Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Nov 12-17
We take a break after a fun-filled, and perhaps slightly askew, weekend, putting down our drinks to take a more productive look at the days ahead in Beijing. Here is our top pick of this week's Events That Won't Leave You Hungover...
Tuesday, Nov 12
The Life and Work of Gu Yuan
The Chinese Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of master printmaker Gu Yuan with a retrospective of his work. Born in Guangdong, Gu was a major figure in communist printmaking, furthering Japanese resistance efforts and the Maoist revolutionary cause through his striking black and white woodblock etchings and colorful prints. In 1959, Gu joined the printmaking department of CAFA, before eventually becoming president of the academy. RMB 15. Until Nov 26, Tue-Sun, 9.30am-5.30pm. CAFA
Wednesday, Nov 13
Model City Pyongyang With Christiano Bianchi
As Beijing bookworms count down the final days of their favorite hangout, the literary hub continues to put on some of the best events in town. On Wednesday, architect Christiano Bianchi will drop by to discuss his new book which he published with fellow architect Kristina Drapic. After having been spellbound by the North Korean capital's otherworldly near-future sci-fi socialist architecture, the two decided to catalog it with a series of beautiful photographs The result? Model City Pyongyang. RMB 60. 7.30pm. The Bookworm
Thursday, Nov 14
Imperialism, Opium, and Nationalism: A Walk and Discussion at the Old Summer Palace
Fewer sites in modern Beijing evoke the "Century of Humiliation" like the gardens of the Old Summer Palace. Destroyed in 1860, these now ruined gardens stand as a reminder of imperialism in 19th-century China, which still casts a shadow on how the country views the world today. Learn more about what circumstances led to the ransacking of the Summer Palace in this historic walk with The Hutong, while exploring one of the city's most splendid public parks. RMB 300, RMB 260 (The Hutong members). 10am-1pm. Old Summer Palace
Friday, Nov 15
Russian Kaleidoscope III: Fedoseev and NCPAO
This Friday night, under the direction of Russian conductor Vladimir Fedoseyev, chief conductor of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Beijing's own National Center of the Performing Arts Orchestra will perform a full program of Russian. Spanning several decades, the works include Festive Overture and Symphony No. 10 by 20th-century composer Dmitri Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Suite. RMB 50-480. 7.30pm. NCPA
Saturday, Nov 16
The Future Is Now! by Rumble in the Jumble
What do we want? Hoverboards! When do we want them? Decades ago! Despite the fact that not all of our Back to the Future dreams have come true yet, the future is most certainly now... for our past selves. Regardless, we live in exciting times, a concept that Rumble in the Jumble is exploring in this iteration of their popular market series. Head over to That's Mandarin this Saturday and see how the Beijing creative community is making use of modern technology, futuristic inspiration, and high-tech design. Free. Midday-6pm. That's Mandarin
Sunday, Nov 17
How to Use Brainstorming Techniques to Unleash Your Creativity
You might assume that brainstorming (or as it is now referred to in polite circles, 'blue-sky thinking') is an innate skill, purely creative and unteachable. If you agree, well, you need to do more out-of-the-box thinking! This workshop, hosted by Startup Grind Beijing in collaboration with US-based One Club Hall of Fame Educator and Founder of the VCU Brandcenter Diane Cook-Tench, will explore the concept of brainstorming, techniques to get you onto the right creative path, and why always thinking in creative ways is essential to modern business practices. The event promises to be a stimulating, enriching, and reasonably priced Sunday morning activity for all manner of Beijing professionals. RMB 100. 9am-1pm. Inncube
Alternatively, head to the inaugural Feinaki Animation Week, starting Nov 14.
