That's Shenzhen - April 2017

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The Cap Rise tivi of ty i Cet n C ace hin an a

China Intercontinental Press

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APRIL 2017

城市漫步珠三角 英文版 4 月份 国内统一刊号: CN 11-5234/GO

ALSO INSIDE: Win Flights to Thailand

that’s PRD 《城市漫步》珠江三角洲 英文月刊

主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版社 地址 : 北京西城月坛北街 26 号恒华国际商务中心南楼 11 层文化交流中心 11th Floor South Building, Henghua lnternational Business Center, 26 Yuetan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing http://www.cicc.org.cn 总编辑 Editor in Chief of China Intercontinental Press: 慈爱民 Ci Aimin 期刊部负责人 Supervisor of Magazine Department: 邓锦辉 Deng Jinhui 编辑 : 梁健 发行 / 市场 : 黄静 李若琳 广告 : 林煜宸 Editor in Chief Jocelyn Richards Shenzhen Editor Sky Thomas Gidge Senior Digital Editor Matthew Bossons Shenzhen Digital Editor Bailey Hu Senior Staff Writer Tristin Zhang National Arts Editor Andrew Chin Contributors Lachlan Cairns, Dr. Alfred Chambers, Paul Finkbeiner, Connor Frankhouser, Lena Gidwani, Oscar Holland, Matt Horn, Mia Li, Victor Liu, Noelle Mateer

HK FOCUS MEDIA Shanghai (Head Office) 上海和舟广告有限公司 上海市蒙自路 169 号智造局 2 号楼 305-306 室 邮政编码 : 200023 Room 305-306, Building 2, No.169 Mengzi Lu, Shanghai 200023 电话 : 021-8023 2199 传真 : 021-8023 2190 Guangzhou 上海和舟广告有限公司广州分公司 广州市麓苑路 42 号大院 2 号楼 610 室 邮政编码 : 510095 Rm 610, No. 2 Building, Area 42, Luyuan Lu, Guangzhou 510095 电话 : 020-8358 6125 传真 : 020-8357 3859 - 816 Shenzhen 深圳联络处 深圳市福田区彩田路星河世纪大厦 C1-1303 C1-1303, Galaxy Century Building, Caitian Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen 电话 : 0755-8623 3220 传真 : 0755-6406 8538 Beijing 北京联络处 北京市东城区东直门外大街 48 号东方银座 C 座 G9 室 邮政编码 : 100027 9G, Block C, Ginza Mall, No. 48 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100027 电话 : 010-8447 7002 传真 : 010-8447 6455 General Manager Henry Zeng Operations Manager Rachel Tong Accountant Annie Qi Production Supervisor Jack Lin Designers Claire Zheng, Felix Chen, Sally Wu Sales Managers Celia Yu, Justin Lu Account Manager Christy Cai Senior Account Executive Shumin Li Account Executives Wesley Zhang, Nicole Tang, Annie Li Sales Assistant Sunnie Lü Event Manager Valentina Latorraca Event Supervisor Alice Wang Senior Marketing Executive Fish Lin Marketing Executives Peggy Ni, Yuki Huang Distribution Luo Zhi, He Wei Wen National Operation CEO Leo Zhou Head of Communication Ned Kelly National Marketing Executive Zoe Zhou HR/Admin Director Penny Li Financial Manager Laura Lu Head of Digital Vickie Guo Digital Sybil Zhang, Joseph Miao, Miller Yue, Amanda Bao, Lambert Chen General enquiries and switchboard (020) 8358 6125 info.prd@urbanatomy.com Editorial (020) 8358 9847 ext 808 editor.prd@urbanatomy.com Sales (Guangzhou) (020) 8358 9847 ext 802 sales.prd@urbanatomy.com (Shenzhen) (0755) 8623 3210 ext 801 Distribution/Subscription (020) 8358 7749 ext 828 Listings & Events (Guangzhou) (020) 8358 9847 ext 808 (Shenzhen) (0755) 8623 3220 Web & IT (021) 5238 5459 Fax (020) 8363 3759 ext. 816

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Distribution across the Pearl River Delta: 63,000 copies

Editor's Note

April

When I think back to my first trip to SeaWorld as a kid, I picture the gift shop. Tantalizingly low shelves packed with unnaturally soft orcas and dolphins that were, of course, way too expensive to take home (even with my impeccable five-year-old persuasion skills).

My affinity for these ‘charismatic megafauna’ – or animals that people inexplicably tend to fall in love with – continued long after our trip to Florida, resulting in the occasional Shamu inflatable pool toy or Lisa Frank psychedelic orca binder (yes, those were a thing and they were awesome).

SeaWorld, the marine mammal park now criticized for its treatment of killer whales in captivity, may have introduced me to these spectacular creatures of the sea, but its commercial jingles and cuddly stuffed animals sure kept me from learning their side of the story – at least until I was older (if you still haven’t seen Blackfish, now would be a good time – it’s free on iQiyi).

As many Western countries move to ban orca confinement in light of revealing documentaries and pressure from animal rights groups, however, China is just getting into the trade. There are currently 122 whales in captivity in Guangdong province alone, according to data from the China Cetacean Alliance, and an additional 449 held in other provinces in China.

Where are they being taken? How are they transported? Are trainers here familiar with the risk of working with abused orcas? Senior Digital Editor Matthew Bossons explores these questions and more on p38.

Elsewhere in the magazine, Sky Thomas Gidge investigates the triggers of expat alcohol abuse (p12), contributing writer Paul Finkbeiner brings us to the foot of Angkor Wat (p22) and Tristin Zhang steals some quality beach time in Huizhou (p24).

In our Arts section, Connor Frankhouser chats with American Matthew Knowles about his lead role in Asura – the most expensive Chinese blockbuster ever made – which is set to hit theaters in the summer of 2018. Read about his sprint to stardom on p31.

Last but certainly not least, we have a number of solid restaurants and bars to check out in Eat & Drink (p56), so be sure to flip to the back of this issue and see what’s new in town.

The f(sm)og of March has finally cleared and life is good here in the PRD. Get out and enjoy the sunshine!

WIN WIN WIN

In Guangzhou, a pair of tickets to Urban Meadow by BodyVox (p70), a pair of tickets to Giorgia Fumanti China Tour (p72), a pair of tickets to Mahan Esfahani Harpsichord Concert (p72), a pair of tickets to German music producer and songwriter Maximilian Hecker (p72), a pair of tickets to ‘Tribute to Michael Jackson’ string concert by Aupa (p72) and a pair of tickets to British funk duo Majik (p72).

In Shenzhen, four tickets to blackgaze masters Alcest (p70), a pair of tickets to Kyoto-based instrumental rock band SOW at B10 Live (p70) and five vouchers for a signature dish at Minikor (p78).

Jocelyn Richards Editor-in-Chief

Win a Pair of Flights to Thailand!

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Hourly updates on news, current affairs and general weirdness from around PRD and China.

Turn to p15 for a chance to win a pair of return flights to the Thai island of Phuket – and its dramatic karst islands and sandy white beaches – with the new That's AR app. Standing for Augmented Reality, the app allows users to scan the magazine to see interactive digital content such as video, audio, images and visualized 3D models leaping off the page and coming to life. Scan the relevant QR code below to download it now.

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38 COVER STORY

8 CITY

TAKEN

9 TICKETS TO RIDE

The rise of cetacean captivity in China.

Bus attendant.

12 CITY SNAPSHOT Rails of time.

17 MOTHER'S DAY TREASURES Echostudio co-founder shares her vision.

24 DARK PARADISE

46 COMMUNITY

THE WRAP

16 LIFE & STYLE

The surviving grandeur of Cambodia.

26 ARTS 27 ALCEST Masters of blackgaze.

APRIL 15

32 SO LONG, CHICAGO

Headhunterz

Talking with Addison Groove.

58 EAT & DRINK 62 5 O'CLOCK IN SHENZHEN Cocktail bars for your every mood.

66 TAPS Going gastro.

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70 EVENTS

MAY 4

Voca People

ONGOING Bruce Lee Exhibition in HK

CITY 'Flying Eagle'

The architectural feat behind Shenzhen's colossal civic center, p10

Chinese Urban Dictionary P11 8 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Putting Down the Drink P12

MAN ON THE STREET

TICKETS TO RIDE Bus Attendant

By Bailey Hu

W

ith Shenzhen’s extra-long bus routes, a machine that charges a flat rate fare just doesn’t cut it: two stops shouldn’t cost the same as 20.

Enter the bus attendant, or chengwuyuan.

Armed with handheld card scanners and bundles of color-coded receipts, the (mostly) women in uniform thread their way through packed buses, asking customers for their destinations and charging them based on route length.

According to attendant Wang Jun, in addition to charging fares, she also assists the elderly and children. We’ve seen her words proven true before, when a frail-looking older man boarded a crowded bus and the chengwuyuan convinced a passenger to give up her seat.

In some ways, it’s a grueling job: one attendant says she averages “a dozen or so hours” each shift. However, that’s balanced by a flexible workweek that allows up to every other day off.

When we ask Wang how she handles the

rush hour crowd or the dawn-to-dusk shifts, she simply replies that she’s “used to it.” After learning the ropes, there’s “not much pressure.” Wang comes from the city of Yongzhou, in Hunan, and has lived in Shenzhen for “many years,” she tells us with a laugh.

Overall, she likes her job here.

On a different bus, a chengwuyuan smiles as she explains why she loves being an attendant. Apparently it combines two of her main interests: the service industry and riding buses.

She likes the social aspect of the job.

Chengwuyuan are assigned a different route each shift, allowing them to meet many attendants and drivers. She also encounters an estimated 1,000 customers a day.

Despite her enthusiasm, she admits that there are downsides. For one, due to limited break times, attendants soon learn not to drink too much water during shifts. On a more serious note, unruly passengers can cause trouble for attendants.

Some try to avoid paying their fares, she

tells us. When they’re discovered, they may direct their anger at the attendant. Once, a man who stayed onboard well past his stop blew up at her, telling her: “You’re sick.”

Considering the difficulties, would she switch jobs if given the chance?

“I would continue [this job] because I like it,” she tells us. A consummate professional, she gives us a smile and waves as we get off at our stop.

THE DIRTY DETAILS Monthly salary: RMB2,500 Days per week: 3-4 Hours per day: 12

Man on the Street is a monthly feature where we talk to someone doing an everyday job, in order to get an insight into the lives of average Chinese people.

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THE BUZZ BEHIND THE CONCRETE

CITY SNAPSHOT

Shenzhen Civic Center

Rails of Time

The city of Shenzhen – which we all know transformed from a small fishing village into a major metropolis in just a few decades – has come to signify China’s economic leap over the last 35 years.

Functioning as the municipal government’s primary office space, the Shenzhen Civic Center takes on the shape of a flying eagle and is supposed to be indicative of the city’s soaring urban development.

Designed by acclaimed ChineseAmerican architect John Ming-Yee Lee and completed in 2004, the civic center is considered Shenzhen’s most distinguishable landmark after the towering Ping’an Finance Centre.

One round and one square-shaped tower penetrate the 9,000-ton, 486-meter-long wing-shaped roof, which some say looks more like a giant gas station than a flying eagle, and we’d tend to agree.

With Lotus Mountain grandly guarding its back, the Shenzhen Civic Center boasts superior fengshui, allowing it to attract general prosperity for the city (or so the logic goes). It takes only about 30 minutes to reach the peak from a roof garden that connects the civic center to Shenzhen Central Book City.

Apart from serving as the working space for more than 30 government departments, the Shenzhen Civic Center also holds regular art exhibitions, lectures and performances.

Shennan Dadao, Futian District, Shenzhen 深圳市 福田区深南大道

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“After a long evening wandering around shooting ‘downtown’ Hong Kong, I was walking back towards my hotel across Hennessy Road when this image stuck in my mind – even before I shot it,” recalls @apkalogerakis.

“I was pretty confident that long exposure would let me record some of the interesting light trails that give prominence to the busy road, and if I was lucky and accurate enough, I could have my cherry on the top and capture one of the passing ‘ding dings,’ or trains.

“This photo is how I see Hong Kong. On the one hand, it’s a modern ‘in-forever-motion’ metropolis, looking even more vibrant at night with its dazzling array of lights. On the other hand, it’s a city with a rich and well-preserved historic legacy, where around every bend waits a chance to travel through time.”

Have photos of Guangdong? Tag #thatsprd on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our feed and in the magazine.

RANDOM NUMBER

16 4,628

… is the number of bikes produced every 10 minutes in a factory in Tianjin to meet the growing demand for Mobikes, Ofos and other shared wheels.

Tianjin is emerging as China’s low-end bicycle production hub and boasts over 1,000 bike manufacturers, according to a report by the Ministry of Commerce of China.

… is how much renminbi a man was charged for two ‘East China Sea wild yellow croaker’ fish at a restaurant in Shenzhen’s OCT Harbour last month. After receiving the unexpectedly steep bill, the man was able to negotiate a 5 percent discount, but he remained unsatisfied and filed a complaint with the Shenzhen Consumer Council the next day. By March 1, his story had gone viral online, and on March 3 Shenzhen’s Price Supervision and Inspection Bureau fined the restaurant – known as 1949 Hua Jia Li – RMB5,000 for its fishy business.

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

CHINESE URBAN DICTIONARY

Zhuangbi / zhuāngbī / 装逼 v. to pose, to pretend to be a bigwig I can’t come to dinner because I can’t eat at a public restaurant.

Why not?

I’m too famous on the Internet. I'll just turn the restaurant into chaos.

We’ll book a private room then.

*Walks away*

According to psychologists, almost all adult problems are rooted in the gap between our expectations and reality. We all wanted to be astronauts, doctors, business moguls and supermodels, but we ended up being IT consultants, pizza delivery boys and office clerks. The distance between our dreams and our lives is so unbridgeable that it hurts to even think about.

If there was some magic potion to alleviate that feeling of a failure, we’d take it in a heartbeat. And that’s what zhuangbi is – pretending to be your dream self for a short while, usually in front of some random audience, to ease the pain of being the embarrassing disappointment that you usually are.

Zhuang means ‘to pretend’ and bi here is short for ‘niubi’ which means ‘extremely impressive.’ Therefore, to zhuangbi is to ‘pose to impress.’ This is what people are doing when they talk loudly in a crowded subway car about closing million-dollar deals, or when they sit in Starbucks with a soy latte that cost half of their weekly salary.

For those few short minutes, those who zhuangbi feel like less of a loser in this game of life. And since our brains can’t distinguish fake happiness from real happiness, we feel as if we’re really our dream selves.

This is why zhuangbi is an addictive game and some will never stop doing it. They sneak into first-class cabins to take a selfie that they post with the caption “first class isn’t what it used to be.” They memorize whiskey brands they’ve never tasted, just to casually drop the line “I only drink peaty single malts.” They pepper their speech with esoteric acronyms so that people think they are experts. They beg their friends to like their WeChat posts to appear popular and well-connected.

The truth is: we all zhuangbi from time to time. We do it because it takes so little and feels so good. And sometimes, you might even successfully convince people that you are who you’re pretend to be.

Whether you can convince yourself is another challenge altogether.

Mia Li

Our MIT Collaboration The British School of Guangzhou is excited to announce our global collaboration with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

From August 2017, our students will have an enhanced STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) curriculum developed by experts, researchers and scientists from MIT. 6 of our students will attend the MIT-Nord Anglia STEAMFest in Cambridge, USA. There, they will interact with and learn from renowned MIT academics through a programme of forward-looking activities, including bioengineering, coding and robotics.

www.bsg.org.cn

Discover more at www.bsg.org.cn

+86 (0)20 8709 4788 ext. 2004

admissions@bsg.org.cn

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 11

CIT Y | F E AT URE

THE LAST DROP What Killed Sean Hammond?

By Sky Thomas Gidge

I

t looked like a happy gathering.

In March of 2016, more than a dozen people arrived at a pizza shop in Shenzhen where a sign pasted onto a glass pizza display read: ‘Thirty percent of proceeds will be donated to Sean Hammond.’ Hammond had died suddenly and the money would go to sending his remains back to New Jersey, with anything extra raised going to his orphaned daughter.

Billboard 100 hits played as pictures of Hammond were projected on a wall and friends stood to speak, describing him as a great – if challenging – friend.

“This is how we met,” a man said before opening a bottle of 35-proof liquor and finishing it in a series of gulps.

A suited host urged attendees to buy food and alcohol in Hammond’s memory and a woman put down a margarita before picking up the microphone: “I have some words to say. Bear with me, I’ll say them, then we can all drink.”

It had been six days since Hammond drank himself to death.

Medically speaking, Hammond died from cardiac arrest. It came as a shock to his friends, though many ‘saw it coming’ after the fact. Hammond struggled with alcohol for years, earning ‘frequent flyer’ status at hospitals, where doctors knew to treat him for alcohol poisoning on sight. Although many of his friends liked to drink, Hammond would take it too far, drinking for weeks at a time and having at least one bender that left him unable to shower on his own.

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F E AT URE | CIT Y

His death wasn’t one night in the making and just because the road to his passing had been set, didn’t mean it had to happen.

It took a predisposition to drink as much as it took a blind-eye culture and a language barrier preventing close friendships with locals. As much a victim of his vices, Hammond was a victim to the expat way of life.

“The first two years I was here, I drank every day to the point of being drunk,” says 5-year Shenzhen resident Donald Heiman, who asked not to use his real name.

“All the other expats were drinking. It was just the thing to do.”

Heiman’s story is a familiar one. Unable to speak Chinese, he formed a motley crew of friends who had little in common outside of a fondness to imbibe.

“When you get here, if you want to go out and socialize, you’re going to go and find people at the bar,” says Heiman.

In 2014, the World Health Organization estimated that 3.3 million deaths each year could be traced to ‘harmful use of alcohol,’ a rather broad brush to paint the potential problem, but studies on expatriate alcohol use are few and far between.

The little research done confirms what many expect. A study hosted by the US National Library of Medicine found an increase in drinking in Americans living abroad, with alcohol use increasing markedly among those who don’t integrate into the host culture. As welcoming as China is, laowai remain laowai.

“The big difference for me was that I learned Chinese,” Heiman says. “After changing my social circle, I drank a lot less.”

Rated as one of the most difficult languages in the world, learning Chinese requires 2,200 hours of academic masochism for native English speakers to hit ‘general proficiency.’ Most choose a relaxing night out over cloistered study.

“H

e was really a very persuasive, good looking guy. He was really a master salesperson,” says businessman James Sung. Sung convinced Hammond to come to China in 2010 with an eye towards working together.

“There was a book, and it was such an appropriate title that I had to send it to him,” says Sung. “It was called ’Struggling in America? Come to China.’”

Hammond, a single father with a tumultuous family life, did what many alcoholics do when problems stack up: he tried to lose them in another country.

“I did what we call a geographical,” says Broc Smith, explaining a move common enough among alcoholics to have its own parlance.

Now sober, Smith has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Shenzhen for around 11 years, serving as the organizer for much of that time.

“In China they think alcoholism is a moral dilemma,” says Smith. “If you have a family member with it, you lock them in the basement and don’t talk about it.”

Lacking even a family with a basement, Hammond’s problems worsened. A few days after arriving in China, Sung recalls finding his friend sitting on steps outside drinking from a bottle of Jack Daniels.

"As much a victim of his vices, Hammond was a victim to the expat way of life"

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CIT Y | F E AT URE

“He knew he had a problem and he would try to control it,” says Sung, who sent Hammond to the hospital for alcohol poisoning at least six times by his count. “There was a stretch with no problems with him for a long time, and then these coworkers at a company wanted to go out and drink.”

It would have been difficult for Hammond to say no. In China, the pressure to drink can be extreme, with news of untimely deaths being a regular media feature.

