Again this week, to help those new arriving expats, we’ve gone a bit overboard with this week’s summer edition. We’ve included free events, unique events, ongoing events, and the best of next week. If you’re a planner at heart, sign up for our Top Picks Newsletter, where we let you know the best of Beijing events significantly far into the future. You’ll never miss out on tickets!
Free Events
The Bookworm’s Weekly SciFi Book Club, Thursdays
Ages 10+. Attendees of the Bookworm’s weekly SciFi Book Club will read a new short story then discuss it during the meeting. Authors previously covered include Greg Egan, Iain M. Banks, Andy Weir, among others. Free. 8-9pm. The Bookworm. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (Wechat: Merukaba, Website)
Maliandao Tea Hour, August 3
All ages. Join a group of tea amateurs on a journey to Maliandao Tea City, where The Hutong’s tea expert will guide you through all the teas and tea regions in China. Free. 10am to 12pm. The Hutong, Dongzhimenwai 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号 (6404 3355, 159 0104 6127, Register here)
Paint Picasso’s Bull and Break a World Record, August 6
All ages. Join 300 other people on a 300 x 300 meter canvas in an attempt to break The Guinness World Record for the most people painting the largest canvas. As the Picasso Exhibition comes to and end Pingo and Riverside Art Museum will join together to celebrate Picasso’s 1945 bull prints which evolved in style and are thought to represent self-portrayals. Free. 8.30am-11am. Riverside Art Museum Riverside East B, Hongyan lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区 弘燕路山水文园东园B区
Lin Zhipeng aka 223, Until August 28
Ages 14+. Guangdong-born photographer 223 (real name Lin Zhiping) has contributed to numerous creative fashion magazines such as Vice and Vision, as well as shooting for brands such as Converse, Nike, and Bacardi. The Carchangdi’s de Sarthe gallery now hosts his solo exhibition displaying his works, which explore topics of Chinese youth hedonism and going against the expectations of middle class dreams. Free. Tuesday to Sunday every week at De Sarthe, 328-D Caochangdi Art District, Chaoyang District 朝阳区草场地艺术区
Learn to Play One Piece on the Piano, Until-August 9
All ages. Learn the basic rules and gain knowledge of music to play a real song or tune on the piano. Free. 10am-8pm. 3/F Solana Children’s City, 6 Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾儿童城三层 (Douban Event Page)
Unique Events
NCPA’s Production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, August 3–7
Ages 5+. Le Nozze di Figaro is one of the most famous operas created by Mozart in 1786 during the summit of his composing life. The whole opera features witty and brisk tones, retaining the artistic style of its original novel, which was written by the French comedy writer Pierre Beaumarchais. The story sets its music on the sharp contrast between the folly and dissipated noble and the smart servant Figaro, molding vivid roles as vibrant and witty Figaro, elegant, and implicit Countess Rosina, intelligent and cute Susanna, and so on. RMB 80-580. 7.30-9.15 pm. National Center For The Performing Arts, 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District 西城区西长安街2号(6655 0000)
PADI DAPI Fish Dance Company Presents: “White Lullaby”, August 6–7
Ages 6+. This children’s drama is just 40 minutes long and has been performed around the world, including Germany and the United States. The show addresses topics such as how one might go about explaining to children why their parents spend large amounts of time at work, and sometimes even leave their home country due to work. How can children still feel their parents’ love when they don’t have a lot of time spent together? RMB 120. 10-10.45am. Holiday Classic Theater Hall 假日经典小剧场, 64 Dongan Gate Street, Wangfujing, 东安门大街64号中国儿童剧场4层 (Purchase Tickets Here)
Cinderella, August 6–7
Ages 2-10. This performance “Cinderella” is brought by the Romanian Children Opera House and will be wonderfully depicted by real people with its director Corina Dumidisko at China Children’s Theater (CCAT), Beijing. Cinderella’s plot will remain unchanged. RMB 180-500. On August 6, there are two performances at 3pm and 7.15pm, and on August 7 the performance is at 3pm. China Children’s Theater 中国儿童剧场, 64 Donganmen Street, Dongcheng District, 东城东安门大街64号(6466 9968 or Buy Tickets Here)
Looking For Hailibu, August 6-7
Ages 3+. Looking for Hailibu is a performance that is based on a Mongolian traditional legend about a hero called Hailibu. The story started with Hailibu saving the dragon king’s daughter. In order to express his gratitude to Hailibu, the king awarded him a dragon pearl that can help him understand what all kinds of animals are saying. Read more about the story here. RMB 100-480. 7.30pm. Jingyan Minzu Wenhuagong Theater, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District 西城复兴门内大街49号 (6466 9968 or Buy Tickets Here)
Ongoing Events
Storytelling in Bookworm Café, Saturdays Until August 6
Ages 5-12. This summer storytelling program runs from July 9 to August 6, and is an interactive English storytelling program that will include brunch, games, and music time. RMB 249 per session with discounts available. The Bookworm (sue@beijingbookworm.com)
Tai Chi Class, Wednesdays Until August 9
Ages 8+. For those who are not familiar with Tai Chi, it can perhaps be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. The Tai Chi course focuses on health cultivation, flow of chi (energy) and meditative exercises for the body. The Tai Chi master speaks English and has rich experience in teaching Westerners. RMB 150. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路,维多利亚花园D4-101 (Register Here)
Calligraphy Class, Tuesdays Until August 9
Ages 8+. The classes are conducted in English. The Four Treasures of the Study- the ink brush, ink, paper, and ink stone are all provided. You don’t have to be able to write Chinese already, just be enthusiastic and willing to hold a brush. Maximum 12 people. RMB 200. 10.30am-Noon. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路,维多利亚花园D4-101
(Register Here)
Art in the Streets, Until August 24
Ages 8+. Curator Magda Danysz says, “Street art is unquestionably, for who wants to see, the most important artistic movement of the early twenty-first century. For some this is not yet obvious. Time will teach them.” Open everyday except Mondays and Sundays. RMB 15. 9.30am-5.30pm. CAFA Art Museum (6477 1575)
Hi, Beijing Children’s Acrobatic Show, Until August 31
Ages 4+. This troupe uses acrobatics, aerial acts, farces, magic, and jugglers to bring alive the story of Marco Polo, who first visited Beijing in 1215, but comes back to modern Beijing to view its modern day developments. RMB 180. China’s National Children’s Center Theater, 43 Western Road, Ping’anli, Xicheng District, 西城区平安里西大街43号 (138 0106 7568)
Best of Next Week
Second International Foodie Weekend, August 13-14
Ages 6+. With foodie passports in tow, festival goers will be set upon a culinary journey: Bite-sized delicacies representing cuisines from over 20 different countries and regions will be on offer. Current vendor count is 67! RMB 30 (One Day Pass), RMB 45 (Two Day Pass). 11am-8pm. We suggest families with kids in tow leave by 5pm before the Bar and Club Awards, and that they use discretion in coming as drinking is a large part of this event. Sanlitun Soho, South side of Gongti Beilu, across from Sanlitun Taikooli, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工人体育场北路8号院 (But tickets here)
Japan’s Smiling Cats Society Presents “Scrap Metal”, August 13-14
Ages 3+. Set in a garbage dump, Qianxun see strange things and then suddenly boarding a space ship with quirky astronauts. Follow her one-hour journey into Space with music and laughter. RMB 120. 10-11am. Holiday Classic Theatre Hall. 东安门大街64号中国儿童剧场4层 (Buy Tickets Here)
Photos: Public Domain, Wikipedia, Piao.com, and theBeijinger