As new expats start to arrive to settle and schools start to call back their teachers for the new school year’s preparation, events start warming up in the city. To help those new arriving expats, we’ve gone a bit overboard with this week’s summer edition. We’ve included free events, unique events, ongoing events, and the best of next week. If you’re a planner at heart, sign up for our Top Picks Newsletter, where we let you know the best of Beijing events significantly far into the future. You’ll never miss out on tickets!
Free Events
Beijing Women’s Network Monthly Spotlight Dinner, July 25
Ages 16+. This month the special guest speaker, Hannah Fei, will highlight how she overcame adversity. Fei was born in Beijing but abandoned after a burn injury destroyed her right hand. After seven years in an orphanage, Fei was adopted in 2000 by a family in the US. Fei is a highly successful woman in everything she does, from designing, marketing, event organizing to founding her own companies. Free (excluding dinner costs). 7.30-9 pm. Hatchery, Inside Classic Furniture Yard, 12 Nongzhanguan Nanli, Chaoyang District 朝阳区农展馆南里12号(185 1547 5841)
Faces of Modern China, July 30
Ages 14+. This is a free lecture (in Chinese) open to the public hosted by the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in the 798 Art District, with a focus on cellphone photography in the context of Modern China. Free. 9am-Noon. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, 798 Art District 798艺术区尤伦斯当艺术中心 报告厅 (Register for Tickets Here)
Learn how to use Chinese Uber and Didi, July 30
Ages 13+. Don’t forget that in a city like Beijing, teens could use the helpful skill of hailing a taxi with one of these apps and the vocabulary taught for free at this workshop. RSVP through WeChat: mmmichellecli. 11am-Noon. Sinology Institute, 8 Shuangsi Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区 双寺胡同8号 (admissions@sinologyinstitute.com)
Unique Events
Cirkopolis By Cirque Éloize In Beijing, July 27-30
Ages 9+. This highly symbolic performance combines the worlds of circus, dance, and theater. “Performing within an inventive stage design and accompanied by an original musical score and video projections, ten acrobats and multidisciplinary artists rebel against monotony, reinvent themselves and challenge the limits of the factory-city.” RMB 180-880. 7.30-9.30pm. Poly Theatre, Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie Dongcheng District 东城区东直门南大街14号保利大厦1层 (Buy Tickets Here)
Wizard of Oz- A Children’s Interactive Play, July 30 and August 27
Ages 3-12. Children will be swept away into the magical world of Oz and find out the truth from the main character Dorothy and her special companions’ adventures. RMB 80-380. The performance on July 30 starts at 10.30am while the two performances on August 27 are at 10.30am and 2.30pm. China National Children’s Center, 43 Western Road, Ping’anli, Xicheng District 西城区平安里西大街43号 (186 1406 6431 or buy tickets here)
NCPA’s Production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, August 3 – 7
Ages 5+ Le Nozze di Figaro is one of the most famous operas created by Mozart in 1786 during the summit of his composing life. The whole opera features witty and brisk tones, retaining the artistic style of its original novel, which was written by the French comedy writer Pierre Beaumarchais. The story sets its music on the sharp contrast between the folly and dissipated noble and the smart servant Figaro, molding vivid roles as vibrant and witty Figaro, elegant and implicit Countess Rosina, intelligent and cute Susanna, and so on. RMB 80-580. 7.30-9.15 pm. National Center For The Performing Arts, 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District 西城区西长安街2号(6655 0000)
Ongoing Events
Grug and the Rainbow In Beijing, Until July 31***
Ages 5+. Featuring exquisite puppetry and more of the gentle storytelling that has delighted audiences around the world, this brand new show has been especially created for the next generation of our littlest theater goers (and those who just love Grug and his quest for the rainbow). RMB 200+. 2.30pm-4.30pm. Multi-function Hall of Tianqiao Art Center, Building 9 Tianqiao Nandajie Xicheng, 西城区天桥南大街9号楼 (Buy Tickets Here)
***Parents in the beijingkids Family Events WeChat group have highly recommended this event with the caveat that even infants are required to pay. Otherwise, the facilities were beautiful and clean while the play captivated even a two year old. To join our events group, send your WeChat id and an email to editor@beijing-kids.com
Storytelling in Bookworm Café, Saturdays Until August 6
Ages 5-12. This summer storytelling program runs from July 9 to August 6, and is an interactive English storytelling program that will include brunch, games, and music time. RMB 249 per session with discounts available. The Bookworm (sue@beijingbookworm.com)
Tai Chi Class, Wednesdays Until August 9
Ages 8+ For those who are not familiar with Tai Chi, it can perhaps be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. The Tai Chi course focuses on health cultivation, flow of chi (energy) and meditative exercises for the body. The Tai Chi master speaks English and has rich experience in teaching Westerners. RMB 150. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路，维多利亚花园D4 (Register Here)
Calligraphy Class, Tuesdays Until August 9
Ages 8+ The classes are conducted in English. The Four Treasures of the Study- the ink brush, ink, paper, and ink stone are all provided. You don’t have to be able to write Chinese already, just be enthusiastic and willing to hold a brush. Maximum 12 people. RMB 200. 10.30am-Noon. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路，维多利亚花园D4
(Register Here)
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)
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)
Best of Next Week
Second International Foodie Weekend, August 13-14
Ages 6+. With foodie passports in tow, festival goers will be set upon a culinary journey: Bite-sized delicacies representing cuisines from over 20 different countries and regions will be on offer. Current vendor count is 67! RMB 30 (One Day Pass), RMB 45 (Two Day Pass). Sanlitun Soho, South side of Gongti Beilu, across from Sanlitun Taikooli, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工人体育场北路8号院 (But tickets here)
PADI DAPI Fish Dance Company Presents: “White Lullaby”, August 6–7
Ages 6+. This children’s drama is just 40 minutes long and has been performed around the world, including Germany and the United States. The show addresses topics such as how one might go about explaining to children why their parents spend large amounts of time at work, and sometimes even leave their home country due to work. How can children still feel their parents’ love when they don’t have a lot of time spent together? RMB 120. 10-10.45am. Holiday Classic Theater Hall 假日经典小剧场, 64 Dongan Gate Street, Wangfujing, 东安门大街64号中国儿童剧场4层 (Purchase Tickets Here)
Cinderella, August 6–7
Ages 2-10. This performance “Cinderella” is brought by the Romanian Children Opera House and will be wonderfully depicted by real people with its director Corina Dumidisko at China Children’s Theater (CCAT), Beijing. Cinderella’s plot will remain unchanged. RMB 180-500. On August 6, there are two performances at 3pm and 7.15pm, and on August 7 the performance is at 3pm. China Children’s Theater 中国儿童剧场, 64 Donganmen Street, Dongcheng District, 东城东安门大街64号(6466 9968 or Buy Tickets Here)
Looking For Hailibu, August 6-7
Ages 3+. Looking for Hailibu is a performance that is based on a Mongolian traditional legend about a hero called Hailibu. The story started with Hailibu saving the dragon king’s daughter. In order to express his gratitude to Hailibu, the king awarded him a dragon pearl that can help him understand what all kinds of animals are saying. Read more about the story here. RMB 100-480. 7.30pm. Jingyan Minzu Wenhuagong Theater, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District 西城复兴门内大街49号 (6466 9968 or Buy Tickets Here)
Photos: Courtesy of Cirkopolis, Hi, Beijing, and Swiss Tastes
