Morgan’s Holiday Picks: Take it Sleazy Beijing

Last day of work before a long holiday, ahhhhh, it’s a great time to be alive. The chuanr is a little tangier, the Beijing bikini belies are a little smoother and rounder, the … something else is a little more something else. You know; whatever. Fill that last one in yourself; this job’s not hard.

RELATED: Weekend Gig Guide, Sep 14-17

Celebrating the holiday for my clubbing picks this week, I thought I’d dispense with the usual ranty bit at the start and leap right into the actual pick. EFF IT, right? Let’s just delve right in here. Lets shuck the corn on these events picks right here – events pick straight from my heart right to your face and eyes. 

Sep 14: Bye Bye Disco 8th Anniversary feat. Citizen Kain @ Lantern
“From the former trend leader on China domestic products to today’s most popular event organizer, Bye Bye Disco has been with us for eight years, transformed from a design products shop to the most beloved local party brand.” Isn’t that always the way? Going from trend leader to fashion boutique to beloved local party brand? How many times have I heard THAT story! Beijing’s own DJ Pei celebrates eight years in the books tonight at Lantern, welcoming in special guest DJ Citizen Kain, whom Google tells me is a French techno person. So do that if you like! Raise a glass to Bye Bye Disco! There’s a cover charge but just tell them “I’m Tom Arnemstein” at the door and they’ll let you in.

RMB 80. 10pm.

Sep 14: A$AP Ferg and Little Simz @ Yugong Yishan
Big night of left-field future hip-hop shiz down at Yugong with A$AP Ferg and Little Simz sharing a bill on the big stage. Both of these artists are in China to play Split Works’ Concrete & Grass (AKA the Congee & Ass Festival) down in Shanghai and they’re tagging on an extra Beijing show for all of us up here in the Big Smoke. This is pretty huge. Incidentally, if you’re heading down to Shanghai for that festival, pack a raincoat – a full-on typhoon is scheduled to hit that city over the holidays. Should the typhoon hit said Concrete & Grass festival, this Beijinger reporter already has the title of the article all sorted out for the recap next Monday: “GOD HATES SPLIT WORKS.”

RMB 300. 11.30pm.

Sep 15: Disco Extravaganza: Dance to Fight AIDS
Dunno if dancing is going to do it. Maybe medicine? No matter, friends. It’s all good. Dancing it is! Let’s do this. 

“Disco Extravaganza returns to the Migas Rooftop with the noble goal of raising funds for the China AIDS Walk. Not only will a portion of the entrance fee be donated to the AIDS Walk, but you’ll also be able to show your support through raffles, games and drink specials."

I also show my support through raffles! That’s just the kinda guy I am! Anyways, so that’s nice. Go hang out at Migas on Thursday and have a little dance for a good cause. Because AIDS blows. Enough with the AIDS already, right? Hate that stuff. You blow, AIDS!

RMB 70. 10pm.

Sep 15-18: dART pres. TekNest
The big electronic music festival for the holidays is dART’s TekNest out in the Bird’s Nest. They’re “electronic music with innovative multimedia art and creative performances.” Mmmmhmmm. Sounds lovely. In addition to art installations and opportunities to virtual reality, headlining DJs include Dubfire, Minilogue, Shaded, and Russian techno DJ Nikita Zabelin, who had this to say for himself: “"My music is not driven by songs. Instead it’s the creation of alternative realities, whether they spring from visual images or grow from my own experience with modern technology.” Whoooaaaa. Intense. Dude sounds like a BORG or something.

RMB 120-300. 1-11pm.

Sep 15-17: Yin Yang Music Festival 
The other electronic music festival up on the Great Wall, Yin Yang is back for it’s third year, and it’s the only electronic music event that you can see from space. Not really. Shanghai’s The Mansion crew are behind this one – expect techno, house, and bass music on multiple stages. They also have “3D Mapping,” which is that video thing that clubs and festivals are doing these days that everyone pretends they actually care about, but actually not one person in the universe gives one sweet f*ck about. The big plus on this one is that it’s BYOB. Which is … kinda crazy when you think about it. Be careful with that Great Wall – it’s how we keep those pesky Mongolians out. Need that thing.

RMB 280-450. Various times.

Images: Christopher Adams (via Flickr)