Four Highlights for the Coming Week in Beijing (Sept 22-28)

      A week dedicated to the Negroni, an exhibition debut, shadow puppetry, and a variety of 10-minute plays are on the agenda in the upcoming days...

      **Drink – Negroni Week 2025**

      Rather than being confined to a single day, the world's favorite bitter aperitif has been allotted an entire week. Launched in 2013 by Imbibe magazine, Negroni Week is an annual observance of this equal parts cocktail, which also serves a charitable purpose. This year, all proceeds will benefit the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund, which supports community-driven initiatives aimed at transforming global food and beverage systems for a sustainable future.

      To participate and support a worthy cause, visit a participating bar and order a Negroni (make sure to inquire about any specific details first). There are 65 bars in Beijing taking part this year, and you can find the list here. Stay tuned for further details, including some of our top Negroni picks in Beijing.

      **Explore – (re)claimed: Flotsam Photography & New Retellings Exhibition**

      On Tuesday, September 23, a new photography and poetry exhibition will launch at Self Coffee/Golden Weasel at 8pm. Titled (re)claimed: flotsam photography & new retellings, the exhibit features over 50 Chinese photographs taken between the 1950s and 1980s and includes contributions from 12 Chinese and international poets, each responding to one of the images. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a zine containing all 12 poems, available in both English and Chinese, along with their matching photos.

      The opening of the (re)claimed: flotsam photography & new retellings exhibition will happen at Self Coffee/Golden Weasel starting at 8pm on Tuesday, September 23. Admission is free.

      **Self Coffee/Golden Weasel**

      125 Dongsi Bei Dajie, Dongcheng District

      东城区东四北大街125号

      Hours: 10am-late

      Phone: 185 1094 7779

      **Experience – Shadow Puppetry With RASBJ**

      Join the Royal Asiatic Society of Beijing (RASBJ) to explore shadow puppetry—a traditional entertainment form closely tied to Shaanxi province and western Beijing—led by two masters from Wang’s Shadow in Shichahai. The event will include an introduction to shadow puppetry featuring two initial plays, and attendees will have the chance to paint their own puppets.

      "Behind the Silhouette: An Evening of Shadow Puppetry" will be held on Wednesday, September 24, from 7pm to 8:30pm at Wang’s Shadow. Ticket prices are RMB 298 for RASBJ members and RMB 378 for non-members. Registration can be completed by scanning the QR code on the poster above.

      **Wang’s Shadow 汪氏皮影艺术馆**

      24 Songshu Jie, Xicheng District

      西城区松树街24号

      Hours: Daily, 9am-10pm

      Contact: 159 3041 7170

      **Watch – 10-Minute Play Festival at JinShang**

      Middle Kingdom Creatives presents Beijing Blitz, the city's inaugural 10-minute play festival featuring 12 original plays from writers across China, all performed on the JinShang stage for one night only. Audiences will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorites after the final curtain call.

      Beijing Blitz: 10-Minute Play Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, starting at 3pm at the JinShang Yuan Garden Theatre. Tickets are RMB 100 per person and can be reserved by scanning the QR code on the poster.

      **JinShang Yuan 金尚源**

      20 Xinyuanli Xili, Chaoyang District

      朝阳区新源里西20号

      **READ:** Meet the Artists of Songzhuang: A Day in Beijing's Bohemian Village

      Images: Unsplash, Pexels, courtesy of the venues/organizers