An Evening with Great Wall Historian William Lindesay

The “Wild Wall” by William Lindesay, Geographer & Great Wall Researcher

After running the Great Wall Half Marathon yesterday, I’ve since developed a deeper appreciation of the Great Wall as not only as a monster monument and a thing of beauty but its significance in China’s ancient history and its deeply rooted role in Chinese culture.

As one of Bespoke Beijing‘s expert guides (for the Great Wall of course!), I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Great Wall Historian William Lindesay and I am very much looking forward to meeting him at Wild China’s “Where the Wild Things are” event on Thursday, May 31 at 6:30PM at the Great Leap Brewing.

William Lindesay is one of those extremely passionate people who focuses their energy and efforts into one devoted subject and kicks everyone else out of the ballpark in terms of expertise, knowledge and experience.

Back in 1987, this guy hiked 2,470km alone on foot along the route of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall between Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan, a journey that took him 78 days and eventually his solo adventure resulted in a published book “Alone on the Great Wall”.  This was only the beginnings of his research, explorations and devotion to the preservation and discovery of the Great Wall of China.

In 2006, he was awarded the rank of O.B.E. (Officer, Order of the British Empire) for his international conservation of the Great Wall of China issued by H. M. the Queen Elizabeth II.

This guy is the real deal.

William Lindesay together with his beloved Great Wall

He even has a Great Wall term, “Wild Wall”, credited to his name.

“The term ‘Wild Wall’, coined by William, has been absorbed into the Chinese language to describe the ruins.” – Article by the British Embassy in Beijing

‘Wild Wall’ refers to the wilderness of the Great Wall of China, unrestored and therefore ramparts in ruins, often overgrown in the mountain areas, thus retaining authentic antiquarian and wilderness atmosphere. – [f. William Lindesay, Brit, Geographer and Great Wall Researcher, first coined 1990]

William Lindesay coined the term “Wild Wall” in 1990

This Wild China event will be RMB 250 per person which includes an intimate evening with William Lindesay along with two craft beers by Great Leap Brewing and dinner provided by Mercante, a recently opened Italian restaurant in the Gulou area. Tickets can be purchased on Yoopay here.

“Picture yourself relaxing on a balmy summer night, surrounded by interesting people, fantastic food, and locally-brewed beer with William Lindesay, one of China’s foremost experts of the Great Wall, who will discuss his recent discovery of a new portion of the Wall in Mongolia.” - Wild China Team

The Great Wall of China by William Lindesay, Geographer & Great Wall Researcher

Just last year, William Lindesay led an expedition into the Gobi dessert in search of a previously uncharted part of the Great Wall in the deserts of Mongolia. From carbon testing, Lindesay believed the “wall may have been rebuilt either by Genghis Khan’s third son, Ogedei Khan, to stop gazelles migrating into China, or by the Western Xia dynasty, which was obliterated by Genghis Khan’s armies.”  - Malcolm Moore, Article by The Telegraph

The last event brought Hollywood film producer Janet Yang who introduced her most recent film “Shanghai Calling” at In & Out Yunnan restaurant.  Click here for an LDS summary of Wild China’s hosted dinner party with Janet Yang.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 31, 2012

• Time: 6:30PM-9:30PM

• Tickets: RMB 250 per person

• Online Ticket Purchase: Yoopay website

• Location: Great Leap Brewing

• Address: 6 Duojiao Hutong, off of Dianmenwai Dajie 东城区豆角胡同6号院

• Website: Click here.

• Contact: wherethewildthingsare@wildchina.com

The Great Wall of China by William Lindesay, Geographer & Great Wall Researcher

Remember Punk: Closing Party Saturday, May 19

Time to say Farewell to Punk

For the past year, Punk Club (located in the underground basement of The Opposite House) has been the club I most often frequent, the home of my favorite dance parties and my favorite resident DJ, dear friend and fellow foodie extraordinaire,  DJ Saul D.

After 4 strong years, Punk is saying farewell in style, throwing a final hurrah this Saturday, May 19 for a delirious dance party by resident DJ Saul D who will no doubt be spinning the dance floor into a zombie disco dance frenzy.

“It’s sad, but true. PUNK is closing. Stop by to say hi and goodbye. I will miss playing for you guys but all good things must come to and end. See you Saturday night.” – DJ Saul D

Let’s dance to all the good times we’ve had at Punk 

A classy, chic club with a whole lot of edge and personality, Punk is known as “a sanctuary of cool” and “where luxury goes underground”. It’s heartbreaking to see such a stand-out bar/club like Punk leave Beijing’s nightlife scene, but word on the street is that the space will be renovated into “something yummy”.

With Sureño and Bei just next door, it will be interesting to see what The Opposite House will decide to bring in as Punk’s replacement.

Punk will be replaced by “something yummy”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Time: 10PM-late

• Location: Punk

• Address: B1 floor of The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Road, 三里屯11号

Enoterra Turns 5: Birthday Wine & Tapas Carnival

Need I say more?

Enoterra Wine Bar & Restaurant is one of the best places in Beijing to enjoy quality, affordable wines. That is something worth raising your glass for!

Celebrate the past 5 years of success together with Enoterra Wine Bar & Restaurant with unlimited tapas and wine for only RMB 200 per person, a ridiculously good deal for all-you-can-drink wine and tapas all night.

I have no doubt the place will be a madhouse more than a birthday carnival with a deal like this.

I just hope for Enoterra’s sake that everyone and their mom won’t be taking advantage of this “too good to be true” promise…!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, May 18, 2012

• Time: 6PM-late

• Location: Enoterra Wine Bar & Restaurant

• Address: D405, Nali Huayuan, 81 Sanlitun Beilu,

  三里屯北路81号那里花园D405

• Tel: 5208-6076

• Contact:  info@enoterra.net

C!Talk’s You & Me: Culture Jam for Dandelion School

“C!Talk is an intiative of a global organization called World Culture Open and is a series of culture-related performances held in the Beijing MOMA Cinematheque every two months.”

This Saturday, May 19th will see the first of a four-part event series by C!Talk Beijing to raise cultural awareness through performances by local artists and 100% of the ticket sales will go to The Dandelion School of Beijing to provide a chance for underprivileged children to also attend fun theatrical events.

“C!Talk thrives to create an open stage where people can enjoy their rights to arts. The May 19th show will deliver an unforgettably engaging, inspiring, and thoroughly entertaining experience to the Beijing community.” – Janet Kang, organizer for C!Talk Events

Their first event will feature international artists and performers showing their talents around the theme : You & Me.

Performers include Beijing’s beloved and very hilarious Beijing Improv Group along with a Argentinian Tango and talented multicultural musician Rani Geroult.

C!Talk’s Performing Artists:

• Argentinian Tango by Annie Cheung and Mark Jonikas - Annie Cheng is an independent modern dancer & choreographer, Argentine tango instructor and performing arts organizer. Both Annie and her dance partner Mark Jonikas will take you through the concept and demonstration of two sorts of magnetisms in Tango. 

