The end of the year is a gala season and Beijing has no shortage of fabulous black-tie charity events for you to choose from. This month for Indulge, I’m excited to feature my good friend, and mom to three handsome boys, Elisabeth Kang, who essentially attends every gala in the city.

Already a Laurent Falcon regular, Kang met the beijingkids team at Laurent Falcon in Sanlitun for a makeover that’s worthy of any red carpet.

One of the things we love about Laurent Falcon is that their stylists will never try to push any current trend on their guests. It’s just a fact that the same hairstyle isn’t going to work for every person, and having a hair dresser who doesn’t try to convince you to get the most recent hair trend saves you a lot of stress and frustration.

What Kang asked for was unconventional, but Laurent Falcon was able to deliver exactly what she pictured. She asked for a blonde balayage color fade with no additional treatment to her roots so that her natural grey hairs could still visibly grow out. Not every woman is trying to hide their age. Some wear their grey hairs proudly.

Spending the day at Laurent Falcon watching her get her hair done was surprisingly fun! The hair salon has a brand new cocktail menu with delicious options for their guests (and guests’ guests) to enjoy, they also added some of the best salon furniture, so it was very comfortable for me to wait. Which brings me back to charity galas. It’s always more fun to attend these events with your closest friends, and getting ready together is one of the best parts. With a salon that will make you over from head to toe all while providing you with endless cocktails, more of us should make pre-party group pampering a part of our holiday gala tradition.

Following hair and makeup at Laurent Falcon, Kang showed off one of her favorite formal wear looks – a custom-made embroidered skirt paired with a simple gold top and handmade fascinator to bring the whole look together. Looking like a golden trophy, this beautiful mom is ready for any party this city throws her way.

Hair: Laurent Falcon, French Style Salon F/2, Sanlitun North Street South www.laurent-falcon.com (6409 4243) Wardrobe: Hat by Elisabeth Koch Millinery Location: Hulu by TRB

This article appeared in the beijingkids December 2019 Giving Back issue

Titanic the Musical

12 Nov 2019 – 24 Nov 2019 | 2:30 PM-7:30 PM

Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre Grand Theatre – Building 9, Tianqiao Nan Dajie Xicheng Beijing

RMB 180 – 880

All ages. Titanic the Musical comes to Beijing! Everyone probably knows the story of the unsinkable ship, the RMS Titanic, sinking on its maiden voyage, costing the lives of 1,517 people. This musical brings the stunning story to life, based on real people aboard the ship and their varying dreams and reasons for being on the Titanic. The original Broadway performance won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book. This new production from London has similarly won critical acclaim from across the world. Buy your tickets here.

RMB 180 – 880. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre Grand Theatre.

The Future of Education Now Conference

For grades 7 and up. Interested in attending one of the world’s leading educational conferences? Get your tickets today. The Future of Education Now is a festival/conference that emphasizes learning in today’s modern world. Attend workshops, and presentations from some of the world’s leading innovators and disruptors in international education. School leaders from all over the world will share their best practices and visions on what learning now should look like. Click here to get more information and to register.

RMB 500. WAB parents and student tickets are available at reduced rates. Registration needed. Western Academy of Beijing.

Mindful Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop

Parents. Have you ever felt lost when dealing with your child? You are not alone. Every parent feels like this sometimes. This workshop focuses on mindfulness practices to help manage your anger while learning better techniques for managing your child’s behavior. Learn to respond positively rather than react in anger. Help yourself develop a daily meditation practice that you can use for the rest of your life. This is is a six-week workshop held on:

September 12 and 19
October 17 and 31
November 7 and 14

Scan the QR Code in the poster for more information.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SPREE

Are you new to Beijing? Or perhaps this is your first Christmas here. You haven’t the slightest idea about where to possibly get your yearly Christmas gifts and decorations? Well, worry no more. International Newcomers Network of Beijing has organized a Christmas Shopping spree for you and the entire family. Come browse at your leisure and experience the joy of Christmas shopping. From vintage clothes to Christmas decorations, all your festive shopping desires are sure to be met.

Rumble in the Jumble

This month’s Rumble in the Jumble is taking place on November 16 at That’s Mandarin, in Dongzhimen.

