Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids!

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.

Fun for the Family

Cirque du Soleil’s Toruk: The First Flight, Aug 1-12
All ages. This summer will be particularly epic as the renowned theater company Cirque de Soleil brings to Beijing Toruk: The First Flight, inspired by the sci-fi epic film, Avatar. RMB 280-780 (buy tickets here). 3pm performance (Sat, Sun) and 7.30pm performance (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat). Cadillac Arena, 69 Fuxing Road, Haidian District.

Schönbrunn Schlosstheater: The Magic Flute & Hansel and Gretel, Aug 3-5
All ages. The Magic Flute is one of Mozart’s operas, telling a tale about Prince Tamino taking risks to save his beloved Pamina. This production takes the form of a puppet performance, in order to encourage in children an appreciation of opera. Meanwhile, Hansel and Gretel is a traditional German story that comes from the Grimms’ Fairy Tales. See these two classic tales for children at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). RMB 100-500 (buy tickets here). 7.30pm. NCPA.

NCPA International Children’s Theatre Festival 2018: Me and My Shadow, Aug 3-4
All ages. Me and My Shadow is presented in the form of a visual poem for children. The performance tells its story using the languages of paper, light, shadow, color, water, music, sound and words. With fantastical imagery, quirky physical performances, and an intriguing score, Me and My Shadow seeks to ignite the imaginations of children in a poetical experience that explores the frustrations and joys of friendship. RMB 180-300 (buy tickets here). 7.30pm. NCPA.

Music Workshop for Children, Aug 13-17
All ages. Blossom School and Crescendo Studio present this five-day music workshop for children at the brand new Blossom School in CBD. Students will learn music theory, percussion, singing, piano, and music history in small groups. Lessons are available in English, French, and Chinese courtesy of Zoe Wang, a professional musician and founder of Crescendo Studios. RMB 2,000. 9.30-11.30am. Blossom School. (132 4195 4449, 135 2211 9535)

Markets and Fairs

The Beijing Flea Market, Aug 25
All ages. The Beijing Flea Market is back for its summer edition at a new location in TechTemple Sanlitun Lounge on August 25. This is Beijing’s one-stop shop for all things made in Beijing, with more than 40 vendors featuring some of the best local, independent design and crafts from both established and emerging makers. Shoppers will also find baked goods, delicious small-batch homemade jams, drinks and more! Free admission. Noon-6pm. TechTemple Sanlitun (just behind QMex). (WeChat ID: Thebeijingfleamarket)

Roundabout Book Fair at BSB Shunyi, Aug 25
All ages. Roundabout and The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi hold a book fair with thousands of gently-used books for the whole family in many languages and genres. Paperbacks from RMB 10, hardbacks from RMB 20, kids’ books from RMB 1. Every single RMB raised at the fair will directly help a child in need. Free admission. 10am-3pm. BSB, Shunyi. (8047 3588, marketing@bsbshunyi.com).

WAB Community Picnic: Future Adventures, Aug 25
All ages. Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) welcomes friends and families of the school community to campus to enjoy a day of fun on Tiger Field. Games and activities will be set up for kids of all ages to enjoy, and you can also enjoy a variety of your favorite local vendors, as well as live music and arts performances. Free admission. WAB. (WeChat ID: WAB_Chat, 5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu)

Dine Out

Tianmi Bakery Brunch Takeover, Aug 18
All ages. Have your cake and eat it too at this delicious brunch extravaganza. Think savory, bacon-y, tasty and of course, sweet. Starts 10am. For more information or to make reservations, contact Arcade by Hatchery at 6500 2884.

BenCham Presents “A Dutch Night”, Aug 31
Adults. BenCham invites everyone to a special evening with a Dutch-themed dinner at Cindy’s Umami by Han, the first modern Dutch restaurant brand in Beijing that features a creative fusion between Western and Asian cuisines. Dutch Michelin star chefs Han Ji and Frank Naar have developed a creative western-style cuisine according to the oriental “five elements theory”, which highlights the original taste of all ingredients with a signature sour twist that will please the taste buds. RMB 499 (buy tickets here). 6-10pm. Cindy’s Umami By Han.

