Next week, many schools will start and students will all begin to learn the processes and routines of their classrooms. These events will help keep your family busy until the crunch of the year starts.
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Free Events
Beijing Playhouse Drama Club Workshop – How to Sing for Stage, August 16
All ages. How do you sing for a Broadway show? This event is open to all, experienced singers and actors are also welcome. Learn the basic singing skills required for theater. Native English speakers or English speakers still gaining confidence in the language encouraged to come. Free. 6.30-9.30pm. Caravan Restaurant. 44 Guanghua Rd, directly across the street from the Brazilian embassy, 300m north of the Jianguomen Subway Station. 直接穿过巴西 大使馆大街对面，光华路44 (从建国门地铁站下，东南口出。沿着东二环向北走300米。朝东（右转）到光华路，向东走100米到Caravan酒店。) (broadway@beijingplayhouse.com, More Information)
Summer Fun Runs, August 18 and 25
Ages 12+. Get in shape for the Beijing Marathon in autumn with support from AmCham and United Family Healthcare. Chaoyang Park charges RMB 5 for entrance, but the actual event is free. Event spots are limited and pre-registration and waiver required. 7.30-8.30pm. Chaoyang Park East 5 Gate 朝阳公园东5门. Nongzhanguan North Road, Chaoyang District. 北京市朝阳区农展馆北路 (sren@amchamchina.org)
The Bookworm’s Weekly SciFi Book Club, Thursdays
Ages 10+. Attendees of the Bookworm’s weekly SciFi Book Club will read a new short story then discuss it during the meeting. Authors previously covered include Greg Egan, Iain M. Banks, Andy Weir, among others. Free. 8-9pm. The Bookworm. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (Wechat: Merukaba, Website)
Lin Zhipeng aka 223, Until August 28
Ages 14+. Guangdong-born photographer 223 (real name Lin Zhiping) has contributed to numerous creative fashion magazines such as Vice and Vision, as well as shooting for brands such as Converse, Nike, and Bacardi. The Carchangdi’s de Sarthe gallery now hosts his solo exhibition displaying his works, which explore topics of Chinese youth hedonism and going against the expectations of middle class dreams. Free. Tuesday to Sunday every week at De Sarthe. 328-D Caochangdi Art District, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区草场地艺术区
“A typical Indian Lunch box or “dabba” is a multi-tiered steel contraption with boxes stacked on top of each other. Whether tied to the back of a motorbike, hanging on the handlebars of a bicycle, or simply carried by hand, the tiffin box has a ubiquitous presence in India.”
Unique Events
Tastes of India, August 17
All ages. Join Chef Reshma Khan as she puts together a typical Indian lunch box with a vegetable dish, a meat curry, pickle etc. Then pack yourself a dabba, put on a jaunty Gandhi cap and enjoy an Indian picnic or carry an Indian lunchbox to work and watch your colleagues drool as the spicy aromas fill the air. RMB 300. 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (159 0104 6127, events@thehutong.com)
Brave Grandpa Pu, August 20-21
All ages. This is a puppet show using wooden puppets wearing traditional South Korean clothing. The show is classified as non-material cultural heritage and features many of South Korea’s performing arts that are characteristic of their folk culture, including traditional rope skipping and percussion. RMB 120. 10-11am. Holiday Classic Theatre Hall. 64 Dongzhimen Waidajie, Chaoyang District. 东安门大街64号中国儿童剧场4层 (Buy Tickets Here)
Ongoing Events
Art in the Streets, Until August 24
Ages 8+. Curator Magda Danysz says, “Street art is unquestionably, for who wants to see, the most important artistic movement of the early twenty-first century. For some this is not yet obvious. Time will teach them.” Open everyday except Mondays and Sundays. RMB 15. 9.30am-5.30pm. CAFA Art Museum (6477 1575)
Yoga with Rhada, Saturdays Until August 27
Ages 13+. Radha’s Yoga classes employ poetry and play, and introduce different yoga asanas and meditation techniques to connect with the body, mind, and spirit. In the coming four weeks, she will introduce four techniques of meditation: breathing based, chanting based, walking based, and laughing based. Maximum of seven people per class, secure your spot. RMB 100. 9.30-11am. Beijing Mindfulness Centre. 44 Qian Yong Kang Hutong, Dongcheng District. 东城区钱永康胡同44号 (132 6181 5599)
Hi, Beijing Children’s Acrobatic Show, Until August 31
Ages 4+. This troupe uses acrobatics, aerial acts, farces, magic, and jugglers to bring alive the story of Marco Polo, who first visited Beijing in 1215, but comes back to modern Beijing to view its modern day developments. RMB 180. China’s National Children’s Center Theater, 43 Western Road, Ping’anli, Xicheng District. 西城区平安里西大街43号 (138 0106 7568)
Culinary Market Tour, Every Tuesday and Saturday
All ages. The Hutong leads a culinary walking market tour to help expat residents create their own Chinese kitchen, as well as to get over the intimidation and confusion of the Chinese food market. Registration required. RMB 200. 10am-noon. The Hutong (159 0104 6127, events@thehutong.com)
6 Best of Next Week
DCB Newcomer’s Fair, August 25
Adults. DCB invites all newcomers to Beijing to join the annual Newcomers Fair to learn about living and surviving in Beijing at their Legend Garden campus. Free. Registration required. 9am-noon. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9068, Flora.Zhang@dulwich-beijing.cn)
“Little Truck Transform”, August 27 – 28
All ages. Though this little guy is young, he wants to help others. But what should he do when adults refuse his help? For now, all he knows to do is cry. Performed in Mandarin. RMB 120. 10am. Holiday Classic Theatre Hall, 东安门大街64号中国儿童剧场4层 (Buy Tickets Here)
Roundabout Book Fair at BSB Shunyi, August 27
All ages. Thousands of gently used books for the whole family in many languages and genres are up for sale. All proceeds go to raise funds for Roundabout’s charitable endeavors. Free. 10am-3pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588)
SuperWab Community Picnic: Hero Time!, August 27
All ages. WAB welcomes the entire Beijing community to Tiger Field for a superhero-themed afternoon of fun in the sun that’s bound to be filled with games and activities for the whole family. Food and refreshments from your favorite restaurants will be there, too. Free 3.30-6.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing (5986 5588)
Interact with Snow White, August 28
All ages. This special rendition of Snow White is produced in Chinese. RMB 80-380. 10.30am, 2.30pm. The China National Children’s Center, West Gate, No.43 West Street, Pinganli, Xicheng District, Beijing (Book Tickets Here)
INN Arrival Survival, August 29
For adults. Listen to veteran Beijing expats share their wealth of information about Beijing and how to get the best out of your new home away from home at the annual International Newcomer’s Network Arrival Survival meeting. Meet other newcomers and long term residents then head to a Chinese restaurant for brunch. Open to foreign passport holders only. RMB 50. 10am-noon. Capital Mansion Athletic Club (www.innbeijing.com)
Photos:Wikimedia, Pexels, and courtesy of Roundabout Beijing
