As we have said before, date night is important. Especially with the potential for yet another round of online learning on the horizon, making time to reconnect with your partner away from the house and kids is vital. But it’s so easy to fall into a dating rut, doing the same thing over and over until it just stops feeling special and starts to feel like a chore.

But Beijing is full of easily accessible fun things to do. So this week I thought I would share my experience at WTF – aka Wine Tasting With Friends. The events are organized and hosted by the lovely local wine entrepreneur Jacqueline Sun 孙媛媛, along with partners from local restaurants, culminating in themed tastings paired with appetizers. This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend the South African tasting at LaPizza.

We were treated to nine different South African vintages ranging from sparkling to red and were given a short explanation of the history of each as we sipped and nibbled. In between each tasting, we had plenty of time to laugh and socialize and our hosts were not shy about refilling our glasses if we particularly enjoyed the previous sip.

In addition to the expected wine and food, there were lucky draw prizes, free shipping on featured bottles, and every attendee left with one of the award-winning wines to enjoy at home. Overall it was a wonderful break from the usual routine and a much-needed spirit lifter.

As I was leaving, Sun let me in on a little secret: Her next tasting is going to be really special. Emma Gao, the owner and winemaker of Silver Heights Winery, will be sponsoring (and possibly attending) the next event. Silver Heights is China’s most renowned winery, has won numerous awards, and former German Prime Minister Angela Merkel was such a fan that she requested it was served at the state dinner she attended when she was in Beijing.

The exact place and time have yet to be announced, but you can make sure you are the first to know when tickets are available by scanning Sun’s QR code and joining the wine group below. It’s a perfect excuse to break out and have a unique Beijing date night.

KEEP READING: Recommendations for 2022’s First Edition of Restaurant Week

Images: Jacqueline Sun

This week Shunyi Happenings has a subtle flavor of summer’s slower pace as things slowly start to wind down. We have appreciation lunches, final charity bazaar at a school, wine tasting with friends, and maybe some closure with yoga. If you want to promote an event, store opening or closing, sale, and any other fun family friendly event taking place in Shunyi, please get in touch with our Shunyi Correspondent Anjana Kainikkara by emailing anjanakainikkara@beijing-kids.com

Roundabout Volunteer Potluck Lunch, May 26
A busy year is not unusual for the Roundabout team and they’ve worked incredibly hard all year long. They still have a few more events to finish up before most things close for summer and Shunyi quiets down. It takes an army of people to make an organization as big as Roundabout tick, therefore roundabout is holding a lunch for all of its invaluable and passionate volunteers.  Given that the Roundabout community is so diverse, it seems befitting to have a potluck in appreciation for their support. To participate, email them before May, 20. Free. 11am-2pm. Roundabout Store (roudaboutvolunteer@yahoo.uk.co)

Coffee and Books Bazaar at DCB, May25
All ages. Coffee and Books Café at DCB is hosting its last Bazaar before the end of this academic year. You’ll have plenty of gift options to choose from in the apparel, jewelry and handicrafts sections. The table fee from this event goes to charity and supports children in need. Free. 10am-2pm. Dulwich College Beijing (13651346434, brownmarykate@yahoo.co.uk)

Art & Wine for Charity at Balmain Gourmet, May 28
Celebrate the simple pleasures of life at this event showcasing art from Beverly Howard and wine by Donna.  The wines chosen for this evening pair perfectly with the mood of the exhibition. Tickets include four wines paired with nibbles, including gourmet sausages. Proceeds from sales go to support Little Flower Orphanage and towards a life saving surgery for a child in need. RSVP required. RMB 160. 6.30-Late. Balmain Gourmet Meat & Grill (18600039708, balmaingourmet@vip.163.com, bevfhoward@icloud.com)

