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Free Events
Mental Health Peer Support Group, Sep 13 and 27
Adults. Free. People managing conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression–or just the stress of a move to Beijing–can find support in this safe space and group of sympathetic peers. Register and RSVP by email to receive the exact location and learn the rules for a safe and healthy environment for all participants. 7.30-9pm. Rosewood Beijing. Jingguang Center, Chaoyang North Road, Hujialou, Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家楼朝阳北路京广中心 (info@candlex.org)
Mooncake Cooking Class, Sep 14
Ages 5+. That’s Mandrin will teach you both how to make mooncakes and the vocabulary associated with the ingredients before actually making these festive pastries. Register by 6pm on Sept 13. Free. 6-7.50pm. That’s Mandarin. 1/F, Building 4, B Xinzhong Street No.12, 100027 Dongcheng District中国北京市东城区新中街乙12号4号楼一层(info@thatsmandarin.com)
Early Years Open House, Sep 14
Adults. See fun projects in action, classrooms, and ask curriculum questions at BSB Shunyi. RSVP by email. Free. 9-11am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (admissions@bsbshunyi.com)
How to Support Your Child in a Montessori Environment, Sep 14
Adults. In the first in a yearlong series of talks which are open to the entire Beijing community, Acting Interim Principal Sharon Keenan will lead parents through the many ways in which they can support their children in a Montessori Environment. Coffee and muffins provided. Register by email. Free. 8.30-10am. The International Montessori School of Beijing (aislingobrien@msb.edu.cn)
Audition for “A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedy,” Sep 18
Ages 6-80. 20 adult and 10 child actors and singers are needed for this interactive Christmas musical comedy. The performance will be in true British comedy tradition with cheering and booing. Please click on the header to see the listing with more performance information. Free. 6.30-9.00pm. Eagle International Performing Arts Center. 4/F A01, Liu Bai Ben Commercial Center South Area,19 Guangshun North Street, Wangjing, Chaoyang 朝阳区广顺北大街19号六佰本商业街南区四层A01 (broadway@beijingplayhouse.com)
Unique Events
Castle in the Sky- Joe Hisaishi’s Symphony Concert, Sep 14, Oct 2 and 29
Ages 7+ RMB 100. This performance features beautiful and touching classical works of Hisaishi paired with scenes from Miyazaki’s famous animate movies. 7.30-9.00pm. Beijing Concert Hall 北京音乐厅. 1 Beixinhuajie Xicheng District. 西城区 北新华街1号 (400 810 8080, 6466 9968)
Registration for Sports Beijing Activities, Until Sep 15
Ages 5+. Sports Beijing’s Fall season is still accepting registration for their sports taking place from September 15 to December 22. This year they have added Upper-Intermediate and Elite swim levels at ISB on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Heyrobics: get fit as a family on Thursday evenings at ISB. Please check their website for more information. RMB 500-3,000. International School of Beijing (Website)
Mooncakes Making Class, Sep 15
Ages 5+ Learn the history and technique behind this traditional confection and enjoy the holiday in true hutong fashion. RMB 300, RMB 260 (For Members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (Register here.)
Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu Great Wall, Sep 15
All ages. Join the Brickyard to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival with home-style Chinese cooking, free flow wine and non-alcoholic beverages, and live folk music under the stars. Reservations required in advance. RMB198 adults, RMB98 children ages 4-12, free for 4 and under. 5-10pm. Brickyard Retreat. Beigou Village. (Website)
China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra Mid-Autumn Festival Concert, Sep 15
Ages 6+ Enjoy a high class Mid-Autumn festival with this traditional Chinese orchestra. Children under 1.2m in height are not admitted. RMB 80-500. National Centre For The Performing Arts (Book tickets here.)
Ongoing Events
Art Bug Beijing, Thursdays
Ages 3-7. Courses offered include drawing, sculpture, photography, speech and drama, and performance arts. Prices vary. 7-9pm. The Blue Bridge. Chaowai SOHO Tower A 6 Chaowai Dajie Chaoyang district 朝阳区朝阳区朝外大街乙6号朝外SOHO写字楼A座753 新城国际北侧 (Website)
Children’s Survival Camps, Sep 15-Oct 2
Ages 7-18. Taking place every other Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, kids will learn a variety of skills, from shelter-building to raft-making and fire-starting, going to and from the beautiful mountains of Beijing each day. Teenagers aged 14-18 may come to be trained as assistant instructors. RMB 700 per day. Beijing Riviera. 1 Xiang Jiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang. (5739 4933, Website)
Bumps2Babes Playgroups
Ages 3 and under. This thriving parent community is geared toward parents with kids born after January 2013. It has free playgroups meeting throughout the city. We suggest parents new to the city get involved and hang out with a playgroup in your region. English speakers only. Don’t forget to ask to receive the newsletter and be added to the official Bumps2Babes WeChat group. Free. Time and location varies (beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com)
BSB Baby and Toddler Group, Fridays
Ages 0-18mnths. Meet other moms of small children at this playgroup with plenty of age-appropriate toys, seasonal crafts, singing, actions and more. Open to foreign passport holders only, the mother or father needs to attend, not the Ayi. Drinks and snacks provided. Register by email. Free. 9-10.30am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588, play@britishschool.org.cn)
Meet Vincent Van Gogh, Until Sep 16
Ages 4+. The all-encompassing innovative 3D exhibition Meet Vincent Van Gogh is on show at Jinyuan Shopping Mall from June 15 to September 16, presented by the Van Gogh Museum which is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. RMB 658 (Family Package). 10am-10pm. Golden Resource Shopping Mall 金源时代购物中心 (Meetvincent.com)
