Beijing

Tango mania

The Latin American and Caribbean Center invites you to join its weekly Tango Club. Tango Nights feature a great music selection, and you can learn more about tango, practice your moves and find more tango lovers in Beijing every Friday night. A milonga dance will be accompanied by an audio-video selection from the main traditional tango orchestras of Rio de la Plata, including those led by Osvaldo Pugliese and Juan D'Arienzo. Free admission.

7 pm every Friday. Latin American and Caribbean Center, Sanlitun Soho, B1- 510, Chaoyang district.

Grill, chill and watch football

As the American Football League China's season comes to a close, the Tianjin Pirates come to the capital to challenge the Beijing Cyclones on Dec 7. Fans are invited to attend the game and have a tailgate party just like in the United States. In the league's final 2013 games on Dec 14, the Chongqing Dockers go to play the Chengdu Mustangs, and the Hong Kong Warhawks visit the Guangzhou Tigers. See amflchina.com for more details.

Christmas cheer for Columbia alums

The Columbia Alumni Association of Beijing invites alumni of the university and friends in the community to celebrate the holiday season at a Christmas cocktail party on Dec 6. RSVP by Dec 4 to Columbia_beijing@hotmail.com. Please include your name, Columbia affiliation (if any), mobile number and number of people in your party. The price is 150 yuan per person, cash only at the door. Enjoy a glass of wine on arrival with compliments of the Columbia Alumni Association. Each paid admission also includes one beer and one house cocktail, plus a free-flow of soft drinks, coffee and tea, and a variety of hot and cold snacks. Cash bar also available.

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast, 26A Xiaoyunlu, Chaoyang district. 010-5927-8390.

Tianjin

Christmas with a German touch

The German Chamber of Commerce in Tianjin will host a Christmas celebration on the terrace of the historic Astor Hotel. The Christmas Market features holiday music, culinary delicacies and a lucky draw. Enjoy a free flow of mulled wine and other beverages as well as specialties like roast turkey, baked apple pie, Christmas stollen and German bratwurst. Kids can enjoy the traditional gingerbread cakes or the non-alcoholic children's punch. There will be an outdoor heater and a room to get warm, but warm clothes are highly recommended. 120 yuan for German chamber members, 150 for non-members, kids under 12 free. Register online before Dec 7 at china.ahk.de/chamber/Beijing.

11 am-4 pm, Dec 8. The Astor Hotel Tianjin, 33 Taierzhuan Lu, Heping district.

- Mike Peters

Hong Kong

Local art off the beaten track

Entering its ninth year, Detour has become an annual flagship program showcasing Hong Kong as a regional creative hub and featuring inspiring designs from Hong Kong's young and emerging creative talent. Various venues including the former Police Married Quarters, The Hennessy and Shau Kei Wan Tram Terminus will house exhibits alongside more than a dozen satellite events.

Various times, until Dec 8. Various locations.

852-3793-8406. www.detour.hk.

NYC culture comes to Victoria Harbour

Blohk Party 2013 is an elevated cross-cultural experience bringing the global community to Hong Kong with a great lineup, featuring Grammy Award-winning musician Pharrell Williams. Come enjoy a full day and evening of cultural activities related to music, food and fashion. Contact at blohkparty.com.

Noon-10 pm, Dec 7. West Kowloon Cultural district.

Hong Kong International Races 2013

This is quite possibly the biggest day in the Hong Kong racing calendar. Held at Sha Tin, the Hong Kong International Races attract the world's leading horses, jockeys, trainers and owners. The day comprises four International Group One races, including the Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), the Hong Kong Mile (1,600m), the Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) and the Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m).

Noon-6 pm, Dec 8. Sha Tin Racecourse. www.hkjc.com.

- Timo Chui

Shanghai

Shanghai expat birthday bash

Enjoy a night of burlesque entertainment at one of the hottest new clubs in town, Cirque le Soir, and help Shanghai Expat celebrate its 13th anniversary with a colossal party to kick-start the weekend. Burlesque star Anna Fur Laxis will set pulses racing at this new Bund landmark with some knife-throwing and a striptease, while the club's famous dwarfs will no doubt also make their presences felt. Tickets cost 200 yuan at the door or 150 yuan if you contact Shanghai Expat before Dec 4.

8 pm, Dec 5. 4/F, 22 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, The Bund, 021-6039-8160.

Kung fu fighting for femmes fatale

This self-defense course especially designed for women should come in handy for warding off unwelcome advances in various locations and situations in the big city. Shanghai's Practical Wing Chun Shanghai Club has put together a useful itinerary for this seminar that focuses on 10 common dangerous situations and how to safely get out of them. It is based on instructor Sifu Kleber's 20 years' experience in martial arts and is open to women of any age, build and level of fitness and skill. Tickets cost around 150 yuan. Contact gregcurtin@yahoo.com.

11 am-2 pm, Dec 7. Room 301-2 Hopson Fortune Plaza, Auxiliary Building, Lane 5, 839 Dalian Lu, Hongkou.

- Matt Hodges

If you would like to suggest events for Out and About, please e-mail sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn.

(China Daily 12/01/2013 page5)