NIGHTLIFE

Speed Dating Event

Date: Dec 30－9 pm

Venue: Modernista in Beijing

Price: Free

Don't face New Year's Eve without someone to share a kiss. Modernista gives you a "Casablanca style" event to quickly interview potential mates, as part of their regular Swing Night. Get your wittiest answers together but remember, a kiss is just a kiss.

Contact: 136-9142-5744

Animal-themed Christmas Eve Party

Date: Dec 24－9:30 pm

Venue: Yugong Yishan in Beijing

Price: 148-180

Event organizers YeGuanJia, are known for promoting some of the more unique parties Beijing has seen－including a massive pillow fight last Christmas at Yugong Yishan. This year, however, they plan on putting on an animal-themed Christmas party.

The party－or parties, rather (because each party lasts only an hour-and-a-half)－are expected to be wild (literally, and sorry for the pun). Guests are encouraged to dress in animal costumes; and free make-up will be available onsite to complete the getup. YeGuanJia is keeping many of their awesome party activities a secret, but expect some animal-themed dance shows, and a live performance by band "New Perfume." Additionally, party-goers stand the chance of winning a four-day luxury trip to Hong Kong and Macau.

Contact: 4000-515-298

Nathaniel Gao Jazz Quartet

Date: Dec 25-26－10 pm

Venue: East Shore Live Jazz Café

Price: Free Entry

Nathaniel Gao is a saxophonist and composer who has been based in Beijing since 2006. He has been a key contributor to the local jazz scene as both a co-leader of the quintet Red Hand as well as a leader of his own quartet and trio. Additionally, Gao has been active in an eclectic range of other musical projects including Three Sergeants Syndrome, The Beijing City Big Band, Afrokoko Roots and Bu Yiding. He has performed at the Ninegates Jazz Festival, the MIDI Jazz Festival, the Ditan Park Music Festival, and at major venues in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Gao graduated from UNI in 2006 with BA in music performance and in 2011 completed an MA in jazz performance at the City College of New York.

Contact: 010-8403-2131

Poetry Slam by Nick Karavatos

Date: Dec 19－7:30 pm

Venue: The Bookworm

Price: Free Entry

Nick Karavatos is a poet who often performs in spontaneous collaborations with musicians. A graduate of Humboldt State University in Arcata and New College of California's graduate poetics program in San Francisco, he currently teaches literature & writing at American University of Sharjah near Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. David Meltzer writes about one of his books: "Nicholas Karavatos is a poet of great range and clarity. [No Asylum] is an amazing collection of smart sharp political poetry in tandem with astute and tender love lyrics. All of it voiced with an impressive singularity." Nick Karavatos will perform at The Bookworm in collaboration with a local violin player.

Contact: 010-6586-9507

Kizomba in Beijing

Dates: Dec 22－9 pm

Venue: The Bar at Migas

Price: free

Following the immense popularity of his previous kizomba open workshop, teacher Alex returns to Migas for another 4-week session, with African beats from DJ Joyce to keep you going all night long.

It's slow and sensual, and you get up close and intimate with your dance partner. Alex is originally from France, he discovered Kizomba in Paris in mid 2012, and he quickly fell in love with it. He began training with some of the most notable Kizomba teachers in Europe, then he strengthened his techniques in Studio MRG with particular association between beats, melody and steps. Alex joined the Phoenix Dance instructor team this summer and recently created the French Kizomba Beijing (FKB) team, featuring top class Kizomba dancers in Beijing.

Contact: 010-5208-6061