Listings

SHOW

War Horse in Shanghai

Date: Dec 5-Jan 17 - 7:15 pm

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

Price: 80-880 yuan

War Horse is a play based on the book of the same name by children's writer Michael Morpurgo, adapted for stage by Nick Stafford. Originally Morpurgo thought "they must be mad" to try to make a play from his best-selling 1982 novel; nonetheless, the play was a success. The play's West End and Broadway productions are directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris; it features life-size horse puppets by the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, with "horse choreography" by Toby Sedgwick. The Guardian's Michael Billington wrote in his review: Elliott and Morris recreate the kaleidoscopic horror of war through bold imagery, including the remorseless advance of a manually operated tank, and through the line-drawings of Rae Smith projected on to a suspended screen. Admittedly the performers are somewhat eclipsed by the action ... The joy of the evening, however, lies in the skilled recreation of equine life and in its unshaken belief that mankind is ennobled by its love of the horse. The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout praised the puppetry, but gave mixed reactions to the play: "The fundamental flaw of 'War Horse' is that Nick Stafford, who wrote the script 'in association' (that's how the credit reads) with South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, has taken a book that was written for children and tried to give it the expressive weight of a play for adults. Not surprisingly, Mr. Morpurgo's plot can't stand the strain. Dramatic situations that work perfectly well in the context of the book play like Hollywood cliches onstage. In the first act, the craftsmanship is so exquisite that this doesn't matter much, but things go downhill fast after intermission. The really big problem is the last scene, about which, once again, the drama critics' code commands silence. This much must be said, though: A play that is so forthright about the horrors of war owes its audience a more honest ending."

Contact: 400-610-3721

Xandria 2015 China Tour

Date: Dec 18 - 8:30 pm

Venue: Tango, Beijing

Price: 230-470 yuan

Xandria is a German symphonic metal band, founded by Marco Heubaum in 1994. The band's music combines elements of symphonic metal with light electronic elements. After various demos and great success on different MP3 portals, they released their first album in 2003, entitled Kill the Sun, which reached No 98 on the German music charts. The follow-up album, Ravenheart (2004), stayed on the charts for seven weeks, reaching No 36. In 2005 they released their third album, India, which reached No. 30 on the German charts. Xandria began recording their fourth album, Salome - The Seventh Veil, on Dec 14, 2006. It was released on May 25, 2007 and reached No 41 on the German charts. Lisa Middelhauve resigned on April 30, 2008 citing personal reasons and discomfort in being the band's frontwoman. The band found a new singer in February 2009, Kerstin Bischof a.k.a. Lakonia, best known for her collaborations with the band Axxis. However, after just one year Kerstin Bischof decided to leave the band to concentrate on a different career, and Middelhauve replaced her for a series of concerts in Summer 2010. On Dec 19, 2010, Xandria announced the addition of 29-year-old female singer Manuela Kraller to the group's ranks. Manuela Kraller made her live debut at the "Classic Meets Pop" event on Jan 7, 2011 at the Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld, Germany. On Feb 5 the band announced on their website and Facebook page their new bass player Steven Wussow, along with the message that they will enter the studio again for their next studio album the same year. Neverworld's End was released on Feb 24, 2012. As of Oct 25, 2013, the band announced on their website that Manuela Kraller had left the band to pursue a different career and announced Dutch Ex Libris singer Dianne van Giersbergen as their new vocalist.

