Art beat in July

People's music at summer festival

Music in the Summer Air is an annual festival of classical music, hosted by Shanghai Symphony Orchestra since 2010. This year's events started on July 4 and will run for two weeks. Outdoor concerts are on every day in two locations on opposite sides of the Huangpu River. The cheap tickets and educational programs are aimed at making classical music more accessible to local communities.

7:30 pm, until July 18. Shuanghui Square, 99 Yincheng Lu (Road); Shanghai Grassland Music Square, 523 Yan'an Dong Lu (Road), Shanghai. 4008-210-522.

The House That Never Dies

The horror film starts in the early 20th century with the tragic fate of a prostitute. Lu Dieyu (Ruby Lin) has a wealthy boyfriend, but when she finally marries, she is horrified to learn the groom is not the man she loves but his dead brother. One hundred years later, Xu Ruoqing (also played by Lin), returns to the old house, and the ghosts are awakened, eager for revenge. The film cost around 100 million yuan ($16.12 million) to make and lots of the props are genuine antiques. The story is based on an urban legend about No. 81 Chaonei Street in Beijing.

In cinemas from July 18, Directed by Wai Man Yip, written by Manfred Wong, starring Francis Ng (Chun Yu), Ruby Lin (Shin-Ru), Qin Hailu and Elaine Jin.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

The biographical film of Nelson Mandela is based on his autobiographical book Long Walk to Freedom. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept 7, 2013. The Chinese edition of the film is six minutes longer than the American version. The script written by William Nicholson chronicles his early life, education and 27 years in prison before being elected president, and his efforts to rebuild the country's segregated society. The film won positive reviews from critics and several nominations at the 86th Academy Awards and the 71st Golden Globe Awards, where it took home an award for "best original song" (by U2 and Danger Mouse).

In cinemas from July 18, Directed by Justin Chadwick, starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris

30th anniversary special

Zhejiang Yueju Opera Troupe will celebrate its 30th anniversary by presenting its most-beloved piece The Butterfly Lovers, which is based on an ancient Chinese folk tale. The tragic love story between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai concludes with the two lovers reuniting after death, turning into butterflies. The new production features Mao Wei-tao, one of the most respected Yueju Opera performers in China.

7:30 pm, July 19. Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Dadao (Avenue), Shanghai. 400-1068-686120.

German ballet showcases classics

Ten of the top dancers from the German ballet company Staatsballett Berlin will present a gala at Guangzhou Opera House on July 20. The company is the biggest in Germany and has 90 dancers chosen from among the best in the world. Their performance will be a rare opportunity to appreciate selections from classic ballets, such as Don Quixote.

8 pm, July 20. Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu (Road), Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou. 020-3839-2888.

Dunhuang inspirations

Blossoms of Dunhuang reflects upon the 60-year-long career of Chang Shana, 83, as a designer and art teacher, which is closely connected with her second hometown and "infinite source of inspiration", Dunhuang. Born in Lyons, Chang moved to Dunhuang at 12 with her father, Chang Shuhong (1904-94), who dedicated most of his life to the protection of Dunhuang's art and is renowned as the "guardian of the Dunhuang grottos". Under her father's guidance, Chang studied and replicated those frescoes in Dunhuang. The exhibition displays her fresco copies and graphic designs, in which she applied elements of Dunhuang aesthetics.

10 am-6 pm, until July 22. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu (Road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5876-0600 Ext 100.