Beijing's Top Cultural August Events Roundup

Below you'll find some of the best cultural events that Beijing has to offer in the next month.

Every Thursday: The Bookworm’s Weekly Sci-Fi Book Club
Attendees of the Bookworm’s weekly Sci-Fi Book Club will read a new short story then discuss it during the meeting. Authors previously covered include Greg Egan, Iain M. Banks, Andy Weir, among others. Free. 8-9pm. The Bookworm, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (Wechat: Merukaba, Website)

RELATED: Current Exhibitions at the National Museum of China

Aug 3: Maliandao Tea Hour
Join a group of tea amateurs on a journey to Maliandao Tea City, where The Hutong’s tea expert will guide you through all the teas and tea regions in China. Free. 10am to 12pm. The Hutong, Dongzhimenwai 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District (6404 3355, 159 0104 6127) 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号 (Register here)

Aug 6: Paint Picasso’s Bull and Break a World Record
Join 300 other people on a 300 x 300 meter canvas in an attempt to break The Guinness World Record for the most people painting the largest canvas. As the Picasso Exhibition comes to and end Pingo and Riverside Art Museum will join together to celebrate Picasso’s 1945 bull prints which evolved in style and are thought to represent self-portrayals. Free. 8.30am-11am. Riverside Art Museum Riverside East B, Hongyan lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区 弘燕路山水文园东园B区

Until Aug 28: Lin Zhipeng aka 223
Guangdong-born photographer 223 (real name Lin Zhiping) has contributed to numerous creative fashion magazines such as Vice and Vision, as well as shooting for brands such as Converse, Nike, and Bacardi. The Carchangdi’s de Sarthe gallery now hosts his solo exhibition, which explore topics of Chinese youth hedonism and going against the expectations of middle class dreams. Free. Tuesday to Sunday every week at De Sarthe, 328-D Caochangdi Art District, Chaoyang District 朝阳区草场地艺术区

Aug 3-7: NCPA’s Production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro
Le Nozze di Figaro is one of the most famous operas created by Mozart in 1786 during the height of his composing life. The whole opera features witty and brisk tones, retaining the artistic style of its original novel, which was written by the French comedy writer Pierre Beaumarchais. The story sets its music on the sharp contrast between the folly and dissipated noble and the smart servant Figaro, molding vivid roles as vibrant and witty Figaro, elegant, and implicit Countess Rosina, intelligent and cute Susanna, and so on. RMB 80-580. 7.30-9.15pm. National Center For The Performing Arts, 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District (6655 0000) 西城区西长安街2号

Wednesdays until Aug 9: Tai Chi Class
For those who are not familiar with Tai Chi, it can perhaps be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. The Tai Chi course focuses on health cultivation, flow of chi (energy) and meditative exercises for the body. The Tai Chi master speaks English and has rich experience in teaching Westerners. RMB 150. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路，维多利亚花园D4-101 (Register here)

Tuesdays until Aug 9: Calligraphy Class
The classes are conducted in English. The Four Treasures of the Study- the ink brush, ink, paper, and ink stone are all provided. You don’t have to be able to write Chinese already, just be enthusiastic and willing to hold a brush. Maximum 12 people. RMB 200. 10.30am-Noon. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路，维多利亚花园D4-101 (Register here)

RELATED: The Beijinger's Second International Foodie Weekend, Aug 13-14

Until Aug 24: Art in the Streets
Curator Magda Danysz says, “Street art is unquestionably, for who wants to see, the most important artistic movement of the early twenty-first century. For some this is not yet obvious. Time will teach them.” Open everyday except Mondays and Sundays. RMB 15. 9.30am-5.30pm. CAFA Art Museum (6477 1575)

This post is adapted from a blog that previously featured on our sister site beijingkids.

Photo: pinterest.com