What's On in Guangzhou: March 2018

That's PRD takes a look at the best events of the month: 

Mar 5: Soprano He Hui

Chinese soprano He Hui has graced the world’s most renowned opera houses. Her recital at Guangzhou Opera House, accompanied by Arena of Verona String Quartet and pianist Roberto Corliano, brings audiences a selection of classic solos from the world of opera. 

Mar 5, 7.30pm; RMB80-680. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. 

Mar 6-8: Grease by BSG 

From March 6-8, the British School of Guangzhou is to present a production of Grease. The musical follows 10 working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of peer pressure, politics, personal core values and love. 

Mar 6-8, 7pm; RMB50 children, RMB70 adults (limited seating). The British School of Guangzhou. See event listing. 

Mar 7, 8 & 10: Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas by Akiko Suwanai 

At the age of 18, Japanese violinist Akiko Suwanai claimed first place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, becoming the youngest musician to do so. Her prowess was further refined at Juilliard School of Music and Berlin University of the Arts. In her three days of performances in Guangzhou, Suwanai will play the complete collection of Beethoven’s violin sonatas. 

Mar 7, 8 & 10, 3pm/7.30pm; RMB180-380. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets.  

Mar 9: Föllakzoid 

Hailing from Santiago, Chile, psych-rock band Föllakzoid boasts a unique sound that fuses contemporary tunes with the ancient music of the Andes. The trio, who are regulars at music festivals such as Austin Psych Fest and Primavera Sound, have released three celebrated albums via Sacred Bones Records. Commencing in Shenzhen, the band’s China tour will take them to nine Chinese cities. 

Mar 9, 8.30-10pm; RMB80. Mao Livehouse. See event listing. Tickets.  

Mar 10: The Learned Ladies  

Created by French playwright Molière, The Learned Ladies delves into the mechanics of a completely out-of-control bourgeois family. A mad and controlling mother, sacrificed daughters and crafty, dismayed men all play a role in this enthralling – and at times humorous – tale of the emancipation of women in a patriarchal society. Depicting a family disaster coupled with fierce social criticism, this drama is considered a remarkable piece of feminist theater. 

Mar 10, 7.30pm; RMB80-680. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets.  

Until Mar 11: Jade with Lacquer Painting Exhibition 

View sculpted jade articles, adorned with art patterns created by a lacquer painter, at the Guangdong Museum this month. The two traditional Chinese crafts converge to present Guangzhouers with a beautiful array of art. 

Tue-Sun until Mar 11, 9am-5pm; free. Guangdong Museum. See event listing. 

Mar 14: Armin van Buuren 

Dutch DJ and producer Armin van Buuren is considered one of the most significant figures in the EDM world. His radio show A State of Trance has been a major contributor to the trance music genre’s growing global popularity. The five-time No. 1 DJ in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ poll will be thumpin’ and bumpin’ the stage at Hepburn Bar this month. 

Mar 14, 11.30pm-2.30am; RMB380. Hepburn Bar. See event listing. 

Mar 14: Theatres des Vampires 

October may be eight months away, but these Italian vampires are set to haunt Guangzhou regardless. Theatres des Vampires, noted for the predominant theme of vampirism in their lyrics, is bringing their black metal mania to town this month. The band is considered a pioneer in combining Gothic metal with black metal music and you can witness their musical mayhem at T:union on March 14.

Mar 14, 8.30-10pm; RMB120 presale, RMB150 at the door. T:union. See event listing. Tickets.  

Mar 16: Sumeru 

Guangzhou-based choreographer Liu Qi’s elaborate work Sumeru focuses on body movement. Gravity, energy and temperature are used to guide body motions and create a dynamic stage effect. 

Mar 16, 8pm; RMB100. Guangzhou Friendship Theater. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 16-May 26: Texas Cowboy Barbecue 

American author Will James once said, "A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.” French bar 8, Faubourg at Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich pays tribute to the Wild West legacy and asks you to bring your guts and eat like a cowboy! Join the weekend Texas Cowboy Barbecue and enjoy American country music by a live band, a dart competition, Kendall Jackson wine selection, salad bar and dessert station, among other eats and treats.