German Ball Beijing 2019

The German Chamber of Commerce in China – North China is excited to invite you to the 19th German Ball 2019, the largest social event for the German community in Beijing. Join the celebration of  the 100th anniversary of the most influential modern design school of the 20th century – the Bauhaus in Germany. Get prepared for an immersive experience into the Haus of Art – a world full of imagination that is shaped by triangles, squares and circles.

The night’s festivities include an exclusive gala dinner served by some of Bejing’s best chefs, with a fine selection of wines by Bremer Ratskeller, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 600 year tradition in wine trading, to be followed by a mesmerizing performance by the Bauhaus ballets. After all this, dance the night away to the beats of the German live band “Lounge Society” and DJ AIDA.

Scan QR code to book your spot.

Distinguished Speaker Series: Anton Nel

Join the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) for an intimate concert and discussion with Anton Nel. Nel is a world-renowed classical pianist and winner of the 1987 Naumburg International Piano Competition. His remarkable and multifaceted career spans five continents and four decades. It includes the release of several solo albums and performances with some of the globe’s most famous symphonies and orchestras. The concert will start at 5pm and last for an hour, and will be followed by an hour and a half talk. Please contact wabinfo@wab.edu for more information.

Free. 5pm – 7.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing, Blu Theater. 

3e Tea Talk: Assess & Address Learning Disabilities in Young Children

Adults. This 3e International School Tea Talk will focus on childhood learning disabilities, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Parents can learn how to recognize and assess any learning deficits and become equipped with strategies, interventions, and a multi-disciplinary approach to address any issues and provide support to their children. Click here for more information. Presenter: Dr Ira Canada, 3e Learning Support Specialist.

Free, registration needed. 9am – 10.30am. 3e International School. 

Suicide Prevention Workshop

Counselors, therapists, teacher, people who work with vulnerable groups. Lifeline and Livingworks are hosting an “Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)” session in Beijing. They have held ASIST courses in Shanghai for many years, but this is the first time it has come to Beijing. The workshop provides valuable skills training on how to spot someone who is at risk for suicide and how to support them. It also helps remind people of the benefits of working together to help keep people safe. ASIST is an internationally accredited course and space is limited. Go here to learn more or email director@lifeline-shanghai.com. If you need someone to talk to call 400 821 1215.

RMB 3,200 (before Oct 23) RMB 3,800. All day.

BSB Shunyi Secondary Production Little Shop of Horror

Come and see this exciting show performed by the secondary students of The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Sunyi). With music and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, this show will surely entertain. This musical stars Seymour, a shy shop assistant whose life completely changes after finding a strange plant. Expect the unexpected and enjoy the sensational 60s style music and dance along the way! There are three performances: Nov 23 at 2pm and 7pm and Nov 24 at 2pm.

RMB 65 (kids) – 100 (adults). 2pm and 7pm. www.bsbshunyi.com. BSB Shunyi Campus.

Photos:The Toronto Star, public.1871.com,heymama.co, Chicago Tribune, longislandadvance.net, Courtesy of event organizers

Marking the beginning of social gala season was this year’s British Ball, held at Kerry Hotel Beijing. The theme was the Swinging Sixties, and the Beijing community came together for a night of shagadelic fun and, most importantly, fundraising for two organizations that have been giving back so much to the community – China Association of SOS Children’s Villages and Gift of Life.

Founded by Hermann Gmeiner in Austria in 1949, SOS Children’s Village is active in 135 countries and territories around the world, helping thousands of children each year through school, health centers, family strengthening and alternative care programs, and other community-based work.

Gift of Life (GOL) is a Rotary supported organization that has evolved over the past four decades into a global network caring for children with medical needs. Rotary works with Hebei Shijiazhuang Paediatric Hospital in a GOL outreach program by sending pediatric urologist surgeons to the rural areas to examine children with defects, educating families about seeking medical treatment from experts, and providing clinical training to rural county surgeons, as well as covering the cost of surgeries.

The British Ball is organized by volunteers by representatives of the British community and was hosted by the Chair of the Organising Committee, Russell Brown OBE of LehmanBrown, and Steven Lynch, Vice-Chair and Managing Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in China. The night started with bubbles and the Beijing Beatles, then with an outstanding performance by the choir of The British School of Beijing Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) singing some of our all-time classic favorites, and followed by three hours of live music by BigCityBeat.

Since the first Ball back in the 1990s, the British Ball has been an annual event that expats and locals alike look forward to each autumn. Since 2003 all net proceeds from the British Ball have been given to a chosen good causes, including those raised through auctioning and raffling items donated to the event by generous businesses in and around China.

