This week as the school year winds down, editors are taking a break after the Burger Cup to spend time with their kids or friend’s kids for Children’s Day. This week we’ve included events in our Free, Unique, Ongoing and the Best of Next Week sections.
Free
PMM Women Community Dinner, May 31
Adults. Jessica Lam and her husband of Laser Egg will join the Pregnant-Married-Mothers Community Dinner for a discussion about balancing the essentials of life while staying healthy. She’ll answer if living a crazy busy life is sustainable. Contact the organizer for restaurant address. Free. 7.30-9pm. Chaoyang. (151.0159.5793)
Parent Workshop – How to Play with Your Child, June 3
Adults. This workshop is designed for parents and teachers who are interested in developing a better understanding of how play can help children ages 0-6 learn. We will cover the many benefits of play, the different areas of play, tips on how to engage your child, and building independence through playtime. Free. 10-11.30am. LIH Olivia’s Place (Elliot’s Corner) (cindy.zhu@lih-oliviasplace.com)
For Foam’s Sake, June 4
Ages 6+ If you’re looking for a bit of foamy fun take your all of your grown up and school-aged kids along with you for a bubble party with super soakers/water pistols, inflatables, giveaways, balloons, stickers and soft drinks. Of course parents and adults will enjoy the other type of bubbly sponsored by Cheers. Free. 2-9pm. Kokomo (6413.1019)
So Figaro Market, June 4-5
All ages. Enjoy this thoroughly French market themed from booth to booth, with performers, food, brands and more. Free. 1pm-7pm. Shine City (wechat id: shay)
Auditions for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, June 5
Adults. Following successful presentations of 12 Angry Men and Yes Virgina, There is a Santa Claus, Beijing Playhouse Drama Club is now seeking actors for their next Charity Readers event, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Keep in mind, actors who are cast will live and breathe this show for one very intense week before premier on June 11. Free. 10am. 77 Theatre (artsforagoodcause@charityreaderstheatre.org)
BSB Shunyi Summer Fayre 2016, June 5
All ages. Families can enjoy a lunch from many food vendors, bounce and slide on the array of bouncy castles, enjoy an ice cream, have your face painted, have a go at some games and activities to try and win prizes and also enjoy visiting a variety of stalls inside and out. Free. Noon-4pm. The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi (8047 3588)
Unique Events
Anatole’s Little Saucepan, May 28-31
Ages 3-12. Anatole is always dragging around his little saucepan. It fell on him one day and nobody really knows why. Since then, it gets stuck everywhere and it keeps him from going forward. Anatole feels so depressed and miserable until something beautiful happens… RMB 260, 10.30am-6.30pm. Beijing 9 Theatre (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Children’s Musical – Five Fools, May 30-June 1
Ages 3-10. Bilingual. Children not only watch the show but are also invited to participate. Five Fools tells the story of a circus with some rather unusual problems. Somehow, within all this madness, a touching story evolves in which love and support conquer fear, and a bright future unfolds for the characters. 10.30am-2.30pm. RMB 80-260. Fulong Theatre (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Children’s Day Family Buffet Brunch and Cupcake Classes, May 31
All ages. You’ll not only enjoy the various delicious dishes at this brunch, but can also join in the fun, with many interesting games to take part in, and make cup cakes! RMB 188 (Per Adult), RMB 94 (ages 6-12), Free (ages 6 under with paying adult). 11am-3pm. Essence of Crowne Plaza (5911.9910)
Swift, June 1-5
Ages 7+ In forty-five minutes and through an invented language, this global play inspired by Gulliver’s Travels explores the concept of the other through travel and the absurd. RMB 260. 10.30am, 2pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm. Joy House Theatre (ponypiao@damai.cn)
A Tribute to Little Angels – Children’s Day at Kerry Adventure Zone, June 1
Ages 3-12. Kerry Hotel is pumping up their Adventure Zone to include contests, crafts, games, cupcakes, rugby, movies, prizes, and family photos. Free (Members) RMB 350 (Walk-in Guests), RMB 300 (Guests of Members). Noon – 5pm. Kerry Hotel (8565.2460)
Kids’ Wonderland at China World, June 1
All ages. Along with the international buffet, kids and families can enjoy cotton candy, face painting, and photo opportunities with character mascots. Free (Kids 6 and under) RMB 144 (Kids 6-12), RMB 288 (Adults). Noon – 3pm. China World Summit Wing, Level 80 (6505 2666)
Rockfest 2016, June 2
Ages 13-18. BCIS is hosting a jamming event with bands from WAB, ISB, BWYA, BISB and other schools for two hours of live music. All young rockers are invited to attend. A portion of the revenue will be donated to Bethel orphanage, a charity caring for orphaned children with blindness or other sight problems. RMB 30 per ticket. 6-8pm. Beijing City International School (http://www.wanshe.cn/orders/view/13371)
The Magic Flute, June 3
