What's On in Beijing: October 2016

Oct 1-7: Park City Fest 

Nothing says autumn like a cozy, well-worn leather jacket. Where are you going to get yours? One option is ‘Park City Fes’, an outdoor festival celebrating vintage aesthetics and lifestyles, presented by Feige Vintage Fair.

Feige has been organizing vintage fairs in Beijing and Shanghai for several years now, each one more vibrant and enjoyable than the last. This one should be no exception. Vendors will be selling fine vintage clothing, vintage cars and motorcycles – and even vintage skateboards. For those who aren’t in the market for a new autumn look, you can join in the American football tournament, try your moves in the skate park, or beat your friends at foosball in the arcade. There’s even a kids’ bike competition for the little ones. A variety of bands and DJs will be playing throughout the festival, and if your creative juices are flowing, you can attend craft workshops and learn some new artistic skills.

The cutting edge of fashion meets nostalgic vintage style in the heart of Beijing. Join the style revolution (through regression); see and be seen at Park City Fes

Oct 1-7, 1pm-8pm; HI-PARK Basketball Theme Park, 69 Fuxing Lu, Wukesong, Haidian 海淀区五棵松文化体育广场（南侧）西南侧 HI-PARK篮球主题公园

Oct 3: Amorphis 

Since forming in early-90s Finland, Amorphis have been brutalizing audiences with metal of the heaviest variety (although there’s some progressive and folk metal thrown in for good measure). The six-piece, who often take inspiration from poetry, have a 24-year-long discography to draw on for their Beijing show. Metalheads will be joyfully salivating at the prospect of classics like ‘Misery Path,’ ‘Drowned Maid,’ ‘Weeper on the Shore,’ and the characteristically uplifting ‘Killing Goodness’ 

Mon Oct 3, 7pm; Yugong Yishan. 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu  东城区张自忠路3-2号(6404 2711)

Oct 5: Yu County’s Ancient Walled Towns and Fireworks of Molten Iron

National Holiday is just around the corner – a timely opportunity to get out of city. If you're the kind of traveler who likes to get the lay of the land by exploring on foot, join the Beijing Hikers on a two-day trip to explore Yu County. You’ll explore ancient cities and see what happens when you throw molten iron at a brick wall (spoiler alert: it’s beautiful).

Sat Oct 5, 8am-Sun Oct 6, 7:30pm; non-members RMB2000, members RMB1800, kids RMB1050 (beijinghikers.com)

Oct 6: Kesha

The past two years have been troubling ones for Kesha, who remains locked in a legal battle with producer Dr. Luke over sexual assault allegations. But following her first high-profile performance since the lawsuit began (a cameo with Zedd at this year’s Coachella) it looks like Kesha is getting back to what she’s best known for: singing about partying.

Thu Oct 6, 7.30pm; RMB299-RMB999; LeSports Center (formally MasterCard Center), (en.damai.cn, 400 610 3721), 69 Fuxing Lu, by Xicui Lu  海淀区复兴路69号

Oct 8: The Beijing Warlords Tour

Travel back in time and wander through Beijing’s hutongs with a 1920s mercenary soldier as your guide. Get the latest on the vicious warlords battling it out for supremacy. Hear stories of emperors rising and of powerful men falling, and learn fun facts about a fascinating time in China’s history.

Sat Oct 8, 2-4pm; RMB190 (adults), RMB120 (kids); tours meet at Zhangzizhong Lu subway, exit A 张自忠路地铁站A口 (138 1777 0229, [e-mail], www.newmantours.com)

Oct 13: Paulaner Bräuhaus Oktoberfest

It’s October, and that means beer – lots and lots of beer. Paulaner Brauhaus is hosting its 24th annual Oktoberfest celebration in the Bavarian tradition. That means authentic German cuisine, traditional dances and live music that you can sing along to after you’ve downed a couple handcrafted ‘Oktoberfest Biers,’ Paulaner’s unique brew only during the festival.

Thu Oct 13-Sun Oct 30, 6.30pm-11pm; Packages starting from RMB198; Paulaner Brauhaus.

Oct 13-14: Batsheva Dance Company DecaDance Theater

There is a different surprise in each of the ten movements of Ohad Naharin’s DecaDance (the name’s a pun). Performed by the Tel Aviv-based Batsheva Dance Company’s youngest dancers, ages 18-24, this show will move and entertain viewers, as it is in turn sexy, funny, frenzied and passionate.

