8 brilliant things to do this weekend

Featuring Shinedoe, Seoul, snags and more

The limbo land between New Year and Chinese New Year is amply filled this weekend with excellent gigs and parties from around the world, a celebration of all things Aussie, as well as a host of excellent exhibitions and Hollywood films. It's time to go out and play.

FRIDAY

NCPA Drama Commission: King Lear

NCPA. Jan 20-28. 180-680RMB

One of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies, an old man’s vanity turns his daughters into vipers and brings his kingdom crashing down around him as, predictably, tragedy ensues. Award-winning actor Pu Cunxin stars as Lear. For Chinese-speaking audiences.

Shinedoe

Dada. Fri 26. 80RMB

Shinedoe has released records on lauded labels 100% Pure, Music Man and Get Physical, and is also a co-founder of Intacto Records. Head to Dada on Friday night for warm, deep and dubby Detroit techno.

SATURDAY

Shade Seoul x Most Girls Smell Good

Dada. Sat 27. Tickets tbc

Seoul's 'premier and most forward-thinking LGBTQ night' lands in Beijing courtesy of local promoters Most Girls Smell Good. Ligrye, Seesea, Net Gala, Charlotte Goodenough and Naquan Earp from the South Korea-based collective of DJs, drag performers and dancers will be jetting in to be supported by Beijing's own Luxixi, Mouna Press and more.

Sofar Sounds: Chinese New Year Special

Various locations. Sat 27. Free

Get into the Chinese New Year spirit early with Sofar Sounds' festive special. Sofar Sounds is a global, grassroots network of musicians and artists who put on intimate, secret gigs in unique locations in cities around the world. Something a bit different from the usual moshing at School.

SUNDAY

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza

Chaoyang Park. Dec 17-Jan 28. 380-1,980RMB

A return to Cirque du Soleil's origins, Kooza combines acrobatic performance with the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition and power. Written and directed by David Shiner, a former Cirque du Soleil clown, Kooza is an enthralling circus spectacle featuring jaw-dropping feats and theatrical ingenuity.

Australia Day BBQ 2018

East Hotel. Sun 28. 300RMB (adult); 250RMB (child); 250RMB (adult, members); 200RMB (child, members)

Gather the whole family together and join AustCham Beijing on Sunday for its annual Australia Day BBQ. The Chamber will be celebrating everything true blue Australian, with a delicious spread of fair dinkum barbecue foods like beef snags, rump steak and lamb chops. Ticket price includes free-flow beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet. A selection of iconic Aussie ballads will provide the soundtrack to the afternoon (Daryl Braithwaite's 'Horses', anyone?) and to keep the kids amused there’ll be a number of children’s activities on offer as well. To attend, RSVP by sending an email to [e-mail].

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Yugong Yishan. Sun 28. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is essentially a vehicle for the songs of the band’s main songwriter Kip Berman. And great songs they are too, with NME branding the band ‘pure indie-pop to hold close to your heart'.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky Concert

Beijing Concert Hall. Sun 28. 180-580RMB

A captivating tribute to some of Studio Ghibli's most iconic animated films, this multimedia concert features compositions from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away. A stunning must-see for fans of Japanese animation.

For full details and more crackin' things to do this weekend, hit 'Read more'.

More from Time Out Beijing