Fri-Sat Mar 16-May 26, 6-10pm; RMB368. 8, Faubourg Bar & Terrace (Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich). See event listing. 

Mar 17: TEDxGuangzhou2018 Conference

Themed ‘The Power of Context,’ TEDxGuangzhou2018 is set for March 17 and intends to answer the eternal question: are we products of our environment, or is our environment a product of us? Five speakers from different domains, including journalism, performance art, music and photography, some well-known for their expertise, will deliver presentations on the subject. 

Mar 17, 2-7pm; Price TBD. Pati Multifunctional Exhibition Hall. See event listing.  

Mar 17-18: Apologue 

After its debut last year at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the futuristic music program Apologue, helmed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, is coming to Guangzhou this month. The majority of Apologue’s music is composed by Grammy-winning Chinese artist Wu Tong and the performance brings together over 20 troupes and artists from seven countries. Apologue is considered by many a breakthrough in traditional Chinese stage performance, combining Chinese folk arts with tech to explore the future relationship between human beings and technology. 

Mar 17-18, 7.30pm; RMB180-1,280. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 21-22: From Kafka to Orwell: Marie Darrieussecq Dissects the World  

Receiving the Young Writer Award at 19, French writer Marie Darrieussecq is author of over 20 books, among which Truisms, a bestseller that’s translated into over 40 languages, is highly acclaimed. This month, the French author is undertaking a book tour where she will share literary confessions, conduct interviews and debates and sign some books! Darrieussecq’s book tour will visit three Chinese cities. 

Mar 21-22, various times; free entrance. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies; Fangsuo Bookstore. See event listing. 

Mar 22-23: 2018 International E-business Expo Conference 

Alex Tapscott is one of the authors of the book Blockchain Revolution. His work focuses on the application of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Tapscott is set to visit Guangzhou this month to speak at the 2018 International E-business Expo on the potential of blockchain. In addition, he will be holding a private meeting. Come and listen to what Tapscott has to say before you jump on – or off – the bandwagon.

Mar 22-23, various times; RMB280-19,800. Langham Place, Guangzhou. See event listing. 

Mar 24: Folklore Fantasies 

A comic puppet show featuring imaginative, fantastical elements, Folklore Fantasies tells creative stories using everyday objects. Based on characters borrowed from Bulgarian folklore, the performance incorporates various forms and sounds and has won numerous accolades at festivals around the world. 

Mar 24, 11am/3pm; RMB100-260. Zhengjia Theatre. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 24: VF Chamber Orchestra 

Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra is a resident orchestra at the Verbier Festival, a distinguished classical music festival in Europe. Their concert in Guangzhou comprises classic, popular tunes by Austrian, German and French composers, such as Bach’s ‘Violin Concert No.2,’ Schubert’s ‘Symphony No. 5,’ among scores of others. In this concert, the talented musicians of the VFCO are playing under the baton of Hungarian maestro Gábor Takács-Nagy.

Mar 24, 8pm; RMB80-880. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 25: Luca Stricagnoli 

Born in the small Italian town of Varese in 1991, Stricagnoli developed a curiosity for classical guitar at an early age. He began practicing at the tender age of 10, before taking a three-year break from the instrument. When he eventually came back to the guitar, he took to playing in nonconventional ways, which earned him spots on local talent shows. By age 22, Stricagnoli was signed with US label Candyrat Records and became a YouTube and Facebook sensation for his debut videos. Stricagnoli is touring the world and will land in Guangzhou on March 25. Reserve your tickets today and see this prodigy in action. 

Mar 25, 7.30-9pm; RMB99-499. T:union. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 28-29: The Seagull 

Four-act comedy The Seagull was considered one of Russian playwright Anton Chekov’s best works. It confronts the romantic conflict between art and mundane daily life. Lithuania OKT Theatre’s recreation of The Seagull is bursting with humor and has garnered rave reviews from theater critics. 

