What's on

Beijing

The Monkey King, the brand-new stage adaptation of the legends Journey to the West , combines Chinese kungfu, dance, acrobatics and drama.

Director Chen Weiya takes the pick of the episodes in the pilgrimage and put them into six breathtaking acts: Birth of Monkey, Fight In Heaven, The White Skeleton Demon, The Spider Woman and Volcano City.

7:30 pm, Feb 4-13

14 Dongzhimen Nandajie Street, Dongcheng district

5820-3366, 5820-3536, 8421-6764

A group exhibition with video works from 10 artists is being presented, and the participants will give a series of lectures. Artist Sun Xun will be the first to introduce his works. Sun's main oeuvre consists of a series of animated films in black and white, in which he explores how history is constructed and narrated. His selected works Shock of Time are filled with old newspapers and publications from the 1950s, revealing the artist's views on history.

11 am-6 pm, until Feb 22

ShangArt Gallery, 261 Caochangdi, Chaoyang district

6432-3202

The exhibition includes the Zhihua Temple Buddhist bell, other ancient bells, drums, Buddhist sutras, scriptures and a history of the temple. Visitors can also enjoy Buddhist music.

8:30 am-4:30 pm

Zhihua Temple, 5 Lumicang Hutong, Dongcheng district

6525-3670

The nation's largest ever exhibition of top-quality arts and crafts works are on show. Divided into ten categories, including jade carving, wood sculpture, embroidery, ceramics, lacquer wares and metal works, the 350 exhibits have been picked from more than 2,000 entries and are creations from the country's most prestigious master craftsmen, says Wang Shan of the China Arts and Crafts Association, a key organizer of the event.

9 am-5 pm, until Feb 10

National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district

6401-7076

Shanghai

As one of China's most celebrated contemporary playwrights, Stan Lai became box-office gold after the popularity of his drama Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land. This year, Lai will follow up with Light Years, his original experimental musical about the changes that greeted the introduction of black and white TV to mainland China.

7:15 pm, Feb 7, 8

Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Avenue

021-6386-8686

Pianist and composer Huang Jianyi founded the Footprints Jazz Band in 1999. He has performed at New York's Blue Note club, most recently at the Montreal Jazz Festival, as well as the 2007 JZ festival.

3 pm, Feb 8

Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu

021-3842-4800

The contemporary art exhibition I. Myself has gathered paintings, installations and photographs from four young artists born in the 1970s.

Fan Anxiang, San Shui, Yang Fei and Shao Qiang all recall that decade from their own unique perspective.

10 am-6 pm, Feb 7-March 6

Spring Gallery, 5, Lane 209 Nanchang Lu

021-6473-7578

Liang Ching-ju is one of the most popular female singers in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

Originally from Malaysia, Liang has spent the last five years spreading her fame across Asia. This year will be her third Valentine's Day on stage in Shanghai and her sweet voice will be suitably soothing.

7:30 pm, Feb 14

Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 N. Caoxi Lu

021-6438-4952

Guangzhou

Classical, jazz, American country music will all be played in a concert, Rhapsody in Blue, which is a part of the Brilliant Chinese Musician Series. Famous Chinese-American conductor Lin Wangjie will conduct the concert.

8 pm, Feb 21

Symphony Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island

020-8737-2222

Ballet drama, Yellow River and Butterfly Lovers, will be presented by the Guangzhou ballet troupe on Valentine's Day and the day after.

Yellow River is based on piano symphony music and was adapted into a ballet drama by the National Ballet of China. Butterfly Lovers is a Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet.

8 pm, Feb 14, 15

Beilei Theater, Children's Palace of Guangzhou, 167 Dongfengxi Lu

020-8136-0560

(China Daily 02/04/2009 page8)