August 2009

On the agenda: Acupuncture celebrates two years, great steaks and whiskey bars

Electronic music DJ collective Acupuncture reflects on two years of bringing the best in techno music to the masses as they prepare for their September 5 bash in the new issue of agenda.

In the mood for meat? Check out the great “Steak Out” where we list the city’s best places to indulge your inner carnivore. Or if you’re in the mood for a good stiff drink, pucker up for our recommendations of whiskey bars around town.

Elsewhere, award-winning chef Paul Wilson discusses his upcoming appearance at the Raffles’ Second Food and Wine Dialogue, we bring you the city’s best chocolatiers, and learn where to tone up your Mandarin in the capital.

All this and more in the new agenda – don’t miss out!

Ziyi’s Revenge: Agenda’s Out!

If you don’t recognize the face on this issue’s cover, it’s hard to imagine where you’ve been these past few years. The new agenda features an exclusive English-language interview with one of China’s most famous citizens, actress Zhang Ziyi. The stunning Ms. Zhang and co-star Peter Ho talk to us about their starring roles in the new comedy Sophie’s Revenge, which is released on August 14.

Among the new restaurant and bar openings we cover in this issue’s Try These:
Vegetarians’ Celebration – vegetarian dishes with intriguing and romantic names such as “Heavenly Rain Falls on the Plants in a Whisper” and “Ocean Elixir;”
The Bak Kut Teh Specialist – Malaysian-style hot pot with a side order of cold dishes available for the hot weather;
Fubar – Former manager of Rickshaw and Tun Chad Lager’s cavernous high-ceilinged speakeasy offers quality spirits and large measures

In Spotlights: Sandra Huang, professional foodie and writer for Savourasia.com lets us in on the secrets of regional Chinese cuisine in her cookery classes at The Hutong; we talk to Ken Wiland, founder of Beijing Ballroom, about the popularity of ballroom dancing in Beijing; and calligraphy teacher Paul Wang introduces the stories behind some of his favorite characters.

Our Lists feature roundups of the best in sushi restaurants, cinemas, vegetarian restaurants and pet stores. Last but not least, you’ll find 14 days of great events in our Day-by-Day event listings.

The Beijinger August: Long Live Sport!

It was only a year ago when our fair city hosted that international sports gathering of all sports gatherings otherwise known as the Olympics. So what has Beijing to show for it?

Plenty of leftover venues, that’s for sure. And while some will continue on to find some purpose in the future, others will likely be ground back into the dust from whence they came. In this month’s cover feature, we examine which venues will go where, and how it concerns you.

Also, what happened to all those gold medal winners? All 51 one of them? We can’t really say for sure, but we can tell you what at least ten of them are up to – or not up to, depending on how you look at it.

Plus, why basketball will succeed and why football will fail; interviews with upcoming acts headed our way in August – i.e. Total Science & Riya, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Tricky and Mochipet; an inside look at Beijing’s skateboarding culture; why you should head to Edinburgh; a chat with Israeli pianist Gil Shohat; a sit-down with swinging singer Dizzy Hemmy and her crew of Chinese Hellcats; the latest line by local designer Liu Lu; and – as always – all the latest shop, restaurant, bar and club openings happening around the city.

All that and more in the latest issue of the Beijinger!