Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join five hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to webeditor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat ID. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our event page.
Fun for the Family
Peter Rabbit, Apr 22-25
Ages 3+. This animated comedy directed by Will Gluck is a feature adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s classic tale of a rebellious rabbit trying to sneak into a farmer’s vegetable garden. RMB 34-74. 10.30am-8.30pm. Check the website for tickets at all screening cinemas.
Return to the Forbidden Planet, Apr 25-27
All ages. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the 1956 sci-fi cult classic film of the same name, Return to the Forbidden Planet finds a spaceship, helmeted by Captain Tempest, making an emergency landing on the uncharted planet where the only residents are the mad scientist Doctor Prospero, his daughter Miranda, and their robot Ariel. Come join to find out more about this fun adventure. RMB 50. 7-9pm. (8771 7171, bciscommunications@bcis.cn) Beijing City International School.
Samajam Kids Show – You Are the Show! in Beijing, Apr 28-29
All ages. This is a 100 percent participatory musical show, in which all participants receive several musical instruments during the performance. Audience members become the performers, having fun while learning music. RMB 180-350. 10.30am-9.30pm. Check the website for tickets. Super Theatre.
Sleeping Beauty by Russian State Ballet In Beijing, Apr 28-29
All ages. Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault or Little Briar Rose by the Brothers Grimm is a classic fairy tale written by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, which involves a beautiful princess, a sleep inducing curse, and a handsome prince. The version created by the Brothers Grimm predates the original literary tale published by Charles Perrault in Histoires Ou Contes du Temps Passé in 1697. RMB 90-440. 7.30-9.30pm. Check the website for tickets. Beijing Century Theatre.
Family Show: KIBUBU by Marie de Jongh, May 5
Ages 3+. Xebas and Cocó are a clown duo. For their new show, Xebas decides to introduce an element which will make the performance shine: a real gorilla! RMB 100-380. 10.30am-10.30pm. Check the website for more information and tickets. Beijing Theatre.
Markets and Fairs
Fangcaodi International School Spring Fair, May 5
All ages. The annual Fangcaodi International School Spring Fair will take place on May 5. This year, the theme is “Where There Is Health, There Is Hope.” It’s a great opportunity to promote your products and services to 1200 expat families. Besides the 120 booths, they will also offer a playground, an exposition of different countries’ cultures, performances on the main stage, and a lucky draw. Free. 11am-3pm. (132 6197 0093, fcdipta@qq.com) Fangcaodi International School, Ritan campus.
Spring in the City: The World of Colors, May 5
All ages. Make sure to check out Beijing City International School’s 13th annual Spring in the City. The theme this year is, “The World of Colors,” which was decided upon with the help of their Grade 2 students and teachers. There will be stalls selling a wide variety of goods and delicious food, family games for everyone, raffle prizes, and live performances from their students and teachers. Free. 11am-3pm. (8771 7171, bciscommunications@bcis.cn) Beijing City International School.
Information Sessions
Hope in the City, Apr 24
Adults. Workshops for parents to be in the know: Preparing Your Middle Schooler for College. This class will focus on helping students develop the habits and skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond. A Parent’s Guide to Understand Children’s Behavior and Develop Positive Habits. This workshop will help you examine the following areas: forms of communication, behavioral analysis, and positive behavior management. 7-9pm. Check the website for more information and registration. Hope International School.
Good Enough Parenting Course, Apr 25
Adults. An introductory workshop based on the ‘Good Enough Parenting’ program. GEP uses evidence-based strategies built on Schema Therapy, founded by Dr. Jeffrey Young, that teaches parents, carers, and educators how to meet core emotional needs and develop positive thinking patterns in children. The program uses Movie Therapy as an engaging tool for interactive conversations with examples of how to apply current research to adult/child interactions and practice. This workshop will introduce the full GEP course that consists of a further four sessions of training, with each one focusing on meeting one of the four core emotional needs. RMB 100. 7-8.30pm. (info@hilldynamics.org, 131 2143 3998) The Bookworm.
A Pediatric First Aide Overview, Apr 27
Adults. 3e International School’s Tea Talk for April provides parents with an overview of the latest information and practices in pediatric first aid. This presentation provides an introductory overview and refresher for those who may consider attending a more in-depth first aid course in the future. The talk is presented by Yanfei Zhang, United Family Healthcare BLS instructor and Home Health nurse team supervisor. Free. 9-10.30am. 3e International School (6437 3344; community@3einternationalschool.org).
Community and Outdoor Activities
INN April General Gathering “Pulling Noodles”, Apr 24
Adults. INN has got the China Culture Center (CCC) on hand for a fun morning of Noodle Pulling, with their Chef demonstrating how a shapeless ball of dough can be pulled into very thin “whisker” noodles in a matter of minutes. Everyone will get a chance to show off their noodle pulling styles. RMB 60. 10am-noon. Contact Juli (WeChat ID: JulesBeijing) for more information. Capital Mansion Athletic Club.
Religion and Ritual Tour: A Journey Through Chinese Faith, Apr 28
All ages. Discover how Religion and Ritual shaped China’s history and culture. Visit Beijing’s Temple of Confucius, Imperial Academy, and Lama Temple with their expert native English speaking guides and find out what happens when Buddhist saints get angry, why Official Exams on Confucian philosophy ruined so many lives, and what Tibetans do with the thighbones of criminals. RMB 290. 1.30-3.30pm. Contact info@newmantours.com or 138 1777 0229 for more information and booking. Newman Tours.
Arts and Exhibitions
Central Academy of Fine Arts Centennial Celebration, until Apr 25
All ages. Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) celebrates their 100th anniversary by displaying over 100 outstanding works by CAFA professors and students. Explore Chinese art history and view art by some of China’s most important modern artists including Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, and Lin Fengmian at this retrospective. RMB 15. 9.30am-5.30pm. Check the website for more information. CAFA.
Liang Quan’s Creative Style and Its Changes, until Apr 29
All ages. Born in 1948 in Shanghai and educated in the China Academy of Art and the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, printmaker Liang Quan has spent years abroad learning and teaching, and has exhibited around the world, from New York, to Berlin and China. See the artist’s latest exhibition at the Hive Gallery. Free. 9am-5pm. Visit the website for more information. Hive Contemporary Art Gallery.
Exhibition: The Ship of Time, until Apr 30
All ages. Based on the unique architecture of both of Tang Contemporary’s Beijing spaces, Zhu Jinshi’s dual solo shows Ship of Time and Rejecting River Currents will present important works of installation and the artist’s unique “thick paintings.” The works were designed specifically for the space, and the two massive beams on the ceiling bear the weight of the suspended installation. Free. 9am-5pm. Visit the website for more information. Tang Contemporary Gallery.
National Geographic Exhibition: A New Age of Exploration, until Apr 30
All ages. See classic photos from National Geographic at this exhibition at the Beijing World Art Museum. The exhibition brings together important photos from the magazine’s 150-year history, allowing you to step back in time and revisit some of their most visually stunning photos. RMB 80. 9am-5pm. Check the website for more information or to buy tickets. Beijing World Art Museum.
Ongoing Events
Bookswap and Board Games Meet-up, first Sat of every month
Adults. Come to the Beijing Bookswap and Board Games Meet-up to swap your old books for new ones. The only off-limits material is textbooks, classics, and Chinese-language books. No money involved. While the swap is on, there’s also some board gaming off to the side. Free. 2-6pm. (8563 0801) Caravan.
Emotional Freedom Techniques Workshop, every Thu
Adults. Come experience EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques, also known as tapping) for emotional freedom. Fear keeps us trapped or paralyzed in our routines. Tapping will allow those fears to calm down so each situation can be evaluated without negative emotional interference and routines. Each week they will work with different negative emotions and tap them away. RMB 100. 7.30-9.30pm. (6403 4923) Beijing Mindful Centre.
Make Friends & Language Exchange in Shine Hills of Shunyi, every Fri
Adults. Come to improve your language skills, make new friends while having some drinks at Blue Frog, a weekly special event for language exchange with people from all over the world. Practice Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Arabic, Spanish or any other language with native foreign partners during a cheerful evening with great refreshments at Blue Frog. Free. 7-9pm. Contact WeChat ID: sissilee66 for more details. Blue Frog.
Classes for Kids to Learn About Italian Opera, starts from Apr 21
Ages 6-14. In collaboration with the Italian Embassy and HuiYi Bei, Annie’s will start hosting classes for kids to learn about Italian Opera. Annie’s has specially invited Jenny Hong, a well-known art lecturer for children from Taiwan to introduce the kids to the topic in a fun way, with an exciting class looking at the different stories, costumes, and music. Free. 3-5pm. Check the website for more information and registration. Annie’s Sunshine 100.
Photos: courtesy of featured event organizers