Guests wined and dined throughout the night while indulging in 60s nostalgia, from lava lamps to flower power, ending with a breakfast for the true party champions at 4am. Groovy, ba-by!

If you were not there, make sure that you look out for next year’s event, which takes place always around the end of October.

Photos: Provided by organizer
This article appeared in the beijingkids November 2019 Beijing baba issue

The World Volleyball League (WVBL) is hosting a fundraising Gala at Oh Yeah! Brewery on Saturday, December 14. WVBL is a group of people aiming to positively impact the Beijing community through organizing banquets, tournaments, and other social events that bring people together to make a difference in the world around us.

WVBL supports various charities in a multitude of ways and this year they are hosting a Holiday Gala! This Gala will be supporting the fantastic organization The Lost Puppies of Beijing (LP)! The Lost Puppies of Beijing is a group of volunteers focused on rescuing and homing dogs in Beijing. What was once a few rescuers in 2018 has evolved into a large network of volunteers and foster families. Lost Puppies has rescued and homed over 100 dogs and is working hard at finding permanent homes for their current rescues while taking in new dogs every day. LP relies 100 percent on donations and all the money collected goes to treatments for the dogs they rescue. Treatments for dogs vary from spay and neuter surgery, to vaccinations, to treating very expensive and deadly diseases like canine distemper and parvovirus.

Awen is just one of many puppies available for adoption through Lost Puppies

In support of all things fluffy and cute, WVBL extends an invite to everyone, whether you play a sport or just love animals, to come and support a great cause. Join them on December 14th at Oh Yeah! Brewery where there will be a three-course buffet, live band, and a silent auction. Tickets also include two drinks. RMB 50 of each ticket and proceeds from the silent auction go directly towards The Lost Puppies of Beijing. People are also welcomed to donate merchandise from their sports teams or bars to the silent auction. Tickets are RMB 275 before November 10, afterwards they will be RMB 300. Discounted tickets are available to registered players. Arrival will start at 5.30pm with dining beginning at 6pm, and the event ends at 9pm. This is a black tie and evening gown event! So bring your best outfits.

WVBL Holiday Charity Gala, Dec 14

Adults. RMB 275 (early bird) 300 regular. Scan the QR Code in the poster below to buy tickets or call 6566 0509.  5.30-9pm. Oh Yeah! Brewery 128 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区建国路128号中航工业

Photo credit: Auna Harris, event organizer 

Even if the coldest times of the year are coming and we’ll be staying indoors most of the time, there are still reasons to go out and find warmth out in the big city. Several community organizations and establishments will be holding fundraisers for the disadvantaged people and non-profit groups they support. What’s more, these gala balls and banquets celebrate the community spirit shared by people of different backgrounds and cultures in Beijing.

Roundabout 10th Anniversary Charity Gala Ball, Oct 19
The focus of Roundabout’s 10th anniversary Charity Gala Ball 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. Adults. RMB 1,100. 6pm. Hyatt Regency Wangjing. (theroundaboutball@outlook.com)

SwedCham 20 Years – The Great Gatsby Anniversary Gala, Oct 20
SwedCham China invites everyone to this special occasion at the Wanda Vista Hotel in Beijing. A grand evening awaits, filled with the 1920s glamour of The Great Gatsby, prestigious entertainment, an exquisite Swedish menu, and the stars that have followed the Chamber through the years. SwedCham hopes that you will join them to celebrate their 20 years in business! Adults. RMB 1,100 (member), RMB 1,500 (non-member). Dress code is 1920’s Black Tie 6.30pm-late. Wanda Vista.

British Ball 2018: The Knight’s Tale, Oct 20
This year’s British Ball theme is “The Knight’s Tale”, the first tale from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, written in the 14th century. Attendees are highly encouraged to dress in this fashion during the event. Founded in 1998, The British Ball is an annual fundraiser dinner aiming to raise money for worthy causes in the spirit of fun, while celebrating Britishness in Beijing. Adults. RMB 1,550. Dress code: Black tie and ball gown. Visit this page for more details. 6.30pm. Kerry Hotel.

