Apr 2 & 9: Argentine Night 

Get on your dancing shoes and loosen your belts at Argentine Night at The Westin Beijing Chaoyang. Here you can enjoy an authentic Argentine barbeque buffet, plus tango lessons taught by Eddy Hernandez, a global performer with over 29 years’ experience. Serving Argentina’s famous dishes, accompanied of course by a few glasses of Malbec, this is one night you won’t want to miss. 

Mondays through April 9; RMB150 (dance class only), RMB358 (buffet dinner only), RMB120 (free-flow Malbec), RMB 560 (per couple, includes dance class, buffet and one glass of Malbec); The Westin Beijing Chaoyang, see event listing.

Apr 2-26: Business Chinese Language Course

Mǎi or mài? Not sure? Perhaps you should try this four-week business Chinese class, which covers all the basics of corporate conversation. With some effort, you’ll be ready to face even the most dreadful Chinese business delegation, or at least be able to tell ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ apart at a business meeting.

Mon Apr 2–Thu Apr 26, 7-9pm (2 classes per week); RMB1,408; Huiyang coworking space, see event listing.

Apr 4: Burlesque

Moonglow Follies are bringing ‘Hollywood Revue,’ a five-set cabaret extravaganza, to Modernista. Expect a night of wonderment, glamour and even an international cabaret star from Paris. A representation of classic Hollywood films from the 1930s to the present day will be exhibited across each of the five sets.

Wed Apr 4; RMB190; Modernista, see event listing.

Apr 5: City-Quest: “This Stop: Beijing”

Unsure what to do during Qingming? If you like riddles and art (yes, riddles and art), you can embark on this unique city-quest tour held in 798 Art District. Answer geography, history and math questions prepared by “Next Stop: Everywhere” and maybe learn some more about China in the process. The riddles are provided both in English and Russian and the competition is open both to individuals and teams. 

Thu Apr 5, 12am-1pm pick-up time; RMB25 (per team); 798 Art District, see event listing.

Apr 6: James Blunt

Come hear James Blunt serenade an entire audience at Cadillac Arena. The English singer-songwriter is known for soft, melancholy tracks such as 'You're Beautiful' and 'Goodbye My Lover.' Tickets haven't sold out yet, so grab them while you still can.

Fri Apr 6, 7.30pm; RMB280-1,280; Cadillac Arena, see event listing.

Apr 12: Yung Bae

LA-based Yung Bae brings his lauded funk beats (you know you’ve made it when hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar chooses you as his official remixer) to China off the back of his soldout US tour. Together with supporting DJs Joy Ginger, Tsunami, DJ Liia, the BAE kicks off his first-ever China tour at – where else? – Dada.

Thu Apr 12; tickets TBD; Dada, see event listing.

Apr 15: 'Journey Through The Chakras'

A yoga masterclass may be the best way to re-equilibrate your inner energies or ‘Chakras.’ Or, if you’re not really into esoteric tantric philosophy, just to blow off some steam. Enjoy a Vinyasa class at Yoga Yard by practitioner Zhao Rongkun, as Zhao will try to prepare you – and your Chakras – for yet another Monday morning. 

Sun Apr 15, 1-4pm; RMB450, RMB400 (before Apr 4); Yoga Yard, see event listing.

Apr 19: Keren Ann

The polytrope and multitalented folkrock artist constantly moves between Paris, New York and Tel Aviv, but you can catch her at this one-time performance at the Beijing Theatre. Witness Ann’s consummate skills as a musician and composer as she performs a range of hits, including ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Lay Your Head Down’, which were featured in hit TV series’ Grey’s Anatomy and Six Feet Under, respectively.

Thu Apr 19, 7.30pm; RMB 445–638; Beijing Theater, see event listing.

Apr 19-22: French Cuisine with Bonne Maman Sandrine

Come experience authentic French cuisine at F Bistronome with Sandrine Delabriere, the mastermind behind the new menu. The Marseille native is an expert when it comes to Provencal and Mediterranean cuisine. She started cooking at an early age, learning from her family's recipes at first to creating her own as she continued to pursue her passion. She has traveled extensively throughout Italy, Spain, among other countries, and published 'A Mediterranean Cookbook,' her own cookbook with tips from nutritionist Stella Chan Marinaro, late last year. 

