Entertain yourself in three major Chinese cities

Beijing

STAGE

A vocal concert with the theme of Buddhist music will take place this weekend. Chanting, for peace and harmony, is one of the many concepts of Buddhism. The program will feature various instruments, choruses, tenor and soprano solos and dancing, intended to create a religious atmosphere.

7:30 pm, March 8

Beizhan Theater, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District

6835-4455

The Servant of Two Masters (pictured right) by Carlo Goldoni is about a wily servant who gets the best of his masters. It is one of the classic works of commedia dell'arte.

The late Giorgio Strehler, one of the seminal theater and opera directors of the 20th century, directed this production. It features the definitive commedia dell'arte actor Ferruccio Soleri, who virtually inhabits the role as he outwits the pompous and teases the fickle. He has performed the role over 2,000 times since 1953.

Previously staged by Beijing People's Art Theatre, China National Experimental Theatre, Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama, the renowned Italian European Milan Theatre will present this original Italian play at the National Grand Theatre.

In Italian with Chinese subtitles.

7:30 pm, March 7, 8

National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square

6417-784

The Zhejiang Traditional Instrument Orchestra, under the baton of Zhang Lie, will present Tianshan Rhapsody and Mu Guiying Takes Command and General Order.

7:30 pm, March 9

Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District

6605-7006

A chorus and symphony concert featuring Brahms' works will take place. Cornell University Chorus has been invited to perform Ein Deutsches Requiem and Hungary Dance.

7:30 pm, March 15

Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square

6559-8285

Accompanied by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Mozart's Requiem will be performed by the Norway Opera Bergen chorus.

7:30 pm, March 22

Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square

6559-8285

To celebrate the 110th anniversary of its foundation, Peking University has invited China Central Ballet to perform the classic ballet The Red Detachment of Women. The ballet is a milestone as it successfully combines Western ballet with Chinese folk dancing. Staged for the first time in 1964, the ballet was revised for the film of the same title. It is set in the 1930s on Hainan Island, where a woman rejects her depressing life and becomes a solider in the all-women Red Army.

7 pm, March 14,15

Peking University Concert Hall, Peking University, Haidian District

6275-2279

The Chinese Acrobatics Group, established in 1950, has toured more than 80 countries, won numerous international awards and has helped foster friendships between China and other nations. Its performance includes traditional acrobatics, a circus show, magic, old Beijing folk plays and more. The show blends music, dance, local opera and martial arts.

7:30 pm, daily

Tiandi Theater, Dongsi Shitiao, 100 m north of Poly Theater, Chaoyang District

6416-9893

CONCERTS

There will be two pipe organ concerts this weekend. Accompanied by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, several Western opera musicians have been invited to present repertoires featuring the European traditional instrument.

7:30 pm, March 7,8

Concert Hall of the National Center for the Performing Arts

5883-6800

Young Montenegrin pianist Ratimir Martinovi studied under piano master Kemal Gekic and has over the past three years participated in 350 concerts, in Europe, Asia and America. For his latest performance he will play Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Brahms' Variations and Fugue on the theme by Handel Op 24, Cesar Franck's Prelude, Fugue et Variation Op 18.

7 pm, March 21

Peking University Concert Hall, Peking University, Haidian District

6275-2279

The 11th session of the season for the China Philharmonic Orchestra includes Tchaikovsky's Variation on a Rococo Theme, Gustav Mahler's Symphony Orchestra No 4 and Bruch's Romance for Viola and Orchestra. Viola: Maxim Rysanov; soprano: Rao Lan; conductor: Yu Long.

7:30 pm, March 23

Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District

6605-7006

The China National Symphony Orchestra performs a classical repertoire to usher in the Olympic Games.

7:30 pm, until March 24

Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District

6605-7006

United States rock band Incubus will hold its Beijing concert at Star Live Concert Hall. From its first album Fungus Amongus, to Make Yourself, A Crow Left of the Murder and Morning View, the band has won over audiences with its creativity. Its members are lead vocal Brandon Boyd, lead guitar Mike Einziger, drum Jose Pasillas, keyboard Chris Kilmore and bassist Ben Kenney.

8 pm, March 12

Star Live Concert Hall, third floor of Tango, 79 Heping Xijie, Dongcheng District

6425-5166

Exhibitions

Donated works from Zhang Naiqi (1897-1977) are on display, with a selection of over 90 paintings. His gifts to the museum, totaling 1,192 pieces, includes bronze, ceramics, stoneware, sculptures, jade, coins, lacquer ware, and other objects made of bamboo, wood, ivory and rhinoceros horns. As a patriot entrepreneur, Zhang dedicated his life to supporting the country's cultural heritage.

8:30 am-5 pm, until April 26

The Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren Gong) of Palace Museum, 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District

8511-7575.

Entitled Time of Life, the show gathers the works of three contemporary European artists, Ossi Robertson, Christine Jackob-Marks and Dieter Finke.

10 am-5 pm, until March 14

The First Sound Gallery, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District

6477-5195

Huang Zhiqiong's oil paintings take a look at the entertainment activities of contemporary people. His two series, Roller Coaster and Bungee, focus on the explosive impact of movement and speed. Born in 1963, Huang graduated from the oil painting department of Hubei Fine Arts Institute in 1987.

10 am-5 pm, until March 15

9 Art Space 798 Gallery, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District

8459-9662

Renowned Chinese ink painter Wu Guanzhong is holding a solo exhibition entitled Wu Guanzhong Goes to 798 Art Zone. On display are 80 ink and calligraphic works the 89-year-old artist has created over the past two years. English and French editions of Wu's paintings will be published during the show.

