Performance
Festival classics
A traditional vocal concert featuring classic Chinese songs will be performed for the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the lunar New Year's first lunar month. The concert will include performances by eminent singers like Dai Yuqiang, Yang Hongji and Wang Xiufen. Songs will include The Running Water of the Yangtze River, Flowers and Lanterns, and Colorful Clouds Chase the Moon. 80-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Mar 3. Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District. 6605-7006.
Russian masters
The Symphony Orchestra of Russia will perform in Beijing, one stop on the orchestra's world tour. The orchestra performs more than 40 concerts a year and takes part in numerous international music festivals. Its repertoire includes works by Beethoven, Bach, Brahms and Debussy. 100-1,000 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 18. Poly Theater, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang District. 6506-5345.
African beats
The Henri Oguike Dance Company from Britain will begin its 2007 tour of China in the capital. Their performances draw inspiration from the blue sky of Africa and hot air of the desert. Founded by choreographer and dancer Oguike in 1999, the troupe combines the charm of dance, music and stage effects covering classic and avant-garde styles. The Pavao Quartet, a classic quartet from Britain, will also perform. 80-800 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 14,15. Tianqiao Theater, 30 Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District. 8315-6170.
Magic and martial arts
The China National Song and Dance Ensemble stages its newly rehearsed dance, Heroic Wind and Fine Pose. Bold attempts and brand-new choreography makes the show an overthrow of traditional Chinese dance and a dynamic visual performance that combines dance with martial arts, opera, magic and acrobatics. 7:30pm until Feb 16. Beizhan Theater, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District. 6835-4455.
Love dance
Jing Meng (startling dream) - Peony Pavilion, a modern dance will make its premiere at Valentine's Day. Brought by the Wang Yuanyuan Dance Studio, the performance is adapted from the masterpiece of Kun Opera Peony Pavilion written by Tang Xianzu, a dramatist of the Ming Dynasty. It narrates a romantic story where Du Liniang dies and is reborn for love. After 400 years, Peony Pavilion rises from the dust of history, crosses time and space, and is resurrected in a contemporary love story. Liniang's spirit, which traverses life and death in her dream, pursues her search for love and desire in the modern dance.
200-300 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 14-24. Beiqing Yingzhibao Theater, 2 Lize Donger Lu, Chaoyang District. 8589-1240, 64398559.
Divorce and dating
The stage play Dating My Ex-wife was hailed as a triumph when it debuted in Shanghai last year. The play tells the story of a divorced couple, who, after experiencing both happiness and sorrow, tie the knot again. The play has been praised for its staging and design. 80-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 8-11. Haidian Theater, 84 Haidian Lu. 6255-8026.
Messing with love
The play How Much Love Can We Mess Up? will be performed. Alterations have been made to the play, which takes its name from a pop song, to make it more interesting to audiences of different ages. With an interesting story line and the love theme, the cast are confident the play will be a hit. 180-880 yuan. 7:30 pm, Feb 13, 14. Haidian Theater, 84 Haidian Lu. 6255-8026.
Love is in the air
The China National Oriental Song & Dance Ensemble will stage a vocal concert featuring Chinese and Western classic love songs. The program includes Give Me a Rose, The Remote Place, Raising up Your Veil, Love Romance, Red Plum Blossom and Hawthorn Tree. 80-880 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 14. Great Theatre of China Nationalities, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District. 6602-2530.
Monkey magic and puppet power
The Real and Fake Monkey King puppet show will be staged over the winter vacation. The storyline comes from the Journey to the West, a classic novel telling the story of a Tang-Dynasty Buddhist monk's journey to India. One of his disciples, the Monkey King, becomes a hero as he fights ghosts and monsters on the way. The play tells the story of an ambitious monkey, who is jealous of the achievements of the Monkey King, tries to usurp him but is finally defeated. 50-240 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 3-11 at the China Puppet Theater, A1 Anhuali, Chaoyang District. 6425-4798.
