Happy International Workers’ Day! We tend to celebrate the struggles and achievements of workers with family barbecues, picnics and fun, and there will be enough of those to choose from in the next two weeks:

Let’s Go Camping with Tayrona

With Tayrona, you learn practical skills, and while doing that you enjoy spending time in nature. There are a few camping events coming up; some are for families, others are for kids and teens, and there are also activities for people 18-35. If you want to plan your own camping trip at a private campsite near Beijing, feel free to contact the organization. For more info, scan the QR codes in the poster.

Where: Miyun private campsite
When: May 1-3 (3 days, 2 nights); later dates available
Price: RMB 2,988/family of three

Murmur Acrobatic Sound Theatre Experience

Murmur is acrobatic sound theatre that appeals to the senses with murmuring backpacks, a landscape of speakers and an acrobatic composer. It is an imaginative performance for everyone who sometimes longs to be more than just human.

Camiel is building a world full of sounds. A purring cat comes from a pocket, a swarm of bees flies through the air, two arms create the sound of cars. Far away, you hear a finger squeaking on a window. Sea becomes wind becomes breath. Surrounded by the audience, Camiel jumps, falls, rolls, and flies in his attempt to compose the world. Suddenly the audience’s backpacks start to buzz and everything and everyone becomes part of a swirl of sounds in a loudspeaker landscape.

It’s your last chance to see the show in Beijing this weekend, so hurry up to secure your tickets. Jingkids readers also get a special discount, so go on and scan the QR code below.

WAB’s Little Shop of Horrors at Blu Theatre

Step into the whimsical and slightly eerie world of Skid Row as the Western Academy of Beijing High School proudly presents Little Shop of Horrors. This beloved musical, based on the cult classic film by Roger Corman and adapted for the stage with a screenplay by Charles Griffith, promises an evening of laughter, suspense, and toe-tapping tunes.

Featuring captivating lyrics and music by the talented duo Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, Little Shop of Horrors follows the story of Seymour, a down-on-his-luck floral assistant, and Audrey, his co-worker with dreams of a better life. When Seymour discovers a mysterious and carnivorous plant, named Audrey II, his life takes a dark and twisted turn as the plant’s insatiable appetite grows along with its size.

Join us for an unforgettable theatrical experience filled with memorable characters, catchy songs like “Suddenly Seymour” and “Somewhere That’s Green,” and a plot that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Directed by our talented faculty and featuring the incredible talents of our high school students, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the magic of Little Shop of Horrors brought to life on stage by the next generation of theatre stars at the Western Academy of Beijing High School. Mark your calendars and get your tickets now for a night of entertainment that’s sure to be a smash hit!

Where: Western Academy of Beijing, Blu Theatre
When: May 2, 6.30pm; May 3, 3.45pm
Price: Free

Mother’s Day CVC Reading & Drawing Class

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special online reading course for your little ones! Join us for a one-time event where students will dive into the magical world of reading with a decodable CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) book. But that’s not all! In addition to honing their reading skills, participants will get creative with a directed drawing activity to make a heartfelt gift for Mom. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to bond with your child while they learn and create something special for the most important woman in their life. Secure your spot today! Limited availability.

Where: Online
When: May 12, 8pm
Price: USD 30

For upcoming open houses, check out the list below:

AISB Secondary School Open Day

Discover the special secondary program and meet the school’s dedicated leaders and teachers!
Join for a day to explore the school, interact with teachers, and gain insights into their educational methods.
Experience firsthand how the secondary school nurtures student development and builds character.

Daystar Academy’s Open Houses

Daystar Academy is a K-12 school under the lvy Education Group. Daystar Academy provides students with top-notch international courses that blend and balance Western and Chinese cultural traditions. Daystar was the first school in China to create a K-12 Social Innovation Curriculum that develops the fundamental values, skills and knowledge for students to be social innovators.

