Aug 3: The Kingdom of Women

Join author Choo Waihong for a talk about her new book, The Kingdom of Women. The corporate lawyer-turned-writer spent six years living in Yunnan with the Mosuo tribe, the last surviving matrilineal and matriarchal society in the world. Choo’s book is a fascinating insider’s account of the Mosuo community and their traditions. The cultural and societal issues raised, such as traditional gender roles and feminism, ensure this is a must-see event (and must-read book).

Thu Aug 3, 7.30pm; RMB50; The Bookworm, (tickets via https://yoopay.cn/event/14138063) , see event listing.

Aug 5: TOKiMONSTA

A highly acclaimed electronic artist from Los Angeles, TOKiMONSTA explores moods and emotions on the dance floor. She performed at Sonar Barcelona, DEMF, WMC, Electric Zoo, SXSW and, well… a gazillion other places. Now her groovy tour stops off in Beijing.

10pm, Sat Aug 5, 10pm; RMB100 (advance), RMB120 (door); Yugong Yishan, see event lising.

Aug 6: Gnash

Branded by Vogue as “This year’s most unlikely sensation in the music industry, accruing the type of digital currency that could easily rival a Katy Perry or Lady Gaga”, international music knockout Gnash will be in Beijing to perform his cloyingly catchy hit ‘I hate u, I love u.’ A chance to catch the eclectic DJ, singer and rapper before he blows up.

Sun Aug 6, 9pm; RMB180 (advance), RMB220 (door); Yugong Yishan, see event listing.

Aug 6: Jam Metal Music Festival 

Those with the (acquired) taste for metal can look forward to a loud, aggressive and angsty evening to enjoy themselves (or do whatever it is that Metalheads do). Modernsky’s Jam Metal Music Festival will span the spectrum of dark, loud music from death metal and nu-thrash to thrash metal plain-old heavy metal. The lineup of Empty Eyes, Purgatory, Skyfire, Ancestor and Death Penalty.

Sun Aug 6, 8pm; RMB100 (advance), RMB120 (door); Modernsky Lab, see event listing.

Aug 6: East Meets West

Beijing Experience combines architecture and photography in its ‘East Meets West’ tour. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the city’s historical areas and discover some of Beijing’s most striking western-style buildings, such as the Rong family building in Ju’er Hutong. Don’t expect a history lesson, though – the tour is more geared toward practicing photography.

Sun Aug 6, 4pm; RMB190; Beijing Cafe, 81 Beiheyan, Dongcheng 东城区北河沿81号 (for more info add the WeChat ID: cesarcasellas).

Aug 10: Liam Gallagher 

Throwing it back to you, former frontman of Oasis Liam Gallagher is coming to China so we can all relive the 90s. His first stop? Beijing’s Olympic Sports Center, where he will perform a few new tracks from his solo album and hopefully some classics as well. If his history is any indication, audience members just might be treated to one of his foul-mouthed rants.

Thu Aug 10, 8pm; RMB480-1480; Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, (tickets via 228.com.cn), see event listing.

Aug 10-13: Guest Chef Karel Van Oyen 

Whenever TRB has a visiting chef, you go. That’s just what you do. This month, don’t miss out on Karel Van Oyen of Vinto, a highly acclaimed restaurant in Belgium’s Flemish countryside, as he creates a one-time-only menu (accompanied with wine pairings) for TRB Forbidden City.

Thu Aug 10-Sun Aug 13; RMB588 for four-course lunch, RMB888 for five-course dinner; TRB Forbidden City (call 6401 6676), see event listing.

Aug 18-Sep 3: Sister Act

You may have seen the posters around town or even seen the film that it’s based on (Whoopi Goldberg FTW) – and now you can see it on stage. Yes, Sister Act has arrived and it’s “ridiculously fun,” says the New York Post. Hot off Broadway, the show is a musical comedy about a wannabe diva that, after witnessing a crime, is placed in a convent by the police. Fun times ensue.

Fri Aug 18-Sun Sep 3, 7.30pm (Sat-Sun 2.30pm); RMB180-1280; Century Theater, 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路40号 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Aug 21: Cigarettes After Sex   

In the 40s, 50s and even into the 60s, an era some would call a 'golden-age' for American cinema, movies in the US seldom, if ever, contained any explicit sexual content. It became a theme, and later a running joke, that directors would write a scene of two lovers smoking cigarettes and wearing undergarments instead. This is why the band ‘Cigarettes after Sex’ has a legacy to uphold. These Cigs after Sex write drowsy, noir-ish dream pop, which the band’s label has described as ‘smoky’ and ‘eyes-closed’. You’re not getting passionate, sexy music; you’re getting the carefree and deeply relaxed aftermath of an intimate night.

