What's On in Beijing: February 2017
Feb 1: Longqingxia Ice Festival and Gubeikou Hike
If you’re staying in Beijing over Spring Festival but still have the urge to leave, if only for a day, join perennial fitness group Beijing Hikers for a chock-a-block day trip out to Yanqing County. The package includes a walk to a residential cave complex, which dates back from the Tang Dynasty, a countryside dinner and a visit to the Longqingxia Ice Festival. The latter is an ice sculpture and lantern spectacle (similar to its more famous counterpart in Harbin) while the cave hike is low intensity, meaning the entire day’s activities are suitable for children – no strollers though, sorry babies.
Or, if you are away during the break, fear not, as Beijing Hikers have plenty of other walks all throughout the month. One that stands out is a hike from Hemp Village to Gubeikou – a comparably off-the-beaten track section of the Great Wall. Beginning in a small village at the end of a valley, the track winds through hills, and ends along a picturesque, unrestored part of the Great Wall. This hike is more challenging than the Yanqing County one (it’s classified as level 3+, which means a “tougher moderate hike” where “there may be long climbs up hills”). Perfect for fitness fiends or anyone looking to work off the inevitable CNY feast-fifteen (pounds).
Tang Dynasty Caves and Longqingxia Ice Festival: Wed Feb 1, noon-10pm; RMB500 (adults), RMB200 (under 12), RMB450 (members); Beijing Hikers (reserve via beijinghikers.com, 6432 2786);；Hemp Village to Gubeikou: Sat Feb 18; 8:30am-6pm; RMB 450 (adults), RMB200 (under 12), RMB405 (members); Beijing Hikers (reserve via beijinghikers.com, 6432 2786)
Starting Feb 4: 6 Nations 2017
The UK may have voted to leave the EU last year, but rugby fans can breathe a sigh of relief because the 6 Nations championship lives on. But what is 6 Nations and who is rugby? The six nations in question are England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, and rugby is a contact team sport, which involves running with an oval-shaped ball in hand while wearing zero protective equipment. England is the reigning 2016 champion and while all teams have shown good form recently, The Telegraph reports that shirts printed with the text ‘Grand 2017 Slam, Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ (England’s rugby anthem) are already selling on Groupon. Scandalous. Watch it all play out at Paddy O’Shea’s, which will assiduously screen the entire tournament (kick off is typically from 10pm onwards).
Multiple dates, from Sat Feb 4, 10.25pm; Paddy O’Sheas, 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区东直门外大街28号 (6415 6389, for the full schedule visit www.paddyosheasbeijing.com)
Feb 6: Super Bowl 51
There are many fine establishments live screening the 2017 Super Bowl, so pick your favorite bar, roll up on game day and watch the spectacle unfold. We recommend Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub, where patrons can enjoy a special Super Bowl breakfast, drink deals and, for those supporting the winning team, a 10-percent discount.
Mon Feb 6, 6.30am; limited seats (first come first served); Slow Boat Sanlitun Brew Pub, 6 Nan Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区南三里屯路6号(6592 5388)
Starting Feb 10: Pop-It at Centro
We love a good cocktail. And Centro, a longtime hotel-bar favorite, makes them well. Whether it’s one of the bar’s elaborate signature drinks or just a basic G&T, you’re bound to find something you like. But there’s one thing that pairs better with gin than tonic: live music. This month, Centro welcomes high-energy band Pop-It. Starting February 10, the seven-member group will rock the popular bar every night. Hailing from Montreal, Pop-It have performed live across North America, as well as in France, Morocco and the UAE. These shows feature head-spinning variety. Pop-It’s members are true jack-of-all-trades musicians, and are comfortable playing everything from pop and R&B to Latin dance tunes. And best yet – they’re playing nearly every night at Centro’s prime CBD address. We can hardly imagine a better way to after-work.
1/F, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu 朝阳区光华路1号北京嘉里大酒店一层 (6561 8833)
Feb 12: Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra
One of Europe’s leading concert orchestras, the Cologne Philharmonic brings a diverse classical program to Beijing that includes works by Beethoven and Austrian composer Gustav Mahler. Whether you’re into religious composers or prefer those secular classics, this German posse has got you covered. Led by the indefatigable François-Gervais Roth, the performance promises to bring Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts to life. For one night only.
