Events Watch: Beijing's Best Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Oct 9-14
Our Events Watch series aims to highlight events that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, and dinners etc.
Try not to think about that fact that we're only two days into a seven-day work week and focus on one of these awesome events instead.
Sunday, October 9
Monte-Carlo Ballet Company Presents: A Midsummer Night's Dream
The Monte-Carlo Ballet Company, under the auspices of Princess Caroline of Monaco, perform Jean-Christophe Maillot's ballet, The Dream, which is based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you miss it on October 9, the show is also running on October 10. RMB 100-880. 7.30pm-midnight. National Centre for the Performing Arts.
Monday, October 10
Second Presidential Debate
The madness continues with the second presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton (side note: get ready for the occasion with these election-related WeChat stickers). According to uspresidentialelectionnews.com, "The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which half of the questions will be posed directly by citizen participants and the other half will be posed by the moderator based on topics of broad public interest as reflected in social media and other sources." Since they won't be showing the debate live, The Local asks that you keep spoilers to yourself if you happened to have watched it in the morning. Free. 7-8.30pm. The Local
Swing Dance Monday Nights
Latin dances like tango and salsa get plenty of attention in Beijing, so if you're a dance fan why not take the opportunity to give a different style like swing a try. This friendly dance group meet on Monday nights at Wild Cherry bar south of Nanluogu Xiang (directions in the event listing) to practice swing dance. The Monday night sessions are aimed at beginners and will focus on the Charleston and the Lindy Hop. RMB 30 (includes a drink). 8-10pm. Wild Cherry
Tuesday, October 11
Hatsune Sushi Making Class
Hosted by Hatsune founder Alan Wong, this class will teach you the basics of sushi making and send you away with recipes to make your own sushi at home. You’ll learn about the different types of sushi, fish, rice, and vegetable ingredients, and prepare three different types of sushi rolls. The price includes ingredients, materials, and dinner. RMB 350. 7-9pm. Hatsune (Kerry Center branch)
Wednesday, October 12
NBA Global Games: Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans
NBA action returns to Wukesong's LeSports Center (formerly the MasterCard Center) as James Harden and the Houston Rockets take on Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite being billed as just a pre-season matchup (the 10th consecutive year the NBA has held pre-season games in China), expect plenty of fanfare as newly-drafted Zhou Qi vies to prove himself NBA-worthy. From RMB 350. 7-9.30pm. LeSports Center
Thursday, October 13
Vincent Hsu Trio Featuring Harold Danko and Billy Drummond
Jazz Bassist and composer Vincent Hsu was born in Taiwan and launched his career in New York. His debut album, Homeland, won Best Jazz Album at the 2014 Golden Indie Music Awards. Hsu is joined at Blue Note by pianist Harold Danko, whose career spans 30 years and has seen him collaborate with jazz luminaries such as Chet Baker, and Billy Drummond, helping him to become one of the most highly sought-after sidemen in the jazz world today, having appeared on more than 300 albums. RMB 160-360. 7.30-9pm. Blue Note Beijing
Friday, October 14
Meet the Filmmakers: Conquering Southern China
In Conquering Southern China, Winston Sterzel, “The Original China Vlogger,” and his fellow Youtuber, C-Milk, go on an epic adventure as they bike 5000km through the weirdest and wildest back roads of southern China. For this "Meet the Filmmakers" event, you'll watch two full episodes of the documentary series. Afterwards, filmmakers Ricardo Afonso and Mark Masterton will talk you through the behind-the-scenes stories that unfolded during the making of this entirely self-funded project. RMB 60, RMB 50 for Culture Yard Students. 7-9pm. Culture Yard
Sunday, October 16
A Sea Symphony: Peking Sinfonietta and City of Glasgow Chorus
Peking Sinfonietta and City of Glasgow Chorus team up to perform Ralph Vaughn Williams's 'A Sea Symphony', his first essay in symphonic form, and one of the greatest large-scale English choral works. This four movement work brings you the world’s oceans in all their moods and colours. They will also perform ‘The Three Elizabeths Suite’ by Eric Coates, and ‘Tears In My Bowl’ and ‘Impressions of Changchun’ by Nicholas Smith, OBE. RMB 100-580. 7.30pm-midnight. Beijing Concert Hall
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Photos: Lum Dim Sum, courtesy of the organisers, Wikimedia
