2011 Aug 26 This Weekend: Paint, Eat and Drink for Charity
Our Bars & Clubs Editor has already got our hedonistic whims covered for the weekend, but what about our do-good side?
Luckily, it has never been easier to give back. First up on the agenda is Gift of Hope’s Chinese painting class taking place tomorrow afternoon. All of the social enterprise’s monthly “Open Day” events are centered on traditional forms of folk art that are slowly disappearing – a way, founder Meixin Lee told me, “to preserve cultural tradition, along with generating awareness about our cause.”
And just what is the cause? Gift of Hope is owned and managed by people with disabilities who share a goal for improving the lives of the disabled community. The classes always take place at the teachers’ homes, for it can be difficult for them to move around. In this way, Lee said, “You can see how we work, eat and live – in other words, you can see more clearly how you can help.” Email opend@giftofhope-ysy.com or visit www.giftofhope-ysy.com so you can stay up-to-date on all their events.
Aug 27: Gift of Hope’s “Open Day” Event
WHEN: 2-4pm
WHERE: Liulichang Weiran Hutong
PRICE: RMB 200
RSVP at opend@giftofhope-ysy.com (there’s still time to sign up!)
Also to take place tomorrow is The Hutong and Chi Fan for Charity’s final summer charity dinner. Element Fresh and Flamme Chef Jeff Powell will be serving up free-flow Mexican-style tapas, while Grand Marnier will be providing the margaritas (or you can opt for two glasses of wine from Grapevine Wines). All donations will benefit their chosen charity, The Dandelion School for migrant children.
Aug 27: Chi Fan Summer Charity Dinner
WHEN: 6.30-9.30pm
WHERE: The Hutong
PRICE: RMB 100
Buy tickets at the door
If you’re the greedy type and want to combine the two causes above (that is, support the disabled community as well as eat for charity), then look into Beijing Huiling’s Mid-Autumn Festival Charity Dinner on September 9. Tickets are now available until September 5, but it is best to pick yours up as soon as possible to ensure a space. We’re told perks will include delicious food, desserts and drinks courtesy of Xu Xiang Zhai Vegetarian Restaurant, performances by Huiling’s trainees and a lucky lottery draw. All proceeds benefit people with intellectual disabilities. Learn more about the organization here.
Sep 9: Beijing Huiling’s Mid-Autumn Festival Charity Dinner
WHEN: 7-9pm
WHERE: 110 Yanyue Hutong, Dongsi Nandajie, Dongcheng District
PRICE: RMB 150
TICKET HOTLINE: 6404 6631, 158 0134 1803 (Cassie)
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Last Chance to Buy Chi Fan for Charity Tickets!
Foodies and do-gooders unite – tonight’s the night you’ve all been waiting for. The third annual Chi Fan for Charity dinner will kick off citywide at 7.30pm, with the Hatsune after-party to follow at 10pm.
As expected, there is only a limited quantity of tickets left for both events. Just two days ago there were twice as many, so the few that are left will also probably be snatched up fast:
Chi Fan With Alan Wong, Kristen Lum and Stacey Lee Mitchell
The event on everyone’s lips still has seats left for purchase, though perhaps not for long. Chi Fan for Charity 2011 held its press party last night at the Westin Chaoyang’s Touch Bar to bring together the restaurateurs, media, table hosts and 2011 beneficiaries. They noted that they were not far from reaching their target goal of RMB 300,000, and that there remains a range of prices (from RMB 500 to 1000) and cuisines (from Spanish tapas at Carmen to Indian at Punjabi) to choose from.
If you’re still on the fence, we’ll let the CFFC table hosts and organizers do the talking. (See our earlier post for founder Michael Crain’s responses.)
Chi Fan for Charity Tickets on Sale Now, Says Michael Crain
Now in its third year, Chi Fan for Charity (CFFC) has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. We have explained the concept in years past (see here), so we won’t go into too much detail again, but basically 2011 will see 32 of Beijing’s finest restaurants – the highest number yet! – donating tables. (Shanghai is getting its first taste of Chi Fan for Charity too on October 29.) Per seat prices range from RMB 500 to RMB 1,500.
Best of British: Keeping an Eye on the Ball
Rumor has it that the British Ball got started following a drunken conversation in Tiananmen Square a decade ago. We asked Vice-Chair Martin Budzinski what we can expect from the event in 2011.
We hear the theme is “A Day at the Races.” Explain to non-Brits what that means.
Think Ascot/Grand National/Gold Cup. Royalty and sheiks and horses ridden by colorful pint-sized men thrashing away with whips! Money. Tiaras. Hats. Champagne.A Brand Nu Approach to Shopping: Pop-up Shop This Sunday
We wrote about how Brand Nü needs our help last month. Beijing’s first charity store is committed to raising funds for migrant women in China, but operates on a tight budget. Now, with the cost of rent rising, Brand Nü is at risk of losing its current home in Wudaoying Hutong.
Of course, the community won’t let that happen without a fight. This Sunday, May 22 from 2-6pm, Sam and Sophie will be hosting a one-day-only pop-up shop at a courtyard near Yugong Yishan (directions and map below).