In 2016, a Hainan bridesmaid was filmed surrounded by people goading her into finishing glasses of high-proof booze until she collapsed. She later choked to death on her vomit. The same year, Anhui Province decided to issue an almost total ban on consuming at official functions after a spate of alcohol-related civil servant deaths.

A recent story to make the media rounds comes from Jiangsu province, where a postgraduate student who rarely drank collapsed and died after reportedly being pressured to drink by his superior.

“It has to do with giving people face, people just don’t accept you not having a drink with them,” Sung says.

Dr. Seamus MacAuley has worked in addiction treatment for 12 years and is now the head counselor at Hong Kong’s The Cabin, a chain of treatment centers with branches ranging from Thailand to Denmark.

“If a job takes someone away from supportive scrutiny and people calling them to account, then chances are they will do something they shouldn’t,” says MacAuley, who estimates that 25 percent of Hong Kong’s expatriates abuse alcohol, 9 percent more than drink ‘at hazardous levels’ in England.

According to a Nanshan People’s Hospital information officer, Hammond sought treatment for alcohol poisoning the day he died, yet his death certificate doesn’t mention it. And that’s normal.

“Of course it says cardiac arrest, but the underlying problem is alcohol.

You very rarely will see anything on a death certificate related to alcohol. It usually reads liver failure, cardiac failure,” says MacAuley.

S

itting in his humble apartment in Shenzhen’s affluent Software Park area, Sung replays Hammond’s last WeChat voice messages from an iPhone 7 Plus. They range from threats, to business ideas to a plea for help 10 days before his death.

“I didn’t think anything was wrong. It was so normal,” says Sung, who had been traveling at the time. “It still haunts me.”

After Hammond’s death, Sung spearheaded the fundraising effort to return Hammond’s remains to the United States. It was a stunning success.

Characterized by one long-term expat as ‘there but for the grace of God I go,’ it raised USD10,000, including donations from people in Beijing, Shanghai and Taiwan who had never met Hammond.

Asked if Hammond’s death was inevitable, Sung pauses before answering.

“On his path, I guess eventually,” he says “But really… I think (being in) China definitely sped up the process.”

THE 12 QUESTIONS Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?

YES NO Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking?

YES NO Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?

YES NO Have you had to have a ‘hair of the dog’ upon awakening during the past year?

YES NO Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?

YES NO Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?

YES NO Has your drinking caused trouble at home?

YES NO Do you ever try to get ‘extra’ drinks at a party because you do not get enough?

YES NO Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?

YES NO Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?

YES NO Do you have blackouts?

YES NO Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

YES NO Four or more ‘Yes’ answers means you may have a problem with alcohol, according to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Struggling with alcohol abuse?

You can find help through Alcoholics Anonymous here.

Shenzhen: WWW.AAShenzhen.com Guangzhou: WWW.AAGuangzhou.com

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F E AT URE | CIT Y

LIFE

P HO T O E S S AY | CI T Y

CI T Y | P HO T O E S S AY

&

STYLE Holiday in Huizhou

Escape to white sandy beaches without leaving Guangdong, p24

Cheap Camera Drone P18 1 6 | | SSZZ | | AAPPRRI ILL 22001 177 | | WWWWWW. .TTHHAATTSSMMAAGGSS. .CCOOMM

Conghua Hot Springs P19

FASHION

MOTHER'S DAY TREASURES

Echostudio Co-Founder Cynthia Zhong Shares Her Inspiration

By Ziyi Yuan

I

t’s always hard to think of meaningful gifts for mom – so difficult, in fact, that the fruitless pursuit of a perfect China-themed, elegant piece of jewelry for mom led co-founders Cynthia Zhong and Andre Ramos to design a line of their own.

In 2016, Echostudio was born: a brand of jewelry that incorporates distinctly Chinese elements that have been redesigned into sophisticated, contemporary pieces.

This month, we chatted with Zhong about her experience starting the brand and Echostudio’s most popular designs.

Nowadays, you can find more and more talented jewelry designers in China with strong international backgrounds. With the rapid growth of e-commerce and the importance of social media in the fashion industry, people can get designer products and access new information easily online. Yet there are still far more copies than original designs out there. Consumers follow trends created by the market, which means everyone ends up following the same thing and losing their sense of identity.

Tell us about your experience setting up a brand in China.

outside world and a sneak peek into what’s going on inside.

In this collection you will see square, circular, oval and ice-ray patterns – similar to the Chinese lattice on window frames, but with a more contemporary design.

What’s your vision for Echostudio going forward?

Our vision is to be widely recognized as an inspiring Eastern brand, which makes people feel proud of Chinese heritage.

The word ‘easy’ will not exist once you establish your own brand. So far, we have received a lot of support based on the trust from consumers and friends, which I have been very grateful for.

Everything happened so fast, but I want to stick to the main point of this brand (build the trust of consumers regarding local Chinese design) instead of only thinking about how to gain profit.

What was your original intention when setting up your own brand?

Our hope with Echostudio is to connect and educate our consumers about Chinese history through our accessories in modern design. By selecting specific symbols and representations such as window frames, Chinese knots and other items, we hope to bring the best sensation of China to consumers.

How are you positioning your line?

Echostudio offers timeless, fashionforward and affordable accessories inspired

by Chinese elements reimagined into beautiful modern pieces.

We want to connect the young generation with the best of traditional China and expose expats to elements of Chinese culture through our accessories.

What do you think of the jewelry market in China?

WECHAT | INSTAGRAM: ECHOSTUDIOOFFICIAL EMAIL: ECHOSTUDIOPT@GMAIL.COM

Can you explain the meaning behind one or two of your most popular works?

One of our latest collections, ‘The Eyes of The World,’ takes its inspiration from Chinese window frames, and we love the way the light reflects and shines through these geometric designs.

A long time ago, Chinese people had their wishes and blessings engraved onto window frames. A window offers both a view of the WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 17

STYLE RADAR TAP THAT APP

VUE Video Posting photos on WeChat and Instagram is cool, but if you really want friends back home to live vicariously through your experiences abroad, you can’t keep sharing stationary selfies. No, your pics have to move – or at least offer 360-degree views (see our review of the Camorama on thatsmags.com).

Enter VUE: the video editing and movie making app that lets you shoot footage and create video montages between 6 and 60 seconds on your smartphone. Even if you don’t plan on posting footage of your live 10-second bungee jump at Baiyun Mountain to social media, VUE makes you feel a little more like Peter Jackson, and that’s never a bad thing.

Available for free on Google Play and the Apple Store in both English and Mandarin, the app is simple to master and makes even a mundane shot of the floor in your office look like a scene from a badass indie drama (we tried it), so you really can’t go wrong.

Start by selecting the shape of your frame (full screen vertical video, square, widescreen, etc.) and then choosing a filter from a list of names like ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ You can decide how many shots to take (1-6) and the total duration of your video. Next, pick your subject(s) and start filming.

Polish your work by adding in transitions (fade, dissolve) between shots, subtitles, stickers (please don't) and background music (‘cinematic’ is our favorite). VUE lets you access your iTunes music as well, in case you don’t like the generic but surprisingly tasteful jingles included in the app.

Now go out and film something!

VUE is available on iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded in English or Mandarin.

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SENNHEISER MOMENTUM 2.0 RMB2,199 sennheiser.tmall.com

CHEAP CHIC VS LUX LABEL

XIAOMI MI HEADPHONES RMB199 xiaomi.tmall.com

Sound-Off A source of solace on perplexingly noisy metro and train rides in China, headphones are an invaluable companion on long road trips and commutes. If you’re afraid to rock anything but earphones, don’t be: living in Asia is the perfect excuse to invest in a pair of flashy, over-the-top headphones. They’re as much an accessory as a listening device.

Our cheap but chic option this month comes from Xiaomi and sells for just RMB199 on Tmall. Producing a comparably clear, crisp sound for the price, the lightweight Mi Headphones are plenty comfortable and come in white or ostentatious black and gold. They’re compatible with any smartphone, tablet or laptop you have, so there’s no need to trade in your malfunctioning Apple phone for a Xiaomi just yet.

On the higher end is Sennheiser’s Momentum 2.0, listed at a steep but bearable RMB2,199.

Boasting more spacious and softer earcups than the 1.0, they bring out the best in all types of music – including heavy bass – and conveniently fold up to fit in a carrying case. The leather band and vintage design convey a smart sophistication that’s a bit more age-appropriate than those glossy Beats by Dr. Dre you bought in college.

INSPECT-A-GADGET

Cheap Camera Drone We quickly realized something was wrong.

Perched on the edge of a building, we watched as Yadajia’s D61 drone drifted out of reach in the wind, six stories up.

Onboard camera rolling, the 26-second video ends when the drone apparently crosses the 70-meter Wi-Fi range and out of our possession forever. Total money lost?

RMB198.

Packing ‘good-enough’ features that were the realm of prosumers just a few years ago, the quadcopter is about the size of a large pizza and costs less than a nice meal. In the box, you get everything you need to fly it, including an Xbox-inspired controller, which has a smartphone grip. Though a phone is not required, it makes the drone infinitely cooler by giving a live view from the camera and allowing you to record video, that although is

HOW MUCH: RMB198 SOLD WHERE: TAOBAO (SEARCH D61WG) FOR WHO: THE DRONE CURIOUS

advertised as being 720p, looks a bit lower.

Build quality is what you would expect at the price point – flimsy plastic and screw holes a smidgen too small – but on the whole the drone works, though it can be a bit unwieldy, as we found out the hard way.

While the drone industry in the West has seen layoffs and ‘pivots’ away from manufacturing, the D61 is a drone that only China could provide. Though DJI remains the obvious choice for hardcore hobbyists and videographers, this drone is an excellent first step for those who want to fly seven minutes at a time.

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DAYTRIPPER

Conghua Hot Springs Town

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e’re lucky here in South China. Not only do we have two of the mainland's four largest cities (and Hong Kong) a quick train ride away, but we’re also close to mountains in the north (Yingde) and a tropical island to the south (Hainan). Of course, no daytrip compares to the relaxation derived from bathing in a natural hot spring, and this month’s destination saw former US President Richard Nixon himself visit for a bit of steamy R&R in 1976.

First, the town. It’s literally called ‘Hot Springs Town’ or ‘Wenquan Zhen,’ and is located in the northern part of Conghua, which is now a district of Guangzhou’s everexpanding megalopolis. There’s absolutely nothing to do in Hot Springs Town except, you guessed it, lounge in revitalizing mineral water, so hibernating in your hotel room all weekend won’t bring pangs of guilt.

Dozens of resorts compete along the river, but the one at the very end of the road –

Guangdong Hot Spring Hotel – has our vote as the oldest and most scenic lodge that housed not only Nixon but Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaopin, Jiang Zemin and countless other heads of state back in the day.

You can book the suite where they stayed for about USD5,000 a night, or opt for a room with a private patio spa that seats four to six for around RMB1,000. Simpler rooms (RMB300) still let you fill your indoor bathtub with hot spring water, but if you want to squeeze in more than one person at a time you’ll have to venture outside to the public pools.

The grounds are spectacular in the springtime, when mist rises from the hills and fiery Kapok tree blossoms look particularly bright against the backdrop of gloomy winter vegetation. It’s also the best season to go for a dip according to traditional Chinese medicine, which claims bathing in a hot spring can help remove excess moisture from the body.

Aside from a few historic plaques and two lengthy outdoor corridors that were clearly intended for leaders to pace back and forth while mulling over world problems, there’s nothing political about the hotel, which, although built in 1955, is still refreshingly well designed by China standards.

For a bite to eat, check out the on-site restaurant Taoran, which serves an amazing mix of Sichuan dishes (the shuizhu niurou 水 煮牛肉 is on point) and Cantonese dim sum.

There are also countless nongjiazhuang, or farmhouse restaurants, in town that serve regional dishes like baked rice (lawei jufan 腊味 焗饭) and roasted pigeon (kaoge 烤鸽).

Located just two to three hours away by public transport, Conghua combines a healthy dose of nature, relaxation and exploration into a two-day weekend without breaking your budget. JR Guangdong Hot Spring Hotel, 112 Wenquan Dong Lu, Wenquan Zhen, Conghua District, Guangzhou 广州市从化区温泉镇温泉东路112号广东温泉宾馆 (0208783 0888, www.gdwqbg.com)

How to get there: FROM GUANGZHOU Take a cab or metro to any major bus terminal in the city (Tianhe Coach Terminal, Guangzhou Railway Station, etc.) and ride a bus two hours to Conghua station (从化汽车站). Take a 30-minute cab to Guangdong Hot Spring Hotel (广东温泉宾馆). From there, you can easily walk to other hot spring resorts..

FROM SHENZHEN Sharing a Didi with friends is most convenient but will cost about RMB650. To travel on public transport, take a bus from Futian or Nanshan Bus Station about three hours to Conghua station ( 从化汽车站) and then follow the directions above.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 19

LIFE & STYLE | FASHION

FOR HIM

OUTERKNOWN

BEAMS PLUS

NEIGHBORHOOD

MARGARET HOWELL

SHONAN STRIPED HEMP AND ORGANIC-COTTON T-SHIRT

STRIPED COTTON-JERSEY T-SHIRT

STRIPED KNITTED COTTON T-SHIRT

MHL PRINTED COTTON AND LINEN-BLEND T-SHIRT

RMB690

RMB448

RMB759

RMB793

www.outerknown.com

www.beams.co.jp/beamsplus

www.neighborhood.jp

www.margarethowell.co.uk

Compiled by Victor Liu

They say stripes never go out of fashion. And we believe them. Once again, style reports are predicting that this timeless motif will be on catwalks – and sidewalks – this summer. Grab one of these classics and we promise it’ll still be on trend when stripes are next ‘in’ (which will probably be this time next year).

20 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

FOR HER

MADEWELL

SAINT LAURENT

M.I.H JEANS

Rag&Bone

Grayson striped cotton-jersey T-shirt

Striped cotton-jersey top

Mariniere striped cotton-jersey top

Vintage striped cotton-jersey T-shirt

RMB206

RMB3,793

RMB1,172

RMB655

www.madewell.com

www.ysl.com

www.mih-jeans.com

www.rag-bone.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 21

L IF E & S T Y L E | T R AV E L

DARK PARADISE

The Surviving Grandeur of Cambodia

By Paul Finkbeiner

T

hird world, genocide and ancient temples. It might not sound like an ideal vacation spot to some, but for me and two Chinese friends, it was perfect – an affordable tropical paradise.

During our stay in Cambodia, we planned to visit Phnom Penh, the capital, and then travel to the beach town of Sihanoukville before arriving at Siem Reap, home to the ancient temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat. Phnom Penh was busy but at a different pace than China. There were more tuk-tuks and motorcycles than cars and buses, and public transportation was limited until we entered the downtown area.

China is clearly investing in the country.

Most construction projects are financed by the mainland and there are a number of Chinese restaurants and businesses scattered throughout the city. But we were here to experience Cambodia, so we hired a tuk-

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tuk driver to take us to the Royal Palace, a complex similar to the Forbidden City.

Many of the buildings there resemble Buddhist versions of Gothic cathedrals in Europe, their roofs covered in delicate, ornate carvings such as seven-headed snakes, dragons and Buddhist gods. Most have a central spire that towers over the building.

Buddhism seemed ubiquitous in Cambodia, and there was a certain reverence I hadn’t expected. When we entered a temple, we had to remove our shoes and step over the wooden entrance to walk on the carpeted floor. Many people offered incense or money to the Buddhist gods inside.

The next day, we headed to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – a former high school turned into a gruesome prison for those who opposed the Khmer Rouge regime. Though the extremist communist government only ruled for a few years, the atrocities they committed against their people are still felt today.

We learned prisoners here were chained to a metal bar and slept on metallic beds. A host of torture techniques were employed, and nearly 20,000 people were killed at this nightmarish high school.

Those who survived torture were sent to the Killing Fields, which still house the graves of tens of thousands of people. An audio tour guided us along the path where the prisoners were dropped off by the truckload and executed. Apparently, the executioners would blast music from speakers and leave the truck engines running to mask the screams of those they killed.

The audio tour finally took us to the stupa – a memorial tower – that houses the skulls of executed prisoners. There were 17 tiers of skulls categorized by age and type of death. We may never know their names, but at least they have a proper memorial now.

Phnom Penh was sobering, and we were more than ready to relax our bodies and

T R AV E L | L IF E & S T Y L E

minds at Sihanoukville the following day.

Our tuk-tuk driver took us to Otres Beach, a long strip of sand that curls around the coast. Behind it, hostels and restaurants have established oceanfront properties a few feet from the waves.

We stayed for the sunset and watched the sun’s red and orange bands spread across the sky as it sunk below the horizon. The next day we would be diving in those waters.

Snorkeling in the ocean is no easy task.

For some reason, I struggled breathing through my tube and swallowed water quite easily. Eventually, I realized I could just hold my breath and duck my mask underwater to view the world below.

The first island we visited was a letdown – muddled waters and practically no fish.

After a lunch break on another island, we did a cliff jump before heading to the last atoll.

The skies poured on us as we neared it.

Jumping in, I was amazed to see all the

colorful lifeforms swimming beneath the surface. Dozens of striped fish darted around spongy rocks, tubular plants and sea urchins.

The water wasn’t completely transparent, but it was close enough.

I could have stayed suspended among the waves for hours, but my lungs were too weak and I was terrified I might accidentally pierce my foot on a sea urchin.

So after an hour, we climbed into the boat and headed back to the coast.

We traveled to Siem Reap the next day to see Angkor Wat, a massive temple complex built over 1,000 years ago by the Khmer Empire. It was well worth the USD40 entrance fee. A paved stone walkway led us across a moat that surrounds the temple and then through a massive gate that is the prelude to the main attraction.

After passing through the gate, we saw five spires rising up from the temple courtyard. Once inside, carvings of Buddhist gods

embellished the pillars, walls and ceiling. The monsoon rains have clearly not been kind to the carvings, but surprisingly, many are still intact.

Not all the temples are as well-preserved as Angkor Wat. Another one we visited had been gouged and scarred by trees. Their roots have toppled walls, crushed roofs and destroyed whole sections of the temple. Man may build a work of art, but nature and time will always prevail.

Over the next two days, we visited more temples than I had seen for years. One had four-faced Buddha heads on each tower that seemed to smile beatifically at me. Another was a miniaturized Hindu temple built with red sandstone and adorned with carvings of intimidating Hindu gods.

Angkor Wat made Cambodia great, while the Khmer Rouge nearly destroyed it. Now, the country is on the rebound, and I hope with time its wounds fully heal.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 23

LIFE & STYLE | HOTEL REVIEW

SEASIDE RENDEZVOUS Soak Up the Sun at Le Méridien Huizhou Text and photos by Tristin Zhang

S

ituated on Xiaojing Bay, Le Méridien Huizhou overlooks sky-blue waters and white sandy beaches. It’s a breath of fresh air for those itching to get away from the city and onto a coast without flying to Thailand or Cambodia.

The real selling point? You can finally get your fix of water sports like paddle boarding and jet skiing – all of which are offered on the hotel grounds.

But first things first. Established in Paris by Air France circa 1972, Le Méridien has expanded to include more than 100 locations worldwide. This past September saw the design-oriented luxury hotel open its doors in Huizhou, a city lush with trees, lakes and beaches located an hour’s drive from Shenzhen and two from Guangzhou.

Inside, one is naturally drawn to the quaint seascape and infinity pool just outside the lobby. The views don’t stop there, however. Each of Le Méridien Huizhou’s 297 rooms faces the ocean, with a picturesque horizon visible from either the spacious private balcony or through large French windows.

