15 brilliant things to do this weekend

Featuring Mando Diao, Headhunterz, Stars Wars: The Last Jedi and more

Forget whatever half-hearted New Year's resolutions you made on Sunday night, start off 2018 on the right foot with this weekend's crackin' lineup of events. From gigs, parties to the latest Hollywood blockbusters, we've got you covered.

THINGS TO DO

Hutong Heroes Vol. 4

US-China Comedy Center. Sat 6. 50RMB

On Saturday, embrace your inner hutong hoodrat with Comedy Club China at the US-China Comedy Center. Beijing's most adorable one-named comedian Lee hosts a night of big laughs in this cozy venue for the first stand-up show of 2018.

FOOD AND DRINK

Slow Boat Launch Party at 8-Bit

8-Bit. Sat 6. Free

Slow Boat takes over the taps at everyone's favourite retro video game bar 8-Bit this Saturday night. Enjoy the craft brewery's Riptide Raspberry Pale Ale, Captain's Pale Ale, Monkey's Fist IPA and Cow on a Boat Cream Ale for only 35RMB per pint. With DJ Sake Gin on the turntables, it's sure to be a boozy affair.

NIGHTLIFE

Headhunterz

One Third. Jan 5. 180RMB; 100RMB (presale)

After veering towards more of an EDM sound over the past few years, veteran Dutch DJ and producer Willem Rebergen (aka Headhunterz) made a triumphant return to his hardstyle roots in 2017 with his latest track 'Taking It Back'.

Danny Avila

Sir Teen. Jan 6. Tickets tbc

After dropping off the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list in 2016, Spanish house producer Danny Avila made a massive leap back onto the chart in 2017, re-entering at number 52 after a particularly jam-packed 12 months, during which he signed an international deal with Sony Music and collaborated with Aussie duo Nervo.

Rob Smith

Dada. Sat 6. Tickets tbc

Legendary British producer Rob Smith is known for his breakbeat hip-hop, dub and reggae-infused style. In the '80s he collaborated with Ray Mighty under the moniker Smith & Mighty, releasing trip-hop and breakbeat covers including their popular rendition of Walk On By.

MUSIC

Tommy Cash

Blue Note. Fri 5-Sat 6. 400RMB

With a career spanning over 60 years, American jazz singer and pianist Freddy Cole (brother of Nat King Cole) is one of the most respected lyrical storytellers in jazz. Watch him perform music from his vast repertoire over two nights at Blue Note.

Mando Diao

Yugong Yishan. Fri 5. 300RMB; 240RMB (presale)

Maybe you've never heard of them, but Mando Diao, who hail from Borlänge in Sweden, are pretty well-known in their homeland. Their 2013 album Infruset went four times platinum, topped the Swedish album charts for 17 weeks and produced an eponymous single that lingered on the charts for 167 weeks, 86 of those at number one. Their sound borrows from classic rock acts such as The Kinks, Beatles and Rolling Stones, they just put out a new record in spring 2017, and this is their first China tour in a decade.

The Chameleons

Yugong Yishan. Sun 7. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale)

Billed by their China promoter as 'the greatest band you have never heard of', Manchester post-punk act The Chameleons were originally active between 1981 and 1987, before falling apart in acrimony. They've since kissed and made up for a number of reunion tours and shows based around the central duo of Mark Burgess and John Lever – this being one of the latest.

STAGE

Vasily Petrenko and London Philharmonic Orchestra

NCPA. Fri 5. 380-1,680RMB

Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko leads the distinguished London Philharmonic Orchestra in a programme that features Berlioz's Overture to Béatrice et Bénédict, Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's iconic piece Scheherazade.

The Night of HNA: Vasily Petrenko and London Philharmonic Orchestra

NCPA. Sat 6. 680-1,680RMB

Night two with Vasily Petrenko and the London Philharmonic Orchestra sees a programme that features Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet and Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33, and Sibelius' Symphony No.2.

Jersey Boys

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Dec 30-Jan 13. 299-1,299RMB

Winner of four Tony awards including Best Musical, Jersey Boys tells the story of the rise, and eventual break-up, of pop superstars Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Moving and insightful, this slickly-produced musical features the best songs from The Four Seasons' extensive catalogue of relentlessly catchy and infectious hits.

ART

Fallen Blossom: Whispering

Galleria Continua. Dec 14-Feb 28. Free

For his second solo show in Beijing, Giovanni Ozzola presents a series of photographs, videos and sculptural installations. The videos and photographs feature his common iconography: beautifully lit, carefully composed views through ruined buildings. Here, some newly-made Beijing versions of these signature images also feature.

Troposphere: Chinese and Brazilian Contemporary Art

Beijing Minsheng Art Museum. Dec 9-Mar 3. Free

It’s not often that 21 artists from each of the emerging countries of China and Brazil are specially brought together. This show features internationally recognised practitioners like Song Dong, Vik Muniz, Ma Qiusha and Saint Clair Cemin as well as some impressive younger artists, all working in a variety of mediums across the large museum space. The show aims to foster dialogue between the lesser-known art scenes of the world. 

FILM

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

In cinemas around Beijing on Fri 5

One of 2018’s most anticipated films of the year, Star Wars: The Last Jedi races into Beijing cinemas on January 5. The follow-up to 2015’s The Force Awakens, this thrilling instalment of the epic space opera sees Rey attempt to recruit a disillusioned Luke Skywalker to the Resistance in a bid to defeat Kylo Ren and the First Order.

Youth

In cinemas around Beijing until Jan 9

This ambitious coming-of-age tale follows dance members of a Military Cultural Troupe in the 1970s. Enduring heartache, bullying and blisters, Youth looks at the changes these members undergo against the backdrop of severe social upheaval and the burgeoning Sino-Vietnamese war.

For more fabulous to do this weekend, hit 'Read more'.

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