• Rani Geroult - Born in India and raised in France, Rani Geroult has a personal background that binds her to both Western and Eastern cultures. From the self taught musician playing in the streets of Sanary-sur-Mer in France to becoming an international vocal artist in Beijing, Rani has crossed a trajectory and developed a different voice and style taking her to places, and charming international audiences all over the world.  A multicultural and multitalented musician, Rani will perform several improvisational pieces.

• Beijing Improv - Beijing Improv is China’s oldest and largest Improvised Theater organization, produced widely acclaimed monthly comedy shows and winning raving reviews. They will perform several interactive comedy skits created based on the theme “you and me”

• The Buu Club – Created in 2010 by a group of young musicians fascinated with aboriginal music, they aspire to promote freedom, happiness, tolerance, and a natural lifestyle. For this event, they will perform a “conversation” between a Djembe and a Darbuka (Middle Eastern drum). 

“Perhaps the most exciting part of the show is the Buu Club’s  ’Cultural Jam’ performance that invites two different genres of cultures to perform improvisational and interactive ‘jamming,’ and this time we will feature two different types of drums – Djembe and Darbuka.” – Janet Kang

Event tickets are only RMB 30 per person but keep in mind that 100% of ticket sales will be donated to the Dandelion School of Beijing.

To read more about Annie Cheung and Rani Geroult’s performances for C!Talk’s “You & Me” event this Saturday, May 19, check out Global Times article here.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012

• Time: 16:00-17:30

• Location: Beijing MOMA Cinematheque 当代MOMA 百老汇电影中心

• Address: North area of Dongzhimen MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Chaoyang district  朝阳区东直门香河园路1号, 万国城北区（二环路东北角）

• Website: Click here

About C!Talk:

C!TALK is about creative talent sharing. C!TALKs provide with a stage where such cultural wisdom and stories are shared with a larger public. Invited artists from diverse cultural genres will perform on stage and talk with the audiences to share their wisdom, experiences and the stories of tears and laughs.

“1 event ticket per child.”  - Many of us have the memory of heartfelt sensation from being to events such as ballet, musical, orchestra performances or plays. Such sentiment seeds joy and even hope to many people. C!TALKs ask audience to purchase tickets (RMB 30), but 100% of the profit, in turn, are used to support event tickets for children of less privileged, those who don’t have much access to the live theatrical events.

Organized in series bimonthly, each C!TALK session is created by collaboration among diverse groups of people from a local community. It raises awareness of community spirit among the participating artists, organizers, sponsors, volunteers, audiences, and the recipients of donations alike.

The program is designed as a part of ‘creative sharing’ initiative of the World Culture Open, a global network organization which strives to provide open and creative intercultural platform for people to engage, enjoy, embrace and be enriched together, sharing and respecting each other’s cultural experiences and knowledge, as well as dreams and ideas.

Friendly Fires Performs at China Music Valley Festival

The concert I can’t wait to witness: Friendly Fires

After the music festival overload over the 3-day May holiday (four festivals taking place simultaneously across three days is excessive), you might have thought it was all over but the best is yet to come!

In my previous LDS article covering all the music festivals taking place across the month: The Month of May is Music Festival Madness, I had briefly introduced China Music Valley Music Festival, but with all the other music festivals over and done with, you can now focus your attention on CMV who’s bringing 8 groups of international artists, 8 groups of Chinese artists, several electric and jazz artists and even some high-energy aerobics sessions by my favorite Swedish guy wearing bright pink shorts, Heyrobics.

These were the same guys who brought Avril Lavigne, Little Boots, Editors and KT Tunstall last year to Beijing for a rocking 2-day Music Festival.

China Music Valley Music Festival (May 18-20)

The full line-up is spread across three stages (one more stage than last year) with Brit-pop leading CMV with 6 out of the 8 international artists coming from the UK (coincidence that this is happening in this London Olympic Year?)

CMV’s International Artists:

• Legendary Scottish band: The Jesus and Mary Chain
• UK R&B diva who sold over 11 million records worldwide: Joss Stone
• The UK pop icon: Pixie Lott
• Top level European rock band from UK: White Lies
• The famous Scottish band: Glasvegas
• Electric rock band: Friendly Fires
• Fantasy rock band from NYC: School of Seven Bells
• Electric pop band from Finland: Husky Rescue

CMV’s Local Artists:

• Two of the biggest mainland China rock superstars: Xu Wei & Wang Feng
• Indie Rock Star from Taiwan: Mavis Fan & 100%
• Female Eason Chan from Hong Kong: Kay
• The most influencing indie DJ in mainland China: Youdai
• Beijing Brit-pop rock band: The SuperVC
• Electric Band: Nova Heart
• The New Generation Jazz Band: Li Gaoyang Jazz Tribe
• Chinese Princess Mermaid: Blanda Sun
• Beijing new band: G11
• Mainland Top DJ: DJ-A.M.U
• Beijing electric music producer: DJ Howie Lee

For those die-hard music festival goers, fans have the option of camping out there all weekend with the campsite opening up on Friday, May 18 and you can score 3-day tickets for only RMB 150 if you pre-pay before Wednesday, May 16 (regular price is RMB 480 for 3-day pass or RMB 580 if you pay at the door).  To purchase this steal of a deal, go to sendmetickets.com and they can even deliver tickets directly to you!

Camping spots are limited and it’s first come, first serve so act now if this is something you are interested in booking – just email the CMV Committee: cmvfestival@163.com (very official sign-up process).

If you are just interested in going up for with Saturday or Sunday, here’s the breakdown of performances per day with acts displaying backwards chronologically showing headliners first:

CMV Music Festival: Friday’s Line-Up

CMV Music Festival: Saturday’s Line-Up

CMV Music Festival: Sunday’s Line-Up

While the line-up is good both Saturday and Sunday, I’m biased towards Sunday when one of my all-time favorite bands Friendly Fires will be on the YUE stage from 8:40-9:40PM.

CMV Music Festival Details:

• Dates: Friday, May 18- Sunday, May 20, 2012

• Times: Friday from 8:30-11:30PM, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 11PM

• Tickets: Purchase a 3-Day Pass for only RMB 150 on sendmetickets.com (normally RMB 480 for pre-sale or RMB 580 at the door for 3-day pass or even 280RMB (per day pre-sale), 350RMB (per day at door)

• Location: Beijing Yuyang International Ski Resort

• Address: Click here for directions and Music Festival Bus Pass

Time Out’s Sunday Salon: Pipa Master Zhang Hongyan

This Sunday, The Bookworm and Time Out Magazine are teaming up to host internationally renowned pipa player Zhang Hongyan (章紅艷) from Zhejiang province as a part of this month’s Sunday Salons, an interactive lecture series that takes you “behind the music” of China.

“Zhang is known for blending Western and Chinese music, her commitment to music education and her refusal to take a “set fee”, receiving anywhere from 500RMB -100,000RMB per concert. For Zhang, it’s about the music, and musicians are there to serve.” 

One of the most technically difficult of China’s traditional instruments to master, the pipa requires “great stamina and flexible fingering”.

*Don’t forget to bring in this month’s copy of Time Out Beijing and entrance ticket is reduced to only RMB 20 (which also includes a free drink courtesy of The Bookworm)!

