Health Rave by The Hutong & Heyrobics

Heyrobics Makes Running & Fitness Fun Again

The Hutong and Heyrobics are teaming up to bring great food, drinks, music and exercise together for one event called The Health Rave on Sunday, April 29 from 11AM to 3PM.

The rave begins at Ditan Park with a warm-up session and Heyrobics aerobics followed by a 4 km run through the park and back streets of Beijing with the final destination being The Hutong, where participants will be rewarded with a BBQ, drinks and music on the terrace.

Run from Ditan Park to The Hutong

For those with an interest in learning some some mean kitchen skills, The Hutong is hosting three different additional 1 hour workshops (from 2-3PM)  that all are welcome to join in on including a “Race Fast Gourmet Pasta Cooking Class”, “Power Cooking Making Workshop” or “Luscious Chocolate and Tea Tasting Workshop”. Each of these additional activities will have a discount rate of RMB 150 per person (RMB 100 for members).

For those who stick around, the event will wrap up at 4PM with an interactive talk called “Tales from An Ultra Athlete – a photographic insight into the toughest times that athletes choose to endure!”

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, April 29, 2012

• Time: 11AM-4:30PM

• Location: The Hutong

• Address: #1 Jiu Dao Wan Zhong Xiang Hutong 东城区九道弯中巷1号

  Map & Directions: Click here.

• Website: Click here for more info. 

LDS Hook-Up: The Crunk Master Comes to Spark

Fun fact: American rapper and entertainer Lil Jon‘s real name is Jonathan Smith.

Who would guess that this guy pictured above wearing sunglasses with long dreads and a crown on his head while holding a bling’d out goblet in one hand and super thick gold chain reading “cRuNk AiN’t DeAd” has such a proper, run-of-the-mill name?

Fun fact #2: Lil Jon is coming to China for the first time and playing at Spark.

Thanks to the Street Hustle Promotions Team, they are the guys who are making this happen and lucky for you, they love LumDimSum and on behalf of Lil Jon, they are putting out a beacon to get Spark packed out with a ton of girls and they’ve asked me to put the word out.

Here is a short video of Lil Jon saying “你好” to Beijingers with clips of his live performances on Youku.com:

I love how Lil Jon is being promoted here -

“Exuberant, loud-mouthed, and regularly adorned with a bejeweled pimp chalice at hand, Lil Jon was the charismatic figurehead of the Dirty South crunk movement that arose from the Atlanta area around the turn of the century. Now a entrepreneur, actor, and still the greatest entertainer in the world, Lil Jon ends his China tour in Beijing.” - The Street Hustle Promotions Team

There is no doubt this entertainer is ambitious with his career as an disc jockey turned rapper, music producer, entrepreneur and even actor?  I’m not sure how convinced I am of his acting skills, but he’s got the personality that’s won him international fame as an entertainer and he knows it -

“My personality has taken me further then music could have taken me alone.”

- Lil Jon in his interview with theBeijinger’s Jonathan White

A few more great excerpts from theBeijinger.com‘s interview with Lil Jon -

theBeijinger: How Crunk are you on a scale of one to “too crunk”?

Lil Jon: The most crunk! How could you ask me a question like that? Who could be more crunk than the crunk master?

theBeijinger: Who’s the better Lil Jon – is it you or the fellow from Robin Hood? 

Lil Jon: Ha ha ha! The fellow from Robin Hood never made it to Beijing, so based on that I think I am the one and only Lil Jon.

For the full interview, click here.

LDS HOOK-UP

Thanks to Street Hustle Promotions, a lucky LDS reader will get the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Lil Jon live!

For your chance to win 2 FREE TICKETS to the Lil Jon Concert on Sunday, April 22, answer the following question in the comment section:

If you could take a shot with Lil Jon, what liquor would you ask him to pour you?  

To answer, click here and scroll down to comment section.  Be sure to leave your email address so I contact the winner directly!

Deadline is Wednesday, April 18 at 12PM Noon.

