Three Things for the Week Ahead in Beijing (Jan 12-18)

We've got a new weekly deal at the Regent, an online talk by RASBJ and a Woody Allen jazz tribute night at Modernista this week in Beijing.

Drink – Twilight Spritz Tuesday at the Regent

Tuesdays have just got more decadent with the Regent's new weekly deal called Twilight Spritz. Running every Tuesday from 5.30pm until 10pm, guests can enjoy unlimited free-flow sparkling wine and sparkling cocktails, plus canapés for RMB 238 per person. The cocktails include any that are made with sparkling wine, soda, tonic, or ginger ale. You can book your spot by scanning the QR code in the poster above.

Regent Beijing
99 Jinbao Jie, Dongcheng District
东城区金宝街99号
Event hours: Tue, 5.30pm-10pm
Phone: 010 8522 1888

Learn – "Smile… or Else: Optimism Under Capitalism & Socialism" Talk by RASBJ

This Wednesday (Jan 14), RASBJ is hosting an online talk titled "Smile… or Else: Optimism Under Capitalism & Socialism," featuring Prof. Wendy Larson and moderated by historian and writer Jeremiah Jenne. The talk explores how optimism became a socially and politically encouraged state of mind in both capitalist and socialist societies, from Enlightenment-era ideas of progress to revolutionary optimism in 20th-century China.

Drawing on literature, history and culture from the decades following WWII, Larson looks at fictional characters who either embody enforced positivity or push back against its coercive demands, asking whether happiness itself can become a political obligation.

"Smile… or Else: Optimism Under Capitalism & Socialism" takes place online on Wed, Jan 14, from 7pm to 8pm. The talk is free for RASBJ members; RMB 50 for members of RAS branches in London, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as the Yale community; and RMB 100 for non-members. To register, scan the QR code in the poster above. You can read more details about the talk here.

Listen – "Cinematic Jazz: Woody Allen Tribute" at Modernista

This Thursday (Jan 15), the Rena Trio – made up of Rena Lei on vocals, Feng Wei on piano and Huang Yong on bass – will be performing "Cinematic Jazz: Woody Allen Tribute" at Modernista from 9pm. Paying tribute to jazz soundtracks that define Woody Allen's films, expect a night inspired by early jazz, swing, Gypsy jazz and the Great American Songbook, with classics by the likes of George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt. 

"Cinematic Jazz: Woody Allen Tribute" will be taking place at Modernista on Thu, Jan 15, at 9pm. Entry is free and you can read more details about the event here.

Modernista 
44 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区宝钞胡同44号
Event hours: Thu, Jan 15, 9pm
Phone: 159 0116 3023

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Images: Freepik, courtesy of the venues and organizers