When modern dance was separated from ballet in 1900s, it was regarded as a “rebel" by the most classical ballet defenders. However, as with fashion, trends in dance change. Many acclaimed ballet troupes nowadays develop a free style based on strict pirouettes. The Swedish Cullberg Ballet, famous for its dramatic expression and contemporary approach to classical stories is one of the troupes leading this trend.

   When Akram Khan, the London-based Bangladeshi dancer, came to Beijing the first time, he seemed worried about his future. Several years later, he has already become one of the most acclaimed choreographers of his generation. 

Standing Before Darkness is a world premier by Tibetan Choreographer, Sang Jijia. It's also the opening performance for the 3rd Annual Beijing Modern Dance Festival, organized by BeijingDance/LDTX in collaboration with the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

    As one of the large-scale official festivals, Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which collects a lot of cultural programs, has been held annually since 2000. The year, "Meet in Beijing", running from April 30 to May 28, seems more selective and diverse. Many of the shows will be presented on Beijing stages for the first time. Besides dance, drama and classical concerts, it the festival will also bring Chaoyang Pop Music Week to Chaoyang Park, the “Intro” electronic music event to Beijing 751 Power Square (in 798), and lectures and video screenings in Peking, Tsinghua and Renmin universities.

“The Scottish play!” Three Brits corrected me immediately with one voice at an editorial meeting after I dared to speak the name of the upcoming Shakespearean show, Macbeth. As one of William Shakespeare’s darkest and bloodiest plays, Macbeth is a terrifying tragedy swirling with black magic, tortured ghosts, corrupt passion, betrayal and murder. Theatrical superstition says this play is cursed and that saying the name out loud will cause disaster. Supposedly, Shakespeare used a few spells from actual witches as dialogue for the play – which caused great offense and led them to curse the drama.

The ancient language of Nüshu, (“women’s writing”), was exclusively created in Hunan’s Jiangyong County 400 years ago. Guarded from men, Nüshu was a unique means of communication used between women to pass on poems, writings and stories via refined embroideries, artworks or weaving.

Compared to Beijing’s rock music scene, bars specializing in jazz are thin on the ground. Since OT Lounge closed, East Shore Live Jazz Café is only recommendation that springs to mind. Fortunately, we often have international jazz bands visiting town, so you can head to concert hall to experience some jazz – as long as you can pretend to be a sober saint. This month we have the Hessian State Youth Jazz Orchestra, (“Kicks & Sticks”), one of the best youth jazz orchestras in Europe.

The Lady of the Camellias, by Alexandre Dumas (fils), has been adapted into a film, opera and play. Now John Neumeier of the Hamburg Ballet has brought his ballet version to Beijing, presenting the dramatic story through movements rather than words.

Guo Degang, one of China’s most famous cross-talk comedians, has done what any self-respecting celebrity does in Beijing: open a restaurant. Housed in Guo’s own theatre (De Yun She), the attractive teahouse-like space offers a wide spectrum of popular Chinese cooking, with several dishes linked to Tianjin, his native city.

Here’s the second installment of our Beijing 2010 preview: what’s opening, who’s coming, when it’s happening, where to play and what lies ahead.