Beijing

Masterly Minus One

Since its creation, Minus One, the phenomenally successful performance piece by Les Grands Ballets, has left critics and audiences gasping.

It will be staged at the National Center for the Performing Art, presented by a troupe with a 50-year pedigree in classical ballet.

The 85-minute piece, a collection of excerpts from the oeuvre of Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, brims with unobstructed kinetic energy and exuberant musicality.

July 20 and 21. 100-580 yuan. National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square. 010- 6655-0000

Brazilian all-night party for charity

Come hang loose with Ypioca's caipirinhas and cocktails and munch on some Brazilian inspired dishes by Kro's Chef Zach Lawson. The 40-yuan cover charge includes a free drink, and the party is a benefit for a migrant-children's foundation. So get ready to watch Capoeira Mandinga's acrobatics, and dance to the batucada drums of Sambasia and the samba rhythm of instructor Renata Secco. As the night deepens, move and groove to deejay Ton's Brazilian beats.

9 pm until late. July 23. Kro's Nest, 35 Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang district. 010-8391-3131

Hong Kong

The best medicine

Laughter has often been touted as the best medicine, and Duetto's upcoming trio of international comedians are guaranteed to make you feel great. The Punchline Comedy Club will feature British bloke Christian Reilly and Aussies Andre King and Matthew Hardy for an evening that will have you in stitches. Off-color cultural and sexual politics are fair game for quick quips and risqu shtick with deadpan aplomb. Go early for happy hour drinks or Duetto's Italian/Indian buffet dinner.

9 pm, July 14-16. Duetto, 2/F Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Road, Wanchai. 852-2598-1222

A paper-cut above

The art and craft of paper cutting has long been a tradition in China. Chinese master Li Yun Xia unveils the secrets behind her meticulous handiwork at an art talk and dinner hosted by Italian deli Il Bel Paese. A rare talent who improvises original designs, Li has demonstrated her skills in front of Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and US president Richard Nixon. Most recently, she exhibited at the art fair in Paris' Carousel du Louvre last year. The demonstration will be accompanied by a three-course Italian feast and a question-and-answer session.

7 pm, July 13. Il Bel Paese, 51-53 Hennessy Road, Wanchai. 852-2528-2200

Future presented

Hong Kong designer Stanley Wong, looks back on his 30-year career with What's Next 30x30 Creative Exhibition. Co-curated by Shenzhen's OCT Art & Design Gallery and previously mounted in Shenzhen prior to its Hong Kong opening, What's Next explores the future of 30 of the region's most respected talents. Wong's dialogues with the likes of Alan Chan, Kenya Hara and Simon Birch are showcased alongside their multimedia work on the future of creativity.

11 am-9 pm, until Aug 9. Artistree, 1/F Cornwall House, TaiKoo Place, Island East. 852-2887-1321

Shanghai

JonOne

JonOne was one of the first to be recognized from the early New York street-art scene. He differs from other graffiti artists in his abstract style, his unique calligraphy, but also his talent as a colorist. For his new exhibition, JonOne goes beyond his own limits and will go 3-D with an explosion of colors constructing a giant set of color shapes.

11 am-9 pm, July 7-August 25. 18Gallery, 4F, 18 Zhongshan Road E1. 021-6323-8099

Rhythmus - Zhang Hui

This is the artist's first exhibition in Shanghai. From traditional painting and calligraphy to mixed media paintings, Zhang Hui always has the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in mind.

11 am- 6 pm, July 8-Aug 8. Tangram Art Center, 2F, Building 17, 50 Moganshan Road. 021-6299-9868