The best things to do in Beijing this weekend

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

It's shaping up to be another scorching weekend in the capital, and that's not just because of the weather. From live music, indie films to glitzy stage shows, there's a whole bevy of brilliant ways to spend the next few days in the Beijing. Here are our top picks.

THINGS TO DO

Midnight in Peking walking tour

Various locations. Sat 28. 388RMB

Back for another month, Bespoke Beijing's walking tour based on Paul French's best-selling novel retraces the events before and after the grisly murder of 16-year-old Pamela Werner. 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.

FOOD AND DRINK

Karaiya farewell dining showcase

Karaiya Spice House. Fri 27-Mon 30

Set to close its doors this Monday, Hunan eatery Karaiya Spice House is waving goodbye to its beloved Sanlitun branch with a half-price showcase of its signature dishes over the next four nights. Enjoy the perch fish with Hunan peppers on Friday, Liling spicy pork stirfry with vegetables on Saturday, bullfrog with shiso leaves and ginger on Sunday and Karaiya's signature pork ribs with peanuts on Monday.

MUSIC

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.

Wang Lei

School Live Bar. Fri 27. Free

Keyboardist, producer and classically trained musician Wang Lei has performed alongside some of China's biggest artists, and is considered a bit of a legend in the underground rock scene as well. He debuts music off his latest album in an exclusive (and free!) performance at School Bar tonight.

Alfredo Rodríguez

Blue Note. Sat 28-Sun 29. 180-360RMB

Cuban composer, pianist and Quincy Jones protegé Alfredo Rodríguez has been described as 'a melding of Bill Evans, Kenny Werner and Fred Hersch, with touches of Thelonius Monk.' First noticed by Quincy Jones back in 2006, Rodríguez would later go on to seek a music career (and political asylum) in the United States, before eventually receiving a Grammy nomination in 2015.

NIGHTLIFE

The Hacker

Dada. Fri 27. 100RMB; 80RMB (before midnight)

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.

Double Clapperz + Onjuicy

Dada. Sat 28. 80RMB

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.

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.

STAGE

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. For our pick of what not to miss, click here. 

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.

ART

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 our in-depth profile on Xu Bing, click here.

Joan Cornellà

Parkview Green Art 798. Until Jul 28. 65RMB

'For me personally, it is fiction what allows me to laugh. Reality is quite creepy.' Spanish illustrator, cartoonist and artist Joan Cornellà is best known for his dark and surreal comedic comic strips that make clever, if a little absurd (and sometimes even offensive) social commentaries, and has amassed a huge social media following of nearly seven million. After a string of Asia exhibitions in recent years, this is his first Beijing solo show.

Shang Yang, Wang Chuan, Yan Shanchun: A State of Mind

Chambers Fine Art. Until Aug 12. Tickets tbc

Despite all being born during the '40s and '50s, artists Shang Yang, Wang Chuan and Yan Shanchun have forged notably distinct paths in response to China's '85 New Wave movement, yet share a similar interest in painter Cy Twombly's extensive oeuvre. This exhibition displays the latest work from these artists and explores their affinity for the American artist.

FILM

Kodachrome

Camera Stylo. Fri 27. Free

Based on AG Sulzberger's 2010 New York Times article 'For Kodachrome Fans, Road Ends at Photo Lab in Kansas', Kodachrome follows a father and son as they take a road trip to Kansas in order to develop photographs at Kodak's last Kodachrome lab before it closes its doors forever. Stars Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis.

Skyscraper

In cinemas Fri 20

All Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson wants to do is live in his Hong Kong mega-tower in peace – so why won't these terrorists let him do it? Sounds like an updated Die Hard, but only time will tell if Skyscraper can match what is (in our opinion) the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

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

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