WAB Gala 2018: Shanghai Swing, Oct 27
Travel back in time to 1920s Shanghai, where glitz, glamor, and swanky jazz create a swingin’ scene. Western Academy of Beijing’s gala takes place at the Beijing Four Seasons Hotel, with live and silent auctions, entertainment, fine dining, dancing, and more. Funds raised from the gala will support the NewBlu, a refurbishment project of the school’s beloved Blu Theater. All ages. RMB 1,200 (individual tickets), RMB 11,000 (table for 10 guests). 6pm. Beijing Four Seasons Hotel.

Chi Fan for Charity 2018, Nov 10
The 2018 Chi Fan for Charity Committee is proud to announce that after a rigorous selection process, Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC) has been selected as the recipient of charity funds to be raised at the November 10 citywide event. EGRC is a China-based Canadian charity established in 2005, which provides higher education to financially-challenged women from rural parts of the country. They will use CFFC funds to sponsor 10 female students to finish their four-year university education within the greater Beijing area. Adults. For more details about bookings and sponsorships, visit this page. Venue TBA. (chifanforcharity@outlook.com)

Photos: Courtesy of Chi Fan for Charity and featured gala organizers

Getting ready to go to a ball, gala, or other special occasions? When getting dolled up for a formal occasion, your hair is often the last thing you want to think about, and can often be the most stressful aspect of your look.

Blow+Bar, a Singaporean lifestyle groom bar that offers everything from haircuts to perms, blowouts, updos, coloring, highlights, and even nails, is the perfect one-stop-shop to get ready before a big night out. And best of all, you’ve got access to wine and bubbly while you’re relaxing and getting ready; the ultimate hair, nails, and predrink solution.

We talked to Ashley Soh, co-founder of Blow+Bar, to find out more about getting an updo done at Blow+Bar in Beijing, how Blow+Bar differs from other hair salons throughout Beijing, and what styles they offer for people with different types of hair. We also got to see first-hand – courtesy of our two more than willing models – what some of their updos look like, and how they can transform you ahead of a night out.

Before the updo

Before the updo

“We’re different [from other salons]because the environment here is different, it’s much more chilled and we serve free wine and bubbly,” Soh tells us. “We have our own collection in our look book, from perms, to highlights, and color.”

A tousled updo

The look book is an easy tool for those who aren’t very familiar with updos, detailing the various styles with pictures for easier reference (RMB 248-498 depending on the style). You can also bring a photo in if you’ve seen a style somewhere else that you want to try, and the entire process should only take approximately one hour.

Sideswept waves

“We are very consumer oriented, so our styles and looks are created with the consumer in mind, whereas most other hair salons create their styles with the hairdressers in mind; what the hairdressers are good at, and what they think is nice,” Soh says of their approach that has won the brand awards from magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Elle in Singapore.

An elaborate updo

And even if you have shorter hair, not all is lost. There are still plenty of updo styles available to you, like a wavy Gatsby-style updo, or a sidesweep or a low chignon to have you feeling glamorous.

Ready for a glamorous night out

Best of all, Blow+Bar has 30 percent off all services throughout until the end of April, making it even easier to take the dive and head in with your friends to get ready for your next formal occasion. Given Beijing’s relatively dry weather conditions leading up to summer, you can get your tresses ready up to five hours before an occasion, leaving plenty of time for you to focus on your outfit and makeup, or just simply relax.

Models are Emma Qi and Alina Galkina. The dresses in this shoot were provided by Linvina Bridal and makeup by Frau Romanova. Photos by Uni You.

This post is sponsored by Blow+Bar. 

This article first appeared on our sister website, The Beijinger.

