Maovember Charity Events Lineup Takes Shape

Mark your calendars for the start of Maovember, Beijing's version of the worldwide mens' health awareness campaign that takes place each November.

Inspired by the Australian-born grass-roots campaign referred to as Movember, local organizers have given it a Beijing twist with the moniker Maovember, a pun on the term for a Chinese cent, or mao.

Globally, the concept is simple: rather than wear a ribbon, participants pledge to grow the most impressive crop of facial hair they can over the course of the month.

In Beijing the event is distinctively less hirsute: Females of the species, the follically deficient and those with public images too fragile to make drastic changes to their facial hair are all invited to come along for the mustache ride by simply attending events or buying a handsome fundraising badge -- no facial hair required.

Last year's Maovember efforts raised over RMB 100,000 for Orbis to fund cataract surgeries for poor men in rural China. This year, Orbis is once again the recipient of the fundraising.

Organizers have been hard at work to put together the string of charity events that will make up this year's campaign; below you'll find the work-in-progress listings  harvested from Maovember.com (keep up with updates here): 

Kiwi Drinks Kickoff Party at Pop-Up Beijing (Sunday, Nov 8 at 4pm)
The Pop-Up team will combine the official launch of its bar with fun kiwi-themed fundraising. Get RMB 30 glasses of New Zealand wine and RMB 20 shots of New Zealand baijiu, with all funds to the cause. Pop-Up is also aiming for a musical activity or two to keep guests amused.

Maovember Charity Quiz at Paddy O'Shea's (Wednesday, Nov 11 at 8:30pm)
One of the top three fundraising venues during Maovember 2014, Paddy O’Shea’s returns this year with its charity quiz. Click here for more on last year’s brainteaser.

Corn Hole Tournament at The Irish Volunteer (Saturday, Nov 14 at 1pm)
Some call it corn hole, some call it corn toss, we call it (somewhat) good clean fun. Find a partner, pay your team fee and try your luck at tossing beanbags into a hole in a board about 50 feet away. For prizes and glory. Trust us, it’s addictive. And if this third annual tournament is anything like previous years, there’ll be plenty of shenanigans (see here). Oh, and the moonshine picklebacks will also return.

Q Mex (Wednesday, Nov 18)
Last year, Q Mex held a charity quiz and raised over RMB 3500 through team fees, tequila shot revenues, a raffle, and winnings from co-owner Stefan demolishing opponents in billiards. Details here. We’ll have more soon on Q Mex's plans for this year.

Jing-A Taproom (Saturday, Nov 21)
Jing-A partnered with a variety of venues and organizations last year for events that included a smoked pig being marched through the streets of Beijing, a comedy night, and a Beijing Foodies feast. Expect more such creativity from these guys this year. Details soon.

Bungalow Tiki Bar (Wednesday, Nov 25)
Look for one of Beijing’s hottest new cocktail bars to take tiki drink specials, a limbo contest and a Magnum P.I. theme – best ‘stache ever? – and surf a gnarly wave of fundraising.

Home Plate Bar-B-Que (Saturday, Nov 28)
Given his fashionable facial hair of years past, it makes sense that manager Dave Bob will host a Mr Maovember contest. Also expect a repeat of last year’s bingo action.

Paddy O'Shea's (Tuesday, Dec 1)
Wrap-up party, with details to be announced

Stay tuned to Maovember.com for additions, updates and changes to this year's calendar

Image: Maovember