Contact: 400-610-3721

Dance Ballet - The Fire of Anatolia

Date: Dec 18-23 - 7:15 pm

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Price: 180-1,080 yuan

A synthesis of hundreds of folk dances and music from different regions, Fire of Anatolia is a unique project whose source is Anatolia's ancient mythological and cultural history. Produced by Mustafa Erdogan, the group hopes to introduce the world to the fire that arises from the ancient Anatolian mosaic of love, cultural history and peace. Fire of Anatolia, which is regarded as one of the world's best dance groups, thanks to countless international tours, has taken great steps in realizing this goal. In 1999 Mustafa Erdogan started work intensively on the project then known as Sultans of the Dance. Audition announcements were placed in newspapers and 90 talented young dancers were selected from 750 applicants to begin work immediately. The company generally rehearsed eight hours a day, but up to 16 hours. Costumes were created and music was composed. Dancers took theoretical instruction on the notation of Anatolian rhythms. The group worked night and day under the supervision of dieticians, estheticians, exercise and massage specialists. Folk dances, ballet and modern dance were the center of training, and stretching and yoga were also incorporated. This first period of creation lasted a year and a half. The show was scheduled to tour abroad after just a few performances in Turkey. After selling out months in advance, however, it was decided to stay longer in the country. Starting its first world tour in 2002, Fire of Anatolia has met art-lovers in numerous countries around the world, including Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Israel, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Egypt, Jordan, Hungary, Italy, North Cyprus, Siberia, South Korea, Qatar, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Russia, Japan, Mexico and Greece. Fire of Anatolia, rich with culture and the magic of dance, became the first dance group to perform in China's parliament building. The group has also performed for an audience of 400,000, all standing, in Eregli, near the Black Sea, and holds the title for 'Largest Audience' in the Guinness Book of World Records because of it. Fire of Anatolia was also the first group to perform in the Bodrum Antique Theatre after 2300 years.

Contact: 400-610-3721

Fairy Tale Musical: The Seven Young Goats and the Wolf

Date: Dec 18-20 - 2:30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Children Art Theater

Price: 80-480 yuan

Adapted from the classical Grimms' fairy tale into an easily digestible and educational stage play, the Seven Young Goats and the Wolf, with adorable puppet costumes, gorgeous stage effects, melodious songs and refined performances, bring children much inspiration. This lively story teaches children how to identify risks, to avoid being cheated and to protect themselves from being harmed. Children will learn the immensity of maternal love and the power that courage can bring. The play also tells children the importance of getting along with others and respecting those with different values. Children will quickly be drawn in by this compelling story.

Contact: 400-610-3721

NIGHTLIFE

Aussie Christmas Party

Date: Dec 11 - 6:30 pm

Venue: Grand Hyatt

Price: 180-230 yuan

Supported by CPA Australia, ACYA and ACYPI, the Aussie Community in Beijing will be treated to Christmas themed-mouthwatering buffet stations, cheap drinks and a live band busting out Christmas Carols.

Contact: events@austcham.org

Beijing Doors

Date: Dec 6 - 9 pm

Venue: Jianghu Bar

Price: 40-50 yuan

The Beijing Doors open a spiritual gateway into the Summer of Love and its subsequent collapse into violence and disillusionment. In 1968, at the height of the Cultural Revolution, the United States was undergoing its own revolution, fueled by psychellic experiences, sexual freedom and radical politics. Jim Morrison and the Doors created a soundtrack for the era with both catchy pop tunes and extended, mind expanding jams. The Beijing Doors capture the virtuosity, improvisation and original spirit of this highly experimental band. Carlo Fuentes is the keyboardist/bassist and backing vocalist for The Beijing Doors. He discovered The Doors digging through his parents' old albums as a child. Carlo is also the drummer for Djang San + Band and The Harridans. Lead singer Chris Hawke also plays banjo and leads square dances in the Hutong Yellow Weasels. He is an illegitimate son of Jim Morrison. Guitarist Robin Liu can also be found making obscene noise in the harridans, 16mins and other projects. And ladies, he likes delay. Lots of it. Drummer Fiach O' Briain can also be spotted in various jazz clubs around Beijing where he listens out for the scream of the butterfly.

Contact: 010-6586-9507

After Hour

Date: Dec 6 - 9:30 pm

Venue: Boombar

Price: 30 yuan

Revival of Beijing's queer night. Find passion unconditionally in After Hour! No matter who you define yourself as, meet your match and have a cheeky chat over our fancy mixed drinks and our high end intimate environment. Experience the spectrum with the magic of Hip-hop.

