The best things to do this weekend

Featuring The xx, The Greatest Showman, Thaïs and more

Before the hectic rush of Valentines' Day and Lunar New Year, ease into February with a delightfully diverse bag of Beijing events. From laugh-out-loud comedy, Hugh Jackman's latest showstopper and a monster gig from The xx, there's not a heart or hongbao in sight.

THINGS TO DO

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.

Hutong Heroes Vol. 5

US-China Comedy Center. Sat 3. 50RMB

For this instalment of the popular comedy series, Jennifer Hsiung (finalist in the HK International Comedy Competition) hosts a night of some of Beijing's funniest joke slingers, featuring David Fertitta, David Jacobs, Johnny Darko and Gary McKenzie.

FOOD AND DRINK

Punch Pop Thursdays at Mesh

Mesh. Every Thursday until May 10. Free

Head to Mesh every Thursday for your pick of punch bowls, cocktails and crowd-pleasing tunes from the '80s, '90s and '00s. To get the party started, their 'dangerously large' punch bowls (268RMB) and special cocktails (68RMB) are buy-one-get-one-free from 7 to 9pm with complementary bites floating around the bar.

Spring Festival Party: Cheers to Chunjie

Jing A Brewpub Xingfucun. Sat 3. Free

Join the folks at Jing A Brewpub Xingfucun for their final party in the Year of the Rooster. Wear red and you'll enjoy an all-night happy hour discount on red drinks like their Koji Red Ale, Fifth Ring Red IPA, negroni and mulled wine, plus their latest batch of seasonal brew Lucky 8 Lager.

Slow Boat Family Day

Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub. Sat 3. Free

This Saturday, families with children are invited to join Slow Boat Brewpub for an afternoon of fun activities, including bilingual story time, book crafts, a free kids’ brunch and more. Families are also welcome to bring their own books from home to share.

NIGHTLIFE

Jauz

One Third. Fri 2. 180RMB; 100RMB (presale)

Having already garnered support from industry heavyweights like Diplo, Zedd and Skrillex due to addictive releases like 'Feel the Volume' and 'Hella Hoes', LA-based DJ Sam Vogel (aka Jauz) heads to One Third on Friday night as part of a gnarly 11-city, 11-day tour.

Aurora Club soft opening

Aurora Club. Fri 2. 80RMB; 50RMB (presale)

The latest addition to Beijing's nightlife scene, Sanlitun Bar Street newcomer Aurora Club opens its doors this Friday night. In celebration, German DJ Youandme (stylised youANDme) is set to perform, alongside local turntable heroes Pancake Lee, Mario Yu, Tucoco and Sunk.

MUSIC

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.

STAGE

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.

The Lady from the Sea

NCPA. Thu 1-Sat 3. 200-880RMB

The daughter of a lighthouse keeper struggles to adapt to life inland. Increasingly obsessed with missing the sights and sounds of the shore, she comes across a tourist ship and a mysterious man. Stars Chen Shu (The Martian) in the title role. For Chinese-speaking audiences.

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

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.

Secret Superstar

On general release until Feb 15

The story of a burkha-wearing Muslim teen who dreams of becoming a singer seems like it might be an unlikely hit in China, however since its release Secret Superstar has topped China's box office charts, earning a cool 66 million in less than two weeks. The latest success from Bollywood film star and producer Aamir Khan – who also brought us last year's hit film Dangal – Secret Superstar shines a light on gender discrimination, archaic religious practices and female defiance, themes which have gone on to resonate with China's youth.

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

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