Pre-Sale Tickets are RMB 50 for ladies, RMB 200 for gents. At the door, it’s RMB 100 for ladies or RMB 300 for men.

Sorry guys, Lil Jon is clearly sexist and the obvious price difference in gender is blatantly ensuring there will be way more hot chicks than dudes on his dance floor so you’ll have to suck it up and pay more than double to get in, but that also means there will be that many more girls for you to check out.  No pain, no gain?

Official ticket booking websites: Piao.com.cn or sendmetickets.com or damai.cn

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012

• Time: 10:00PM

• Location: Spark Nightclub

• Address: B108, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, 光华路9号世贸天阶B108

• Tickets: RMB 100 for ladies and RMB 300 for gents; Pre-sale: RMB 50 for ladies & RMB 100 for men

Buy Tickets: Piao.com.cn or sendmetickets.com or damai.cn

Save the Date: 

Grand Master Flash is coming to Beijing the week after Lil Jon on April 28 at Yugongyishan.

Early bird tickets (first 200) RMB 150, Pre-sale is RMB 200, Door is RMB 300. 

Go to sendmetickets.com to get your early bird tickets!

The Little Easy: A New Orleans Bar on SLT Bar Strip

This Friday, the 13th of April will be the official opening of a new bar in town called The Little Easy, a New Orleans bar with quality cocktails, craft beers, southern comfort food and live music.

This is Chad Lager‘s newest project, who is also known as the man behind Fubar, Grinders, Tun Bar and The Rickshaw (closed in 2010).

Teaming up with the guys from Slow Boat Brewery, he’ll be exclusively serving three of their craft beers (American Pale Ale, Citra Mango IPA & Amber Ale) on tap for RMB 40 for one or RMB 100 for three.

“The Little Easy is your place for Slow Boat craft beers, Hurricane cocktails, Cajun food and po’ boy sandwiches. Live New Orleans Jazz, Zydeco, and Blues. At the Little Easy, although the clock may say 2am, it’s all a matter of mind, body and spirit.” 

A New Orleans bar like the ones on the legendary Bourbon Street in New Orleans seems quite the change from the cozy, hidden speakeasy that is Fubar with its little “Dizzy Buddha” cocktails (click here for my previous “Buddha-licious” article on Fubar).

But the most fascinating part to me is the choice of location. From the secretive, under-cover location of Fubar, a speak-easy behind the front of Stadium Dog in Gongti, The Little Easy will be smack-dab on the cheesy, touristy Sanlitun bar strip right across from Sanlitun South Village.

This is renowned to be one of the worst parts of Sanlitun, with awful pop music blasting out and girls pole dancing in the windows.  This is the area I fear many clueless tourists accidentally end up while trying to find the infamous “Sanlitun Bar Street” of Beijing they read about in their travel books. I intentionally refuse to walk on this side of the street to avoid all the annoying hawkers shamelessly trying to lure people into their bars that are really nothing but over-priced tourist traps.  All that being said, perhaps The Little Easy will be the pivotal point that will change this hopeless strip into a new, better Sanlitun bar street.

“Centrally located on Sanlitun’s premier bar street – just look for the wrought iron railings and brick interior.”

Fingers crossed this marks the beginning of the end of that forsaken strip of tourist trap-bars-from-hell into a strip of quality bars with legit drinks, food and music.

The Little Easy Details:

• Address: 北京市朝阳区三里屯酒吧街54号 Beijing, Chaoyang district, Sanlitun Bar Street #54 

• Opening Hours: 11AM-late

Art Beijing: “Christian Dior and Quentin Shih” Show

I love this clash of extremes. The dynamic is stunning and I while I embarrassingly admit that some pieces of artwork go right over my head, I am very much drawn to Quentin Shih’s photography.

In the upcoming Art Beijing Contemporary Art Fair 2012, PX Photography Gallery will have a solo show of Chinese artist Quentin Shih 时晓凡from Tianjin.