24 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Contemporary in style, rooms are equipped with 55-inch IPTVs that are, as we excitedly discovered, loaded with free video games and complimentary 3D movies. If the kids are along for the ride, consider upgrading to a suite with a separate living room so they can have their fill of gaming while you relax in (relative) quiet.

Attractive as the hotel’s interior is, you’ll want to set aside adequate time for the outdoors and presumed highlight of your trip: water sports.

Located by the sea, Le Méridien Huizhou packs equipment for everything from jet-skiing and hydro biking to kayaking and paddle boarding, with coaches standing by to accompany you if needed.

Don’t feel like getting wet? A leisurely 5-kilometer bike lane winds along the oceanfront next to the hotel – just ask the concierge to assist you in renting a bicycle.

Now owned by Marriott International, Le Méridien is positioned to “unlock the destination with chic design and cuisine curated for the curious, creative traveler.” In its Huizhou establishment, two restaurants and a lobby bar are in service, with the Le Mei Chinese Restaurant focusing on Hakka dishes presented with a modern twist, while the Latest Recipe restaurant serves international fare. If you’re keen to try more authentic local flavors, a five-minute taxi ride into Huiyang District will allow you to explore Hakka cuisine – and culture – in more depth.

Set to open new branches in Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Foshan and Guangzhou over the next three years, Le Méridien will soon be a solid staycation choice at a city near you. Though if water sports and an afternoon on a private beach sound appealing, the Huizhou location just might be your best bet.

Room prices start from RMB988. From Guangzhou, you can take the high-speed rail from Guangzhou South (or East) Railway Station to Huizhou South Railway Station, then take a taxi to the hotel. From Shenzhen, direct buses from MixC mall are available throughout the week.

1 Xiaojing Wan, Daya Bay, Huizhou 惠州市大亚湾霞涌小径湾1号 (0752-555 6000, www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien)

ARTS Beast from the East

American Matthew Knowles on starring in China's most expensive blockbuster, p30

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Ken Liu P36

FEATURE

ALCEST

Masters of Blackgaze

By Andrew Chin

S

ince marrying shoegaze’s melodic waves of ear-bleeding distortion with the thunderous dramatics of black metal over a decade ago, Alcest has been leading the blackgaze movement. They show no signs of slowing down with their acclaimed fifth album, Kodama. Before they arrive in South China as part of their seven-city tour, we caught up with the French rockers’ frontman Neige.

Kodama is said to be influenced by Princess Mononoke. How?

Japan became a big influence on the music, as well as the concept and visuals behind the record. I absolutely love this country and have had a close connection to it since I was a child.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke told a story that I really related to. The feeling of living between worlds – the urban world and nature or the spiritual world and our earthly world – the duality between youth and death, femininity and animality, all are relatable to the music on Kodama.

The album has been praised as a return to Alcest’s earlier blackgaze style. Was that intentional?

We wanted to go back to something a bit closer to our roots, but still perform in a mod-

"In the early 2000s, there weren’t really any other bands doing this specific mix of elements"

ern and new style. We consciously decided to go for a more punchy style on Kodama, by putting a bigger focus on the rhythm section than ever before, but at the same time keeping the melodic and atmospheric side through a lot of guitar work in many different textures. It was a very natural choice for us, after having released such a soft and mellow record as Shelter in 2014.

What can fans expect from your live show?

Our setlists are usually a mix of songs from our entire discography, but we are of course playing a lot of the songs from Kodama. We try to stay close to the feel of the album when playing the new songs live. They are even more intense in a concert setting, though, which we think works really well with the character of the songs.

Alcest are considered pioneers of blackgaze. Do you agree?

It’s true that when I started Alcest back in the early 2000s there weren’t really any other bands doing this mix of specific elements that I was doing in my music.

It wasn’t a conscious choice. I wasn’t really trying to make something new. It was mainly a result of definite inspirational sources from my youth; trying to recreate the atmosphere and vibe from these places.

Could you imagine Alcest would achieve such acclaim when you started it?

In the beginning, I had no expectations as to what the future would hold. I could never have imagined people all over the world appreciating what we do in this way. We always hope to reach even more people as we tour around the world though. It still feels amazing to be doing so many dates in China. We love this place so much, ever since the first time we visited back in 2011 and we are super excited to come back. Asia is one of our favorite territories to play!

GZ: Mon Apr 17, 9pm; RMB100 presale, RMB120 at the door. SD Livehouse, 132 Gongye Dadao Bei, Haizhu District 海珠区工业大道北132号 (137 1919 6464); SZ: Tue Apr 18, 9pm; RMB100 presale, RMB120 at the door. B10 Live, North Side of Bldg. C2, North District, OCT Loft, Wenchang Jie, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区C2栋北 侧 (8633 7602)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 27

COLL AGE SINO CELEB

NUMBER OF THE MONTH

Huang Xiaoming

14 Minutes

Born in Qingdao, Huang Xiaoming is undoubtedly the second most notable Qingdao export after the town’s eponymous beer.

Mercifully, spending a night watching his films does not lead to headaches, nausea and poor life decisions in the manner spending a night with Tsingtao beer will.

Huang was educated in acting in a classical and formal manner, attending classes at the Beijing Film Academy. He made his bones from 2001 until 2005, appearing in all three seasons of The Prince of the Han Dynasty 《大汉天子》. By the time he starred in a 2007 reboot of the famous TV series Shanghai Bund, Huang was a made man in the rapidly evolving and growing mainland television and film industry. He has subsequently maintained his star status by focusing on the silver screen, featuring in an installment of the ever-popular Ip Man film franchise, releasing a string of charting singles (he is a singer as well) and most notably by marrying Angelababy, the ‘It girl’ of China. The wedding between Huang and Angelababy was picked up by news outlets worldwide, introducing them to Western audiences, and was luxe enough to make the Han Dynasty prince Huang played early in his career jealous.

China’s new Film Industry Promotion Law was introduced on March 1 and Hugh Jackman’s final Wolverine film was the first to be affected. Rated R in America for strong language and violence, Logan was released last month across China with 14 minutes cut from its original running time and a parental advisory.

Historically, China has not employed a ratings system allowing audiences of any ages to see any films released. This has prevented films like Deadpool from coming to the country in the past.

Despite the cuts and warning, Logan won the box office with an impressive USD48.34 million opening weekend. The film has garnered wide praise across the world for its gritty and surprisingly emotional story.

Kind of like: Brad Pitt during the ‘Brangelina,’ Mr. & Mrs. Smith days Famous for: marrying Angelababy See him next in: Nirvana in Fire 2: an upcoming historical drama

HAO BU HAO

Hao While this year’s Oscars will forever live in infamy, iQiyi has scored the streaming rights to Moonlight and La La Land, the two films announced as Best Film. It’s a huge coup for the Baidu-owned subsidiary that has also raised USD1.53 billion as they battle rivals like the Alibaba-owned Youku and Tudou for China’s streaming supremacy.

Bu Hao The first major Chinese-American coproduction was met with a resounding thud across North America. Despite starring Matt Damon and being directed

by Zhang Yimou, The Great Wall failed to impress, grossing just USD34.8 million after last month’s opening. Ironically, many Chinese netizens criticized the film for being “too Hollywood.” Analysts estimate the big-budget spectacle could lose more than USD75 million.

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E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

Ghost in the Shell The cyberpunk manga classic gets a glitzy Hollywood live action makeover. Despite criticisms of white-washing, Scarlett Johansson takes on the iconic role of The Major – the human-cyborg field commander of Section 9. While the special ops law enforcement group is constantly thwarting cyber criminals and hackers, they face a new enemy that will stop at nothing to sabotage the artificial intelligence technology that they employ.

APR 7

The Fate of the Furious

APR 14

What do you do after you set records and become the first film to gross over RMB2 billion in China? For Vin Diesel and the rest of the Fast and Furious crew, you seriously switch it up. Following the events of Fast 7, Dom Toretto and his team are settling back into normal lives. However, the mysterious criminal mastermind Cipher (Charlize Theron) is able to corrupt Dom, turning him against his friends. Can the family get back together? Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Helen Mirren, Tyrese and Kurt Russell co-star, while Straight Outta Compton’s F. Gary Gray directs.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 29

ARTS | F E AT URE

BREAKING BIG

China's American Face on the Future of the Chinese Box Office

By Connor Frankhouser

B

oasting a 100-million-dollar budget, Asura is the most expensive Chinese film ever made. Though it features an international cast, the film is shot completely in Mandarin and is based on Buddhist mythology, with groundbreaking martial arts and fighting scenes that will conjure up comparisons to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

If male lead Matthew Knowles, a US-born actor fluent in Mandarin, has anything to say about it, tigers will crouch for cover and dragons will stay hidden as Asura vies to become China’s most prolific mainland film export.

Knowles himself has a story almost as improbable as the mythology behind Asura.

After playing football at Clemson University, he taught English in rural Guizhou, learned Chinese, put in the hours and landed a series of TV and film roles culminating in this latest blockbuster.

Now based in Los Angeles, Knowles recently spoke to That’s about finding stardom and the future of the Chinese film industry.

What was the first baby step that put you on the path, or catapulted you rather, to where you are now in your acting career?

Basically, what catapulted me was number one, my Chinese language ability and number two, I could sing Mandarin songs.

When I got to Chengdu… I met some TV hosts in a Sichuan KTV. They heard me sing and they were like “Hey, you need to get on one of our shows and sing and be a guest.” And so I did that and ended up signing with an agent.

I starred in everything possible after that.

But it was my signing coupled with my story I think that made me different. I came to China not to be a celebrity but to help people in Guizhou. It was not a story Chinese people had heard before and it kind of opened doors and the hearts of Chinese people, they were like “this guy cares about our country and our people… and can sing really well.”

After all this you applied to the Beijing Film Academy?

I was on this Chinese dating show and there was another American on the show named Grant. He said that if I was studying acting, I should apply to the Beijing Film Academy, the best place in China for film study.

So I sent in my resume and reel, but you know how it is in China, sometimes there is no follow up… so I grabbed my suitcases and 30 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

flew back home. My plan was not to come back for six months, a year or maybe ever. But literally the day I landed my mom showed me a letter that said I’d been accepted into the Beijing Film and TV Academy. This was the first of July when I got this. And the letter said I had to respond by the first of June [laughs].

Three weeks later I was back in China.

I know Huang Xiaoming [Chinese megastar] is a graduate of BJFA and that you’ve been able to hang out with him a couple of times…

Yeah yeah, he is good friends with some of my friends. We have eaten dinner a few times.

Yeah, he stole my girlfriend… [laughs] Angelababy.

So what would you have done back in the US if the Beijing Film Academy didn’t work out?

I was looking to continue my acting, going to LA or possibly Atlanta. I had been learning the Chinese method of acting – communicating exclusively in Chinese – and I struggled with it to be honest, because they focus on a lot of physicality and how you look, whereas the American style is all about your internal and emotional life.

It was really cool though to see that different perspective on how people act in China

and how it isn’t necessarily bad acting or overacting when you are thinking of it from a Chinese cultural point of view.

Let’s talk about Asura, where you play the Chinese version of Hercules. It’s still in postproduction so you understandably can’t divulge too much, but can you tell us what makes Asura really stand out?

It’s a really cool project, it’s something that has never been done on this scale before in China. It’s a 100-million-dollar film, but with what they can do in China, it’s like a 200-million-dollar film anywhere else. What is super cool is that the director, Peng Zhang, has a big stunt background, and for some of the scenes they have brought on a guy named Damian Walters, he is one of the most famous parkour guys in the world. He did the Assassins Creed freefall scene. So he’s like a legend.

From a purely martial arts and action movie perspective, it’s gonna be really cool to see things that’ve never been done before.

Add to that this huge and epic story and demi gods fighting back and forth, good vs. evil, it’s a really epic movie. I’m totally pumped to be part of it.

And this isn’t The Great Wall [ChineseUS co-production starring Matt Damon] where your lines are in English. Asura is entirely in Mandarin, is that correct?

F E AT URE | ARTS

"It’s a 100-milliondollar film, but with what they can do in China, it’s like a 200-milliondollar film anywhere else"

Yeah, the entire film is in Mandarin, I think it is the beginning of a trend in the future. I don’t think it is only going to be English language films that get out of China, I think it is going to be more and more Chinese language films. When you have something good like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, people don’t care what language it’s in, they just want to see it.

You’re now based in LA, the mecca of acting. What are you working on?

I’m filming an action film now called Bond: Kizuna, which is about the Japanese mafia in LA. I play like one of the main assassins, the bad guy – my first ever bad-guy role.

Do you think your career would have taken off as quickly in the USA as it did in China?

I don’t think it would have taken off as fast in the USA, mainly because it was my uniqueness in China that gave me the opportunity. Being 6-foot-4 and able to speak Mandarin is rare, and someone who can act in Chinese is even rarer. It was because of that uniqueness – and the explosion of the Chinese movie industry – that I was in the right place at the right time with the right skillset to be able to take advantage of the right opportunities.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 31

ARTS | MUSIC

O G A C I H C , G N O L O S moving on. It’s is e v o ro G n o is nce music, Add d. a d n a c ri e m A scar Hollan en British and e O w s t ll e te b e e h g d s a ri , b Once a with Afrobeats in d n a o g a ic h out with C parties ’ I didn’t g out to my e’s ‘Footcrab, were comin ov ys em! ro gu G th k ed to on or is k lik w foot that I ay footwor e I heard Add knew a lot of to. I just knew a try and pl ate me ng nn uc The first tim ni go ed te t n lis n’ ca as as w do; they what I w there, but I e of it than I really know ith some n,” the progot way mor te I came up w ve of y’ e So . it he T qu em e th m e ly to at al it. uc at re th ed t’s y can ally sa io. “Tha more than I That om his stud “People actu ay footwork. it instead. the phone fr sh er K ov U e y m az icago and pl lls cr Ch to go ducer te a l nn sorrowfu “I’m never go !” drum loop, g cool.” id thing to do pnotic kick yway. Havin t promihy os a m of he ld be a stup ng (t ti s ou dundant an w ab re st l ago be Consis ic ca on k Ch vo so ac t or ay ab’), the tr e sounds of The issue m a flurry of sh spired by th word ‘footcr es e in m s th chords and Ja m g g ts in bu in en ar al o ything be 14’s Pres peatedly bl produced tw as unlike an hythm and 20 nent one re his new, fectious. It w e.

Transistor R in m s ving. Among y ti 2’ ol gl at ev 01 lin th is (2 zz at ch K U oa e pr was pu st re genres th ap re cu in s’ a ic was at ts once-obs e), William en played – us lis ev ev m ri he ic G or , – on es e tr nc ad ec m the Atlantic: t influe sound in 2010 and el both sides of ore prominen a dominant m ay ill w st The year was ad as from he w g p ow in te mak and cumbia s were gr . While dubs that are now aning. Raver olan kuduru w ng st A less juncture , fa to r om as (O w gq . synths s, its star South African d–I d chainsaw Britain’s club ica.

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“But it was to d sl g an ou in – but noth r the night, r simultane unds.” fo nk he so s it k fu co to in ne or is d w D te ot an al fo that I lis n J Tropic illiams , it was both y name to D all the music n genres, W m ay ee pl In retrospect tw to t be ng go ge I id vibe. aving lo cord as a br really good he producers. H Using the re pleaser. But tronic ec new breed of el a r ’s fo in r.” ta ay ca ri w dless crowdy B , dm in oi m um av dr no n as y l paved the rl n. s ow clea er. As wel nces agai Williams is the beat of it ting fans eith erican influe me of m na so A ie e marched to g al av ed in le of rn ac n to tu io enough ’s just re d was embr has no intent o, he’s wise Williams, he undergroun Discos alias s welcomed n I speak to ork in Chicag ha w DJ Tropical a he s ic ot w hi fo er y, d g gl m A in an in – gh s Fitt ou rd th co ay al re pl nd oteric a. asked to of the US. A his more es to tour Chin he still gets 40s will from a tour he prepares and the brid sound, , as hy e from the 19 ty e s ci gu e’ m p en ov te ho er ro bs at m – du an a ic s r’ in ve Addison G d om Den kD ar the ol ter songs (“ “I don’t thin st wanna he its. old Headhun ell,” he adm to play any ago? y said, ‘We ju w tl ic o un Ch to bl in n e k w er in n’t ask him do th do go le st op Ju t. pe “I promoter th gh t do ly ri recalls. hs). But wha He’s probab of times,” he shit,’” he laug p. ago a couple te ic bs Ch du in aw ed an Lu, chains “I’ve play n, 1002 Keyu

Mansio 86 or, A8 Music 音乐大厦2 (1 D. Club Sect 路1002号A8 m; price TB 园 8p 科 8, 区 r 山 Ap t Sa 市南 圳 深 en zh strict, Shen Nanshan Di 6589 0130)

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MUSIC | ARTS

s a w d n u o s o g “The Chica t s e g n o r t s y m f one o e h t m o r f s e c n e influ i t. d e r e v o c s i d I t momen g n i o d p e e k t ’ n But you ca t to o g e ’v I . g n i h t the same d” e t s e r e t n i f l e s keep my

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ARTS | MUSIC

FANTÔMOS

Amiina Celebrates a Criminal Mastermind

By Andrew Chin

I

n Scandinavia’s vast world of instrumental acts, Amiina has carved out its own distinct space. Known for incorporating a seemingly endless number of instruments into their songs, they first gained recognition as the string section for acclaimed Icelandic band Sigur Rós.

“We first worked together in music collection and that evolved over some years as we started to do sessions and tours with various bands in Reykjavík,” explains Amiina co-founder Sólrún Sumarlidadóttir.

While the group provided strings on four Sigur Rós albums, Amiina officially formed in 2004 after “feeling the need to compose our own material.”

The result has been three acclaimed albums, including last year’s Fantômos – their score to the seminal 1913 French silent film.

“The project began as a concert for (French musician) Yann Tierson’s curated shows celebrating the 100th anniversary of the film,” Sumarlidadóttir explains.

“We had scored several silhouette animation films from the early 20th century by Lotte Reinige and really liked the idea of scoring such an old and remarkable film. The whole process of writing the music was really enjoyable.”

A huge hit when it was released, Fantômos follows the misadventures of its titular criminal genius. It spawned four additional film serials, which were restored and rereleased in 2006.

“The strong visual language of Fantômas appealed to us from the start,” Sumarlidadóttir says.

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“For this project, we have a rather simple set-up – only about eight instruments” “The film has been so beautifully restored that all details are very vivid.”

Sumarlidadóttir raves that the group’s initial Fantômos concert at the Theatre de Chatelet in Paris was “quite a unique evening and a great experience.”

However, she admits that there was more work for the group to do.

“Some of the musical cues in the film only last a very short time so we wanted to create versions of the tracks that could stand alone on an album.”

The result is Amiina at their

darkest. Noirish strings meet foreboding beats to create what the Irish Times dubs “a contemporary classical, post-rock cocktail.”

It’s the perfect soundtrack to the devious deeds of Fantômas – a character that represents the bridge from 19th-century Gothic villains to 20th-century serial killers in crime fiction.

“For this project, we have a rather simple set-up – only about eight instruments,” Sumarlidadóttir says. “It’s a palette that just works really well with the film.”

With their world tour kicking off last winter and continuing into the fall, it would be hard to fault the band for becoming fatigued. But Sumarlidadóttir insists that’s not the case.

“We even enjoy it more now than in the beginning,” she says.

“It is always a pleasure to dive into Paris, 1913!

Tue Apr 25, 8.30pm; RMB150 presale, RMB180 at the door. B10 Live, North Side of Bldg. C2, North District, OCT Loft, Wenchang Jie, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 深圳市南山区华侨城创意文化 园北区C2栋北侧 (0755-8633 7602)

TWELFTH NIGHT

Shakespeare’s Greatest Comedy

By Andrew Chin

K

nown as the “most popular foreign touring company in China,” TNT Theatre has built up a huge fan base across the country. Its founder Paul Stebbings has even received an MBE from British royalty for his cultural efforts.

