Exhibits

Chinese calligraphy

An exquisite exhibition showcasing the best of more than 1,000 artworks that the staff of Beijing Poly Auction collected during their US trip in mid-January will open on March 1 until March 7.

The exhibition will highlight Chinese calligraphy and brush painting works that have been carefully preserved by overseas Chinese collectors for centuries. It includes acclaimed bamboo-themed paintings by Zheng Banqiao, the famous Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) painter and poet, as well as snow landscape paintings by the gifted Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) artist, Wen Zhengming.

All the artworks will go under hammer at Beijing Poly's upcoming spring auction.

10th Floor, Poly Arts Museum, New Poly Plaza, 1 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, 6408-2691.

I Wanna Be Adored

Taking its title from the popular 1991 single I Wanna Be Adored by British rock band The Stone Roses, Russian-born artist Andreas Golder's solo exhibition presents a selection of new works produced during the course of his tenure as artist-in-residence at the Galerie Urs Meile Studio in Beijing.

The twisted visages and desperate goddesses that people Golder's exhibition are reminiscent of the work of Francis Bacon and cartoonist Ralph Steadman and draws its immediate impact from Golder's mash-ups of a variety of genres and the dark humor that permeates the works.

Until April 10, 11 am-6:30 pm. Galerie Urs Meile Studio Beijing, No 104 Caochangdi, Chaoyang district. 6433-3393.

Contemporary Oils

Qin Gallery's latest exhibition features more than 30 works by young Chinese painters, such as Chen Xiaoxiong and Liu Wanmin. The artists use a variety of approaches to examine the world they live in, their lives and social environment.

March 1 to 31. Qin Gallery, Enjoy Paradise Hua Wei Li 1-1E (north of Beijing Curio City) Chaoyang District. 8779-0461.

Events

Opera: A Village teacher

Consistent with the ethos of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), this original opera is the fruit of many exceptional talents: Liu Heng, the scriptwriter for films like Ju Dou, composer Hao Weiya, who composed the 18 minutes' continuation for the NCPA's production of Turandot; the stage designer Gao Guangjian, is known as the royal master of the NCPA, and the cast brings together well-known artists from home and abroad.

Mar 7-9, 7:30 pm, 100 to 500 yuan, National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, 6655-0000.

March French festival

The French-speaking countries will hold more than 100 activities in 15 cities in China in March, including musicals, lectures, exhibitions and readings, of which about 30 will be staged in Beijing. All of them are free and most of them have translators.

More details from the French Cultural Center, 6553-2627, or visit www.ccfpekin.org.

Capital M Literary Festival

The inaugural Capital M Literary Festival lasts until March 12.

Food writer Jen Lin Liu talks about her journey to discover the foods of the Silk Road. The event will showcase accompanying photographs by Craig Simons.

March 2, 6:30 pm, Silver room at Capital M, 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street, 6702-2727

Chinese for everyday life

Explore Beijing and displays Chinese culture together in a relaxed environment, with teachers who can explain everything from difficult but useful grammar to everyday computer slang in a language you can understand.

You get to learn how to read menus, learn about spices used in cooking, how to bargain and adjust the key from C to G for your favorite KTV song. Classes run from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm and cost 30 yuan.

March 6 -May 15. The Hutong, 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong. For more details, visit thehutong.com/blog/chinese-for-everyday-life.

Helloween & Stratovarius

Epic German power metal rockers, Helloween, team up with Finnish symphonic metal pioneers, Stratovarius, for a night of head-banging, crowd-moshing and guitar-shredding mayhem at The One club. Not for the faint of heart.

Mar 4, 7 pm. The One Club, No.5, 718 Art and Culture Zone, 19 Ganluyuan, Chaoyang district, 5914 8087.

Exclusive Experience

at Club Level

The Ritz-Carlton Beijing offers a Club Level package. Clients who stay a minimum of four nights can get one complimentary night, return airport transfer and all club privileges.

Rate is from 3, 000 yuan per room per night. The deal is valid until April 30, subject to room availability and 15% surcharge.

For more information or reservation, please call: 5908-8888.

(China Daily 03/01/2011 page)