Ever feel like you don’t get enough out of Beijing? That there’s so much to see but not enough time?
Often as parents, we spend so much time scheduling our family’s lives that it’s hard to make time for our own cultural intake, or “feeding the well” as they say. Between translating apps, figuring out which cultural spots need reservations and which don’t, staying on top of the exhibit schedules, we often just decide to go to our same old places instead of trying somewhere new that can feed our artistic side.
That’s how I felt anyway, which is why I jumped into the CAT group (Cultural Arts Tours) on WeChat. They had tickets to see the Lantern Festival Concert at the NCPA (National Center for the Performing Arts) Concert Hall. Normally I’d entertain the idea of going for a few minutes, get overwhelmed by obtaining a sitter and reserving my seats/finding a friend to attend with me, not to mention the cost, and leave it on the list of “not dones” until I turn that page in my planner.
But we were at the tail end of 40 days straight with the kids at home, and I desperately needed some adult culture time. I reserved two tickets through the group and decided to just figure it out as I go.
Wow, am I glad I did.
The NCPA building from the side, with ducks lined up in a row. (Spoiler: You cannot get inside this way).
The best part about this experience, and why I recommend joining the CAT WeChat group, is that I felt taken care of every step of the way. They got us the tickets, told us when and where to meet, sent a pin, helped people who got lost on the way or detoured because of street closures, and even assisted if we needed help through the 3-4 steps on the way through security (pro tip: always bring your passport).
That outing was wonderful, and as my guest said later, it’s so important for parents to get out of their comfort zones and be adults every once in a while. It was worth it just for the “Dragon Dance” number with a guest percussionist, to be honest!
Second from the right is Song Yibo, assistant to the director of the Beijing National Orchestra and chief percussionist, and who I want to be when I grow up.
The leaders of CAT didn’t stop there, however. After the show, they shared recordings of the songs we heard and answered our questions. This discussion led to a group outing to the National Museum to view the instruments exhibit together, as well as costumes and ceramics.
But this is less about what we saw and more about the experiences and added value you can get if you join the CAT WeChat group. The group’s curators have been friends for over ten years and clearly know their art. They’re quick to answer questions both practical and artistic, send additional links to enrich your experience, and are just lovely people!
Listen to Michelle Li tell us herself why they knew people here can use their help:
So if you are looking for someone to tell you where to go to fill your creative cup, how to get there, and even offer a guided tour, I encourage you to join the CAT (Cultural Art Tours) group. Add Michelle on WeChat for more:
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Images: Cindy Marie Jenkins