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 13, 2012

• Time: 7:30PM

• Location: The Bookworm

• Address: Sanlitun Nanjie, 三里屯南街4号楼

• Tickets: 30RMB; 20RMB (if you bring in this month’s copy of Time Out Beijing)

About Zhang Hongyan:

Zhang Hongyan is a renowned pipa recitalist and educator, a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, a supervisor on the Conservatory’s Master’s degree programme, an executive member of the All China Youth Federation and the Chinese Culture Promotion Society, and formerly a visiting scholar at Columbia University in the United States.

As an outstanding recitalist among the new generation of Chinese musicians, Zhang has garnered attention on the local and international music scene. She has built an extensive repertoire, and her playing exhibits a masterful combination of sheer virtuosity and musicality. She has given numerous solo recitals and touring performances throughout cities in mainland China.

In recent years, her collaboration with the Macao Orchestra has taken her to over twenty cities domestically, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, and also overseas to the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Poland, Korea, Singapore, and to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Zhang has appeared onstage with the China National Symphony Orchestra, the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have graced world-famous concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, etc. In a bid to amalgamate Chinese and Western music for further development, Zhang experimented with different performing formats, such as pipa with a symphony orchestra, and eclectic ensembles of Chinese plucked-string instruments. She was the first instrumentalist to give a concerto performance with a Western symphony orchestra using a Chinese instrument.

Pink Day Charity Fair: Where Wellness Takes Flight

Beijing’s first Pink Day 2012 will be hosted in Central Park

Beijing’s very first Pink Day 2012 is a fun food fair dedicated to Breast Cancer Prevention with FREE Breast Cancer Screenings (only 15 minutes per person for free screening) made available and onsite doctors from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital will be made available for on-site consultation as well as the well-known Breast Cancer Professor Guangwei Xu and Doctor Hui Yu.

For all the women you care about, come out and join in the fight against breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening Mobile Center

Hosted by the China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) and Savills Property Services (Beijing) Co., Ltd Central Park Branch Company, this event has over 1,000 expected guests and a wide host of vendors including Beijing’s most dynamic restaurants, spas, wellness groups and health service providers.

More than just food and activities relating to breast health (free mini lectures, consultations, and examinations), there will also be a charity garage sale, a bounce house and lucky draw where winners can score a free iPhone, hotel stays Health Club Membership and restaurant vouchers.

All funds raised in this event will support the China Breast Cancer Foundation‘s various projects and impoverished mothers with breast cancer.

Special thanks to the owners of Hummingbird Therapeutic Spa Retreat and Wellness Spa, who are actively engaging the Beijing community to get involved and do their part.  We’re trying to raise at least RMB 100k so please help us spread the word for this great outdoor fair.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012

• Time: 1PM-5PM

• Location: Central Park

• Address: Central Park on Chaowai Dajie 朝外大街6号新城国际

• To Volunteer or Get More info: Email pr@hummingbird.net.cn 

About China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)

The China Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) under China Social Work Association is a not-for-profit organization established in January 2008 with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China. Mr. Xu Ruixin, the primary vice minister of Civil Affairs of China, is the director-general of CBCF. Dr. Xu Guangwei, a well-known cancer expert and director-general of the Chinese Cancer Prevention Association, is the vice director-general of CBCF.

The mission of CBCF is to mobilize social resources to raise public awareness and knowledge about breast cancer, fund research and development in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and promote early diagnosis and early treatment techniques for breast cancer in medical organizations.

For more info, click here for CBCF’s official website.

Early Birds Catch the World: Breakfast with 85 Broads

 85 Broads: Global Women’s Network

Rise and Shine, Sunshine!

Start your morning off right with a fresh dose of inspiration together with the wonderful women’s network 85 Broads. This Thursday, May 10, 85 Broads is hosting a Power Breakfast with guest speaker Meagan Dietz, director of international business development at Godiva, the global luxury brand of premium chocolates.

…if only Beijing had a Godiva Chocolate Factory for us chocoholics to stuff our faces with Godiva. What better way to start off your morning?

I suppose Milly’s Cakes is an acceptable second choice with a range of treats that will be served including muffins, croissants, their specialty cupcakes, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, tea, and coffee.

A bit of information about this month’s guest speaker, Meagan Dietz:

Director of International Business Development, Meagan Dietz broadly works on Godiva’s global expansion. Her China work has been focused on identifying and securing the best retail and café operators as well as launching Godiva’s e-commerce and wholesale channels. She also works on new market business expansion including franchise partner selection as well as improving our performance in existing markets.

Prior to Godiva, Meagan worked at Cushman & Wakefield leading their China consulting services, and 7 years at McKinsey & Company based in New York City and Beijing, China. 

Meagan has published three articles: 1) “How Chinese Companies Can Succeed Abroad”, McKinsey Quarterly, May 2008. 2) “Protecting Intellectual Property in China”, McKinsey Quarterly, July 2005. 3) “Getting More from Intellectual Property”, McKinsey Quarterly, November 2004.

85 Broads’ Progressive Dinners are ‘anchored’ by senior women who are leaders in their respective industries and have an interest in mentoring young talent.

85 Broads is an exclusive global women’s network inspiring, empowering, and connecting smart women worldwide.

The breakfast will take place on Thursday, May 10 from 8:00AM-9:30AM.

Act early and you pay RMB 50 less than if you wait to pay upon arrival. Pre-sale tickets are RMB 80 for members and RMB 100 for non-members. Click here to get your tickets delivered to you: sendmetickets.com

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012

• Time: 8:00AM-9:30AM

• Location: Milly’s Cakes

• Address: 3rd Floor Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district; 朝阳区三里屯那里花园C308

• Tel: 5208 6071

• Cost: RMB 80 for 85 Broads Members / RMB 100 Non-Members  Pay online and Purchase Tickets at sendmetickets.com.  Additional RMB 50 if you pay at the door.

• RSVP: Email: Beijing85Broads@gmail.com

• Website: 85Broads.com

85 Broads is an exclusive global women’s network inspiring, empowering, and connecting smart women worldwide.

A global network of 25,000 trailblazing women, the “founding members” of 85 Broads were women who worked for Goldman Sachs at 85 Broad Street, the investment banking firm’s former NYC headquarters. Over the past decade, 85 Broads expanded its membership to include women who are alumnae and students of the world’s leading colleges, universities, and graduate schools worldwide. Our members are located in 82 countries around the world and work for thousands of for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations.

A Spanish Gastronomic Wine Experience at Niajo

Previous Spanish Wine Dinner at TRB Feat. Ignace Lecleir

Last time this “Spanish Wine Dinner Visit” took place at Temple Restaurant Beijing where they introduced a phenomenal 5-course menu paired with 5 Spanish wines and a presentation of 5J Iberico ham.

Spanish Iberico Ham is Irresistible

Click here for LumDimSummary of A Spanish Visit at TRB.

