Beijing

Two exhibitions to mark CPC anniversary

Two exhibitions to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China are being held until July 10 at the gallery attached to the Auditorium of the National People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing.

The photo exhibition features more than 60 works by the revolutionary couple Hou Bo and her husband Xu Xiaobing, famous for their photos of Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De, from the 1930s to the 70s.

The calligraphy show presents some 90 works done in running script by young artist Zhou Pengfei.

Zhou is noted for his imitation of the unique style created by Mao, who was also a poet and calligrapher.

After their Beijing debut, the exhibitions will tour major cities closely associated with the Chinese revolution such as Changsha of Hunan province, Guiyang of Guizhou province, and Nanchang and Ruijin of Jiangxi province.

10 am-5 pm, until July 10. 23 Beitaipingqiao Dajie, Xicheng district. 010-6619-3674, 010-6619-3617

Crosstalk bonanza to feature veterans

Eighteen xiangsheng, or crosstalk, performers from Tianjin will present a 200-minute show at Beijing Exhibition Center Theater on July 9.

Combining well-known anecdotes from history with current affairs, the show promises to be a laugh.

Zhao Jinsheng, a student of late xiangsheng master Ma Sanli, will share the stage with 75-year-old cross talk veteran Liu Wenbu, and CCTV regular Liu Junjie.

7:30 pm, July 9. 135 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng district. 010-6417-7845, 400-610-3721

Realistic oils and inks at solo shows

The Mobo Art Gallery in eastern Beijing is hosting two solo shows of realistic oil painter Wu Jinghan and veteran ink artist Yuan Bo.

On display are more than 30 oil portraits of rural youths by Wu and around 40 ink depictions of lotus flowers, rendered in an Impressionist style by Yuan.

10 am-5 pm, until July 17. The Mobo Art Gallery, Section D, Yihaodi International Art Space, Cuigezhuang village, Chaoyang district. 010-64317767

US-settled Chinese artist on mainland tour

Veteran oil painter Wang Xinsheng, now living in the United States, is on a tour of the mainland. Its first leg in Beijing begins at the Today Art Museum.

On show are more than 40 of his latest works, with depictions ranging from the Tibetan people and earthquake victims in Sichuan province, to American street artists, Chinese landscapes, and historical figures such as Dr Sun Yat-sen.

10 am-5:30 pm, until July 15. Today Art Museum, 2/F, 32 Baiziwanlu, Chaoyang district. 010-5876-0600

Shanghai

Presenting the night of April 11, 1927

The play Shanghai Night is adapted from a true incident that took place on the night of April 11, 1927, when a young Communist sacrificed her life to save former premier Zhou Enlai.

A story full of suspense, it revolves around four people trapped in a house. The director, Su Leci, says he wanted to present the stories of Chinese revolutionaries through a convincing play.

7:30 pm, July 29-Aug 7. Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center, 288 Anfu Road. 021-6473-4567

Taiwan folk rock comes to town

Sodagreen, an independent folk-rock-pop band from Taiwan is holding a concert later this month.

The band is known for its main vocalist and songwriter Wu Tsing-fong, who stands out with his androgynous style and wide vocal range.

7:30 pm, July 23. Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Road N. 021-6217-2426

JonOne the one to see for graffiti art

JonOne is one of the first to be recognized from the early New York Street art scene.

He differs from other graffiti artists not only in his abstract style and unique calligraphy, but also his talent as a colorist.

For his new exhibition at 18Gallery, JonOne pushes his own limits and will go 3D with an explosion of colors constructing a giant set of colored shapes.

11 am-9 pm, until August 25. 18 Gallery, 4F, 18 Zhongshan Road E1. 021-6323-8099

Bilingual Elmo story returns to the stage

A live stage show of the Sesame Street story, Elmo's Green Thumb, will be presented in both Chinese and English. The English version will come with Chinese subtitles.

The musical combines a puppet show, with live song and dance, and multi-media technology.

More than 50 million children and their parents have enjoyed the live show in the past 30 years.

In Chinese: 7:15 pm, July 28, 31, Aug 1-3 2:15 pm, July 30. In English: 7:15 pm, July 29-31. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Road. 021-6217-2426

US glass artist and his view of harmony

Steven Weinberg, a glass artist from the United States, is holding his debut exhibition in China, at the newly opened Shanghai Museum of Glass. Weinberg has been working on glass art for the past 35 years.

"My purpose is to achieve harmony in a world that has spun out of control," he says.

At the same time, more artworks by Weinberg will be on display at the Glaze Gallery together with creations by a Chinese artist Wang Qin.

9:30 am-4:30 pm, until Oct 6, closed on Mondays. Shanghai Museum of Glass, 685 Changjiang Road W. 021-66181970

10 am-5 pm, until Oct 6. Glaze Gallery, 4F, 244 Liaoning Road

China Daily