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Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page.
Spring into Summer: Month-End Spring Fairs
Hyde Academy Clean & Green Spring Fair, May 26
All ages. Hyde Academy invites everyone to their annual Spring Fair on Saturday, May 26. Students, parents, and artists in the community are working hard to create a celebration of arts, music, and the environment this year, with a great collection of crafts, treats, and games to entertain and inform visitors. Visit this page to see more info. Free to attend. 10am-2pm. (8046 7085, sharon.shao@hyde-education.com)
Annual Keystone Carnival, May 26
All ages. Keystone Academy Beijing invites everyone to participate in their upcoming yearly Carnival. The Carnival will offer a variety of activities and games for children ages 3-18, and a vibrant marketplace offering a selection of stores, food stalls, and promo booths. They aim to bring the Keystone students and families along with the extended Shunyi and Beijing communities together, for a fun-filled day in the sun. The festivities will conclude with a lucky draw and an outdoor concert in the center of the marketplace starting early in the evening! Free to attend. 3-9pm. (8049 6008 ext. 3403, Carnival.vendors@keystoneacademy.cn).
Rumble in the Jumble: Guilty Pleasures, May 26
All ages. The May edition of Rumble in the Jumble market is about your Guilty Pleasures! For the mad, moonstruck month of May-hem, Rumble in the Jumble is celebrating the more indulgent, and perhaps even frivolous fringes of the market world. Go to Modernista at 44 Baochao Hutong to indulge. Free to attend. Noon-6pm. Modernista.
Annual BritCham and AustCham Community Fun Day, May 27
All ages. Summer is nearly upon us, and that means the return of the Annual BritCham and AustCham Community Fun Day! Bring your family, friends, and colleagues along to Dongfeng International Sports Park, formerly Chaoyang Golf Club on May 27 and soak up the sunshine, on the lushest grass lawns in Beijing. There will be great food and ice cream from local Beijing vendors, as well as exciting activities for the kids throughout the day. There will be free beer all afternoon with soft drinks and refreshments also available. Rounding up the afternoon, try your luck in the raffle to win some great prizes! RMB 20-110 (book tickets here). 11am-4pm. Dongfeng International Sports Park. (bree.arthur@britishchamber.cn, events@austcham.org)
BSB Shunyi Summer Fayre, Jun 3
All ages. Come along for some summer fun at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi’s Summer Fayre, one of the biggest events each year at BSB. Families can enjoy lunch, snack and drinks from many food vendors, fun with games, water park, bouncy castles and enjoy visiting a variety of stalls indoors and outdoors. The Grand Charity Raffle will have many prizes to be won too. This fair is open to the whole Beijing community. Noon-4pm. Visit this page for more info. (8047 3588, marketing@bsbshunyi.com)
Fun for the Family
Redhot & Blue A Cappella Workshop and Concert, May 24
All ages. Come to an exclusive engagement with Redhot & Blue, Yale University’s oldest all-gender a cappella group and premiere vocal jazz ensemble! For 40 years, Redhot & Blue has shared its signature combination of classic jazz repertoire and collegiate bonhomie in a variety of settings both domestically and abroad, ranging from galas in New York to churches in Copenhagen to the Foreign Correspondents Club in Tokyo. Come out on May 24 for an exclusive Q&A with Redhot singers, a chance to learn one of their very own arrangements. Following the workshop, join them for an hour-long concert. RMB 250 (register here). 6-9pm. Yale Center Beijing, 36th Floor, Tower B of IFC Building 8 Jianguomenwai Avenue Chaoyang District (Yong’anli Subway Station, Exit C)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, May 24-27
All ages. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is adapted by Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s best-selling book, and directed by Tony Award winner Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Curious Incident). RMB 99-1,196 (buy tickets here). Starts 7.30pm. Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. (400 610 3721, 1010 3721, ponypiao@aliyun.cn).
Children’s Day Special: Chinese Shadow Puppetry and Live Folk Music, May 31
All ages. Join Modernista for one more Thursday dedicated to cultural influences and fusions from all the round the world blended into music, dance, theater and stage performances. The event will feature shadow puppets designed and managed by experienced puppet master Wang Yuguang with a contemporary music twist from to Ravi’s experimental influences. 9-11.30am. Modernista
BICO Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf / Carnival of the Animals, Jun 2 and 3
All ages. This year’s family concert of the Beijing International Chamber Orchestra (BICO) features Prokofiev’s enchanting musical tale, Peter and the Wolf. The performance is suitable for children of all ages, and it continues BICO’s longstanding tradition of presenting entertaining and educational family concerts for everyone. RMB 150 (adults), RMB 80 (kids). Book tickets here (for Jun 2, Jun 3). Beijing International Chamber Orchestra. Canadian International School of Beijing, No. 38 Liangmaqiao, Chaoyang. (www.bico-china.com, maria.nauen@mail.ru)
Workshops, Forums, and Open Houses
Blogging in Beijing’s Quarterly Meet-up and Networking Series: “A Gold Mine of Stories,” May 31
Ages 18+. The Blogging in Beijing WeChat group invites everyone to their second quarterly meet-up and networking event on May 31 at XL Bar in Sanlitun. This FREE online-to-offline gathering will focus on the topic of “Beijing: A Gold Mine of Stories” (click here to register). Being a city full of history, Beijing gives everyone a feel of what life in a highly cultural but very contemporary setting is. But beyond the touristy sights and daily urban living lie a wealth of fascinating stories that can inspire budding writers and bloggers, as told by speakers Jeremiah Jenne of Beijing by Foot and Pauline van Hasselt of Beijing Mothers Guild. Free to attend (but registration is needed as there are only 30 seats). 7-9pm. XL Bar, Sanlitun. For more inquiries, contact Andy Penafuerte on WeChat (ID: anp3rd). Scan the QR code to register.
