Event
January 13, 2012 Filed under Community
Mr. Yang: 13699138680
Happy Year of the Dragon!
The Familier has organized two days of family-oriented Spring Festival activities. On Sunday, both Familier centers will be hosting fun, traditional Spring Festival crafts and activities, such as paper cutting, tang-hulu, or candied hawthorn, making and porcelain painting. The Familier center in 798 Art District will host another activity on January 21.
Where: The Familier Chao-wai and The Familier 798
When: January 15 and January 21 (noon – 6 pm)
Tel: 5869 2904 (The Familier Chaowai)
5762 6014 (The Familier 798)
Cost: 50 yuan for adult, 100 yuan for child
Spring Carnival
The 10th Chaoyang Park International Carnival – Western Temple Fair – will begin soon. Friends from around the world are welcome to participate in the carnival activities, which include selling homemade food and beverages, introducing your country’s cultural to visitors and helping visitors in the park. Basic Chinese skills are necessary.
Also, people or groups can take part in the talent show. Each performance can be up to 30 minutes. Lighting, props and other equipment will be provided.
Lunch will be included, and payment offered.
Where: Chaoyang Park, Dong Sihuang Lu, Chaoyang District
When: January 23-28
Tel: Stacey: 15011566041
Mr. Yang: 13699138680
(By Han Manman)
Event
January 6, 2012 Filed under Community
Leaving the country with pets
It’s never too early to start preparations for taking pets overseas. Come join experts from the International Center for Veterinary Services as we share step-by-step instructions on the exit process and vaccination requirements for leaving the country or moving to other Chinese cities with your pets.
The latest 2012 regulations for China, EU countries, North America and Asia will be shared in addition to advice on pet transportation safety and minimizing travel-related stress for you and your pets.
Where: International Center for Veterinary Services. Kent Center, 29 Liangmaqiao Lu, Anjialou (shares a courtyard with China Culture Center), Chaoyang District
When: January 14, 11 am – noon
Tel:8456 1939 / 1940 / 1941
Cost: Free
Roundabout book fair
The Beijing Rego British School will again host a Roundabout Book Fair. Its first book fair with Roundabout in November raised 50,000 yuan that is being used to purchase coal for two orphanages – one in Xuanhua, Hebei Province and the other in Shanxi, near Taiyuan.
Children’s books start as low as 1 yuan; paperbacks are 10 yuan; hardbacks are 20 yuan; coffee table and art books are individually priced. The selection is huge, but children’s books sell out quickly! Book donations may be dropped off at the school prior to the fair.
All proceeds will be used in Roundabout’s efforts to purchase coal for poor orphanages in China. In the past, many children have lost fingers and toes due to frostbite they developed from living in extremely cold conditions. Come to the Book Fair and help provide the gift of warmth this winter!
Where: Beijing Rego British School campus, 15 Liyuan Jie, Shunyi District
When: January 14, 10 am to 3 pm
Tel: 8416 7718
Cost: Free
Beijing writers’ group
This close-knit group of literary buffs provides constructive feedback on creative writing. You can bring a couple copies of something you’ve written and the group will read it and discuss it over drinks.
Where: The Bookworm, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
When: Every Monday, 7:30 pm
Tel: 6586 9507
Cost: Free
(By Han Manman)
Event
December 30, 2011 Filed under Community
Free dog training advice
A well-trained dog can be the difference between having a good pet experience and nightmare. Every Saturday afternoon, Doctors Beck & Stone, a veterinary clinic, in collaboration with Dennis Schenk, a certified canine behaviorist consultant, gives free dog training advice.
Where: Euro Plaza, Doctors Beck & Stone, Shop LB05, Euro Plaza99 Yu-xiang Lu, Tianzhu Town, Shunyi District
When: 2-3 pm
Tel: 2886 8046
Cost: Free
Milonga el Chino
There aren’t many places like Milonga. After all, where else can one learn Argentine tango? The club was started in 2007 and offers many activities to anyone interested in tango.
