To celebrate turning four, the recently refurbished Gulou hotspot Modernista has filled their roster over the next week with some worthy events for a grand birthday. Make sure to swing by to help celebrate four years of classy French-style debauchery.
 

Nov 10: Greek Party Drink and Draw
To kick off anniversary celebrations, Modernista brings you a Toga Party on Tuesday. The restaurant is offering a special designed three-course menu to reveal the taste of Greek cuisine. To get a seat, make sure you reserve by calling 136 9142 5744 or email [email protected].

The night will move on to drinking … and drawing. Promising to be even better than last year’s anniversary edition, budding artists will try their best capture Grecian gods on paper. The party starts at 9.30pm, with the Greek Band going on at 10.30pm.

Nov 11: Swing Night and Balbao Class
Since Modernista and their house band The Hot Club of Beijing are both still going strong, they will celebrate together with Balboa, a special type of swing dance taught by friends Leru and Jered. Balboa is a social partnered dance that originated in Southern California during the 1920s and 1930s, and which has since seen increasing popularity in the past two decades. The dance is fully improvised, energetic, and elegant.

The intermediate class starts at 7.30pm, and the beginners’ class at 8.30pm. There will also be a special free drinks game.
 

Nov 12-13: Moonglow Secret Service 007-Style Cabaret
Moonglow Secret Service has one very sexy mission to accomplish; taking the sexiness of the female spy archetype to Modernista’s stage with classical burlesque performances set to iconic songs from the James Bond catalogue. Expect sparkly costumes, vodka martinis, roulette, diamonds, guns, international intrigue, and a touch of comedy.

The main cast of six includes the handsome secret agent, female accomplices who may or not may be what they appear, and the super-villain behind it all. Prepare your tuxedo or evening gown as well as your best poker face for this one. Tickets RMB 120.

Nov 14: Farm2Neighbors Market; Mademoiselle Et Son Orchestra
Instead of the usual Sunday, the Farm2Neighbors Market will happen on Saturday. Expect lots of fresh and local produce as always.

In the evening, six-piece band Mademoiselle Et Son Orchestra will be taking on a unique repertoire of French songs. The band has played their gypsy jazz-inspired music throughout China since 2004: a style invented in France in the 1930s by Stefan Rappelli and Django Reinhardt. The show starts at 9pm.
 

Nov 15: Hideaki Tokunaga
In the first session of Modernista’s weekly Sunday jazz sessions, Modernista presents Japanese guitarist Hideaki Tokunaga.

Tokunaga will introduce the Beijing audience to an evening of jazz exploration and will be joined by fellow country man Izumi Koga on the drums and the exotic organ sounds of Tala, from Madagascar to create a style that signals a tribute to guitar master West Montgomery and what should be an unforgettable, exceptional night. Entry is free and the music starts at 8pm.

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Photos courtesy of Modernista