Despite 11 years of bringing shows to China, Stebbings promises their upcoming tour of Twelfth Night will be different for everyone involved.

“This is a brand-new production, which will actually premier in China – which is unusual for us,” he says.

With recent China tours of Shakespeare classics like Hamlet, Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew to their name, Stebbings is excited that TNT is tackling what many consider to be the Bard’s greatest comedy.

“Twelfth Night is fascinating because it is the last true comedy Shakespeare wrote. It is a whirlpool of action and interreaction that leaves the audience breath-

less, usually breathless with laughter,” Stebbings says.

To capture the show’s hijinks, the company will be using a touring revolve set for the first time.

“It’s a wall that rotates and gives many opportunities for comedy,” Stebbings explains. “It also has a door and window so actors can pop through it. We also have a chair on wheels – it’s a part of the comic whirlpool effect – everything is moving and unfixed.”

Named after the Eve of the Feast of Epiphany which takes place on the twelfth night after Christmas, Twelfth Night captures the revelry of the holiday. During Shakespeare’s time, it was a carnivalesque night of role reversal inspired by the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia where masters became slaves for a day.

The show’s storyline of mistaken identity and cross-dressing has inspired recent remakes like the hit jukebox musicals Play

On! and All Shook Up, as well as the lesser acclaimed film She’s the Man. “Gender and identity are such modern themes,” Stebbings notes. “The play questions everything about love, romance, loyalty, purity and moral corruption. It is a work that is constantly reinterpreted.

“Our aim is to make sense of the play in all its richness but without trying to simplify or pin it down to one view. Let the audience decide and let Shakespeare speak is our intention.”

SZ: Thu Apr 27, 8pm, RMB80-300. Shenzhen Children’s Palace, 2002 Fuzhong Yi Lu, Futian District 福田区福中一路2002号 (8351 3099); GZ: Fri-Sat Apr 28-29, 7.30pm; RMB100-320. Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District 越秀区二沙岛晴波路33号 (en.damai.cn, 8735 3869)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 35

ARTS | BOOK

INVISIBLE PLANETS 13 ‘Visions of the Future’

By Bailey Hu

W

e’re big fans of Chinese literature in general, which is why we have mixed feelings about this collection of contemporary sci-fi yarns, rendered into English by translator and writer Ken Liu. Its slick cover promises “Thirteen intriguing visions of the future from China,” and the stories in the anthology at least don’t lack imagination. From villages populated by eerily lifelike androids to metropolises that fold up like game boards, there’s a lot to be explored here.

But the occasional flaw in characterization or plotting can shatter the illusion of the world inside the book, and one of the stories suffers from a whole multitude of issues.

To be clear, Invisible Planets includes some wholly wonderful tales. There’s Hao Jingfang’s ‘Folding Beijing,’ for instance, which won a well-deserved Hugo Award last year.

In the story, a neat gimmick – Beijing as a tripartite mechanized city, each section of which folds and unfolds according to a strict schedule – unveils hard-hitting truths. Citizens in ‘Third Space’ live in poverty and are only allowed out at night, while those in ‘First Space’ enjoy high-end accommodations and coveted daylight hours.

In ‘Folding Beijing,’ class division is literally made concrete, a pointed jab at modern-day inequalities.

Other stories are just as zany in conception, but work. Chen Qiufan’s ‘The Year of the Rat,’ for instance, is set in a gloomy future where college grads are reduced to hunting down geneticallymodified, anthropomorphic rats in order to get by.

But as readers work their way through the book, certain tired tropes tend to show up repeatedly, distracting from the colorful yarns.

A lot of the tropes have to do with women. If a pale-skinned,

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"From villages populated by eerily lifelike androids to metropolises that fold up like game boards, there’s a lot to be explored here" doe-eyed girl appears in a story, you can be sure that she’ll meet a tragic yet poignant end. Failing that, she’s an unattainable ideal that was inserted into the narrative to add unnecessary romantic tension.

The one exception is ‘Call Girl’ by Tang Fei, a cryptic tale that oddly sexualizes its school-age female protagonist.

But the weaknesses of the anthology are most embarrassingly apparent in the story ‘The City of Silence,’ by Ma Boyong. Intended as an

homage to 1984, it instead comes across as a pale imitation. George Orwell’s classic catches the imagination with the insidious, all-seeing Thought Police who understand human nature all too well. The analogous ‘appropriate authorities’ in ‘The City of Silence,’ on the other hand, don’t really get it.

Implausibly, they rapidly narrow down the choices on a ‘List of Healthy Words’ that citizens can use while allowing no outlets for pent-up emotion, and yet the vast majority of people mutely obey. Exposition is lengthy and awkwardly placed, while attempts at compelling imagery fall flat: distilled water, the bland taste of which “nauseated” the protagonist, is repeatedly used as a metaphor for life under totalitarianism.

‘The City of Silence’ has a particularly bad case of the central problem plaguing the collection: unrealistic characterization. It’s distracting, and it makes it hard to take the anthology seriously.

Which is a shame, because despite the translator’s best intentions, some will inevitably see Invisible Planets as representative of Chinese science fiction, and maybe even Chinese literature, as a whole. The casual reader who picks up this tome could be turned off from further exploration and discovery of real literary gems.

Translator Ken Liu took a gamble with this unorthodox collection, which includes an introduction and three short essays that educate the reader about Chinese science fiction. Liu obviously intended for this background information to heighten readers’ interest in the stories, but while the checkered history of the genre is actually pretty ‘intriguing,’ we can’t always say the same for the rest of the anthology.

Invisible Planets (Macmillan) is available on Amazon.

COVER STORY

TAKEN THE RISE OF CETACEAN

CAPTIVITY IN CHINA Years after the documentary Blackfish made the capture, imprisonment and display of marine mammals taboo in the West, China is just beginning to dive into the act, opening its own versions of SeaWorld and paving the way for a new age of cetacean captivity in the East. This month, Senior Digital Editor Matthew Bossons explores the cruel reality facing orcas – from their capture to transport to confinement – all in the name of ‘entertainment.’

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

In August of 1970, 80 kill er whales from L-25 pod were encircled by a net at Penn Cove in Puget Sound, Washingt on.

Herded together by a sop histicated operation involving speed boats, planes and explosives, the young wh ales were then lassoed and literally dragged out of the water and away from their familie s.

All told, seven killer wh ales, also known as orcas, were captured in the Penn Cove operation and five died, acc ording to the Whale and Dolphin Conservat ion.

In an effort to limit bad press – and because dead animals cou nted towards the team’s capture quota – the deceased animals were subsequently hid den at the bottom of the ocean.

“They had us cut the ani mals that were already dead open and put rocks inside their cavity and anchors aro und their tails and sink them,” recounts John Cro we, a participant in the hunt, in the docum entary film The Killer Whale People. “It was bec ause of publicity and the money.”

Unfortunately for the wh ale hunters, three of the cetacean car casses would eventually float to the surfac e and wash up on Whidbey Island.

The incident remains one of the most infamous in the decade s-old history of North America’s live killer wh ale captures and was a turning point tha t contributed to the Marine Mammal Protec tion Act of 1972 in the US, which marked the beg inning of the end of live cetacean captures in America.

While to many in the We st, the idea of rounding up whales, plu cking them from their aquatic home and sentencing them to lifelong incarceratio n may seem archaic (particularly in the wake of the 2013 documentary film Blackfish), public opinion on the other side of the Pac ific, here in China, is much more open toward s to the subject.

As of June 2016, there were at least 39 ocean theme parks spr ead across the People’s Republic, with 14 under construction. The majority of these attrac tions are located on the country’s populous eastern coast.

According to numbers provided by the China Cetacean Alliance (CCA), these facilities house an estimated 491 cetaceans representing 11 species, of which belugas and bottlenose dolphins are the mo st common.

Guangdong province is home to the most aquatic facilities in the country, boasting five parks and 122 captive cetaceans.

There are currently bel ieved to be 15 orcas held in captivity in China, nine at Chimelong Ocean Kingdo m in Zhuhai, four at taking of capturing live whales repeatedly over Shanghai Haichang Pol several decades. ar Ocean World and Of the 39 marine entert two at Linyi Polar Ocean ainment facilities locate Park. d in China, only six claim to have bred cetace ans in captivity, althoug Unlike their North Ameri h, according to the CCA can counterat least two of these cas , in es the calves are known parts, marine parks in to have died.

China have yet to But without established master the ability to bre breeding programs, how ed cetaceans in capdo Chinese marine parks feed their increa sing demand for anima tivity, something that has ls? allowed parks like It tur ns out the ans we r is as dark and troubling SeaWorld to avoid the con as the infamous Penn troversial underCove cull.

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COVER STORY

A DARK AMUSEMENT WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 41

COVER STORY

THE LAST LEGAL HUNTING GROUND 42 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

COVER STORY

To tell the story of Ch ina’s captive killer coast. whales, we must ventur e beyond the borders to oversee the prep wo of the Middle Kingdo In addition to helping rk for the transport of m to Russia’s far easter orchestrate the n orcas from Russia to whales’ capture, the job Okhotsk Sea. China. would also include basic training of the wi As one would expect, With the practice of hu ld animals. The paytransporting an nting wild orcas orca by truck for such out? A whopping USD7 now banned in Canad a long period of time a, the United States and million. poses a number of ris Europe, the Okhotsk “The Chinese were the ks to the animal. Firstly Sea is one of the last buyers, and the , cetaceans live their ent Russians had the per areas where it’s still leg mits. They wanted to ire lives in water, al to capture killer which delivers uniform bring me in to do the whales. capture and transport support through even distribution of pressu and initial training of American environment re over the animal’s the animals,” Foster is al journalist body. This, according quoted as stating in the Todd Woody explored to the CRC Handbook the Russian killer article. “The Russians of Marine Mammal Me had been trying to cap whale hunting operatio dicine, results in a tur ns in a 2016 article e killer whales for “functional weightlessn 15 years, and they jus for takepart.com titled t didn’t have qualified ess” that allows the 'China's Marine Park mammal virtually eff people showing them Boom Is Driving the Ca ortless breathing. Tak how to do it.” pture of Whales ea cetacean out of the wa and Dolphins.' In the Despite the fact that the ter and problems with story, he speaks with identity of the respiration will follow Chinese buyers was nev orca hunter turned ant . er revealed to Foster i-captivity advocate from the animal broker Jeff Foster about a 20 To combat this, moder 11 phone call from a , we can be confident n orca transport utilizes giant fabric slin they had money to bu European animal bro gs suspended in rn. On top of the USD7 ker looking to recruit wa mi ter-filled transport bo him to capture eight orc llion offered to Foster xes – something , Woody’s story sugas off Russia’s Pacific that allegedly mimics gests the buyers would the weightlessness the have had to fork over animals experience wh somewhere between ile fully submerged in USD25-80 million for water. the orcas in addition to the cost of shipping the giant cetaceans tho Despite the use of slin usands of miles. gs and water in transport units, it’s dif Foster ultimately turned ficult to deny that pu down the USD7 tting an orca in a box and million payout, but it didn’t matter: the hunt then driving for a week cannot be a ple would go on regardles asant experience for s. In October of 2013 the , mammal. seven killer whales we re pulled from the the Sea of Okhotsk, follow Ka lm ans on ’s assessment of road ed by at least five mo transre port, when quoted by animals in 2014 and Woody, is that it puts 2015. far more stress on the Although the main bu animals than other yers of Russia’s methods. whales appear to be peo ple living or doing business in China “In a truck, you have , there is no evidence road hazards, you have to change the wa that Chinese boats or ter in the container, hunters are actively you have to filter out involved in catching the urine and feces, and you orcas that end up in have to have a lot of ice the country. . And the animals can only lay down so much.

According to Woody, You have to go over the culling of killer mountains on narrow whales in the Sea of Ok roads.” hotsk is “strictly a Russian operation.”

While it is unknown ho w many of China’s captive orcas entered Environmental activis the country via longt and Sea Shepard distance truck, throu Conservation Society gh testimony from firs Founder Paul Watson thand witnesses like Mr affirms this view. “Th ere are no Chinese bo . Kalmanson, we can ats be sure at least some [involved in cetacean of the marine mamm hunts], they are active als ly arrived by road and end buying these animals from Russia or Japan. ured the journey. ” What we may never kn According to Watson, ow though is China gets only 20 how many animals did percent of their cetace n’t live through the ans from Russia, and tra the other 80 percent umatic transport exp come from Japan. erience. Erich Hoyt, a senior research fell Once captured, the wh ow with the Whale and ales are transDolphin Conservation, ported more than 90 0 kilometers by truck told That’s via email to that he is unaware of small holding cages in any animals dying in the Russian port city transport, although he of Nakhodka. From the added “I am not sure re, their journey to an I would hear that inform aquarium may be under ation if it happened.” taken again by truck or plane.

According to Woody, through his interviews with Kalmans “They go a long way fro on, he was told “he m the capture [Kalmanson] wouldn’t area to where they are be surprised if anima held, and then they ls died in transport.” are held in these small pools and transported to China,” Woody told While China’s marine That’s. “It costs a lot parks are getting their orcas from Russi of money to fly a killer a, another Asian nation whale and it’s much is responsible for the easier if you want to vast majority of the avoid attention from PRC’s cetacean imports anti-captivity groups to use a truck.” : Japan.

Every year, from Septem Florida-based marine mammal consultber until the end of February, fisherman ant Mitchel Kalmanson in Taiji, Wakayama is quoted by Woody Prefecture, begin the as stating the journey notorious dolphin dri to China by truck takes ve hunt, which leads to the between seven and 10 days, something he capture of over 1,000 cetaceans annually for knows from experienc meat or sale to aquari e. According to 'China 's ums. The hunt was mo Marine Park Boom Is st famously depicted Driving the Capture of in the 2009 Academy Aw Whales and Dolphins ard-winning documen,' Kalmanson was hired tary The Cove. back in 2014 by a Lond on insurance compan y This year’s cull ended on March 1, and, WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 43

COVER STORY

N U M B E R O F W H A L E S IN C A P T IV IT Y Hainan 24

Tianjin 24

Fujian 21

Hubei 18

Sichuan 17

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Beijing 16

Jiangxi 11

Guizhou 10

Hunan 9

Shaanxi 9

Jiangsu 9

Yunnan 8

Shanghai 7

Anhui 6

Henan 6

Heilongjiang 5

Chongqing 4

Guangxi 4 Gansu 2

according to statistics from the Dolphin Proje ct, saw the slaughter of 293 striped dolphins, 235 Risso’s dolphins and 41 pilot whales. A total of 235 cetaceans were captured for sale to marine parks, including 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 179 bottlenose dolphins, 35 pantropical spotted dolphins and one pilot whale.

As earlier stated, Sea Shepard Conservatio n Society Founder Paul Watson estimates that a confounding 80 perce nt of China’s captive cetaceans come from Japan, with many – if not most – coming from Taiji.

American activist Richard O’Barry, who famo usly trained the dolphins used in the TV series Flipper and starre d in 2009’s The Cove, has previously stated that many Chinese aquar iums, including the Beijing Zoo Aquarium, host dolphins that came from that small, bloody cove in the land of the rising sun.

According to a 2015 article in The Guardian, between September 2009 and August 2014, 354 live dolphins were exported to 12 countries. Of the 354 cetaceans exported abroa d, 216 were brought to China.

It is currently unclear how many of the cetac eans captured in the 2016-17 Taiji dolphin hunt are bound for China.

COVER STORY

B Y P R O V IN C E IN C H IN A

Source: China Cetacean Alliance

Guangdong 122

Liaoning 85

Shandong 72

Zhejiang 47

Hebei 35

In March of last year, SeaWo rld bowed to years of pressu re from activists and announced it would be scrapping its orc a breeding program and no longer ma ke the animals perform tric ks for live audiences.

Some attributed the move to the public backlash aga inst the company in the wake of Bla ckfish, which has been cre dited with hurting attendance at the chain of marine theme par ks, while SeaWorld framed the change as moving with changing soc ial attitudes.

"Society's attitude toward these very, very large, majest ic animals under human care has shifted for a variety of reasons, whether it's a film, legislat ion, people's comments on the Internet," said SeaWorld Entertainm ent CEO Joel Manby in a 201 6 Bloomberg article.

It would seem, at long last , that orca – and cetacean captivity as a whole – is on the verge of defeat in America.

“Many countries copy the United States, particularly when it comes to making money,” said Watson. “We have the captivity industry on the ropes here and SeaWorld has lost money every year since Blackfish came out.

“Amusement parks make a lot of money, I don’t know what tickets cost in China, but they make millions of dollars.”

But with falling revenues at SeaWorld and orca shows being phased out, many trainers are now looking for work in new markets, the most booming and obvious of which is, you gue ssed it, China.

Almost all of the experts we spoke with in assembling this story agreed that former Sea World employees, as well as staff from SeaWorld-affiliated Loro Par que in the Canary Islands, are popping up at theme parks in China.

The great fear now is, with orcas making their China deb ut, more and more marine ma mmal parks will be lookin g for a blackfish of their own – fueling the demand for more capture d whales from Russia’s Okhotsk Sea .

With the legacy of live orc a captures firmly in the rea rview mirror in America, China’s dem and for cetaceans may me an the next ‘Penn Cove incident’ happen s on this side of the Pacific .

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COMM UNITY Idea Exchange

Hear from diverse speakers and join an open discussion every Tuesday night, p48

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FEATURE

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Pulses Race Ahead of the First Guangzhou Derby

By Matt Horn

F

ootball fans in the PRD are in for a treat this month with the eagerly anticipated first derby clash of the season on April 8 between champions Hengda and local rivals Fuli.

Excitement levels have risen since the big kick off last month, as the two sides have had markedly different starts to the campaign.

It’s difficult to judge after just two games, of course, but whereas Hengda scraped a narrow home win against Beijing Guo’an followed by a surprise defeat at Shandong Luneng, Fuli opened with two straight wins without conceding a goal.

Pressure is cranking up on Big Phil Scolari in the increasingly hot seat at Evergrande. Not only has it been a slow start for their title defense, but two successive draws in the Asian Champions League have left them with much work to do to ensure they avoid a second successive exit before the knockout stages.

That precarious position is a complicating factor ahead of the derby, especially since the following Wednesday, the team will head to Japan for a crucial return clash against Kawasaki Frontale.

Claudio Ranieri’s sacking by EPL champions Leicester City shows there is no room for sentiment in football today, and should they fail to get through, knives may well be sharpened.

Scolari himself joined Evergrande after Fabio Cannavaro was dumped, while Korean Lee Jang-Soo was another mid-season casualty that allowed Marcello Lippi to take over his ACL campaign.

Meanwhile, R&F boss Dragan Stojkovic has seen his side make a great start to the season despite a quiet time in the winter transfer market. While CSL rivals across the country have been splashing cash on the likes of Oscar, Tevez and Ighalo, the one change in the foreign legion at Fuli has seen the departure of Gustav Svensson to be replaced by Brazilian Junior Urso.

The new man has quickly become a fan favorite, not least with the only goal in the second win of the season in the unfamiliar Guangdong People’s Stadium, as refurbishment continued at Yuexiushan Stadium, where they return this month.

But it is the two clean sheets that have been the biggest surprise this campaign

among fans, including the ever-growing band of ‘Fuligans,’ China’s first foreign fan group.

Only the bottom side conceded more than their 50 goals in 2016 and the loss of two defenders, including influential skipper Zhang Yaokun. But with keeper Cheng Yuelei in inspired form, they were the only team not to concede after two games.