This week, DS Wines brings this unique wine and dine event to Niajo Spanish restaurant serving a 10-course tasting menu featuring their new Spring/Summer Menu complemented by 5 Spanish wines explained by wine expert Alfonso Cabezas and let’s not forget to mention they will again feature the ever-popular 5J Iberian ham cutting demonstration.  A Spanish Dinner hosted at a Spanish Restaurant (versus a French Restaurant like TRB) is bound to be very authentically Spanish for all you traditionalists who believe “fusion” cuisine is a sacrilege.

Seating is limited, price is RMB 398 per person. To book your seat, email rsvp@niajo.com or call 135 2262 0132.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012

• Time: Starts at 7PM

• Price: RMB 398

• Location: Niajo Spanish Restaurant

• Address: 3rd Floor Nali Huayuan (Nali Patio) 81 Sanlitun Beilu Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园三层

• RSVP:  rsvp@niajo.com or call 135 2262 0132

A Dose of Sample Pleasure by Jesse Rose & Oliver $

Presenting “Sample Pleasure” in Beijing for 1 Night Only at Haze

From Miami to LA, Zurich to Burmingham, Moscow to Berlin, Paris to Amsterdam, Lausanne to Tokyo, Jesse Rose & Oliver $ are literally traveling the world for the “Sample Pleasure” tour and stopping through Beijing for one night only at Haze Club on Saturday, May 5 (tomorrow night)!

Brought to you by M Agency and 110%, Jesse Rose, the man who helped spearhead the fidget house movement through his Dubsided and Made to Play labels, weaves a tapestry of eclectic house beats alongside Oliver $, who’s fresh off winning Beatport’s track of 2012 with the potent “Doin’ Ya Thing” which rightfully won the titles of ‘#1 Downloaded Song on Beatport,’ ‘#1 Most Charted Track of All Time’ and ‘Mixmag’s Top 10 Track of 2011′.

“Come watch Jesse Rose viciously throw down some dirty beats to jack a groove to and get ready for Oliver $ to bring his signature dirty groove!” - The M Agency

Here are a few videos to give you a taste of both Jesse Rose & Oliver $ on Youku.com:

Sound Cloud Bites:

Jesse Rose & Oliver $_Walkie Talkie_Dub

Jesse Rose & Oliver $_Park My Car

Two more videos can be seen here:

• Jesse Rose Documentary

• Oliver $ Video 

The party gets started thanks to DJ Saul D, Bitesize Buddha & Liz.

Tickets are RMB 120 (includes a bottle of Vedette Beer until supplies last) and Pre-sale tickets are RMB 80 at sendmetickets.com.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012

• Time: 10PM to late

• Tickets: RMB 80 (Pre-Sale at sendmetickets.com) or RMB 120 at the door (includes a Vedette Beer)

• Location: Haze Night Club

• Address: 22 Guanghualu SOHO A101

• Website: Click here.

Sunday Salon: Chu Yibing’s China Cello Philharmonic

This Sunday, The Bookworm and Time Out Magazine are teaming up to host one of the most influential cellists in the world, Chu Yibing and the China Cello Philharmonic (Chu and his group of 5 prodigy cellists) as part of this month’s feature Sunday Salons, an interactive lecture series that takes you “behind the music” of China.

“Chu Yibing began playing aged seven, studied in Paris aged seventeen and later became the principal cellist of the Basel Symphony Orchestra, Europe’s second highest-paid cello position. Today, as the Central Conservatory of Music’s Cello Department head, he leads China’s first and only permanent chamber ensemble, the China Cello Philharmonic.” - Time Out Beijing

Chu’s crazy talented group of six cellists regularly tour the world and they are the first Chinese chamber ensemble to play for Chinese President Hu Jintao and the US President Barack Obama.  

The chance to see this ensemble play within the intimate walls of The Bookworm is a very special privilege and a rare chance you won’t want to miss!

*Don’t forget to bring in this month’s copy of Time Out Beijing and entrance ticket is reduced to only RMB 20 (which also includes a free drink courtesy of The Bookworm)!

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, April 29

• Time: 7:30PM

• Location: The Bookworm

• Address: Sanlitun Nanjie, 三里屯南街4号楼

• Tickets: 30RMB; 20RMB (if you bring in this month’s copy of Time Out Beijing)

China Cello Philharmonic Led by Chu Yibing (far right)

The Month of May is Music Festival Madness

 Music Festival Madness: Strawberry Festival 2011

Get ready for a month of pure music madness, which starts this weekend on Sunday, April 29.

It sucks for most of us who have to work on Saturday, but we are quickly rewarded with a 3-day holiday. Last year’s May holiday saw three music festivals: Strawberry, Midi and newcomer China Music Valley (CMV) which is where I rocked out to Little Boots, Editors, and KT Tunstall.  Click here for my LDS Summary of last year’s triple festival line-up.

This year is even more manic with 4 music festivals happening across the 3-day May holiday followed by CMV Music Festival on May 18 & 19th with big international headliners including one of my favorite bands, Friendly Fires.

Before I get ahead of myself, I’ll focus firstly on what’s most imminent: the upcoming festival line-up for this year’s May 2012 holiday in Beijing (Midi and Strawberry will both also take place in Shanghai).

LumDimSum Breakdown of May Holiday’s Music Festivals:

1. Strawberry Music Festival

The biggest of the four festivals, Strawberry Music Festival has a total of 8 stages, covers the biggest area and will most definitely attracts the biggest crowds. Created by Modern Sky (who will also be celebrating their 15th anniversary), Strawberry has the broadest range of music with the biggest international headliners with Italian twin brothers, Blonde Redhead, headlining as the indie favorite followed by Goose and Laura Jansen (US).

Strawberry Festival Headliners Blonde Redhead Perform on Day 1

Located the same spot as last year at Tongzhou Channel Park, there will be eight stages spread out including the main Strawberry Stage, a Love Stage (pop, alternative, reggae), a School of Rock Stage, a Planet Stage, an Overload Stage (metal) and an electronic stage.

Strawberry Main Stage

Highlights of Strawberry: Day 1: Hanggai, Re-Tros (重塑雕像的权利), Blonde Redhead (all three on main Strawberry stage) and Jeans Team (Planet Stage); Day 2: Goose and Queen Sea Big Shark (strawberry stage), General Elektrik and Tahiti 80 (Planet Stage), DJ Bite-Size Buddha and DJ Spooky (electronic stage); Day 3: Brain Failure, Carsick Cars, Laura Jansen (US), Xie TianXiao 谢天笑 (all on main Strawberry stage), Hedgehog (Love Stage), The On-Fires (AU), Fever Machine (US) and Pitchturner (DE) (all three on Planet Stage), and DJ Slide (electronic stage)

Here’s the 3-Day Strawberry Line-Up:

Day 1: Sunday, April 29

Strawberry Stage
13:30-14:10 Da Bang
14:30-15:10 Xi Ban (戏班)
15:30-16:10 Hanggai (杭盖)
16:30-17:10 Cao Fang (曹方)
17:30-18:30 Re-Tros (重塑雕像的权利)
19:00-20:00 Blonde Redhead (US)
20:30-21:30 New Pants (新裤子)

