy, including daily cooking classes, VIP lunches and dinners and three tantalizing afternoon teas, all helmed by one of seven female Hyatt chefs or a surprise celebrity chef.  

Dec 7-9, various times and prices. Grand Hyatt Guangzhou. See event listing


Dec 8-9: Strawberry Music Festival 

strawberry-music-festival.jpg

Strawberry Music Festival, taking place at Chimelong Paradise in Panyu, features a vast array of musicians ranging from sought-after hip-hoppers to ethnic singers. Highlight acts include Scottish post-punk band Franz Ferdinand, Taiwanese aboriginal singer Hu Defu and Chaoshan folk band Wutiaoren, among many others. 

Dec 8-9, 2pm; RMB280 presale, RMB360 at the door. Chimelong Paradise Amusement Park. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 16: Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj-Udhas.jpg

Exciting news for the great Indian community in Guangzhou: Pankaj Udhas, India’s Frank Sinatra (but alive), is slated for a performance in town this month. Having sung for many a Hindi film, the prestigious ghazal artist has enjoyed a singing career spanning almost 40 years. A raffle draw will be held at the performance, with prizes ranging from RMB3,000 to RMB10,000. Reserve your seat by contacting NRI China on WeChat (ID: nri-in-china). 

Dec 16; RMB250-1,100. Kyle Canton Hotel. See event listing


Dec 21: Werner Bartschi 

Werner-Baertschi.jpgImage via Werner Bartschi website


Werner Bartschi’s interpretation of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt is spontaneous, communicative and exciting. Born in Zurich in 1950, his repertoire includes works from the late renaissance to recent times. At Guo Lanying Theater, Bartschi will play a selection of pieces from classical maestros as well as his own compositions.  

Dec 21, 8pm; RMB100-200. Guo Lanying Theater. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 23: Swan Lake by Russian State Ballet 

russian-state-ballet-swan-lake.jpgImage via Russian State Ballet website

Over the last 20 years, the Russian State Ballet Theater has remained one of the leading ballet companies in Russia, enjoying international acclaim. Its repertoire includes classical ballets as well as some of the world’s finest examples of modern choreography. With its elaborate costumes, vivid sets and breathtaking stunts, Swan Lake promises audiences a world-class experience. 

Dec 23, 7.30pm; RMB180-880. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 24-25: Toast the Festive Season 

roof-top-bar.jpgImage via LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou 

Celebrate this festive season in style at LN Hotel Five’s Roof Top Bar, which is set against a backdrop of Guangzhou’s nightscape and now jazzed up by the addition of a house band. Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners for two, coupled by a free flow of house wine, are priced at RMB688 and RMB999 respectively, while a one-night stay plus dinner is also available on New Year’s Eve at RMB1,499. 

Dec 24-25, 7.30-10.30pm; Mon Dec 31, 7.30-10.30pm (free flow of wine until 1.30am). Roof Top Bar (LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou)See event listing


Dec 24-Jan 1: Alfresco Christmas Set Menu 

Alfresco-Christmas-Set-Menu.jpg

Experience the holiday spirit in a traditional Italian setting with a five-course Christmas set menu accompanied by one complimentary bottle of Prosecco. Lucky draws will be held throughout the dinner to spice things up. Call 8916 3568 for more information. 

Daily Dec 24-Jan 1, 6-10pm; RMB850 for two (early bird price until Dec 20)/RMB998 for two, extra RMB218 per person for wine pairing. Alfresco (Langham Place, Guangzhou). See event listing


Dec 25: Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra 

Wiener-Johann-Strauss-Orchester.jpgImage via Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester / Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra/Facebook

Since 1966, the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra has been doing one thing and one thing only – recreating the works of the legendary Strauss Orchestra of the days of Johann Strauss I, the initiator of a musical dynasty in the 19th century. Classic masterpieces such as ‘The Blue Danube,’ ‘Viennese Blood’ and ‘Radetzky March’ comprise the orchestra’s vast repertoire. 

Dec 25, 8pm; RMB180-880. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets.


