Quickslants: Metalheads are back, Marley Tributes, Book Swap and Temple Rolls on

w00t w00t.. looks like there is some action again in town with a few more locales opening up after this highly unusual Spring Festival hibernation. Seriously, in 3 years of covering the scene, it’s never died as much as this year… Sure, we had Temple to keep things going but man, it was tough! Club 13 is the first one to spring back into action, with Jianghu, Mako and Yugong Yishan putting on some weekend goodies. Let’s see what’s on the menu, shall we?

Wednesday Feb 1st:

Hot Club of Beijing @ Modernista
a little minouche Jazz is a comfortable – albeit cold- hutong setting. It’s not a bad midweek option to get you over the hump! The band plays good old Jazz classics and Modernista is perfect for this type of event. It’s been pretty full the last few weeks but I must report that it’s a little cold in there! Don’t expect to roll around in a jacket.

Friday Feb 3rd

Dimefest 10 @ 13Club:
Metal mania re-awakes in Beijing as 13 Club is the first to get a huge show going. They have a nice lineup of metalheads geared up for headbanging and mosh-pitting with Never Before, Beyond Redemption, Forced Pose and a few more. Now that D-22 is gone, this is pretty much the only reliable music venue in wudaokou.

Devils at the Crossroads @ Temple
The devils are back from their road trip to Shanxi and they will be waiting for you at the altar. there will be rock, there will be roll, there will be antics and there will be fun! I’m really getting into these guys nowadays.

Saturday Feb 4th:

February Book Swap & Board Games @ Sequoia:
The monthly meeting and swap takes place from 2 to 6 pm inside the jianguomen diplomatic compound. Good people, good coffee, chilled atmosphere and good times usually prevail. It’s a nice way to cozy up on a Saturday afternoon.

Bob Marley Tribute at Yugong Yishan
The yearly reggae reunion is one hell of a good way to kickstart the Dragon for YGYS. This year, we have ABIJAH (jamaica) and Beijing’s MITABE. Expect dreadlocks, smoke, cool chilaxed people and a whole bunch of DJ around the place. This one has kinda become a yearly tradition in the jing so folks are gonna show up in numbers.

Bob Marley Day @ Temple
Considering the dreadlock credentials of the establishment, you can’t expect them not to try and pay tribute to the ultimate rastaman. They got Shaddai, a roots reggae band, playing that night and i have never heard them before. They’re fun though and pretty much everyone is at temple these days.. so why aren’t you?