That's Beijing takes a look at the best of the month:
Through Aug 25: > <
Life is about balance, the space between ‘greater than’ -(>), and ‘smaller than’ -(<), and yet finding, much less maintaining, that middle ground is a challenge. EGG Gallery’s group exhibition allows viewers to find their inner harmony by showcasing both emotional art works turned calculating, and abstraction geometric shapes. The two female artists’ works differ in form yet work together to reach equilibrium.
Tue-Sun, through Aug 25, 10am-6pm; EGG Gallery, 327 Caochangdi, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳区草场地327号 (6432 8089)
Through Aug 28: Lin Zhipeng aka 223
Lin Zhipeng is a member of the new generation's vanguard. The kids that cut their teeth on social media. They found followers and fame but are still keeping it real. Well, in Zhipeng’s case at least, with his raw and exposed photography like a punch in the guts. Also known as 223, Zhipeng’s appear as an open diary of a young generation who has decided to stick it to society and its expectations, and instead live their own lives. The subjects are at once free and lost, an apt description for youth if there ever was one, resulting in photos both punk and poetic. Zhipeng has contributed to various creative and fashion magazines such as Vision, as well as brands like Converse and Nike.
Through Aug 28, 10.30am-6.30pm; De Sarthe Gallery Beijing, see event listing.
Aug 2: WeiLaugh Comedy Club Open Mic Stand-up
Liven up your Tuesday by checking out the newest open mic in town, brought to you by Subnormalz and hosted by Irish legends Paddy’s. The latter guarantees a steady supply of booze on hand to keep you refreshed while the former provides the jokes with help from local comedians. You laugh, Wei all Laugh.
Every Tue, 8.30pm; free; Paddy O’Shea’s, see event listing.
Aug 3-7: Le Nozze di Figaro
One of Mozart’s most famous operas, Le Nozze di Figaro tells the tale of Figaro and Susanna, a servant and maid who wish to marry but must first thwart the scheming ways of the sordid Count Almaviva. NCPA brings the opera to life, imbuing the witty story with its own fresh spin by substituting the theme of love for rights and politics.
Aug 3-7, 7.30pm; RMB420-680; Drama Theatre of NCPA, see event listing.
Aug 3: Italian Aperitivo by Bellavista
Aperitivo is Italian for good time. OK, not literally – but we’ve definitely never had a bad time while having aperitivo, just saying. There are few things more relaxing than the Italian tradition of sipping a pre-dinner glass of wine. And this is especially true when said wine is Italian, and said Italian wine is paired with Italian nibbles – as it should and will be at the opening party for Bellavista’s aperitivo series at la Spazia Italia.
Bellavista is our go-to for top-notch Italian vintages in Beijing. Summer evenings in the city are long and hot, and we can’t imagine a better way to improve them than with a Bellavista bottle. Whether you’re Italian or not – a seasoned aperitivo drinker or someone who saw that word for the first time in this event description – the Bellavista team will be on hand to guide you through this marvelous tradition. Grab a glass of Bellavista, plus Italian tapas, for RMB138. In collabortation with Kelit, Opera Bombana, Bottega, La Pizza, Velvet and Alio Olio.
Wed Aug 3, 4.30-6.30pm, La Spazia Italia, 1/f, bldg 1, Hai Long Plaza, 13 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体体育场北路13号院1号楼一层1-01
Aug 5: SuG
Rockers SuG may have taken their name from the Japanese transliteration of the word ‘thug’ (sagu), but they seem harmless enough. Steeped in the tradition of ‘visual kei’ – a style that sees bands incorporating flamboyant costumes and makeup – the five-piece are guaranteed to entertain. SuG’s last two albums failed to chart in Japan (time for a China tour!) but earlier albums like Lolipop Kingdom and Tokyo Muzical Hotel sold reasonably well.
Fri Aug 5, 7.30pm; RMB380; Tango, see event listing.
Aug 6: Education Without Borders
This free, half-day conference has been created for young professionals with leanings towards international education or education innovation. Or for those who are simply job-hunting but curious about learning. The event includes engaging panels with industry leaders in the global education world.
