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Free
Mental Health Peer Support Group, Sep 27
Adults. 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. Free. 7.30-9pm. Rosewood Beijing. Jingguang Center, Chaoyang North Road, Hujialou, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区呼家楼朝阳北路京广中心 (info@candlex.org)
MOPS, Every 2nd and 4th Monday
Adults and children under 5. Mother’s of Preschoolers (MOPS) is a place for mothers of young children to connect with other moms, share ideas, be inspired by speakers, and get equipped with resources to help them in their mothering journey. MOPS Beijing is a charter group of MOPS International, a global non-profit organization, which is sponsored by the Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF). Free. Childcare options available. 10am-noon. 21st Century Hotel. 40 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 亮马桥40号21世纪饭店 (RSVP at mops@bicf.org)
British Club Beijing, Sept 27
Adults. It’s the Shunyi edition of the British Club Beijing’s monthly coffee get-together. You’ll meet friends new and old in the beautiful setting of the English Tea Room, and enjoy a chance to share your experiences of life in the capital. Free. 10am-noon. Shine Hills The English Tea Room – 9 Antai Street, Shine Hills Mall, Shunyi District. 顺义区安泰大街九号院祥云小镇购物中心. (britclubbeijing@yahoo.com)
Open House at Hyde Academy, Sept 27
Adults. Hyde Academy will hold Open Houses for New Parents on September 27 and October 18 at their newly refurbished campus. These Open Houses will include an introduction to Hyde Academy, followed by a tour of the school. Free. 9-10.30am. No. 9, Hou Sha Yu, An Fu St, Shunyi District. 海德京华国际双语学校(admissions@hyde-education.com, 8046-3886, 8046-7085)
Storytelling for Kids with Julia Jarman, Oct 2
All ages. Go to The Bookworm for a fun storytelling session for kids of all ages with the visiting Award Winning Children’s author, Julia Jarman! Learn more about Julia here. Her selected works will be available for purchase both in English and Chinese. Free. 11am-Noon. The Bookworm. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 工体北路4号院
Second Beijing Mamas Market, Oct 3
All ages. Original designs, charity donations, interactive art workshops, European ceramics exhibition. Free for all vendors and visitors. 10am-3pm. Tree Art Museum, Songzhuang, Tongzhou District. 树美术馆 北京市宋庄镇小堡艺术东区 (WeChat Id: Nina_32kids)
Unique
Shaun the Sheep, Oct 1-2
All ages. World-famous Shaun the Sheep will step out from the screen and interact with children in the Beijing Theater! This performance will be acted by both British and Chinese actors, and the stage will be designed with the exact ratio as the real farm, meadow, and trees in order to let the children feel that they are actually in the forest along with Shaun and his friends. RMB100-380 (tickets). RMB190-990 (packages). 10.30am. Beijing Theater. Anhui Bridge, Yayun Village. 朝阳区亚运村安慧北里三区10. (6466 9968 Buy tickets here).
