BEIJING

Trace of years

Today Art Museum and Oriental Art Master magazine are co-presenting The Trace of Years—a solo exhibition from artist Diao Qingchun. The exhibition covers Diao's major works from his Mural and Shan Shun Landscape series, as well as the most recent Abstract and Fission series. The artist expresses the power of nature through his man-made wonders in an abstract form.

10 am-6 pm, until Dec 25. 2nd Floor, Hall 3, Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu (Road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5876-0600 Ext 212.

Ancient chairs

An exhibition of ancient classical Chinese seats opened in the Beijing World Art Museum on Dec 12. The exhibition showcases 100 ancient Chinese seats that date back almost 1,000 years. It has six categories that include the history of classical Chinese seatings and how they evolved. The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the cultural and aesthetic value of classic Chinese furniture, at a time when the material is more emphasized than craftsmanship.

9 am-5 pm, until Jan 6. Beijing World Art Museum, 9 Fuxing Lu (Road), Haidian district, Beijing. 010-5980-2222.

Romantic drama

Love Message from Unknown Lover, a new theatrical drama, will be staged in Beijing and Shanghai. Adapted from a novel of the same name by Kevin Tsai Kang-yung, a writer and television host from Taiwan, the story revolves around heroine Doudian, who cannot endure her secret love and makes some brave decisions. Tsai Kang-yung says it is not only his first romantic novel, but also the first time his work has been adapted for the stage. Starring actress Li Sheng and actor Li Jiahang, the show will tour nationally in 2014.

7:30 pm, Dec 20-22. PLA Theater, No 60 Deshengmennei Dajie (Street), Xicheng district, Beijing. Jan 17-19, 2014. Shanghai Art Theater, 466, Jiangning Lu (Road), Shanghai. 010-6701-0255.

Voices of ethnicity

The voices of China's ethnic groups will come together for an end-of-the-year concert that promises to represent the unique characters of China's diversity. The website 56zuren.com, which is devoted to music from different ethnicities, recently launched a vote to rank its most popular musicians. More than 30 singers from 20 ethnic groups across the country from the poll will perform at the concert on Dec 30. The singers will tour the country next year.

19:30 pm, Dec 30. Beijing Expo Theater, No 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie (Street), Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6835-1383.

Designed to inspire

Graphic designer Yang Linqing is holding an exhibition in Beijing, displaying the books, posters and magazines he has created and contributed to over the past 10 years. Born in Chongqing, the 38-year-old designer graduated from the Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University before going to France to further his study. He believes graphic design, which influences readers visually, functions like farm equipment, turning bare land into rich farmland.

Until Feb 17. Gehua Design Center, 13F Building A, Gehua Tower, No 1 Qinglong Bystreet, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-8418-6892.