The best of Broadway
The China Film Symphony Orchestra will stage a concert, performing pieces from Broadway musicals like The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and Beast, The Lion King, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Cats and Evita. 80-1,080 yuan. 7:30pm, Feb 11-20. Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District. 6605-7006.
Exhibitions
Ink innovation
A collection of works by Chinese ink painting masters of the early 20th century including Ren Bonian, Wu Changshuo, Qi Baishi and Huang Binhong will go on show. Their works focus on social changes and artistic innovation. Ren's flowers and birds emphasise the difference between color and ink; Wu's brushwork replaces the traditional delicate style with a simple and majestic strength; Qi started to use a realist style in his 70s; Huang's landscapes are of an abstract style. 20 yuan. 9am-5pm until Feb 27. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6401-7076.
Color infused
A group show of 60 artists displaying their new oil paintings. Zhang Donghong's works convey a misty and dreamy feel, blending Chinese philosophy with vivid colors. Lu Shun employs thin pigments to express a mysterious, melancholic mood with the beauty of religion. Jing Yuchao focuses on abstract composition, using cold tones of grey and blue. 10 yuan. 9 am-4 pm until Feb 15. Beijing Today International Gallery, 3rd Floor Beijing Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District. 5876-0600.
Wonders from Pompeii
More than 480 cultural relics unearthed from the ancient city of Pompeii will be displayed. Murals, sculptures, paintings, jewels, ornaments and daily utensils record the historical moment when the city was destroyed by volcano ash in 79 AD. It is only in the recent 200 years that archaeological discovery has disclosed the secrets of this city. 9am-5pm, Feb 15-May 7. Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, A9 Fuxinglu, Haidian District. 6851-3322.
Twisted world
A series of oil paintings by Bao Zhong, called Motley Dark, show the puzzlement and curiosity of the artist towards his surroundings. Bao transforms the inner spirit and dream into touchable objects. Under his brush, a fawn is dressed in human clothes and sits on a mushroom, a young boy climbs on the top of a monument, a monkey head is connected with an elegant body of a girl creatures live in a chain of twisted connections. Free. 10am-5pm, until Feb 11. Soka Art Centre, B-101 Tianhai Business Plaza, 107 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District. 8401-2377.
Rural serenity
Yang Xiaolu's oil paintings focus on landscapes in an orderly composition that convey a sense of calm and serenity. Free. 10am-5pm, until Feb 11. Original Gallery, inside Intech Wellness Centre, Moon River Private Club, 1 Hebin Lu, Tongzhou District. 8952-8955.
Inner reflections
Dozens of oil works by six artists show their respective styles. Hu Lihai employs symbols and small elements to present a changing and rotating notion. Ma Tieming boasts delicate and meticulous brushwork. Liu Shijian's garden series is touched with tradition. Xie Tian's works are soft and sweet with a kind of intoxicated effect. Yan Zhenqiang creates a peaceful feel through mountains and rivers. Luo Yi brings a complicated outside world into quiet focus with dynamic colored blocks and lines. Free. 10am-5:30pm, until Feb 15. East Gallery, 3F Deshengmen Watchtower, Bei Erhuan Zhonglu, Xicheng District. 8201-4962.
World of insects
Feng Shu's solo show, titled Post Period of Insects, reveals the micro world of insects. Spiders, dragonflies, mosquitoes and other creatures are amplified by Feng's brush strokes. The vivid colors, meticulous veins and lively composition contribute to an innocent feel. Free. 10:30am-6pm, until Feb 16. F2, 319 Caochangdi, Chaoyang District. 6432-8831.
Contemporary oils and sketches
An exhibition displays the oil works, ink paintings and sketches of a number of contemporary painters. Free. 10am-5pm, Feb 1-16. Melodic Gallery, 14 Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 6515-8123.
Scarlet bites
Liu Yuan's latest collection of oil paintings, called Frontal Attack and Backbite, employs scarlet as the main color, with the exhibits appearing bloody and terrifying. Free. 10am-6pm, until Feb 16. Beijing Art Season, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District.
(China Daily 02/07/2007 page12)