Work Your Body

Yoga Chinese with Zhao: 4hr Workshop at Taozi Tree Yoga, Aug 14 and 21
Adults. Learn how to teach yoga in Chinese at this 4-hour workshop offered by Taozi Tree Yoga. In two sets of two-hour classes (total 4 hours), participants will learn how to use accurate pronunciation and proper Chinese expressions to teach yoga, while deepening their understanding of yoga. This is a course to help you build a connection with Chinese students. RMB 550 (register here). 7.30-9.30pm. A.C. Embassy Hotel (A.C. Art Museum Hotel).

Yummy Flying Therapeutics with Justine, Aug 18
Adults. Explore the restorative elements of therapeutic flying and experience deep release with the support of a partner. As a flyer or receiver, participants will learn to use gravity and suspend their bodies to give a yummy flying yoga therapy. RMB 300-350. 1-4pm. Yoga Yard.

Feed Your Mind

3e Tea Talk: Separation Anxiety, Aug 21
Adults. 3e International School’s Tea Talk for August helps parents understand more about separation anxiety, which will provide strategies for parents and teachers about how to support children at home and school, circumstances where you may need to seek experts’ help, and intervention strategies. Presented by Ru-Chi Yang, lead psychologist and consultant at LIH Olivia’s Place. Free admission. 9-10.30am. 3e International School. (community@3einternationalschool.org)

Positive Discipline in the Classroom with Pauline Cuevas, Aug 2-4
Adults. This three-day interactive bilingual workshop is designed for teachers, counselors, school staff and administrators who want an effective discipline approach which integrates social and emotional learning while reducing challenging student behaviors. For more information, contact Rebecca at 13071162353 (phone/WeChat)

When Should My Child Start Getting Braces? Aug 18
Adults. IDC Dental will give an in-house presentation to parents about getting kids started on orthodontics. Chief Doctor and CEO Dr. Jaclyn Dam-Laute will also answer questions that will help parents make an informed decision about their children’s oral health. Coffee and snacks will also be provided and those who attend the event get to take home a goodie bag full of pleasant surprises. Free admission but pre-registration required). 2pm-4pm. IDC Dental. (6538 8111, info@idcdentalbj.com)

Cub Scouts Registration, Aug 18
Kids 5+. Boys and girls aged 5 to 11 who are looking for excitement, fun, and to make new friends are invited to sign up for Cub Scouts at International School of Beijing (ISB). Cub Scouts work through a series of “adventures,” earning awards until they’ve succeeded in graduating their year group. Membership is open to all boys and girls, regardless of nationality or school attended, with one important proviso: under Chinese law, the child must hold a foreign (non-Chinese) passport with a valid visa in order to join. This rule is strictly enforced and there are no exceptions. You’ll also need evidence of your health insurance, and annual fees of RMB 1,200. 10am. ISB. (www.beijingcubscouts.com)

Girl Scout Registration, Aug 25
All ages. This year’s Girl Scout registration event for the new school year takes place at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB). on August 25. Troops meet downtown and in Shunyi at various locations. The Girl Scouts team will also be recruiting leaders for newly forming troops. Girl Scouts is open to foreign passport holders only. RMB 2,000 (new members), RMB 1,700 (girls who don’t need a uniform). WAB. (Amy Kennedy: 185 1505 3922, beijinggirlscouts@usagso.org)

INN Arrival Survival, Aug 27
All ages. One such organization that has been operating for quite a long time to help foreigners adjust to life in Beijing is the International Newcomers Network (INN). They host the INN Arrival Survival on August 27 where you will not only be connected with others in the same boat but also receive invaluable information to help you better get to know your new host city. Topics covered will include safety in the city, avoiding counterfeits, water and air purification systems, the stresses of settling into Beijing, health insurance, WeChat pay, and financial planning among many others. RMB 75 and open only to foreign passport holders. 10am-noon. Function Rm, 3/F, Athletic Center, Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区新源南路6号京城大厦康乐中心3层  (8486 2225 ext 110) 

Upcoming Events (September-October)

Farm to Table Dinner at The Brickyard, Sep 8
Adults. Join Schoolhouse partners for cocktails and cooking at Brickyard Retreat at 7pm, followed by dinner served by the chef right in the kitchen. The Schoolhouse Partner’s Table dinners are personally hosted by Schoolhouse partners, and showcase seasonal and local ingredients from their own gardens, neighbors, and producers in the area. RMB 368 per person for pre-dinner cocktail and canapes, set menu, and wine pairing. Limited to 12 guests. 7.30-11.30pm. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall.