Love Stage
12:30-13:00 Twinkle Star
13:30-14:00 CNdY
14:30-15:10 Is and Ism（JP）
15:50-16:30 Waa Wei 魏如萱（TW）
17:10-17:50 Zhou Yunpeng（周云蓬）
18:30-19:10 Convenience Store（便利商店）
19:50-20:30 Reflector（反光镜）

Planet Stage
13:00-13:30 Streets Kill Strange Animals（街道杀死奇怪的动物）
14:00-14:30 Wang Shengnan（王胜男）
15:10-15:50 Killersoap（HK）
16:30-17:10 The Mystery Lights (US)
17:50-18:30 Arms and Legs (US)
19:10-19:50 Kulu （梁晓雪）
20:30-21:10 Jeans Team（DE）

Overload Stage
15:00-15:40 Tarot Saint（塔罗圣徒）
16:00-16:40 Nuclear Fusion G （核聚变G)
17:00-17:40 Bloody Climax（血腥高潮）
17:40-18:40 A.J.K (玉麟军 )
19:00-20:00 Voodoo Kungfu （零壹）
20:20-21:20 Tomahawk （战斧）

Electronic Stage
14:00-15:00 Jiongjiong
15:00-16:00 Nassdak (ES)
16:00-17:00 Pipesmokers (IT)
17:00-18:00 DJ Thome Tomato (US)
18:00-19:00 Elvis T (TW)
19:00-20:00 DJ Wengweng
20:00-21:30 Strip Steve (FR)

 Day 2: Monday, April 31

Strawberry Stage
13:30-14:10 Namo（南无）
14:30-15:10 No Fish (非鱼）
15:30-16:10 Perdel （逃跑计划）
16:30-17:10 Yiko (曾轶可)
17:30-18:30 Goose（BEL）
19:00-20:00 Zhang Chu（张楚）
20:30-21:30 Queen Sea Big Shark  (后海大鲨鱼)

Love Stage
12:30-13:00 Fuzzy Mood
13:30-14:00 Hogan (IRL)
14:30-15:10 AV Okubo (AV大久保 ）
15:50-16:30 A-BOYS
17:10-17:50 Shuang Zi Yu Ci （爽子与瓷）
18:30-19:10 熊宝贝（TW）
19:50-20:30 Second Hand Rose（二手玫瑰）

Planet Stage
13:00-13:30 Dúo De Guitarras Umbral (UY)
14:00-14:30 Trebunie-Tutki Family (PL)
15:10-15:50 EKEE & Zarahn（HK）
16:30-17:10 Party Horse（UK）
17:50-18:30 General Elektriks（FR）
19:10-19:50 旅行团
20:30-21:10 Tahiti 80（FR）

Overload Stage
15:00-15:40 Death Pack（死亡契约）
16:00-16:40 Dark Haze （霾晦）
17:00-17:40 Crack （裂缝）
17:40-18:40 Die From Sorrow （郁 ）
19:00-20:00 Hades（冥界）
20:20-21:20 Suffocated （窒息）

Electronic Stage
14:00-15:00 Peipei
15:00-16:00 Liz
16:00-17:00 Kai Ze
17:00-18:00 Boflex (US)
18:00-19:00 Bite-Size Buddha (US)
19:00-20:00 Do Hits
20:00-21:30 DJ Spooky (US)

 Day 3: Tuesday, May 1

Strawberry Stage
13:30-14:10 Candy Monster（糖果怪兽）
14:30-15:10 Steely Heart
15:30-16:10 Brain Failure （脑浊）
16:30-17:10 Carsick Cars
17:30-18:30 Crowd Lu 卢广仲（TW）
19:00-20:00 Laura Jansen（US）
20:30-21:30 XTX（谢天笑）

Love Stage
12:30-13:00 Wanderlust
13:30-14:00 Rat Pac (浩子)
14:30-15:10 Josie Ho (何超仪) & The Uni Boys（HK）
15:50-16:30 LURE （诱导社）
17:10-17:50 Ivana Wong 王菀之（HK）
18:30-19:10 Huang Yida 黄义达（SG）
19:50-20:30 Hedgehog (刺猬)

Planet Stage
13:00-13:30 CAssette
14:00-14:30 范世琪&张萱
15:10-15:50 The On Fires(AU)
16:30-17:10 The Fever Machine(US)
17:50-18:30 Tree Music (树）
19:10-19:50 Haya (乐团)
20:30-21:10 Pitchtuner（DE）

Overload Stage
15:00-15:40 Surprise
16:00-16:40 641
17:00-17:40 Four Five (肆伍)
17:40-18:40 Gear & Eraser (齿轮橡皮）
19:00-20:00 Twisted Machine （扭曲机器）
20:20-21:20 Liquid Oxygen (液氧罐头）

Electronic Stage
14:00-15:00 Mo Bass
15:00-16:00 Donky Tonk (UK)
16:00-17:00 Slide (UK)
17:00-18:00 Oshi (FR)
18:00-19:00 Microgram (IL)
19:00-20:00 Psytrance Pete (UK)
20:00-21:30 Djedjotonic (FR)

**Full Line-Up should include Acapella Stage and Campus Stage, click here for complete list.

Tickets: You can score presale tickets from ¥60/day via Piao.com.cn, Tel: 400-610-3721. Or, buy tickets at the door. RMB 100 per day or RMB 240 for 3 Day Pass.
Getting there: Take the Batong Subway Line to Tongzhou Beiyuan. There, you will find Modern Sky free shuttle buses, which depart every 20-30 minutes between 10am and 6pm. Return buses are available every 20 minutes from 6-10:30 pm with the last bus at 10:30pm. Alternatively, you can take a cab to Tongzhou Canal Park (通州运河公园) from the Tongzhou Beiyuan stop for about RMB30.

2. Midi Music Festival 2012

The oldest of the bunch, Midi Music Festival is in its 13th year and this year, they’ve moved from Haidian Park to The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park off of Line 15 and nearby the airport. A legendary rock festival started by Midi School of Music, this festival has the most loyal following. Never have I seen to many punk rock kids with crazy mohawks in one location.

Wonder what’s with the profile of the man wearing a gas mask? It’s actually quite similar to the face mask I wear biking around Beijing and it’s calling attention to China’s growing environmental problem, particularly its poor air quality.

“The theme this year is ‘PM 2.5′ also called ‘lung particles’, refers to the particles less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter in the air. That’s less than 1/20 of a human hair! Although the earth’s atmospheric composition consists of very small quantities of PM2.5, it has an important affect on air quality and visibility. PM2.5 contains large amounts of toxic and hazardous substances, remain longer in the atmosphere allowing it to travel long distances and thus may have a greater impact on human health and air quality.  Avant-guarde artist Zhu Wei designed this year’s poster, describing a future scene where all people care about environment.” 

2012 Beijing Midi Music Festival will feature four stages – Tang, Song, Yuan and Qing (also the names of four of China’s long dynasties) with Tang and Song being the main stages and Yuan taking on as the electronic stage organized by the “Yen” electronic music label.  Qing is the stage dedicated to the winners of the Midi Campus Competition and weibo competition.

