Learning about Old Beijing over whiskey

Last night at Aluss Bar, Larsulrik Thom – he prefers people to use his Chinese name, Wu Sangui – a Danish man and owner of a postcard store, and Harold Broese, a Dutch manager of the import and distribution company XIX Spirit, held a whiskey party to honor Old Beijing.

Art you can buy

When talking about art, it’s easy to get hung up on names of masters and the famous pieces one only sees in museums. But Affordable Art Beijing, a two-day exhibition at 798 Art Zone held over the weekend, was all about bringing art – of all sorts – to the masses.

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Representing three different countries, three rock bands – Your Favorite Enemies (Canada), Subs (China), and The On Fires (Australia) – unite this Saturday at MAO Live House for the final performance of their China tour.

Bookstore promotes city’s amateur artists

A bookstore near Nanluogu Xiang is giving amateur artists the exposure they seek: a unique exhibition recently opened showing work from non-professional artists, potentially giving them the opportunity to venture into a new career.

One man’s trash is another man’s art

Drap-Art, an international festival for recycling, held its first event in China on May 6 – Recycling Art Exhibition, which displayed the best artwork from the International Recycling Art Festival of Catalonia in Instituto Cervantes.

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Aluss Art Photography Space will use music to take you on a journey to China’s far west. Listeners will be treated to a perfect blend of traditional sounds – horse-head fiddles, shamanic and African drums and throat-singing – with contemporary music. The venue features photography by Aluss and others.

French artists given grant to live and work in Beijing

Three French artists were chosen by the Association of Yishu 8 in Paris as the part of an inaugural program that brings French artists to live and work in Beijing.

Charity shop in financial straits

Brandnü – the “nü” is Chinese for “women” because the project aims to provide rural women with a brand new life – was established by Nathan Zhang in July 2009 in Wudaoying Hutong in Dongcheng District.

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The 2011 Ditan Folk Festival is back with more than 30 bands and a variety of well-known Chinese folk musicians. Whether you’re a fan of mountain ballads, Kazakh reggae or Irish folk, you’ll have a great time while relaxing on the grass.

New lit magazine hosts discussion on rural issues

A wave of literary magazines has recently emerged in China to promote social responsibility. Chutzpah!, launched earlier this month, is one example.