Thurs Apr 19 - Sun Apr 22; F Bistronome, see event listing.

Apr 21-22: Tang Yin

This month Suzhou Ballet Theatre brings their production of the Chinese ballet, Tang Yin, to NCPA’s Opera House. One of the four most prestigious ballet troupes in China, Suzhou Ballet Theatre includes some of China’s finest dancers, and is led by art directors Ying Li and Jiabin Pan.

Sat Apr 21-Sun Apr 22, 7.30pm; RMB80-500; The Opera House of NCPA, see event listing.

Apr 21-22: Yugong Yishan Music Festival

The first ever Yugong Yishan Festival kicks off at the New Great Wall Valley. The two-day music event features international acts such as post-rockers Tortoise from Chicago, Mouse on the Keys from Japan, German indietronica group The Notwist and German rock band Die Toten Hosen. China's own post-punk band Re-TROS will also perform, among many other local acts. Don't miss it!

Sat Apr 21-Sun Apr 22, New Great Wall Valley, see event listing. Ticket information here.

Apr 28: Adesse Versions

Suanpan is always bringing something fresh – this time, Adesse Versions, AKA Kevin Gorman. The British DJ and producer stole the show with his Boiler Room session in 2012 and always surprises. Expect old-school house edits of funk, disco and Afro tracks.

Sat Apr 28, tickets TBD; Dada, see event listing.

Apr 28-29: Great Wall Camping Trip 

The Great Wall is perhaps China’s most iconic attraction. You can visit it like every other tourist at one of the restored areas around Beijing, or you can spice it up a little and check out the rougher original sections that climb up to the mountaintops. For ultimate bragging rights, you can even camp there. It’s not as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow Beijing Hikers. The hiking experts are offering a one-night excursion where they will deliver tents and sleeping bags directly to the camping site. With transportation, food and drinks included, this is probably the easiest – and coolest – hiking trip ever, but spots are limited, so you’d better hurry up.

Sat Apr 28-Sun Apr 29; RMB1,600, RMB1,440 (members) including transportation, food and drinks; 10am dep. from Lido Hotel Starbucks, see event listing. Book tickets via www.beijinghikers.com.

Apr 29: Chad Valley

If Valley’s sultry and melancholic downtempos don’t summon thoughts of empty beaches in your trapped-inconcrete Beijinger mind, then nothing will. The UK sensation’s introspective and R&B-inspired style is a treat. Valley will perform tracks from his 2018 album Imaginary Music.

Sun Apr 29; tickets TBD; Dada, see event listing.

Apr 29-May 2: Art Beijing 2018 

No matter what type of art you’re into – contemporary, design, classic or public – Art Beijing 2018 has it all. The fair showcases pieces running the gamut from the bold and the beautiful to the bizarre. Plus, this year sees the debut of a new subbrand: Photo Beijing, a special exhibition that will examine how technology affects photography. This year marks the 13th annual art fair in the capital, and considering the theme, ‘Locally based, and Asia-oriented,’ plenty of thoughtful discussion is likely to be had. Check out a few of our top picks on page 32.

Sun Apr 29- Wed May 2; National Agricultural Exhibition Center, see event listing.

Apr 30: Grammy Festival

Beijing’s first-ever – and much anticipated – Grammy Festival is finally here. The lineup is top-notch, starring the dongling (‘frozen-age,’ as his Chinese fans call him) Pharrell Williams. Other formidable acts include Carly Rae Jepsen (of ‘Call Me Maybe,’ or should we say, ‘Da Gei Wo Ba,’ the hilarious Mandarin cover), Phoenix, OneRepublic, Macy Gray and Daya. The epic eight-hour live show is organized by the Recording Academy, with the aim of ‘improving the cultural impact of music’ on global audiences. So, if you dig music but always miss out on Coachella and Glastonbury, this one’s for you. 

Mon Apr 30; RMB580 (advance), RMB880 (door); Changyang Music Theme Park, see event listing.

