Sept 3-4: MTA    

Festivals in Beijing may still be proving difficult to organize. But thankfully Hebei is on hand to help out. Over 50 local and international acts descend on our neighboring province this month, including big names like Rudimental (pictured above) and British ‘rapper’ Example. It’s only about 90km from the city, so quit complaining.

Sat Sep 3 - Sun Sep 4; Price TBD; Sky Desert, Hebei 河北天漠

 Sep 3-9:   A Coco Xue Exhibition 

Another shining example of mobile photography as a trailblazing function, A Coco Xue Exhibition showcases mobile phone pics taken by photographer Coco Xue. The opening day (Sep 3) includes a panel discussion and multimedia show, while mobile photography coaching and other activities will be offered throughout the exhibition. 

Sep 3-9; Sokart Mall, see event listing. 

Sept 6: WorldService Project 

WorldService Project is a jazz group trying to turn the genre on its head. Describing themselves as ‘punk-jazz,’ the band cite Frank Zappa and Meshuggah as influences – and no Duke Ellington in sight. They’ll play three different venues over three nights: Temple (for party kids), DDC (for indie kids) and East Shore (for jazz kids). 

Tue Sep 6; Dusk Dawn Club, see event listing. 

Sept 6:   Stephen K. Amos  

Praised as “the embodiment of charisma,” Stephen K. Amos is a big deal in the English stand-up world. Also a gifted actor who has starred in numerous films and TV programs, the award-winning stand-up will be charming Beijing as part of a Punchline Comedy organized tour. Maff Brown opens. (Read our full interview with Amos here.)

Tue Sep 6, 8.30pm; RMB240; The Garage, see event listing. 

Sept 7-11: Macbeth 

This opera version of the legendary Scottish play is set to light up the Beijing Opera House with its fiery portrayal of power, play and politics. Expect a thunderous performance from Placido Domingo, the so-called “king of the opera.” 

Sep 7-11, 7.30pm; RMB380-1080; Opera House of NCPA, see event listing. (Tickets available via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Sep 10: TC   

TC may have chosen a somewhat unimaginative DJ name (he was born Tom Casswell), but the British DJ and producer has released some of the most creative drum‘n’bass bangers of the last decade. His high-octane productions are often imbued with a certain dark humor, from the absurdist ‘Deep’ (“We're comin' round ya house / We'll murder your fish, your dog, your cat / Animal, vegetable, mineral”) to the infectious ‘Where’s my Money?’ (“About the money / Uh, I don't know if I can get it over to you / Uh, cos it's like, it's in a secondary holding account”). TC’s show marks The Syndicate’s 12th anniversary, so you’re guaranteed a rollicking old rave-up. Support comes from local big dawgs Blackie, Clir, Donkey Tonk and Kay C.

Sat Sep 10; RMB70; Dada. 

Sept 10: Saturday Session #3 @ BAO House 

Jing-A and about a dozen other vendors are back, taking over the BAO House patio for an afternoon of beers, baozi and bumpin’ tracks by Pop-up Disco. Expect killer baozi + beer and straight-up pint deals from people who know how to have a sweet time. Autumn is looking (and tasting) good.

Sat Sep 10, 3-8pm; free entry; BAO House, outside the Opposite House, Taikoo Li North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳区三里屯路11号 (6417 6688)

 Sept 10: Beijing Marathon 4km

Run for charity with China World Hotel at Beijing Wild Duck Wetland Park and enjoy the stunning view of the scenic wetland during the 4km journey. The ticket price includes a limited-edition China World Hotel 2016 Marathon T-shirt, a healthy breakfast set, round-trip transportation and park ticket. Nature + charity + fitness = bliss.

Sat Sep 10, 8am; RMB88; Beijing Wild Duck Wetland Park, Liuhaoying Village North, Kangzhuang Town, Yanqing 延庆康庄镇刘浩营村北 (contact Jonny Zhang, health club manager of China World Hotel at 136 71025 578 before Sep 7)

Sept 11: WeChat 101

WeChat is arguably the most essential app for anybody living in China. From WeChat wallet to ordering food, taxis or movie tickets, the app is a one-stop shop. With so many functions it may seem too complicated to function. But it’s not, says Shangri-La Farms and Miss Muesli, who are teaming up at Culture Yard to show users how to make the most of the app’s services. Participants will also receive delicious goodie bags with treats from the organizers’ WeChat stores.

Sun Sep 11, 1-2pm; RMB60; Culture Yard, 10 Shique Hutong, Dongcheng东城区 石雀胡同10号 (contact@cultureyard.net)

Sept 15-27 Oktoberfest at Hacker-Pschorr  

The season of Bavarian beer-drinking is upon us. Hacker-Pschorr, Sanlitun’s very own authentic German brauhaus, is celebrating with Oktoberfest. Join them for live music, specially brewed Oktoberfest beers and traditional Munich dishes. Throw on your dirndls and lederhosen, come hungry, and prepare to say “Prost!”

6pm-midnight; Thu Sep 15-Tue Sep 27 (except Sep 19 and Sep 25); RMB58 for tickets including one pint, RMB228 for tickets including free-flow beer and soft drinks; Hacker-Pschorr (see Listings for details)

Sep 17: Mid-Autumn Music Fair 

If you’re in the market for vinyl, CDs, cassettes, clothing, merch and more, get yourself down to School Bar for the second instalment of Borderless Reunions’ music market. From 8pm, some of Beijing’s most exciting up-and-coming bands will take to the stage, including the rock trio Lonely Leary (pictured above), solo electronic project Noise Arcade and alternative three-piece The Death Narcissist. Visuals come from VJ Wu Jing. 

