We are well into Beijing's dusty spring, but you really can't complain when the flowers are blooming and the trees are turning green. Music-wise things are starting to bloom too with big acts on their way and plenty of music festivals just weeks away.  

Notable News:

1) Beijing Ducks win CBA title!
Friday March 30th was a night of rejoicing for Beijingers as the Beijing Ducks won their first ever CBA title! Led by ex-NBA star Stephon Marbury the Ducks battled past defending champions Guangzhou in the best of seven series four games to one. After the final whistle Wukesong arena erupted into mass hysteria and numerous people including Marbury were openly weeping over the win.

Congratulations Ducks! And our advice to Stephon, stay in Beijing forever...you are officially a god here.

2) Baby born in toilet...literally!
If you think you have heard it all about public toilets in China then try this one on for size: On Saturday April 7th in Chaoyang District a woman literally gave birth to her baby in a public toilet stall only to have it fall into the toilet pit. Miraculously the local fire brigade quickly arrived and within 30 minutes the baby had been pulled to safety and taken to a hospital where it was kept for observation. What a way to start your life!

3) The beginning and the end of Beijing Monk Brothers
If you have lived in China for a while then you are certain to have heard stories of fake monks using the cloth as a screen to mask irreparable activities. Now the issue has gone viral as two men going by the name of “Beijing Monk Brothers” set the weibo-sphere alight when they posted pictures of themselves dressed as Buddhist monks drinking beer and flirting with girls on the Beijing subway. But the 'brothers'' bid for internet fame backfired when they visited Fayuan Temple (the oldest in Beijing) on April 7th and started snapping photos of themselves. The stunt got them some attention and soon one of the monks recognised them from their weibo posts. The pair retreated into one of the Temple's lavatories and tried to change out of their robes to make an escape, but they were stopped by a crowd of angry monks who held them until police arrived. The pair were taken away by police, but no other information is known at this time.

Events:

1) YEN White Party
Anyone familiar with Beijing's party scene will know that YEN throws some of the biggest parties in town. On April 20th the people at YEN are going to ramp up 2012 with a massive party at the UCCA in the 798 Art District. There will be an impressive lineup of DJs and plenty of great drinks. So throw on your white clothes and prepare to dance the night away. The party gets started at 21:00 and tickets are 70 RMB for early bird, 100 in advance, 150 at the door and 280 for VIP.

2) Things going down at Yugong Yishan
For the last few years the folks at Yugong Yishan have supplied Beijingers with some great live acts and in the next few weeks they will not disappoint.

On April 20th Marky Ramone of the legendary punk rockers The Ramones will take the stage and rock it out. The show starts at 21:00 and tickets are 180 RMB in advance, 240 at the door and VIP tickets which include a meet and greet and a signed shirt are 400 RMB.

Then on April 28th the godfather of hip-hop Grandmaster Flash will tear up Yugang Yishan with his hot beats and rhymes. The show starts at 21:00 and tickets are 200 RMB in advance or 250 at the door.

So get out there and see some legends!

3) Lil Jon to blow up Beijing!
April seems to be the month for big hip-hops acts in Beijing as on April 22nd Lil Jon will bring his bling to Beijing. The show starts at 22:00 at Spark and be sure to get your tickets early because you aren't the only one that wants to see Lil Jon's high-energy performance. Tickets are 100 RMB for women and 300 for men...hmm I think we know what Lil Jon is trying to accomplish.

4) Music festivals galore
Every May 1st holiday means one thing in Beijing...music festivals! In eastern Beijing the Strawberry Music Festival will take over Tongzhou Canal Park for three days of musical sweetness from April 29th till May 1st. The festival will feature plenty of good acts including American band Blonde Redhead on April 29th and Chinese rock legend XTX on May first. For a full lineup you can look here. A three day pass is 240 RMB and one day passes are 100.

In western Beijing the Midi Music Festival will be taking over Haidian Park, also for three days of music from April 29th till May 1st. The festival will have an environmental theme and the official list of participating bands has not been released yet as the festival's official website says the performance permits for the bands are still in progress. Let's hope they get everything organised in time. More info here .

Restaurant Openings:

1) The Little Easy...a taste of New Orleans in Beijing
New bar The Little Easy is scheduled to open sometime in Mid-April on the Sanlitun bar strip across from Sanlitun Village South. The bar plans on bringing a New Orleans atmosphere to Beijing, so if you are looking for a little French infused Southern comfort then head on out to the Little Easy.

2) Home Plate BBQ to open new bigger location?
Fresh off winning the “restaurant of the year” award from the Beijinger the folks behind Home Plate BBQ are supposedly looking to open a new, bigger location somewhere around the 798 Art District. Rumors have it they might even try their hand at some good old home brewed beer. Keep your eyes and ears open for any developments.

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Keywords: Beijing watchdog Stephon Marbury in Beijing music festivals in Beijing Grandmaster Flash in Beijing Beijing Monk Brothers