Musical trio jazzes up Nine Gates fest

Pianist Xia Jia will perform with bass player Zhang Ke and drummer Bei Bei. The trio will perform jazz standards and some of their own compositions. Their performance is part of the Nine Gates Jazz Festival this year in Beijing, which aims to promote local jazz talents and their original compositions, as well as spreading the pleasures of jazz among Chinese music fans.

9 pm, Sept 16. East Shore Live Jazz Caf, 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyan Lu, Dongcheng district

Black Rabbit music fest launches

After years of planning, the Black Rabbit Music Festival will debut on Sept 17 and 18, simultaneously in Beijing and Shanghai. Mooted by Taihe Live and Split Works, the inaugural festival gathers stellar Chinese and international musicians, including 30 Seconds to Mars, Ludacris, Yellocard, and mainland rockers P.K14 and Carsick Cars. The two-day event will also see a fusion of music and basketball, with the NBA Street Jam featuring basketball stars Tim Hardaway and Sam Perkins.

Noon, Sept 17, at Beijing Chao-yang Sports Center, 77 Yaojiayuan Lu, Chaoyang district.

Noon, Sept 18, at Shanghai Rugby Football Club. Zhangyang Bei Lu, near Wuzhou Avenue, Pudong. 400-610-3721

Classical dance from India

The Embassy of India will present an Odissi dance performance by celebrated Indian classical dancer Sangeetha Rajan. As one of the eight classical dance forms of India, Odissi is renowned for soft flowing movements backed by soothing lyrics. The dance can be traced back to the 2nd century BC and is often depicted in temple sculptures.

5:30 pm, Sept 11. No 1101-03, 11th floor, East Tower, LG Twin Towers, No B-12, Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang district. 010-6532-4683

Artists with the Force

Professors and graduates of the PLA Academy of Art will gather for a group show to mark the 30th anniversary of the academy's founding. On display are 333 works of ink and wash, oils, prints, photos and sculptures created by 200 artists. Also on show are 13 prize-winning works depicting historical moments and political figures of modern China.

9 am-5 pm, until Sept 12. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district. 010-8403-3500

Liu Wei - latest installations

Young Beijing artist Liu Wei is showing Myriad Beings, his latest exhibition of installations, at Today Art Museum. The 38-year-old is fluent in a variety of media and "his works often describe a sentiment of excess, corruption, and aggression reflective of cultural anxiety," according to American critic Lise Movius.

10 am-5:30 pm, until Sept 12. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwanlu, Chaoyang district. 010-5876-0600

Art auction of rare vintage pieces

Get a preview of the 27th Guardian Quarterly auction of more than 4,000 works of ink calligraphy, ink and oil paintings, ceramics, vintage furnishings and rare books. Highlights include relics and manuscripts that reveal a chapter of the 1911 Revolution. The auction will be held from Sept 17-20, at the same venue.

9:30 am-6 pm, Sept 14-16. Beijing International Hotel, 9 Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng district. 010-6512-6688