Sat Aug 6, 1.30-5.30pm; Peking University, see event listing.
Aug 6: 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop Dance Marathon for Pulse'
The Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando rocked the world. Since the horrific incident, organizations and individuals around the world have shown an outpouring of support. And Beijing is showing theirs, yet again, with the 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop: Dance Marathon for Pulse'. The goal is to dance, dance, dance to bring the community together and to take action to honor the victims.
The marathon will be held at The Hatchery on Saturday August 6 from 1pm-1am. So strap on your dancing shoes and get ready to dance for 12 hours straight. Don't worry, there will be sustenance provided to fuel you all night long. Dancers will get delicious food from sponsors The Hatchery and Más. Cheers and Vedett will provide drinks and Miss Muesli and Beyogurt (and more) will have snacks galore.
And what’s a dance marathon without some tunes? Some of Beijing's best DJs (The Count of Monte Disco, Saucy, Ariel, Oops2, Crystal Bones, Juhstynn, Signal, Baby Bok Choy and Gary Boozy) will be volunteering their time – and skills – to the cause. For more information click here. To register click here.
Sat August 6, 1pm-1am. The Hatchery, see event listing.
Aug 7: Maliandao Tea Tour
Tea is a classic drink but there’s more to the beverage than black, green and red. If you want to get your fill of the best brews and get schooled at the same time, The Hutong’s Maliandao Tea Tour is a must do. The day includes tea sampling, a delicious Northwest Fujian-style lunch, followed by more tea sipping. And all of this in the best tea and wholesaling area in the region.
Sun Aug 7, 10.30am-3.30pm; RMB300; Maliandao Tea Street, 11 Maliandao Lu Xuanwu 宣武区 马连道路11号 (thehutong.com)
Aug 7-21: Water Wars Game
Still summer, still sweaty AF. Though they can’t change the season, outdoor adventure company Imagine can solve the latter problem with its two Chaoyang Park ‘water wars’ events. If you’re over the age of 18 but miss being a child, or just like getting wet, cool off with an afternoon of water fights and games. Ticket price includes all equipment needed for the water war.
Sun Aug 7 and 21, 2-4pm; RMB70 (RMB50 advance); Chaoyang Park, go to imagine-china.com for more information.
Aug 9: Chinese Valentine’s Day
We at That’s Beijing are known Valentine’s Day cynics. (See our February 2016 issue, “The Lonely Hearts Club,” about singledom and heartbreak for proof.) But it’d be unfair if we didn’t include Chinese Valentine’s Day in the month’s dining events nonetheless. The lovers’ holiday calls upon chefs across the city to impress with some of their most lavish, exuberant dishes. Or just champagne. Either way, prepare your appetites (and wallets).
Chinese Valentine’s Day is August 9
Aug 18: Sunflower Bean
With such a cheerful name, Sunflower Bean sound like they should have a thoroughly jovial disposition. But there is also a tangible melancholy in the trio’s jangly guitars and bittersweet lyrics. The New Yorkers arrive amid considerable buzz around their debut album Human Ceremony.
Thu Aug 18, 8.30pm; RMB120 (presale), RMB160 (door); ModernSky Lab, see event listing.
Aug 19: Bok Bok + L-Vis 1990 DJs
London label Night Slugs has been a driving force in the UK’s alternative electronic scene since 2010. Founders L-Vis 1990 (pictured) and Bok Bok not only run the label, but have defined its sound through their own productions, which are hard-hitting and eminently danceable. Check the pair’s packed 2014 Boiler Room set for a taste of what to expect.
Fri Aug 19; Price TBD; Dada.
Aug 20: Brew Cruise on Houhai Lake
Jing-A and 4corners are throwing the ultimate boat party… on Houhai. The party institutions are bringing food and booze to Beijing’s most notorious lake, where partygoers can rent boats with friends and purchase picnic baskets from 4corners with Jing-A beer. Expect fun freebies and surprises – plus “live music on the lake,” whatever that means.