Dec 26-27: Mi Carmen Flamenca  

mi-carmen.jpgImage via Mi Carmen Flamenca website

Born in a village with traditional flamenco heritage near Seville, Spain, flamenco artist Antonio Andrade grew up among aficionados of this eye-catching art form. Serving as the artistic director of Antonio Andrade Flamenco Company, the Spanish artist has created many successful productions enjoyed by audiences all over the world, including this rendition of Carmen

Dec 26-27, 8pm; RMB180-680. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 30: National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine 

National-Symphony-Orchestra-of-Ukraine-.jpgImage via National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine website

Under the baton of conductor Nicola Giuliani, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine will stage a concert at Xinghai Concert Hall this month. Performances include some of the world’s most famous classical masterpieces.

Dec 30, 8pm; RMB180-880. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets


Dec 31: New Year Countdown at the Garden Hotel 

garden-hotel-snack.jpgImage via LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou

Ring in the new year in style at the Garden Hotel’s lobby lounge, where lively music and three drink and snack packages await. Call 189 2625 8321 for reservation. 

Dec 31; packages starting from RMB699. Lobby Lounge, 1/F, LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou. See event listing


Various dates: Holiday Season at Mandarin Oriental 

Holiday-Season-at-Mandarin-Oriental.jpgImage via Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

This holiday season, Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou will offer a variety of Christmas events and promotions for Yuletide revelers to enjoy, including a number of holiday-themed cakes at The Mandarin Cake Shop, a Christmas-y afternoon tea at The Taikoo Lounge and sumptuous feasts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve at Ebony. Call 3080 8888 for more details on holiday promotions. 

Afternoon tea at The Taikoo Lounge: RMB428 for two, available daily until Jan 4; Christmas/New Year dinner buffet at Ebony: 6-10.30pm; RMB828 per person, RMB1,188 for two; all prices are subject to a 15 percent service charge. Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. See event listing


Until Feb 20: Early Chinese Newspapers in Singapore and Chinese Revolution

old-people-newspaper.jpgImage via DJHuber/Flickr

This exhibition traces the development of Chinese newspapers in Singapore from 1880 to 1942. The newspapers on display at the event helped cover the revolutionary events happening in China at the time, and played a vital role in maintaining a cultural tie between Chinese immigrants to Singapore and their homeland. 

Tue-Sun until Feb 20, 9am-5pm; free. The Memorial Museum of Genearlissimo Sun Yat-sen’s Mansion. See event listing


Until Mar 1: Digital Revolution 

digital-revolution.jpgImage via Barbican.org.uk

Digital Revolution is an immersive, audiovisual experience exploring digital technologies used in a range of fields since the 1970s. The exhibition explores a world created by a range of artists, filmmakers, architects, designers, musicians and game developers, where the audience is exposed to the history of ever-evolving digital technologies, as well as the impact these technologies had – or are having – on our culture and entertainment.  

Tue-Sun until Mar 1, 9.30am-4.30pm; RMB60. Guangdong Science Center. See event listing


Ongoing: Weekly Trivia Night at Ginstar

ginstar-interior.jpgImage via Ginstar

Every Tuesday evening, Ginstar’s Zhujiang New Town location holds its weekly pub quiz from 8.30pm to 10pm. The trivia covers a wide range of topics and subjects, from current events and pop culture to geography, literature and politics. (Photo, music and connection rounds also feature!). Participating teams stand the chance to win a number of boozy prizes, including a bottle of Fireball, 3 liters of Carlsberg and a bottle of wine! And, as an added bonus, trivia attendees can also enjoy one of Ginstar’s renowned burgers and a pint of beer for only RMB60! 

Ongoing Tue, 8.30-10pm; free entry. Ginstar (Zhujiang New Town). See event listing


Check out our weekly roundups for Guangzhou, released every Monday, for the latest event news.

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[Cover image via Image via Barbican.org.uk, Image via Mi Carmen Flamenca website, Image via Chicago the Musical website, Image via Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou]

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