Where: Peanuts Café (at site of Duanqirui Government), 3 Zhangzizhong Lu, Dongcheng District
When: 9 pm – midnight, every Wednesday
Tel: 6403 0688
Cost: 50 yuan, includes a drink
(By Wei Ying)
Event
December 23, 2011 Filed under Community
Open Mic night
Every first and third Thursday of the month, Library 98 will host its Open Mic night. The activity is an open-mic event for anyone with something to say, whether in the form of improv and comedy, stand-up or cross-talk.
Where: Tushuguan 98, 53 Gulou Xi Dajie, Dongcheng District
Open: December 29, 8-10 pm
Tel: 8400 1532
Cost: Free
BSB Parent Workshop
Part of the British School’s “helping hand” series, this workshop helps parents learn to support their children’s English development at home. All parents are welcome. Refreshments will be available.
Where: British School Sanlitun campus, 5 Xiliu Jie, Sanlitun Lu, Chao-yang District
Open: January 11, 3:45-4:45 pm
Tel: 8532 3088
Cost Free
(By Wei Ying)
Event
November 11, 2011 Filed under Community
Learning knitting
Not many urbanites still knit like their parents did, but if you’re interested to learn, a good place to start is Beyond Knitting every Wednesday.
The online store offers knitting classes for all skill levels, and teaches basics such as casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch and casting off as well as more advanced techniques. The classes will cover the background of knitting. Different grades of yarn are available.
For more information, visit beyond-knitting.com.
When: November 16, 10 am – 12 pm
Email: contact@beyondknitting.com
Cost: 200 yuan
Bicycle tour
For people who want to see the real Beijing and get to know how locals live within their neighborhoods on a daily basis, there’s no better way than joining a small bike tour. Wan Lin Bicycle Tour is recommended for cycling trios. One can enjoy discovering interesting routes and the best sites for culture, art and shopping. The tour provides a bicycle.
Where: Jamaica Blue, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang District
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Email: wanlin@xs4all.nl
Website: wanlinbicycletours.com
Beijing buddies
The non-profit group is back with a new school year. Beijing Buddies takes volunteers to local migrant schools to help create a fun, energetic and creative environment for schoolchildren. All one needs is enthusiasm.
Beijing Buddies is a drop-in volunteering project, which means one can sign up for a day, a month or a year.
Where: Meet at Guomao subway station (Line 1, Exit C), 8:30 am every Saturday
When: November 12, 8:30 am – 2 pm
Email: dbateman@mcfchina.org
Website: mcfchina.org
(By Wei Ying)
Event
November 4, 2011 Filed under Community
Migrant School Students Art Program
In this edition of the “Rainbow Journey” Migrant School Students’ Art Program, UCCA teams up with Green Kids, the Embassy of Israel in Beijing and Israeli illustrator and caricaturist Hanoch Piven to present a fun and educational workshop about making collages. Piven is an acclaimed illustrator and caricaturist. Since 2003, he has been conducting workshops across the globe. These workshops apply the principles of his collage technique, prompting children and adults to experiment with common everyday objects to create works of art. Apart from being an easy and fun way to create art, the workshops have been embraced by educators, art therapists and management consultants as an efficient tool for raising psychological issues to the surface through play and creativity.
Where: Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, 4 Jiuxianqiao, Chaoyang District
When: November 2, 1:30-4 pm
Tel: 5780 0200
GtB call for volunteers
Greening the Beige (GtB) is celebrating its annual event series this month to raise environmental awareness in Beijing, and it is seeking participants to get involved.
GtB depends on creative contributions, time and energy from community members. It is looking for partners and collaborators that are interested in celebrating green goodness. Anyone interested, please email info@greeningthebeige.org.
Where: Various venues
When: November 3-30, daily
Contact: Carissa@greeningthebeige.org
(By Wei Ying)
Event
October 28, 2011 Filed under Community
Fully book project at Tushuguan98
Library Tushuguan98 is asking readers to donate books of any kind. The library is also soliciting recommendations and reviews, which might appear on its website.
Where: Tushuguan98, 53 Gulou Dajie, Dongcheng District
When: 11 am – 11 pm, every day except Wednesday
Tel: 8400 1532
Price: Free
Hiking: Huanghuacheng Great Wall and Silver Pagoda Forest
The hiking trip will include a lunch at a local farmhouse and exploration of Huairou’s pagodas dating back to the 15th century.
