Art Attack: Asia’s Hottest Yoga Instructor, Niujie Mosque Photowalk and Crouching Tiger

This week: walk through Beijing’s historic Muslim center with fellow photographers, see the woman deemed “Asia’s Most Beautiful Yoga Instructor” at the C!Talk cultural show, and catch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at Culture Yard. Electric Shadow’s dystopia series trucks along with Blade Runner this week, too.

First things first: We incorrectly listed an event in our July issue. C!Talk is a new outfit in town hosting cultural shows every other month featuring a variety of performers from different countries and backgrounds. This month their show, themed “Chill Out,” will be taking place on July 21, NOT on July 19 as listed. This installment includes a flute recital and some capoeira, but people are probably most excited about a yoga demonstration by Muqimiya, who’s somehow earned a reputation as Asia’s hottest yoga model. I didn’t even know someone was keeping track of that.

Budding smartphone photographers will enjoy a walk through the Niujie Mosque with Beijing's growing Instagram community, also known as IgersBeijing. But don't worry, people using ol' fashioned cameras are more than welcome too. Meet at the main entrance of Niujie Mosque at 1pm.

Culture Yard’s also showing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon this weekend. Tons of other films on show throughout the week too, including Blade Runner (at Riverbank Bar & Café), Super Size Me (at The Veggie Table) and old classic The Apartment (on The Bookworm’s rooftop).

It’s also your last chance to catch a few art exhibits, so see below for details and don’t miss anything you’ve been meaning to check out.

Have fun, and happy Bastille Day to all.

EVENTS

July 14
Film: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Relive the sweeping martial arts epic that put Chinese film back on the map. RMB 25. 7.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Opera Film: Peter Grimes
Benjamin Britten’s popular opera gets inside the head of an ostracized fisherman who is blamed for the death of two apprentices. Free. 5pm. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666 ext 3032/3011)

July 15
Film: Song of Silence
A motley family comprising an artist, a deaf teen, a cop and a pregnant musician try to get along in Hunan. Also showing on Jul 15 and Jul 29. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students and seniors), MB 25-30 (members). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Film: Purple Butterfly
Zhang Ziyi, Liu Ye and Li Bingbing impress in this 2003 film of love and intrigue during the Japanese occupation. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students and seniors), RMB 20-25 (members). 4pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Opera Film: Turandot
Suitors clamor for the hand of the beautiful princess but must first answer three riddles. Free. 5pm. Instituto Cervantes (5879 9666 ext 3032/11)

Photowalk: Niujie Mosque and Fayuan Temple
Explore the ethnographic textures of Ox Street with IGersBeijing. Nonsmartphone photographers welcome, too. For more details: igers_beijing@gmail. com or follow @igersbeijing on Instagram. Free. 1pm. Meet at main entrance of Niujie Mosque.

July 18
Film: Blade Runner
Now you can be that guy who compares the modern Chinese megacity to Ridley Scott’s retro dystopia. RMB 40. 7.30pm. Riverbank Bar & Café (6506 8277)

July 19
Film: Super Size Me
If this doesn’t inspire you to ditch the Mickey D’s habit, nothing will. Free. 9.30pm. The Veggie Table (6446 2073)

Film: The Apartment
A mashup of office politics, sex and comedy all swirling around one yes-man’s humble abode. Free. 7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

July 20
Dance Video Festival: Jumping Frames
Started in Hong Kong and now internationally known, this festival shows us what fun we can have when we mix dance and video. Call venue for details. RMB 120 (allaccess pass), RMB 100 (members). 7.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

Meet the Filmmaker: Criticizing China
Eavesdrop on those grannies at the park in Wu Haohao’s documentary. You just might be surprised. RMB 60, RMB 40 (students, pre-sale). 8-10pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

July 21
C!TALK: Chill Out
This month’s show features flute player Bruce Gremo, the Mandinga Capoeira group and Asia’s most beautiful yoga instructor, Muqimiya. RMB 30. 4-5.30pm. BC MOMA (8438 8258)

EXHIBITS, LAST CALLS:

Break the Silence
Until Jul 15. Spanish artist Pere Ibanez creates works in the theme of domestic violence for this fundraising exhibit. Free. La Plantation Gallery (6433 6920)

Ji Yunfei: Water Work
Until Jul 15. Ji Yunfei’s first solo exhibition explores historical memory using Chinese in painting and scrolls. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

Jiang Weitao: Gap
Until Jul 15. Enjoy Jiang’s trademark abstract watercolors in this latest exhibit of his works. Free. Red Gate Gallery (6525 1005)

Song Kun: A Thousand Kisses Deep
Until Jul 15. Song Kun’s deep sea paintings and provocative (often naked) human figures almost glow, showing off her extraordinary sensitivity to light and color. RMB 10, free (Thu). UCCA (8459 9269)

COMING UP NEXT WEEK:

Jul 20-22
Dance With the Line
Penghao Theater and Penglai Dance partner up to bring us an experimental dance performance incorporating sculpture by Polish artist Ludwika Ogorzelec and Shi Xiaojuan, founder of Penglai Dance. More info to come. Penghao Theater (6400 6452/72)

Photo: Mainlandhotties.com