Sat Sep 17, 3pm-late (market), bands from 8pm; RMB50; School Bar.

Sept 21: Aesthesis   

Russian band’s Aesthesis are the latest booking at Yugong Yishan to feed Beijing’s hunger for post-rock. With a sizable discography and reputation for brooding live shows, there’s some nuanced instrumental rock to be enjoyed here (if you ignore the band’s penchant for pretentious song names like ‘Arise From Dreams of Thee’ and ‘Sailing to Constantinople’).

Wed Sep 21; RMB120 presale (RMB150 door); Yugong Yishan.

Sept 22: Where Did the Chinese Language Come From?  

Putonghua is notorious for being the “hardest language to learn.” Find out why at this illuminating talk by linguistics expert David Moser, which will cover the history of China’s common language, the current language policy in China, and the future of Chinese in cyberspace and the Internet. Moser holds  a Ph.D. in Chinese Studies and recently wrote a book about the Chinese language, titled A Billion Voices.

Thu Sep 22; RMB50 (RMB40 for members); The Bookworm.

Sept 24: Street Kids Meet & Eat  

Street Kids Meet & Eat combines hip-hop and eating for the best of both worlds. Paying tribute to hip-hop culture and its relationship with food, the Street Kids crew teams up with Migas to present a menu inspired by influential hip-hop artists and their classic songs of both today and yesteryear.

Expect to feed on colorful dishes such as Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Clam and Queen La Beefah Beef Burger. Or if you’re looking for some southern comfort food, check out the Ludacrispy Fried Chicken Strips or A Pie Called Quest. We’re salivating and nodding our heads just thinking (or typing) about it.

The beats are covered by Street Kids’ all-ages friendly DJs, Cad 73 and Ludo V, who will whet your appetite with a selction of soulful tunes to classic R&B.

There’s also a hot wing eating competition for those hip-hop heads looking for a little extra spice (or a prize worth RMB600).

Sat Sep 24, 5-9pm; free entry; Migas Rooftop, see event listing. 

Sept 28-Oct 2: Andalusian Butchery at Migas 

Vegetarians: This one is not for you. Migas will host Spanish butcher José Carmón – otherwise known as ‘Pepe’ – for a one-week Andalusian butchery. Pepe will be cooking his most popular dishes from home alongside the Migas team, as well as holding a free master class on Sep 28. 

Wed Sep 28-Sun Oct 2; Migas.

Throughout September

Through Jan 7: Andy Warhol: Contact

Andy Warhol: Contact features pioneering film, photography and interactive installations by one of the 20th century’s most influential and famous artists. It’s a major solo exhibition – running until next January – and for good reason: Warhol’s career spanned decades, from silent film photography in the 1960s to polaroid-shot portraits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Keep an eye out for cameos by a bevy of Warhol’s famous subjects: Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and Edie Sedgwick, plus more. There is also an installation of Warhol’s ‘Silver Clouds’, shimmering pillow-like shapes, which float serenely through the exhibition space. There are plenty more surprises to be had, so check it out for your fifteen minutes of fame.

Tue-Sun, 10.30am-6pm, through Jan 7, 2017; RMB60 (RMB40 for students); M Woods, see event listing. 

Live Music at Eudora Station

Overdrive (Wed-Sat): Playing a mix of rock, blues, soul and funk, this band is the backbone of Eudora’s line-up. Playing from 9.30pm to 1am, four nights a week, this international five-piece knows how to please a crowd. 

Dinner Jazz (Sun): End the weekend with some civilized dinner jazz and enjoy some of Eudora’s home-style food while you’re there. 

Latin Music Night (Sun): Straight after the jazz at 9pm, Latin band Mojito brings you authentic musical vibes to accompany some South American snacks and drinks. Get free-flow drinks with your music for RMB168.

Wed-Sun (ongoing); Eudora Station, 6 Fangyuan Xi Lu (next to the Lido hotel), Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园西路6号 (6437 8331, www.eudorastation.com)

The Beijing Ghost Tour  

Ever wondered why Chinese zombies bounce? And who hanged himself next to Emperor Chongzhen behind the Forbidden City? OK, maybe not so much that last one, but you will find out all of this and so much gory-more if you join Newman Tours’ Beijing Ghost Tour. The city’s first ever ghost tour explores the haunted hutongs around the Forbidden Palace, featuring the aforementioned bouncing zombies, a ghost wedding, a chance to burn money for the dead and more. The interactive tour is a great way to learn more about the history and culture of Beijing and is suitable for the whole family.

RMB160-390; starts outside Exit B of North Beihai Metro Station on Dianmen Xi Dajie, near the intersection with Sanzuoqiao Hutong 北海北地铁站B出口外 地安门西大街 (靠近三座桥胡同) (book via 13817770229, info@newmantours.com.

Criminal Hollywood Month  

Pop-Up Beijing gets gritty this month with its Classic Movie Tuesday getting the ‘Criminal Hollywood’ treatment. Aka film noir, expect to see gangsters, detectives, murder, love and deception all play out on Pop-Up’s movie screen this September. The month of madness opens with The Maltese Falcon, a classic starring Humphrey Bogart in one of his best-known roles, and moves onto the shady backstreets of 40s and 50s cinema, with Deception, Out of the Past and The Big Heat making an appearance, respectively. Fun, frivolity and freakin’ good deals will all be in attendance, what with the boutique-bar’s happy hour deal extending to all-day on Classic Movie Tuesdays. You stay classy, Pop-Up Beijing. 

Every Tue through Sep; Pop-Up Beijing, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院22号楼北侧首层