The top 10 things to do in Beijing this week

Colors, Beijing Dance Festival. Image: Wasan

Your guide to the week's best events

Shake off your Monday blues with our pick of the best things to do in Beijing this week. From brilliant stage productions to killer live music there's plenty to look forward to in the coming days.

Beijing Dance Festival

Season(s). Image: Mak

Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. Jul 26-31. 80-380RMB

This week, Beijing's biggest dance event returns. Now in its eleventh year, the Beijing Dance Festival is unique because it provides a genuine platform for up-and-coming artists and choreographers, who rarely have a voice. Featured dance troupes include Taiwan's Bulareyaung Dance Company, Germany's Dance Company Theater Osnabrück, Australia's Expressions Dance Company and more.

FKJ

Tango. Fri 27. 300RMB; 260RMB (presale)

Vincent Fenton, aka FKJ (French Kiwi Juice), is a French multi-instrumentalist and singer who's been described as 'one of the flag bearers of New French House'. Having performed at festivals around the world including Coachella, Euphoria and Lightning in a Bottle, he's slated to perform music off his self-titled debut album.

Midnight in Peking walking tour

Sat 28. 388RMB

A huge hit upon its release in 2011, Midnight in Peking tells the true tale of the previously unsolved murder of British teenager and diplomat’s daughter Pamela Werner, whose mutilated body was discovered beneath the desolate Fox Tower, near Chongwenmen, on the eve of the Japanese invasion in 1937. Led by historian Lars Ulrich Thom, participants will follow in the footsteps of the victim's father, ETC Werner as he frantically searched for his daughter, all while learning about the shady characters implicated in her killing.

The Hacker

Dada. Fri 27. Tickets tbc

Named after a Jeff Mills' track, elusive French producer Michel Amato (aka The Hacker) makes his only Mainland appearance at Dada, where he'll be dropping his unorthodox mix of dark sounds and tongue-in-cheek humour.

Wednesday Drag Queen Night at Des Link

Destination. Wed 25. Free

Every Wednesday Night, Beijing-based drag queens unite on the Des Link dancefloor. Catch two fabulous live performances from Krystal de Canteur (star of our May-June drag issue), Charlie Van de Ho, Slayme Winehouse, Siberia and Vivian Eastwood, then dance the night away with '80s throwback tunes from DJ Paul. For more info, click here.

Double Clapperz + Onjuicy

Dada. Sat 28. Tickets tbc

Ever-reliable Gulou institution Dada hosts a Japanese grime doubleheader, with duo Double Clapperz and MC Onjuicy representing some of the very best from Tokyo's revitalised grime scene.

NT Live: Julius Caesar

UCCA. Sat 28. 120RMB; 80RMB (UCCA members)

Alarmed by Caesar's popularity, the educated elite conspire to bring him down. After his assassination, civil war erupts on the streets of the capital. Nicholas Hytner's production thrusts the audience into the street party that greets Caesar’s return, the congress that witnesses his murder, the rally that assembles for his funeral, and the chaos that explodes in its wake. Stars Ben Winshaw, Michelle Fairley, David Calder and David Morrissey.

NT Live: A View from the Bridge

UCCA. Sat 28. 120RMB; 80RMB (UCCA members)

Longshoreman Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to Brooklyn. But when one of them falls for his beautiful niece, they discover that freedom comes at a price. Eddie’s jealous mistrust exposes a deep, unspeakable secret – one that drives him to commit the ultimate betrayal. Stars Mark Strong, Phoebe Fox and Nicola Walker.

Danny Avila

One Third. Sat 28. 100RMB

After dropping off the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list in 2016, Spanish house producer Danny Avila made a massive leap back onto the chart in 2017, re-entering at number 52 after a particularly jam-packed 12 months where he signed an international deal with Sony Music and collaborated with Australian duo Nervo. He returns to Beijing after headlining Sir Teen back in January.

Xu Bing: Thought and Method

UCCA. Until Oct 18. 60RMB

Globally renowned for his conceptual and installation pieces that explore communication and language, Xu Bing creates a space where viewers can immerse themselves within his world. Xu brings his keen observation skills to bear as he displays his unique insight, encompassing both a reflection on traditional East Asian culture as well as a nuanced view of contemporary societal changes. To read more about Xu Bing, click here.

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

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