Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Aug 13-18
We take a break after the weekend, putting down our drinks to take a more productive look at what's going on around Beijing. Here is our top pick of this week's events that won't leave you hungover...
Tuesday, Aug 13
Mental Health Support Group
Moving to a new city can be lonely, and Beijing, for all its warmth, can be isolating. Reach out and vocalize your anxieties and concerns at CandleX's English peer support groups. In "the absence of social support," CandleX provides a safe environment to "share personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings in small, confidential gatherings." Register beforehand to be allocated a session, and read more about the NGO here. RMB 50. 7.30-9pm. U-Town Shopping Center
Wednesday, Aug 14
Beijing Improv Workshop
Say "YES!" with Beijing Improv at their weekly bilingual workshop this Wednesday. Designed to maximize fun, evoke laughter, and hone your improvisation skills, the Beijing Improv crew will guide attendees on their mission to get you to say "yes to yourself, your ideas, and your fellow players" and letting the "improv magic" flow. Free. 8-9.30pm. US-China Comedy Center Project Pengyou Courtyard
Thursday, Aug 15
Four Types of Summer
Have you experienced all four types of summer? In KWM Art Center's first Summer Action! project, four artists present nearly 100 works inspired by their concepts of summer: glass artist Du Meng, watercolor illustrator Liao Chen, sculptor Lu Yecheng, and ceramic artist Xu Liang present works that embody the unpredictable, illusory innocence of summer in complex and contrastive ways. TBD. Tue-Sat, 10am-7pm (until Aug 24). KWM Art Center
Friday, Aug 16
Beijing Story Socials
Sharing is caring and The Bookworm wants to hear what you're packing in terms of anecdotes. As such, every Friday they host #BeijingStory, a free "international community that shares cross-cultural knowledge, experiences, and stories." This week's session is hosted by Misso and Zhen, two individuals with their own interesting stories to share and help you break the ice. Free. 7pm. The Bookworm
Saturday, Aug 17
Beijing Arrivals: The History of Dashilar
"I miss the old Beijing" – take a shot if you've ever heard these words (we're joking, this is a booze-free blog). Who isn't curious about old Beijing? As Beijing Postcards rightly point out, "People often talk about the city as if it once existed in a pure and untouched version. But in reality, Beijing has always been a city shaped by waves of migrants." Discover just how the city has transformed over the years with a tour of Dashilar, the urban heart of the historic capital. RMB 300. 3-5.30pm. 97 Yangmiezhu Xiejie
Sunday, Aug 18
Notre Dame de Paris
Based on Victor Hugo's world-famous novel, Notre Dame de Paris (also pictured at top) follows the tale of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer with a "tragic love" for a clever and captivating gypsy named Esmeralda. Since the show's debut in 1998, the musical has achieved international acclaim and now comes to captivate Beijing. The play will be performed in French, with English and Chinese subtitles. RMB 380-1,180. 2pm. Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre Grand Theatre
There are plenty more fun, exciting (and even boozy) events in our Events section here.
Images: 247tickets, Baidu, courtesy of the organizers, viagogo.com