Oct 13-14, 7.30pm; RMB200-880; Drama Theater of the National Center for Performing Arts, 2 Xi Chang’an Ave, Xicheng 西城区长安街2号 (tickets available via [e-mail])

Oct 14: Organic

You may know Max atLarge as that friendly dude from The Meatball Company. You may know him as that dude behind the killer sauce brand Ladle & Spice, or the Music Director at the W Hotel Beijing. He is all of these things. But he’s also a special guest at this month’s Organic, the party that drapes Dada in plant life to bring you the lowest CO2 levels of any club night in Beijing. Support comes from Marc Alexr and That’s Beijing’s very own Juhstynn (that’s a disclaimer, btw). 

Fri Oct 14; Price TBD; Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie 鼓楼东大街206号 B楼 101室（183 1108 0818）

Oct 14-16: 2016 Equuleus Jumping Open 

The Summer Olympics are over – the last contested medals have been sorted out, the last doping scandal hushed up – which means its time to find other ways to watch our favorite niche sports. For equestrian fans, there’s the Equuleus Jumping Open, hosted by the Equuleus International Riding Club. Events range from show jumping to lectures on horsemanship to an expo featuring international food, equine luxury products, and a park for kids and families.

Oct 14-16; No. 91, Shun Bai Rd, Sun He Zhen, Chaoyang 朝阳区孙镇顺白路91号 (tickets available at damai.cn)

Oct 15: Hand-Pulled Noodles and Dumplings Cooking Class 

It’s official: Beijing has turned you into a noodle and dumpling fanatic. But if you’d like to be able to prepare your own doughy dishes at home, here’s your chance to learn. In China Culture Center’s class, professional chefs will guide you through the processes of stretching noodles and wrapping dumplings. Your hard work will pay off in the form of a delicious snack when the lesson’s over.

Sat Oct 15, 4pm-6.30pm; RMB250; China Culture Center, the Victoria Gardens D4, Chaoyang Park Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园西路维多利亚花园D4

Oct 15 & 16: Disney on Ice

So you just got your kid to stop singing Let It Go but already miss having it stuck in your head. No need to worry – Disney on Ice has got you covered. Join your favorite Disney characters on a musical journey that’s sure to wow kids of all ages.

Oct 15, 3pm and 7.30pm, Oct 16, 10:30am (English version) and 3:30pm; RMB180-380; Capitol Indoor Stadium, 56 Zhongguancun Nan Lu, Haidian 海淀区中关村南路56号 (tickets available via damai.cn)

Oct 16: Kurt Vile and the Violators

Kurt Vile may have the most misleading name in music. Because as you may deduce from the picture above, he seems like a perfectly nice chap – just look at that squidgy face. (And, rumor has it, his backing band The Violators are actually a very respectful bunch.) The singer-songwriter is bringing his blue-infused folk-rock to Beijing, and while Vile’s sound may be best suited to intimate settings, he has a knack for making it seem like he’s in your living room – even on a festival stage. A former member of the Pennsylvania band War on Drugs, Vile arrives on a wave of critical acclaim for 2015 album b'lieve i'm goin' down…

Sun Oct 16, 8pm; RMB260 (presale), RMB300 (door); Hit FM Live (Tango), 79 He Ping Li Xi Jie, by South Gate of Di Tan Park 东城区和平里西街79号 (近地坛公园南门)（6428 2288）

Oct 22: Shuang Bang Er

Jia Lei and Ou Zi are rappers, best friends and two stars of China’s hip-hop underground. A string of singles released under the moniker Shuang Bang Er have showcased the pair’s sharp lyrical content, which ranges from the personal to the profound. But it’s on stage where their energy shines. The duo will be accompanied by DJ Wu Yi Wesley, with support from Jiao Jin and 1043 Hip-Hop Team.

Sat Oct 22, 9pm; RMB70 (presale), RMB100 (door); Yugong Yishan. 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu 东城区张自忠路3-2号（6404 2711）

Oct 23: Kyle Grooms 

A typical Sunday night probably finds you dreading the workweek, preoccupied by thoughts of Monday morning. Instead, get out of the house and laugh at life with Kyle Grooms. Grooms usually finds himself at top New York clubs or Comedy Central sketch shows, but on Oct 23 he’ll be in Beijing spilling his guts for your amusement.

