The best things to do 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

Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra

NCPA. Mon 16. 100-880RMB

Conductor extraordinaire Valery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Orchestra in a Mussorgsky programme, including Overture to Khovanshchina, Night on Bald Mountain, Songs and Dances of Death and Pictures at an Exhibition.

TUESDAY

2018 Beijing International Film Festival

Various locations. Until Sun 22

The annual Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) kicked off on Sunday, bringing the seven-day film extravaganza to the Chinese capital for the eighth time. While this year's film selection doesn’t burst with much experiment – a fact not helped by the recent cancellation of critically-acclaimed gay romance Call Me by Your Name – it's still abundant in some fairly entertaining screenings that'll have you queuing up for tickets. For our picks of what to watch, click here.

Annihilation

On general release until May 18

After the sudden reappearance of her husband, cellular biologist Lena (Natalie Portman), alongside an all-female squad of scientists, goes on a secret expedition into a disaster zone that defies the laws of nature.

WEDNESDAY

Lydmor

Dusk Dawn Club. Wed 18. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale)

Eccentric Danish musician and composer Lydmor has been compared to the likes of Grimes, Kate Bush and Björk. She's been performing some incredible-looking live shows in Europe in the last few months and this ought to be a very special night at DDC. Do. Not. Miss.

THURSDAY

COFFIN

School Bar. Thu 19. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale)

Riotous punk-rock Sydneysiders COFFIN are kicking off their 11-city China tour this Thursday at School Bar. If you're unfamiliar with their music then simply let their sweet, sweet band photo (pictured) help sway your decision. On this same night, Jing A will also be launching their latest brew Gaige Kaifang Triple IPA for 35RMB, along with their Worker's Pale Ale, Black Velvet Vanilla Stout or Tuhao Gold Pils, all poured for 35RMB all night.

Middle East Feast

Hatchery Arcade. Thu 19. 150RMB

Israeli chef Sharon Dekel specialises in Middle Eastern food and will be hosting a special dinner at Hatchery Arcade. Menu highlights include kubbeh soup, hummus, spiced lamb, tahini plus desserts. Reservations are highly recommended, call 6500 2884 to book.

FRIDAY

Isle of Dogs

On general release Fri 20

If Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox was a joyful slice of whimsy, his latest foray into stop-motion creature features is a more complex beast. Set in a near-future Japan, it's a dystopian, fitfully funny tale in which crusading young people take on a corrupt establishment. But it's mostly about the dogs: banished from Megasaki city after outbreaks of snout fever and dog flu, cute canines are dumped on Trash Island and left to fend for themselves amid piles of garbage.

TNT Theatre: Julius Caesar

Longfu Theatre. Thu 19-Sat 21. 120-380RMB

When Caesar returns to Rome from the wars, in effect a dictator, Brutus and his cohort conclude that his ambition must be contained – which in Rome can mean only one thing: the mighty leader must be executed. But once the deed is done the radical traitors must reckon with the strength of a new wave of power led by Mark Antony. Will Caesar's ghost be avenged? Shakespeare's heightened political thriller exposes the passionate blood that flows between men in power.

SATURDAY

Tour de Jing 2018

Jing A Brewpub Xingfucun. Sat 21. Free

Grab your bike, skateboard, or rickshaw and join the folks from Jing A for an epic craft beer crawl between some of the best hutong bars in Beijing. Each place will have a different Jing A brew on tap for just 30RMB and there'll be extra prizes in store for the riders with the best individual costume and best group costume.

Yugong Yishan Festival 2018

New Great Wall Valley. Sat 21-Sun 22. 560RMB (one-day pass)

Yugong Yishan marks its return with a momentous two-day festival taking place at the Great Wall in Yanqing. Headliners include German punk-rock legends Die Toten Hosen, Chinese punk icons Re-TROS, American post-rock pioneers Tortoise and British electronic band Morcheeba. Shuttle buses to the venue will also be running from Worker's Stadium (Club Mix). For the full lineup and more information, click here.

Back Alley Chilli Cook-Off

Great Leap Brewing Original #6. Sat 21. 150RMB

Great Leap Brewing's annual chilli cook-off returns this Saturday. Contestants will once again be tasked with whipping up a winning chilli with a Chinese angle – with only one imported ingredient allowed. If eating is more your thing, stop in for a few beers, more chilli than you can responsibly consume and help the judges crown Beijing’s Chilli Champion. Entry's 150RMB at the door and includes all-you-can-eat chilli and two beers. If you'd like to compete in the Chilli Cook-Off, send an email to [e-mail].

SUNDAY

Earth Day Cleanup

Jiankou Great Wall. Sun 22. 150RMB

The Great Wall on the west side of Jiankou has been somewhat spoiled by a buildup of trash and litter, left by careless hikers and campers. In the spirit of Earth Day on April 22, and in order to give back to the communities which hike there, Beijing Hikers will be trying to collect as much litter as they can from the Great Wall. To participate, scan the QR code below. Reservations are essential. 

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

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