Of slight concern is the initial misfiring from star striker Eran Zahavi, but he enjoyed success against Hengda last year and will be keen to make an impact again.

This decade has been one of unparalleled success for Hengda, with six successive CSL championships, a couple of domestic doubles and two Asian Champions League triumphs.

But as other teams have strengthened, fans fear they will be overtaken if they stand still.

Everything is set up for a classic encounter – red verses blue, ‘big’ club verses ‘noisy’ neighbors, legendary veteran manager verses upcoming younger boss.

One thing is for sure: a month into the season will give us a clearer indication of the immediate trajectory of both clubs.

Bring it on!

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 47

COMM UNITY DEAR JAMIE

Sugar Daddy Wanted Dear Jamie, In Australia I had depression and I was an overweight loser. Since coming to China, I’ve lost half of my bodyweight and become very happy. Now I've traveled most of Asia.

I’m 26 and I don’t want to return to Australia because I won’t be able to find a good job, but I don’t have skills for a good job in China, either. I also feel like it's too late and too expensive to go back to university.

I wanted to find a rich Chinese husband and settle down, but even though I am – if I do say so myself – good looking: slim, blond and tall, I’m having trouble finding someone serious. My standards are low and I don’t care if he’s ugly or bangs other girls. I want him to provide me with financial security.

How can I change my sh*tty situation?

– Searching in Shanghai Dear Searching, The 1996 movie The First Wives Club is a delightful dramedy, powered by Bette Midler’s manic comic energy and penchant for a punch line. Trying to find a moneyed man that ‘bangs girls other girls,’ you’re well set up to join Midler’s club, except you’ll be the butt of the joke.

The tealeaves are clear. Years after entering a relationship because his bank account had enough zeros, you’ll wash down your morning Valium with a glass of cheap merlot, before looking again at the divorce papers you’re refusing to sign ‘because of the children.’

Then, you think back to your 20s when you were pretty, well traveled and capable.

You huff on a cigarette as sadness fills you like so much smoke, and your every fiber screams: Why!? Why!? Why!?

Or not. You could just get your sh*t together. That means investing in yourself, whether that’s night classes or a job that will teach you new skills. It’s up to you.

– Jamie Got a problem? Well you can just cry about it, or message Jamie at Jamieinchina@outlook.com.

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AROUND TOWN SOCIAL SKILLS

Idea Exchange

We’ve all encountered it: that fellow expat in a bar complaining there aren’t enough stimulating activities in the PRD outside of drinking, drinking and… drinking. The best response? Tell them about Idea Exchange – a platform for ambitious types looking to meet and connect with other like-minded people, share unique ideas or join in open discussions.

Every week, more than 50 attendees – a mix of expats and Chinese, consular staff, entrepreneurs, students, etc. – convene at a coffee shop to hear a speaker present on a topic. Recent narrators have included Kara Wutzke of K2Fit, Jeremy Sargent OBE of The Happy Monk, Matt Slack of the Pizza Factory and Turkish-Greek architect Levent Akdeniz. Others have talked about working at an NGO, directing a film or pursuing a career on Broadway.

A lively Q&A session and open discussion follow the presentation, where attendees can join in a conversation about happiness, or entrepreneurship, or negotiation skills or self-development – the topic varies month to month.

If you’re the networking type, there’s plenty of time to exchange cards with movers and shakers following the discussion. Alternatively, you can just relax and chat with chill people you might otherwise never run into at a bar. It’s a chance to open your mind, get out of that China rut and express your most profound experiences to people who ‘get it.’

Idea Exchange meets every Tuesday from 8-10.30pm at E-Coffee (Tiyu Sports Center Metro Station, Exit C), 299 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区天河路299号体育中心东小门E杯咖啡. The entry fee is RMB30 (or RMB10 for full-time students). Contact David (FBCFamily) on WeChat or follow the group’s official account (Idea-Exchange) for more information.

INTERNATIONAL CHITTER-CHATTER

City of Stars The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in China kicked off the month 65 floors up with a welcome back cocktail dinner at The Living Room in Park Hyatt Guangzhou. Members and friends of the chamber shared experiences, forged new business connections and chatted with Spanish Ambassador in China Mr. Manuel Valencia and new Spanish Consul General in Guangzhou Mr. Marcos Gómez Martínez.

April is a packed month for the American

Chamber as it welcomes the APCAC Business Summit to Guangzhou from April 19-22. More than 600 business and industry leaders, media, academia and policy experts as well as top government officials from the US and China will convene in the city during the four-day summit. The event will conclude with the 2017 AmCham Spring Ball on the evening of April 22, which is themed ‘Musicals Fantasy’ and invites attendees to dance to tunes from La La Land, Rent, Phantom of the Opera and other Broadway classics. Those interested in joining the party should contact Joyce Hu at 020 8335 1476 or email jhu@amcham-southchina.org.

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

TAKE FIVE

George McKibbens

N

ew Yorker and longtime resident of Guangzhou George McKibbens is one of those expats who arguably knows more about China than many local Chinese.

Between giving tours in Mandarin at Chen Clan Academy, co-creating the radio program Lingnan Voices and tracking down lost photographs of Guangzhou taken at the turn of the 20th century by a New Zealand missionary, McKibbens is constantly unearthing little-known secrets of the region and forging new connections between Canton and the outside world. This month, we chatted with him about what makes Guangzhou unique, the struggles of being a foreigner here and his (least) favorite expression in Mandarin.

You’ve worked giving tours at the famous Chen Clan Academy. What’s the funniest question you've ever been asked by a visitor?

A common question is “why are you here?” Still don't know how to answer that one. My fascination with the place is largely due to how it survived the Cultural Revolution by transforming into a printing factory for Mao’s Little Red Book, and was known as the Xinhua Printing Factory from 1966 into the early 80s.

Some people call Guangzhou a ‘cultureless’ city with very little international flair. How would you respond to that?

Anyone who believes that Guangzhou is suffering a culture famine needs to get their head out of Lonely Planet and walk around. This is the only Chinese city I know of where you can have Cantonese, African and Middle Eastern food all within a 10-minute walk across land bridges. Granted, there is serious tunnel vison – many local people don't step out of their own comfort zone and communicate across ethnic, linguistic or economic divisions. It’s important to look up once in a while and see who else lives here.

What’s it like to be 6-foot-6 when riding the subway in China?

The benefit of being tall on the Guangzhou subway is that you can always spot a better place to stand. The downside is when you pass the Guangzhou Railway stop and out-of-towners who’ve never seen such a tall foreigner get on and can't contain their excitement. Sometimes they stand next to me and measure themselves – it's cute… at first.

You’re as fluent in Mandarin as the next Zhongguo tong. What’s your favorite word/ saying and why?

If you marry a Chinese woman you need to understand 撒娇 sajiao, which doesn't really exist in the West. It’s a form of communicating with your partner by pouting, stomping your feet and flailing your arms like a six-year-old. Chinese men who grow up with this understand it, but for us, it's like teaching a fish to walk.

People always ask what city Guangzhou can be compared to abroad. Any ideas?

Guangzhou is a complex and multilayered place that ironically maintains a homogeneous understanding of identity – locals draw a line in the sand, so to speak. In that respect, this city is different from others because outsiders will always be, or at least will always feel like, outsiders.

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COMMUNIT Y | EDUCAT ION

LESSONS IN SINOPHILIA A Tale of Tones

By Lena Gidwani

T

he one question I get constantly asked by those who know that I live in China is “How much Chinese do you know?” Ah yes, that old chestnut, the expat’s nemesis. Never gets old, does it?

My habitual reply involves a woeful confession that for someone who’s been here for over a decade with a rather studded (no modesty here whatsoever) career, my Chinese skills could be much better. I then blame my delightful colleagues, all of whom, partly thanks to me, speak brilliant English.

(It’s a public service, really.) Naturally, all of this gets a shell-shocked reaction that goes from disbelief to pity in a millisecond.

“Oh, but you must be learning Chinese, right? Good for you, dear!

China is a superpower, you know. You’ll be in high demand when you get back home.”

Right. If this Sinophile ever goes back home…

When I first arrived circa 2002, I remember being slightly stunned when I realized that many who had moved in before me had almost no spoken 50 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

command of Chinese. Isn’t learning the native lingo the first thing one would do, as challenging as it can be?

Mandarin, a stress-timed language, has four tones, which means that one word can have many meanings, whereas Cantonese, a syllable-timed language, has six(ish) – oh, and those 80,000 characters that have been identified over the course of history. To comprehend a book, you’ll need to have a working knowledge of at least 4,000 characters. There’s also that little nagging issue of your brain (I’m not 18 anymore) having to work extra hard, as studies show that those who speak tonal languages like Mandarin exhibit a very different flow of information during speech comprehension, using both hemispheres of the brain rather than just the left. Take that, English.

Fast-forward 15 years, and I will be the first to admit that I am still learning the language. The only difference now is that I pull it off with a cool confidence that makes others gaze in awe at this one-line wonder. And these days, when folks ask me how much Chinese I know, I tell them how much

I know about China. Isn’t that what really counts? My Mandarin may not be perfect, but at least my baby steps can walk the talk.

So in China, how does one learn to truly talk the talk? Are you a traditional classroom learner? Try signing up for classes – there are plenty of centers that offer good deals. Perhaps you’re a one-on-one private learner?

Find a tutor to speak Mandarin with or better still, grab a colleague and enjoy a bilingual tete-a-tete over tea. Or are you a drop-me-on-the-Great-Wall-ofChina-from-a-helicopter-and-see-if-Isurvive type of person? If deep and immediate immersion is your thing, then perhaps living in China is a preferred option.

Learning a language is a process, not a destination. You’re not aiming to speak perfect Chinese so you can run for the next presidency (cue Ivanka, I will never vote for you even though you wear beautiful dresses by local designers). You’re aiming to experience China for all of its majestic beauty, food, people and culture – even if your tone is completely off.

HE ALT H | COMMUNITY

BEHA ADD VIORAL IC You C an’t A TION lways S Get

By D

r. Alf red C hamb ers ll addictions capture us with similar neurological patterns. Specifically, the internal cost and benefit calculation is thrown out of balance and the release of the ‘feel good’ brain chemical dopamine becomes the goal of all activity.

Whether the addiction is first triggered by the direct ingestion of a substance or by an activity, the outcome is always the same: a craving and the subsequent inability to control ourselves. And then, when taken away, the addiction becomes all we think about.

Try putting your phone away for a few minutes, or an hour, or two days and notice how you feel. Will you miss it? Probably.

But be aware of your specific emotional response, whether you feel nervous, anxious, defensive or even angry.

You may not think you’re addicted to your devices (you just enjoy chatting endlessly, checking social media and playing games, after all), but if time away causes painful withdrawal, then you may be more dependent on them than you think.

Years ago, when addictive choices were limited to things like alcohol, drugs and gambling, psychologists assumed few people were actually susceptible to addiction.

But now, with near universal access to technology, it’s becoming increasingly clear that devices and their unscrupulous software often lead to addictions – i.e. change the way our brains work. In isolation, most behaviors are not necessarily bad or harmful. A little shopping, chatting, sex, wine etc. may not impact our quality of life. But if a be-

A

What You

Want

havior continually takes us away from being present in our lives – if it stops us from being authentic or relaxed without it – then maybe we have a problem.

In psychology, we pretty much assume that all addicts lie, make excuses and rationalize. Those are all part of the neurological process that keeps us doing ‘it.’

For example, pay attention to your reaction when reading article. Maybe inside you’re saying ‘Yes, but that’s not me…’

We need our phones, tablets and laptops for work, convenience, communication and just to get by in today’s world, but there is also an element of pleasure (or expected satisfaction) that comes from checking Facebook every 15

minutes.

We are not born craving technology – we learn to crave it.

So if you are a parent, think carefully about the standards you are setting for your children and consider an alternative before handing them an iPad for some quick-fix entertainment. It is rumored that Apple cofounder Steve Jobs never gave his young children any gadgets – just books and exercise.

If you find yourself struggling to let go of your behavioral addictions, try paying attention to your behavior and thinking (including rationalizations). Be deliberate, understand that addiction is one of the brain’s natural processes, refocus and take a deep breath. Okay, now you can check your phone!

Dr. Al Chambers is a psychologist and director of mental health services at United Family Guangzhou Clinic, 1/F, Annex, PICC Bldg., 301 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 广州市越秀区广州大道中301号人保大厦南塔副楼首层 (4008- 919191, emergency: 8620 8710 6060, www.ufh.com.cn)

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CITY SCENES Ecuadorian Roses Accompany Flight Passengers on International Women’s Day (Supported by

)

On International Women ́s Day, China Southern Airlines, in alliance with ProEcuador, honored female passengers by gifting rare Ecuadorian roses and bracelets. Fourteen China Southern domestic destinations were selected, with 50 domestic flights in total and more than 10,000 passengers.

Ecuadorian preserved roses are cultivated in “the closest country to the sun” and on slopes of volcanoes, where the soil is rich in minerals. The opening ceremony of this campaign was held at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on the morning of March 8 and saw senior management of China Southern Airlines, the Embassador of Ecuador to China, the Consul General of Ecuador in Guangzhou and other officials attend the event.

That’s PRD Food and Drink Tasting at Mezomd Restaurant Espanol To spread the art of Spanish cuisine, Guangzhou’s leading English media That’s PRD partnered with Spanish restaurant Mezomd on March 16 to host a food and drink tasting event adhering to traditional Spanish cuisine. The evening featured a set menu of Spanish assorted tapas, Iberian ham with Hami melon, Caesar salad with mango and Parmesan cheese, Spanish gazpacho, grilled angus short rib with red wine sauce, Spanish seafood paella, dessert and cheese cake with fresh fruit, as well as sangria, which were enjoyed by 24 attendees from a range of fields.

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St. Patrick’s Day at Bravo Brewery On the evening of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day, green beers enlivened Bravo Brewery, where patrons and That’s PRD readers reveled in a drunken night. Co-organized by That’s PRD, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Bravo featured the ‘the Hulk,’ a special beer crafted by the Huajiu Lu brewery. The “green” night saw a medley of attendees, from business chamber members, consular staff and the Irish community, who were entertained by live bands playing traditional Irish music.

VIP Launch Manue Tasting at Belle-Vue, Grand Hyatt Shenzhen Eight lucky guests enjoyed a luxurious dining experience at the Belle-Vue restaurant in Shenzhen’s Grand Hyatt hotel on March 2. After Chef Marcelo and Restaurant Manager Ophelia gave introductory speeches, the carefully curated ‘Une Histoire Française’ menu was served. Dishes included foie gras and flambeed scallops, and each course was paired with wine. The artistic presentation of the dessert pleasantly surprised diners: chocolate bonbons filled with vanilla ice cream were served in silver goblets. After the meal, each guest left with a gift box from Grand Hyatt, plus a trial voucher for Vista SK-International Medical Center. The ‘Une Histoire Française’ menu (RMB500 plus 15 percent service charge) is available at Belle-Vue from Tuesday to Sunday, 6-10pm, until the end of April.

Urbanites Kitchen French Cooking Class at L’Étoile On the afternoon of Saturday, March 11, parents and kids spent some together time making French pastries at L'Étoile restaurant. While enjoying snacks and Fiji water, children watched a chef prepare the batter for madeleines. Then, equipped with miniature chef hats and aprons, they poured batter into molds and topped pastries with whipped cream. While the goodies were being baked, kids got a tour of the kitchen and created colorful greeting cards. Three lucky children won tiramisu, lemon tarts and brownies through a raffle. Meanwhile, all parents got coupons for wine and snacks at L'Étoile, as well as vouchers for Vista-SK International Medical Center.

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PRD FOCUS T

he Consulate General of Italy in Guangzhou held a press conference in the Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou on February 28, introducing new itineraries in Italy for Chinese tourists, as well as ADS visa application process. Consul General Laura Egoli, along with prestigious government officials, presided over the meeting.

O

rganized by the Consulate General of Italy in Guangzhou and co-organized by Beijing Doctor Think Tank Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Arts Group and Shenzhen Industrial Design Profession Association, the first Italian Design Day was held at Kylin Villa, Shenzhen on March 2.

F

rom Monday March 13 to Friday March 17, Shenzhen (Nanshan) Concord College of Sino Canada (SCCSC) ran an internationally-recognized campaign called Bullying Awareness Week, with the theme of ‘Community,’ which discussed school bullying in various aspects.

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S

henzhen Women and Children’s Hospital held its 2017 Member Day for SWIC on the morning of February 22. The Member Day aims to provide opportunities for SWIC members to obtain the latest medical information and have face-to-face consults with top doctors. A sightseeing tour of the Nantou Ancient City and Guandi Temple followed.

T

A

he British School of Guangzhou hosted its annual Primary Dance Showcase in March, with all students aged from 5 to 11 taking part in a medley of musical performances. The audience got a kick out of the creative skits prepared by the youngsters.`

ISG’s robotics teams participated in the International School First Lego League (FLL) Tournament in Shanghai last month. Tournament champions 'Team Brick' earned a prestigious invitation to attend the FLL World Festival in Houston in April.

Runners-up Cloud 9 were invited to the FLL Asia-Pacific Open in Sydney.

T

S

he 22nd edition of the Francophonie Festival, co-organized by 20 consulates and foreign affair representative offices in China, aims to promote the culture of France through a series of events and exhibitions.

French Consul General Bertrand Furno was present to kick off this annual event at The Canton Place.

hekou was once again filled with action and activity on March 18 as Captivating International, in concert with the Shenzhen Charity Federation, ran its Mini Olympics event for the 6th year at Jingshan Villa's Shekou. The 2017 Funful Kidz With Heart Mini Olympics, with support from Funful Bilingual School, was a fun-filled day for all who participated.

Shenzhen reviews, events and information

THE TWELFTH NIGHT

TNT Theater delivers a thespian blast See p71

This month 56 What's On in April 60 The Grapevine 64 New Restaurants 68 New Bars

A monthly insert for April 2017

WHAT'S ON

70

2017

IN APRIL

APR 15 SAT HEADHUNTERZ

CLUB SECTOR

70

70

DAILY TO APR 30

ANTIQUE CAMERAS

THE CAMERA MUSEUM

DAILY

ART GALLERY

JARDIN ORANGE

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THU MAY 4

VOCA PEOPLE

SHENZHEN CONCERT HALL

70

TUE APR 18 ALCEST

FRI APR 21 PIANO RECITAL

FRI-SAT APR 21-22 E-COMMERCE SUMMIT

SUN APR 23 LACRIMOSA

THU APR 27 THE TWELFTH NIGHT

SAT APR 29 MADAM X

SAT & SUN APR 29-30 MUSIC FESTIVAL

SAT MAY 6 HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR

B10 Live p72

Technology Building p70

Children's Palace Stage p72

Longgang Sports Center p71

Nanshan Culture Sports Center p70

A8 Livehouse p72

Club Sector p72

Vista-SK Intl. Medical Center p71

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EAT &

DRINK Flower Showers

A guide to the latest and greatest eateries raining down on Shenzhen shores

Colorful Cajun P64 58 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Tapping Out P66

By Jocelyn Richards

I

f last month’s rainstorms had you cooped up in your apartment staring blankly at your kitchen trying to recall how to cook a hot dog (do you even need to cook a hot dog?), then this month’s feature is for you. The following recipes are relatively easy to prepare and will come in handy if and when you’re faced with the task of becoming a self-sufficient adult. More importantly, it’s time to give those Baidu Waimai deliverymen a break, so get that apron on!