Through April

Late Night Pizza Disco at Bottega 

Picture the scene. You are standing in a piazza in Palermo on a Friday evening. The days are growing longer and the nights are getting warmer. You are surrounded by all your favorite Italian street food, cocktails and friends. Music is playing, people are dancing and the night is full of good times and memories. OK, fine. You’re actually at Nali Patio. But hey – now you have a slice of authentic Italy at Bottega’s fun new event: Late Night Pizza Disco. In what is sure to become a legendary night, Bottega are giving you live DJ sessions until 2am, and the chance to gorge on authentic Italian street food and drink some of the finest cocktails this side of Venetia.

Weekly, Fri-Sat, 11pm-2am; Bottega (Nali Patio), see event listing.

Beijing Sightrunning

Beijing’s (short) spring is finally here: It’s the perfect time to resume your fitness resolutions before summer arrives, or to visit the city’s best attractions without the hordes of tourists. What if you can do both at the same time? Beijing Sightrunning offers jogging tours with fitness-and-tour guides suitable for both people of reasonable fitness, as well as occasional racers that want to visit some of Beijing’s best sightseeing spots. You can choose between the Houhai Lake hutong areas, the Forbidden City or – for the more experienced – Temple of Heaven. The tours include tickets to the attractions and are made to suit individual needs. The experience is guaranteed to be… breathtaking. Heh.

Tours available throughout the week, 7am/10am/1pm/4pm; EUR35 per person; see event listing. Book tickets via www.beijingsightrunning.com.

Lunch Set at Migas Mercado

Migas Mercado has launched a brand spanking-new set lunch menu. From RMB118, you can enjoy a snack, start and a main. Chow down on Spanish classics, and add a drink or a dessert for just RMB38.

Daily, from RMB118; Migas Mercado, see event listing.

Lunch Deals at Arrow Factory

Anyone down for a working lunch at Arrow Factory? With new weekly lunch deals at Arrow Factory Liangmahe, you won’t need an excuse to get out of work; you’ll need one to stay. All the classic bites are on the new lunch deal menu, including the bacon cheeseburger, Stuff’d sausage meals, Reuben and falafel pitta. And for the true professionals, you can add any Arrow Factory beer for just RMB25.

Tue-Fri, 11:30am-2:30pm; Arrow Factory Brewing (Liangmahe), see event listing.

New Beers at Great Leap 

Great Leap Brewery recently launched two killer new brews. The hoppy, chocolatey Negrito Generalissimo is one for connoisseurs of dark ales, while Honey Ma IPA is the latest addition to the renowned beautifully bittersweet Honey Ma series. Springtime is beertime, after all...

Great Leap Brewing, all locations.

'Translocation'

The human condition has been the subject of choice for artists throughout history, and so it is for Xiao Yu. The Chinese artist’s work has been featured around the world. Using bamboo as his medium, Yu showcases his most recent works at Pace Gallery this month. Ambitious and liberating, ‘Translocation’ represents the culmination of the changes to Yu’s creative process over a career of thirty years, from intellectual thinking to a freer, more intuitional style.

Through Sat Apr 28, 10am-6pm; 798 Art District, see event listing.

Comedy Club Open Mic 

Comedy night is now at The Local every Wednesday night. Beijing’s seasoned band of jokers from Comedy Club China will provide the laughs, while you enjoy cheap chicken wings courtesy of The Local’s Wing Wednesday. Everybody is welcome, from stand-up veterans to people starting out for the first time. 

Wednesdays, 7.30pm; The Local Bar & Grill, see event listing.

'Cuba'

American photographer Brian Liu’s new photography exhibition, ‘Cuba,’ examines the idea that, despite differences on the surface, people from around the world share many similarities with each other. In his works, Liu challenges the narrative portrayed by certain parts of the US media about the Cuban people. The resulting images pop with warmth and color.

Through May 2; Sun-Thu, 10am11pm, Fri-Sat, 10am-1am; Cafe Zarah, see event listing.

Through May: 'Digital Revolution'

WF Central’s ambitious exhibition aims to trace the digital transformation of art, design, film, music, and video games, through art installations and post-modern exhibits, including old game consoles and synthesizers. An impressive display that will satisfy 8-bit games lovers and unshakable technopessimists alike.

Tue-Sun 10am-10pm, open until May 20; RMB100 (free for children under 1.2m); WF Central, see event listing.

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.