Community Matters: Scot Pride, Aussie Pride and a Magic Show

Today, we're waving goodbye to “Living La Vida Local” and ushering in our newest blog heading, “Community Matters.” The change comes fresh on the heels of our new arts & entertainment blog, which was rebranded last week. Don’t fret, this roundup will offer the same coverage as before, pointing you to community events and charity news. It’s under a clearer name is all.

So, let’s get on. Everybody get your kilts out – it’s Burns Night this Friday. Wait. Let me backtrack. I had no idea who Robert Burns was, and as the grandson of a Scot I feel somewhat ashamed. The poet is renowned for his themes on the company of booze, friends and women; the Scots celebrate his work with great feasting and drinking on the date of his birthday. The Bookworm will be celebrating this day (happily sponsored by the Beijinger) with haggis and lots and lots of whiskey. I expect this will be one of your only chances this year to eat authentic sheep stomach and get very drunk with people chanting very authentic ye’s and yea’s.

On the topic of travelling the world vicariously through expat circles, Australia Day is this weekend. It may be too cold outside to be “tossing shrimp on the barbie,” but a couple of bars are hosting celebrations. 12SQM is promising a fine selection of beer and The Stumble Inn have enlisted the Aussie boys from Two Guys and Pie to serve tasty things with crusts.

A Magic Show and a Buddhist ensemble will offer a nice local alternative to all that patriotic partying. Catch Kemin Zhang, the man with the rabbit in his hat, at this month’s C!Talk on Saturday. Zhang’s been on the scene in Beijing for quite some time, starting his career on local television nearly a decade ago and later writing The Joker’s Game, a Western-style musical aimed at getting Chinese audiences interested in the genre. I hope his tricks are still up to par. Apparently his best one involves a fairy.

May the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye'll ivver see...

Photo: Citylife