Mon Aug 21, 8pm; RMB180-220; Tango, see event listing, yoopay.cn for tickets.

Aug 23-Aug 27: Uncle Vanya

Part of the 2017 NCPA International Theatre Festival (Aug 24-27), Uncle Vanya is a theater production directed by famous Chinese contemporary director Li Liuyi. The stage director and screenwriter of Beijing People's Art Theatre, Li is known for his particular style of ‘method’ (described as “pure drama”).

Wed Aug 23-Sun Aug 27; RMB100- 580; Drama Theatre of NCPA, 2 Xi Chang’an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Aug 26:  Sinjin Hawke and Zora Jones

THUVDR & The Drop join forces to bring in this dynamic duo. The critically acclaimed Sinjin Hawke has collaborated with Just Blaze, DJ Rashad and MikeQ and produced for Kanye West and Frank Ocean (!). And then there’s Zora Jones (pictured), a masterful technician of sound whose style is described by Pitchfork as “spellbinding” and “fascinating.” Expect experimental sounds you won’t hear anywhere else.

Sat Aug 26; tickets TBA; Dada, see event listing.

Aug 26: Rumble in the Jungle Birthday Party 

One year ago, Rumble in the Jumble was born “out of a love for British jumble sales and American thrift stalls.” Since then, the monthly market has taken on its own magnificent form featuring a mix of haberdashery and homemade goodies. From baking, clothing, jewelry, books and more, the bazaar is a one-stop shop for all things vintage and craft. This month is an extra special one as the rumble celebrates its first anniversary with a birthday party featuring the usual stalls and more, plus a party afterwards with music from Rebel5. Applications for stalls will be open from Aug 1, so if you’re more of a maker rather than buyer, be sure to sign up quick.

Sat Aug 26, 12pm-late; Modernista; for more info add the WeChat ID: RumbleBJ), see event listing. 

Aug 26: Vertical Run

Bored of your usual running route? Have you considered introducing a few stairs? Yeah, how about 82 floors of stairs? Well, China World Summit Wing is giving you a chance to do just that with its annual ‘Vertical Run.’ Taking place on the staircase of China World Summit Wing, the race ends at the top of the building. Climbing a height of 330 meters may sound intense – but runners can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city at the finish. That’s 2,041 steps for one of the best views of the city and is definitely something to write home about – or post on Instagram. The ‘team challenge’ and ‘fun climb’ have already sold out, but participants are still open to sign up as an ‘individual.’ Note: participants must be 18 years old and over.

Sat Aug 26, 2.30pm; RMB150 (individual); China World Summit Wing; deadline for online registration is Aug 11: http://beijingverticalrun.com/register) , see event listing.

Aug 26: Midnight in Peking Walking Tour 

Check out the official Midnight in Peking walking tour (in conjunction with Penguin Books no less), courtesy of Bespoke. Based on Paul French’s international bestselling murder mystery of the same name, ‘Midnight in Peking’ runs on the last Saturday of every month in Beijing. Examining the death of Pamela Werner, the tour starts at the scene of the crime before winding through the hutongs. Walk along Beijing’s old city walls and find out the truth about what really happened that night.

Sat Aug 26; RMB388 (for more info email info@bespoke-beijing.com; tickets via https://yoopay.cn/pay/89813932).

Aug 25-26: NEU ’17

NEU ’17 is billed as China’s “first international future festival.” The inaugural NEU was held in Berlin in 2016 and featuring over 5,000 attendees, was a rad tech and music conference highlighting artists from China and Berlin. Expect the same at NEU ’17.

But what exactly is a ‘future’ festival? According to its organizers, the festival will see experts from different industries, such as tech, science, music, the visual arts, film and media, explore questions about a host of topical issues (like global warming, investments, changes in energy and culture, AI and VR). The festival will be held across venues including Chao Hotel, 798 Art District and Fashion Technology Institute, and 30 speakers, performers and hosts from eight different countries are expected to grace the stages.
International live music and DJ sets complete the weekend’s activities. The first announcement of speakers includes media mogul Hung Huang, Intro magazine editor-in-chief Thomas Venker, Alesca Life CEO Stu Oda, senior producer at CNN's Beijing bureau Steven Jiang  and co-founder of FakeMusicMedia Philipp Grefer. Musical guests include Nova Heart, SHAO and GOOOOOSE.