This talented artist was named “Photographer of the Year” by Esquire Magazine (China) in 2007 and the following year he was selected by Christian Dior as one of the twenty Chinese contemporary artists to participate in their exhibition “Dior with Chinese Contemporary Artists”.

His two collaboration series – “Stranger in the Glass Box” and “Shanghai Dreamers” will be on display at the Art Beijing Fair, which will include a display of 6 large scale photographs from his collaboration with Christian Dior.

“Quentin Shih’s ‘Stranger in the Glass Box’ series, a collaboration with the House of Dior, juxtaposes industrial scenes from northern China with Dior models as emblems of affluence from Western culture. The result highlights the beauty and grotesqueness of both worlds.”  - PX Photography Gallery

“Stranger in the Glass Box #2″ – Quentin Shih, Digital Chromogenic Print, 75 x 44 inches, Edition of 8, 2008

Here Quentin Shih explains his inspiration in his series of “Shanghai Dreamers” with Christian Dior -

“My inspiration came from a certain Chinese style of group photography but these ceremonial photographs mark a departure from a certain historical period and herald the future. I created some typical Chinese groupings; they replicate themselves, wearing plastic clothes. They stand on display in vast spaces or upon a stage because they were, and still are dreamers. As China enters a new era, they begin to stand together upon a world stage, self-conscious and yet filled with power.”

-Quentin Shih
Paris, France

“Shanghai Dreamers #6″ – Quentin Shih, Digital Chromogenic Print, 112X 112cm, Edition of 8, 2010

“Shanghai Dreamers #8” – Quentin Shih, Digital Chromogenic Print, 112 X 112 cm, Edition of 8, 2010

Event Details:

Party for the Awesome Miao: Lantern Fundraiser Party

All the people in the world are believed to be connected by six degrees of separation.  I believe the degree of separation in Beijing is as small as one and 99% of the time, that link is Miao.

Miao Wong is Beijing’s party princess. She is the heart and spirit behind what drives Acupuncture Records, Lantern, and Intro, and the woman who brings non-stop energy to Beijing’s electronic scene.

Without her even knowing it, Beijing’s connectors (have you read Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point“?) have huddled together to rally the broader Beijing community to come out and show their support for Miao by throwing a massive party to help her fundraise both her surgery and speedy recovery.

Thanks to one of Beijing’s biggest connectors, Svante Jerling, co-founder of exclusive social networking site P1.cn, he’s helped to lock-in Beijing’s favorite DJ’s (who have all volunteered both their talent and time) to play together for one night at Lantern. Smashing line-up includes DJ Patrick Yu, Elvis T., DJ Saul D, DJ Chozie, and DJ Weng Weng!

100% of your entrance fee and 10% of the bar tab will be donated to Miao’s surgery fund so she can recover quickly and rejoin the party scene with us.

Let’s get the party started for Miao!

Please do your part by spreading the word and together, we can reach the masses and support not a great cause, but to support a dynamic, fun-loving, kind-hearted and high-spirited woman, to show our love and appreciation for the beloved Miao.

*To anyone who wants to show their support, but is unable to go to Lantern on Friday night, you can contact me separately (kristen@lumdimsum.com) and I can arrange for your red envelope donation to be added to her total fund.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, April 6, 2012

• Time: 10PM-onwards

• Entrance: RMB 100 or Red Envelope (it all goes to Miao!)

• Location: Lantern

• Address: 100m north of Workers’ Stadium West Gate, Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工体西路工体西门往北走100米

Transform Yourself: WHS 12-Week Challenge!

Have you seen the dramatic results documented on the show The Biggest Loser? The World Health Store is about to launch it’s 3rd annual 12-Week Challenge, a body transformation program to help participants either to lose weight or gain muscle.  The results are incredible and pretty equivalent to what’s been achieved on The Biggest Loser.