Aroma Bistro’s Basil Pesto Chicken Risotto Ingredients: 250g chicken broth 200g partially cooked risotto 20g smoked chicken breast 10g bell peppers 10g Mozzarella cheese 5g pine nuts 5g garlic 5g onion 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1/4 teaspoon of sugar 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper 1/4 cup white wine 1 spoonful basil pesto

Method: 1. Basil pesto: Put garlic, pine nuts, salt, black pepper, olive oil and basil leaves into a blender, blend until smooth.

2. Risotto: Stir-fry the garlic and the onion until the aroma is released.

3. Add the half-cooked risotto, white wine and chicken broth into the pan and fry on high for 2-3 minutes.

4. Add the smoked chicken breast and bell peppers, a little bit salt and pepper; cook until the broth is fully absorbed.

5. Add in cheese and basil pesto, stir until well-mixed.

6. Plate and serve immediately.

This recipe is courtesy of Chef Daniel Chu of Aroma Bistro, Shop 117, 460 Voka Street, Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区天河 北路460号沃凯街首层117铺 (185 0200 1416)

SCAN FOR VIDEO Scan the QR code here to watch Chef Daniel of Aroma Bistro in action.

The Legendary Brew Burger Ingredients (makes four 140-gram patties): 450g beef 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 4 tsp. chopped onion 4 tsp. hoisin sauce 2 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper

Method:

1. Choose the right beef – ideally 20 percent fat. The Brew grinds its own rib-eye beef daily, but if you have to buy pre-minced, avoid the extra-lean kind.

2. Gently combine the ground beef with all the ingredients using your hands (ideally wearing gloves). Do not overwork the meat or you will end up with a dense patty instead of a loose

crumbly one.

3. Gently form the meat into a 140-gram meatball, being careful not to overwork the meat.

4. Press the meatball into a oneinch-thick patty.

5. Heat a teaspoon of oil on a hot griddle and fry the patty for three minutes on each side for medium-well, forming a dark crust on each side. Do not poke or prod the meat.

6. Serve on a bun with all the fixings (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle) and whatever sauces your heart desires!

This recipe is courtesy of Chef Ivan of The Brew Zhujiang, West Section, 2 Huaxun Jie, Huajiu Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区珠江新城华就 路华讯街2号保林苑西区 (3804 9549)

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HOMECOOKING

SUMMON YOUR INNER CHEF

GRAPE VINE THE SCANDALOUS SCOOP

We’re digging:

Recent openings of Braceria Pugliese, Mambo and Godfather Bistro making the Shuiwei food scene a thing; nearby Evil Duck’s soft opening menu’s scrumptious yo nana’s (chicken) pie being sold in wallet-friendly portions; the word-of-mouth reviews that Nakama is doing Bao’an justice with a great Negroni; the fashionistas (and -istos) strutting their stuff about town thanks to Shenzhen Fashion Week.

We’re done with:

Noise complaints leading Magma shows to be canceled before the artsy bar shut shop; more noise news that Shenzhen’s high decibel demeanor could be doing hearing damage; the Huizhou death of a trash-filled-mouthed pregnant sperm whale; sexist celebrations and alleged sexual assault of an actress; an OCT Harbour establishment charging a hefty RMB2,300 for a fish.

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COCKTAIL

The Aviation Some cocktails rise from the ashes of the past, flaunting their classic status with a retro chic new blends can’t quite muster – the whiskey-based old fashioned, for example, was re-launched by TV show Mad Men, after decades of only being in the most experienced bar keep’s repertoire.

While the old fashioned may be flying high, another classic in need of a come back has received far less attention: the aviation.

Dating from the early years of the century, too long has this powdery purple, sour floral beaut sat neglected in your grandfather’s cocktail book. No longer!

The crowning ingredient, creme de violette, was difficult to even find stateside until recently, but the magic of Taobao means it’s only a few days away from your doorstep (search ‘violet liqueur’ in English).

A cheeky substitution would be parfait amour, available online on Nogogo.com.

Take off: 45ml gin 15ml creme de violette (violet liqueur) 15ml maraschino liqueur 20ml lemon juice

Landing:

1. Mix ingredients before shaking.

2. Strain into a martini glass.

3. Garnish with a cherry on a pick.

Recipe and photo provided by our friends at Shenzhen’s Providence Cocktail, 2/F, Paradiso Apartments, 82 Furong Lu, Futian District 福田区福荣路82号 金域蓝湾2楼 (186 6538 3106)

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

Brew Magic Pub Oh, Shekou: land of the long-term expat and statistically safest (populated) area of Shenzhen. Searching for an oldie but goodie seems to draw us to this ‘snake mouthed’ area of our fair city more often then not, and Brew Magic Pub is no exception.

Planned in-bar brewing regrettably met red tape back in the day (safety, folks!), making the establishment’s name a bit of a misnomer, though the in-house baked bread could be the moniker’s ‘magic.’

Bread is made with Australian flour every two or three days and tastes excellent with the chicken salad sandwich (RMB52 with two sides). Made with red and green peppers, celery and mayonnaise, the sandwich is just above homemade style owing to the smoked meat, but keeps it real with a simple side of fries.

Among the nine or so beers on tap, Singlewide IPA is the most popular, a bitter citrusy brew that goes for RMB35 during happy hour (4pm-9pm) and RMB45 other times. Prices this low are much welcomed, especially in the high-rent Rose Garden area that Brew Magic Pub calls home.

About a quarter of the bar’s single floor is dedicated to a pristine pool table, with inter-bar pool competitions organized against local favorites like Blu Bamboo and The Tavern. Above the pool table, international sports matches are projected on a wall, with large-screen TVs giving the rest of the bar its athletics fix.

Music is surprisingly free flow, with customers choosing the tunes through a barmounted computer and live music brought in on Fridays or Saturdays.

Brew Magic Pub is the kind of place where the regulars ask your name and any reference to ‘my kids’ will lead patrons to talk about their children. If you’re looking for a mature stop and friendly ambiance, Brew Magic Pub fits the bill.

D I N I N G @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

WE TRIED IT

Spicy Duck Head Quack! Quack! That’s a sound you won’t hear at China’s Pure Flavor Duck Neck’s chain stores. The Hunan-headquartered business purveys every spicy bit of duck you would dare eat – and a fair few you might not. The most eye-catching product in the refrigerated cart of Sichuan-style offerings? Why, duck head of course.

Displayed beside the tongues and intestines, these bird skulls retail for RMB5 and make for popular – if graphic – snacks.

Resupplied each morning, the sellers aren’t privy to Pure Flavor’s recipes, though tradition states duck heads be boiled five hours and with 19 spices. So how do these two varieties of ya tou stack up?

Numbing Spicy Duck Head

Mild Spicy Duck Head

Light colored and cooked with peppercorn – and, fair warning, you may catch an errant pepper bit lodged inside the skull – the numbing spicy duck head is a taste-bud-aimed nuclear blast. Though it may be light on the meat, eating it is as much a culinary gauntlet as stuffing your mouth with Warhead candies. By the time we reach the gelatinous brain, shouts of “awful” and “my face is on fire” are drawing stares.

Though darker in color, the flesh on this head tastes like sweet and sour pork with a Sichuan chili kick. The mild meat loses its spice as you get to the inner bits, creating a flavor accessible to those who prefer Western fare. Gloves are recommended as the head’s color rubs off on hands when getting to the brains by opening the skull, which pops open with the sound of a crushed apple.

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5 O'CLOCK IN SHENZHEN Cocktail Bars for Your Every Mood

By Bailey Hu

l'm feeling fancy

A

s all cocktail lovers know, it’s not just about the buzz. A proper cocktail bar provides an experience that can be savored even after the glasses are empty. Of course, good mixology is also important for the success of a night out; a bad drink can sour your mood, while amazing creations lift it. The bars here go above and beyond when it comes to both ambience and the taste factor.

Can’t choose? Start with this question: How are you feeling tonight?

and

The Peat

Mokihi

Contrary to popular belief, cocktails come in more than just the ‘girly’ variety. The Peat may be a shrine to whiskey, neat, but it also serves up a mean mixed drink. The most unique of them, like gingery The Peat One (RMB108), are based around the bar’s signature smoky spirits, but there are also other options (vodka, for instance). That said, if you don’t like the bar’s main draw, this may not be your cup of whiskey-spiked tea.

This place may look unassuming from the outside, but rest assured: the people behind the bar know their stuff. The drinks menu is updated seasonally, but the Mokihi Special Moscow mule (RMB88), made with homemade ginger beer, is a perennial classic. The interior design is upscale but also understated, allowing you to focus on your conversation as well as your choice of beverage.

2/F, A block, Tairan Dasha, Tairan Liu Lu, Futian District 福田区泰然六路泰然大厦A座2楼 (181 2627 3323)

1/F (beside Starbucks), Block 2, Kerry Plaza, Fuhua San Lu, Futian District 福田区福华三路嘉 里建设广场二栋一楼(星巴克旁边) (8273 2082)

low-key Ciao Amici Whisky and Cocktails This new entry has shown its chops with artistically-arranged cocktails that feature some eye-catching ingredients: for instance, the cigar smoke-infused Pop Negroni (RMB128). The environment isn't too shabby either, with an Art Deco theme that fits the bar's trendy vibe. Ladies can also spritz on one of three designer perfumes offered (for free!) in the restroom.

1/F, Bldg 6, Shenzhen Software Industry Base, Haitian Yi Lu, Nanshan District 南山区海云路与海天二路交口软件 产业基地6栋1层 (8652 9697)

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and Peacock Don't be put off by the bar's seemingly small size: the second floor offers plenty of seating options as well as a pool table.

Peacock has a chill and low-key vibe, despite its name. The bar serves up clever renditions of classics as well as a few innovations of its own, like the fruity, ginbased New York iced tea (RMB90), not to be confused with its Long Island cousin.

Shop 136 Block 4-7, North Side, Zhouyue Weigang Mingyuan, Zhongxin Lu, Nanshan District 南山区中心路卓越维港名苑北区4-7群楼136 铺 (188 1907 4585)

F E AT UR E | E AT & DR INK

Lavo When musical acts take the stage at Lavo, it becomes packed. Even when there’s just a lone DJ playing jazz or funk, the place doesn’t lack for customers. It’s easy to see the appeal— strategically dim lighting and colorful décor, along with some standout cocktails like the red carpet (RMB88), set Lavo apart from its less sophisticated peers. It may be a tad too noisy for a heart-to-heart, but it’s undoubtedly fun.

in a party mood

1B, 1MF, Tower 3, Kerry Plaza, 1 Zhongxin Si Lu, by Fuhua Lu Futian District 福田区中心四路一号嘉里建设广 场第3栋1M层1B室 (8899 9676, 8255 7462)

Fannou House Hidden inside an antique store in artsyfartsy OCT-Loft, this bar practically reeks of Old World class: fancy chandeliers cast their light over darkly varnished furniture, including a 200-year-old piano. With such a unique setup, you might expect the owners to rely on appearances alone to draw in customers. Luckily, the drinks live up to their environment, and the bartenders are expert at whipping up custom concoctions.

quirky

Shop 111-112, Bldg A4, North District, Oct-Loft, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区a4栋 111-112铺 (8633 7056)

mysterious A01 At A01, it's easy to hold an intimate conversation with a few close friends. In fact, those who talk too loudly might find themselves firmly escorted from the premises. In the rarefied atmosphere of the bar, customers get to sip creative drinks that appeal to the eyes just as much as the tastebuds, such as the 'Jasmine likes it' (RMB95).

1/F, Enrich Business Service, Sea World, Shekou, Nanshan District 南山区蛇口海上世界英瑞商务楼一侧 (2161 5180)

The Compass It may be housed in a flashy downtown hotel, but tracking down this speakeasystyle bar (requiring swipe access for the elevator) can be quite a task. The sense of exclusivity only adds to its appeal, however. With sophisticated mixed drinks, a stunning view, and friendly bartenders who know their stuff, The Compass rightly deserves its reputation as a classy — if pricey — hangout.

40/F, Wongtee V Hotel, Futian District 福田区金田 路皇庭V酒店40楼 (8270 7559)

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NEW ORLEANS KITCHEN Jazz and Jambalaya

By Lachlan Cairns

W

alking into the red-walled Huanggang Village oasis of New Orleans Kitchen, it’s obvious effort went into capturing the vibes of the restaurant’s namesake city. From the bright feature walls to the chandelier made from trumpets, the rectangular space – which sports a humble bar and outside seating – is homage to The Big Easy.

Visiting during Mardi Gras, we are handed bead necklaces and encouraged to start the night with a RMB45 hurricane cocktail, an icy mixture that masks four ounces of rum with passion fruit juice and grenadine.

The menu winds its way through New Orleans and Southern cuisine without major surprises, though there is an effort to weave Cajun ingredients into even the pizza and pasta, which sport Cajun spices and crawfish.

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We start with the Cajun chicken salad (RMB45), which comes topped with fiery meat. The dish arrives on our table, huge and reasonably priced for the portion size – as does every dish we try. A second starter, the RMB55 fried okra, doesn’t overwhelm with the spices but lacks the expected crunch.

No Cajun eatery would be complete without New Orleans’ most famous dishes.

The jambalaya’s (RMB75) rice, shrimp, chicken, onion and Andouille sausage makes deft use of cayenne pepper and paprika, but is missing ‘holy-trinity’ ingredients like bell pepper and celery, making it a minor letdown.

The RMB75 shrimp gumbo, on the other hand, is a masterclass of buttery richness, with plump shrimp, Andouille sausage and okra

plated around a serving of rice. Each savory bite is followed by a Cajun-seasonings kick. If you try anything here, try this.

Though service is attentive, it is also chaotic. We are asked four times what we want to order. Such is the state of many new restaurants, and we hope the kinks get worked out before our next visit to what is likely Shenzhen’s only Cajun eatery.

Price: RMB150 Who’s going: homesick Americans, Jazz aficionados Good for: New Orleans-style gluttony, heavy pours

17 Huanggang Liu Jie, Jilong Building, Jilong Er Cun, Futian District 福田区吉龙二村皇岗六街17号吉龙楼首 层(健威家具后面) (186 8872 6239)

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TAPS

Going Gastro

By Bailey Hu

S

henzhen craft beer stalwart Taps has made the leap from stylish suds stop to full-on gastropub with its new Coco Park incarnation.

As we walk inside, the iconic metal brewing tanks, housed behind glass, and long, long row of taps immediately catch the eye.

Don’t be deceived, though; it’s not just about the beer. The pub has a wide selection of fusion-y snacks, some of them pretty exotic.

While we probably wouldn’t order the brain schnitzel (RMB58) again, the Sichuan-inspired Taps fried chicken (RMB88) is a crowd pleaser,

SAMBAL

Southeast Staples

By Bailey Hu

T

he name’s the same, and so is the region represented, but Sambal’s Coco Park rebirth nevertheless marks the beginning of a new restaurant.

When owner Dieter Fehsenfeld shifted shop from Huaqiangbei, he decided to go for more of a ‘dining experience,’ with the new Sambal decidedly trendier. The dim lighting flatters diners, and prominent mirrors on the walls let them check their teeth wherever they go.

The lighting leads to a problem for us as a publication, however. Despite the dishes’ careful craftsmanship and bold flavors, it’s hard to take pictures of the food. In the lowkey lighting, soups and curries look unappealing or even indistinguishable.

But don’t let that discourage you from visiting, foodies. The menu capably represents six different countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Fehsenfeld’s dedication to his dishes comes out in conversation as he praises the ‘beautiful’ flavors of Malaysian prawn mee.

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with boneless chunks of meat that send a spicy tingle humming through the taste buds.

Also worth mentioning are the curried falafel tacos (RMB48), one of the few vegetarian offerings. They’re slathered with tangy sauce and served up on miniature green tortillas.

Almost all ingredients, Head Chef Francis Li notes, are homemade. Taps even smokes its own meats, salts, nuts and veggie chips.

Despite the extra care, Li admits that customer response has been polarized. That might be because of the chefs’ focus on light fare rather than full meals. It doesn’t help that the menu has been evolving over the three months since the gastropub opened. Whatever the reason, some love the food at the new Taps, others… don’t.

We fall more on the ‘love’ side. Besides a lone salad, the chow is unapologetically indulgent, and snacks are offered until 1am. Paired with a cold beer, they make for amazing late night munchies.

Of course, the drinks are still the main attraction. We said it before and we’ll say it again: these people know their craft brews. From the mellow Golden Ale (RMB35 for 330ml) to the smooth black Taps stout (RMB50), beer lovers won’t leave disappointed.

The Coco Park brewpub also offers cocktails and even coffee on tap.

The banana split cocktail (RMB48) com-

He’s a constant presence in the kitchen, tasting dishes before they are served and guiding the chefs in balancing local preferences with the restaurant’s Southeast Asian roots.

The payoff is obvious in the seafood tom yum soup (RMB58), which wows with its first sour-spicy spoonful. The seafood laksa (RMB52) shines with perfectly cooked noodles served in a smooth, coconut-y soup.

Thai-style beef brisket curry (RMB78), loaded with spices, also leaves an impression.

The Malaysian butter and oat prawns (RMB118) are a bit harder to swallow, with the shrimp served inside the shell and suffering from meat so firm it’s almost overcooked.

Overall, though, Sambal impresses with

bines homemade banana rum and chocolate sauce with the Taps stout. It’s as delicious as it sounds, with an almost creamy texture and gentle sweetness. In contrast, the whiskey sour (RMB88) on tap smacks the palate with a refreshing lemony twang.

Outside of alcohol, Taps boasts a low-profile cafe where baristas roast their own beans and serve cold brew nitro coffee (RMB35) from the tap.

It’s like the brewpub itself, full of hidden yet pleasant surprises.

Price: RMB100-150 Who’s going: craft beer enthusiasts, taphappy drinkers Good for: high-quality brews, midnight munchies 132, 1/F, B District, Shopping Park, Fuhua Lu, Futian District 福田区福华路购物公园B区1楼132 (2394 4697)

solid signature dishes and smooth service.

Over several visits the staff prove their mettle, quickly helping customers and refilling diners’ drinks.

It’s safe to say that Fehsenfeld’s effort at creating a fine Southeast Asian ‘dining experience’ has been a success.

Price: RMB60-100 Who’s going: world travelers, Southeast Asians Good for: authentic eats, classy dates

133 Mintian Road, Shopping Park, Northern Area, Futian District (next to Taps) 福田区民田路购物公园北区 133B (2264 1000)

URBAN MOMENTS

Goose Island 312 Day, Mar 12 @ Yi Tang Tap Room

WE DON’ T NE ED TO BE

THE ONLY

BEER YOU DRINK. WE JUST WANT TO BE THE

BEST BEER YOU DRINK.

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THE TAP ROOM

Room with a Brew

By Sky Thomas Gidge

I

f a deity descended on Shenzhen, yanked a new building from the center of the city and set it down in an area of town better known for warehouse sales of Halloween tat, that would be the newly opened Halo Square shopping complex.

Sheltered beneath one of Halo’s gleaming awnings sits The Tap Room, a bar that checks the boxes for quality beer, good food and friendly service, but falls prey to a pitfall that could be fixed with a few swats at a keyboard.

MOUSE BAR A Hole in the Wall

By Sky Thomas Gidge

A

t the halfway point of storied ‘dirty street’ sits Mouse Bar. Closer to Window of the World than the grittier areas of Baishizhou, it nevertheless is a part of town not afraid of showing its seams, with the bar’s outdoor tables giving a view of working class residents going about their daily lives.

We step over the drinking hole’s two resident dogs and enter a humble, high-ceilinged (mostly) bottle bar that has a DIY feel, likely because its proprietor Mouse Wu decorated the space himself. Hanging from the walls are a guitar, ukulele and banjo, which customers are welcome to play, though the nearby sword is best left for show.

