Razors Ready: Movember Hits Beijing

Gentleman, time to shave. Movember is here. The 11th-month charity initiative was created in 2003 by a group of Australians looking for a laugh, but has grown to become a major event, with thousands of people taking part in countries all over the world.

If this is the first you've heard of Movember, it's all about raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer. And it’s simple. All you have to do is grow a moustache. Start clean-shaven on November 1 (that's today), register at Movember.com and start seeking sponsorship from friends, colleagues and anyone else you choose to badger. As the month proceeds, trim your top lip into whichever style you fancy – as long as it's a moustache. No beards, no goatees. Ladies can also register as fundraisers and show solidarity by wearing a fake moustache.

Movember can be done as a solo pursuit, but it's a lot more fun as a team. So why not get a team of friends together and compete to see who can raise the most money or cultivate the best facial hair?

Next step – ask your favorite bar if they're doing anything or if they'll get behind your fundraising efforts. Bars who have declared their support so far include:

Paddy O'Shea's
Paddy's has got good Movember pedigree, with a strong contingent of regulars sporting a spectacular array of top-lip art by the end of last year's campaign. They're offering double pours on all house drinks for customers with moustaches (or ladies with fakes) for the month of November. Paddy's also have prizes for the best moustaches. Participants are encouraged to gather photographic evidence of their progress for display in the bar.

Grinders
Owner Trevor Metz tells us he's got a 15-strong crew signed up, with special Grinders Movember T-shirts being printed up reading "Who wants a moustache ride?" No, we're not sure what that means either. You can buy the T-shirts for RMB 100 in the bar, and all the proceeds will be going to charity.

Great Leap Brewery
Declare yourself a Movember participant (men with moustaches, women with fakes) and Great Leap will donate RMB 5 of every beer you buy towards Movember fundraising efforts.

Mao Mao Chong and The Stumble Inn have also indicated that they'll be getting involved with events, but nothing confirmed right now. Or, if your favourite bar hasn't been mentioned here, why not ask the manager to get behind your facial-hair-and-fundraising efforts? If enough momentum builds, there might even be a bit of inter-bar rivalry worth reporting on.

If you're in need of ideas, take a look at Askmen.com's list of the ten best celebrity moustaches (or see the image directly above). Stay tuned to TheBeijinger.com for more on Movember events and hopefully some photos of vintage Movember moustaches ... May the best 'tache win!

Photos: MacNN, TCM.com, Asianlipservice.livejournal.com