Here at beijingkids we thought we’d help our readers get ready for all of the upcoming galas and banquets with an apparel makeover, especially since the gala season in Beijing doesn’t end until the summer lull.
We took Dawn Davison to Linlin Wu of Linvina Bridal, which carries custom and premade wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and evening wear. While at this special edition makeover, Davison mentioned she was planning to go to the British Ball and had already picked out several dresses borrowed from a friend.“Many think that red and blue both look great on me and I also think green because of my hair,” Davison piped.  She added later that she doesn’t consider herself fashionable and typically is willing to let her hair and makeup stylists do whatever they want before a banquet. Wu agreed, “Yes, I think red and blue both would look good, but I would say to avoid lighter colors since your skin tone is so light.”
Davison picked out dresses she liked first and then started trying them on, one by one. Wu stayed by her the whole time, helping her make sure the fit was appropriate, commenting on the style and how it looked on Davison’s body. “I know many people have different style ideas and so sometimes I’ll wait until a client says, ‘Ok, you’re the designer, you tell me how this looks,’” she continued, “I feel really bad when the dress looks awkward on my client’s body, and I don’t want anyone to go to an event in a dress not suited to body type.” When Davison reached a specific dress with beaded shoulder caps, Wu commented, “This dress was already picked by another client to be worn at the British Ball, so I would suggest avoiding it.”
Davison settled on a bold two-piece dress, and laughed, “This is my first two piece since the baby!” She ended up wearing the dress to the British Ball instead of what she had previously borrowed.  She mentioned she and her husband both loved the dress and fit. Due to the built in bra, she was kept from having to adjust the dress the entire night. Truly, quite a feat since her first child is only seven months old and still breastfeeding.
Davison enjoyed her time at Linvina Bridal and would recommend it to friends since the experience got her out of her eveningwear comfort zone, though those who are much larger than her would not enjoy the experience. Wu said, “Davison is really the best size (US 6, bust 86-88, waist 66-68, hip 94-96) for trying on my stock since I use my own body as the mold for my designs. I do have some sizes in US 8 and US 10, but the selection is limited.” Davison walked away with this dress free thanks to the Wear it or Not style makeover, but ended up buying a second dress later. Dresses are typically RMB 500 – 6,000 dependent upon beading.
Linvina Bridal
Best by appointment, but walk-ins welcome. Tue to Sun 10.30am-7.30pm. Rm1905, Kuntai International Apartments, Chaoyangmen Outer Street, Chaoyang District. (185 1077 5296) linvinabridal.com朝阳区朝外大街昆泰国际公寓1905
Get a Custom Look and Fit
1.    Make an appointment with Linvina Bridal at least six weeks before the event. The space accommodates up to six if you’d like to take friends.
2.    Choose to either try on dresses or take your ideas for a custom dress from a magazine or a drawing.
3.    For simple designs, alterations take two weeks, while beaded dresses will take four to six weeks.

This article originally appeared on pages 14-15 of the November/ December issue of beijingkids magazine . Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: UNI YOU

This week’s Shunyi Happenings highlights interesting events from plays to cooking classes that are all based in or near Shunyi. If you have an event, store opening or closing, sales, and other fun family friendly events taking place in Shunyi, get in touch with our Shunyi Correspondent Anjana Kainikkara by emailing anjanakainikkara@beijing-kids.com.

Little Shop of Horrors at DCB, Mar 30-31
Ages 7+. DCB’s young thespians will be performing this Broadway style production, titled Little Shop of Horrors, on March 30 & 31. The stage is an elaborate set with a live band and an unbelievably talented group of performers. Punctuated with humor, the story will appeal to all ages. Tickets can be purchased online (Wednesday, March 30 and Thursday, March 31) or at the school’s reception desk. RMB 50 (adults), RMB 30 (kids). 7-9pm.  Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9000)

DdW Handmade Textiles & Antonia Sampson Jewelry at WAB, Mar 31
All ages. Time to spoil yourself and/or others with DdW’s Handmade Textiles, such as towels, blankets, throws, and more! Also find Antonia Sampson’s beautiful jewelry their spring collection comes on sale. Free to attend. 10am-3pm. WAB Koi Garden (5986 5588)

Stars and Rain: World Autism Awareness Day, April 2
For adults. China Children’s Charity Relief Foundation will mark the 9th World Autism Awareness Day with the 6th Annual Imagine Gala Dinner that promises to be a wonderful and fun evening while supporting a great cause! RMB 660, RMB 6,000 (table of 10). 5.30-8.30pm. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport (8537 3236)

Ayi Western Cooking Workshop at Chopstix and Sporks
For adults. Enjoying a balanced Western meal cooked by your ayi can now become reality! Sign your ayi up for classes that take place every Thursday for her to acquire the basic skills to make delightful meals with a focus on health, nutrition, and food safety. Checkout their April schedule as they have loads of options available. Scan the QR code (on the flyer) to join their WeChat group or Facebook page and get regular updates. Registration required. RMB 200 per class, RMB 680 for four classes (paid in advance. 10am-3pm. Chopstix and Sporks (Scan QR code)

Photo: Courtesy of Dulwich College Beijing, Cindy Young for Chopstix and Sporks.