STAGE

Modern dance company Jennifer Muller / The Workshits Beijing with Passion and Promise. Established in 1976, the company has toured 38 countries, gaining a reputation for its energy and grace. The newly choreographed show is divided into six parts, exploring the relationship between human and nature.

7:30 pm, Dec 14

National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square

6655-0000

The Peony Pavilion, the classic Kunqu Opera, is on at the Imperial Granary, a perfect venue. The Imperial Granary was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty 600 years ago, exactly the time the Kunqu Opera was written.

6409-6477/6499

22 Dongsi Shitiao, Dongcheng district

380-1,980 yuan, including Royal Peking Roast Duck Buffet

The Chinese Acrobatics Group has toured more than 80 countries and helped foster friendships between other nations. Its performance includes traditional acrobatics, a circus show, magic, old Beijing folk plays and more. The show blends music, dance, local opera and martial arts.

7:30 pm, daily

Tiandi Theater, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang district

6416-9893

CONCERTS

American piano masterSeymour Lipkinis famed for his exploration of Beethoven's works. In his latest recitals, Lipkin plays Beethoven's Heroic Variation, Debussy's three etudes, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies No 15, Rachmaninoff's variation and Haydn's Sonata in A Flat Major.

7:30 pm, Dec 16

Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square

6559-8285

8 pm, Dec 13, 14

Chamber Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island

020-8735-2222 ext 886

Du Taihang's piano recital includes such programs as Galuppi's Sonata in C Major No 5, Liszt's Ballade in B Minor No 2 and Debussy's Reflections in the Water. Du made his stage debut when he was just 16 and is now a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music.

7:30 pm, Dec 17

National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square

6655-0000

Exhibitions

The China-Japan Photography Exchange Exhibition features 45 photos from all over China, taken by photographers from both countries. Among the celebrity snappers featured are Chinese pairLu Houming and Chen Changfen, plus 13 Japanese. The high-quality collection portrays China's natural scenery and the impressive lives of its people.

9 am-5 pm, until Dec 14

Shenwu Gate, the North gate of the Forbidden City

6467-8330

ChinaGuardian Auctions' 16th quarterly sales include more than 5,200 lots in Chinese calligraphy and ink art, porcelain, Ming and Qing furniture, ancient and rare books. Highlights are calligraphic works by famous Chinese like Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek, ink painting scrolls by masters Zhang Daqian and Huang Zhou.

10 am-6 pm, until Dec 13

Beijing International Hotel, 9 Jianguomennei Dajie, Chaoyang district

6512-6688, 6518-2315 ext 6162

Agroup showentitled Internal Injury is being held at Up Gallery. Thirty oil paintings, ink art, mixed media, sculptures and photographs, by eight artists from China, Paris, and New York, deal with similar subjects among today's urbanites.

10 am-6 pm, until Dec 31

Up Gallery, Qixing Jie, 798 Art Zone, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

8459-9385

EVENT

December sees the launch of a series ofcultural programsat the Cervantes Institute, where movie enthusiasts can find pleasure in the III Colombia Movie Circle. Lectures are scheduled on the history of Spain's cities and their modernization, as well as a vision of China in the eyes of an 18th century Spaniard. An exhibition is held to display the works of pioneering graffiti artist SUSO33, who has treated the city and the streets as a canvas over the past 20 years. He also takes his graffiti to art museums.

10 am-5 pm, until Dec 29

Cervantes Institute, A1 Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang district