Living La Vida Local: Meet HK Queen of Pop, Drink for Charity and Live Smart in Beijing
Want to schmooze with a Hong Kong star? Or perhaps you’re more concerned with the practical matters in life, such as opening up a bank account or finally figuring out the bus system. This week you can do both.
Beijing is blessed by many celebrity appearances. The latest to grace us is Sally Yeh, a Cantopop singer and actress who will be sharing her experiences working in the Chinese film industry at VIVA’s August event. (Sorry, fellas – that means this talk is open to ladies only.) If you’re curious about the inner workings of movie production, drop by the Royal Smushi House on August 29 at 6.30pm. RMB 250 (for non-members) is a small price to pay to meet a four-time Most Popular Hong Kong Female Singer winner, no?
CRCC Asia, an internship provider company, is bringing its latest group of interns for a day of volunteering with Magic Hospital, Beijing Huiling Community Center and Wangwangmiaowu Animal Shelter, followed by a public happy hour at 99 Degrees on Saturday, August 25. From 5-7pm there will be special drink deals, with a percentage of the proceeds benefitting the aforementioned charities.
And finally, don’t miss International Newcomers Network annual “Arrival Survival: Living Smart in Beijing” monthly meeting on August 27. This is INN’s most well-attended and popular event of the year. New or not, we can all use some tips on streamlining our lives here. The description promises “valuable information on banking, public transportation, licensing and driving, hiring ayis and drivers, food safety and shopping, personal safety and more.” Amen to that.
EVENTS (AUG 24-30)
Aug 24
Community Yoga
Get more limber while giving back to society. All proceeds go to charity. RMB 50 (requested donation). 11am-12.30pm. Yoga Yard (6413 0774)
Aug 25
Chinese Kitchen: Hand Pulled Noodles
Make meters of noodles and great sauces. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 10am-12.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Global Kitchen: Gourmet Cupcakes
Bake and decorate your very own cupcakes. RMB 280, RMB 220 (members). 2-4.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Intro to Yoga Weekend Workshop
Until Aug 26. Perfect for newbs or those wanting to brush up on their asanas (postures). RMB 360 (includes materials). 12-1.30pm. Yoga Yard (6413 0774)
Cooking Class: Dinner Party
Pick up recipes for dishes that would impress any guest. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)
Heyrobics and Hey Circle Training
Animated teachers in pink shorts will lead two hours of training, push-ups and sprints. RSVP at info@heyrobics.com. Free. The Swedish Embassy (135 8197 4260)
Trap-Neuter-Return Workshop
Learn how to effectively and humanely manage Beijing’s stray cat population. RSVP by Aug 22 at icvs_china@yahoo.com. Free. 11am-12.30pm. ICVS (8456 1939/1940/1941)
Survival Chinese
Know enough to scrape by. RMB 200, RMB 600 (4 sessions). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Culinary Market Tour
Become an expert on food combining and seasonal shopping at your local market in just one hour. RMB 100, RMB 80 (members). 12.30-2pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Community Service Day Fundraiser: Happy Hour
Join CRCC Asia’s interns after a day of volunteering to drink for a good cause. Proceeds go to Magic Hospital, Beijing Huiling Community Center and Wangwangmiaowu Pet Orphans Home. 5-7pm. 99 Degrees (6416 9971)
Aug 26
Survival Chinese
Know enough to scrape by. RMB 200, RMB 600 (4 sessions). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Aug 27
INN Monthly Meeting: Arrival Survival
All you need to know on getting settled into Beijing, from buying a phone to opening up a bank account. RMB 50 (includes coffee and pastries). 10am-noon. The Capital Club Athletic Center (8486 2225 ext 136)
Life Drawing Club
Meet others and draw live models. Beginners welcome. Register at info@thehutong.com. RMB 70, RMB 60 (members). 7.30-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Aug 28
Chinese Kitchen: Vegetarian
Pick up both non-meat recipes as well as classic Chinese dishes with a vegetarian twist. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Heyrobics: Sanlitun Reopens
Get in on Beijing’s cult fitness trend. RMB 20. The British School of Beijing (135 8197 4260)
INN Night Out!
Meet up with newcomers and long-term residents to swap tales about living in the nation’s capital. RSVP by Aug 26 to innbeijing@hotmail.com. Free. 7-9pm. Location TBD (www.innbeijing.org)
Exploring Chinese Social Trends
Improve your conversational Chinese. RMB 50, RMB 35 (CY students). 7-8.40pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Chinese Corner
Make new friends and practice your Chinese. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School (6508 1026)
Aug 29
Culinary Market Tour
Become an expert on food combining and seasonal shopping at your local market in just one hour. RMB 100, RMB 80 (members). 9-10.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
VIVA Talk: Women in the Chinese Movie Industry
Hong Kong actress Sally Yeh gives insight into working as a woman in China’s film industry. RMB 250 (includes 3 drinks), RMB 180 (members). 6.30pm. Royal Smushi House (6416 9664)
Aug 30
Chinese Corner
Make new friends and practice your Chinese. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School (6508 1026)
