Patrick's Picks: Bubble Party, Beijing Dance Festival, Pollution Workshop, DJ Sayer, The Birds
Ah, Monday again. How the hell are we going to make it until the weekend, when work dissipates and the social calendar kicks back into high gear?
Never fear, this guide will help you get through one more week of the vocational grind by highlighting the best events in town, which over the coming days involve immersing yourself into an audiovisual feast created by Dominic Wong's dance moves, bouncing off some semi-sober bubble fun at Chaoyang Park, grooving to the music by Hideaki Tokunaga Jazz Trio, and getting fully frantic with DJ Sayer, and the Birds.
Want more? Check our Events section here.
Monday
Beijing Dance Festival: Second Thoughts
After his full-length debut Blind Chance, Dominic Wong advances his choreography in this follow-up piece Second Thoughts. He collaborates with fashion designer Chen Dao to explore the microscopic world of sense coupled with emotionally charged music by emerging composer Shum Lok Man. The world we live in is bustling with noise and excitement and people are shuffling around all the time, yet we may still feel distant and lonely. That's what Wong's movements hope to convey -- the feeling of being so close yet so far. RMB 200. 8pm. PLA Theater
Black Coal, Thin Ice
The Bookworm's Chinese Monday Movie series resumes with Black Coal, Thin Ice, which follows an ex-cop chasing a serial killer in northern China. Winner of the Golden Bear at last year's Berlin film festival. RMB 20. 8pm. The Bookworm
Tuesday
Semi-Sober Fun in Bubbles
Bounce off each other, roll around laughing and make new friends in Imagine's monthly Bubble Party. Plus, bubble bouncing doesn't require you to be sober! There's no strict arrival time -- head over whenever you like between 7-11pm. Lots of fun to be had here ... until you vomit. RMB 100. 7-11pm. Chaoyang Park Football Pitch
Wednesday
Workshop: Pollution-Proof Your Home
PM2.5 is a hot topic but can you actually pollution-proof your house? At this workshop, you’ll find out about some surprising causes of pollution in your home and also learn some great tactics to reduce toxins. You’ll get hands on experience with identify problems spots in your living space or workplace. Join Origins' workshop and get together with fellow air-geeks to learn how we can make your indoor environments better. Free. 7pm. Venue TBD (check here)
Thursday
DJ Sayer
Based in the icey city Harbin, DJ Sayer was one of the founder of Harbin's SonarMusic crew, as well as the producer of RankingBeats. Growing up listening to disco and funk, her love for drum'n'bass came when she discovered breakbeat and trip-hop music, leading her to begin DJ'ing in 2012. Bass will fill the air – get ready to move your hips and fists. Free. 10pm. Dada
The Birds: Lattice, CD Box, and The Big Face
Local promotions group Super School Fighter presents an evening of punk bash featuring a trio of young Beijing bands, including Lattice (Brit-infused pop-punk), CD Box (new school punk), and The Big Face (pop-rock). They are set to take the stage and give you a whole lotta punk music throughout the night. RMB 30. 9.30pm. School Bar
Hideaki Tokunaga Jazz Trio
Born in Osaka Japan, guitarist Hideaki Tokunaga came to the United States in 1985 and settled in New York, playing with an organization called Music Under New York (MUNY), which arranged for musicians to play in subways. In 1990 he moved to Southern California and started attending California Institute of the Arts through the Charlie Mingus Scholarship Program, graduating in 1998 with a Master's Degree. Now he comes to Beijing to present a fine slab of jazz, accompanied by Xia Jia on the organ and Xu Zhi Tong on drums. If you miss this show the trio will also play at East Shore Live Jazz House for free on Friday. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Jianghu Bar
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Email: patrickli@thebeijinger.com
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Photo courtesy of the promoters