This week in Beijing, there’s a unique Qingming jazz event at Modernista, a literary discussion at The Hutong, and the first wine tasting of the year hosted by WTF??.
**Listen – The Xiang Xin Trio at Modernista**
Modernista, usually closed on Mondays, will open its doors tomorrow (April 6) for a special Qingming event. The Xiang Xin Trio will perform a relaxed jazz set to conclude the holiday festivities. Lead by guitarist Xiang Xin, a graduate of the Beijing Modern Music Academy and a known jazz figure in Beijing, the trio includes bassist Wang Wenhao and drummer Nick Cao. Attendees can also indulge in Modernista's typical selections of Spanish cuisine and expertly made cocktails.
The Xiang Xin Trio will take the stage at Modernista from 9 PM on Monday, April 6. There’s no charge for entry.
**Modernista:** 44 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District, Phone: 159 0116 3023
**Learn – Travels in the Other Place: A Literary Conversation with Pallavi Aiyar at The Hutong**
On Thursday (April 9), the esteemed foreign correspondent, columnist, and author Pallavi Aiyar will engage in a discussion at The Hutong. She will share insights from her latest book, "Travels in the Other Place: Pursuing the Self in Eight Acts." This book, which draws from her extensive reporting around the world, delves into identity, belonging, and self-exploration through personal essays that combine memoir, travel narratives, and philosophy. A book signing will follow the talk, and drinks will also be available for purchase.
The conversation with Pallavi Aiyar will be held at The Hutong on Thursday, April 9, from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Tickets are priced at RMB 50 and can be obtained by scanning the QR code in the poster above. More event details can be found here.
**The Hutong:** 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng District
**Drink – WTF?? Wine Tasting with Friends, Dolce Far Niente at Tiamo**
Next Saturday (April 11), WTF?? will present their first wine tasting of 2026 at Tiamo. Attendees can sample 11 exceptional Italian wines, with more details available in the poster above. The tasting’s theme, "dolce far niente" or "pleasant idleness," encourages a vacation-style dress code. Besides wine tasting, guests can enjoy various snacks and partake in activities such as a best-dressed contest, a "sexy blind tasting game," a mystery bottle auction, and much more.
The WTF?? Wine Tasting with Friends, Dolce Far Niente will be hosted at Tiamo on Saturday, April 11, from 2 PM to 5 PM. Tickets are priced at RMB 350 and can be booked by scanning the QR code in the poster above. Additional information about the event can be found here.
**TIAMO:** Southwest corner, 1/F Pacific Century Place, 2 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
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Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the venues and organizers
This week in Beijing, there's a unique Qingming jazz performance at Modernista, a book discussion at The Hutong, and WTF's inaugural wine tasting event of the year.
