The best things to do in Beijing this weekend

Image: Paramount Pictures

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing 

A weekend of international fun. For Aussies, Brits or Americans out there, The Bookworm is hosting great events for you and your friends; anyone from an African country also might be able to see their head of state cruising around, as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation kicks off next Monday. We also suspect that summit might be the reason clubs all over the city are closing before 2am this weekend – some aren't even opening at all. But still plenty of great things to do, by night and day.

THINGS TO DO

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.

Democrats Abroad meetup

The Bookworm. Sat 1. Free

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with Democrats Abroad China. It's back-to-school time, so join fellow Americans to bid farewell to summer and get ready for the voting season.

FOOD AND DRINK

Vegan Outreach Dinner

Mosto. Sun 2. 288RMB

Helping make Western restaurants in Beijing become more vegan-friendly, this month sees Mosto serving up a five-course dinner from their new plant-based menu, including tomato gazpacho, eggplant mousse, tofu ravioli, vegetable tagine and berry crumble.

Arrow Factory Tap Takeover

Hatchery Arcade. Fri 31. Various deals

Join the folks at Arrow Factory as they take over Hatchery Arcade for a night of chuanr, beer and beats this Friday. With pints for 30RMB, or just 20RMB during happy hour (5-6pm), as well as food deals, it's looking like a great start to the weekend. 

NIGHTLIFE

Ø Phase

Zhao Dai. Fri 31. 100RMB

For almost two decades now, the master engineer-turned-DJ and producer has been crafting functional and hypnotic techno and gritty minimal that veers seamlessly between the propulsive and the abstract. With his Boundary Interactions EP released earlier this year, he heads to Zhao Dai on Friday for his Beijing debut.

Mookie-She

Soi Baochao. Fri 31. Free

Mookie-She's experimental and fun vibes blend oriental and new wave sounds, creating a unique atmosphere that has become the hallmark of this new Beijinger's beats.

MUSIC

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 head to Beijing to perform tracks off their newest release Tres.

Jay Rodriguez

Blue Note. Sep 1-2. 260-360RMB

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.

Matt Savage Quartet

Blue Note. Fri 31. 180-260RMB

The American autistic savant jazz musician hits Blue Note this Friday. Known for his humourous, engaging compositions, Matt Savage has found acclaim worldwide and performed with artists such as Chaka Khan and Al Stewart.

Listen Up 2018 tour

Yue Space. Sat 1. 100-200RMB

Rap contest show Listen Up has produced such superstars as Vava and Sun Xu over the years. Check out the latest batch of rising hip-hop stars this Saturday at Yue Space. Line-up includes Mercy, GIA, Hood, FrankiD, Simba and Orange.

STAGE

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.

Peyman Yazdanian

Century Theatre. Sat 1. 180-680RMB

Peyman's work has become renowned the world-over. He has composed scores for both Iranian and international feature films, including Lost in Beijing (directed by Li Yu). Peyman returns to Beijing this week with a piano recital featuring some of his most famous works.

FILM

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

On general release 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.

The Vagina Monologues

Pink Moon. Sun 2. 50RMB

Eve Ensler recreates her original play in this movie version of the unforgettable Vagina Monologues. Ensler brings the intimacy of the original readings to the screen with love and creativity, giving you an even deeper look into the background of the play and the women involved.

For more fantastic things to do in Beijing, hit 'Read more'. 

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