What's On in Beijing: May 9-15

That's Beijing takes a look at the best of the week:

May 11: The Dowager and the Dynasty

Grab some fresh air and learn all about the Empress Dowager Cixi at The Hutong’s educational walk and discussion event. A key figure of 20th-century Chinese history, the Empress Dowager has, over the years, been much talked about but little understood. Held at none other than the Summer Palace (which the Empress Dowager had rebuilt), the stroll and education session is a pleasant way to spend a morning. Book tickets online via www.thehutong.com.

Wed May 11, 10am-1pm; RMB300 (RMB260 for The Hutong members); Summer Palace, see event listing for details.  

May 12-May 15: RAW by Mosto

Pairing Japanese and Peruvian cuisines may sound strange – only if you haven’t heard of pairing Japanese and Peruvian cuisines before. One of the hottest international culinary trends to emerge within the past decade, Japanese-Peruvian fusion food is now stopping off at Mosto for a special four-day event. The two gastronomic traditions share one crucial ingredient – raw meat – and Mosto will be hosting a pop-up ‘Raw Bar’ where diners can choose their favorite seafoods, their preferred serving style (ceviche, tiradito or carpaccio) and then hand it over to the chefs to prepare. A weekend of culinary experimentation that’s bound to please your taste buds. 

Thu May 12-Sun May 15, Mosto, see event listing for details.

May 14: First Annual Hot Sausage Eating Competition

With summer approaching, Beijing is getting hot. Some might even say it’s getting “hot as balls.” That’s what we say, anyway – so we’ve paired up with The Meatball Company to bring you Beijing’s First Annual Hot Sausage Eating Competition, featuring The Ladle & Spice Collection’s “Hot as Balls” chili sauce. 

Here’s how it works. Twelve fierce competitors will undergo two rounds of intensive sausage-eating for the chance to win our first-place prize: RMB500 in cash, a trophy and some bonus Sherpa’s money. Sausages are provided by our friends over at Stuff’d, and the whole spectacle will go down in Arrow Factory’s new taproom (our second-place prize? Some AF craft brews). Third place gets… a high-five. And probably some fun surprises in the toilet later. Just kidding. Sort of. 

This is Beijing’s first hot sausage eating competition, ever, so take advantage of this historic moment. Stop by Arrow Factory’s Liangma River taproom to sign up. Vegetarian? It’s cool – you can still watch. Let’s get silly with chili. Shit will get nasty. (Literally.)

Sat May 14, 3pm; Arrow Factory Taproom (Liangma River), see event listing for details. 

May 14: The Beijing Flea Market

The Beijing Flea Market is back with its May Edition. On Saturday the rooftop of The Bookworm will be transformed into a treasure hunter’s paradise. There will be 30 independent labels, plenty of handmade and vintage goods, as well as craft foods and drink specials. The Bookworm will also provide discounted books. If you post a photo of your favorite vendor on WeChat during the first hour of the event you can score a free drink courtesy of The Bookworm. 

Sat, May 14, 11am-5pm; The Bookworm, see event listing for details.

May 15: An Art Show

DDC presents the third installment of ‘An Art Show,’ featuring a range of artists, musicians, poets, storytellers, comedians and photography. The event will showcase photography by Clancy Oopow, an esteemed international travel photographer, while selected artworks by Shannon Lethbridge, 庄怡姗 Atalanta, and Kent Niepert will be shown among much else. Meanwhile, the solid musical lineup includes The Plum Trees, Heike and Dan, Image Above All and Electric Badminton. And in between all that, keep an ear out for poetry, storytelling and stand-up comedy from local raconteurs such as Matthew Byrne, Liz Richards, Anthony Tao and Leila. With a mix this varied, you shouldn’t struggle to find something to tickle your fancy.

Sun May 15, 4pm-midnight; RMB50 (presale), RMB60 (at the door); DDC, see event listing for details.

Have an event to list? Head here to list your upcoming event. We’ll choose the best new additions to feature on next week’s edition of ‘What's On in Beijing.’