Small Talk With ...Midi’s Evil Genius

FYI: This issue went to print before the announcement that the 2008 Midi Fest may be delayed or canceled. Read all about it here

Midi Fest's ninth installment gives Beijingers a reason to stay this May Holiday. Festival organizer Zhang Fan talks about how awesomely it will rock.

How is this year's Midi going to be different? This year's Midi features a third rock stage, as well as a folk stage. In all, there’s going to be six stages—three rock, one electronic, one folk and one hip-hop. If we could only attend one performance, who should we see? I think audiences shouldn't listen to me; they should follow their own tastes. But regardless of what you like, you should try to check out every stage. So, what music do you put on at home? Friends are always giving me new stuff, so my tastes are broad. I used to listen to heavy metal and tango, but these days I tend to listen to jazz, experimental and electro. And where do you go out to party? When I do find time to get out, I go to MAO or Yugong Yishan. What does Midi represent? Truth. Midi is not a show. It is the truth about everything. Being the truth about everything is impressive. How can Midi go even further? Within five years, I would like to see 100,000 people attending Midi. Midi has been called the platform for Beijing's latest in punk fashion. Are you a punk? First of all, I don’t agree with that statement. Midi Festival is very colorful, and while punk may stand out, it is only one of many genres being showcased. And no, I am definitely not a punk. How does it feel to be the mad scientist behind the greatest music festival in China? I am very happy. How can we thank you for compressing so much sound into four days? Live well. Life is short, and you must appreciate that. Seek happiness in everything.

Everyone Is Talking About...An Olympic Visa Run

As the Olympics approaches, foreigners find their 
visa woes growing exponentially Getting a Chinese visa used to be a fairly painless procedure. Beijing visa agents did brisk trade in F (business) visas for the many foreign "consultants" who actually spent their days "consulting" on English in the classroom or working for companies that wouldn't sponsor them for a Z (work) visa. Then came the Olympics.

Now, the visa agents and the PSB are saying the same thing: You cannot get an F or L (tourist) visa that lasts past July 1. In Hong Kong, tourist visas and multi-entry business visas now have a maximum stay of 30 days. Hong Kong visa agent Forever Bright says these restrictions will last until Oct. 17.

Visa running out and unsure of what to do? Getting your company to sponsor a Z (residence) visa, or paying a consultant to facilitate a Z visa, appears to be the best option. The usual back-up plans--visa runs to Hong Kong or heading home for one--are not sure bets anymore.

Many of us without the Z-ticket were considering monthly trips south of the border. But an April 13 notice posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong's website states anyone who does not reside or work in Hong Kong must apply for a Chinese visa in their home country. One agent we spoke to reported that some applicants for tourist visas in Hong Kong had been asked to produce proof of a return flight to show they really were tourists. Some expats are hoping Singapore will replace Hong Kong as the visa run finish line, but we can expect obstacles there as well.

Your friendly home country Chinese embassy is still an option, but there are reports that embassies now want tickets, hotel bookings and invitation letters before handing over a tourist or business visa. Best to phone home first.

Jonathan Dow

News You Can Use

CW R&B Awards
City Weekend is preparing to award the city's most cherished venues in the restaurant and bar scene for the delicious food and raucous nights they've provided this past year. Vote for your favorites at http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/bjsurvey or by texting "V," space, and then the venue name to CW Guanxi. Cast your vote by May 15. Awards will be given out at a riot of a party on June 5. See you there!

Midi Fest Online
Stuck with work at an internet cafe on one of Midi Fest's four killer days of rock? Check out http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/midifest2008 and live vicariously through our Midi Fest bloggers who will be uploading interviews, photos, podcasts and video of each day's activities. We'll also give you the skinny on each day's schedule, stages and music.

Smokeless in Beijing?
The capital's impending ban on smoking in public places will take effect as of May 1. As opposed to earlier reports, however, restaurants, bars and internet cafes will be exempt from the regulation. Such venues will only be asked to include non-smoking areas.

Wicked-pedia
Several well-known foreign websites, previously banned, are now regularly accessible. Wikipedia (English only), BBC News and, yes, I Can Has Cheezburger are now available to netizens behind the Golden Shield. According to James Fallows’ report in Atlantic Monthly, Olympic visitors can expect to see the refinement of China’s firewall as they (almost) freely navigate the web.

Hit the Beach
Beijingers craving sand and sun will be thrilled to know that the city has the Beach-again. Block 8 will re-launch the city's only sand and cabana covered rooftop terrace on May 9.