Sun Feb 12; RMB169-752; NCPA, 2 West Chang'an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号
Feb 14: Anti-Valentines Club
Check out food incubator Hatchery’s latest concept, Common Burger, this Hallmark holiday and, if you’re dining as a group of three people or more, you’ll get a free round of milkshakes. A sweet V-day deal (except for couples) because if Pulp Fiction taught us anything – apart from, you know, check your stuff – it’s that, like Vince and Mia, burgers and shakes are the perfect pair.
Tue Feb 14, from 5pm; Hatchery, 88 Dongsi Jiutiao, Dongcheng 东城区东四九条88号(6594 0188, 8950 8065)
Feb 14: Mental Health Peer Support Group
We all have our bad days – or weeks or months – but there’s no reason to go it alone. If you’re looking for somebody to talk to, CandleX’s biweekly support meet-ups provide a safe environment for people to share personal experiences and feelings in a small group. An NGO focusing on mental health through awareness, CandleX was established in 2015 to serve Beijing’s community, including both expats and Chinese.
Tue Feb 14, Tue Feb 28; 7.30-9pm; free (donation based); Rosewood Beijing, Jingguang Centre (register via info@candlex.org. for more information visit www.candlex.org).
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day at Annie’s
Annie’s has prepared a special, good-value menu for lovers (or friends) this Valentine’s Day. The five-course set menu starts with a delicate bisque starring saffron and chives, then features risotto, lamb chops and sea bass. You’ll finish off the night with a delightfully creamy orange pannacotta topped with caramelized pumpkin seeds. And all for under 400 kuai.
RMB368; Tue Feb 14; all Annie’s locations.
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day at blue frog
Romance is in the air this month, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a boatload on a 10-course dinner. At blue frog, spend just RMB388 at your table and get two glasses of pink sparkling wine or a one-day-only Valentine’s cake – made with white chocolate cream and fresh strawberries. To sweeten the deal, blue frog is also offering reward points and bonuses for customers dining on Feb 14. It’s truly the day of love at blue frog.
Tue Feb 14; all blue frog locations.
Feb 14: Candy Monster
Nothing to do on Valentine’s Day? Well there’s no point wallowing in sorrow and loneliness, so get yourself down to School Bar for a special Rooster Valentines party (that makes sense, right?). Returning to the School stage is alt-rock four-piece Candy Monster, who launched their EP Monster Party at the venue in 2014. Three other bands will play to help light up this often dark day in the calendar.
Tue Feb 14; Price TBC, School Bar, 53 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同53号 (6402 8881)
Feb 15-19: Turandot
Set in imperial Peking, Puccini’s final opera – he died before finishing it – is, at heart, a love story. The plot follows Princess Turandot, who stipulates that in order to obtain permission to marry her, suitors must solve three riddles, with any wrong answer resulting in death. First performed in 1926, Turandot has been described as the “most tonally adventurous of Puccini’s opera” and a “flawed masterpiece.” NCPA’s version of Turandot is the first western opera the NCPA launched since its inauguration, while Chinese composer Hao Weiya is only the third person in the world to undertake the masterpiece. Fun fact: Turandot is a Persian word that means “the daughter of Turan” (Turan being a region of Central Asia, formerly part of the Persian Empire).
Wed Feb 15-Sun Feb 19, 7.30pm; RMB160-880; Opera House of NCPA, (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)
Feb 17: Macha Gharibian
Singer and pianist Macha Gharibian has been one of the breakout stars of French jazz, and she brings her new album tour to Beijing. On Trans Extended, Gharibian makes it even more difficult for critics, fans and magazine editors to classify her sound. In addition to clear jazz influences, the album also showcases elements of both classical and pop. The inscrutable musician will be accompanied at DDC by double bass player Theo Girard and drummer Fabrice Moreau, both of whom featured on her most recent recording.
Fri Feb 17, 9pm; Dusk Dawn Club, 4 Shanlao Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区美术馆后街山老胡同14号(6407 8969)
Feb 18: Rumble in the Jungle
Self-described monthly “thrift store-cum-craft extravaganza” Rumble in the Jungle is back, crashing into 2017 with a big bang. Head to the hutongs for all your clothing, jewelry, baked and craft-goods needs, plus much more. The organizers also collect donations of clothes or home items for a different charity each month so remember to bring in all your spring-cleaning finds.
