Beijing

Sunday parties by the pool

What would summer be without Sunday afternoons at a pool? The DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing offers a food-drink-swim package for the month of July, featuring all-you-can-eat barbecue and pool access for 225 yuan ($36.54), plus a 15-percent service charge.

Noon-4 pm every Sunday in July. DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing, 168 Guang An Men Wai Ave Xicheng district. 010-6338-1888 Ext 1628.

Fun with Aussie Rules

With the World Cup coming to an end soon, what's next? Consider Beijing Aussie Rules, a full-contact game from the land of Oz. Players of any skill level or sporting background are welcome and can chill with the gang at social events that usually follow the practice sessions.

Every Saturday. Dulwich College Sports Grounds, 89 Capital Airport Road, Shunyi district. Bus leaves from Wudaokou at 1:30 pm and from Liangmaqiao (50 meters north of crossroads) at 2:15 pm.

New wave of French film

The Institut Francais is presenting a free monthlong series of 15 films to showcase France's new generation of independent filmmakers. The schedule ends with a June 20 showing of Age of Panic, a French farce about a news reporter whose ex-husband launches a custody battle on election day, and a June 26 showing of Robert Mitchum Is Dead, a drama about struggling actor and his agent. See www.ccfpekin.org for the complete schedule.

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through July 26. Institut Francais, 18 Gongti Xilu (West Street), Chaoyang district. 010-6553-2627.

- Mike Peters

Hong Kong

International Arts Carnival

The National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia is headlining this year's International Arts Carnival, which includes a range of family programs and activities featuring a wide array of acts ranging from dance, drama, music and puppetry to physical comedy and multimedia theater.

July 11 to Aug 17. Various times and locations. 852-2370-1044. www.hkiac.gov.hk.

Bastille Day Celebration Party

French Tuesdays will be hosting an event to usher in Bastille Day a few hours earlier than their European counterparts. Expect a breathtaking vista backed by live entertainment, party favors and one of the highest single concentrations of French people in one place, although all are welcome.

7 pm, July 11. HK$200 to HK$350. Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd, West, West Kowloon. 852-2263-2263.

Hong Kong Fashion Week

Hong Kong Fashion Week will only last four days but will showcase the latest in designer brands to high street goods. More than 1,200 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions will be on hand offering a one-stop-shop for all fashion, accessory and fabric needs. This year active wear and sportswear feature for the first time.

10 am, July 7 to July 10. Hong Kong Convention Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. 852-2582-8888.

- Timo Chui

Shanghai

BBC's Planet Earth in concert

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and London-based soprano Haley Glennie-Smith provide an orchestral soundtrack to accompany and help bring to life the classic BBC documentary Planet Earth.

The performance will be supplemented with high-definition images and the orchestra led by conductor Joshua Tan. Tickets cost from 50-980 yuan.

7.30 pm, July 8. Pudong Double Tower Plaza, 99 Yincheng Road, near Pudong South Road, Lujia-zui. 4008-210-522.

Strategic management class

Dr Chris Smith from the University of Adelaide Business School presents leaders of all levels with a few pointers in strategic management to help improve their organizations' performance.

This open day class is being co-hosted by SIMBA, a Sino-foreign MBA program set up by the university and ENPC Paris.

2.30 pm, July 12. Sino-French Center Building, 1239 Siping Road, Tongji University. 021-6598-0610. Email: adm@simba-tongji.com (for reservations).

- Matt Hodges

(China Daily 07/06/2014 page5)