Beijing’s First Ever Yoga Gives Back, May 21
Ages 13+.  It’s not too late to register and come out to support this one-of-a-kind event! A two-hour bilingual yoga class successively hosted by five teachers: Gwen, Robyn, Sean, Theresa, and Desiree.  They’ll guide you through a series of 108 sun salutations, which is an auspicious number in India and is equivalent to the number of beads in a string of mala beads.  “For the cost of one class, you can save a life,” is the powerful slogan of Yoga Gives Back. Help impoverished women and children in India, by bringing your own mats, bringing your friends along and finding your center! Minimum donation RMB 150. 9.30-11.30am. International School of Beijing (8149.2345)

Timeout’s Massive Bubble Party, May 21
All ages. We’re not going to lie that bubbles and suds will cover Shine Hills this Saturday, and your family will be covered in slippery foam if you go too. The first 300 entrants get a free bubble gun. RSVP required. Free. 11am-8pm. Shine Hills (tobjmarketing@timeoutcn.com)

JBM Beijing’s Health Week, May 22-29
Ages 12+ If you’re looking to kickoff a healthy summer, this might be just what you’re looking for with a kickoff at WAB. Sign up is required for most events and the deadline is May 19. Also take note that not all events take place in Shunyi, so travel might be required. The cost of your involvement depends on which events you choose, as many are free.  If you wanted to participate in the whole event, a complete package would cost RMB 5,110 not counting travel costs. Cost varies. 8am-8pm. Location Varies (18 6184 64579)

Photos: Richard Gailey, Micadew (Flickr), and courtesy of Balmain Gourmet, DCB, JBM, and Roundabout.

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Easter is almost upon us, so if you’re looking for some fun seasonal activities for your little ones, look no further than MAC Time and HoK’s upcoming events. In addition, Harrow is having an open morning for prospective Early Years and Pre-Prep students. Have a child’s birthday coming up? If they love playing in water, check out O’le Afloat for water sports activities. We haven’t forgotten moms and dads; if you’d like to learn more about wine, head to Beijing Riviera for a special learning session.

MAC Time Easter Party
It’s Easter at MAC Time on Sunday, April 13. Activities for ages 5-10 include an Easter puppet show, egg painting, eating cookies, and face painting. There are two sessions: 10am to noon or 1.30-3.30pm. RSVP required by this Thursday, April 10. Call 8046 1820 for more information.

House of Knowledge Easter Camp
Easter is on its way and House of Knowldge’s Quanfa campus is running a week-long Easter camp from Monday, April 14 to Friday, April 18 from 9am-3.30pm. The camp is open to kids aged 3-6. There will be Easter games, spring crafts, songs, and an Easter egg hunt. RMB 2,200 per child, or RMB 1760 if you’re a HoK family. Half-day rates available. Contact info@hokschools.com or 6431 8452 for more info.

Harrow Open Morning
The best way to find out what’s being offered at Harrow International School Beijing is to visit them. The school is hosting an Early Years and Pre-Prep (up to age 9) open morning event for families on Tuesday, April 15 from 8.30am to noon. Refreshments will be available from 8.15am, followed by a tour of the facilities. Email visit@harrowbeijing.cn or call 6444 8900 ext 6900/6000 to reserve your spot.

O’le Afloat Launched
The people behind O’le Sports have just launched O’le Afloat, a new sporting initiative that organizes fun water sports activity days in Shunyi, with everything from sailing to paddle-boarding and raft-building.

For large school groups, O’le Afloat is organizing an activity day in which students will try sailing, paddle boarding, raft building, and kayaking. Instructors speak English.

O’le Afloat also offers birthday parties, including a “Pirate Day” in which kids get to go out on boats and do pirate-themed activities. For older kids, the party can be tailored to include more technical sailing activities. 

There are also plans for a competition event involving international schools. The Boat Race of International Schools in China (BRISC) will take place alongside O’le popular rock climbing competition (BISCC) and snow sports competition (ISSCC). Find out more on O’le Sports’ website. If you’re interested in entering a team, email Pete Tupper at peter@ole-sports.org.