Wed-Thu Mar 28-29, 7.30pm; RMB80-680. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 30: Jane Eyre 

When English novelist Emily Bronte’s classic love story Wuthering Height was put on stage by Chapterhouse Theatre Company in 2014, it was met with critical acclaim. Founded in 1999, Chapterhouse Theatre Company specializes in performing outside under the stars and at some of the most beautiful gardens in the UK. This time, the famous British touring theater company is staging the classic Jane Eyre in Guangzhou. 

Mar 30, 7.30pm; RMB100-320. Xinghai Concert Hall. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 30: We Lost the Sea

Sydney-based instrumental band We Lost the Sea are known for “crushing guitar noise with dark melodic atmospherics.” Their live shows are an aural journey packed with emotion, drifting highs and intense, crushing lows. During their first tour of China, the Australian group will be performing powerful tunes from the album Departure Songs.

Mar 30, 9pm; RMB80. T:union. See event listing. Tickets. 

Mar 31: Poison 

This month, Beijing Dance Theater brings Poison to Guangzhou. Inspired by The Flowers of Evil by French poet Charles Baudelair, this musically-driven three-act dance performance attempts to manifest the eternal conflict between good and evil, beauty and ugliness.

Mar 31, 7.30pm; RMB80-680. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets.  

Mar 31: Paellas 

Paellas is an independent rock band based in Tokyo. Their eclectic compositions – indie rock fused with R&B, the coldness of house music and fluent strokes of funk guitar – convey a melancholy feel that will resonate with urban dwellers. Paellas is touring to promote their latest album, Yours, across four Chinese cities this month. 

Mar 31, 8-10pm; RMB110. 191 Space. See event listing. Tickets. 

Apr 1: Aga-Boom

Straight from Las Vegas, Aga-Boom is an unmissable physical comedy production combining classical theatrical style and the expressional language particular to the world of clowns. Transcending languages and cultures with the art of slapstick, the show boasts masterful clowning and is both pure family fun and literally riotous, as was described by critics. 

Sun Apr 1, 10.30am/4pm; RMB100-550. Guangzhou Friendship Theater. See event listing. Tickets. 

Apr 2: James Blunt The Afterlove 

Pop rock veteran James Blunt rose to fame with the hit tracks ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Goodbye My Lover,’ both released on his debut album Back to Bedlam, which was the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK. With his fifth and latest album The Afterlove, Blunt is currently on tour around the world and will hit the stage in Guangzhou on April 2. Tickets to this concert are expected to sell out fast, so move quickly to secure your spot at this sure-to-be-memorable performance. 

Apr 2, 8pm; RMB380-1,280. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. See event listing. Tickets. 

All month: Lobster and Oyster Weekend Seafood Buffet

Spend a relaxing evening among friends while diving into the Mega Sparking Seafood Buffet feast at 2 on 988 Café. Enjoy Canadian lobster, live shucked Ostre Argent oysters from France, hearty Atlantic salmon from Denmark, poached seafood on ice and 10 brand spanking new hot dishes, including red curry crabs, mussels braised in French champagne and whole sea bass roasted with sambal. Moreover, you can indulge in more than 20 delicious desserts, as well as two seven-layer black and white chocolate fondue stations.

Fri-Sat all month, 6-10pm; RMB580 adults, RMB347 children aged 6-12, free for one child ages 5 and under with one adult. 2 on 988 Café (Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich). See event listing. 

Ongoing: Wednesday Burger Deal at Bravo Burgers

Every Wednesday from 2pm until the kitchen closes, guests at Bravo can enjoy a 50 percent discount on all of the brewpub’s mouthwatering burgers. Because what goes better with a pint of small-batch beer than a big, juicy (discounted!) burger?

Wed ongoing, 2pm-late; 50 percent burger discount, prices vary. Bravo. See event listing.  

Check out our weekly roundups for Guangzhou, released every Monday, for the latest event news.

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