JUE (觉): Awaken to a Celebration of Arts & Music

觉 / JUE (pronounced joo-eh) - verb: to sense; to awaken

An independent urban arts and music festival in both Shanghai and Beijing, JUE (觉) is a collection of alternative, creative and progressive arts and music events over a three-week period from March 12-April 3.

What you can expect:

• Almost 100 artists
• 42 venues
• 22 concerts
• 22 art exhibitions
• 5 live comedy events
• 5 spoken word events
• 4 theatre/performance art productions
• 4 workshops
• 4 film screenings

Presented by Split Works, JUE is now in its 3rd year and with a diverse collection of art, theatre and film events along with major music gigs including one of my favorite groups – the deftly danceable Scandinavian group – The Whitest Boy Alive performing this Tuesday, March 15 at Tango.

JUE (觉) Event Highlights:

• Kite at the Bookworm (3.12): A modern take on the most ancient Asian traditional of strings and drums. 8-10PM, FREE
• “Slap, Rap, Words” Bookworm Literary Festival Event (3.12): Festival guest slam poets Omar Musa and Kelly-Lee Hickey battle Chinese hip-hop artists at Dos Kolegas at 11PM, RMB 50
• 19 Solo Shows on Painting (3.13): Opening Reception at 3PM at Platform China Space A & B (click here for details)
• *The Whitest Boy Alive (3.15): Deftly Danceable Scandinavian Efficiency @ 3rd floor of Tango, 7:30PM, RMB 130 (presale)/ RMB 180 (door)
• Vitalic with Pet Conspiracy, Liman, A.M.U, VJ Zhiqi (3.17): Like Daft Punk – a world leading electronic producer. 9:30PM @ Star Live RMB 80 presale/RMB 120 at door
• IMPROVISE 2 with Beijing Improv & LDTX (3.19): Joint dance and theatre improv performance at LDTX studios, RMB 80
• Shanren (山人) Concert (3.18): Chinese Folk, Reggae-Rockified. 9-11PM @ Tango RMB 60 presale/RMB 80 at door
• *The Besnard Lakes (3.19): A good Canadian Band “like the Beach Boys when it’s calm, and Queen when it’s crunchy.” 9-11PM @ Mao Livehouse RMB 60 presale/RMB 80 at door
• The Black Atlantic (3.23): Acoustic pop band from the Netherlands. @ Mao Livehouse (ticket and time TBA, click here for more info)
• *AAB 2011 Preview Party (3.25): Beer, BBQ and Art @ AAB’s beautiful courtyard space. 6PM, FREE
• *WHALE! and Friends Dance Party (3.25): 200 tons of danceable rock and electronica, 11PM @ School Bar, FREE
• Panbianr Independent Film Screenings & Discussions (3.26-3.27): 2 day discussion and showings of a dozen documentaries, narrative features, and shorts. From 12PM-8PM at HomeShop (click here for info) RMB 100 for 2 day pass,
• Abaji (3.27): A man with over 250 instruments. 7:30-9:30PM @ Jianghu Bar, RMB 30

For a full event run-down, check out their website: www.juefestival.com

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, March 12 – April 3, 2011
• Location: All over Beijing & Shanghai
• Tickets: http://www.juefestival.com/11/en/?page_id=1124

• Website: www.juefestival.com

LumDimSum Super Sweepstakes

For your chance to win a RMB 200 voucher at Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa, answer the following question in the comment section :

Which JUE (觉) event are you most excited about and why?

Deadline is Tuesday, March 15 at noon.  To answer, click here and scroll down to comment section