Crass?  Maybe a little, but if I got your attention then it was worth it, because this one is for a good cause...
This Saturday, December 10 the Chongqing International Women's Group will be putting on their 7th annual Christmas Charity Ball.  Tickets for this year's event need to be purchased in advance and are ¥650, with all proceeds going to benefit the lives of  Chongqing area school children.  
The 7th Chongqing International Women's Ball starts at 6:30PM at the Sheraton Hotel(the twin gold towers) on Nan Bin Lu.  Check out this website for more details.

As the Wall Street Journal and World Architecture News have reported, CapitaLand(the Singapore based company that owns the Capital Retail[jia mao] department store in Shapingba), have pretty much bought Chaotianmen and plan to add a massive mixed-use complex right at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.  The impressve project designed by world renowned architecture firm SafdieArchitects will feature six new towers, four of which connected by a 'garden bridge,' and will take an estimated five years and $3.1 billion to build.  Check out the video presentation of the project below:

We here at CQ Scene have yet to write about Ciqikou(Chongqing's "old city"), because we honestly never thought we had to.  Pick up any guide book or check out any tourist website about Chongqing, and Ciqikou is sure to be amongst the 'to-do' list.  Ask any local to recommend places to check-out, and chances are Ciqikou will be one of their suggestions.  And though the main drag of the old city is campy and post-modern, we agree that it is worth checking out, as a stroll off of the beaten path can not only offer a glimpse of genuine(not your Hongyadong) old-school Chongqing architecture, but also lead you to some decent shops, cafes, and one cool ass bar.  

That bar being 16 Bystreet Music Bar.  A chilled out, cafe-esque bar just above the waterfront, with ample terrace space making it one of the best places in the city to enjoy a cold beer in the summer.  And as the name suggests, it is in-fact a music bar, and serves as an intimate venue perfect for, but not limited to (there's a hip-hop show there this Saturday) folk/acoustic(ish) shows.  

There is a good selection of domestic and imported beers starting at 15 RMB, and proper cocktails starting at 30 RMB. 

To get there, walk through the main entrance of Ciqikou and take a right on the main strip toward the water.  Walk down the first flight of stairs you come to and take a left on the restaurant terrace just after the Perfect Time Youth Hostel.  You will walk past quite a few tables before the bar will appear on your left.   

横街16号音乐俱乐部 
磁器口 嘉陵江边 龙隐门往左50米，穿过两个馆子的雨棚就到 ； 或者：宝轮寺大门对面巷子下梯坎到江边

Thats right, "Lazer Dubs."  And "Drum Step," "Beatboxing Solo," "Drum Bass Hip hop."  All of that and I'd almost guarantee more at this Friday night's part at Nuts Club.  Shanghai based, international party brand The Antidote, responsible for some of the more memorable parties in Nuts Club's short history, return once again with DJ/producer/celebrity chef? CONRANK.  We had a few words with the Shanghai via UK transplant, who became a weibo sensation as "Chaofange."  

CQSCENE:  Chaofange, what’s that all about?
CONRANK: Well, its all been a crazy, random journey. I went to cook fried rice on the street for fun, some girl took a video of it, and next thing you know, I'm getting calls from friends saying I'm on the national news, and the front page of Sina and Tudou. I kinda freaked out first of all. Its been a lot of fun, i used to aspire to be a chef when i was 18 or 19 so i have really enjoyed it. I did  a night in a shanghai restaurant called "Azure" recently and it was fully booked, was dope, but i haven't cooked it for anyone apart from friends since then.

How long have you been Djing/producing, and how’d you end up doing it in China?
I have been loosely Dj'ing since i was about 15 and i bought a pair of Soundlab DLP-1's, they were awful belt driven turntables, but i used to stand there for hours with a Diamond D instrumental and Super Duck Breaks, but it was pointless with those decks, it was a long time until i could afford 1210's that i bought off Kela and after that there was no looking back. As for production, i got into Logic Express about 8 years ago, and started selling my beats to clients for corporate video's, i never thought i would ever be good enough to actually make tracks that would gain any serious recognition, and it wasn't until my fiancé  to me told me to pull my finger out and take it more seriously, that i got in the studio and really focused. Regarding China, a few years ago i got booked by Antidote to come and play in The Shelter, in Shanghai. That was my first experience of China, and a year on i decided i needed a break from the UK and i wanted to experience life in another part of the world, and Shanghai was my choice.


You’re the first and only person I’ve heard use the term “Lazer Dubs.”  It sounds cool as hell, but what is it?
Hhahahaa, actually that was Michael from Antidote being funny, i have no idea. I quite like it though, maybe it could be a term for a CD dubplate (Taking into account that its burned user a lazer.) 

You, and a large part of the music you play/create, have your origins in the UK.  How, if at all, has living in China influenced or changed your “British”(for lack of better words) style?
Where you live will always influence what you do, ranging from the weather to the people you meet. I couldn't really put my finger on how it has, but recently i sent a promo to a producer in the UK and he said he could tell by the mixdown and sounds that i had been in Asia for a while. Also i'm now involved with a rapper and a beatboxer from Taiwan and we are making dubstep/grime under the name 'Lo-Fire', check outwww.soundcloud.com/lofire 


When you hear/see the word Chongqing, what comes to mind?
Hot girls & hot food.


What should we expect from the party?
Well it's a partnership with one of the dopest most respected events in Asia, 'Antidote' so expect madness on the dance floor, and me dancing like a fool on the stage. Apart from that just expect a lot of fun, heavy DnB & dubstep and a lot of Gin & Tonic's. So far the tour has been  awesome and each party has ended up becoming a sweaty rave, with crowd surfing and drunken tomfoolery. So yeah, i hope Chongqing is no different.

Its been a while since I've done one of these, partially because it feels like a waste of time, and partially because recently, there have been few acts out here that I have been excited about seeing.  Thankfully, that trend has come to an end, with a diverse weekend line-up featuring some cool-ass music.  
First of the cool is Wuhan band Mini Train Heart 小火车心.
I first read about them over on Andy Best's  blog(one of the best around for Chinese indie music), where he said that "By the end of the set you felt like you'd been on a journey with the band."  That,  and some things about humor, retro-electronica and the Smashing Pumpkins, got me to give them a listen, and the listening has sold me a ticket to there show(11/17 @ Nuts).   Now,  I'm a child of the 80's who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so its not hard to sell me on the combination of synthesizer and lo-fi, shoe-gaze guitar.  Add to that a danceable drum-beat, like on the first track  就是那种感觉(Is a Feeling), and you've got me in the pocket.  

The second track 危险人物(Dangerous) reminds me a bit of early Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, without sounding at all emulative.  Again, a great way to get me on board.  

Another weakness of mine, and a sure-fire way to get me through the door is Funk.  Anything "funky" for that matter, which  Gāofēng & G. Eleven(11/20 @ Nuts) are.  The band have a skilled blend of funk, r&b, and blues that is fun and rare(in Chongqing at least) if not original.  The first track Walk Slowly deep, heavy funk bass-line that is lightened a bit by an acoustic guitar, making for a smile inducing ass-shaker.  

The second song 独舞(Solo) is starts out with a heavy bass drum, smooth-jazz vibraphone, and a disco guitar riff that brings more of a smirk than a smile to your face, as you nod your head to the perfect blend of cheesy and groovy. 

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.).