Here’s a bevy of Asia-related places and things to keep you up-to-date for the week of August 28~
DINE OUT
‘The Hutong’ at the Shard. Spicy Chinese food with the hottest view in town, The Hutong (from the Hong Kong-based Aqua group) features Northern and Szechuan-style cuisine with plenty of chillies to set your mouth watering and burning at the same time. Located on the 33rd floor of Western Europe’s tallest building, it’s best if you don’t look down after you finish eating.
GO
Check out 2013’s temporary Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, brilliantly designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. Only until October 20 at Hyde Park; open to the public.
Hear a free talk on 160 years of Japan-UK relations in popular music by Akira Imamura at the Swedenborg Society in Bloomsbury. August 19 at 6:45pm. Drinks included! Booking recommended.
Take a road trip to the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival where many Asian artists will be performing this year. Edinburgh in Scotland is less than a few hours away by train from London. The festival finishes on August 26. Full details at edfringe.com.
READ
‘Behind the Beautiful Forevers’ by Katherine Boo has won the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Non-Fiction. The author wrote about the slum-dwellers of Mumbai. The book was also mentioned by AGI in our Top 10 Books on Asia from 2012.
‘The Reason I Jump’ is a smart and beautiful book written by a 13-year-old autistic boy from Japan, Naoki Higashida (now in his twenties). It was recently translated into English by acclaimed British author David Mitchell (‘Cloud Atlas’) and his Japanese wife who have an autistic son. Since it was published in the UK last month, the book has become a surprise bestseller. It book consists of questions & answers about austism, touching short stories, and illustrations.
‘Korean Art: The Power of Now’ is a large new book from London publisher Thames & Hudson, profusely illustrated and featuring every major modern artist from South Korea. The steep asking price is well worth it if you are a fan of contemporary Asian art. Available from Foyles, Waterstones, and of course there’s always Amazon if you refuse to leave the house.
SEE
The thrilling Beijing-set stage play ‘Chimerica’ continues at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End.
Catch up with Studio Ghibli films from anime master Hayao Miyazaki and his son, Goro, who directed ‘From Up On Poppy Hill’ – on now at The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square. Check their Weekly Listings.
The Satyajit Ray season continues at the BFI Southbank. The highlight is a newly restored print of ‘The Big City’ (1963). Tickets available here.
SIRO-A, Japan’s answer to the Blue Man Group, returns to the Leicester Square Theatre after sold-out shows earlier this year and following an appearance at Hyper Japan last month. Performances start from August 21st and run through ’til October. See AGI’s review.
‘When the Dragon Swallowed the Sun’ is a new documentary about protests in Tibet against the repressive Chinese government. Features music from Brits Philip Glass and Thom Yorke. At selected theatres around the UK, including Rio Cinema in London.
