Four Things for the Week Ahead in Beijing (Sep 22-28)
A week for the Negroni, an exhibition launch, shadow puppetry and a slew of 10-minute plays are in store in the days ahead...
Drink – Negroni Week 2025
Instead of a single day, the world’s most beloved bitter aperitif gets an entire week to itself. Started in 2013 by Imbibe magazine, Negroni Week is an annual celebration of the equal parts cocktail that also gives back. This year, all proceeds from the event will go to the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund to support community-led projects that are transforming global food and beverage systems for a more sustainable future.
To take part and contribute to a good cause, simply go to a participating bar and order a Negroni (be sure to ask first for any specifics). There are 65 bars in Beijing taking part this year, the list of which you can find here. Stay tuned for more info – plus a list of a few of our favorite Negronis in Beijing.
Explore – (re)claimed: flotsam photography & new retellings Exhibition
This Tuesday (Sep 23), a new photography and poetry exhibition is being launched at self coffee/Golden Weasel at 8pm. Called (re)claimed: flotsam photography & new retellings, it brings together 50+ Chinese photographs from the 1950s to the 1980s with 12 Chinese and foreign poets who have each responded to one of the photographs. At the event, you will also be able to purchase a zine with all 12 poems, in both English and Chinese, along with their corresponding photos.
The (re)claimed: flotsam photography & new retellings exhibition opening will be taking place at self coffee/Golden Weasel from 8pm on Tue, Sep 23. Entry to the event is free.
self coffee/Golden Weasel
125 Dongsi Bei Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街125号
Hours: 10am-late
Phone: 185 1094 7779
Experience – Shadow Puppetry With RASBJ
Join the Royal Asiatic Society of Beijing (RASBJ) to learn about shadow puppetry – a traditional form of entertainment with strong connections to Shaanxi province and western Beijing – from two masters of the art from Wang’s Shadow in Shichahai. There will be an introduction to shadow puppetry with two introductory plays, plus an opportunity for guests to paint their own puppets.
Behind the Silhouette: An Evening of Shadow Puppetry takes place on Wed, Sep 24, from 7pm to 8.30pm at Wang’s Shadow. Seats are RMB 298 for RASBJ members and RMB 378 for non-members. You can register by scanning the QR code in the poster above.
Wang’s Shadow 汪氏皮影艺术馆
24 Songshu Jie, Xicheng District
西城区松树街24号
Hours: Daily, 9am-10pm
Contact: 159 3041 7170
Watch – 10-Minute Play Festival at JinShang
Middle Kingdom Creatives presents Beijing Blitz, the city’s first 10-minute play festival in which 12 original plays from writers across China will hit the JinShang stage for one performance only. There will also be the chance to vote for your favorites after the curtain call.
Beijing Blitz: 10-Minute Play Festival is taking place on Sat, Sep 27, from 3pm at JinShang Yuan Garden Theatre. Tickets are RMB 100/person and can be booked by scanning the QR code in the poster.
JinShang Yuan 金尚源
20 Xinyuanli Xili, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源里西20号
READ: Meet the Artists of Songzhuang: A Day in Beijing's Bohemian Village
Images: Unsplash, Pexels, courtesy of the venues/organizers