Last year’s Beijing winner, Nate Holdstein, was thoughtful enough to call me out of the blue last year to say thank you for posting about last year’s 12-Week Challenge because he said he would never have heard of it if I didn’t post about the challenge on LDS! I’m still waiting to see his inspiring video of how he worked so hard to lose over 15% body fat and change his life for the better, but he’s posted his Before & After Pictures on the WHS website and given his story here on how the 12-Week Challenge continues to change his life as he is getting ready to enter again in this year’s challenge ”to push myself to get rid of the fat that really doesn’t want to go away”.  

Last year’s Shanghai winner, Iannique Renaud from Canada also has a similar story that is no less impressive and moving. An ex-professional hockey player, he managed to lose 24 kilos and his moving essay was so inspiring, WHS has re-printed it on their website for you to read here.

Taking place in Beijing and Shanghai, this health chain is gaining momentum and it’s really motivating to see how they’re helping more and more of us to look and feel our best!

“The WHS 12WK Challenge is our most important program as we become so intertwined with peoples’ lives in their efforts to transform themselves into healthier beings.  WHS reaches out to our Challengers to provide them professional nutrition advice and gather our network of experts to help all in the community to truly transform.   It is one of the most exhilarating and humbling experiences to see so many reach their health goals through the WHS 12WK Challenge.” – Drew Campbell, CEO and Founder of WHS

From seeing previous year’s results, that ought to be motivating enough to get you running over to your gym.  Many of the participants lost an impressive double-digit amount of weight over the course of 12 weeks.

To sign up, the fee is RMB 300 per applicant and you will get a free full body analysis report including measurements such as circumference measurements, body fat %, BMI (Body Mass Index), BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) along with the recommended kg weight loss required to be healthy.  During the 12 weeks, all participants will also be given a jam-packed schedule inclusive of nutrition classes and counseling offered by WHS and partners, along with fitness classes ranging from Heyrobics, Circuit Training, Boxing, Zumba, Capoeira Mandinga, Weight Training, etc.

2012 will have four winning titles - Mr. & Ms. Amazing (weight loss) and Mr. & Ms. Fit (muscle gain).  Winners are rewarded with over 1,000,000 RMB in products, services and prizes ranging from weekend hotel stays to spa memberships to an IntelaMetrix Ultrasound BodyMetrix machine.

With an Official Weigh-in on April 6 and fitness classes starting on May 6, here’s how to sign up for a chance to transform your body and mind here.

A Spanish Visit at Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB)

My first meal at Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) was a private business lunch a few months ago when they were first in soft opening period and not even open outside of dinner hours. It was a few months ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Everything from the food to the service was impeccable and every detail was looked after. Granted they opened the restaurant just to accommodate our party of 10, which is an ideal situation to leave a perfect, lasting impression. (Click here for previous review of TRB)

I’ve only had the opportunity to dine at TRB once since it’s opening, and yet it’s still the top new place I recommend to others for special occasion celebrations and out-of-town guests. And when I first heard about TRB’s “Spanish Visit”, I immediately found my excuse to rush back to TRB for a proper dinner event.  The event featured a gastronomic 5-course meal paired with Spanish wines and a presentation of 5J Iberico ham for only RMB 480 all inclusive was a deal I could not miss.

Arriving at TRB for the first time in the evening, it definitely has a different vibe than during the day time.  It’s a lot of mysterious and you really feel the 600 years of history within the temple much more.

LumDimSum Snapshots of TRB’s Courtyard Entrance by Night:

Within TRB’s restaurant, we gathered at the bar for glasses of sparkling wine and all the Iberico ham we could stomach.  Complete with warm, toasty cheese balls, it’s amazing I had enough self-control to leave stomach room for the 5-course wine pairing dinner. Not going to lie, we were all over that Iberico ham and devoured more than our fair share.  Such a treat to see it sliced right in front of you.

TRB Welcome Drinks & Iberico Ham:

And now to the best part – TRB’s impressive 5-course dinner with paired Spanish wines. Highlights of the meal were definitely the Salt Cod Egg White and Garlic Soup starter, Fillet of Monkfish and the generous spread of beautifully presented desserts.