Sat Feb 18, 2-7pm; free entry (RMB125 stall cost); 46 Hot Cat Club, 46 Fangjia Hutong (just south of Guozijian Jie) 东城区方家胡同46号(6400 7868) for more info add helenisawinner on WeChat)
Feb 21-23: Swan Lake
The capital is not wanting for Swan Lake ballet adaptations (we profiled another just a few months ago). But we’re not complaining – it is a classic after all. Besides, the tale will be performed by the Ballet Company of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre this time around. The Lithuanian Ballet Company first performed the piece way back in 1927, so they know what they’re doing.
Tue Feb 21-Thu Feb 23; RMB100-600; Opera House of NCPA, (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)
Feb 24: Fabrizio Mammarella
DJ and producer Fabrizio Mammarella has the most Italian-sounding name of all time. And this only adds credence to his claim to be a standard-bearer for Italy’s resurgent disco scene. Mammarella’s Soundcloud profile describes his music as “a mixture of electronic disco, house, electro and psychedelic proto-house” and, to be perfectly honest, we’re not sure we can do better than that. Expect feel-good vibes and some retro throwbacks. Support comes from fellow Italian Altieri, who has released music on Slow Motion, Mammarella’s record label. Oh yeah: Fabrizio Mammarella also runs a label. Molto bene!
Fri Feb 24; Price TBD; Dada, Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie 鼓楼东大街206号 B楼 101室 (183 1108 0818)
Feb 25: Anzi & Jiumei
Who needs a record label these days? Folk band Anzi & Jiumei sure don’t. Since forming in Hefei five years ago, the band have decided to take responsibility for everything, from mixing and producing to sleeve design and distribution. And they’re killing it. Do your bit to support independent music.
Sat Feb 25, 8pm; RMB80 (advance), RMB90 (door); Yugong Yishan, 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu 东城区张自忠路3-2号(6404 2711)
Throughout February
Through Feb 19: Permanent Abstraction
Permanent Abstraction: Epiphanies of a Modern Form in Escaped Totalities (phew) is a comprehensive yet accessible overview of Chinese abstract art since the 1930s. It also includes selections from international artists specializing in abstract art in China. Intrigued? So are we.
Through Feb 19, 10am-5pm; RMB40; Red Brick Contemporary Art Museum, Hegezhuang Village, Shunbai Lu, Cuigezhuang Township, Chaoyang 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村 (8457 3838)
Sci-Fi Book Club
Are you mourning the death of Carrie Fisher (RIP), eagerly awaiting the next Star Trek film or devouring the Three Body Problem? The members of The Bookworm’s Sci-Fi Book Club know how you feel, and best of all, will commiserate with you for free. Drop into one of the club’s weekly gatherings to chat about different science fiction short stories.
Thursdays, 8pm; free; The Bookworm, 4 Sanlitun South Street 三里屯南街4号楼(6586 9507)
Half-Off Bubbles at Jazz-Ya
Order Jazz-Ya’s most popular dish (if you are headed to Jazz-Ya, you probably were going to anyway), and get a bottle of bubbly half-off. That’s right – when you grab a Sizzling Beef Steak (RMB75), you can also get Ferrari Brut for just RMB398, when it would typically run you RMB688. A perfect excuse to indulge.
Daily 11.30am-2am. 18 Sanlitun Lu, Nali Mall Chaoyang District 朝阳区 那里市场三里屯路18号 (6415-1227)
Organic Cuisine at the Westin Beijing
The Westin Beijing has partnered with Noah Organic Farming to increase Beijingers’ awareness of organic produce. New menus throughout the hotel’s restaurants cater to all tastes. Try the Westin Beijing’s organic afternoon tea, its six-course feast in Mai or a four-course dinner in the Grange Grill. For a lighter option, check out the organic salad bar on weekends. For wine aficionados, there is also an organic wine dinner at Zen5es.
Through February; The Westin Beijing, 7 Dongsanhuan Bei Lu 朝阳区东三环北路7号(5922 8888)
Cinker Pictures
Our favorite new spot is Cinker Pictures, a cinema, bar and restaurant located in the heart of Sanlitun. The space is inspired by the classic picture houses of NY and London – and it shows. Glam interiors and an intimate screening room provide a classy backdrop for the vintage and independent movies Cinker favors (Taxi Driver, The Lobster and The Grand Budapest Hotel, to name a few). Look out for our restaurant review next month.
Daily, 3pm-1am (screenings from 5.30pm); Cinker Pictures, N4-40B, North Taikooli Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里北区N4-40B (for reservations call 6409 4577, www.cinker.cn)
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