Sat Aug 26-Sun Aug 27; tickets TBD; various venues (for more up-to-date info visit www.neutechchina.com ).

New Menu at 8 Qi Nian 

New World Beijing Hotel’s Chef Yuen has created a summer menu inspired by culinary trends ‘in Beijing and beyond.’ Chef Yuan has taken old, and by old we mean ancient, Chinese recipes and presented them using modern techniques and flavor combinations. Spearheading the project is 8 Qi Nian’s new mei cai kou rou, a dish credited to famous Song Dynasty poet and doctor Su Shi. It’s essentially a slow-cooked pork with stuffed bean curd, underneath a very, very secret sauce – said to carry strengthening, TCM-like properties.

But there’s more to the menu than its star dish. The summer menu also features two prominent beef dishes. The first is a Barbecue-Roasted Australian Black Angus Rib - more conventional, sure, but don’t take that to mean it lacks sophistication. The cut is marinated in a ‘secret blend’ (why so clandestine? We may never know) of herbs and spices, then steamed to release the beautiful marbled beef. Then, slow-roasted. The resulting steak carries tremendous depth of flavor.

The latter is 8 Qi Nian’s new Roasted Wagyu Beef Rib in black-pepper sauce. No ‘secret sauces’ here, and the origin of the cut is also publicly disclosed: Japan. Ah, we can never get enough Wagyu.

8 Qi Nian, New World Beijing Hotel.

Throughout August:

Thursdays: Home Plate Pub Quiz

Head on down to Home Plate BBQ Sanlitun for its weekly Thursday pub quiz. Billed as a “social” event with questions based on “many topics” and open to people from all over, it sounds like a damn good time. The best part is the free entry plus tasty prizes including RMB300 worth of cocktail vouchers (first prize) and a RMB100 bucket of beer.

Thursdays, 9pm; free entry; Home Plate BBQ Sanlitun, see event listing.

Saturdays: Children’s Cooking Class  

You can enjoy a meal with your children, but it’s a different story when it comes to enjoying a meal from your children. This summer, Lunar 8 just might surprise you: by providing a culinary education for them at Fairmont Beijing. Sign your kids up so that Lunar 8 can replace their kitchen “experiments” with basic cooking techniques and teach them how to make nutritious, delicious food. 

Saturdays through Aug, 11.30am-2pm; Fairmont Beijing, see event listing. For more information call 8507 3617).

Gin Garden

Yuan Tea House and Garden’s elegant environment is perfect for those looking to relax and unwind over cups of tea. This summer, in addition to cha, visitors can throw back a G&T or two, as the tea house plays host to a special ‘Gin Garden.’ With signature flavor combinations, as well as a mix-your-own option, there is something for everyone. Craving something sweet and rich? We recommend the passion fruit, rose and chocolate. For a lighter tipple try the celery, mint and elderflower – and don’t forget to top it off with one of the menu’s dozens of premium gins.  

Yuan Tea House, NUO Hotel, see event listing.

New Menu at Sureño

Chef Talib Hudda has created a masterful new menu with the dog days of summer in mind. With the best seasonal ingredients, Hudda has created a wonderland of tastes and textures, with an emphasis on high-quality seafood (the monkfish, OMG, the monkfish). Also on offer is a selection oysters and other raw bites – and, of course, mind-blowing desserts.  

Daily; Sureño, The Opposite House.

Daily: Movie Nights Film

We’re calling it: Camera Stylo hosts the best film evenings in town. Not just once a week, but every damn night (with the occasional stand-up comedy show thrown in instead). From art house and horror to Oscar-bait and animation, the cozy film house-slashbar- and-restaurant shows it all. Recent screenings include the South Korean sci-fi flick Okja and Chinese coming-ofage story And the Spring Comes.

Daily, 8pm; free entry; CameraStylo.

Through Sep 3: Rembrandt and His Time

With support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, The Leiden Collection presents the largest collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings ever to visit China with its exhibition at The National Museum of China. It includes 11 paintings by Rembrandt as well as Vermeer’s ‘Young Woman Seated at a Virginal.’

Through Sun Sep 3, Tue-Sun, 9am- 5pm; RMB50; National Museum of China, 16 Dong Chang’An Jie, Dongcheng 东城区东长安街16号 (6511 6400).

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.' Not sure where to start? Here's a full guide on how to list your upcoming events on our website.