To the sounds of second-wave trap music (“I’m in love with the coco! Whoop, whoop!”) we browse the bottled beers. Wu says that he enjoys stocking rare beers, and that seems to be true, but when the price tag passes RMB500 in a bar that is unapologetically dive, the beer is more ‘bottle on show’ than anything else.

In the fridge, we find New Zealand Hopwire IPA, a drink that shoots your mouth with enough hoppy flavor to satisfy any IPA

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First, the good. Wide sliding doors reveal an interior tastefully lit by filament-glowing Edison bulbs above wide, wood tables and comfortable seats. Tables in the back offer a bit more privacy (and a wall length padded seat) and the ostensibly ‘outdoor’ area has a roof.

During our visit, most of the 28 taps were in use, offering up selections like the RMB60 Ballast Point California Kölsch, a slightly fruity and totally accessible brew for those who can’t stomach extra hoppy IPAs. The caramel and vanilla notes of the Founders Breakfast Stout are also worth a sip, with this chocolaty brew sporting an impressive 100 rating on ratebeer.com. But be warned, this full-bodied beverage is also wallet-lightening with a RMB80 price tag.

Food, on the other hand, is well priced for what you get. The RMB58 fried linguine with Bolognese sauce is prepared fresh and a RMB28 order of two roast frankfurter sausages (RMB28) comes with pickled gherkin, mashed potatoes and grilled baby tomatoes soaked in olive oil – practically a meal itself.

Not to knock bars nestled on the edges of ‘the nice part of town,’ but the quality food was a surprise until we learned the chef cut his teeth working in some of Shenzhen’s top hotels.

Now for the bad: the music. On our visit, the music was a dozen or so songs looped at conversation murdering decibels starting at 9pm. Though the couple playing liar’s dice

didn’t mind, a Spotify account and a leftward nudge on the volume knob would no doubt earn the appreciation of some customers.

For anyone passing through the area or simply interested in Shenzhen’s latest craft beer destination, the Tap Room is worth a swallow. It’s also ample evidence that even rough-atthe-edges parts of Shenzhen are making way for the clean lines of oddly-named shopping centers.

fan. Made with only New Zealand hops, this is a must-try for the beer curious.

For those who prefer a pour, the floral Tank 7 farmhouse ale (RMB30/270ml) is on tap and though not ‘rare’ per se, was relatively hard to find in the city until recently.

Mixed drinks, anyone? No, no mixed drinks, except gin and tonic (RMB30) and whatever you buy from the corner store to mix with the RMB25 servings of tequila.

A large TV, a sofa and a PS3 dominate a small back room, and Wu charges RMB20 per hour to get your game on, though he is rather

lax about enforcing the time limit.

Mouse Bar appeals to bohemian souls looking for nothing but some video game time with friends and a few drinks. Built and run by one guy, it won’t be everyone’s cup of brew, but capably fills the niche of ‘friendly bar.’

Price: RMB100 Who’s going: dice rattlers, suited men Good for: sausage snacks, craft beer

Shop 10, 1/F, Halo Square, 84 Liyuan Lu, Luohu District 罗湖区梨园路84号HALO广场L1-10

Price: RMB50 Who’s going: locals, bohemian Europeans Good for: board games, trap, ‘stooping’

Shop 33-4, Baishizhou, Tang Tou Liu Alley, Nanshan District 南山区白石洲村塘头六坊33-4号 (185 7675 7770)

HEAR Harp Recital Concert

SOW Gig

Lacrimosa Powermetal

Instrumental rock band SOW was originally founded in Kyoto.

They have made a name for themselves with intricate riffs on the bass and guitar, backed by Takahiro Yamashita on piano. Both articulate and aggressive, their sound is truly unique.

Sun Apr 9, 8.30pm; RMB80 presale, RMB100 at the door. B10 Live, North Side of Building C2, North District, OCT Loft, Wenchang Jie, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区C2栋北侧B10现场 (showstart.com, 8633 7602)

Xavier de Maistre began to study harp at the age of nine. In 1998, he was awarded first prize at the prestigious International Harp Competition in Bloomington, Indiana, before joining the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He belongs to an elite category of soloists who are redefining what is possible with their instrument.

Sat Apr 8, 8pm; RMB80-680. Shenzhen Concert Hall, 2016 Fuzhong Yi Lu, Futian District 福田区福中一路2016号深圳音乐厅 (en.damai.cn, 8284 1888)

Piano Concert Concert

Talented pianist Adam Komieja will hold a solo concert, playing masterpieces by Chopin, classic waltzes and more contemporary music like 'Gnomes: Children’s Miniatures' from 1953.

Fri Apr 14, 8pm; RMB80-480 on en.damai.cn. Shenzhen Grand Theater, 5018 Shennan Dong Lu, Luohu District 罗 湖区深南东路5018号 (2590 6000)

win!

We have two tickets to this concert to give away. Message our official WeChat account (ThatsShenzhen) before April 6 with the subject ‘SOW’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number. WeChat feed: ThatsShenzhen

Alcest Gig French blackgazers duo Alcest have been widely praised for innovating metal music with acoustic guitars, distortion and tender harmonies. The two combine poetic elements with the dark mood inherent in their musical genre.

Tue Apr 18, 8.30pm; RMB100. B10 Live, North Side of Building C2, North District, OCT Loft, Wenchang Jie, Nanshan District 南山区 华侨城创意文化园北区C2栋 北侧B10现场 (newnoise.taobao.com, 8633 7602)

win!

We have four tickets to this concert to give away. Message our official WeChat account (ThatsShenzhen) before April 15 with the subject ‘Alcest’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number. WeChat feed: ThatsShenzhen

Piano Recital Concert

Lacrimosa is a gothic band that has developed their own style of power-metal music. Mixing violin, trumpet and classical instruments, their unique sound is complemented by German lyrics plus strong stage presence and stunning gothic apparel.

Sun Apr 23, 8pm; RMB380-880. A8 Livehouse, Club Sector, 1002 Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路1002号A8音 乐大厦 (en.damai.cn, 186 6589 0130)

DLR DJ

Seeing early success on BBC’s Radio One, DLR began his solo career in 2013. Since then album Method in the Madness? was cheered by jungle music lovers. A prolific drum and bass artist, he has worked with multiple labels and will bring his singular skills to Sector Club in Shenzhen.

Sat Apr 15, 1-3am; price TBD. A8 Livehouse, Club Sector, 1002 Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路1002号A8音乐大厦 (186 6589 0130)

Madam X DJ

Maximilian Hecker Gig German Maximilian Hecker is known for his ethereal pop sound, similar to Radiohead. Hecker trained to work as a nurse and played music on the street as a hobby. One of his song demos being used in a German movie in 2000, marking his big break.

Wed Apr 22, 8pm; RMB180-380. Nanshan Culture Sports Theater, 62 Nantou Jie, Nanshan Dadao, Nanshan District 南山区南山大道南 头街62号南山文体中心剧院 (en.damai.cn)

Ludovico Einaudi is an Italian pianist and composer of hit television show and movie soundtracks. He will perform pieces from his repertoire, which includes music from the movie I’m Still Here.

Fri Apr 21, 8pm; RMB680-880. Nanshan Culture Sports Theater, 62 Nantou Jie, Nanshan Dadao, Nanshan District 南山区 南山大道南头街62号 (en.damai.cn)

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Not one for words, Madam X lets her music do the talking. Beginning in Manchester’s underground scene, she has since become a festival regular, playing to over 8,000 people in one recent performance. Her music maintains the gritty undertones that she was raised on, transforming it in recent years into something truly original.

Sat Apr 29, 1-3am; price TBD. A8 Livehouse, Club Sector, 1002 Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路1002号A8音乐大厦 (186 6589 0130)

Headhunterz DJ

SEE The Twelfth Night Stage

Hardstyle DJ William Rebergen, better known as Headhunterz, is set to shake the stage with his signature deep kicks and intense bass lines.

Sat Apr 15, 10pm; RMB280. Club Sector, A8 Music Mansion, 1002 Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科 园路1002号A8音乐大厦

Performed by TNT Theatre Britain, the Twelfth Night is a comedy by William Shakespeare.

The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck, and features a comedic love triangle.

Thu Apr 27, 8pm; RMB200-300.

Shenzhen Children’s Palace, 2002 Fuzhong Yi Lu, Futian District 福田 区福中一路2002号深圳少年宫 (en. damai.cn, 8351 3099)

Shenzhen Antique Camera Museum Exhibition TA S T E

French Cuisine with Tableside Cooking

For a limited time you will be able to taste French food mixing both old and new styles. Signature starters include traditional French classics such as duck rillettes, flambéed bay scallops and foie gras terrine. All tables have nearby designated cooking stations, at which many of the dishes are prepared in front of guests to ensure quality and add a touch of drama.

Tue-Sun until Apr 30; RMB500-700 per person. 37/F, Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, 1881 Bao’an Nan Lu, Luohu District 罗湖 区宝安南路1881号深圳君悦酒店37楼 (2218 7338)

The current exhibition at the Shenzhen Antique Camera Museum will give you a firsthand view of classic cameras from your grandparents’ time and before.

On display are classic folding cameras from German brand Zeiss Icon. Visitors are limited to 50 per day, so register by phone a day ahead of time.

Daily until Apr 28, 10am-5pm; free with reservation. Shenzhen Antique Camera Museum, 536 Bagua Er Lu, Futian District 福田区八卦二路536 栋汇美古董相机博物馆 (8520 1200)

Jardin Orange Gallery

Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen’s Lobster Buffet Dinner

Lobster lovers, get your tails to Shangri La Hotel, Shenzhen, where guests can enjoy mouth-watering fresh lobsters along with smoked Norwegian salmon and New Zealand oysters, accompanied by an unlimited flow of spirits. All prices are subject to 10 percent service charge and taxes.

Sun-Thu RMB338, Fri-Sat RMB368 until Apr 30. Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen, 1002 Jianshe Road, Luohu District 罗湖区 建设路1002号深圳香格里拉大酒店 (8396 1366)

Shenzhen’s premiere art residency recently opened the doors to its gallery. Come down and check out the most creative contemporary art that the city has to offer, Also, wander the up-and-coming SoFun Land area.

Daily, 3pm and later; free entry. SoFun Land Building 22, 133 Tangxing Lu, Nanshan District 南山区塘兴路133号集悦城B区 22栋 (8600 8690) WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 71

DO

RMB1 Executive Floor Upgrade Deal

Book the Grand Deluxe room before December 31 and spend just RMB1 to upgrade to the Executive Deluxe room. Guests will experience the luxury executive floor’s benefits as well as a lavish breakfast in Seasons Restaurant or the elegant executive lounge. Deal only applicable on prepaid bookings.

Daily until Dec 31; RMB1. Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen, Haide San Dao, Houhai Bin Lu, Nanshan District 南山 区后海滨路海德三道深圳凯宾斯基酒店 (8888 8888 ext. 8940)

Foreigner Job Fair Exhibition

Chinajob.com is moving from the web to the exhibition center with this job fair, sponsored by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. Thousands have attended the annual fair in the past. It will help get you set up with a new career, as hundreds of companies looking for fresh talent set up booths at the event.

Sat Apr 15, 10am-4pm; free. Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, 11 Fuhua Lu, Futian District 福田区福华路 111号福田区深圳会展中心 (8284 8900)

2017 Springwave Sunset Festival

eCig Expo Exhibition

Once a Mandopop stronghold, Springwave’s recent pivot has made it the perfect venue for DJs touring Asia. Featuring 360-degree stages and impressive LED set ups, Martin Garrix and Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike are set to rock the decks. The lineup is developing.

Sat and Sun Apr 29-30, 2.30pm; RMB580 presale, RMB780 at the door. Shenzhen Longgang Sports Center, Shuiguan Gaosu and Longxiang Dadao, Longgang District 龙岗区龙翔大道与水官高速交汇处 (en.damai.cn, 2893 7988)

Voca People Acapella

Cross Border Summit for E-Commerce Summit

This two-day summit will teach you the ins and outs of exporting and importing and China. Speakers, like Dan Harris of the China Law Blog, will give their unique insight. Topics like WeChat marketing tactics, staff management and how to sell on Amazon will be covered.

Fri-Sat Apr 21-22, all day; 1-day pass RMB1,500, 2-day pass RMB2,500, VIP pass RMB4,500 on crossbordersummit.com. 7/F, District B, Technology Building No. 2, Gongye Liu Lu, 1057 Nanhai Dadao, Shekou, Nanshan District 南山区南海大道工业 六路科技大厦2期B座7层

Board Game Night Games

Health and Wellness Fair Fair

Langren is the Chinese word for werewolf. You’ll need to know that, and much more for this Chineselanguage board game night playing tabletop classic Werewolves.

Werewolves’ gameplay is divided into day and night phases. At night, the Werewolves secretly choose a villager to kill, and during the day, the villagers need to work together to sort out who is a werewolf.

Mondays, 7pm-9pm; RMB10 fee paid to WeChat xixi-531. Maoshu Li Café, 3676 Nanhai Dadao, Nanshan District 南山区猫树里咖啡店南海大道3676号

The fourth Shenzhen Health and Wellness Fair will bring classes, healthy food and vendors of nutritious goods and services to connect with those interested in a healthy lifestyle. Speakers and vendors from Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai will attend.

Sat May 6, 10am-4pm; free. Vista-SK International Medical Center, 4/F, Nanshan Software Industry Base, Xuefu Lu by Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路软件产业基地4 栋C座4层 (3689 9688)

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Whether you vape or not, e-cigarettes are fascinating. Everything from super-powered clouds to touchscreen controls are becoming more commonplace in the world of e-cigarettes.

Plus, drinks will be sold at this 3,000-square-meter exhibition featuring 500 brands from 25 countries.

Fri to Sun Apr 14-16, 10am-7pm; free with registration on en.iecie.com.

Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, 88 Fuhua San Lu, Futian District 福田中心区福华三路88号深圳会展中心 (8284 8900)

The Voca People are an Israel-based ensemble performing vocal theater that combines acappella and beatbox vocals to reproduce the sounds of an entire orchestra. Dynamic and flexible, they include the audience in shows that change depending on the country of performance.

Thu May 4, 8pm-9.30pm; RMB120-380 on en.damai.cn. Shenzhen Concert Hall, 2016 Fuzhong Yi Lu, Futian District 福田区福中一路2016号深圳音乐 厅 (8284 1888)

HONG KONG & MACAU CALENDAR MO

HK

APRIL 1-30 FRI-SAT

The BNP Paribas Museum of Bethanie, 12pm, 4pm English tours; HKD25 per ticket. The BNP Paribas Museum of Bethanie (www.hkapa.edu) The BNP Paribas Museum of Bethanie, which tells the history of the French Mission, Bethanie and its sister foundation Nazareth, is open to the public. Museum ticket holders will be provided with a complimentary guided tour of this historic site. Advance bookings are recommended.

APRIL 9 SUN

2017 JCW Fan Meeting, 8pm; HKD6801,380. Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre Ji Chang Wook, who rose to fame in Asia starring in Korean dramas, will enter his mandatory conscription this year. The new film Fabricated City, which he first starred in as a leading role, has broken a new Korean film record this year, selling two million tickets in just 12 days.

The popularity of Caillat's MySpace profile led her to become the number-one unsigned singer in her genre for four consecutive months.

Her debut album, Coco, released in July 2007, which included hit singles ‘Bubbly’ and ‘Realize,’ sold over two million copies in the United States and was certified 2x Platinum.

WED

Lee Dong Wook Fan Meet and Greet, 7pm; HKD680-1,380. Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre (hkticketing.com) South Korean actor Lee Dong Wook gained popularity through high caliber performances in movies like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. He will meet with fans and share his memories and take questions.

ONGOING MON-SUN

SUN

Songs of Yesteryear, 2pm and 7pm; HKD280-480. Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre Got older Chinese family-in-law?

Knock their separately-washed socks off with this celebration of crooners like Qing Shan, Zhang Di, Li Ya Ping, Huang Qing Yuan, Yang Xiao Ping and Sakura! Qing Shan’s vocals made him a hit in the 1970s and he has been popular in Asia for more than 40 years.

APRIL 17 MON

APRIL 19 WED

Bibap, 2pm/6pm/8pm; MOP180-480.

The Parisian Theatre (www.macauticket.com) Centered around South Korea’s national dish bibimbap, Bibap, a musical comedy deliciously blending martial arts, acrobatics, beat box, street dance and hip-hop, tells a story of a cooking competition between two chefs at the Bibap restaurant. Transcending language barriers, this comedy cracks up audiences of all nations and ages.

Expect to be invited onto the stage to taste the ‘food.’

APRIL 15 SAT

FRI

APRIL 16

TUE-SAT

MAY 3

APRIL 14 Pan Mei Chen 2017 Concert, 8pm; HKD480-280. Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre (www.hkticketing.com) Pan Mei Chen is a popular Taiwanese Mandopop singer and songwriter.

She debuted with her hit song ‘Regrets’ in 1987 at the ripe age of 18. She went on to produce many albums over the years, finding an audience in mainland China with KTV anthems like ‘Don’t Go, Don’t Go.’

APRIL 7-23

Bruce Lee: Kung Fu. Art. Life, 10am6pm; HKD10. 2/F Thematic Gallery 6, Hong Kong Heritage Museum (www. heritagemuseum.gov.hk) In collaboration with the Bruce Lee Foundation in the United States, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has organized an exhibition that looks at Bruce Lee as not only a film star and martial artist, but also cultural phenomenon. The exhibition has more than 600 invaluable items of Bruce Lee memorabilia provided by local and overseas collectors.

APRIL 1-30 MON-SUN

Art@MTR, 10am-10pm; Free. Arttube, MTR Central Station (www.jccac.org. hk) You don't have to visit the museum to get in touch with your artistic side. In everyday life, we often interact with artwork even without noticing it. Ten exquisite sets of artwork from resident artists of the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre will be showcased at Arttube in MTR Central Station, injecting creativity into the heart of the community.

Rice by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, 8pm; MOP150-300. Grand Auditorium, Macao Cultural Centre (www.macauticket.com) ‘Rice’ is a dance celebration of nature’s lifecycle, created by Taiwan’s iconic dance company Cloud Gate, which presents the island’s essential crop with a choreographic blend of modern dance and martial arts. With meticulous movements, Cloud Gate’s dancers will stage yet another extraordinary performance accompanied by traditional Hakka drum rhythms and classical compositions, conveying the concepts of death and birth, East and West.

APRIL 19 WED

APRIL – MAY 30 MON-SUN

Colbie Caillat Live, 8pm; HKD480-880.

Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre (hkticketing.com) Colbie Caillat rose to fame through social networking website MySpace.

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Me: Millennials, 10am-11pm; free. K11 in Tsim Sha Tsui This new media art exhibition will showcase a large-scale digital sculpture created by Dutch digital artist Faiyaz Jafri and a joint new media art exhibition by 10 millennial generation artists. The blurring boundaries between different media forms create a new artistic experience.

(www.macauticket.com) Portuguese alternative rock band Os Azeitonas is popular in the city of Porto, Portugal, performing in bars in their early times before being nominated at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Although singing in Portuguese, they’ve written songs with powerful rhythms that move audiences, no matter what language they speak.

Os Azeitonas, 8pm; MOP150. Grand Auditorium, Macao Cultural Centre

A-Ma Festival, A-Ma Temple.

On A-Ma Festival, homage is paid to Macau's most revered deity A-Ma, the goddess of fishermen and other seafarers. Also known as Tin Hau, A-Ma is said to give Macau its name. The story goes that maiden A-Ma ordered the elements to calm down when a storm threatened boats out at sea. When she spoke, the winds abated. A temple is built on the spot where she supposedly landed. To this day, families of fishermen still visit the ancient temple, which was built in 1488.

