Music fest set to 'shake' Yanki Lake

During this Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Kempinski's Yanqi Hotel will host a dinner and dance extravaganza overlooking Yanqi Lake, with Shake the Lake International Music Festival bringing the best of boogie-woogie, swing and jazz music to the venue on Sept 16.

A recurring Austrian concert dating back to 1995, Shake the Lake is the largest and one of the most authentic European boogie-woogie festivals. The international music festival will be held under the theme of swinging 1930s Beijing, with organizers expecting that participants will enjoy preparing their "glad rags" in advance.

"Guests are encouraged to get in the mood with a 1930s dress code of glamor and sophistication," says Brice Pean, general manager of Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing & Yanqi Island. "The ladies might like to consider feather boas and a cute hat, while the gents need look no further than a white scarf and perhaps a silver-tipped cane." But he adds with a smile that guests are not obliged to be so extravagant.

The best musicians who specialize in the genre have been invited from all over the world to perform. The night is billed to feature the original line-up and orchestration from Austria's unique International Boogie Music Festival, with a highly acclaimed ensemble of musicians who have performed around the globe.

The Austrian lake Wolfgangsee, the original setting of the music festival, is known as the "source of happiness", from which life energy comes. Since 1995, it has been the home of the Shake the Lake spirit. "The Lake" is therefore the motto for this festival, which will focus on special lakeside sessions.

As a scenic site, Yanqi Lake, located at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains 8 km north of Huairou county, is a perfect destination to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

After Friday night, the hotel will also invite the artists to join the Jazz & Boogie Brunch that follows at Waterside on Sept 17, which includes a superb gourmet brunch with authentic live music while overlooking the beautiful Yanqi Lake.

Sunrise Kempinski Hotel Beijing & Yanqi Island is managed by Europe's oldest luxury hotel group.

camilla@chinadaily.com.cn