STAGE

The Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center will stage Faust, a modern drama adapted from German poet Goethe's masterpiece. Veteran dramatist Xu Xiaozhong conceived it over two decades and believes the story of a man's search for the essence of life mirrors modern life.

The lead cast includes Xu Chengxian as Faust and Zhou Yemang as the demon Mephistopheles.

7:30 pm, Aug 28-30

National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square

6655-0000

Chris Lee, Bibi Zhou and Jane Zhang became household names after they won the 2005 Super Girl competition, the Chinese version of Pop Idol. A show by the three pop singers together at the Worker's Stadium promises to be a high-energy performance.

Lee's albums include The Queen and the Dream, Mine and Youth of China. Zhou is now a singer, songwriter and an actress. Zhang has been compared with many international singers because the versatility of her voice.

7:30 pm, Aug 29

Worker's Stadium, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang district

6501-6655

The Peony Pavilion, the classic Kunqu Opera, is on at the Imperial Granary, a perfect venue. The Imperial Granary was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, 600 years ago, at exactly the same time the Kunqu Opera was written.

6409-6477/6499

22 Dongsi Shitiao, Dongcheng district

380-1,980 yuan, including Peking Roast Duck buffet

The Chinese Acrobatics Group has toured more than 80 countries and helped foster friendships with them. Its performance includes traditional acrobatics, a circus show, magic and old Beijing folk plays. The show blends music, dance, local opera and martial arts.

7:30 pm, daily

Tiandi Theater, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang district

6416-9893

CONCERTS

The two-month long Opens the Door of Arts is nearing its end and the closing concert will be the China Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Yu Long. Their repertoire includes masterpieces of Beethoven, Mahler and Berlioz, as well as those from the operas Carmen and Romeo and Juliet.

7:30 pm, Aug 31

Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square

6559-8285

Twelve tenors from around the world, including Italy, Spain, Germany and China, will come together to present a variety of music - from opera arias to pop songs, and folk ballad to rock'n'roll and jazz. They will also imitate the sounds of different kinds of instruments. The program includes Nessun Dorma, O Sole Mio, Come Back Sorrento and We Will Rock You.

7:30 pm, Sept 10

Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhua Jie, Xicheng district

5166-4611

Exhibitions

Eighteen sculptures from the collection of the Muse du Louvre are expected to arrive in Beijing and be open for public viewing next month.

It follows the ongoing Qin-Han and Roman Civilizations exhibitions, that features 489 ancient artworks from more than 70 Italian and Chinese museums, ranging from silk, jade, lacquer, ancient paper and sculptures to murals, glassware, silverware and coins.

9 am-5 pm, sculpture: Sept 21-Nov 1; Qin-Han and Roman Civilizations: until Oct 7

Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, A9 Fuxinglu, Haidian district

5980-222