Women’s Retreat Beijing: Be You Revive!, Sep 16-17
Adults. Give the woman in your life a rejuvenating and reviving break, and send her off for the Be You Revive! Following a successful Mother’s Day retreat in May, “Be You” returns this autumn and promises to nourish the body and soul of the participating ladies. The revival cycle takes place on Sep 16-17 in the luxurious surroundings of Singing Deer Lodge, and includes activities like yoga, sip and paint, hiking on the Great Wall, a workshop with a life coach, a goodie bag, and more surprises! Secure your spot today with RMB 100 non-refundable deposit. Check out beijingmothersguild.com for more details. Singing Deer Lodge. (WeChat: BerryThoughtfulLife, paulus155, pflivanhasselt@yahoo.com)

Riviera Chic Bazaar, Sep 19-20
All ages. Riviera Chic brings together top local independent designers who focus on authenticity, specialization, and quality, ideal for the discerning shopper. From on-trend fashion, amazing jewelry, and handmade luxurious textiles, to excellent skin-care products, this market will provide you with some of Beijing’s best quality vendors. Riviera Chic is also committed to supporting local charities in the community. Free admission. 10am-4pm. Beijing Riviera Clubhouse.

The Bookworm Curio Market, Sep 22-24
All ages. The Bookworm is hosting its first-ever Curio Market on September 22-24. Come and explore and lose yourself among the purveyors of all that is curious, wonderful, artistic, and delicious in Beijing. Book lovers, old China hands, newcomers, students, and business travelers alike are invited to come together at the market. Free admission. The Bookworm. (JC Zhang: 158 1071 3743, mr_j.c.zhang@hotmail.com)

Positive Discipline in Early Childhood Education with Steven Foster, Oct 2-4
Adults. This three-day interactive bilingual workshop is designed for early childhood educators, teachers, and caregivers who work with children from birth to six years of age. For more information contact, Rebecca at 13071162353 (phone/WeChat).

10th China RIE Foundations: Theory and Observation, Oct 29-Nov 2 and Nov 5-7
Adults. This rich curriculum is beneficial for both parents and professionals who live or work with infants and toddlers. It is presented in a friendly, informal atmosphere where participants will be encouraged to ask questions and receive guidance. Contact 159 0125 0981 for more info about the lectures and prices. Green Garden Nursery Beijing.

Roundabout 10th Anniversary Charity Gala Ball, Oct 19
Adults. Roundabout’s 10th anniversary Charity Gala Ball’s focus will be to raise money for all the children they support. Gala sponsor ifeng.com will broadcast the event live on their website and on Phoenix TV. There will be an amazing raffle, silent and live auctions, and entertainment from our international community. RMB 1,100. 6pm. Hyatt Regency Wangjing.

Photos: wendyperrin.com, courtesy of event organizers

Summer is peak season for films of every genre, with everything from action movies to comedies competing to capture the attention of the audience. Nowadays, 3D films are the norm but do you remember the first ever 3D film you saw?

When James Cameron’s Avatar was released in 2010, it revolutionized 3D film. Overnight, the IMAX screens that had hit Shanghai way back in 2003 became a hot destination, with queues of people forming outside to see the film. 3D film had cemented its popularity with Chinese cinema-goers. Eight years later, we are still patiently waiting for Avatar 2, for 3D technology to take us back to the alien world of Pandora. However, an even more exciting surprise has emerged, one that will bring viewers face to face with the world of Avatar.

James Cameron and renowned Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil have come together to create TORUK – The First Flight, a dazzling live theater production that takes viewers back thousands of years before the events of Avatar. Landing in Beijing this summer, TORUK – The First Flight is set to astound and delight audiences.