APRIL 28-MAY 31 ALL WEEK

The 28th Macao Art Festival, for specific programs, please visit www. icm.gov.mo/fam/28 (www.macauticket.com) The 28th edition of the Macao Arts Festival (MAF), themed ‘Heterotopia’ will take place this month in the land of casinos.

Comprising 25 captivating programs and a total of over 100 activities, exhibitions and shows, the MAF is a great chance to head to Macau and enjoy a host of artwork from different decades.

MAY 3 WED

Feast of the Drunken Dragon, Morning; Kuan Tai Temple (near Senado Square) The Feast of the Drunken Dragon, also known as the Drunken Dragon and Lion Dance Gala, is a local traditional folk festival celebrated by fishmongers in Macau, which later on developed into an annual festivity on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. A ‘drunken dance’ is performed with a wooden dragon head and tail, as well as a ‘drunken dragon parade,’ lion dance and distribution of ‘longevity rice.’

HOTEL NEWS The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan Bring in ‘Bedtime Calls’ to Aid Sleep Westin continues to find new ways to empower guests to regain control of their well-being and get their best rest while on the road.

Through April 2017, the brand will pilot a ‘bedtime call’ giving travelers the option to schedule a restful reminder for when they should turn-in and power-down to get a great night’s sleep. “One of the most frequently asked questions that our sleep specialists receive is: ‘What is the perfect amount of sleep?’” said Dr. Clete Kushida, president of World Sleep Society. “The short answer is at least seven hours in length. Understanding the impact of sleep on physical and mental health is more important than ever before, and we are thrilled to have partners like Westin Hotels & Resorts.”

Marco Polo Shenzhen Takes Agoda’s 2016 Gold Circle Award Marco Polo Shenzhen participated in Agoda.com’s 2016 annual awards ceremony and won Agoda’s 2016 Gold Circle Award on February 24. This prestigious award is given to hotels that provide the best online booking experience available worldwide, and every year only 1 percent of hotels are nominated as Gold Circle Award winners. “It is a special honor to receive this award,” said Ms. Yang after being presented the award on stage. “Together, we focused on significantly expanding our business across the world to keep pace with the rapid market growth. A big thank you to Agoda.com and our guests for the continuous support.”

The Langham, Shenzhen Perch Bar Opens Perch, originally referring to the resting place for birds, is a unique alfresco venue and a true respite at the end of a frenzied day. It’s a space to flash those heels, loosen that tie and strut your feathers. Colleagues, friends and birds alike will be drawn into the imaginary, whimsical atmosphere to relax or unite and celebrate the success of the day. The chirping, laughter and clinking of glasses will echo off the walls at Perch, a mastery of glamour and intimacy – soon to open at The Langham, Shenzhen.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 75

FEATURED LIS Scan for complete listings

Want to see all restaurants, hotels and more in Shenzhen? Check out www.thatsmags.com or download our app by scanning the QR code.

HEALTH HarMoniCare Women & Children's Hospital 12018 Shennan Dadao, by Nanshan Dadao (3339 1333) 深圳和美妇儿科医院 南山区深南大 道12018号

Vista-SK International Medical Center Lvl 4, Bldg 4C, Shenzhen Software Industry Base,Xuefu Lu, Nanshan District (3689 9833) 南山区学府路软件产业基地4栋C座裙楼4层 C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital 1-2/F, Shengtang Bldg, 1 Tairan Jiu Lu, Chegongmiao, Futian District (4001 666 120, 3322 7188) 福田区车公庙泰然九路一号

盛唐大厦1-2层

EDUCATION American International School, No. 82,Gongyuan Lu, Shekou,Nanshan District (8619 4750) 南山区蛇口公园路82号青少年活动中心

Green Oasis School No 4030, Shennan Middle Road, Tianmian, Futian District. (8399 6712) admission@ greenoasis.org.cn www.greenoasis.org.cn 福田区田面村深南中路 4030 号

International School of Nanshan Shenzhen A Canadian school accepting application for Pre-Grade 1 through Grade 12. 166 Nanguang Lu, Nanshan District (2666 1000, 2606 6968). admission@isnsz.com www. isnsz.com 南山区南光路166号

Peninsula Montessori Kindergarten the Peninsula one, Jin Shiji Lu, Shekou Nanshan District ( 2685 1266)

Shekou,Nanshan District (2667 6031). www.shk.qsi.org

Bin Lu, Nanshan District (8888 8888) www. kempinski.com/cn

南山区蛇口太子路 8 号碧涛中心 2 楼

南山区后海滨路海德三道

QSI International School of Shenzhen (Futian) A1, TCL Science Park, No. 1001 Zhongshan Yuan, Nanshan District (8371 7108) 中山园路1001号TCL 科学园区A1栋

Marco Polo Shenzhen Fuhua Yi Lu, CBD, Futian District (8298 9888). www. cn.marcopolohotels.com 福田中心区福华一路

Shekou International School Jingshan Villas, Gongye Er Lu, Shekou, Nanshan District (2669 3669). www.sis.org.cn 南山区蛇口工业二路鲸山别墅内

Shen Wai International School 29 Baishi San Lu, Nanshan (8654 1200, www.swis.cn) 深圳外国语学校国际部南山区白石三道 29 号

HOTEL Futian Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen No.4088 Yitian Lu, Futian District (8828 4088). 福田区益田路 4088 号福田香格里拉大酒店

Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen 138 Fuhua San Lu, Futian District (8826 8888) 深圳市福田区福华三路 138 号

Grand Hyatt Shenzhen No.1881 Baoan Nan Lu, Luohu District (8266 1234) www.shenzhen.grand.hyatt.com 罗湖区宝安南路1881号 Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai 1177, Wanghai Lu, Nanshan District

深圳蛇口希尔顿南海酒店 南山区望海路 1177 号 (2162 8888)

Hilton Shenzhen Futian Town B, Great China International Finance Centre, 1003 Shennan Dadao, Futian District (2130 8888) 福田区深南大道1003号大中华国际金融中心B座

JW Marriott Shenzhen No.6005 Shennan Dadao, Futian District. (2269 8888) 福田区深南大道 6005 号

半岛城邦国际幼儿园 南山区蛇口东角头金世纪路1 号半岛城邦一期

JW Marriott Shenzhen Bao’an 8 Baoxing Lu, Baoan District (2323 8888)

Quality Schools International 2/F Bitao Center, 8 Taizi Lu,

Kempinski Hotel Hai De San Dao, Hou Hai

深圳前海华侨城 JW 万豪酒店 , 宝安区宝兴路 8 号

Mission Hills Resort No.1 Mission Hills Dadao, Bao’an District.(2802 0888)

观澜湖酒店集团 宝安区观澜湖高尔夫大道 1 号

Shangri-La Hotel East of the Luohu Train Station, Jianshe Lu, Luohu District (8233 0888). www.shangri-la.com 罗湖区建设路火车站东侧

Sheraton Dameisha Resort 9 Yankui Lu, Dameisha, Yantian District (8888 6688) 盐田大梅沙盐葵路 ( 大梅沙段 )9 号

St. Regis Shenzhen No.5016 Shennan Dong Lu, Luohu District.(8308 8888) 深圳瑞吉酒店 罗湖区深南东路 5016 号

The Langham, Shenzhen, No. 7888, Shennan Dadao, Futian District (8828 9888). 深圳朗廷酒店，福田区深南大道 7888 号

The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen 116 Fuhua San Lu, Futian District (2222 2222)

• Tel: 400 120 1207 1) Futian Anlian, 26/F, Anlian CentreNo.4018 Jintian Road, Futian District; 2) A8 Building, 15/F, A8 Building, No.1002 Keyuan Road Tech Zone, Nanshan District; 3) Futian NEO, 44/F, NEO Tower A, No.6011 Shennan Avenue Futian District; 4) SCC, 7/F, Tower A, SCC Financial Centre, Junction of Houhai Avenue & First Haide Avenue Nanshan District; 5) New World Centre, 23/F, New World Centre, No.6009 Yitian Road Futian District; 6) Times Financial Centre, 14/F Times Financial Centre, No. 4001 Shennan Avenue Futian District; 7) New Times Plaza, 3/F, New Times Plaza,No.1 Taizi Road Shekou District; 8) Panglin Plaza, 35/F, Panglin Plaza, No.2002 Jiabin Road Luohu District; 1)深圳安联中心, 深圳市福田区

金田路4018号安联大厦26层; 2) 深圳A8大厦,深圳 市南山区科技园科园路1002号A8大厦15层; 3)深 圳NEO大厦, 深圳市福田区深南大道6011号NEO 企业大道A座44层; 4) 深圳中洲控股金融中心, 深圳 市南山区后海大道与海德一道交汇处中洲控股金融 中心A座7层; 5) 深圳新世界中心, 深圳市福田区益 田路6009号新世界中心23层; 6) 深圳时代金融中 心, 深圳市福田区深南大道4001号时代金融中心14 层; 7) 深圳时代广场, 深圳市蛇口区太子路1号新时 代广场3层; 8) 深圳彭年广场, 深圳市罗湖区嘉宾路 2002号彭年广场

China-Italy Chamber of Commerce Rm220, 2/F, International Chamber Of Commerce, Fuhua San Lu, Futian District (Tel: 8632 9518; Fax: 8632 9528). www. cameraitacina.com

福田区福华三路国际商会中心 2 楼 220 室

European Union Chamber of Commerce Rm 308, 3/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern section of HighTech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 8635 0920; fax: 8632 9785).

福田区福华三路 116 号

南山高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦 3 楼 308 室

The Venice Raytour Hotel Shenzhen No.9026, Shennan Dadao, Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan District (2693 6888)

French Chamber of Commerce in South China (CCIFC) Room 318, 3/F Chinese Overseas Scholars Venture Building,South section of Hi-tech Industry Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 8632 9602; fax: 8632 9736) www.ccifc.org 南山区科技园南区留学生创业大

深圳威尼斯睿途酒店 南山区华侨城深南大道 9026 号

The Westin Shenzhen 9028-2 Shennan Dadao, Nanshan District (2698 8888) www.westin.com/shenzhen 南山区深南大道 9028号-2

BUSINESS Regus Serviced Office 雷格斯服务式办公室 • Flexible office leases from 1 day to 1 year • Quick and easy to set up for 1-200 people • Prices from RMB180 per month • Find more on Regus.cn

厦3楼318室

German Chamber of Commerce 217 Chinese Overseas Scholars Venture Building, Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District. (8635 0487) www.china.ahk.de 南山区高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦 217

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China Rm 208, 2/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern section of High-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 0755-2658 8342; fax: 0755-2658 8341). www.amcham-southchina.org

ALSO ON THE THAT'S APP:

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76 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

New Plans for Shenzhen-Huizhou Metro Lines Announced

Shenzhen Police Crack Down on Honking Drivers

TINGS

FEATURED: LIVE MUSIC

The British Chamber of Commerce, Shenzhen Sub-Chamber Rm 314, 3/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern section of High-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 2658 8350). 深圳市南山区高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦3 楼314室

SERVICED RESIDENCE

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Cigar Jazz Wine 15, Qushui Bay, OCT Bay, 8 Baishi Lu, by Shenhai Yi Lu 南山区白石路东8号 欢乐海岸曲水湾15栋 (8654 1166)

Lavo jazz funk soul Tower 3, Kerry Plaza, 1

McCawley's Futian 1/F, Block B, Coco Park,

Penny Black Jazz Café Bldg A5, OCT,

The Terrace Restaurant & Bar 2/F, 32 Taizi Lu, by Wanghai Lu 南山区 太子路32号海上 世界广场2楼 (2682 9105)

Taps Brewpub 1/F, B District, Shopping Park, Fuhua Lu, Futian District 福田区福华路 购物公园B区 (2394 4697)

Zhongxin Si Lu, by Fuhua Lu 福田区中心四路一 号嘉里建设广场第3栋1M层1B 室 (8255 7462)

Savills Residence Daxin Shenzhen Bay 1168 Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen (2685 6688)

南山区后海滨路1168号 www.savillsresidence. com

Somerset Grandview Shenzhen No.5 Xinsha Road, Futian District, Shenzhen (400 820 1028)

福田区新沙路5号 www.ascottchina.com

pho nam 1) Shop B26C, Link City Passage (near Coco Park), Futian District； 2) B1 floor, B1-04, Zhuoyue Plaza, Shangmeilin, Futian District

越小品 , 1）福田区连城新天地 B26C 商铺 (8255 7048)；2）福田区上梅林卓悦汇 B1 楼 B1-04

FOOD & DRINK

Fuhua Lu, Futian District 福田区福华三路购物公 园B区1楼 (2531 3650)

Haxnbauer offers world-famous German beers accompanied by authentic Bavarian cuisine in a chic and contemporary setting.

L1C-055B, 1/F, Coco Park, Fuhua San Lu, Futian District 福田区福华三路星河Coco Park一 楼 L1C-055B (8359 2080)

The George & Dragon The quintessential British pub; good draft beers, ales, stout, cider, hearty pub food with BBQ's, screening non-stop sports, secluded beer garden. Your home away from home. www.george-dragon. com. Email: manager@george-dragon.com 3 Taizi Lu, by Minghua Lu, Nanshan District (Tel: 2669 8564). 南山区太子路3号太子宾馆1楼后排3号商铺

Xiangshan Dong Jie by Taoyuan Lu 南山区 香山 东街华侨城创意文化园北区A5栋134号 (8609 8585)

CLASSIFIEDS JOBS OFFERED Mobile Game company business development position.

A NASDAQ listed Shenzhen based mobile game company iDreamSky is looking for an expat for one business development position, native English speaker and fluent in Mandarin a must, well versed with mobile games or business negotiation experience a plus. Responsible for looking for Western games suitable for the Chinese market and contacting the game developers. Our office is located in NanShan district, Shenzhen. If interested, please send resume to Evan at email: evan.liang@ idreamsky.com

BUSINESS SERVICES Virtual Offices & Virtual Workshops Office Staff from $713/month Factory Workers from $2.86/hour Infrastructure, Manpower & Management for your China project. www.PSSChina.com ASIABS & B.STRING Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai 1) Setting-up HK, BVI and other offshore company 2) Setting-up WFOE, JV,

Representative Office in China mainland 3) Accounting, Taxation, HR, Visa & Trading service Tel: 852 8102 2592 86 21 58362605 Website: www.AsiaBS.com www.Stringbc.com E-mail: info@stringbc.com

MOVING & SHIPPING AGS Four Winds is leading international moving company offers a full range relocation, moving, and storage services. Our global network of over 300 offices worldwide plus 40 years experience in the moving industry, we know your concerns and have the ability to serve you anywhere in the world.

We are FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members of the FAIM and FIDI. Contact us for FREE survey and quotation: Tel: +86755 2665 6139 / +8620 8363 3735 Email: manager.guangzhou@agsfourwinds.com Website: www.agsfourwinds.com Rayca Moving & Transportation Services With 10 years experience, Rayca provides international, domestic, local moving services & pet relocation service. We can effectively move you anywhere at competitive prices!

You move, you save!

Service hotline: 400-048-9099 Email: info@raycatrans.com Website:www.raycatrans.com WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 77

OPEN DOOR

LA TERRAZZA

GRANGE GRILL

The Grand Hyatt Shenzhen has introduced a new menu with enticing appetizers like Astice e Burrata, a salad of Boston lobster with creamy burrata and a dessert selection that includes favorites such as classic tiramisu and yoghurt panna cotta.

Grange Grill is introducing a ‘pinkalicious’ tea experience at The Westin Shenzhen Nanshan. Inspired by cherry blossoms, this pink concept sees fresh fruit-infused treats paired with tailored beverages, including handcrafted coffee and pink lemonade.

1/F, Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, 1881 Baoan Nan Lu, by Jiabing Lu, Luohu District 罗湖区宝安南路 1881号深圳君悦酒店 (2218 7338)

9028-2 Shennan Da Dao, Nanshan District 南山区深南大道 9028-2 号 (2698 8888)

New Menu Introduced

Pinkalicious Afternoon Tea

MINIKOR

Gourmet Cheese Hot Pot

With more than 20 gourmet ingredients, including pickled vegetables and a secret base ingredient – cheese! – Minikor Zhixiang hot pot is definitely one to try next time the weather turns cold. Kimchi at the bottom of the pot adds a spicy kick at the end. Try it at Coco Park next time you’re out.

L01-B01, Coco Park, 269 Fuhua San Lu, Futian District 福田区民田路福华三路269号星河 (8606 9266)

78 | SZ | APRIL 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

win!

We’ve got 5 vouchers for one delicious Minikor signature dish to give away. For a chance to win, message our WeChat feed: ThatsShenzhen

URBAN MOMENTS Do you have party pictures to contribute? Send them to us at editor.prd@urbanatomy.com and we’ll run the best.

Massive Night @CLUB SECTOR, 10 Mar (Must D!e Tour in China)

Feilx Da Housecat party review @PEPPER

DJ Dirty Class @ Dazzle Club, 18th Mar

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2017 | SZ | 79

APRIL

D at’s PR

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Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in Shenzhen.

BY NOELLE MATEER

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

3.21~4.20

4.21~5.21

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

You’ve always been charming, but this month, you’re on fire.

Use your deadly smile to get out of a rough situation, like haggling with rickshaw drivers, or being propositioned at Evil Duck. Don’t travel North during the TombSweeping Festival.

I t ’ s t i m e t o ge t i n s h a p e , s o next time you walk by gym reps passing out fliers and shouting ‘fitness club!’ try listening to them. Or just run away really, really fast – that’s exercise too.

Avoid Laojie on Fridays. (That part isn’t your horoscope, it’s just generally good advice.)

Gemini, you will be plagued by a wandering mind this month. By all means, dare to dream – but don’t let that dreaming interfere with your ability to navigate Baishizhou intersections safely.

Eat egg-and-chive jiaozi on the 3rd.

Yo u ’ r e t h e l i f e o f t h e p a r t y this April. Consider hosting a barbecue (chuan’r-becue?), but choosing Snow over Yanjing will lead to misfortune. Roasting mantou on the 15th of the month will be auspicious.

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

9.24~10.23

10.24~11.22

Yo u m a y f i n d y o u r s e l f a t a crossroads – hesitate before choosing your path forward.

The right choice could lead to happiness (dumplings); the wrong choice could lead to despair (no dumplings).

You’ll receive good news on the 21st – if your VPN is working, that is. Try turning it off and on again. Is the Hong Kong server not working? Try Bangkok. No? Singapore? It is inauspicious to use the American servers.

A series of seemingly unconnected events will converge in suprising ways. But if it’s too hot outside, you’ll never be able to work out how.

Go for a ride on a Mobike on April 12th and you will be rewarded.

DO NOT USE OFO.

Breaking social norms will earn you plenty of stares, but if you do, that guy/girl you like will fall instantly in love with you. Only joking – don’t be weird. Go for a ride on an Ofo bike on April 12th and you will be rewarded. DO NOT USE MOBIKE.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius 1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

Leadership is your strong point t h i s m o n t h – s o ge t o u t yo u r megaphone and small red flag, and guide a tour group through Window of the World. Tap your toes three times for good luck before entering public toilets.

Do your thing this month. Just not too much of your thing – we don’t want you getting kicked out of Sea World's bars again. Don’t take Subway Line 1 on Mondays.

The stars have shifted into your celestial house of intellect, whatever that means – you know we ’ r e j u s t m a k i n g t h e s e u p , right? Consider tackling an intellectual hurdle. (The biggest intellectual hurdle of all is learning Chinese.)

It is a month of love and romance for Pisces – keep your eyes open, and you will meet an alluring stranger in Guomao. Do not make eye contact in shopping mall bathrooms.

11.23~12.21

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12.22~1.20

Pisces