This first weekend of April, France is the guest of honor not only in Beijing, but also in 18 other Chinese cities, where the festival « Crossings » will be held. The festival has a very rich and varied cultural program. Do not miss the opera The King of Ys, or DJ Tiesto at GT Banana.

Exhibitions

Wei Qingji
April 5th - May 5th. A selection of the first works of this extremely famous Chinese artist.
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Red Gate Gallery: Dashanzi art district, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District.朝阳区酒仙桥路2号（空白空间对面）
Tel: 64.38.10.05.

Rao Songqing
April 5th - May 4th. Paintings inspired by the forests of the outskirts of Beijing, at winter time.
Time: 10am - 6:00pm
Where: Yan Club Arts Center: 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: 84.57.35.06.

Collective exposition: Private Look
April 5th - June 29th. Selection of photos taken by Chinese and Italian artists that explore the dynamic between public and private life.
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00m to 7:00pm
Where: OffiCina: Dashanzi art district, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区酒仙路2号大山子艺术区
Tel: 64.36.11.91.

Napoleon
April 5th - July 3rd. Works brought directly from the Louvre in order to represent the life of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Where: Forbidden City, museum of the palace: 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Xicheng District.西城区景山前街4号
Tel: 65.13.22.55., 85.11.70.99.

Cinema

Regarde les hommes tomber (Look at the Men Fall)
April 2nd, 6th and 7th. A thriller starring Jean Yanne, in the role of a man who quits his work to chase the murderer of his best friend. In French with Chinese subtitles.
Time: See the web site of the French Cultural Center: http://www.ccfpekin.org/
Where: French Cultural Center: 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路16号
Tel: 65.53.26.27.

Diva
April 2nd, 6th and 9th. Director Jean-Jacques Beineix describes the life of a French young man and his obsession for an American Opera singer. In french with Chinese subtitles.
Time: See the web site of the French Cultural Center: http://www.ccfpekin.org/
Where: French Cultural Center: 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路16号
Tel: 65.53.26.27.

Mon petit doigt m'a dit (My little finger told me)
April 5th, 6th and 9th. Based on an Agatha Christie's novel, this film tells the story of a housewife thirsty of adventures. In French with Chinese subtitles.
Time: See the web site of the French Cultural Center: http://www.ccfpekin.org/
Where: French Cultural Center: 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路16号
Tel: 65.53.26.27.

On the Stage

Opera: The King of Ys
April 3rd - April 6th. Based on a British legend, this opera tells the story of a mysterious town and two princesses in love with the same man.
Time: 7:30pm
Price: 180 - 1080 RMB.
Where: NCPA: 2 Chang'an Jie, Xicheng District. 西城区西长安街2号
Tel: 66.55.00.00.

Drama: Le soir de la Générale (The Night of the General)
April 5th and 6th. The story of a woman who feels the steps of a man behind her in the middle of the night. In French with Chinese subtitles.
Time: See the web site of the French Cultural Center: http://www.ccfpekin.org/                                                                     Where: Theater Academy: 39 Dong Mian Hua street, Dong Cheng District北京市东城区东棉花胡同39号
Tel: 85.32.80.30.

Concerts

AfroDrum Sound
April 4th. ‘African Nights' is back, this time with a new percussion group, followed by DJs who will mix African tunes. 
Time: 9:00pm
Price: 30 RMB
Where: Yugong Yishan: 2-3 Zhang Zizhong Road东城区张自忠路2-3号段祺瑞执政府旧址西院
Tel: 64.04.27.11.

Ma Fei San, Quasimodo, Speak Chinese or Die, Dom Padro and FangZui Xiangfa
April 4th. 5 groups gather to celebrate Nights of chaos, an event charged of electric music.
Time: 10:00pm
Price: 30 - 40 RMB
Where: D-22: 242 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District.海淀区成府路242号
Tel: 62.65.31.77.