Sat Aug 20, 2pm; 4corners.
Aug 20: Vincent Herring + Eric Alexander
As well as having the best name in jazz since Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonist Vincent Herring also has one of the most interesting takes on post-bop. Experimental without veering into self-indulgence, the American’s improvisation is clean and effortless. Herring has played almost every major festival in existence, and how about this for a discography: In addition to releasing 15 records as a band leader, he’s featured on over 200 as a sideman. He’ll be joined by pianist Eric Alexander.
Sat Aug 20, 10pm; East Shore Live Jazz Café
Aug 21: Aim High in Creation
A revolutionary comedy-cum-documentary from Australian director Anna Broinowski, Aim High in Creation both satirizes and pays tribute to DPRK propaganda filmmaking.
Determined to stop a new gas mine near her Sydney home, Broinowski travels to the DPRK to learn from the masters of propaganda cinema. Pyongyang’s top directors, composers and movie stars take her to script rehearsals, Taekwondo stunt fights, dances and drunken picnics to teach her Kin Jong-il’s techniques. Once back in Sydney, Broinowski’s band of fighters follow instructions to produce a socialist melodrama, complete with song and battles, in which “heroic workers” rise up to defeat the “evil, gas-fracking miners.” Intense.
Koryo Tours acted as executive producers of the film and after the screening, founder Nick Bonner will take part in a Q&A and plus talk about the Pyongyang International Film Festival taking place in September.
Sun Aug 21, 7.30pm; free; Pop-Up Beijing.
Aug 25-28: Moon Water Dance
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, named after the oldest known dance in China, presents its latest event, the evocative Moon Water. Named the best dance of the year by The New York Times (2003), the show’s 24 artists will leave you breathless as they combine modern dance, ballet, martial arts and calligraphy into one beautiful performance.
Aug 25-28, 7.30pm; RMB180-680; Opera House of NCPA, tickets available via sales@theatrebeijing.com.
Aug 27: Roundabout Book Fair
This one’s for all you book nerd philanthropists out there: The British School of Shunyi is hosting a massive Roundabout Book Fair with all proceeds going to help children in need. We’re talking thousands of pre-loved books for all ages, and at prices starting as low as RMB1, so there’s bound to be a favorite or two (or four or five, you know how it goes).
Sat Aug 27, 10am-3pm; Aug 29-Sep 2, 3pm-4.30pm; The British School of Beijing Shunyi.
Aug 28: Simple Plan
Quebec’s Simple Plan have followed a path taken by many bands since pop-punk brashly thrust itself into the mainstream in the late 1990s: After the genre fell out of favor in the mid-2000s, they got a bit older and more ‘serious’ by adding a tinge of emo. Then they just kinda… clung on. Back with a new album Taking one for the Team (which features Nelly, weirdly), Simple Plan have shown themselves to possess greater longevity than many of their contemporaries. The five-piece are actually only in their mid-30s, so if you fancy some pop-punk nostalgia and find the aging blink-182 a little too depressing to handle – this one’s for you.
Sun Aug 28; RMB288-RMB588; LeSports Center.
Aug 28: TEDxSanlitun
X gon’ give it to ya, gon’ give it to ya… Sanlitun.
TEDx, an offshoot of the nonprofit innovation leader TED, is about creating quality events for communities and its members. In this case, it’s the multi-cultural Sanlitun getting the TEDx treatment, with the theme ‘Red’ representing Sanlitun’s diverse range of people and their underlying passion. The conference will get ‘red people’ together to share new knowledge and ideas. It’s about celebrating learning, differences, community and, above all, life. Leading up to the event, keep an eye out for a ‘Red’ photographic exhibition as well as a ‘Humans of Sanlitun’ feature, sharing real stories about real people in Sanlitun.
Celebrate Sanlitun: a place inhabited by locals and foreigners from a range of areas including commerce, fashion and diplomacy, and each of them with their own different tales and hobbies.
Sun Aug 21, 2-6pm; The Red, Taikoo Li North, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里北区 (For more information check out tedxsanlitun.com)
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.
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