It's an unusual quiet weekend for Beijing. The reason's being the Spring Festival. During a week, the Chinese capital isn't as crowded as usual. Provincials go back to their hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families. For those who'll be around during the holidays, there are still lots of cultural, sportive and gastronomic activities.

Exhibitions 

A Biao : Returning
Until February 29^th. The visitors are welcomed by ancient Chinese figures with colourful patterns.
Where: Artists village gallery : 1 Renzhuangcun Bei, Songzhuang, Tongzhou District. 通州区宋庄任庄村北1号
Price: 20RMB
Tel : 010-6959-8343

Fortunee Noel: New Works
Until March 23rd. This French-Israeli artist mixes coulours and lights in her paintings which display migrant workers.
Where: Imagine Gallery: Feijiacun Donglu, Cuigezhuang, Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区来广营东路崔各庄费家村香格里拉附近同达饭店对面
Tel: 010-6438-5747

Hat Spririt
From Feb 7-Feb 13. Wendy Hack and Yi Li give a tribute to Beijing migrant workers. 
Where : Chaoyang Park : 朝阳公园
Website : http://www.aisee.org/

He Duoling
Until February 18th. This Sichuanese artist gained his reputation from his impressionnist canvas. Where: China Blue Gallery: 2-3/F, Bldg 7, Ego Center, 16a Baiziwan Lu (just south of Dawanglu subway station), Chaoyang District. 朝阳区百子湾路甲16号易构空间7号楼2-3层
Tel: 010-8774-6332/9

Jiang Pengyi: The Ruins of the New World
Until february 21st.  
Where: Paris Beijing Photo Gallery: Dashanzi art district, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District.朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798大山子艺术区
Tel: 010-8459-9263

Zhu Fadong
Until February 25th. Presentation of this Kunming artist's last canvas and mulitmedia displays.
Where: F2 Gallery : Guanghantang Nangao, East Dashanzi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区大山子路东机场辅路南皋广汉堂院内
Tel : 134.88.70.95.96

Group Exhibition
Until February 29th. Fang Lijun, Zhong Biao, Feng Zhengjie, Lin Tianmiao and other Chinese artists display their work. Where: Xing Dong Cheng Space for Contemporary Art : Chaoyang Liquor Factory, Beihuqu Jie, Anwaibeiyuan, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区安外北苑北湖渠朝阳区酿酒厂内
Tel: 010-64-33-45-79

Cinema

Vipère au poing (Viper in the fist)
Feb10, 15, 17, 18. Based on Hervé Bazin's novel. Two young boys are reunited with their parents, after their grand-mother who looked after them, died.
Where : French Cultural Center: 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路16号
Price: 20RMB (10 for the students)
Website: http://www.ccfpekin.org/

Un Air de famille
Feb10th, 13th, 15th and 16th. A familiy reunion in a bar-restaurant gives the opportunity to each member to express their frustrations and resentments.
Where: Centre Culturel français : 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路16号
Price : 20RMB (10 for the students)
Tel : 010-6553-2627
Website : http://www.ccfpekin.org/

Filles uniques (Sole sisters)
Feb 10,11 and 13 février. Two women with different lives who both are single daughters, meet and create an atypical duo. Film in French with Chinese subtitles. 
Where : French Cultural Centre : 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路16号
Price: 20RMB (10 for the students )
Time : 7:30pm
Tel : 010-6553-2627
Website : http://www.ccfpekin.org/

On the stage 

Crosstalk : Traditional Crosstalk Spring Gala
Feb  10 and 11. Discover xiangsheng with the greatest masters. Only in Chinese. 
Where : Ethnic Cultural Palace Theater : 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District. 西城区复兴门内大街49号
Price : 280-580 RMB
Time : 7:30pm
Tel : 010-6605-2404

Concert : Yellow River andButterfly
Feb 8 and 9. Violon : Chai Liang and Piano : Shi Shucheng, with the Radio Broadcasting Orchestra.
Price: 100-1280 RMB
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Beijing Concert Hall: 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District. 西城区北新华街1号
Tel : 010-6605-7006

Concerts

Les enfants terribles
Feb 8. Electro-jazz led by guitarist, David Mitchell.
Where : Room 101 : 199 Andingmennei Dajie, Dongcheng District.东城区安定门内大街199号
Time : 9pm
Tel : 010-6402-7532

Golden Buddha Jazz Band
Every Friday. Pianist Kong Hongwei, bass : Yong and drums: Izumi
Where: East Shore Live Jazz Café: 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyanlu (just to the west of the post office on Dianmen Waidajie), Xicheng District. 西城区地安门外大街前海南沿2号楼2层
Time : 9:30pm
Tel : 010-8403-2131

Liu Yan Band
Every Sat.This saxophonist, also East Shore's owner, plays every week with his quartet. 
Where : East Shore Live Jazz Café: 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyanlu (just to the west of the post office on Dianmen Waidajie), Xicheng District. 西城区地安门外大街前海南沿2号楼2层
Time :9:30pm
Tel : 010-8403-2131

New Photon Trio
Every Sat. Piano: Christophe Lier, Bass: Wang Cheng Huai and drums: Jimmy Biala from SambAsia. 
Where : OT Lounge
Time : 10pm
Tel : 010-6502-5722

Eating

Lantern Festival
All the month. Come and celebrate the Chinese new year and the Lantern Festival with a 8 course menu. 
Where : Qi restaurant, The Ritz-Carlton : 2/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Financial Street, 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. 西城区金城坊东街1号金融街丽思卡顿酒店2层
Tel : 010-6629-6999

Spring Frestival at  Gloria
All month. For evey meal bouhgt, get a red envelop with gifts. 
Where : Sampan, Gloria Plaza Hotel : /F Gloria Plaza Hotel, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区建国门外大街2号北京凯莱酒店1层
Tel : 010-6515-8855 ext 2155

ZEN New Year
All month. Discover the most refined Chinese specialties like shark fin's soup and other delicacies. 
Where : ZEN, The InterContinental : Intercontinental Hotel, 11 Financial Street, Xicheng District.西城区金融街11号洲际酒店
Tel : 010-5852-5888

Sports and leisure

Rugby : 6 nations
Feb 9. Wales vs Scotland. 
Where : matchs are shown in most of the bars of Beijing. 
Time : 10pm.

Beijing Hikers Spring Valley Loop
Feb 10. Celebrate Chinese New year at the Spring Valley and learn how to make jiaozi at the guide's house.  
Where : départ du Starbucks du Lido : Lido Hotel, Jichang Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区机场路丽都假日饭店
Time : 8:30am
Tel :139-1002-5516
Website : http://www.beijinghikers.com/

Rugby : 6 nations
Feb 10. France vs Ireland. 
Where : matchs are shown in most of the bars of Beijing. 
Time : 1am.

Rugby : 6 nations
Feb 10. Italy vs England.  
Where : matchs are shown in most of the bars of Beijing. 
Time : 11:30pm