22 fantastic things to do in Beijing this week

Your weekly guide to the best of Beijing

Important PSA: It's Mother's Day this Sunday, so keep an eye out for our upcoming guide to how to spoil the most important woman in your life (don't say we didn't warn you). Also on this week's agenda is one helluva football match, plenty of classical music (specifically from Danish orchestras) and awesome new films opening in Beijing cinemas. Get out there and see what's up. 

Beijing Guoan vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Workers' Stadium. 8pm. Tue 7. 120-360RMB. 

Returning for its 38th year, the Asian Champions League makes its way to Beijing as local boys Beijing Guoan take on South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (no sponsorship there) as part of the 32-team group stage. Currently sitting at second place in Group G, things are actually looking pretty good for Guoan (top two qualify only), it's just too bad we already lost to Jeonbuk (3-1) back in March – and they're also currently sitting in first place. Cheer on our boys in green as they play for redemption in the second-last match of the group stage – get your tickets at damai.cn.

Beijing Farmers' Market: Mother's Day special

Pacific Century Place. From 11am. Fri 10. Free.

This week, the vendors at Beijing Farmer's Market are sharing their expertise by hosting a variety of workshops to keep you healthy and your food pesticide-free. In addition to the usual vegetables and products, there will be a jewellery-recycling workshop, a candle-making workshop, a natural vegetable sunscreen workshop, a porcelain/China-restoration workshop and more. For more information (in Chinese), click here.

Climate Talks: The Next Step is Yours

Guohang Shiji Building. 2pm. Sat 11. 10RMB (includes snacks and drinks).

Be the change you want to see in the world and take the next step in combating climate change. This Saturday, meet the locals who have taken up the mantle of protecting the environment as they speak about what's currently happening in our society and how we can do our part to care of our one and only planet. The speaker line-up includes F2N Market's founder Erica Huang (pictured), the director of Toxics-Free China and policy advisor of China Zero Waste Alliance Mao Da, Live With Less founder Natalie Bennett, and Zero Waste advocate and Bulk House co-founder Joe Harvey. For more information or to reserve your spot, scan the QR code below.

Slow Boat daily happy hour

Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub. From 4pm. Daily. Free.

Not a one-off event by any means, but absolutely worth a mention (in our books), Slow Boat's just-launched happy hour offers boozy punters 10RMB off every draught beer from 4-7pm daily. That means their usual daily deals will no longer be on offer – save for Meatless Mondays and Kids' Brunch Weekends – but it means all your favourite beers will be available at happy hour prices Every. Single. Day. Is it beer o'clock yet?

Uncorked: A Journey through the Loire Valley

The Opposite House. 3pm. Sun 12. 258RMB.

Returning for another month, head to The Opposite House as their sommelier Ashley Gao takes you on a journey through six different wines from France's Loire Valley. Wines include the 1749 Rosé D'Anjou and Saumur Brut Blanc. To book, contact Ashley at 183 1117 0611 or at [e-mail].

Carl Barât

Tango. 8.30pm. Wed 8 380RMB; 320RMB (presale).

After selling out all three of his Mainland gigs last year, Carl Barât returns to China for what we can only imagine will be even more sell-out shows. Catch the former Libertines co-frontman as he bashes out grungy indie-blues once more.

The Bebop Big Band

Blue Note. 7.30pm. Thu 9-Fri 10. 100RMB. 

This week, the Blue Note Beijing Big Band pays tribute to the pioneering work of bebop big bands, performing a thrilling programme of classic bebop arrangements that showcase the modern harmonies and virtuosic rhythms of this music style. Beyond all that though, this is quite possibly one of the most affordably priced gigs at Blue Note in a long time – don't miss out.  

Explosions in the Sky

Tango. 8.30pm. Fri 10. 420RMB; 360RMB (presale).

If you've ever watched an episode of Friday Night Lights, you've probably heard the triumphant, guitar-driven strains of Explosions in the Sky. The Texas post-rock outfit has been mining grandiose, soundtrack-worthy melodies and slowly building arrangements for more than 15 years. After hundreds of thousands of album and ticket sales with features in major motion picture soundtracks, this iconic instrumental band will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with two nights of performances in China.

Andy Shauf

Blue Note. 7.30pm. Sat 11-Sun 12. 240RMB (side seat); 300RMB (table seat).

Best known for his lyrical grace and delicate melodies, Andy Shauf's folk-pop tunes go off the beaten track with an eclectic range of instruments backing his stirring vocals. The Canadian singer-songwriter has won, and been nominated for, numerous awards over in the Great White North, and his hit songs, including 'The Magician', have seen him gain fans around the world.

RL Grime

One Third. From 9pm. Fri 10. 120RMB (early bird, includes one cocktail). 

Henry Alfred Steinway, better known by his alias RL Grime, first came to prominence as a New York-based teenager delivering monster, viral remixes of Chief Keef's 'Love Sosa' and Kanye West's 'Mercy.' With his latest LP Nova – released just last year – RL Grime's set to distinguish himself as a music innovator, treading the line between millions of fans and an independent sound, the underground and the accessible, mainstream music and left-field art.

Tadeo

Lantern. From 10pm. Fri 10. 80RMB; 50RMB (presale). 

Throughout the past ten years, Madrid-based DJ, producer and label manager Tadeo has steadily redefined electronic music – techno, in particular. Having founded Cyclical Tracks, NET28 and Another Intelligence, as well as finding a solid home on Token Records and Non Series, it's perhaps unsurprising that Tadeo's become a bit of a beacon to those in search of original and thought-provoking tracks. Check out his distinct Detroit-inspired techno sound at Lantern this Friday. Support by Weng Weng, Jackson Lee, Aled & Tom and more. Get your tickets here. 