There are three Daystar campuses in Beijing:

Quanfa Campus
Chinese-English Montessori Curriculum
Provides education for young children aged 1.5-5

Sanlitun Campus
IB PYP authorized school
Provides education for Grades 1-5

Beigao Campus
IB authorized school
Provides K-12 education

Open Day Procedure
Introduction of Daystar’s Curriculum
Students Class Trial
Campus Tour
Q&A
Parents Workshop
Date & Location
QF Campus: May 11 and May 25

YCYW Open Day

YCYW will soon hold an open day and simulated classroom event, and they warmly welcome your arrival! This is a rare opportunity for you to experience the unique charm and teaching features of the school.
In this event, they will provide you with a rich and colorful course experience. You will be able to listen to the sharing of the two principals about the curriculum system, and have a deep understanding of the school’s educational philosophy and teaching methods. At the same time, you can also visit the campus to learn about the teaching facilities and environment.
For students, they have prepared a rich and colorful bilingual special classroom. Children can participate in simulated classrooms, interact with the experienced teaching team, and have a deep understanding of their educational philosophy and teaching methods.

When: May 12, 2024 (Sunday), 10am-11.30 am
Where: 29 Liangshuihe Erjie, BDA, Daxing District
Price: Free

Images: Pexels, Courtesy of the organizers

All set and looking forward to your May Day holiday? Not so fast, young pioneers! The government recently announced, via WeChat of course, that the original holiday dates of Apr 29-May 1 (with preceding make-up days on Saturday and Sunday, Apr 27-28) have now been changed to May 1-4, giving us an extra holiday day in the process.

In turn, that means that we’re left with odd make-up days: one remains on Sunday, Apr 28, while the other moves to Sunday, May 5. Our new annual calendar looks like this:

Previously, May Labor Day was preceded with a full seven days of work. Now it’s flanked by two six-day work weeks plus two awkward days of work in the lead-up. One bonus: if you haven’t already booked your time off, it could be a good bet to take Apr 29-30 off and lap up a six-day holiday.

No official reason for the adjustment of the holiday has been given but one thing is for sure: it’s not a good look for the government to have made the switch a mere five weeks before the May break. Many people will have already booked tickets to travel during one of the year’s biggest holidays and likely means headaches for employees, employers, and train station attendants alike. Still, it would be rude of us to balk at extra government-mandated time off!

The remainder of the year (barring any future changes) looks like this:

Qing Ming Festival: The three-day Tomb Sweeping Fest kicks off on Friday, Apr 5 and finishes Sunday, April 7. No make-up days.

May Labor Day: One make-up day on Sunday, Apr 28 and one on Sunday, May 5 now flank the four-day holiday of Wednesday, May 1 to Saturday, May 4.

Dragon Boat Festival: This three-day festival is effectively reduced to one day off Friday, Jun 7 as the following two days fall on the weekend anyway. No make-up days.

Mid-Autumn Festival: The same situation applies to the 2019 Mid-Autumn Festival: the three-day holiday begins on Friday, Sep 13 and ends Sunday, Sep 15. No make-up days.

October National Day: The second Golden Week of 2019 runs from Tuesday, Oct 1 from Monday, Oct 7 for a total of seven days off. Two make-up days: Saturday, Sep 29 and Saturday, Oct 12.

Photo: the Beijinger

Even though this is a very short holiday for you and your little ones to be away, there are lots for you to do right here in the capital.

Tomorrow on Sunday, April 29, The Hutong and Heyrobics are teaming for a Health Rave. There will be a Heyrobics session and a 4km, followed by a barbeque with drinks, music, cooking workshops and more at The Hutong.

Teens might be interested in Mayday‘s (not to be confused with the holiday, Mayday is a Taiwanese band) Beijing concert at Bird’s Nest.

If you have the little ones, there is a Xiyangyang and Huitailang show today, as well as tomorrow (April 29) and Monday (April 30). Watch this popular Chinese TV show come to life!

Recommended by CCTV and directed by Guy Caron, one of the founders of world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, Magic Music Box follows a little girl who accidentally opens a magic music box and then the adventure begins. Expect hoop diving, pole climbing, hat tricks and other acrobatics.

Attend an INN’s event on Monday, April 30 to find out about organics in Beijing from a panel of organic farmers, dairy producers, retailers and organic food movement leaders.

Check out Labor Day’s sailing special at Beijing Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

The sailing club Aofan will also be having a launch party on May Day.

And don’t forget to check this week’s newsletter (click here) for more activities today and tomorrow!

To make a May Day basket (pictured above), click here.

Photo courtesy of skiptomylou.org.