2011 Dec 09 Art Attack: The Battle of the Book Fests Begins
If you haven’t caught the Great Dane at LAN Club yet, this weekend’s your last chance. On a (just slightly) more wholesome note, the Cinderella Panto starts up downtown this weekend, produced by Beijing Playhouse. Then, it’s a time for books galore, with great author events and a book bazaar.
Even more exciting, the battle for the hearts of Beijing’s bookish continues as The Bookworm International Literary Festival (BLF) gets ready to recruit volunteers, and Capital M starts rolling out book talks/discussions that are no doubt meant as stepping stones toward their own more nascent literary festival. Dear readers, come next March, how will you choose?
We’re committed to bringing you excellent coverage for both festivals, but we should also let you know that The Bookworm have invited media to get involved with events this year (instead of just sponsoring), and we’ve got some wicked fun stuff cookin’. A couple interactive events that we’re not quite ready to pop the lid on yet, as well as a very very short writing contest. We know we’re being short on details, but we can definitely vouch that this year’s BLF is one worth getting involved in. Two volunteer meetings take place this week, on Dec 14 and 15. See below for details.
Of course, The Bookworm’s had a bit of a head start, this being the Beijing festival’s sixth year, so Capital M have some catching up to do. Last year their festival hinged on one main headliner and a string of journalists, sauced up with the promise of morsels from the restaurant’s kitchen. Program-wise, we hope there’s some literary (and literal) fattening up in store. This Saturday’s “How to Write About China: A Conversation with Zha Jianying and Ian Johnson” (moderated by Evan Osnos) bodes well. All you budding China memoirists (yeah, we know you’re out there) should check it out.
If you (or your loved ones) read more than write, then you might mosey over to The Bookworm’s Book Bazaar this Saturday. Lots of books at great prices means getting your Christmas shopping done early and easily.
Before we move on, which festival do you favor? Share your thoughts in a comment below.
For those who are more into (moving) pictures than words, there’s also a Jack Nicholson screening series by the nuts at Tushuguan 98, the ever arty Electric Shadows Shorts (this time at Landgent Center), a screening and filmmaker Q+A with Lu Sheng at BC MOMA, a modern dance documentary and a screening and talk with the organizer of Mr. Gay China.
Yep, that was all one sentence.
Enjoy.
Dec 8-11
Comedy/Drama: Hamlet
Wacky takes on two scenes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. RMB 320/300 (door/presale, show + free drinks), RMB 170/150 (door/presale, show + two cocktails). 9pm. LAN Club (5109 6012; see Nightlife
directory)
Dec 8-18
Comedy: Cinderella
Beijing Playhouse’s crazy version of the fairy tale in the British Christmas tradition. RMB 300/260 (door/advance), RMB 150/130 (students + children, door/advance). 7.30pm (Thu-Sat), 2pm (Sun). Trojan House Theater (5711 0860)
Dec 9
Film: Here, There
French-trained filmmaker Lu Sheng presents a quiet study of life and death set in Shanghai, Paris and a Greater Khingan forest. Q&A with director. RMB 40, RMB 30 (seniors, students), RMB 25 (BC100 member), RMB 20 (BC V1000 member). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)
Electric Shadows Shorts
The series steps it up this month as part of “The Cinema of Light and Shadows.” New shorts, new venue. Free. 8pm. Landgent Center (8771 5506)
Dec 10
Christmas Book Bazaar
Huge discounts on used and new books, plus hot drinks and gingerbread. Free. 10am-1pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Dec 12-20
Film Series: Jack Nicholson
The insane folks at Tushuguan98 get cozy with the master of insanity himself (in the movies, at least). Check their website for more info. Free. 7pm, 9pm (two different screenings each night). Tushuguan 98 (8400 1532)
Dec 14
Film: Pina
Wim Wenders’ new tribute to the modern dancer. RMB 30 (includes coffee or tea). 7pm. Riverbank Bar and Café (6506 8277; see Nightlife directory)
Film Talk: Mr. Gay China
Xiao Gang screens and discusses his short documentary about preparing for the controversial pageant. RMB 30, RMB 20 (members). 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Dec 14 & 15
The Bookworm International Literary Festival Volunteer Meeting
Take part in Beijing’s biggest bookish event of the year. For info, email volunteers@beijingbookworm.com. Free. 7.30pm (Wed, Dec 14), 12.30pm (Thurs, Dec 15). The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Dec 15
Book Reading: A Christmas Carol
A night with Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas over cocoa. Special editions of Dickens’ classic for sale, courtesy of Penguin China. Free. 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Photos: gb.fotolibra.com, www.univeronline.it
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