Beijing

Rock-themed paintings

Female artist Wu Yang embraces a style similar to Super-Realism in her oil paintings. She creates illusive images, such as the extensive land, distant mountains and boundless seashore, and among them as the center of her works are rocks. The cold, hard rocks, either piling up on the beach or floating in mid-air, are wrapped by delicate, soft clothing in a variety of colors and patterns. Her current solo exhibition displays these rock-themed paintings, sculptures and videos, in which she blended her life in Canada and past experiences as a cotton print designer and later, fashion designer.

10 am-6 pm, until Sept 22. 1/F, Building 3 of Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5876-0600 Ext 100. Ticket: 20 yuan.

Encore for a peacock

Peacock, the much-loved and anticipated dance drama choreographed, directed and led by the "peacock princess" Yang Liping, will stage another round in Beijing. The drama was designed as the farewell performance of the 55-year-old. The dance drama will follow four seasons of a bird's life and explore the symbolic themes of growing up, love and humanity.

7:30 pm, Sept 21-25. Poly Theater, Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6500-1188.

The Killers coming for debut

Multi-platinum-selling rock band The Killers will perform for the first time in China as part of the 2012-2013 world tour. The Grammy-nominated band from Las Vegas launched in 2002 and shone in the indie scene in 2003 with their smash hit Mr. Brightside. Consisting of vocalist and keyboardist Brandon Flowers, guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci, The Killers have sold more than 15 million copies of their three albums. The concert is named after the fourth album, Battle Born, which was released in 2012.

8 pm, Oct 1. MasterCard Center (the former Wukesong Arena), 69 Fuxing Road, Haidian district, Beijing. 8 pm. Oct 3. Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Expo Avenue, Shanghai. 400-610-3721.

Beauty in artist's eye

The Meilidao International Art Institution is presenting a group exhibition of 10 young Chinese oil painters. The 10 artists are Peng Si, Mo Han, Zeng Chuanxing, Zhou Song, Liu Xiangdong, Xue Guangchen, Zhao Xinyu, Zhong Qinghua, Li Liang and Xiao Fangkai. Although their styles and painting techniques are very different, their art goals all draw on the pursuit of pure beauty. Curator Peng Feng says beauty has gradually been returning to contemporary art since the beginning of the 21st century.

10 am to 6 pm, until Sept 24. Meilidao International Art Institution, 22 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5826-3255.

Shanghai

Showcase of up-and-comers

Surge Art Fair is currently being held in Shanghai, showcasing hundreds of works of art from up-and-coming artists from home and abroad. Aimed at building a platform for high-quality artwork at affordable prices, the annual festival is free of charge. All works displayed at the fair are priced under 30,000 yuan ($4,800). The festival will move to Chengdu, Sichuan province, and take place at Dongjiao Jiyi, at the Eastern District Music Park, from Oct 1-5.

10 am-6 pm, Sept 18-22. 800 Show Creative Industry Park, 800 Changde Road, Jing'an district, Shanghai. 021-5213-8000.

It's a dog's life

The protagonist of the play Hi Mick is a dog, played by the mainland actor Peng Ziheng. The play tells about a dog that has dedicated its life to a family. It's a heart-warming story about love and companionship. The play is based on a story by Taiwan writer Tsai Chih-heng. Li Chung-hsi, head of Taiwan Drama Performance, has directed the production, a joint project of Taiwan Drama Performance with Beijing's Zheteng Culture Co Ltd.

7:30 pm, Sept 17-29. Studio D6, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center, 6F, 288 Anfu Road Shanghai. 021-6473-0123.

Art reflects life

An exhibition titled Reflections, featuring established artists such as Ye Yongqing, Qiu Zhijie, Sun Liang and Guan Huaibin is on show. The curator Liao Liao believes artists' creations are their response to life and society, as well as a reflection of themselves. "They not only deal with the real world, but more importantly, the world of reason, in their works," he says.

10 am-6 pm, until Sept 29. 99 Creative Center of the Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University, 1F, Building 6 M50, 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo district, Shanghai. 021-2420-9822.

Guangzhou

Getting brassy

Presidio, a brass quintet from the United States, will be a treat for fans of Hollywood in Guangzhou, with their show Sounds of the Cinema. Famous songs from the silver screen, including themes from Star Wars and A Space Odyssey, will be played by the upbeat combination of a brass quintet, piano and percussion. Presidio was formed in 2006 and quickly achieved success. It has performed in more than 40 states across the US.

8 pm, Sept 21. Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Road, Ersha Island, Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-8735-3869.

British style on high street

The British Council has invited Simon Kneen, the creative director of fashion brand Banana Republic, to tour four Chinese cities from Sept 22 to look at high street fashion and talk about the brand's exciting cooperation with designer Issa London, a favorite of Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton. Kneen has worked in the fashion industry for more than 30 years. Young fashion lovers in Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai and Guangzhou now have the opportunity to consult the veteran on how to combine luxury elegance with popular styles at affordable prices.

7:30 pm-9 pm, Sept 27. Fangsuo Commune, TaiKoo Hui Shopping Mall, 383 Tianhe Road, Tianhe district, Guangzhou. 020-3868-2327.

Quick pick

La Traviata at Guangzhou

Verdi's opera classic La Traviata will intoxicate the audience with its glamorous costumes, magnificent stage settings and passionate toasting song, one of the world's most famous opera melodies. Joined by conductor Daniel Oren, the version to be staged at Guangzhou Opera House is co-presented with the UK Royal Opera House, whose production of La Traviata has been acclaimed since it debuted in 1994. The three-act opera tells a sad story about how misunderstanding and class consciousness sour the brave romance between a socialite and an aristocrat.

8 pm, Sept 27-28. 7 pm, Sept 29. Opera Hall of Guangzhou Opera House, Exit B1 of Zhujiang New Town subway station, the interchange of Line 3 and 5, Guangzhou. 020-3839-2888.

- Xu Jingxi

China Daily

(China Daily 09/18/2013 page18)