Efdemin

Zhao Dai. From 10pm. Sat 11. Tickets TBC. 

Coming off the back of his first album release in five years (titled New Atlantis), Berlin's Phillip Sollmann, aka Efdemin, slips effortlessly between dancefloor techno and avant-garde experiments, creating minimal, yet sumptuous, musical landscapes. Don't miss him at Zhao Dai this Saturday. 

Jane

Goethe-Institut. 7pm. Wed 8. Free. 

Drawing from more than 100 hours of never-before-seen footage from the National Geographic's archives, Jane follows the life and career of renowned primatology scientist Jane Goodall. From her early research in Tanzania to her groundbreaking field work, Jane documents how the scientist defied the odds to become one of the world’s most admired conservationists. Hosted in collaboration with the Jane Goodall-Institute and Roots and Shoots Organisation, head to the Goethe-Institut on Wednesday for a free screening. Seats are limited – to register your spot, scan the QR code below. 

Roma

On general release from Fri 10.

If ever there was a grumble over this gorgeous, Oscar-winning epic, it’s that more people couldn’t see it on the big screen, particularly here in China. Now finally in Mainland cinemas, director Alfonso Cuarón's richly textured masterpiece unhurriedly explores the social and political canvas of 1970s Mexico City, where he grew up in a middle-class neighborhood called Roma. A sober and autobiographical elegy about his childhood and the women who raised him (one hardworking live-in maid in particular), Roma is cinema at its purest and most human.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

On general release from Fri 10.

When ace detective Harry Goodman mysteriously goes missing, his 21-year-old son decides to go find out what happened. Aiding him is his father's former Pokémon partner, Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds), who is somehow able to communicate with him and only him. The two join forces on an adventure through the neon-lit streets of Ryme City, where both humans and Pokémon peacefully co-exist. But the duo soon uncovers a plot that plans to destroy this peaceful co-existence between the two species and threaten the Pokémon universe.

Danish Movie Month

Chao Hotel. Various. Until Sun 12. 120RMB.

This May, Chao Hotel hosts Danish Movie Month, showcasing some of the very best in Danish film including everything from the old to the new, to dramas and documentaries. Films include The Day Will Come (Der kommer en dag), A Fortunate Man (Lykke-Per), Silent Heart (Stille hjerte), The Stranger (En fremmed flytter ind) and more. For the full schedule plus tickets, click here.

Spittunes: Art is a Poem is a Song

Another Art Gallery. 5.30pm. Sun 12. Free.

With a title inspired from a quote from the poem 'Sacred Emily' by Gertrude Stein – 'a rose is a rose is a rose is a rose' – Art is a Poem is a Song seeks to explore Another Art Gallery's latest exhibition, The Common of Difference, in a groundbreaking and creative way. Poets will write poems inspired by the exhibit and then musicians will work with the poets to create a special song inspired by the art and the poetry. For the first time in Spittoon's history, the dimension of visual art will be brought to the Spittunes process. 

Wu Shanzhuan: Today Became a Holiday

Long March Space. Until Oct 13. Free.

Today Became a Holiday is a constellation with more than 200 paintings, from Hamburg, Reykjavik and Shanghai, that have arrived in Beijing over the course of seven shipments. The concept of logistics as a working method has been used throughout Wu's artistic practice, beginning with the 1989 piece Big Business (Selling Shrimps) right up till now. Presented as gifts for this holiday, each arrival pushes us one step closer to Wu's epic narrative Today Became a Holiday. 

People of Beijing

Da Xiao (Beiluoguxiang). Until Sun 12. Free. 

People of Beijing is a group show created by illustrators AO, FEI FEI, Jiasi Lee and Shui. These four independent illustrators create narratives about the people of Beijing through observations and interpretations, with each offering a unique perspective spanning from technological, social to cultural aspects of Beijing life. The show surveys the full scope of people in Beijing – who they are, what they do, who they are with. The show aims to foster a greater sense of connection and reflection, as well as empowerment through the exploration of various art forms and processes. For more information, click here.

Sinfonia Rotterdam

NCPA. 7.30pm. Thu 9. 50-480RMB. 

Inspired by the energy and intensity of its hometown, Sinfonia Rotterdam brings the music of classical masters to audiences in a dynamic, captivating manner. Led by (enthusiastic) conductor Conrad van Alphen, join the orchestra as they perform an all-Haydn programme at the NCPA.

Concerto Copenhagen

NCPA. 7.30pm. Fri 10. 50-480RMB. 

Supported by the Danish Arts Council, Concerto Copenhagen is widely regarded as Denmark's leading musical export within the field of classical music, having joined the league of the world's most innovative baroque orchestras since its inception in 1991. Original interpretations and a strong ability to communicate with the audience are among Concerto Copenhagen's hallmarks – making old music vital, relevant and contemporary. 

‍

Wu Wei and Holland Baroque

NCPA. 7.30pm. Sun 12. 50-480RMB. 

Rounding out this week of European orchestras is the Holland Baroque, an ensemble partial to sharing the stage with playful and inspiring musicians. Joining the orchestra this time round is sheng (a Chinese reed instrument) player Wu Wei, in what's an ambitious team-up of East-meets-West classical music. 

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

You might have missed

More from Time Out Beijing

Stay up to date in Beijing