Show Overview

TORUK – The First Flight is a live immersive multimedia spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s Avatar like you have never seen it before.

Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry, and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and “makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.

This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.

Set Design and Props

Pandora is a fictional moon orbiting the gas giant Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri system, the closest star system to our sun. It is home to the Na’vi, a highly spiritual people with a deep connection to nature. The moon’s environments range from tropical rainforest and equatorial desert to boreal forest, mountains, ocean shorelines, wetlands, and archipelago. Nature galore! As there are no constructions on Pandora, Set Designer Car Filion made it a point to avoid straight lines and to use only curvy, organic lines in his designs.

Costumes and Makeup

When she took on the challenge of interpreting for the stage the animated characters in Avatar through costumes, Costume Designer Kym Barrett set out to respect the dress codes established by James Cameron’s team without copying exactly what was done in the movie. “While we worked within the parameters of Pandora, we had room to create our own version of the mythical first flight,” says Kym.

Puppets

When he dreamed up Avatar, James Cameron created a coherent, highly structured world with its own set of codes and natural laws, including a living, breathing ecosystem with an exotic fauna. When the creators of TORUK – The First Flight decided to evoke the creatures of Pandora on stage through the art of puppetry they could easily have turned to animatronics-animal figures animated by means of electromechanical devices. Instead, they chose to create bona fide puppets where the strings, rod or controls are intentionally left visible and the puppeteers are in full view.

Kites

In the show, vigorous multicolored kites glide gracefully up above then swoop down banking hard right and left in the blink of an eye, rising up again in power climbs before falling into spins and pulling out mere inches from the ground. On stage, these ingenious contraptions are the physical manifestations of the Banshees that roam the Pandoran sky.

In essence, the kites in the show are the avatars of these winged predators. They are not mere tethered constructions; they are creatures of Pandora involved in the story. As such, they need to connect with the audience on an emotional level, particularly during the scenes with the trio.

Cirque du Soleil at a Glance

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 155 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents.

Cirque du Soleil TORUK – The First Flight World Tour 2018, Beijing, Aug 1-12
All ages. The show duration is 100 minutes with an interval; house opens 30 minutes before the show starts. The language of production is in Chinese but bilingual (English/Chinese) subtitles are also available. Visit this link to purchase tickets (details of summer deals below) and see the performance schedules.

This post is provided by the Cirque du Soleil
Photos courtesy of the Cirque du Soleil

This summer will be particularly epic as the renowned theater production Cirque de Soleil brings to Beijing Toruk: The First Flight, inspired by the groundbreaking sci-fi epic film, Avatar.

Toruk: The First Flight, a prequel set 3,000 years before the events in the mega-blockbuster film, features four main characters who set out on a quest to save the Na’vi race from a natural catastrophe.

We all know that a Cirque du Soleil production is synonymous with grandness but their show masters said they have stepped it up in Toruk: The First Flight to give a unique experience to their audiences. The production itself features a crew of more than 60 artists, acrobats, singers and musical directors, percussionists, puppeteers, choreographers, and sound and light engineers from around the globe, and deploys a huge screen area the size of five Imax screens, over 40 projectors, and motion sensors that correspond to the movement of artists.

Beijingkids caught up with the team’s company manager Michael Veilleux and publicist Janie Mallet and they explained more about their upcoming performance of Toruk: The First Flight in Beijing.

Tell us why it took so long before you brought Toruk: The First Flight to Beijing?
Veilleux: In general, we start in North America, then after that we go internationally, and then we finish in Europe. Sometimes it differs depending on the shows. We have 10 touring shows that go around the world, so there’s a lot of logistics in that. We took the opportunity to go to Sanya first (on February 1 to May 1), and then the plan was to go here and then to Shanghai.

There’s a lot of films that could be adapted into a theatrical production, so I wonder why you guys chose Avatar?
Veilleux: The principal point was we had a creative team who saw the movie and found out that Jim (James Cameron) and his creativity really merged well with ours (Cirque du Soleil). So, we went to see him and pitched the idea. Remember that Jim has collaborated with us on previous 3D films like Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away, and others, so it’s not our first collaboration with him. And this means, for us, our ability to continue to innovate and to do something different from what we’ve done before.

