Living La Vida Local: Summer Sizzle, Colorful Charity Ball and Sour Plum Juice

Can you believe it’s June already? Seems like every other month there’s another charity ball. This month, though, is Rotary Club’s “Celebrating the Colors of the World” dinner reception – more on that later. There will also be a fun-filled barbecue at OASIS Healthcare where doctors will be on hand to answer questions, a FREE class on making suan mei tang (the traditional Chinese sour plum juice) at Beijing Mandarin School and much, much more.

Tickets for the Rotary Club of Beijing’s annual charity ball on June 9 are now available for RMB 1,000. As with any fancy reception, you can expect sumptuous food and drink, live entertainment and raffle drawings, with all funds going to charity. The event will be held at the Kempinski Hotel, and this year’s dress code is either black tie, national dress or your country’s national colors. Expect a colorful affair. To reserve tickets or inquire about sponsorship, email rotaryball@rotaryclub-beijing.org.

If hearty meats and fun in the sun is what you seek, check out the “Summer Sizzle” barbecue tomorrow, June 2, brought to you by OASIS Healthcare and the barbecue-loving Aussies at AustCham. Besides tasty eats, OASIS promises cool refreshments and fun for the whole family, plus doctors will be on site to get to know you and offer tips for staying healthy in Beijing. All money raised will go to The Grace Children’s Foundation.

You know that pungent brown liquid you see many people drinking in the summertime? This beverage has been around in China for over 1,000 years (at least since the Song Dynasty, according to Wikipedia) and is called suan mei tang, a juice made from sour plums, rock sugar and osmanthus. If you’re curious to get in touch with the local culture or simply enjoy the taste, check out Beijing Mandarin School’s free class at their E-Tower school on June 7.

In other news, the ICVS is still in the process of moving to their new Wangjing location, so if you have any pet emergencies, call 138 1028 0259 (English and Chinese). For more information, see last week’s roundup post or this Beijing Kids’ article.

The BJ Foodies dinner we mentioned last week has announced that they raised their biggest donation ever last week, so congratulations to them. Their email thanks Bellagio for being such a terrific host, and not only sponsoring all their food and drinks but also matching their donations, bringing the total amount to RMB 20,000. Stop in for a peanut ice cream sometime this week to show your appreciation.

And finally, the Beijing 21st Century Hospital’s Father’s Day deal kicks off today. Men get huge discounts of up to 40 percent on health screenings this entire month, so if this is something you or your brother/boyfriend/husband has been neglecting to do, sign ‘em up.

Jun 1
Chinese Through Media
Discuss a new piece of global media every week. For intermediate/advanced learners. RMB 500 (4 sessions). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Jun 2
Cooking Class: Beijing Dishes
Learn more about the city you love through its delicious cuisine. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (139 9147 4408)

Chinese Kitchen: Dim Sum & Tapas
Learn how to get exciting flavors in small bites. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 2-4.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Global Kitchen: Indian Cuisine
Learn how to make all the most popular Indian dishes. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 10am-12.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Summer Sizzle
Fun-filled barbeque, with tasty eats and cool refreshments, raffle drawings and outdoor games for kids. Doctors will also be on site to give tips on staying healthy. Free. 11am-4pm. OASIS Healthcare (5985 0431)

Jun 3
Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy Workshop
Try your hand at one of China’s oldest art traditions. RMB 120. 9.30am-12.30pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

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 4
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 5
“All For One” Social Networking
Gives people from all professions the chance to schmooze. Register at http://fcgroup.org. 7.30pm. RMB 130 (includes drink and canapés), RMB 90 (pre-registered). The Terrace, JW Marriott (5908 8906)

Cooking Class: Dinner Party Dishes
Impress your friends at your next gathering. 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)

Free Chinese Corner
Practice your Chinese and make new friends. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School, E-Tower (6508 1026)

Global Kitchen: Thai Cuisine
Learn how to make favorites like pad thai and curry. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

“All I Can” Film Screening
The Embassy of Canada is hosting a screening of the film “All I Can” by Sherpas Cinema, as well as a silent auction. All proceeds go to the charity BC Society for Educating Girls of Rural China. RMB 50 (includes one soda/beer and popcorn). 6.15pm. The Embassy of Canada

Jun 6
Chinese Kitchen: Gourmet Dumplings
Learn to make great tasting dumplings with healthy local ingredients. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Culinary Walking Tour: Creating Your Own Chinese Kitchen
See Jun 5.

Jun 7
Beijing Playhouse Drama Workshop
Improve your acting skills. Free. 6.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868; see Nightlife directory)

Cooking Class: Sichuan 2
Master mala dishes and more. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (139 9147 4408)

Chinese Culture Club: Making Suan Mei Tang
Learn to make this traditional Chinese drink. Free. 1.30-3.30pm. Beijing Mandarin School, E-Tower (6508 1026)

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)

Global Kitchen: Asian Tapas
Get some ideas for new tasty tapas to serve at your next dinner party. RMB 250, RMB 200 (members). 2.30-5pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Jun 8
Chinese Through Media
See Jun 1.

Introduction to Tea: Green
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)

Ongoing (until June 30)
Father’s Day Promo: Men’s Health Exams
Special rates are available for men on health check-ups and prostate ultrasounds for this month only. By appointment only (please mention the promotion). Beijing 21st Century Hospital (8444 6168)