Here’s the 3-day Midi Festival Line-Up:

Day 1: Sunday, April 29

Tang Stage
12:00-13:00 VANS No Room For Rock Stars 纪录片首映记者会
13:30-14:00 Stolen 秘密行动
14:20-14:50 The Falling 堕天
15:10-15:40 待定
16:10-16:50 Zou You 左右
17:20-18:00 Useless ID（Isarel）
18:30-19:10 Twisted Machine 扭曲机器 
19:40-20:20 王勇独联体
20:50-21:30 Zhang Chu 张楚

Song Stage
13:00-13:30 Ego Fall 颠覆M
13:50-14:20 Wang Wei 王威
14:40-15:10 Logic Control 逻辑失控 
15:30-16:00 Slap 耳光
16:20-16:50 Goldcrush（Sweden）
17:10-17:40 No Fish 非鱼 
18:10-18:50 Suffocated 窒息 
19:20-20:00 La Souris Deglinguee (France)
20:30-21:10 Yaksa 夜叉

Clear Stage 
13:40-14:00 Summer Breeze
14:20-14:40 Perpetual Motion Machine 永动机
15:00-15:30 Pinocchio 匹诺槽
15:50-16:20 Why Lazy
16:40-17:10 The Power Powder 大粉
17:30-18:00 Shut up! Shut down!
18:20-18:50 Island Mood 岛屿心情
19:10-19:40 Lost 代凡与迷失乐队 
20:00-20:30 Dark Haze 霾晦
21:00-21:30 The Samans 萨满
22:00-22:30 R.W.F 瑞王坟

Yuan Stage
13:30-14:45 Liz
14:45-16:00 Jerryson
16:00-17:30 Ouyang
17:30-19:00 Blackie
19:00-20:30 Ben Huang
20:30-22:00 Mickey Zhang feat. Shao Feng 黄少峰

A Photo by Matthew Niederhauser for the New York Times

Day 2: Monday, April 30

Tang Stage
13:30-14:00 The Wheels
14:20-14:50 Larry’s Pizza
15:10-15:40 Monstereo（Norway）
16:10-16:50 Liquid Oxygen 液氧罐头
17:20-18:00 CMCB
18:30-19:10 Brain Failure 脑浊
19:40-20:20 Section 6 Hip Hop Crew
20:50-21:30 He Yong *(Mos Def has been cancelled)

Song Stage
13:00-13:30 Screaming Christ 惊叫基督
13:50-14:20 56 Degrees 56度
14:40-15:10 Skyscraper 摩天楼
15:30-16:00 Little Fish（UK）
16:20-16:50 Iron Kite 铁风筝
17:10-17:40 Hao Yun 郝云
18:10-18:50 Backyard Surgeons（Australia）
19:20-20:00 Voodoo Kungfu 零壹
20:30-21:10 Muma & Third Party 木玛&Third Party

Clear Stage 
13:00-13:20 Angel Monoplane 单翼天使
13:40-14:00 Los Crasher
14:20-14:40 Upper Class 上层社会
15:00-15:30 Surprise 意外惊喜
15:50-16:20 魇
16:40-17:10 Jia Huizhen 贾慧真
17:30-18:00 Residence A A公馆
18:20-18:50 Christmas
19:10-19:40 Hell City
20:00-20:30 Dagon Power 大红袍
21:00-21:30 Billow’s Fairy Tale 波澜童话
22:00-22:30 Zuo Bin (Z Brock) 左斌

Yuan Stage
13:30-14:45 DJ Gary
14:45-16:00 Harry Ho
16:00-17:30 LYDNB
17:30-19:00 Eddie Lv
19:00-20:30 DJ Usami
20:30-22:00 Dio

Day 3: Tuesday, May 1

Tang Stage
13:30-14:00 Multi-Ego 猫踢狗
14:20-14:50 Tookoo
15:10-15:40 Blackhead 黑撒
16:10-16:50 Frosty Eve 霜冻前夜
17:20-18:00 Nasser（France）
18:30-19:10 Subs
19:40-20:20 Good 4 Nothing（Japan）
20:50-21:30 Miserable Faith 痛仰

Song Stage
13:00-13:30 S.A.W 锯
13:50-14:20 Raging Mob
14:40-15:10 Arcane Saints（Australia）
15:30-16:00 Yiu 耀 
16:20-16:50 A.J.K 玉麟军
17:10-17:40 Misandao 蜜三刀
18:10-18:50 The Ordeal（Germany）
19:20-20:00 Perdel 逃跑计划
20:30-21:10 F.I.S (Fall in Sex) 秋天的虫子

Clear Stage 
13:00-13:20 Jacky Danny
13:40-14:00 Gemini 双子座
14:20-14:40 Androsace 点地梅
15:00-15:30 Saving Molly 拯救茉莉
15:50-16:20 Twinkle Star 闪星
16:40-17:10 The Amazing Insurance Salesmen 保险超人
17:30-18:00 NewTank 
18:20-18:50 树与颜色
19:10-19:40 The Lifeless 
20:00-20:30 Trouble Maker 捣蛋鬼
21:00-21:30 Norcelement 天行健
22:00-22:30 Five Point Zero 永恒之翼

Yuan Stage
13:30-14:45 自然
14:45-16:00 X Lee
16:00-17:30 Huangweiwei
17:30-19:00 Zhiqi
19:00-20:30 Jerry K
20:30-22:00 Yang Bing

Tickets: RMB 100 per day pre-sale; RMB 120 per day at entrance; RMB 240 for a 3-day pass

How to Get there: The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park off of Line 15 and nearby the airport.

3. Ditan Folk Festival

This will be the most chilled-out option for those looking for a more relaxed environment to spend their May holiday. Unlike the other festivals, this one is conveniently located in the city, you can bring whatever food and booze you want for an all-day picnic sitting out in a lovely park soaking up some sun (but also plenty of shaded areas for those who burn easily).

Unlike the other festivals, Ditan Folk Festival only features one stage playing folk rock throughout the two-day festival (April 30-May 1) which means don’t have to pick up and move from stage to stage and you can literally just park yourselves in one spot and set-up an all-day picnic.

Ditan Folk Festival

Set-Up your All-Day Picnic at Ditan Folk Festival

Started four years ago, Ditan Folk Festival will be hosting international acts and China’s biggest folk acts, with their line-up including Shanren, Xiao He, Dolan, Buyi, Lidong, Zhang Si’an, Randy Able Stable and Mama Funker.