Star Dream Acrobactic Show, Until Sep 30
All ages. The China National Acrobatic Troupe combines national music, dance, opera, traditional acrobatics, and martial arts for a culturally charming show. 5.30pm RMB 180+ Chinese Acrobatic (Dongtu) Theater, 85 East Jiaodaokou Street, Dongcheng District 交道口东大街85号东城区第一图书馆 (Buy tickets here)
Book Creation Workshop, Tuesdays, September 6-November 15
Ages 6-12. Discover your creative writing skills and artistic nature in the 10-week Autumn Book Program including learning about the elements of a story, graphic design/illustration, and storytelling. Learn teamwork, confidence and expressing yourself through art and illustrations. Tuesdays from September 6-November 16 apart from the National holiday. Healthy snacks provided. RMB 4,288 /per student (RMB 500 rebate if over 8 students enrolled). 4-6pm. R3 Discovery 北京德家沃利探索学习中心 朝阳区 金汇路9 中骏世界城D座 B1 层 R080室 (Email: r3discovery@sina.com, WeChat：R3Discovery)
Positive Parenting “TALK”, September 8 – 29
Adults. Parents, are you having struggles? Too many “why” in one day? Are you exhausted with kids and chores in general? Then lets TALK about it every Thursday starting September 8! Positive Parenting Talk is designed for parents to learn and discuss how to grow up happily with your kids. RMB 50. 10-11am. R3 Discovery 北京德家沃利探索学习中心. B1-R080, Zhongjunshijiecheng D, 9 Jinhui Road, Chaoyang District 北京朝阳区 金汇路9 中骏世界城商业区 D 座B1层R080室 (Email: r3discovery@sina.com, WeChat：R3Discovery)
Andy Warhol: Contact, Until January 7 2017
Ages 13+. “M WOODS is pleased to announce Andy Warhol: Contact, an exhibition of groundbreaking film, photography, and interactive installations by one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists. Curated by M WOODS Director Presca Ahn, it is the first in a series of major monographic exhibitions planned at the museum over the next three years. Illuminating areas of Andy Warhol’s practice never before shown in China, Andy Warhol: Contact features a selection of the artist’s Screen Tests, Polaroids, and Wallpaper, as well as his Silver Clouds and the experimental 1963 film Kiss– works which broke the boundaries of contemporary art when they were first made with the new media of Warhol’s time, and still compel viewers today with their extraordinary immediacy.” Tickets may be purchased via Douban. RMB 40 for students, RMB 60 for regular entrance. 10am-6:30pm. M Woods (木木美术馆) D-06, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, 789 Art District, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区2号789艺术区2号院D-06.
Kung Fu Panda Show, Until Dec 31
All ages. Kung Fu Panda show is highly recommended for people who are obsessed with Chinese Kung Fu or families with kids. The whole performance told an obsessive story that some famous martial artists and two cuddly pandas go on a trip to find the true essence of Chinese Kung Fu, featuring martial arts, dance, music, and more in an action packed show, which brings infinite gaiety for kids, even adults. Shows are Shichahai Theatre. 57, Dianmen West Street, Xicheng District. 西城区地安门西大街57号 (138 0106 7568)
Best of Next Week
Australian Children’s Drama Swamp Juice, Sep 21
Ages 3-11. Using shadow puppets made from bits of rubbish, Bunk Puppets creates an imaginative (and sometimes scary) tale of one man’s romp through a swamp. Prepare to be astounded as shadows leap off the screen and dash around you in the 3D finale. RMB 160-280. 7.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA) 国家大剧院. 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng 西城区 西长安街2号 (6655 0000)
Nutrition Talks: The Power of Parents, Sep 22
Adults. YCIS Beijing and OASIS International Hospital partner to host a workshop to give parents the right tools for teaching children to make the right food choices at home through family mealtime. “Children’s Nutrition Workshop” is presented by nutrition expert and registered dietician Leora Martin and will tackle questions from how to create a healthy eating environment to trusting children with their own food choices at the right time. Register by visiting YCIS Yoopay page or email . Free. 10am-Noon. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (info@bj.ycef.com)
INN Coffee Morning at BSB, Shunyi, Sep 22
Adults. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi is hosting the International Newcomers Network (INN) Shunyi coffee morning at Chatterbox Cafe this month. Meet other newcomers and old-times in the Shunyi area. Free. 10am-Noon. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (Website)
Roundabout Book Fair at Keystone Academy, Sept 24
All ages. Thousands of gently used books will be on sale with prices starting as low as 1 RMB. Selection includes English and Chinese books. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children books for all ages. All proceeds will help a child in need. Free. 10am-3pm. Keystone Academy. 11 An Fu Street, Houshayu, Shunyi.
China AIDS Walk, Sep 24
Ages 12+ Get up and walk along the Great Wall to help fight against HIV discrimination through fund raising and raising awareness. Can’t attend? Support a friend to walk instead. Register by emailing aj@bhgei.org. Donate RMB 300+. 9am-Noon. The Great Wall (More Information)
First Aid Training for Ayi, Sep 24
Adults. Hope for some peace of mind while you’re not home and AYI is looking after the kids? OASIS International Hospital is offering a first aid training course designed specially for Ayis (nannies) who look after children in Beijing. Sign up by emailing Ashley.gaul@oasishealth.cn. RMB 300. 8.30am-Noon. OASIS International Hospital. 9 North Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang 北京市朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号
2016 BCIS Harvest Festival, Sep 24
All ages. Celebrate fall with Beijing City International School. Free. 5.30-8.30pm. Beijing City International School. 77 Baiziwan Nan Er Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区百子湾南二路77号 (More Information)
Photos: saritarobinson (Flickr), livimeikle (Flickr), and courtesy of Swamp Juice
