Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Jul 2-7
We take a break after the weekend, putting down our drinks to take a more productive look at what's going on around Beijing. Here is our top pick of this week's events that won't leave you hungover...
Tuesday, Jul 2
Japanese Animation and Studio Ghibli Manuscript Exhibition
Opening this past Saturday, Polar Bear Gallery in 798 is now host to a rare production celluloids and artworks spanning some of the best-known works in manga and Japanese animation. The works include original pieces from "the godfather of manga" Osamu Tezuka and Matsumoto, who will also visit the gallery on Aug 3, as well as iconic pieces from Studio Ghibli, whose museum in Tokyo often has a ticket wait time of months. RMB 68. Tue-Sun, 10am-6.30pm. Polar Bear Gallery
Wednesday, Jul 3
Sir Andrew Davis and BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis, one of today's most recognized and acclaimed conductors, and BBC Symphony Orchestra, the principal orchestra of the British Broadcasting Corporation, come to the National Centre for Performing Arts this Wednesday. Davis currently serves as chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a post which he has held since 2013, and has made numerous guest appearances with several of the finest orchestras and opera companies around the world. RMB 200-1,080. 7.30pm. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)
Thursday, Jul 4
Fourth of July
Thursday marks that most beloved of American holidays: July 4th. Admittedly, such a potent celebration of liberty, contradiction, and fireworks does often call for a little bit of booze but make it a Natty Light or something equally as watery and you should make it through the revelries unscathed. The biggest events scheduled for this year's celebration include storytelling with an "American" bent at 4corners, a gig from Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies, a backyard barbecue courtesy of the American Chamber of Commerce, and the most rambunctious of all, a keg-heavy buffet at VSports, the proceeds of which will go towards China-based suicide hotline Lifeline. Various locations and times
Friday, Jul 5
Fieldfisher China GDPR and AI Seminar
London-based international law firm Fieldfisher invites experts in the fields of general data protection regulation (GDPR) and AI implementation to discuss the current state of the AI industry in China. Speakers include Simon Greenman, partner at Best Practice AI, and Judy Krieg, data privacy partner at Fieldfisher. RMB 100. 1.30-4pm. British Chamber of Commerce in China
Saturday, Jul 6
Big Camp Plate Village and Hengling Valley Hike
While the temperatures crank up, the humidity seems to have stayed away which means that there's still time to get out and explore Beijing's outskirts without feeling like you're doing it in a sauna. Beijing Hikers' Saturday expedition will take attendees out Big Camp Plate Village, before descending into fields, a narrow gully, and then up a rough and tricky stretch of Great Wall. 7am onwards. RMB 390, RMB 350 (members). Beijing Hikers
Sunday, Jul 7
Hutong Races: Jade River
The latest Hutong Race, described by the organizers as like "the TV show The Amazing Race, but you can directly experience the excitement and adventure," will see teams of 2-4 run around Beijing's Jade River, source of the Grand Canal, in the hutongs between Nanluogu Xiang and Qianhai. There'll be prizes for those teams that complete the challenge in the fastest time, a feat that is likely to be aided by exceptional skills in perception, navigation, and perseverance.
There are plenty more fun, exciting, and, should you want them, boozy events in our Events section here.
Images courtesy of the organizers, sirandrewdavis.com