Dengel, 13 disciples, Manas and Frist
April 4th. These gothic metal bands interpet the classics of their favorite groups.
Time: 9:00pm
Price 40 RMB
Where: 13 Club: 161 Chengfu Lu Lanqiying Bus Stop, Haidian District. 海淀区成府路蓝旗营车站下车，马路南边即是(瓦罐饭馆的西边)
Tel: 82.61.92.13.

PK14 and Ourselves Beside Me
April 4th. Modern Sky sponsors this event, celebrating the launching of a documentary produced by PK14. The program includes songs of their latest album.
Time: 9:00pm
Where: MAO Livehouse: 111 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District 东城区鼓楼东大街111号
Tel: 64.02.50.80

Xia Jia Trio
April 4th. The pianist of groups Cuijian and Red Hand has created his own trio.
Time: 10:00pm
Price: Free
Where: OT Lounge: 6 Ritan Lu, Chaoyang District.朝阳区日坛路6号
Tel: 65.02.57.22.

Jolin Tsai
April 4th and 5th. Jolin Tsai stops in Beijing as part of her tour 2008 Dancing Forever.
Time: 7:30pm
Price: 280 - 1080 RMB
Where: Workers' Stadium: Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体北路
Tel: 65.01.63.00.

Believers, the Molds y Shake Hands with Danger
April 5th. A very varied program, with punk, rock and blues on the menu.
Time: 10:00pm
Where: D-22 : 242 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District. 海淀区成府路242号
Tel: 62.65.31.77.

Hedgehog
April 5th. Beijing's best pop-rock band is back in the capital after their tour around the country.
Time: 9:00pm
Where: 2 kolegas: 21 Liangmaqiao Lu, north of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District 朝阳区亮马桥路21号（燕莎桥往东1500米路北汽车电影院内）
Tel: 81.96.48.20.

Night Life

Beijing Calling
April 4th. Djs BB, Loskien and Ed play the rock hits of the last 50 years.  
Time: 10:00pm
Where: Obiwan: 4 Xihai Xiyan, Xicheng District. 西城区西海西沿4号
Tel: 66.17.32.31.

Beijing Techno Union Kick-off
April 4th. Acupuncture label's DJs: Terry Tu, Gao Hu and Xiao Feng join Patrick Yu for the first evening of techno of the month.
Price: 50 RMB, free with the card of Beijing techno Union.
Time: 11:00pm
Where: Club Camp: 6/F, 8 Gongti Xilu (on top of Coco Banana), Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路8号楼6层

Tiesto
April 4th. DJ Tiesto does not need to be introduced to the fans of trance music. For the rest, he is one of the popular DJs of the moment. Do not miss it!
Price: 150 RMB
Time: 11:00pm
Where: GT Banana: Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街22号赛特饭店1层
Tel: 65.28.36.36.

The Different Brothers
April 5th. Performances of Different Brothers from S.O.S. with visual effects by Delacrew and Double Vie.
Price: 50 RMB, free with the card of Beijing techno Union.
Time: 11:00pm
Where: Club Camp: 6/F, 8 Gongti Xilu (on top of Coco Banana), Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体西路8号楼6层

Madox
April 5th. This Italian break-beat specialist comes back to Beijing for a new performance.
Price: 40 RMB in advance, 60 RMB at the door
Time: 11:00pm
Where: China Doll: 2/F, Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区三里屯北路同里2层
Tel: 64.17.46.99.

Minimal Dancing 
April 5th. Originally from Paris but already established in Beijing, DJ Small supported by Baicai.
Price: 50 RMB
Time: 10:00pm
Where: White Rabbit: C2, Haoyun Jie (Lucky Street), 29 Zaoying Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区枣营路29号好运街C2
Tel: 133.21.12.36.78.

Eating out

Kochmutzen's 3rd Anniversary
April 5th. Celebrate with free HB beers, from 5:00pm a 7:00pm. Dinner of 3 dishes for only 103 RMB.
Where: Die Kochmutzen: 718, Bldg 7, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho7座718
Information: http://www.kochmutzen.com/ 58.69.38.30.