Events Watch: Beijing's Best Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Feb 6-10

Our Events Watch series aims to highlight happenings that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, and dinners etc.


Monday, February 6

Food photography at Well Café (until Feb 28)
This exhibition features photographs by top food photographers in China, including Chen Nan, the International Times Chinese food columnist. The exhibition includes traditional Chinese meals, western meals of Rabelaisian proportion, and everything in between, covering meals exhibitors have enjoyed at home and on their travels. Free entry. 10am-7pm. Well Café

Salsa Palma: Free one hour salsa class
Every Monday starting at 8.30pm, enjoy a free one-hour salsa lesson by a professional teacher. You'll be guided through a selection of salsa moves and a variety of other latin sounds to get you feeling tropical. We'll keep these rhythms going all evening with music from DJ Joyce, so get ready to move your body! Free. 8.30-9.30pm. The Bar at Migas


Tuesday, February 7

Stand-up comedy open mic night hosted by Chelsey Mark
Fresh off the LA comedy circuit with a performance at The Comedy Store, this week's Paddy O'She's comedy open mic night is hosted by comedian Chelsey Mark. Chelsey is a ball of energy and you may have even seen him on TV hosting shows like NBA's Made in China. Any budding comedians in Beijing want to try out your own jokes, find Chelsey at the door to sign up to perform. You get five minutes of stage time and a free drink! Free entry. 8.45pm-midnight. Paddy O'Shea's

NCPA Orchestra: Bach, Chen Qigang, and Prokofiev
The National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra performs a program which includes a violin concerto by Bach, Chen Qigang’s ‘Luanbang,’ a celebration of the life of his dead child, and Prokofiev’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ conducted by master Zhang Yi, one of the greatest interpreters of Prokofiev. This deep program is not to be missed by fans of classical music. RMB 75-338. 7.30pm-midnight. NCPA


Wednesday, February 8

French Film Festival: Bang Gang (Une Histoire d'Amour Moderne)
The French Cultural Centre in Beijing presents a film festival celebrating the best of French film. Wednesday's screening is Bang Gang, subtitled "A Modern Love Story," a drama directed by Eva Husson. RMB 20. 8pm. French Cultural Center


Thursday, February 9

Coming into Fashion: A Century of Photography at Condé Nast
Coming into Fashion: A Century of Photography at Condé Nast, on view at UCCA from through March 5, offers a comprehensive survey of the century-long history of fashion photography as pictured and written by Condé Nast. Occupying the Central Gallery, the Nave and the Long Gallery, the exhibition draws together 170 prints by more than 80 iconic photographers including Edward Steichen, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, and Mario Testino, marking the public presentation of many of these works for the first time since their publication. RMB 30, RMB 20 (advance). 10am-7pm.  UCCA


Friday, February 10

Music and shadow theater
Join artists Wang Yuguang, Xue Ting and Shen Lidong for a spectacular musical and visual experience. Shadow puppet artist Wang Yuguang is known for adapting the ancient traditional art of shadow puppetry for a modern audience, while Xue Ting is known for his unique approach to traditional Chinese instruments, combining them with world instruments like the didgeridoo. Guitarist Shen Lidong has played in multiple bands and has established his own music studio. He plays rock, funk, and other forms of rhythm guitar. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 9.30-11.30pm. Jianghu Bar

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of the venues