NCPA’s Jane Eyre, Sep 29-Oct 6
Ages 10+. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the author of Jane Eyre, the English writer Charlotte Bronte, NCPA will once again stage the drama version of Jane Eyre, with famous Chinese actors Yuan Quan and Wang Luoyong playing the leading roles. Meanwhile, NCPA Drama Ensemble will also join this production of Jane Eyre. RMB 200-880. 7.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng, Dongcheng District. 国家大剧院 西城区 西长安街2号. (Book here. 6655.0000)
British Motorsports Festival, Oct 1-2
All ages. The British Motorsport Festival is a celebration of British motorsport and culture, bringing together top class autos with the finest of British goods and entertainment for two days of family fun. Activities include: One Marque Series races, Ladies Regulation Time Trial, Hot Laps, Race Driver Certification Course, Vintage car showcase, Clean tech: CHARGE!, Junior Karting, British Entertainment, British brands pavilion, Family Entertainment, Music Concert. RMB 88-388, 10am-6pm. Goldenport International Circuit. 1 Jinzhan Road, Jinzhan Village, Chaoyang District. 奥迪金港汽车公园 北京市朝阳区金盏乡金盏大道1号. (More information)
Plastic Fantastic – Mimirichi in Beijing, Oct 1-2
All ages. The international award-winning stars of Kiev’s Mimirichi Clowns & Pantomime Theatre have earned world recognition for their amazing performances. The four offbeat mime artists will keep audiences of all ages doubled over with laughter. RMB 100-380. 3.30pm. Long Fu Theatre. 47 Longfusi Street, Dongcheng 北京市东城区隆福寺大街47号. Register here. (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Festive Cakes, Oct 2
Ages 5+ In this class, participants will bake a cake crust and a sponge layer. After that prepare a cream for the cake and put it all together, adding decoration on top. Guests will have a choice of flavors and decoration options. RMB 350. The Hutong. 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong (southeast of Beixinqiao subway station), Dongcheng District. 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号(北新桥地铁站东南边） (6404 3355)
Doraemon on the String, Oct 2
Ages 5+. Doraemon, The Lion King, Zootopia, The Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf… These are all the lovely cartoons and children’s movies that small kids will adore watching, so why not enjoy a musical for all the theme songs of these cartoons? The performance “Doraemon on the String” on October 2nd will fulfill children’s wishes and dreams. Please note that children under 1.2m of height are not allowed to watch the musical. RMB 80-380. 7.30-9pm. Blue Theater. No. 24 East Number 40, Dongcheng District. (6466 9968, Buy tickets here)
Vienna Boys Choir Concert, Oct 3
Ages 7+. The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the world’s oldest choirs composed of purely young boys. It has been a known symbol of Austria for almost 500 years, and have performed around the world and under almost all great conductors of this century. You can watch and listen to them sing at the Hofburg chapel during solemn mass every Sunday. RMB 200-1080. 7.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng District. 国家大剧院 西城区 西长安街2号. (6655 0000)
Ongoing Events
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 vary. (beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com)
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)
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 District. (8047 3588, play@britishschool.org.cn)
Positive Parenting “TALK”, Until September 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! 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)
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)
Children’s Survival Camps, Until 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)
Apple Picking and Visit to Mutianyu Great Wall, Until Oct 31
All ages. Get picked up from your downtown home/hotel in Beijing around 8:30am and transferred to Huairou Dashuiyu Fruit Picking Garden, well known for its wide variety of fruits. In the afternoon, move on to Mutianyu Great Wall for a two-hour hike at a section known for its beautiful surroundings – dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of the year. USD 50-140 (depends on the number of people in the tour). 8.30am-5.30pm. Huairou, Huairou District. Register here. (info@tour-beijing.com)
Beijing Highlight Kid Tour, Until Dec 31
All ages. A day-tour of Beijing’s Museum and culture. A child-friendly tour guide will show you the fun aspects of the museums of Beijing including: Beijing Natural History Museum, Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution, and China Science & Technology Exhibition Museum with pick-up and drop-off transfers to your home or hotel. RMB 230+. 8.30am-5pm. Register here. Tour Beijing. Nanxiaojie, Guangqumen, Dongcheng District. 东城区广渠门南小街. (info@tour-beijing.com)
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 performance tells an obsessive story about how a famous martial artist and two cuddly pandas go on a trip to find the true essence of Chinese Kungfu. Featuring martial arts, dance, music, and more in an action packed show, that brings infinite gaiety for kids, even adults. RMB180-380. 5.30-6.30pm. Shichahai Theatre. 57, Dianmen West Street, Xicheng District. 西城区地安门西大街57号 (1380106 7568)
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. Tickets may be purchased via Douban. RMB40 for students, RMB60 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.
Best of Next Week
Sadly for families, not much is going on during National Holiday next week apart from ongoing events above. Be on the lookout for the post on Wednesday with our suggestions of great things to do while you wait for everyone to return from their laojia.
Photos: damai, eventbox.com, and Rich Bucich (Flickr)