Ages 7+. Join the bird-catcher Papageno as he goes on a magical musical journey – through fire and water meeting snakes, bears, wolves, flying boys, the King of the Sun and a very wicked Queen. RMB 380. 7.30-9pm. Beijing Concert Hall (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Outdoor BBQ Fun Day, June 4
All ages. Family and friends are invited to the annual AustCham & BritCham outdoor BBQ Fun Day at Dulwich College’s cricket ground. Community cricket, kid activities, and plenty of food. Transportation from the Australian and British Embassies available for RMB 10. Free (Children) RMB 20 (Adults). Dulwich College Beijing (events@austcham.org)
MAMMA MIA – The ABBA Tribute, June 4
Ages 13+ Celebrate Children’s Day in a unique way with your older kids by enjoying the closest thing to ABBA you’ll get in Beijing. Performed by The Original Band China Tour with twenty four of ABBA’s best songs. RMB 280. 7.30 – 9.30pm Beijing Century Theatre (Register here)
Children’s Day at The Hutong, June 5
Ages 6+ Kids can enjoy creative art and baking classes while learning some of the most interesting Chinese historical stories and legends. Drinks and snacks for adults available for purchase. RMB 150. 10am-1pm. The Hutong (159.0104.6127)
Peking Opera Workshop, June 5
Ages 7+ Professional actors of Peking Opera will introduce the history and subtleties of this famous Chinese art form. They will demonstrate the rituals of preparation and the meticulous application of face makeup. Voice adaptation and gestures will be explained after selected live performances. RMB 200. 2-4pm. China Culture Center (6432.9341)
Ongoing
All in One Sunday Market, Sundays
All ages. This truly family friendly event takes place every Sunday and grows every week. There’s something for everyone, from magic shows to bouncy castles to shopping. Free. 11am-4pm. Riviera Country Club (8450.6888)
Beijing Golfer’s Club, Sundays
Ages 12+ Enthusiasts are welcome to enjoy an environment of fun and friendly competitiveness. All handicaps welcome. 9am-5pm. Location and price varies. Beijing Golfers Club (golf@Beijing-golfers-club.org)
Tribal Belly Dance Classes, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Ages 12+ For an hour and a half, Inko will show you how to bellydance through the calories in these fun and cultural dance classes. Bring your daughter along for a mom and me moment. For prices contact Inko. 10.30am, 7.30pm. East Lake Villas, Eva Dance Studio (inkonic@hotmail.fr)
Parents N Kids Boxing, Saturdays
Ages 5+ Tag along with your kids for some self-defense exploration in a fully air-filtered gym. RMB 120. 11am-Noon. Uppercut MMA (info@uppercutmma.com)
Culinary Market Tours, Tuesdays and Saturdays
Ages 6+. The Hutong takes guests along to help them compile their own Chinese kitchen and learn about Chinese produce and food markets. A great trip for China newbies! Lots of walking involved, so if kids younger than six come along, bring a stroller. RMB 200. Starts 10am. The Hutong (1590.104.6127)
7 Best of Next Week
Parent Workshop: The Optimistic Child, June 6
Adults. Join YCIS for a workshop based on the book The Optimistic Child by Marin P. Seligman, Ph. D. This workshop will teach help you teach your child to combat depression and come back from failure. Free. 9.30-11am. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (8583.3731)
Kindur, June 8-11
Ages 5+ In a kid friendly fifty minutes, see a beautiful journey through Iceland’s adventurous sheep. RMB 200. 10am, 3pm, 6.30pm. M Theatre at Beijing’s Oriental Media Center (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Hands-on: Chinese Tie-Dye, June 9
Ages 7+ Come and learn this typical minority fabric craftsmanship of China and some southeast countries. Participants will first learn to do tie-dye from CCC’s artist, then boil the fabric in the wok. All materials are provided. RMB 200 (Prepaid). 10am-Noon. China Culture Center (6432.9341)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, June 11
Adults. Join Beijing Playhouse Drama Club, for this season’s Charity Readers Theatre event. All of ticket sales are donated to Maple Women’s Counseling Center. RMB 80. 7.30pm. 77 Theatre (artsforagoodcause@charityreaderstheatre.org)
Art Crawl, June 11
Adults. Atelier is partnering with the best quality bars in Dongcheng for an art spin on a pub crawl. Participants will be introduced to Yi Project Space, Intelligentsia, Jiali Gallery, IFP Black Sesame Space, The Distillery, Tiki Bungalow, Jiao, and Cuju. Drinks around RMB 20. RMB 100. 5-7.30pm. Atelier (wechat atelier-apas)
Junior Art Crawl for Kids, June 12
Ages 7+ Students will also have the opportunity for interacting with ultra contemporary art forms. Atelier will also organize art activities for kids. RMB 240. 3-5.30pm Atelier (wechat atelier-apas)
Mike Gatting Cricket Festival at DCB, June 12
The annual Mike Gatting Cricket festival will see the coming together of international schools communities for a day of cricket action at Dulwich College Beijing. The festival welcomes families and friends of all background to come watch, learn, and play. Free. 8am-5pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6454.9000)
Photos: Courtesy of So Figaro Market, China Culture Centre, and Dulwich College Beijing