Sun Oct 23, 8pm; RMB150 (advance), RMB180 (door); The Bookworm, 4 Nan Sanlitun Rd, Chaoyang 朝阳区南三里屯路4号

Oct 28: Kevin Saunderson 

The word ‘Godfather’ gets used far too often, but what if that person actually helped invent a genre? Well, technically, that would just make them the father rather than the godfather. And let’s keep it gender-neutral. That’s right, Beijing, one of the parents of Detroit techno is coming to Dada. Along with childhood friends (and techno legends) Derrick May and Juan Atkins, producer Kevin Saunderson took to a Detroit basement and created a new sound that would later sweep the electronic music world.  It was a “complete mistake,” May would later reveal, before famously describing the the genre’s creation as being “like George Clinton and Kraftwerk caught in an elevator, with only a sequencer to keep them company.”

Fri Oct 28; Ticket price TBD; Dada.

Oct 29: Chinese Tea Culture 

Next time you say, “Not for all the tea in China,” you better make sure you know what you’re giving up. Tea is not only a hallmark of Chinese tradition, but also an integral part of modern Chinese culture. Maybe you’re more of a “coffee person” or maybe you can’t leave the house without a mug of your favorite oolong – no matter what your stance on tea is, there’s always more to learn about the brew, from its varieties, to its role in history and philosophy, to the manner and situations in which it is consumed.

Come learn more about the incredibly popular beverage with some local experts on the subject. They’ll teach you the how, what, when, where, and why of Chinese tea, and they’ll also treat you to some delicious samples, ensuring that you’ll leave content and with a couple of fun facts for your next tea party. 

Sat Oct 29, 1.30pm-3.30pm; free; Sinology Institute, 8 Shuangsi Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区双寺胡同8号; RSVP by Oct 8, 6pm ([e-mail], 64000905)

Throughout October

Introduction to Calligraphy (Oct 2,9 & 16)

Based on the number of (oft-poorly executed) Chinese character tattoos we’ve seen, the Chinese language is one of the most aesthetically pleasing written forms in existence. Try your hand at using this beautiful language to create art and join a professional calligrapher as she guides you through producing your own calligraphy to hang on your wall or share with friends. Materials provided.

Sun Oct 2, 9, and 16, 2pm-4pm; RMB220/class; Culture Yard, 10 Shique Hutong, Dongcheng 东城石雀胡同10号 (register at cultureyard.net)

Sunday Sit & Scribble

There’s an artist inside of all of us, but some of us may need a glass of wine or two to coax the artist out of hiding. Enter Sunday Sit & Scribble at Pop-Up Beijing’s wine bar. Sit and enjoy a glass of wine while you try your hand at still-life drawing in a relaxed, guided session.

Sundays through October, 3pm-5pm; RMB75 (includes one house wine or soda and art materials); Building 22, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院22号楼 (email [e-mail] to register)

“The Spoon Experience” 

Home to one of the most loved brunches in town, Migas is changing up its menus for fall. Settle in for the cold Beijing winter with hot spoon dishes – soups and stews – specially made for Migas brunch. Come for bowls of lentils and pork-tripe stew, stay for the sangria. 

Weekends, noon-3pm; RMB268 per person (plus RMB138 for free-flow drinks); Migas. 6F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, by Gongrentiyuchang Bei Lu 朝阳区 三里屯路81号那里花园6层（5208 6061）

Zeng Fangzhi: Parcours

Beijing-based artist Zeng Fangzhi has journeyed all over the planet, with each stop inspiring and impacting Zeng’s aesthetic in lasting ways. In his new exhibit, Parcours (French for “journey”), Zeng invites visitors to experience his many artistic stages in one cohesive trip through a lifetime.

The exhibit traces Zeng’s artistic development, beginning with his early forays into realism while he was a student at the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts in the 1980s. Next, visitors will see works focused on masked figures. These were inspired by Zeng’s concerns with authenticity and apathy that arose when he first appeared on the Beijing art scene in the mid-90s. These tensions and anxieties are resolved in Zeng’s most recent works, vibrant canvases on a massive scale inspired by his breakout onto the international art scene. The exhibit culminates in a series of works never before displayed in China in which Zeng engages the traditions of Chinese painting.

Parcours is an excellent exhibit for newcomers to contemporary art who might need some guidance through Zeng’s sprawling career. The exhibit will also be attractive to connoisseurs of contemporary art who wish to take a stroll through one artist’s experience of and response to the evolution of the genre.

Through Nov 19, daily 10am-7pm; RMB60 general admission; Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, 798 Art District, No.4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区 4号路 尤伦斯当代艺术中心 (http://ucca.org.cn/en/)

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