The True Cost Documentary Screening – Who Really Pays The Price for Our Clothing, May 24
Adults. The Beijing Clothing Auction Network, Live With Less, and The Bulk House are teaming up to host a screening of The True Cost, a documentary film about clothing. It’s about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing? Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the worlds leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth, and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is an unprecedented project that invites us on an eye-opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes. RMB 40 (at the door), RMB 60 (drinks included). Register on this page. 7-9.30pm. The Bookworm. (Rebecca Archer: 130 7116 2353).
Constantly Connected: Is Your Internet Use an Addiction or Society’s New Norm?, May 22
Adults. The internet is an essential part of modern life, but at what point does internet use transition from normal to pathologic? How can you recognize when your internet use or that of your child is becoming harmful? We will address these questions while exploring the evolution of problematic internet use and the current debate around whether “internet addiction” truly exists. With the popularity of internet addiction “boot camps” in China, we will also discuss approaches to manage, and better yet prevent, problematic internet use in adolescents. Dr. Joseph Donroe presents this English-language talk. RMB 80, RMB 20 (students). 6.30-8.30pm. Yale Center Beijing 36th Floor Tower B of IFC Building 8 Jianguomenwai Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing (Yong’anli Subway Station, Exit C). For more information or to register, visit this page.
Good Sleep and Stroke Prevention, May 25
Adults. One significant risk of sleeping disorders are strokes. In recent years, strokes have become the leading cause of death in China, and its incidence is increasing year by year. Strokes can lead to greater chances of morbidity, mortality, or rates of disability and are often recurrent events. This can create a heavy burden on societies, families, and individuals. Strokes not only affect the elderly, but as the pace of life accelerates, youth strokes are also becoming increasingly common. So do you know what causes a stroke? How to prevent a stroke from occurring? What symptoms might suggest susceptibility to strokes? And how should we react when a stroke occurs? In this Chinese-language event, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) will explain these issues in detail in this health talk. The objective of the event is to introduce the symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment of these problems, as well as to give some tips on prevention. RMB 50 (RSVP here). 2-5.20pm. The language of the event is Chinese. BJU.
Open Day at Yew Chung International School of Beijing, May 23
All ages. Join YCIS Beijing’s open day on May 23 to meet their co-principals Noel Thomas and Christine Xu, and to learn more about the school’s bilingual education model. Parents will have the opportunity to see the changes that are happening all across the campus and visit their newly renovated Learning Communities. Immediately following the school tour, YCIS Beijing officials invite parents to attend an information session for either their Early Childhood Education or Primary/Secondary schools. Each information session will be hosted by the respective school heads. Free to attend (register on this page). 9-11.30am. YCIS Beijing. (info@bj.ycef.com).
The Children’s House Open Day and Family Fun Day, May 26
All ages. Join The Children’s House’s open day and family fun day at their Oceanwide Campus on May 26. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with Head of Schools, Katleen Mentens, who will give a brief introduction to Montessori education and how a Montessori environment will aid your child in becoming a well-rounded and joyous learner. Children will enjoy an entertaining magic show, face painting, arts and crafts, and have fun on the bouncy castle. Parents will also have the chance to see your little ones interact with our teachers in our storytelling corner and music circle and work with Montessori materials. Free to attend. 9.30am-12.30pm. The Children’s House, 1 Nanshiliju Road, Dongfeng Xiang, Chaoyang District, Beijing (Near Haofeng Sports Park) (8556 4122, 8556 4611, info-oceanwide@montessoribeijing.com)
Work Your Body Out
Free Taichi Class at BICC-Chinese School, May 23
All ages. Taichi is one of the most popular kung fu styles among foreign friends. It is comfortable, flexible, gentle, sequential, natural, and elegant. Learners can feel the connotation of philosophy, the style of beauty, and the atmosphere of the poem. Practicing taichi can also eliminate the symptoms of sickness and strengthen people’s health. BICC organizes a free taichi class on May 23 at their BICC Sanlitun campus. A kung fu master will explain and teach the main aspects of forms, and try to allow the students to learn as much as possible in a set time. Free to attend. 2-3.30pm. Baijiazhuang Xili No. 2, behind Beijing No.80 Middle School (South Gate), Chaoyang District. (info@hibicc.com)
Learn Flamenco With Dancer From Sevilla, Spain, May 26-Jun 28
All ages. Casa Flamenco will start new flamenco courses from May 26. Eve Rosenbloom, an experienced flamenco dancer and teacher from Spain, comes to Beijing to give the flamenco aficionados a four-week training. The courses are from total beginner level to intermediate level. RMB 2,600. Training hours are between 11am and 11pm. Casa Flamenco. (WeChat ID and phone: 13910914251, flamencotaller@sina.com).
Mindfulness and Wellness Group Coaching Class, May 26
Adults. This class will stretch you! Participants will study mindfulness practices and assess their wellness. Take a deep look at your current life, set a vision for where you want to be and make a plan for how you’re going to get there. Expect changes. Cassie Kang teaches this bilingual workshop. RMB 800. 6-9pm. Ms. Uptown. For more information or to register, visit this page.
Taoist Martial Arts, Philosophy and Culture Classes, weekly
All ages. Wujiquan is an ancient Taoist tradition past down for generations only in temples and few families. Rebuild your body according to the principles of yin-yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams to make your body strong. Calm down your mind and heart and nourish your life through the practice of Wujiquan. RMB 50 per class. Class times begin at 10.30 (Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun) and noon (Tue, Wed) at Ritan, Xinglong, and Forest Parks. Visit this page to see the schedule of classes. (WeChat ID: Breznan)
Photos: BSB Shunyi, courtesy of event organizers