Beijing Riviera Wine Tasting Event
On Friday, April 25 from 7-8pm, Beijing Riviera will host a wine tasting event for grownups. Prices are RMB 30 for club members and RMB 50 for non-members. Snacks will be provided. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Beijing Riviera Clubhouse reception.

Photo courtesy of O’le Afloat

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of enjoying GREEN T. HOUSE in Shunyi for a meal or special event, now is the perfect time to carve out some time to do so. From a wine tasting and art exhibition designed for a parents’ night out to a variety of classes available for all, be sure to explore the many options available at GREEN T. HOUSE.

This Wednesday, September 5 from 7-9pm, come to an Art & Wine Tasting — a free entry event that only requires your RSVP (events@green-t-house.com). Works by artist Qu Qianmei will be featured, as well as many wines to sample. There is also a dinner set menu available for RMB 248.

A variety of wellness and culture workshops begin on Monday, September 10, and registration is open now by going to www.green-t-house.com and clicking on the events section, by e-mailing t.classes@green-t-house.com, or by calling Sharon Wei at 1370 130 9604.  paces are limited; a map to GREEN T. HOUSE can be found by clicking here.

A brief run-down of the classes is below:

*T. IS NOT TEA by JinR
Discover the modern culture of tea with JinR, the creator of Green T. House. Taste and explore the teas of China as you are taken on a journey blending
traditional philosophies with contemporary aesthetics. These classes will be
complemented by disciplines such as Guqin, Calligraphy and Flower design.

Saturdays 2-5pm; 4 classes beginning September 8; RMB 2112

*BABY T. by JinR
It’s never too early to learn about tea. How to make it, serve it, and enjoy it.
This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to explore Chinese
culture together through a timeless ritual that connects the generations.

Saturdays 10:30 am-12pm; 1 adult and 1 kid RMB 150

*PHOTOGRAPHY by Keary Liu, Photographer
In this beginner level photography class you will learn technical and digital
editing skills that you’ll need to be happier with the photos you take.

Tuesdays 11am-12pm; 6 workshops beginning September 11; RMB 600

*"INTUITION" WORKSHOP by Tracy Driscoll, Life Coach
Learn how to trust and use your natural intuition to improve your life and
making choices to better support you in this world.

Wednesday 10am-12pm; September 12; Single Session; RMB 500

*"FINDING PEACE WITHIN" WORKSHOP by Tracy Driscoll, Life Coach
Life in Beijing can be hectic. This workshop is designed to help you find your
inner peace and balance, and access it anytime, anyplace.

Wednesday 10am-12pm; September 19; Single Session; RMB 500

*"TRANSFORMATION" SERIES by Tracy Driscoll, Life Coach
Discover and connect with your inner self, and others. Empower yourself to
unlock all the secrets of the universe so as to fully see and reach your own
potential.

Mondays 10-12pm; 6 workshops beginning September 10, RMB 3000

*AYURVEDIC YOGA by Lisa Sommer, Certified Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist
Each weekly class will incorporate Vinyasa style yoga tailored to your needs to
build strength and flexibility, while also focusing on cleansing mind and body,
breathing and short meditations.

Fridays 11:30am-1pm; 8 sessions beginning September 14; RMB 150/class

*EAT. SLEEP. BREATHE. by Alex Tan, TCM Practitioner
Learn about the ideas and philosophy of Asian health and lifestyle practices.
You will acquire a basic understanding of traditional Chinese health and become
proficient in an authentic set of Qi Gong exercises.

Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm; 4 sessions beginning September 11; RMB 1500

*T. DETOX by Karen Himlok, Holistic Specialist Practitioner
A comprehensive and personalized detox program will take you through deep
cleansing treatments, and will give you the knowledge and the tools for an
ongoing healthier lifestyle at home.

(3) Four Hour workshops by appointment; RMB 4600

Photo by GREEN T. HOUSE