The best things to do in Beijing this week

Your forecast of the week's best events

Another week, another excellent round of events going down in Beijing. Make the most of the warmer weather with these stellar picks for the week.

MONDAY

Un rêve français: an exhibition of 19th-century French art

National Museum of China. Until May 6. 50RMB; 20RMB (students)

This stunning exhibition features more than 100 paintings on loan from Paris' Centre national des arts plastiques and Ecole nationale supérieure des beaux-arts. Artwork, stemming from the French Revolution all the way to World War I, includes paintings by Dominique Ingle, William Adolphe Bouguereau, Pascal D'Abou-Bouilleux and more.

TUESDAY

Chasing Ice

The Bookworm. Tue 10. 50RMB (includes a drink)

The work of environmental photographer James Balog, Chasing Ice sets out to show the deleterious effects of climate change. With a band of young adventurers in tow, Balog deployed numerous time-lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers.

No Lights No Lycra

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Fruityspace. Tue 10. 50RMB

NLNL was started in Melbourne, Australia in 2009 by dance students eager to create an inclusive environment for each person to come and move in whatever way they want. It's a fitness class with no coach, no regulations and no lights. Just dance like absolutely no-one's watching.

WEDNESDAY

Sound of the Xity 2018

Various locations. Wed 11-Sat 14. Ticket prices vary

While Modernsky Lab may have closed its doors last year, the label behind the venue is still very much alive and kicking. And what better way to prove it than to organise a gig or two, or even an entire four-day festival? This year's Sound of the Xity features performances from London indie rock band Yuck, Manchester four-piece The Slow Readers Club and a whole array of local young guns. Venues include DDC, School Bar, Yugong Yishan, Tango and Yue Space.

To purchase tickets to see Yuck on Friday 13, scan the QR code below.

Vini Vici

One Third. Wed 11. 200RMB; 120RMB (presale)

Since bursting on the EDM scene five years ago, Israeli duo Vini Vici have quickly made their mark. Their breakout remix of a Hilight Tribe track was the first psy-trance track in history to make it into Beatport's overall Top 10 chart and just last year they broke into DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list, debuting at number 72.

Daniel Powter

Tango. Apr 11. 480RMB; 300RMB (presale); 880RMB (VIP)

Daniel Powter, the Canadian who stormed the charts in 2005 with his hit single 'Bad Day' (from his 2005 self-titled release), arrives in Beijing debuting his latest music since 2012's Turn on the Lights.

THURSDAY

Yung Bae

Dada. Apr 12. 80RMB

Arguably one of the most in-demand acts in the vaporwave/future funk world, Yung Bae is the official remixer for giants like Kendrick Lamar and Rich Brian and has also worked with the likes of Flamingosis and Josh Pan.

FRIDAY

Annihilation

On general release Fri 13

Annihilation is already on Netflix, but here's your chance to see it on the big screen in China. After the sudden reappearance of her husband, cellular biologist Lena, alongside an all-female squad of scientists, goes on a secret expedition into a disaster zone that defies the laws of nature. Director Alex Garland, hot off his critically-acclaimed film Ex Machina, delivers a trippy sci-fi thriller with meditative and mysterious ambience, starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Oscar Isaac and others.

Thrash China Festival

Mao Livehouse Wukesong. Fri 13. 400RMB; 320RMB (presale); 480RMB (VIP)

German black metal pioneers Destruction headline this rip-roaring night of thrash metal alongside local metal gods Choleraic, Lost Temple and Ancestor.

SATURDAY

The Hormones

Yugong Yishan. Sat 14. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale)

The Chengdu rockers are back for their first tour in two years, performing their new album Beckon. Previously influenced by dark indie legends such as Joy Division, Beckon sees The Hormones widening their musical horizons with Patti Smith and Björk as influences and brass instruments featuring on the record.

SUNDAY

Paul Ogata

The Bookworm. Sun 15. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale); 100RMB (students)

A top-rated morning radio host, winner of the 32nd Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition, a guest of The Late Late Show, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, Comics Unleashed and Pacific Rim Comedy, Hawaiian comedian Paul Ogata is absolutely no laughing matter.

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

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