The top 10 things to do in Beijing this week

Tree of Souls, Toruk - The First Flight. Image: Cirque du Soleil

Your guide to the week's best events

Another week, another great list of things our beloved capital has to offer. From stunning stage performances, to new films and irresistible music, August is arriving with an absolute bang.

Cirque du Soleil: Toruk – The First Flight

Cadillac Arena. Aug 1-12. 280-780RMB

Toruk – The First Flight is an immersive multimedia spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of Avatar like you've never seen before. Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron's imaginary world in one thrilling production.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

In cinemas around Beijing on Fri 3

This sequel to 2008's Mamma Mia! is a nostalgia trip to the '70s, filled with ABBA hits, cheesy dance numbers and simple, happy thoughts. Critics recommend you keep your brain off and enjoy an otherwise pleasing spectacle.

Honne

Tango. Wed 1. 320RMB; 280RMB (presale)

The Engish electronic duo, consisting of James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck, create music that's been described as 'futuristic soul destined to reinvent babymaking music'. They're also named after a Japanese word for inner desires, which seems a good fit for their lusty, yet tasteful, shag anthems.

Shoplifters

In cinemas around Beijing on Fri 3

A winner at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Shoplifters follows an impoverished family of five living happily in Tokyo despite needing petty theft to get by. One day, they take in a teenage girl from the street who puts all their choices under scrutiny.

Kid Francescoli

Mao Livehouse Wukesong. Tue 31. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale)

The French electro-pop outfit, named after an Olympique de Marseille football star, hit Beijing in support of their genre-hopping latest album, Play me again. Expect hip-hop beats, reggae, R&B and everything in between. 

Alok

One Third. Fri 3. 180RMB

One of the many 20-something-year-old DJs currently dominating DJ Mag's Top 100s list, Brazilian DJ Alok seemingly appeared out of nowhere back in 2014, and promptly shot up the list to number 44 the following year. Creating a modern mixture of sleek house and catchy EDM melodies, he's astutely tapped into the prevailing stadium dance mood, and is currently ranked at number 19.

Beijing Dance Festival

Ice Tree. Image: Avshalom Pollak 

Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. Until Tue 31. 80-380RMB

As this year's Beijing Dance Festival comes to a close early in the week, make sure to check its stunning final performances. Ice Tree, by Israel's Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, tells the story of an elderly couple frantically putting out chairs, welcoming invisible guests, and waiting for the Old Man, who, although this is never stated, is probably going to explain the meaning of life in what is probably a post-apocalyptic world. 

Also don't miss Season(s) by the City Contemporary Dance Company and Expressions Dance Company on July 30, as well as Street Corner on July 31. 

NT Live: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

UCCA. Sat 4. 120RMB; 80RMB (UCCA member)

Miss catching The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in Beijing last May? Catch a screening of the National Theatre in London's live performance this month and find out why it's nabbed seven Olivier and five Tony Awards. Stars Luke Treadaway.

Private Talent 

Image: Des Arts

Des Arts (above Destination). Until Sep 26

The Contemporary Art Culture Centre hosts Private Talent – an exhibition of Chinese artists curated by Pierre Alivon. Through the deft use of various mediums, from paint to sculpture, the artists express their own unique experiences within Beijing's queer community. 

Trinity Boys Choir

NCPA. Sun 5. 80-480RMB

Famed for its versatility, the Trinity Boys Choir has performed all over the world, as well as made appearances on soundtracks for films such as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Maleficent, and Captain America: Civil War. Arriving in Beijing this Sunday, the choir will be performing a diverse programme featuring 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and more.

For even more events, tickets and things to do this week, hit 'Read more'. 

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