Living La Vida Local: Scavenger Bike Ride, Making Zongzi and Helping the Migrant Children
On top of the regular cooking classes, networking events and language workshops, there are several out-of-the-ordinary ways to do good this week. This time they're actually fun, too. Read on for details on all of the above.
We’ve already written about two causes definitely deserving of your attention this weekend. First up, tomorrow night, a Charity Fashion Show will be benefiting blind children of the Bright Angel Fund. The ticket price is steep at RMB 500 (and that’s only if you pre-register by emailing rubyliu416@gmail.com or yychik@yahoo.cn), but you’ll get front-row seating at a fashion show plus the option of bidding on several designer items.
If that’s not really your thing, what about some friendly competition on bikes through the hutongs? Find a group of pals to do this with, then head down to the Beijing Bicycle Kingdom (situated close to the Forbidden City) around 4.30-5pm to register. The scavenger hunt starts at 5.30 and lasts till 8.30pm, with an afterparty at Serk. Groups will win prizes for the most money raised, most scavenger hunt clues collected and most creative costumes (hint: don’t forget to dress up). Proceeds will go to Rotaract Club Beijing’s main charity of choice, Shelterbox, which brings aid to people who have suffered from natural disasters. If you’d like to participate, email maximoperalta84@gmail.com to reserve your spot, or show up the day of.
Of course, there’s also good old-fashioned altruism. BEAM’s (Bridging Education And Mobility) first initiative, Project S2S, has been collecting secondhand discarded items from international students leaving Beijing. Now they need an enthusiastic group of volunteers to help sort all the donations. You can help out either on Saturday or Sunday (or both) from 10am-5pm at the Tsinghua Science & Technology Park. If you have any questions, you can visit their website or email beamalliance@gmail.com.
And finally, this year’s Dragon Boat Festival is coming up on June 23. One of the requirements of the holiday is to eat zongzi. Beijing Mandarin School and The Hutong are both offering sticky rice dumpling cooking classes this week on June 21 and 22, respectively. Find the details for both events below. Happy wrapping!
EVENTS (JUN 15-22)
Jun 15
Charity Fashion Show
All-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink extravaganza featuring a fashion show and auction. RMB 600, RMB 500 (pre-register by emailing rubyliu416@gmail.com or yychik@yahoo.cn). 6.30pm-late. Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (5863 8888)
Chinese Kitchen: Dim Sum & Tapas
Learn how to get exciting flavors in small bites. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Jun 16
Bike for Charity: Scavenger Hunt Competition
Form teams and explore the hutongs by bike in a scavenger competition. Prizes will be given for most money raised, most clues collected and most creative costumes. Proceeds go to charity. Email maximoperalta84@gmail.com to participate. RMB 500. 5.30-8.30pm. Bike Beijing – Bicycle Kingdom Tours (6526 5857, 133 8140 0738)
BSK Cooking Class: Shanxi Noodles
Learn to make delicious noodles and savory sauces to go with them from scratch. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (139 9147 4408)
Chinese Kitchen: Yunnan
See how you fare at cooking Beijing’s “in-cuisine.” RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 10am-12.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
INN Coffee Morning – Sanlitun
Meet people who live nearby. Free. 10am-noon .The Bookworm (6586 9507; see Dining directory)
Project S2S: Sort Donations
Volunteers are needed to sort donations collected for migrant children. Free. 10am-5pm. Bldg A, Tsinghua Science & Technology Park (beamalliance@gmail.com)
Jun 17
Mahjong Workshop
Learn the history and rules of the game. RMB 200 for 2 sessions (next session on Jun 24), RMB 160 (CY students). 09.30-12.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Project S2S: Sort Donations
Volunteers are needed to sort donations collected for migrant children. Free. 10am-5pm. Bldg A, Tsinghua Science & Technology Park (beamalliance@gmail.com)
Survival Chinese
Learn the vocabulary essential for day-to-day survival in Beijing. RMB 200, RMB 600 (advanced payment for 4 sessions). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Jun 18
Bilingual Tango Classes
See if you have what it takes to tango. RMB 70 (includes one drink), RMB 120 (couple). 7.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868; see Nightlife directory)
Life Drawing Club
Meet others and draw live models. Beginners encouraged. Register at info@thehutong.com. RMB 60, RMB 50 (members). 7.30-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Jun 19
BSK Cooking Class: Back to Basics Chinese
Dive right into Chinese cooking with a few simple but tasty dishes. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (139 9147 4408)
Culinary Walking Tour: Creating Your Own Chinese Kitchen
An action-packed hour in a local market filled with details on food combining, seasonal shopping and TCM-approved ingredients. RMB 100, RMB 80 (members). 9-10.30am. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Exploring Chinese Social Trends
Discuss new trends and improve your conversational Chinese. RMB 40 (discounted for month of June from RMB 75). 7-8.40pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
FAME, PRAMS and Luxury Social Networking
Gives people from the Fashion and PR industries the chance to schmooze. Register at info@fcgroup.org. RMB 130, RMB 90 (pre-registered). 7.30pm. Zeta Bar, Hilton Beijing (5865 5050)
Free Chinese Corner
Practice your Chinese and make new friends. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School, E-Tower (6508 1026)
Jun 20
Culinary Walking Tour: Creating Your Own Chinese Kitchen
An action-packed hour in a local market filled with details on food combining, seasonal shopping and TCM-approved ingredients. RMB 100, RMB 80 (members). 9-10.30am. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Photography Workshop: Portraits
Join Peter Carney in a quick session on easy techniques to maximize your photographs. RMB 35. 7–8pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
INN Coffee Morning – Chaoyang Park
Meet people who live nearby. Free. 10am-noon. Rug Bagel and Cafe (8550 2722)
Jun 21
BSK Cooking Class: Home-style Dumplings
Learn how to make both meat and vegetarian-style dumplings from scratch. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (139 9147 4408)
Beijing Playhouse Drama Workshop
Improve your acting skills. Free. 6.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)
Chinese Through Media Class
Discuss a new piece of current global media. For intermediate/advanced learners. RMB 500/4 sessions (first class is free). 7-9pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Dragon Boat Festival Party
Learn to make rice dumplings and make new friends. Free. 6-8pm. Beijing Mandarin School, Guangming (8441 8391)
Free Chinese Corner
Practice your Chinese and make new friends. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School, E-Tower (6508 1026)
INN Neighborhood Coffee Morning – Shunyi
Meet people who live nearby. Free. 10am-noon. Starbucks Pinnacle Plaza, Shunyi (8046 4360)
Jun 22
Dragon Boat Festival Special: Gourmet Zongzi
Learn how to make this traditional sticky rice snack with new mouthwatering fillings. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 2.30-5pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Introduction to Tea: Oolong
Find out how to buy it, brew it and store it. RMB 70 (includes tea tasting), RMB 50 (CY students). 7-9pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Photo: Courtesy of Bicycle Kingdom
