The best things to do this week

Your weekly forecast of the capital's best events

From Hollywood blockbusters, to glitzy stage productions and even bingo nights, Beijing's definitely starting to heat up (even if the weather isn't).

MONDAY

Fallen Blossom: Whispering

Galleria Continua. Until 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. Newly made Beijing versions of these signature images also feature.

TUESDAY

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza

Chaoyang Park. Until Feb 11. 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.

WEDNESDAY

Bingo Wednesdays at Arcade

Hatchery Arcade. Wed 31. Free

No longer the stuff of musty community halls and classrooms, bingo's now what cool kids play for wholesome, unadulterated fun. Hosted by Comedy Club China, bingo aficionados can battle it out in a pub-bingo challenge in order to win awesome prizes then dance the night away with Club Paradise DJs. Head to Hatchery Arcade to also enjoy buy-one-get-one-free cocktails, 30RMB Jing A pints and half-price mussel pots.

THURSDAY

The Greatest Showman

On general release until Mar 2

In a year with no Baz Luhrmann movie, The Greatest Showman fills the gap with a big, brassy, unashamedly over-the-(big)-top circus musical. As befits an origin story for legendary American impresario, entrepreneur and snake oil salesman PT Barnum and his troupe of talented oddballs and outsiders, it's low on subtlety and high on spectacle.

FRIDAY

Thaïs

NCPA. Fri 2. 180-1,080RMB

Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by French writer Anatole France, tragic opera Thaïs was composed by Jules Massenet in the late 1800s. Telling the story of a young ascetic monk Athanaël who seeks to save the soul of a famous courtesan Thaïs, and then falls in love with her, the opera explores themes of spirituality and religious hypocrisy.

SATURDAY

The xx

Beijing Exhibition Center. Sat 3. 480-1,680RMB

First bursting on the music scene after releasing their self-titled debut album back in 2009, British indie-pop trio The xx would go on to have one of one of the great sleeper hits of the last decade, nabbing them the Mercury Music Prize in 2010. Playing at Beijing Exhibition Center on Saturday, this performance marks the first time The xx have performed in China and will also be their only performance on the Mainland as part of their I See You tour.

House Shoes

Dada. Sat 3. 100RMB

Self-styled Detroit hip-hop ambassador and a producer who has worked with the likes of J Dilla, Danny Brown and Quelle Chris drops in to Beijing for a big night of quality beats and rhymes with the Come Correct crew.

SUNDAY

Beijing Ducks vs Sichaun Blue Whales

Cadillac Arena (formerly Wukesong Arena). Sun 4. 180-780RMB

Having won eight of their last ten matches and currently ranked 7th on the CBA ladder, our boys in blue look primed for a top eight finish. Catch one of their last matches of the season as they go head-to-head against the Sichuan Blue Whales.

For more crackin' things to do this week, hit 'Read more'.

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