Wednesday February 28, 2018 08 i LEISURE

‘The Croods’“The Croods” is a 2013 U.S.

animated comedy adventure fi lm produced by DreamWorks Animation. It stars the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and Cloris Leachman. The fi lm is set in a fi ctional depiction of the prehistoric Pliocene era called “the Croodaceous” populated with make-believe creatures, when a caveman’s position as “Leader of the Hunt” is threat-ened by the arrival of a genius newcomer who comes up with revolutionary inventions as they trek through a dangerous but exotic land in search of a new home.Time: 7 p.m., March 2

‘Eight Below’The brutal cold forces two

Antarctic explorers to leave their team of sled dogs behind as they fend for their own survival. “Eight Below” is a 2006 U.S. survival drama fi lm based on “Antarctica” by Toshiro Ishido, Koreyoshi Kurahara, Tatsuo Nogami and Susumu Saji. It was directed by Frank Marshall and stars Paul Walker, Bruce Green-wood, Moon Bloodgood and Jason Biggs. In “Eight Below,” there are two Alaskan Malamutes and six Siberian Huskies. Each actor-dog had help from other dogs that performed stunts and pulled sleds. In all, over 30 dogs were used to portray the fi lm’s eight canine characters.Time: 7 p.m., March 9

‘Mulan’“Mulan” is a 1998 U.S. ani-

mated musical action comedy-drama fi lm produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation for Walt Disney Pictures. It is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan and was directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook. Eddie Murphy, Miguel Ferrer and B.D. Wong voice in the English ver-sion, while Jackie Chan provided the voice of Captain Li Shang for the Chinese dubs of the fi lm. The fi lm’s plot takes place during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), where Mulan, daughter of an aged warrior, impersonates a man to take her father’s place during a general conscription to counter an invasion.Time: 7 p.m., March 16

‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” is a

1982 U.S. science fi ction fantasy fi lm directed by Steven Spielberg. It stars Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh. It tells the story of Elliott, a lonely boy who befriends an extrater-restrial, dubbed “E.T.,” who is stranded on Earth. Elliott and his siblings help E.T. return to his home planet while attempt-ing to keep him hidden from their mother and the govern-ment. It was widely acclaimed by critics as a timeless story of friendship. In 1994, it was selected for preservation in the U. S. National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically signifi cant.”Time: 7 p.m., March 23

‘Monsters University’“Monsters University” is a 2013

U.S. computer-animated comedy fi lm produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Dan Scanlon. It is a prequel to 2001’s “Monsters, Inc.,” marking the fi rst time Pixar has made a prequel fi lm. “Mon-sters University” tells the story of two monsters, Mike and Sulley, and their time studying at college, where they start off as rivals, but slowly become best friends. John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Bob Peterson, and John Ratzenberger reprise their roles as James P. Sullivan, Mike Wazowski, Randall Boggs, Roz, and the Abominable Snowman, respectively. Time: 7 p.m., March 30

Xinqiao Culture and Art Center, a modern complex for performing arts, commerce and reading, opened in Shajing in Bao’an recently.

Covering 26,360 square meters, Xinqiao Culture and Art Center includes a two-story theater, a library, shops, a Cantonese opera rehearsal hall, a 300-seat lecture hall and various art training rooms.

In collaboration with local ticketing, per-formance and theater management com-pany AC Orange, the Shajing government aims to provide various cultural activities for residents at the new center.

The theater, which has 900 seats, is a professional concert hall specifi cally designed and constructed for classical music and stage performance. On Jan. 1, Shenzhen City Philharmonic Orchestra held a New Year’s concert at the theater.

The Cantonese opera rehearsal hall marks Bao’an District’s efforts to revive traditional Cantonese opera. Bao’an, a historically memorable county of South China, is rich in Cantonese traditions, making it the perfect place to revive the ageless performance art’s popularity. Free weekly shows have become routine in many communities, allowing people from all walks of life to relax while expanding their understanding of Cantonese opera.

With a collection of 64,000 books, the library inside the center also has a maker space for tech-savvy youngsters, a toy room for families, a children’s DIY room for making handicrafts, as well as several reading rooms.

The library belongs to the “City of Libraries” Shenzhen Library Network,

which provides inter-library loan and borrowing for readers.

Venue: Xinqiao Culture and Art Center, 29 Gongyuan Road North, Bao’an District (宝安区公园北路29号新桥文化艺术中心)Metro: Line 11, Shajing Station (沙井站), Exit C (Cao Zhen)

Free English movies on weekends

Xinqiao Culture and Art Center opens

Upcoming shows at Xinqiao

Children’s playChinese children’s play “The

Mermaid Princess” will be staged. Based on the Danish fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Mermaid Princess” tells the story of a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human.Time: 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., March 3Tickets: 40-160 yuan

Hisaishi fi lm scores Star Quintet from Dongguan

will play Joe Hisaishi’s movie scores. The performance will be accompanied by movie clips on screens in the background. Hisaishi is known for over 100 fi lm scores. His music has been known to explore and incorpo-rate different genres, including minimalism, experimental electronic and classical.Time: 8 p.m., March 24Tickets: 80-280 yuan

Venue: 3/F, Shenzhen Book City’s Bao’an Store, Zhongxin Road, Bao’an District (宝安区中心路深圳书城宝安城三楼)Metro: Line 11, Shajing Station (沙井站), Exit C

Booking:

Xinqiao Culture and Art CenterXinqiao Culture and Art Center File photoFile photo