Living La Vida Local: Test Your Wits, Join a Startup and Watch Chinese Women

Ever watch that show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” This week, anyone up for the challenge gets the chance to participate. In other news, there’s a startup forum for young entrepreneurs (or just dreamers) as well as a traditional crafts workshop that raises awareness about the local disabled community.

First up: Migrant Children’s Foundation has departed from its usual murder mystery dinners and pub quizzes to host a special game quiz night based off of the very popular TV show. Before you scoff, test out your knowledge here. You may be surprised by how much you've forgotten. If you’re interested, gather together a team of 2-5 and arrange to meet at 7pm on Wednesday, Aug 22 at Brussels Bar & Restaurant. Entry is just RMB 40, and that gives you a free drink (later drinks get happy hour prices) and a free plate of chips and salsa. As with all their events, proceeds will go towards improving the lives of migrant children.

Anyone interested in joining or establishing a startup should attend iWeekend and Chinaacelerator’s jointly organized 10 x 10 Startup Forum, taking place this Saturday, Aug 18. We’re told we can expect invigorating talks from ten speakers, followed by a networking session seeking to connect entrepreneurial-minded people. To register, click here.

Hopefully all of you are familiar with Gift of Hope (if you aren’t, check out our December 2011 cover feature), a social enterprise owned and managed by people with disabilities. But GoH is no charity; rather, they rely on their own talents, products and services to maintain a sustainable operation. Every month they host an “Open Day” event, which consists of a folk art class at a local hutong home. Aug 25 brings their traditional paper cuts workshop. If you sign up before Aug 24, it’ll cost you just RMB 160 (or RMB 200 if you show up the day of). RSVP now at opend@giftofhope-ysy.com.

EVENTS (AUG 17-23)

Aug 17
Community Yoga
Not only will you become more limber, but you’ll also be giving back to society. All proceeds go to charity. RMB 50 (requested donation). 11am-12.30pm. Yoga Yard (6413 0774)

Aug 18
Beijing 10 x 10 Startup Forum
10 great industry speakers discuss entrepreneurship. Come and network with like-minded people who share your passion. Register now here http://www.meetup.com/iWeekend-Beijing/events/75649722/. Free. 3.30pm. Microsoft Business Park

Chinese Kitchen: Gourmet Dumplings
Learn how to make delicious jiaozi with healthy local ingredients. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 10am-12.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

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)

Cooking Class: Savory Sweet
Learn to make dishes that balance out the flavors. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)

Survival Chinese
Know enough to scrape by. RMB 200, RMB 600 (4 sessions). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Aug 19
Tea Market Tour to Maliandao
Taste teas and buy teaware. RMB 249 (includes lunch), RMB 200 (members). 10am-3pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

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

Survival Chinese
Know enough to scrape by. RMB 200, RMB 600 (4 sessions). 10am-noon. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Aug 20
Chinese Kitchen: Vegetarian
Pick up both non-meat recipes as well as classic Chinese dishes with a vegetarian twist. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 2.30-5pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Global Kitchen: A Cookie Story
Flavors and recipes from all over the world get reinvented into everyone’s favorite baked treat. RMB 280, RMB 220 (members). 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

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 21
Chinese Kitchen: Cantonese
Seafood and stir-fry galore. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 7-9.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Chinese Corner
Make new friends and practice your Chinese. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School (6508 1026)

Cooking Class: Baozi
Learn how to make these simple street snacks. RMB 300. 10am-1pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)

INN Coffee Morning: Sanlitun
Meet people in the neighborhood. 10am-noon. The Bookworm (6586 9507; see Dining directory)

Exploring Chinese Social Trends
A chance to improve your conversational Chinese. RMB 50, RMB 35 (CY students). 7-8.40pm. Culture Yard (8404 4166)

Aug 22
Chinese Kitchen: Knife Skills
Learn three new local dishes that will be sure to hone your skills with a cleaver. RMB 330 (class and cleaver), RMB 249 (class only). 2.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

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)

Aug 23
Chinese Kitchen: Gourmet Dumplings
Learn how to make delicious jiaozi with healthy local ingredients. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

Paper Cutting Class
This local folk art will have you snipping up masterpieces. Free. 1.30-3.30pm. Beijing Mandarin School, E-Tower (6508 1026)

Chinese Corner
Make new friends and practice your Chinese. Free. 1-3pm. Beijing Mandarin School (6508 1026)

Chinese Kitchen: Gourmet Dumplings
Learn how to make delicious jiaozi with healthy local ingredients. RMB 249, RMB 200 (members). 10am-12.30pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)