Shanren 山人 Folk Band

Here’s the 2-Day Line-Up:

1st Day: Monday, April 31st

Time: 2:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Song Dongye 宋冬野 
Ma Di (Sesame Oil Leaves) 马頔 
Mirror 镜子 
Zhao Lei 赵雷 
Dreamer 白若溪 
纬青 (Taiwan) & LAG Orchestra 
Randy Abel Stable (USA)
Polad&David (Iran)
Dolan 都兰 
Xiao He 小河 
Zhang Sian （France）
SoundScape（Canada, France, Iran)
Shanren 山人 

2nd Day: Tuesday, May 1st

Time: 2:30 pm to 9:00 pm

The Power Powder 大粉 
Bloody Woods
Wu Siyao (April) 吴思瑶 
Mama Funker (Brazil)
Li Dong 立東 
叶尔波利 (Yerboli) & 文锋 & 次仁央吉
Nancy J Brown (UK)
Afrokoko Roots（Africa）
Hoochie Coochie Gentlemen 浪荡绅士 
Zhang Quan 张佺 
Buyi 布衣 
Traveler 旅行者

Tickets: RMB 60 per day pre-sale; RMB 80 per day at entrance; RMB 50 for students, RMB 120 for 2-day pass

How to Get there: Ditan Park (地坛公园); take subway line 2 to Lama Temple or Andingmen station.

4. MMAX Chaoyang International Pop Music Festival

Very little information is out there regarding this fourth festival and maybe that’s partly because this is their first year entering the “Music Festival Madness” and maybe because there is also quite a lot of overlap between this one and the others - Queen Sea Big Shark, Hedgehog, Carsick Cars, Hanggai, New Pants and a few of their DJ’s.

Here’s the MMAX 3-Day Line-Up:

Day 1: Sunday, April 29

14:30—15:10 GALA
15:30—16:10 Hedgehog 刺猬
16:30—17:20 Long Shen Dao 龙神道
17:40—18:20 Faith Yang 杨乃文
18:50—19:50 Queen Sea Big Shark 后海大鲨鱼
20:20—21:30 Yu Quan 羽泉

16:00-17:00 Guzz
17:00-18:00 DJ Monk
18:00-19:00 HBD
19:00-20:00 Sulumi
20:00-21:00 Lin Feng

Day 2: Monday, April 30

14:30—15:10 Carsick Cars
15:30—16:10 Hanggia 杭盖
16:30—17:20 Chusheng Chen 陈楚生
17:40—18:20 Zhang Xuan 张悬
18:50—19:50 Miserable Faith 痛仰
20:20—21:30 Pu Shu 朴树

16:00-17:00 Ceezy
17:00-18:00 Cavia
18:00-19:00 Ssoso
19:00-20:00 A.M.U
20:00-21:00 Ben Huang

Day 3: Tuesday, May 1

14:30—15:10 The Life Journey 旅行团
15:30—16:10 Tan Weiwei 谭维维
16:30—17:20 Peng Tan 彭坦
17:40—18:20 Hao Yun 郝云
18:50—19:50 New Pants 新裤子
20:20—21:30 Anthony Wang 黄耀明

16:00-17:00 Sig
17:00-18:00 Billy Starman
18:00-19:00 Howie Lee
19:00-20:00 Terry Tu
20:00-21:00 Elvis T

Tickets: RMB 60 per day pre-sale; RMB 80 per day at entrance; RMB 120 2-day pass

Pre-sale Online: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_35914.html

How to Get There: Chaoyang Sports Centre

• Take subway line 2 to Dongsishitiao, walk to Dongsi Qiao Dong and take the 758 to Pingfang Xikou. You can also just take a cab to Chaoyang Tiyu Zhongxin (朝阳体育中心) at Yaojiayuan Lu (姚家园路).

…But the music festival I’m most excited about is the China Music Valley Festival, which takes place out in Pinggu in a couple weeks from May 18-20 featuring big, BIG bands like Friendly Fires, Joss Stone and Jesus and Mary Chain.

Click here for CMV’s full line-up.

More info to come soon!

Clear Your Walls for Affordable Art Beijing (AAB) 2012

Time to clear your walls and make room for the hot new art on sale at Beijing’s most popular art fair of the year, Affordable Art Beijing (AAB).

Already in its 7th year, Beijingers go mad for this art fair. Long queues form before the doors even open (they expect to see up to 10,000 visitors) and once they do start letting everyone in, floods of people rush in as they grab as much as they can (it’s first come, first serve) before it’s all disappeared.

For those unfamiliar to the AAB Art Fair, it was founded in 2006 by art addict Tom Pattinson who realizes there are plenty of people out there who are keen to start an art collection with a limited budget.

“AAB gives the public an opportunity to be able to afford high quality works of contemporary art and enter the art market, whilst giving young artists a platform to show and sell their works to a large audience.” - Tom Pattinson, Founder of AAB

Whether or not you’ve caught the art-bug, this is one of the rare occasions you can both familiarize yourself with China’s local and foreign contemporary artists and purchase masterpieces at a price anyone can afford from a few hundred RMB to a max of RMB 20,000.  This is your chance to snag some real steals, but be careful not to get carried away with impulse purchases.

“There are some incredibly works that will be on offer from some very hot young artists. Last year Liu Aijing sold all six of her works in under five minutes, and Guo Hongjie also sold out within an hour, so we are looking forward to having them both take part again in 2012.”  - Tom Pattinson

My favorite bit about AAB is knowing that each of the art works available has been individually hand-picked by the AAB Team. This ensures the overall quality and consistency of both the featured artists and their works of art.  According to Tom, they have received submissions from over 1200 artists this year. Out of this massive pile to choose from, only 255 of those artists made the cut.

“We spend all year visiting art schools, going to artist villages and working with art professionals to find the best in new talent from across the country. This year we have artists from Liaoning in the north to Sichuan in the west.” - Tom Pattinson.

So get ready, you have just over a month to start saving up your piggy bank as it’s just been announced (hot off the press!) that AAB Art Fair will be happening on the first weekend of June: Saturday, June 2-Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 in Beijing’s 798 Art Space (same location as last year).

Once again, the two-day fair will showcase hundreds of contemporary Chinese art of various styles and mediums – from small prints to large oil paintings, to hand painted sculptures and photography.

To wet your appetite for contemporary art, here are my top picks that will be up for grabs at the AAB Art Fair -

“Tug of War” 拔河 by Cao Xihui 曹锡辉 

“37″ by Du Qingfeng 杜青峰  / ”Van Gogh” 梵高 by Ge Duo 戈多

“Birds on a Rock” by Huang Shaojie 黄绍杰 / 以物喜 以己悲 系列 Series by Ling Guiyuan 凌贵元 

河岸 “Riverbank” by Chen Bo 沉波 

Two Pieces of 谁 or “Who” Series by Guo Hongjie

Works by Cai Jun

Animation by Tian Xiaolei / 蝴蝶 “Butterfly” by Li Jinguo 李金国 

诱饵01 “Bait 01″ by Gao Feng 高峰  / Tian Xiaolei 《山水小品》

Works by Celia Chi 

戴帽子的女孩 no.2 “Girl Wearing a Hat” by Chen Beibei 陈蓓蓓  / 鱼 “Fish” by Liu Sicong 刘思聪 

Works by Dong Kui

Ian Webb – “New Year’s Day iii”

Last, but certainly not least, this year AAB will be working with WABC, a charity that uses art therapy to help mentally disabled patients.

“Through creative expression patients can often improve their emotional and psychological health. By demonstrating their artistic talents, the project also aims to bring more awareness of the mentally disabled as a part of the community. AAB will dedicate an exhibition space at the event to sell WABC art works, with all the proceeds going to the charity.”

