Events

Mother-baby dance class

New mothers are given a chance to dance their way back into shape alongside their babies with Salsa Babies: Latin Beat for Tiny Feet offered by the Family Fun with Yuliya! Center.

Recommended for babies 6 weeks or older, the alternative music style gives mothers a chance to get their children involved in their exercise routine.

When: May 30, 10-11 am

Where: COCO MOMA apartments, Building 9-2302 Xianghe Yuan lu 1, Dongzhimen Wai 香河园路1号

Cost: 700 yuan for 8-week session

Contact: 136-2135-4114,info@familyfunwithyuliya.com

Kocoon yoga

Famed for its personal classes, Kocoon's yoga classes combine the Hatha and Ashtanga styles of yoga with aspects of pilates, to create a soothing workout. Accompanying each class is a live guitarist and improvised chants.

With each class limited to six people, reservations are required.

When: Mondays, 8-9:15 pm

Where: The Village at Sanlitun, Building 1, 11 Sanlitun Beilu, 三里屯北路11号

Cost: 200 yuan

Contact: 5208-6068, kocooninfo@kocoonspaloung.com

Bookworm pub quiz

One of the more challenging quiz nights in the capital, the Bookworm offers teams of six or less a chance to test their mettle against some of the brightest minds in Beijing.

Hosted by quiz master Tony Champagne, it's a good opportunity to share the knowledge you've spent years accruing in a bid to win some great prizes.

When: May 30, 8-10 pm

Where: Sanlitun Nanjie 三里屯南街4号楼

Cost: Free

Contact: 6586-9507

Jam session

Improv Jamming is the foundation of jazz music, and on Monday at The Vanguard Bar in Wudaoying Hutong musicians from across the city gather to engage in this inventive music style.

Saxophonist Liang Jun leads the sessions. Most equipment is provided and there is a free beer for anyone willing to get up on stage and contribute.

When: May 30, 9-11:30 pm

Where: 13 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng district 五道营胡同13号

Cost: Free

Contact: 5844-3638

Free swing class, dance party

At this party organized by the Beijing Ballroom and Xue Young and Bobo, the ballroom's instructors will teach classic Lindy Hop and Charleston steps.

A dance party, where participants can also dance to salsa, Latin, disco and ballroom music, will be held after the class.

When: June 5 and 12, 7:30-8:30 pm

Where: Chaowai Soho, Building D, Level B1, No 137

朝外SOHO, D栋, B1层, 137号

Cost: Free

Contact: 5900-2589

Leaving China with pets

Experts from the International Center for Veterinary Services, which is an animal vaccination hospital, will share step-by-step instructions on the exit process and vaccination requirements at this seminar on taking pets overseas.

When: June 11, 11 am-12 pm

Where: International Center for Veterinary Services, Kent Center, No 29 Liangmaqiao Road, Anjialou, Chaoyang district

北京新天地国际动物医院，安家楼亮马桥路29号肯特中心院内

Cost: Free

Contact: 8456-1939/1940-1941, reservations by June 9 to ICVS_CHINA @yahoo.com

Speed dating 'on the wheels'

Speed dating is not new in China but taking a rickshaw to find somebody definitely is. With speed dating at Houhai, Chinese rickshaws will drive participants around the traditional places with stops to make a change.

Sign up at least two days ahead as the number of participants is limited.

When: June 5, 2-4 pm

Where: Houhai 后海

Cost: 150 yuan (including rickshaw and bar)

Contact: info@harmony-club.org

Survival Chinese courses

Attend one or all of this series of four classes and you'll know all the essential vocabulary and the dos and don'ts to survive in China.

The workshop is hosted by a foreign expert and is aimed at expats and travelers.

Small talk on May 8 will cover basic vocabulary that will enable you to make small talk in different topics with your Chinese colleague, your neighbor and the taxi driver.

Transport & Directions on May 15 teaches you how to ask for directions, how to talk to a taxi driver and easily read maps and even some street signs.

Shopping on May 22 you learn the words you need to use when you go grocery shopping and Ordering Food on May 29 offers basic notions of Chinese.

When: 10 am-12 am, Sundays

Where: Culture Yard, No 10 Shique hutong, Line 5 Beixinqiao

Cost: 200 yuan for 1 (600 yuan advanced payment for all four classes)

Contact: 8404-4166 (register in advance, limited to 10 participants)

Out + About

Hike in Spring Valley Loop

In late spring, the valley in Huairou district is full of flowers and greenery and hikers can enjoy interesting scenery with small villages, streams, the forest and views of the Great Wall.

The hike route's midpoint lies on the intersection of the Changping, Huairou and Yangqin lines.

When: June1, 8:30 am-6:30 pm

Where: The Spring Valley Loop

Cost: 320 yuan (200 yuan for children under the age of 12), including a late lunch of homestyle Chinese food

Contact: 6432-2786, info@beijinghikers.com

China Daily

(China Daily 05/30/2011)