Hong Kong

10th Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair

A 152-meter-long luminous dancing dragon will be running amok through the east Kowloon peninsula district to the sounds of drums, gongs and cultural performances. Soak up the local atmosphere and sample some seasonal delicacies at the 10th Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair.

10 am-9:30 pm, March 2. Fuk Tsum Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon. 852-2395-3107.

Tkttemplefair.org.hk.

Beat the Banana Run

It's a 5-kilometer chase for charity where more than 2,000 participants chase the titular banana through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. Show your support by cheering the runners on or make a donation to support the World Cancer Research Fund, Hong Kong.

10 am, March 2. HK$350 and up. Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade. Beatthebanana-hk.org.

The 2014 Asia Hotel Art Fair

The 6-year-old, Tokyo-born Asia Hotel Art Fair returns to Hong Kong for its fifth installment, showcasing contemporary Asian Art from more than 70 regional galleries. This year, it will be held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Kowloon instead of Central's Mandarin Oriental, with Harbour City exhibiting its own series including works by Surrealist photographer Shoji Ueda throughout its sprawling corridors.

4 pm, Feb 28; 12 pm March 1 and 2. HK$100. Gallery by the Harbor. 2F, Shop 202 Ocean Center, Harbor City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Hkticketing.com.

- Timo Chui

Beijing

Find your passion

Meet up with new and old friends while learning about different aspects of living in China's bustling capital - and how to channel your passion or find a new one. After the information session you can join the lunch bunch, an informal group that will walk to a nearby restaurant.

10 am-noon, Feb 24. International Newcomers Network, Capital Mansion Athletic Club, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu (South Road), Chaoyang district. 010-8486-2225 Ext 136.

Night of the headhunters

FC Club Beijing brings together business owners, leaders, recruiters, professionals and expats who want to know them. A relaxed and informal atmosphere for people from various professional backgrounds and industries, it's a chance to forge new connections, meet new friends and to become visible to executive search agents, recruiters, employers and human resources representatives. Registration includes finger food and one complimentary drink; open bar.

7:30-10:30 pm, Feb 26. Centro at the Kerry Hotel Beijing, 1 Guanghua Lu (Road), Chaoyang district; walk-in non-members pay 150 yuan ($25), discounted rate for members and early registration at Fcclub.com.

Looking ahead to tee time

The Beijing Golfer's Club hosts its Polar Classic tournament, breaking out clubs and thermals after a winter hiatus. Members and non-members can enter for the "two-man scramble" an anachronism in name only since women are welcome, too. The Polar classic, held at the Huatang International Golf Course in the Yanjiao Development Zone, is the club's first tournament of the season, which ends in the autumn with some big-ticket prizes.

March 1. E-mail both players' names to golf@beijing-golfers-club.org to register and get entry fee and other information.

A happier life with pets

The International Center for Veterinary Services offers a free puppy and adult-dog obedience training program led by Claudia Sanne, a German medical doctor, dog trainer and behaviorist. Sanne has owned and trained many dogs from different backgrounds and worked with renowned trainers in Germany and South Africa. Topics include dog psychology, managing separation anxiety behavior, building bonds with your pets, socialization for puppies, social walking training, managing aggressive behavior and toilet training.

11 am-noon, March 15, International Center for Veterinary Services, 13-16 Rongke Ganlan Cheng Shangjie, Futong Xidajie (West Avenue), Wangjing, Chaoyang district (across the street from the Mercedes Benz Tower and behind the Smile Angel Children's Hospital). Reserve by March 14 at 010-8456-1939 or ICVSASIA.com.

Shanghai

Families come together

Peas and Pods is a 400-strong community of international parents and children who meet in various baby and toddler groups in Puxi and Pudong. The baby groups meet every third Friday while the toddler groups meet every second and fourth Friday of the month. 021-6856-4758.

Hip-hop dance class for kids

Keep youngsters active this winter with some cool hip-hop moves as kids learn some short choreographed routines. This class is more than just fun it builds skill and confidence, and gives kids a chance to perform together.

4:15-5:15 pm for kids ages 4-6; 4:15-5:15 pm for kids ages 7-9; Souldancing. 021-6256-4400. Souldancing.cn.

- Mike Peters

(China Daily 02/23/2014 page5)