LumDimSum Snapshots of TRB’s ‘Spanish Visit’ Dinner Event:

TRB Spanish Visit’s Center Table for 20

TRB’s Spanish Visit Dinner Menu

Salt Cod Egg White and Garlic Soup paired with Luna Creciente, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2010

Pigs Head Pate with Goose Liver, Sherry and Fig Paired with Matsu, “El Picaro” Toro, Spain 2010

Fillet of Monkfish, Clams, Red Wine Sauce paired with Beryna, Alicante, Spain 2010

Roasted Pork Loin, Pimentos, Aubergine, Garlic, Lentils Jus paired with Pagos Del Mormeayo S.L. Gernacha, Vera de Moncayo, Spain 2010

Iced Saffron Parfait 

The Beijing Family at TRB’s Spanish Visit

 *If you missed out on this dinner but would be interested in joining in on more events like this one, check out this link here to the next Chi Fan for Charity Napa Wine Dinner where 5 participating restaurants (Brasserie Flo, Grange, Maison Boulud, TRB, and Vasco’s) are sponsoring spectacular set dinners paired with wines from Napa Valley’s top wineries.  I’ve booked my seat at TRB once again, but any of these restaurants would be a great choice to enjoy fabulous food with even more fabulous wines. 

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2012
• Time: Dinner begin at 6:30PM 
• Location: At the 5 Participating restaurants
• Website: Click here.
• Questions: Email MDC@chifanforcharity.org

LDS Hook-Up: LumDim-SUM41 Comes to China

Canadian Rock Group SUM41 is Performing in China for the first time

Once again, the Street Hustle Promo Team is hooking up a lucky LDS reader to win FREE SUM41 concert tickets.

After an intimate concert at Yugongyishan with Simple Plan earlier this year, Street Hustle is going big again with this next concert next week at Beijing’s MasterCard Stadium (previously known as WuKeSong Stadium).

Next Wednesday, April 4 (04.04), Canadian rock band SUM41 will be playing in Beijing as a part of their 2012 World Tour.  Originally called Kaspir, the band changed their name to SUM41 when they performed for a Supernova show on September 28, 1996 which happened to be the 41st day of summer.

Although this fun-loving rock group is pretty addicted to traveling with over 300 concerts a year in conjunction with lengthy world tours, this will be their first time performing in China with shows in both Beijing (4.4.12) & Shanghai (4.6.12).

I admit I haven’t heard much of this band before writing this post, but I enjoyed reading some interviews I found online.  Here’s a clip from one interview with Livewire’s Phil Bonyata and SUM41′s Deryck Whibley (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) -

Livewire: So, in my past interview with you a couple of years ago, you refer to yourselves as the “ugly goons from Canada.” Now with the new hairstyle has that changed? I think you’re better looking. 

Deryck: I just refered to ourselves last night as “four ugly assholes having a good time.” (laughs) 

Livewire: Describe Sum 41 in a few words.

Deryck: (laughs) Young, dumb and full of cum. 

For full interview, click here.

Deryck Whibley (front)

To see SUM41 perform live their hits like “Blood in my Eyes” and tracks from their debut album “All Killer, No Filler”, get the LDS Hook-UP!

LDS HOOK-UP

Thanks to Street Hustle Promotions, a lucky LDS reader will get the chance to win a pair of tickets to see SUM41 live!

For your chance to win 2 FREE TICKETS to the SUM41 Concert on Wednesday, April 4, answer the following question in the comment section:

If you had the chance to interview Deryck Whibley and ask one question, what would you ask?  

To answer, click here and scroll down to comment section.  Be sure to leave your email address so I contact the winner directly!

Deadline is Wednesday, April 4 at 12PM Noon.

Tickets are RMB 180 380 480 580 1080 1280. Official ticket booking websites: Piao.com.cn or sendmetickets.com or damai.cn

For those of you who are going, don’t forget to stop by Nathan’s Famous concession stand in the stadium to get your chili cheese dog fix!