城市系列 “City Series”  by Zhang Shiying 张世英 

Event Details:

• Dates: Saturday, June 2- Sunday, June 3, 2012

• Time: 11:00 – 18:00

• Location: The 798 Space

• Address: Ceramic 3 St. 798 Road, 798 Art District, 4. Jiuxianqiao Road

• Website: Click here for AAB’s Official Website.  

• Contact:  Christine@affordableartchina.com or call +86 10 6407 5314

About Affordable Art China (AAC)

Affordable Art China (AAC) is a platform for young emerging artists to present their artwork to art lovers from all over the globe. With annual art fairs in Beijing and Shanghai, AAC showcases some of the most innovative and exciting contemporary artwork from around China. These multi-day events are open to the public and free of charge, emphasizing AAC’s goal to give people of all different art backgrounds an opportunity to learn about and enjoy contemporary Chinese art. Featuring thousands of absolutely stunning artworks of all different styles, mediums, sizes and prices, AAC makes art collecting accessible to everyone.

Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) 2012

Today marks the opening of the second annual Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) at the China National Convention Center (previously the media center during the 2008 Olympics) and will run from Monday, April 23 – Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Appropriately timed as China is in the midst of a film industry boom, excitement and big potential brings both local and international celebrities and film industry elite together to China’s capital to attend various film events throughout the week.

“The past two years have seen an explosion of independent screening events opening all over China. Seven Horns (HK) and its Beijing International (Independent) Movie Festival brand have been at the forefront of this movement since 2007. We bring together Chinese and foreign movie experts to debate and discuss, create and continue adventuring on into the future of international movie co-production!”  - BJIFF

Most recently, “China overtook Japan to become the largest foreign market for American films, thanks in part to continued movie theater expansion. The number of screens doubled in five years to 10,700 at the end of last year.” – LA Times (click here for full article)

A massive culture event, drawing plenty of international attention, this year’s film festival will screen 260 local and foreign films (out of the 800 films that were submitted from all over the world) across 20 of the nominated cinemas in Beijing.

More than just screenings, the six day film festival will include a flurry of film-related activities including (but not limited to) lectures and forums, a film music concert, a film carnival showcasing film history and technology at the Olympic Village, the Opening Ceremony, Beijing Film Panorama, Film Magic·Beijing Forum, Beijing Film Market, and Closing Ceremony with a performance by Hayley Westenra with the London Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Snapshots from last year’s BJIFF:

Gracing this year’s red carpet include directors James Cameron (whose 3-D re-release of “Titanic” scored the second-largest opening-day numbers in Chinese history and is set to hold a talk about 3D films during the) and John Woo, Hollywood film stars including Keanu Reeves (who has been based in Beijing the past few months directing his first film), Jeremy Renner (star of Hollywood Blockbuster film “The Avengers”), South Korea’s So Ji-Sub and China’s Tang Wei, Zhang Ziyi, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Jiang Wen, Feng Xiaogang, and Ann Hui.

A wide range of other films will be screened throughout the six day film festival.

Noteworthy film picks -

A film festival wouldn’t be complete without at least one or two animated films. One of the featured animated films will be “Rango” where Johnny Depp plays a chameleon.

Taiwanese historical drama epic film “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale”

Bollywood’s ‘Band, Baaja, Baraat’: A romantic comedy in the world of wedding planning

Black-and-White Silent French film, “The Artist” is the closing film for BJIFF 2012

For more information about the festival, it’s screenings and events, visit the official website here and here. 

BJ FOoDieS: ‘Bread’ Charity Dinner at SWITCH! Grill

BJ FOoDiEs Venture Over to the new SWITCH! this Saturday for Charity

The first time I tried the original SWITCH! restaurant in 798 Art District was thanks to the monthly charity dinner organized by BJ FOoDiEs back in 2010 (click here for original post) so I’m happy to see that the BJ FOoDiEs team will once again be introducing their cult of foodie followers to the new SWITCH! Grill in Regent Land Apartments on the southeast corner of Dongsishitiao this coming Saturday, April 21 starting at 7:30PM. (*Note that this dinner will be held on a Saturday, instead of their usual Sunday night.)

More than just a delicious Western, fresh grill menu, foodies will also get to test out some of their phenomenal, innovative cocktails. To this day, I still think their Strawberry Chili Martini is one of the best cocktails this city has to offer.

“The Switch team is going to play some hip-grooving music & also wanted to test their drinks on the addicts so there will be massive specials on drinks allll night long!”  - Xixi Cheng, Founder of BJ FOoDiEs

Once again, BJ FOoDiEs works hard to win their foodies an amazing meal at a ridiculously low price of RMB 100 for the entire dinner menu + glass of wine.

So instead of just coming with the minimum to pay for the meal (the RMB 100 per person goes directly to the hosting restaurant), please remember to pack a bit more heat in your wallet to contribute to the good work of this month’s featured charity organization – Bread of Life Bakery, a local NGO that creates jobs at an American-style bakery and a good working environment for older, disabled orphans. Funds raised will allow wheelchairs and other orthopedic equipment to be purchased or repaired for children all over China.

SUMMER LOVIN’ FOODIES FEAST AT SWITCH!

RMB 100 includes dinner menu + drink

To Start!

SWITCH GREENS

w/ Marinated sliced asparagus, fresh endives, secret dressing

Grill Time!

SMOKED GRILLED OYSTERS

w/ mushroom, ground peppercorn & in-house BBQ sauce of love

ROASTED ORGANIC MEDLEY

w/ Spicy bean mix, charred broccolini, honey-glazed baby carrots

YUMMY CARBS

w/ snow mashed & sauteed potatoes two ways

Sweeties!

PROFITEROLES

w/ double dip chocolate sauce 

+ Glass of fermented grape juice

“Indulge for a Cause”

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
  
• Time: 7:30-10:30
• Location: SWITCH! Grill Restaurant
• Address: Regentland, 66 Gongti Beilu (across from Swiss-Hotel) 工体北路66号
• Tel:  6553-5691
• Cost: RMB 100 includes dinner menu + drink
• RSVP: E-mail BJ Foodies Team – bjfoodies@gmail.com

April Charity Theme: ‘BREAD OF LIFE’

The charity to receive this months proceeds will go to ‘BREAD OF LIFE’ – The NGO creates jobs & a good working enviornment for older orphans who are disabled. All profits from the bakery goest to help orphans & other children who have orthopedic needs.

For more information: http://www.breadoflifebakery.org/

About BJ Foodies Group:

Organizing monthly group meals at about RMB 100/head with food/drinks included, this group of dedicated foodies is all about “satiating their inner-foodie appetites for good quality food, conversation & fine wining/sake-ing/cocktailing/beering while indulging for a cause.”

BJ FOODIES PURPOSE:
1. Just to eat a nice meal & catch up with real people & friends outside the clubbing-disease we all suffer from called Vics/Mix.
2. Opportunity to contribute our little bits to society while doing something we love – EATING. The Charity aspect is a supplementary & added bonus BUT NOT the main purpose of the group

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