Just over a month from now, on the 17th of December, the Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation,better known as RUFF will come to Chongqing for RUFF 2, a night of good ole' fashion MMA cage fighting.  But before all of that goes down, the folks at RUFF will be holding a press conference and fight demonstration tomorrow, Wednesday, November 16 at the Paradise Walk in Jiangbei.  So if a month is too long for you to wait for some up-close ass kicking, get yourself down to Guanyinqiao tomorrow at noon.

And having lived in, and like the band Vampire Weekend(from whom the above quote comes from), dreamt of Boston, never did I imagine that I would come across such a sight as I did the other day.  Upon exiting the subway at Jiaochangkou station I glimpsed from afar the pink and orange color combination that is unmistakable to anyone who has lived in 'Beantown' or anywhere in America's north-east for that matter.  As I got a bit closer I made out the word "Donuts" and couldn't help but salivate at the idea that Dunkin Donuts had made its way to Chongqing.  I immediately picked up my pace, pondering whether to have hot or iced coffee? What what kind of donut I might get?   And how ma.....  and it was at that moment that I realized I'd been had.  I'd been tricked, and what from afar appeared to be the home of "America's favorite donut," and coffee beloved by millions, was a mere knock-off. 

Disappointed, but not defeated, I figured the best way overcome my sudden mood change would be to be proven wrong.  So with a sense of hesitation and lowered expectations, I decided to give Boston Donuts & Coffee a try.  And though far from the deliciousness that is Dunkin Donuts, it was actually pretty good.  In fact,  I'd go as far to say its home to the best doughnut in Chongqing.  I had a chocolate cake doughnut sprinkled with shredded coconut and an iced coffee.  The doughnut, though ever so slightly undercooked, had the combination of texture and moisture that most doughnuts in China leave you wanting for.  My friend, a local had a traditional glazed doughnut, which he devoured before I had a chance to try it, so I'm assuming it too was good.  The coffee however, left something to be desired.  I couldn't tell if it was watered down or just flavorless, either way, it didn't do it for me.  But as they say, beggars can't be choosers, and as far as Chongqing goes, this is the closest thing to a doughnut worth begging for.  

Boston Donuts & Coffee is located on the basement level of the shopping mall in Ri Yue Guang Chang, Jiao Chang Kou.
(较场口，日月广场)

Back in 2001, when Chongqing was still in its infancy of its municipality status, and a mere background for the megalopolis we see today, the website/bbs www.soundsmakers.com was created.  Serving as a forum for Chongqing's small, mostly young, rock music community(fans and artists alike), Soundsmakers was for a long time the only source of information for those interested in finding out about local bands and events, and allowed for a place where people could discuss their tastes, form new bands, or hype-up a new band they just fell in love with.  You may think of this as no big deal, but in a city that has recently been described as a "cultural desert," the existence of the forum has served as a lifeline leading those(including myself) wandering said desert, on the verge of dehydration, to what might not be construed as an oasis, but would sure pass for a well.  

This year, Soundsmakers turns 10, and in their biggest birthday celebration to date, are hosting their 10th Anniversary Urban Music Festival, this Sunday at  JiaoChangKou ASE Square(right outside of the Jiaochangkou subway station,渝中区 较场口日月光广场).  Though the line-up is bolstered a bit by Norwegian psych-pop band The Lionheart Brothers and Chengdu dance-rock band Mosaic, the strength and fan support will come from the local bands, and offers a great chance for anyone to familiarize themselves with Chongqing's music scene.  Punk band The Wheels, and indie rockers Narrenschiff are the senior of all the local acts, and with years of experience performing in Chongqing and around China(though this will be Narrenschiff's first show with a new drummer) will be expected to put on a good show.  Another Chongqing band to keep an eye on is Yao Yao, though having only seen them perform once, their lead singer has a great stage presence and the band an overall good energy although their set was a bit schizophrenic genre wise.  And if emo or emo-core is up your musical alley the band No. 2 Story play their live shows with a lot of passion.  

The celebration is FREE for everyone

With 2011's Halloween weekend officially over, we still have one night to celebrate evil and debauchery, with a few(that I know of) parties around town.  

Fans of reggae/jamaican music aren't going to want to miss Shanghai based DJ Jahrootman kickin' out the irie sounds at Nuts Club.  That one starts at 20:30 and entry is free.  

Over in Jeifengbei, Cotton Club will be hosting their anual Halloween party.  Apparently, Cotton's in-house band has been "let-go," so tonight is likely your last chance to see them perform.  

And rumor has it that Somewhere Bar in Chongqing Tiandi is having a Halloween party that features a 60 RMB open bar for us laowai.  If those rumors are to be believed it might be worth it to start your night there for a proper Halloween pre-func.  

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Now, I know its not Lonely Planet, but Frommer's, you know,  the travel guide for the elderly, has named Chongqing one of its top travel destinations for 2012(take that chengdu!).  They don't have too much to say about the metropolis we make our home other than the ubiquitous, hills, rivers, hot-pot(they even failed to mention the women), but do offer a nugget of truth in stating that Chongqing "offers a captivating glimpse of modern China -- the good, the gritty and the glamorous" (that's a direct quote, it appears even squares are no longer using the Oxford comma  Go on and read the full writ-up here.).

Whe it comes to DJing an ass-kickin', head bangin' dance party, I've seen few DJs do it better than this man.  Hailing from Beijing, and one of the first stand-out electronic DJs in China, Liman, brings his heavy-metal laden electro bangers to Nuts Club tonight.  And if his "Dirty Party" there last spring is any indicator of how things might go down tonight, it's gonna get wild!  

Known for being one of the few, if not the only, DJs to bring together Chinese rock and electronic music fans, Liman brings a little something to the table for pretty much any one who enjoys dancing, even moshing of thats more your thing.  If my kind words aren't enough to convince you to come out tonight, give a listen to the tracks below or check out his soundcloud.  It oughtta do the trick.  

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Over the past few years local electronic music entusiasts, more specifically fans of the sub-genre 'Psytrance' or psychedelic trance, have taken to Chongqing's BeiBei district, set-up camp in its' famed bamboo forrest(you know the one from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) with generators in tow, and have proceeded to have the closest thing Chongqing has ever come to a rave,  also known as the Bamboo Jungle music festival.  And this year my friends, things aren't much different...

This weekend, with the help of some friends, the fine folks at CiCi Park(the heart and soul of CQ's underground electronic music scene) bring the most recent, and to-date biggest incarnation of Bamboo Jungle.  What used to be a mere campout with DJs, has become a legitimate music festival with a host of DJs(and a few VJs) of both the domestic and international persuasion.  So many so, that the location has been changed to accomodate not only more dance music enthusiasts, but a second 'Techno' stage, designated 'Chill-Out' area, and food and drink vendors as well. 

Being held this year on the top of ShiZhi Mountain, the electronica goodness kicks off this Friday, October 14 at 2pm, lasting until the same time on Sunday the 16th.  3-day passes are a cool 200 RMB which includes round trip bus fare.  So strap on your dancing shoes, pack up the tent, and get ready for one of Chongqing's premiere musical events.

What: 2011 Bamboo Festival
When: Fri. 10/14 - Sun. 10/16
Where: Top of the ShiZhi Montain,Banan District, Chongqing China 
重庆市巴南区小泉狮子山顶 


For more information, and full details visit the events douban page here, or call or email any of the following. 
+86 13509429720 +86 13883556355 
+86 023 63036940 
voxsanyo@live.cn 
mustercook@gmail.com 
JIAN225YUE@gmail.com 

via: MSNBC