9:30 am -6:30 pm, until March 15

Art Bridge Gallery, D09-1, 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiaolu, Chaoyang District

6433-1798

The 17th Beijing International Gifts, Handicrafts and Houseware Exhibition will take place.

9 am-4 pm, March 10-13

China World Trade Center, 1 Jiangguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

6505-6506

Cang Xin's Mythology deals with human and universal values through the five Taoist basic elements: Metal, water, wood, fire and soil. These are richly imaginative surrealist images that appeal for ancient order, belief and etiquette.

9am-4pm, March 5-15

Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District

5876-9690

Israeli artist Fortunee Noel's latest works are paintings on plexiglass, with synthetic pigments. Focusing on images of construction workers in metropolitan Beijing, Noel shows her respect for laborers. Employing light colors and bright reflections, the artist produces transparent effects against a solid background. The Israel Embassy in Beijing is backing the show.

10:30 am-5:30 pm, until March 23

Imagine Gallery, Feijiacun Donglu, Cuigezhuang, Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District

6438-5747

The 14th China International Expo for Hotel and Restaurant Facilities, Equipment and Services has been scheduled.

9 am-4 pm, March 16-18

China World Trade Center, 1 Jiangguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

6505-6506

Great Civilization presents a brilliant space-and-time tunnel, stretching back from 3,000 BC, up to the 18th century. Focusing on Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Indian, American, Greek and Roman civilizations, the exhibition has 328 exhibits, including sculptures, murals, bronze ware, pottery and jewelry, and other precious archeological and artistic cultural relics from 14 museums around the world.

9am-5pm, until October

Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, A9 Fuxinglu, Haidian District

6851-3322

Shanghai

STAGE

The famous Broadway opera Phone Trap will be presented in Shanghai by a group of young Chinese artists. The upcoming opera performer Sun Ningfang will play an unsuccessful Broadway actress who has a lifelong passion for performance but has bad luck in her personal life.

7:30pm, March 7-23

300 Renmin Avenue, Shanghai Grand Theater

021-6372-8702

The drama by Lai Shengchuan, Total Women, will upset the tradition of cross-talkers being just male. The 120-minute all-female drama will be divided into six parts, including sections where one person speaks, and others where groups of two or three women cross-talk.

7:15pm, March 11-16

300 Renmin Avenue, Shanghai Grand Theater

021-6372-8702

CONCERTS

A group of pop stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Jolin Cai, Luo Zhixiang and Landy Wen, will perform in Shanghai.

7:30pm, March 15

666 Tianyaoqiao Road, Shanghai Stadium

021-6426-6666

Li Yuchun became famous after winning the 2005 "Super Girl" contest. Time Magazine's Asia edition put her on the cover twice because of her popularity. Her concert is likely to be a sellout, so get your tickets quick.

7:30pm, March 9

1111 Caoxi Road N., Shanghai Grand Stage

021-2918-9188

ExhibitionS

The show will feature print works of some of the world's most famous artists - Antoni Tapies, Salvador Dali, Yayoi Kusama and Zao Wu-ki. It is a rare opportunity for Shanghai residents to see these works close up.

10 am - 6pm, until March 30

Shanghai Spring Gallery, 5 Lane 209 Nanchang Lu

021-6473-7578

Brought to Shanghai from Shenyang Museum in northeast China, 60 works from some of China's most important historical artists are on display.

Some of the items date back 1,000 years and have been painted on silk. Information in English will also be supplied.

10 am - 5 pm, until March 16

201 People's Avenue, Shanghai Museum

021-6372-3500

Guangzhou

CONCERTS

The famous violin J.B. Guadagnini made in 1781 will be played again in Guangzhou this month. A concert called Pink March - The Rhythm of Love will be staged in Guangzhou later this month. Well-known Canadian violinist Kai Gleusteen will play the great instrument. French pianist Catherine Ordronneau will accompany.

8 pm, March 28

Mini Theater of Culture Museum in the Tianhe District of Guangzhou, No 621, Tianhe Lu

020-8776-8558

Pianist Li Qi and his students will present a piano concert, the Story of Pianist, at Xinghai Concert Hall. Many of Li's students have become well known in musical circles, having become professors of conservatories or winners at world piano competitions.

3 pm, March 30

Symphony Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, No 33, Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island

020-8776-8558

EXHIBITIONS

Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894-1986) was a master photographer whose lasting legacy is a record of his life on film. In 1979, Lartigue donated almost all of his works, more than 10,000 pictures and 130 photo collections, to the French government. On show is Lartigue's photographic legacy Photography by Jacques Henri Lartigue - La Belle Epoque De France.

9 am to 5 pm, March 21 to April 20

Hall 10 and 11, Guangdong Museum of Art, No 38, Yanyu Lu, Ersha Island

020-8737-4468

A cartoon exhibition by Liao Bingxiong (1915-2006) is taking place in Guangzhou, where the famous animation artist was born. He drew anti-war illustrations during World War II, after which he joined a comic artists organization in Hong Kong. In the early 1950s he returned to the mainland, where he drew many children's comics, such as Fairy Tale.

9 am to 5 pm, untill April 30

Guangzhou Art Museum, No 13 Luhu Lu

020- 8365-9337

Paper cutting is a highly distinctive art in China. In Guangdong, two different styles of paper cutting are dominant, namely Foshan paper cutting and Chaozhou paper cutting. The two cities are located in the western and eastern parts of Guangdong. This exhibition will display two different kinds of paper cutting and attempt to explain the difference between the two types of paper cutting.

9 am - 5 pm, until May 1

Guangdong Art Museum, No 13, Luhu Lu

020- 83659337