The highly commercialized Singles’ Day (Nov 11, or 11/11) is fast approaching, though ironically, most people taking part aren’t actually single; they’re just spending quality time with their smartphones on the days preceding and succeeding this mobile shopping frenzy.
But Singles’ Day doesn’t have to be about shopping or smartphones; it could be about going out and joining a community of creative young minds, as our friends from InkBeat Arts are launching a series of free creative workshops on Nov 11.
The theme for the first day of workshops is “Express Yourself”, with activities involving visual art and art therapy, dance, drama, and creative writing.
– Workshop 1: Movement Improvisation: Self-Others-Space led by Rosalyn Shih, Co-Founder, Beijing Contact Improv at 9.30-11am
– Workshop 2: The Healing Power of Arts with Travis Yang at 11.15am-12.15pm
– Workshop 3: Drama and Play Workshop with Sophie from Proto Art School at 1-2.30pm
– Workshop 4: Self-Expression Through Poetry led by Simon Shieh, InkBeat Arts Director at 3-4pm
Express Yourself: InkBeat Community Fair, Nov 11
InkBeat Arts’ Creative Workshops take place every second and last Sunday of the month until January 31, 2019. The workshops, delivered in English and Chinese are for students ages 8-18 who want to develop creative skills through self-expression. They will be led by experts in creative writing, drama, visual art, art therapy, design, architecture, and dance. Ages 8-18. Free. Registration needed (scan the QR code). 2-3.30pm. Crossboundaries, (185 1979 1662, simon@beijingyouthlit.com)
Later this month the InkBeat Arts team will also release issue six of their InkBeat Arts Youth Journal. We asked the team’s creative director Simon Shieh about the inspiration behind the issue’s theme, “Tongues”, but Shieh has, for the time being, held his own tongue, and instead responded with this poem titled “Blue”, by contributor Tuttler Zhou:
When everything was blurred
I could still see blue
crossing the edge of consciousness.
It poured at me, like crazy.
The fish who got electrified told me to run
Yet their cries turned into melodies
Seeped into my mind, along with
Blue
Blue, the inevitable blue
dyed the grayness of this world.
I couldn’t resist, I wouldn’t resist.
Jumping into the water
I stepped on my way home
To find out more about how your youngsters or students can contribute to future releases of the InkBeat Arts Youth Journal, contact Shieh at simon@beijingyouthlit.com or visit their official website.
Photos: Courtesy of InkBeat Arts
