10 of the best things to do in Beijing this week

Your guide to the week's best events

As August draws to a close, we're in for another week of music, stage and art treats. With Tom Cruise returning to the cinemas (with a five-star TIme Out review), internationally-acclaimed jazz and classical music performers, and homegrown hip hop talent, this week ensures you'll start September with a bang.

Mouse on the Keys

Yugong Yishan. Fri 31. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale)

Mouse on the Keys fuses jazz, post-hardcore, techno and minimalist visuals to create an experience that has brought them acclaim both at home and abroad. The Japanese trio consists of Akira Kawasaki (drums), Daisuke Niitome (piano/keyboard) and Atsushi Kiyota (piano/keyboard). They arrive in Beijing to perform tracks off their newest release Tres.

Jay Rodriguez

Blue Note. Sat 1-Sun 2. 220-360RMB

The Grammy-nominated jazz star creates his passionate, wild, heart-filled blues and soul through his flexibility with instruments: proficient with the sax, flute and clarinet, Rodriguez's versatility has gained him widespread recognition and respect throughout the New York jazz community and abroad. He's also the musical director and founding member of New York's Groove Collective – a band which has played with such greats as BB King, The Roots, James Brown and many more. Catch him at Blue Note this weekend as he plays with Kyle Koehler and Shirazette Tinnin.

Peyman Yazdanian

Century Theatre. Sat 1. 180-680RMB

Peyman Yazdanian was born in Tehran and first began to study the piano at age the young age of six. Having performed around the world, and composing over 40 solo pieces for piano, his work has become renowned the world over. He has composed scores for both Iranian and international feature films, including The Wing Will Carry Us, Full Metal Village and Lost in Beijing. Peyman returns to Beijing this week with a piano recital featuring some of his most famous works.

Sam Kay: Wayside

Café Zarah. From Thu 30 until Oct 24. Free

American Sam Kay brings his photography to bear on the moments collected from the side of Beijing's streets. Wayside is an invitation to reflect on the humanity of people on every side of the changes taking place in our city, and the complex story that unfolds every day between buildings and the road.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

On general release at cinemas around Beijing from Fri 31

The sixth and best Mission movie, Fallout proves that as long as Tom Cruise has legs, so does this franchise. It’s now a slicker, simpler proposition than the series it’s often compared with – James Bond – not least for blazing a trail with smart, complex female characters. Oh, and the set-pieces rock.

Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra

Beijing Concert Hall. Thu 30. 80-480RMB

Lead by the President of the China National Symphony Orchestra, Zhang Yi, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra arrives in Beijing this week with Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra and the world premiere of Yu Jingjun's Chinese version of the piece. 

Aussie-British drinks

The Bookworm. Fri 31. 50RMB

Head to The Bookworm this Friday as the Brits and Aussies come together for perhaps their favourite shared pastime, at this Austcham-Britcham joint event. Enjoy discounted beer and wine while settling age-old debates, such as Tim Tams versus Penguins, Neighbours versus EastEnders, or even style icons: Shane Warne versus David Beckham.

Empyrium

MAO Livehouse Wukesong. Fri 31. 480-580RMB; 880RMB (VIP)

Drawing inspiration from nature, this German duo creates a dark folk metal sound with deep guitar riffs, powerful vocals and lofty flute and cello lines. After withdrawing from the limelight for a few years, Empyrium is back in full force with a new twist to their already unique sound.

Listen Up 2018 tour

Yue Space. Sat 1. 100-200RMB

The rap contest show Listen Up has produced such superstars as Vava and Sun Xu throughout the years. While lesser known than the Rap of China contest, Listen Up has trained and produced some of China's best mainstream hip-hop stars of late. Check out the latest batch this Saturday at Yue Space. Line-up includes Mercy, 秃子, GIA, Hood, FrankiD, Simba and Orange.

Kinky Boots

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Fri 24-Sep 6. 280-1.080RMB

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots tells the story of a struggling shoe factory in Northampton. When factory owner Charlie Price has a chance encounter with drag queen Lola, he's inspired to create a line of sexy heels for transvestites in order to help save the family business. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this Tony Award-winning musical is fabulously sassy, dazzling and uplifting. 

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

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