Our Events Watch series aims to highlight happenings that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, dinners, and more.
Monday, Oct 9
Poetry Reading Featuring Us Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith
For the first time ever, The Bookworm will host a reading for the current United States poet laureate. Tracy K. Smith, named US poet laureate in June, will headline an eight-poet reading that includes award-winning Mexican poet/translator Mario Bojórquez, prolific Chinese poet/artist Yi Lei, and renowned poet/translator Ming Di. Rounding out the lineup are community poets who are active in and have made significant contributions to the local creative arts scene and host Anthony Tao. RMB 50. 7.30pm. The Bookworm.
Tuesday, Oct 10
Tabula Rasa Gallery: One Eighth of the Narrative by Julia Long
The Tabula Rasa Gallery hosts Julia Long’s (龙荻, Lóng Dí) first solo exhibition in China. EntitledOne Eighth of the Narrative, it draws on the artist’s childhood in the art world and travels throughout the US and China, holding up a mirror to her multiple identities. Described as a wearing many hats – artist, journalist, columnist, podcast anchor, historian, Chinese native, American university graduate – Julia Long has sat at the forefront of the world in many respects, documenting both it and her place within it. Free. Tabula Rasa Gallery.
Wednesday, Oct 11
One More Thing Before I Go: Meet John Cobb Jr.
If there was ever and a time and a place to focus on the environment and humanity's responsibility to preserve it, it's right here, right now. The preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology, author of more than fifty books, John Cobb Jr. was elected the to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014 and will give a talk at The Bookworm on Wednesday on ecological interdependence – the idea that every part of the ecosystem is reliant on all the other parts. Cobb is well-known for his transdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from many different areas of study and bringing different specialized disciplines into fruitful communication. RMB 50. 7.30pm. The Bookworm.
Thursday, Oct 12
Luo Yang's GIRLS
Born in Liaoning province's capital of Shenyang, Luo Yang travels around China, and occasionally Europe, taking photos of Asian women. Now, alongside pop-up gallery organizer MO-Industries and crowdfunded via Kickstarter, Luo Yang has selected 80 of her favorite GIRLS images to make up her second book. To see a selection of the works that will make up Luo Yang's new book, The Opposite House and MO-Industries will open an exhibition in the ground level and basement atriums on Oct 12 at 6.30pm, which will run until Oct 24. Read our interview with the artist here. Free. 6.30pm. The Opposite House.
Friday, Oct 13
Hugoeast Screening: The Second Sex
UCCA Friday Cinema's theme this month is "The Second Sex," inspired by Simone De Beauvoir’s eponymous polemic written in 1949. This film screening series focuses on the rights and social status of women, and explores contemporary female living conditions. All ten directors of these films are women, and so are the screenwriters. Among these films, Petersburg. A Selfie is a combination of seven short stories directed by seven female directors. Most members of the film crew for The Levelling were female, whereas We Used to Be Cool is a story centered on a female director. This series provides the audience with a set of unique perspectives in order to delve into the subjectivity of these creative female directors. All films are either in English or subtitled in English. RMB 30 (single ticket), RMB 100 (all four screenings). 7.30pm. UCCA.
Saturday, Oct 14
Clown Animal Carnival
If your desire to swerve the sauce extends even to Saturday, we recommend you skip the sleaze of the club and take it in the completely opposite direction: to the pure innocence of a combined dogs-and-clowns performance. The description of the event is nearly as strange as the photos provided, promising that "Their funny humorous stage performances will lead you to the mysterious forest hinterland, full of laughter along the path of adventure and accompanied by thrilling and exciting." Going to see this show will almost definitely break up the monotony of your weekend ritual (unless you're a frequent patron of animal and clown performances, in which case you're a weirdo and we love you). RMB 80-580. 7.30pm. Haidian Theater.
Images courtesy of the organizers