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2012

• Time: 7:30PM

• Location: Wukesong Stadium (formerly known as Wukesong Stadium)

• Address: Fuxing Lu in Haidian District, 海淀区复兴路五棵松文化体育中心

• Tickets: RMB 180, 380, 480, 580, 1080, and 1280

• Buy Tickets: Piao.com.cn or sendmetickets.com or damai.cn

  

Hatsune Chef’s Dinner with Culinary Master Alan-san

Chef Alan-san fully focused in his kitchen

The man behind Hatsune’s legendary sushi rolls and really the entire menu of fresh salads, sashimi, seafood dishes, teppanyaki and California-style Japanese fare, Alan Wong, is getting out his slick set of super-sharp knives, rolling his sleeves up and getting his cook-on in the original kitchen where all the magic first took place – the Original Hatsune branch on Guanghua Lu.

This is an event that has been in the works for months and we are finally ready to announce this exciting upcoming dinner. Alan is opening this dinner up to the first 20 people who are quick enough to sign up for his very own Chef’s dinner on Wednesday, April 4.

Created from scratch and new inspirations, this dinner will feature 10 never-before-seen dishes from start to finish. Be among the very first to sample these new creations that could very well end up on the Hatsune menu. The menu is design to impress, with each dish unique to anything already on the Hatsune menu.

Pretty-ing up his famous California-style Japanese sushi rolls

This is a must-attend dinner for all Hatsune fanatics who have tried every roll on the menu twice and are aching for something new. The set dinner is RMB 380 per person and like I said earlier – we’re only giving out 20 seats MAX so hurry and book your seat! Reservations are essential so get on it..!

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2012

• Time: 7:30PM-9:30PM

• Location: The Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch)

• Address: 2\F, Heqiao Building, Bldg C, A8 Guanghua Donglu, CBD/Guomao    

                       光华东路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层

• RSVP Required: Limited to 20 seats only. 

  Contact: kristen@lumdimsum.com or call 18610046093

I should note that Alan Wong just won the Outstanding award for theBeijinger’s Best Personality Award in this year’s 2012 Reader Restaurant Awards, so you’re guaranteed to have a blast at his very own Chef’s Dinner!

BJ FOoDieS: ‘Ninja’ Charity Dinner at Restaurant T

The recognized symbol for BJ FOoDieS monthly charity dinners, this little character is pretty much exactly how all us foodies look whenever we discover a new restaurant within in this intricate maze of Beijing’s roller-coaster dining scene.

This Sunday, March 25 (tomorrow) is their upcoming “Ninja” feast at Restaurant T, a high-end, modern Japanese restaurant just across the way from Gori in Ocean Office Park (not far from Central Park in CBD).

“Restaurant T is modern fine-dining opulent Japanese cuisine at its best. Innovative signature dishes like mandarin-fish sashimi, goma tofu are just a few of the signatures that make this a stand-out venue. We promise this will be a culinary adventure if this is ya’ll first time trying T.” – Xixi Cheng, Founder of BJ FOoDieS

Promising to be “a 5* Meal of pure decadence fit for a Japanese emperor” this is definitely a dinner you’ll want to RSVP for in advance as BJ FOoDiEs is known to book out every seat available and even turn some foodies away if they turned up too late without a reservation.

Foodies are treated to an extravagant multi-course dinner for only RMB 120 + drink.  And as always, this price per person goes directly to the hosting restaurant so be sure to fill up your wallet just a tad bit more if you’d like to contribute to the good work of this month’s featured charity organization - Prevention Through Eduction (PTE China), an NGO focused on educating young people in China and empowering them with both the knowledge & ability to effectively respond to the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Drink Success at ExecutiV+ Event at V Plus Lounge

Generally this sort of event would not be publicized out to the masses, but the Street Hustle Promotions Team has granted me permission to share this semi-private event with my LDS readers.

