Living La Vida Local: Trashy Art, Organic Tofu and Girl Bands
The end of March brings us a slow news week, but keep in mind this is your last chance to catch a JUE Music + Art Festival or Bookworm International Literary Festival event. Things to look forward to these next few days? A chance to turn trash into art, make organic tofu at home, and get creative tips on animation from a female-fronted Tel Aviv rock band.
First up, tickets are now on sale for the annual St. George’s Day Charity Dinner (Apr 28). Tickets start from RMB 938/person, or around RMB 8,888 for a table of 10. To buy tickets or inquire about sponsorship, email saintgeorgebeijing@gmail.com. All profits will go to Care for Children. For a taste of what to expect, you can read last year's interview with the Dinner’s organizer, Martin Budzinski, here. Look out for an updated version on our blog sometime in the next week.
Speaking of dinners, the Migrant Children Foundation’s Murder Mystery Dinner we’ve been blogging about (see here and here) is finally taking place this weekend. You can read more about it in our Dining Editor’s weekly roundup.
Moving swiftly along: There’s not one, but two interesting JUE events going on today. The first is Greening the Beige’s Trash to Art Workshop, which encourages the public to think and deal with rubbish in new ways through craft exercises and a creative bazaar. Proceeds from all sales will fund future green efforts. Read more about the event here.
Later that evening, the rock outfit Eatlitz – which has won numerous awards for their edgy music videos – will host an animation workshop on their creative process for free. No guarantees on how this will turn out, but we hear their animator will be in attendance, so that should help matters. In any case, the event probably won't be boring.
And finally, for all of you who complain about not being able to find healthy food in Beijing – why not learn to make it yourself? The Hutong has recently started a Homemade Organic Tofu class (Mar 25) for RMB 250, including the take-home materials.
EVENTS (MAR 24-30)
Mar 24
BSK Cooking Class: Vegetarian
Dishes like Dongbei salad and twice-cooked tofu will keep your body happy and healthy.
Global Kitchen: Burmese
Abundant seafood flavors, spicy kicks and sour essences. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 2-4.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Greening the Beige: Trash to Art Workshop
One person’s trash is another person’s art project. Free. 10am-6pm. Yuanfen~Flow (5978 9896)
Music Video and Animation Workshop with Eatliz
Eatliz’s edgy tunes and award-winning music videos have earned them the reputation as Tel Aviv’s most innovative band. Join the female-fronted rock outfit and their genius animator for a workshop on their creative process. Free. 6-9pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Mar 25
Chinese Kitchen: Homemade Organic Tofu
Transform organic soybeans into perfectly creamy tofu. RMB 250 (includes take-home materials), RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Chinese Class & Movie Nights
Brush up on your Mandarin before viewing a popular Chinese film. Register at registration@mandarin-plus.org. RMB 100 (class only; movie are free). 4-6pm (class), 6.30pm-late (movie). Mandarin Plus (5785 3361)
Survival Chinese
From small talk to ordering food, you’ll be getting by on your own in Beijing in no time. Reserve at contact@cultureyard.net. RMB 200. 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
Talk: China on Climate Change
WRI’s principal advisor on climate and energy in China, Deborah Seligsohn, discusses what China is doing to address pollution. Register at www.vivabeijing.org. RMB 250, RMB 180 (members). 6.30-9pm. The Westin Beijing Chaoyang (5922 8888)
Mar 26
Chinese Culture Workshop
Get the nitty-gritty on what you really want to know, i.e. popular music and local slang. Reserve at contact@cultureyard.net. RMB 75, RMB 60 (members). 7-8.40pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)
INN Monthly Meeting: Leaving Beijing
Gather tips from INN’s panel of relocation experts to ensure a smooth and stress-free departure. RMB 50 (includes coffee, tea and pastries). 10am-noon. The Capital Club Athletic Center (8486 2225 ext 136).
Global Kitchen: Korean
Far more than just kimchi. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Life Drawing Club
Draw live models. Beginners welcome. Register at info@thehutong.com. RMB 60, RMB 50 (members). 7.30-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Tai Chi Class
This ancient Chinese exercise promises to foster a calm and tranquil mind. RMB 150, RMB 480 (4 classes). 10am-noon. China Culture Center (6432 9341)
Mar 27
Beijing Guild Knitting Circle
Knit and crochet to your heart’s content; make new friends. Free. 1-4pm. Check www.beijingguild.com for locations (subject to change every week).
Calligraphy Course
Until Mar 20. No knowledge of Chinese characters necessary – just be enthusiastic and willing to hold a brush. RMB 160, RMB 480 (4 classes). 10-11.30am. China Culture Center (6432 9341)
INN Night Out!
Swap stories with newcomers and long-term residents about living in the nation’s capital. RSVP by Mar 25 at innbeijing@hotmail.com. Free. 7-9pm. Flamme International Grill (6417 8608; see Dining directory)
Mar 28
Chinese Kitchen: Tastes of Beijing
See Mar 14. 2.30-5pm.
Mar 29
BSK Cooking Class: Baozi
You won’t ever have to buy ‘em off the streets again. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)
Introduction to Chinese Herbs
Find out how all those herbs in your local pharmacy work. RMB 150. Time TBD. The Hutong (6404 3355)
Live Zen: Practice & Meditation
Gain insight into the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism. RMB 150, RMB 400 (4 classes). 7.30-9.30pm. China Culture Center (6432 9341)
Mar 30
Community Yoga
Do good, do yoga. Proceeds to go charity. RMB 50 (donation request). 11am-12.30pm. Yoga Yard (6413 0774)
Photo: Courtesy of Dorkmuffin.com