Beijing's Best Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Jul 24-30
Our Events Watch series aims to highlight happenings that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, dinners and more.
Monday, July 24
Beginner Swing Dance Lessons
Want to learn something fun, active, and different? Join these beginner swing dance lessons at Beixinqiao's Yue Space and learn all the basics you need to know to swing. Today's class acts as a free trial class, at which point attendees can stick around for the dance party, beginning at 9.30pm. 8.30-9.30pm. Free. Yue Space
Tuesday, July 25
China's Polar Diplomacy: No Longer on Ice
Marc Lanteigne, a senior lecturer in Chinese, East Asian, and Polar Affairs at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) at Massey University, New Zealand joins The Bookworms to discuss China's expansion in both Polar Regions over the past few years. Scientific interests, including the role of climate change and how it may be affecting China itself, are still taking the lead in Chinese diplomacy at both poles, yet there is also a growing concern in circumpolar economics and politics, especially as both regions have gained more international attention. In short, China is now seeking to be understood internationally as a polar player, and a partner for new initiatives in both regions. Thus, a major question is how the traditional polar powers, including the United States, Europe, and Russia, will react to China’s expanded diplomacy in the Far North and Far South. 7.30pm. RMB 50. The Bookworm
Rhythm of Youth: The Asian Youth Orchestra in Concert
Richard Pontzious appears to direct the Asian Youth Orchestra at the NCPA, including some of the finest young musicians from China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and are selected via a highly rigorous audition process. They will play a program that includes Strauss, Sibelius and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. 7.30-9.30pm. RMB 80-500. National Centre For The Performing Arts
Wednesday, July 26
The Bodyguard: The Musical
This English-language musical stage adaptation of the 1992 classic Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner film has toured nine countries across Europe, America, and Asia. The musical includes all of the hits from the movie, including "I Will Always Love You," making it a not-to-be-missed event for Whitney fans. Until July 30, 7.30-10pm. RMB 180-1,000. Poly Theatre. Read more here.
Thursday, July 27
Ullen's Center Conversations: Selected Poetry Read by Contemporary Artists
UCCA invites art critics, curators, directors, and artists who have shown at the Guggenheim, the New York Museum of Modern Art and the Pompidou Centre in Paris to participate in another form of art – a poetry reading. This Chinese language exhibition is intended to ‘annotate’ visual works on display in the gallery. 3-5pm. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA)
Friday, July 28
AmCham Young Professionals Lunch
Make your lunch productive by joining 12-15 motivated young professionals from within the AmCham China community to share resources and best practices for success and career development. Young professionals interested in expanding their network, becoming more involved with AmCham China, and getting to know their peers in the expatriate business community have the opportunity to sit with speaker Jeffrey Towson, a private equity investor/advisor at Peking University, as well as a professor and bestselling author. Noon-1.30pm. RMB 100, RMB 70 (AmCham members). The American Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, July 29
Charity Fishing Competition
This event for young professionals brings together locals and foreigners from the business community to fish for charity on Kuanggou Lake. With your minimum 100RMB donation to the Migrant Children’s Foundation, you can spend the day fishing for carp and perch, enjoy a lunch buffet and an evening barbecue and art auction. 8am-10pm. Minimum RMB 100 donation. Kuangou Lake, Huairou
The Beijing Flea Market
The Beijing Flea Market is always a popular choice among Beijingers, and we're happy to see that the summer heat hasn't scared them away from bringing us their usual range of food, clothes, and goodies. Noon-6pm. Free. Pop-Up Beijing
More stories by this author here.
Email: tomarnstein@thebeijinger.com
WeChat: tenglish_
Images: Trip Adviser, courtesy of the organizers