It will be hosted at the new, swanky V Plus Lounge in Gongti so expect plenty of free flowing champagne, as they call it - “the drink of success” and feel the “power” of being…in power?  If you’re not in power yet, you can at least mingle with those who are and hope that some of that “power” will latch itself onto you by mere proximity.

You gotta love the tag line to promote this event -

“Executive is a ”Power” that few hold, but many seek Come see where Executives come to party and Feel that ”Power”.  A night for the decision makers in or visiting our fair city.”

It’s not exactly clear what’s going down at V+ Lounge for this event, but expect to see plenty of name-card swamping and both social and professional networking.  Should be a great event to meet people and who knows? Opportunity could be knocking on your door sooner than you’d expect!

Event Details: 

• Date: Saturday, March 24, 2012

• Time: Begins at 9:30PM

• Location: V Plus Lounge

• Address: Party Floor, Bldg 3, China View, Gongti East Road, 工体东路，中国红街3座

• Request for Invitation: Email info@streethustlepromotions.com or call 8587 1233

  

Back Alley Chili Cook Off by Great Leap & Seedicego

Kevin Wallace – People’s Choice Winner of Brooklyn Chili Take Down

You want a piece of my chili?  I bet you do!

On second thought…probably not since I’m an awful cook, but I’ve always wanted to say that at some point in my life. Check!

This coming Saturday, March 24, Great Leap Brewery and Seedicego Productions is teaming up to organize Beijing’s very first Back Alley Chili Cook Off presenting 10 contestants from all around Beijing have claimed to be able to cook some of the best and most inventive chilies in town, using mostly local ingredients.  Whether you’d like to spectate, taste or try your hand at cooking, sign up as spacing is limited and pre-ordered tickets is RMB 100 (instead of RMB 120 at the door).

Nathalie Johnston (Great Leap Brewery) & Candice Lee (Seedicego Productions)

Event Details: 

Pizza Paradise: GungHo! Pizza Making Competition at The Hutong

Who says you have to be Italian to make the awesome pizza?!

Case in point – GungHo! Gourmet Pizza is created by two passionate, forward-thinking Kiwis (John & Jade) who have won me over (and the rest of Beijing) with their seriously awesome pizza making skillz (it’s about time someone figured out that Camembert cheese & chicken make for perfect pizza toppings!).

GungHo! has quickly made a name for itself as the most innovative pizza company, which is evident from their wacky pizza toppings (have you tried their Nacho Beef pizza or their Xinjiang Lamb pizzas), wholewheat crust option (for health-nuts such as myself) and the most efficient, friendly delivery service in town.  Hands-down. I’ll admit, I find myself waving at GungHo! delivery guys like an idiot (because they obviously have no idea who I am) whenever I see them zooming around Beijing on their little hot pink e-bikes.

If GungHo! has instilled a sense of inspiration to breach the bounds of traditional Italian Margherita pizza and you think you’d like to try your hand at creating your very own pizza recipe, turn up at The Hutong Kitchen’s Pizza Making Competition this Friday, March 23.  In conjunction with GungHo! Pizza, The Hutong is making a last call for pizza fanatics to sign up for this event.

“There are ideals that Gung Ho and The Hutong share. We always focus on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, on making tasty, wholesome meals from scratch, and on bringing exceptional culinary experiences to the capital.”

“On Friday, March 23, we invite you to roll up your sleeves and transform into master chefs, bringing us beyond the land of pizza – beyond its olive groves, sun glistening seas and blue skies that stretch into forever – to the contemporary pizza creations that have transformed the tradition of pizza making into a gourmet art form.

Our expert panel will vote on the pizzas over drinks and friendly banter. You will be judged on taste, creativity, pizza identity, and presentation. The winning team will see their gourmet pizza featured on The Gung Ho menu, and will be awarded a private pizza party at Gung Ho’s new Lidu Flagship location.”                      - The Hutong Kitchen

Win a private pizza party at GungHo!  Woo-hoo!!  Plus, you’ll also win some vouchers to free cooking classes at The Hutong.  But I think the best part of the winning prize is to get to see your very own creation featured on GungHo’s menu.