Where: Culture Yard, 10 Shique Hutong, Dongcheng District
When: Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm
Tel: 8404 4166
Price: 300 yuan (260 yuan in advance) – including transportation, guides, entrance and lunch
(By Wei Xi)
Event
October 21, 2011 Filed under Community
Halloween Party
This Saturday, The Familier is offering an entire afternoon of Halloween-themed games, art and activities. It will be serving an assortment of holiday treats as well. Bring the family and your costumes and prepare for a spooktacular Halloween. Please reserve in advance. For more information, contact service@thefamilier.com or 5869 2904.
Where: The Familier, Chaoyangmen Wai SOHO, Chaoyang District
When: Saturday, 2-5 pm
Email: echo_cai@thefamilier.com
Cost: 100 yuan for adult and 50 yuan for child
Green Cow Harvest Festival
It’s harvest time! Come celebrate at the Green Cow Organic Farm. Activities will include a pumpkin-rolling contest, coffee-sack race, corn relay, three-legged race and tug-of-war. Snack on artisan foods and learn broom-making, thread-spinning, cloth-weaving or stone-grinding corn.
Where: Donggezhuan, Houshayu Zhen, Shunyi District
When: Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm
Email: thelovelygreencow@
gmail.com
Cost: 50 yuan
Indian cooking class and screening
This Sunday, the global tour of the senses stops off in India. Chef Sridevi will take you on a culinary trip to explore the mystery of Indian cuisine and learn to cook delectable dishes that she learned while growing up in Andhra Pradesh. The movie Monsoon Wedding, an award-winning family drama about arranged marriages in modern India, will be screened afterwards.
Where: 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District
When: Sunday, cooking class starts at 4:30 pm, screening at 7 pm
Email: thehutong@gmail.com
Price: 240 yuan (200 yuan for members) for cooking class and screening, 35 yuan for screening only.
(By Wei Xi)
Event
October 14, 2011 Filed under Community
Hike on the border of Beijing and Hebei
To avoid crowds, go with Beijing Hikers to the border of Hebei Province and stroll around Songshan National Park. On this trip, you will climb one of the peaks of Big Haituo Mountain, the second highest spot in Beijing. Reserve your place on the bus in advance. For detailed information and photos, check out beijinghikers.com.
Where: Songshan National Park, Yanqing District
When: Saturday
Tel: 6432 2786
Cost: 350 yuan (315 yuan for members). Includes transportation, guides, water, snacks and drinks after the hike.
The 101 on leaving China with pets
Pet owners often come across problems when preparing to leave the country. If you own a pet, it’s never too early to start thinking about what to do about taking pets out of the country. This Saturday, the International Center for Veterinary Services invites experts to share their experiences, and participants will gain valuable insight on the necessary procedures, including vaccination requirements.
Where: International Center for Veterinary Services, Kent Center, 29 Liangmaqiao Road, Anjialou, Chaoyang District
When: October 15, 11 am – noon
Tel: 8456 1939
Cost: free
(By Wei Xi)
Event
September 23, 2011 Filed under Community
Volunteers needed at Beijing Buddies
Anyone willing to offer his or her help is able to make a difference in the lives of migrant children. Sign up for a day, a month or a year. Once a week, Beijing Buddies sends its volunteers to visit partner migrant schools to spend a half-day with the students. All that’s required is enthusiasm.
Where: Volunteers are required to show up at the Guomao subway station, Exit C, at 8:30 am on Saturdays
When: Every Saturday, 8:30 am – 2 pm
Email: dbateman@mcfchina.org
Cost: Free
Mashup co-ed dodgeball
“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball” – so says the coach in the film Dodgeball. Feel free to put the theory to test, as dodgeball is coming to Beijing. This game is a fun way for you to relieve the stress from long hours of work and shut up that friend who never stops talking. This will be the most popular league in the capital, so sign up fast.
Where: Mashup Sport and Social, Dongsi Olympic Community Sports Culture Center
When: Every Monday
Email: info@mashupasia.com
Cost: 500 yuan (eight weeks of play, league shirt and all equipment)
(By Wei Xi)