Mallet: The collaboration with James, from the very beginning, took five years, before we first premiered 2.5 years ago. He is so amazing and generous that he gave us access to documents of Avatar. This is very important because it allowed us to invent new creatures and characters. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen Avatar because Toruk is effectively a prequel set 3,000 years before the movie.

Avatar is a well-known movie so do you think it’s a challenge adopting its storyline and turning it into a theater production?
Veilleux: It’s a step by step process. The movie itself talks about the story that we also tell. In that sense, it’s a collaborative process that has various phases of creation.

Mallet: We’ve been creating shows for 30 years so it’s not anything that’s unknown. Facing those challenges as Michael was saying was often a way to go further. For our show, we were the first of Cirque du Soleil to actually use the whole arena space. It’s a large space to fill and with inspiration from Avatar, we knew that projections will play a very important role. So for the first time, for Cirque du Soleil as well, and probably for any type of performance like this, having five Imax screens worth of projection space was in itself a challenge: it’s heavy on the floor, it has 40 projectors and some of them weigh 600 pounds. So it’s a lot of technical elements that we have to bring up but the results are stunning visually so it was very worth it.

Cirque du Soleil deployed a huge screen area worth the size of five Imax screens, over 40 projectors, and motion sensors that correspond to the movement of artists.

We know that Cirque du Soleil production have stunning acrobatic displays and performances. I’ve read a lot of reviews that said Toruk is not a usual Cirque du Soleil production. Why is that so?
Veilleux: Exactly. This is, again, one of our abilities to create and innovate. And in this case, Toruk provides a storyline, so that’s why we have a storyteller. If you recall in the movie, when they’re in the Home Tree, the Chief talks about the story about the first Toruk Makto and the scene lasted about 30 seconds. In Toruk, we’re telling that story and we’ve tied that in the movie. Our goal here is to tell a story, not just to present acrobatics. So that’s why the acrobatics in Toruk is a supporting element linked with all the projection and puppetry that makes the show so unique. We have the ability to bring a prequel to life. And bringing Avatar to life was actually one of the privileges because you’ll see the puppets are big and you see the kites fly above the audience members; they’re just amazing elements that you don’t see in other shows.

Mallet: All the movements of the artists are linked to the projection. We have 40 projectors, large-scale puppets, the biggest of which is a 115kg revolving skeleton called Toruk. It was created specifically for the show. It’s taking traditional circus and acrobatics to another level. There’s a lot of firsts for us. There’s a lot of new surprises and all the spectacle provides an experience that is very family-friendly.

16 large-scale puppets represent the creatures of Pandora. Black-clad, shadow-like puppeteers represent the spirit of Eywa, the Na’vi’s guiding force.

What do you expect from your Chinese audience?
Veilleux: Well, I expect them to be coming from a family perspective. In that sense, our Chinese audience is very similar to other cultures or countries that we’ve been to around the world, for example, Mexico and the Philippines. In those shows, we’ve had that chance to see kids laughing at certain moments and get really excited. We just hope that our Chinese audience will be able to feel our creative juices.

Mallet: Research shows that Avatar has been a popular movie in China! We have that connection already and we feel that Toruk is a great show to bring to the Chinese audience.

There will be a scene in which a large kite traction hovers above the audience, making them feel the gust of wind the kite makes.

What will be the preparations for your grand premiere on August 1?
Veilleux: Normally, we will work with our building team to try to get the specs of the building. We will plan for the logistics of the show. The rehearsal period lasts for two to five days, depending on how much time we’re off before. We plan to add workshops to our local staff in the city at the beginning of our run to get everybody back into shape and hopefully if we make any changes.

Anything you want to say to your Beijing audience before your grand premiere?
Veilleux: We cannot wait to show Toruk to everyone! We’re so excited to be here!

Toruk: The First Flight, Aug 1-12
All ages. RMB 280-780. 3pm performance (Sat, Sun) and 7.30pm performance (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat). Cadillac Arena, 69 Fuxing Road, Haidian District. For more information and to book tickets, visit this page.

Photos: Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil