Beijing

Gothic rock

The German Gothic rock band Lacrimas Profundere will perform in Beijing on the final stop of its first concert tour in China. The 19-year-old band, whose name means "to shed tears" in Latin, combines angst and rock 'n' roll and creates a unique music style.

It is frequently on music bulletin boards around Europe and has cooperated with top producers both in Germany and overseas.

7 pm, March 4. Tango Club, 79 Heping Xijie, Dongcheng district. 400-6103-3721

Russian music revisited

Russian composer Valery Gergiev will lead the London Symphony Orchestra in a concert in Beijing.

The 59-year-old musician is famous for his strong Russian flavor and he chooses a repertoire including the works of Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Prokofiev this time.

Since his debut in China in 1998, Gergiev has visited Beijing many times, but this is the first time he brings his own orchestra.

7:30 pm, March 1. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue. 010-6655-0000

Spotlight on the dragon

Capital Museum holds a special exhibition of antiques relating to the culture of the Chinese dragon throughout ancient dynasties.

The exhibition, mainly composed of sculpture, ceramics, painting and daily-use articles, presents a detailed explanation for the evolvement of dragon images in Chinese life, religion, politics and many other aspects. It also covers the antiques in many areas in China, giving a panorama of dragon culture.

9 am-5 pm, until March 20 except Mondays. Capital Museum, 16 Fuxingmenwai Dajie, Xicheng district. 010-6337-0491

Aussie ales and pies

The Hutong will host Pies and Ales Night, serving up homemade Aussie-style meat pies with music and merriment. You can taste the genuine Aussie flavor in 100 percent pure beef brisket, and take a private cooking class if you wish.

7-10 pm, March 2, The Hutong, 1 Jiudaowan Zhonglu, Dongcheng district. 159-0104-6127. Book in advance at www.thehutong.com

Shanghai

Baroque on the rebound

The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra from Germany was founded in 1987, aiming "to enliven the world of Baroque music with new sounds". A concert under the direction of Gottfried von de Goltz features Bach's suite for orchestra series. The orchestra tours extensively around the world. Both of its musical directors, Von der Goltz and Petra Mullejans, are violinists.

7:30 pm, March 9. Shanghai Concert Hall, 523 Yan'an Donglu. 021-6386-2836

Of boys and men

Boy: A Contemporary Portrait is a group exhibition features recent and commissioned new works by contemporary visual artists. This show attempts to portray young men of the times and to redefine manhood within a global context. It includes a series of male portraits that are multifaceted and conceptual. Many works in the exhibition probe ideas about masculinity and male identity.

10am-6 pm, Tue-Sat; 12-6 pm, Sun and Mon by appointment, until April 8. Leo Xu Projects, Lane 49, Building 3, Fuxing Xilu. 021-3461-1245

Hong Kong

British scene

The Union Jack marches in with the launch of White Cube, a leading contemporary art gallery. White Cube's first foray outside of England adds a 550-square-meter space in the stately Robert A.M. Stern-designed building to its galleries in London's Bermondsey, Mason's Yard and Hoxton Square. The inaugural exhibition is the world premiere of Gilbert and George's London Pictures. The dynamic duo has been working together since 1967 and promotes the concept of art for all using its trademark format of a large grid broken into a matrix of signs and images.

Grand opening March 2; exhibition ends May 5. White Cube, 50 Connaught Road, Central. 852-2592-2000

Banana split

One of the city's wackiest charity events is a race for a great cause. Returning for its seventh edition, Beat the Banana! Charity Run raises support for cancer prevention while promoting the benefits of regular exercise. Participants dress up in yellow and chase a fellow runner posing as a giant banana. This year, runners have to catch Shane Bourk, head of Fresh Food at Wellcome supermarkets. The 3- and 6-kilometer runs are organized by the World Cancer Research Fund Hong Kong. The winner of the 6-km race gets a Virgin Atlantic return flight to London to compete in the Beat the Banana! there on May 17.

8 am and 9 am, March 4. Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade between Hong Kong Cultural Center and International Mail Center. To register: www.wcrf-hk.org or 852-2529-5025