Best bets

Theater: I Am a Moon in Beijing

Date: Jan 11-14 - 7:30 pm

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Price: 160-280 yuan

I Am a Moon tells five heartwarming tales about the five protagonists' growth, touching upon their relationships with others and with themselves, and upon the "trace of body. "The moon embedded with meteorite craters would signify a beautiful metaphor. When we were born, we had a near perfect body and pure soul, and all of us seemed to be as beautiful and pure as everyone else. However, as time went by, we grew up, leaving traces on us so relentlessly. Some traces came thrillingly and heart-wrenchingly, while others were branded into the skin without anybody knowing about it, some came from within ourselves, and some came from others. The traces are hard to eliminate, so we are unique in our own special way. We are just like a bright moon, which is embedded with meteorite craters that grew out of its impact.

Quorum Ballet: Rite of Spring in Shanghai

Date: Jan 24 - 7:15 pm

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Price: 180-680 yuan

The work's premiere on May 29, 1913, at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, was scandalous. In addition to the outrageous costumes, unusual choreography and bizarre story of pagan sacrifice, Stravinsky's musical innovations tested the patience of the audience to the fullest. Rite of Spring, which started off with excerpts of Swan Lake interpreted by renowned ballet dancers Carlos Pinillos and Filipa Castro from the Portuguese Companhia Nacional do Bailado, had guest ballet dancers Maria Selestskaja and Teun Van Roosmalen from the Royal Ballet of Flanders perform too. This was followed by a powerful performance by contemporary Quorum dancers in "A modern perspective" about complex relationships.