Future of opera

Select audiences have the chance to experience the innovative China National Grand Theater, which is running test performances until October 13, Beijing Youth Daily reported. The theater's egg-shaped design is the work of French architect Paul Andreu. Situated west of Tian'anmen Square, an 80 meter underground gallery leads to a huge lobby and then to the 2,398 seat Opera House, and a concert hall seating 2,019. A series of shows staged from September 25 to October 13 to test the equipment, includes Teahouse by Beijing People's Art Theater, Swan Lake by the National Ballet of China.

Autumn colors fall

Beijing lays on the color this season with displays of red autumn leaves conjuring beautiful scenes at the Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan). The Red Autumn Leaves Culture Festival is held from October 12 to November 4. Leaves of the massive maple trees in the mountains glow warm hues of red in the sunlight on the hills. According to a Beijing Municipal Bureau of Parks gardener, maple tree leaves turn from green to red when the difference in temperature between day and night reaches 10 degrees Celsius. This year's high rainfall provides even better conditions for the trees to put on their pretty natural show. To get there, take bus No 698, 714, 630, or 318.

Touch of luxury

More than 60 top-notch brands turned out to show their luxurious wares at last week's 3-day Top Essence exhibition in the capital. Italian fashion house Kiton joined the European silver brand Christofle, which has served kings of Saudi Arabia and Monaco, Bill Gates, Tom Cruise and Sharon Stone. Gibson guitars, Spyder motorbikes and super yacht brand Sea-Doo were also on show. Top Essence is a large-scaled production originating from the riches of Monaco. It made its debut in Shanghai in 2005.

Click art

Art Cool - an online art village - threw open its virtual doors this month. The brainchild of Beijing Guardian Online Auctions Company on September 17, the Chinese website introduces young Chinese artists' works in an online exhibition column, and provides an open forum for free discussion between professional and amateur art critics. It also has an event listings page with latest details on happenings in local art spheres. Www.artcool.com has its own circle of artists, and serves as a channel between artists and the market.

Piece of Games history

Games collectors can now own their own piece of Beijing's famed National Stadium, with BOCOG's recent release of models of the Bird's Nest made of steel left over from construction of the venue. The models are now on sale at the flagship Olympic franchised store in Gongmei Emporium, Beijing Daily reported. This limited series of models outlines the detailed structures of the Olympic centerpiece venue, plus surrounding landscape, track and field. Priced from 900-4,000 yuan , with small, medium and large sizes available.

Designs on the dragon

The search is on for designers to create a dragon worthy of adorning the Olympic Green forest park. Plans are afoot for the sculpture of a dragon, a symbolic creature in Chinese history said to express the ideas of unity, balance, strength and courage. Organized by The Chinese Cultural Link Project Committee, under the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a global bid has been launched to find designers for the sculpture. Send designs to libr@bjhuajia.com.cn by December 31.

Thai surprise

The Thai Festival is set to bring exotic flavor to Beijing's CBD ahead of the National day, September 29 and 30 from 11am to 9pm at The Place Shopping Mall. A highlight of this free event is a cultural performance by a professional Thai art troupe flown in from Chiang Mai. They will perform both traditional and modern style dances. Spicy and authentic Thai cuisine made by some 15 Thai restaurants in Beijing will be served, while Thai fruits, such as durian, mangosteens, and longans, will also be available.

Butts out

Beijing government will ban smoking in cabs from October 1 to back up its plan for a smoke-free Olympic Games, Beijing Times reported. According to Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, neither taxi drivers nor passengers may smoke. Both face fines for breaching the rules, though penalties are yet to be announced. A set of regulations extends the smoking ban to Olympic venues, athletes' accommodation areas, and vehicles assigned to serve the event. Sales of cigarettes would also be banned at all venues, and training and accommodation areas.

(China Daily 09/27/2007 page19)