Contact: 185-1839-9053

STRFKR

Date: Dec 13 - 9 pm

Venue: Yugong Yishan

Price: 180-240 yuan

STRFKR is an Indietronica band from American. In recent years, STRFKR has transformed from solely representing the work of principal songwriter Josh Hodges into a trio rounded out by bassist Shawn Glassford and drummer Keil Corcoran. After the release of their 3rd proper album, Miracle Mile, in 2013, the band rose to new heights, with highlights including: debuting on the Billboard Top 200 for the first time, making their network television debut and playing Coachella Music Festival in 2014. As well, their single "While I'm Alive" was featured in the hit movie The Fault In Our Stars and was also included on the film's soundtrack. The past two years have also seen STRFKR's live show grow to become one of the most talked about live performances of any band on the road-a non-stop dance party that features costume changes, streamer guns, astronauts, aliens, and sumo wrestlers in addition to a giant inflatable raft that the band and their dancers ride through their sweat drenched crowds.

Contact: 010-6404-2711

SPORTS

Style+Air Snowboarding

Date: Dec 5 - 3:30 pm

Venue: Beijing National Stadium

Price: 99-699 yuan

Get hyped-up for the 2022 Winter Games by watching professional snowboarders get some serious air! And by serious air, I mean pushing the boundaries of what's humanly possible - such as doing a backside triple cork 1440.

Contact: 400-610-3721

The Beijing Warlord Tour

Date: Through Dec 26 (Every Saturday) - 2 pm

Venue: Newman Tours

Price: 120-190 yuan

Step back in time to Beijing's chaotic Warlord Era on this tour of Beijing's wild political and military history. The guide will take you through the city's most historic hutong, and share stories on the political treachery and assassinations that took place in 1920's Beijing. You'll also learn how to baptize an army in less than five minutes and how to remember the names of your concubines.

Contact: 138-1777-0229

ACTIVITIES

Mobile M+: Live Art

Date: Dec 5-20 - All day

Venue: multiple locations in Hong Kong

Price: Free

M+, Hong Kong's future museum for 20th and 21st century visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District, will present Mobile M+: Live Art, a series of cross-disciplinary public performance art events and exhibitions taking place at 8 different locations around the city which aim at exploring aspects of 'liveness' in contemporary art. Mobile M+: Live Art, the 9th project in the acclaimed series prior to the opening of M+ in 2019, expands the definition of the work of art from a static object to a situation, where the main medium is the artist or performer's body and looks to voice, breath, movement and physical effort as channels of artistic expression. Set across multiple sites in Hong Kong and spread over 17 days from 4 to 20 December, the show will include 10 artists of different generations from Hong Kong and South China, as well as Korea, Singapore and the United States. "Mobile M+: Live Art will not only challenge the conventional practices of both exhibition and performance, but also reflects the increasingly boundary-crossing, multidisciplinary practices of contemporary artists, who have long expanded their art making beyond galleries and exhibition halls into theatrical stages and public spaces," said Doryun Chong, Chief Curator for M+ and Co-curator for this exhibition. Scattered throughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, live events and exhibition displays will be embedded in diverse neighborhoods. Encompassing staged performances in a theater setting, outdoor actions and interventions as well as displays of artworks doubling as performance documentation, Mobile M+: Live Art will feature a wide assortment of works dating from the mid-1990s to the present day. Venues: 1. Connecting Space Hong Kong (G/F, Wah Kin Mansion, 18-20 Fort Street, North Point, Hong Kong); 2. Multimedia Theater, School of Creative Media, City University (Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, 18 Tat Hong Avenue, Kowloon Tong); 3. Theater 2, Sunbeam Theater (423 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong); 4. Tim Mei Avenue footbridge, Admiralty, Hong Kong (6.12) West Kowloon Cultural District (11&12.12); 5. Cattle Depot Artist Village (Unit 12, 63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon); 6. Exhibition Hall, Sheung Wan Civic Center (6/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen's Road, Hong Kong).

Website: westkowloon.hk/liveart

(China Daily 12/05/2015 page20)