Mark my words, one day you will find a LumDimSum pizza creation on GungHo’s menu. One day…

I still remember when GungHo! opened up their Headquarters Location in Lido (click here for review), when I was invited to create my very own pizza baby! I was so ecstatic when this picture was taken, my eyes are practically shut I’m smiling so hard.

Just to give you some more inspiration from the guys at GungHo…

Event Details:

St. Paddy’s Day Parties: Go Get ‘Em Lucky Charms!

One of the most spontaneous, sloppy holidays of the year, St. Paddy’s Day will no doubt have the majority of all party-goers stumbling over themselves for another pint of Guinness and crawling to the next Irish pub.

The top spot to be this year would hands-down be the Irish Ball at the Renaissance Beijing Capital as Beijing’s Irish community will guarantee you a night that’s so good, you most definitely won’t remember it.  But if you didn’t get a ticket already, you’re out of luck as this event’s totally sold out.

Fear not, if you aren’t making your way to the Irish Ball, you can always hit up the usual list of suspects – Paddy O’Shea’s and are most likely going to be the most packed out as these two pubs are instinctively what first comes to mind when considering Beijing’s top Irish Pubs, but there will be a parade of parties across town with a range of drink deals from Danger Doyle’s RMB 30 for a Guinness beer deal (only on the condition that you’re wearing green), Bar Blu’s buy-one-get-one-free Guinness deals and Q Bar’s Green Cocktails.

Here are a few great sources to track down the perfect St. Paddy’s Day Party for you:

• theBeijinger’s Breakdown of St. Paddy’s Day Parties – Luck of the Irish: St. Patrick’s Day 2012 in Beijing

• CW’s Breakdown – The Big Badass List of Everything St. Patrick’s Day

• eChinacities.com – Shake Your Shamrock! St. Paddy’s Day Events in Beijing

• Agenda’s List – The Best St. Patrick’s Day Events in Beijing

Happy St. Paddy’s Partying!

JUE Music + Art Festival Launches with WHALE!

“I like Crab People, I like the Crab People song. I’m not going to DJ it, but I think that when people hear Crab People as a DJ name, the first thing that pops into their head is probably “fun party, slammin’ tunes”. ”

- DJ Crab People of WHALE!

If you know South Park’s Crab People, then you’re probably cool enough to come to WHALE!‘s resurrection (we’ve been deprived without WHALE! for a little over one month now). Not only is WHALE! back, their party TONIGHT also happens to mark the official launch of the JUE Music + Art Festival.

Who is this DJ Crab People you ask? Among this zany group of ‘non-DJ’s', you’ll just have to turn up to find out.  In the meantime, you can read CityWeekend’s interview with DJ Crab People, which is kind of ridiculously awesome – check out the full interview here.

My weekend plans are looking pretty full thanks to JUE with their multitude of events from their launch party in collaboration with the unstoppable WHALE! team of your favorite DJ’s tonight to their headlining event Death Cab for Cutie’s concert tomorrow night (Saturday, March 10) at Tango. Get in with JUE starting tonight at WHALE! which will be hosted at the ever-popular, newly opened 4corners肆角餐吧 bar by the Drum and Bell Tower in Gulou.

“Come and experience the micro-smash for yourself. MUSIC! DRINKS! SEATING! TOILET FACILITIES!” – DJ Crab People

Now how can anyone say ‘no’ to toilet facilities in ALL CAPS?!

See you tonight at WHALE! 

Click here to see pictures from previous WHALE! parties:

• WHALE! on a Rainy Night in the Deep, Dark Hutongs
• “W” is for WHALE!
• A WHALE! of a Good Time

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, March 9, 2012
• Time: 10PM-late
• Location: 4corners 肆角餐吧
• Address:  By Drum and Bell Tower on DaShibei Hutong 西城, 大石碑胡同27号 (See map below)
• FREE ENTRY