WHAT: Historic Shijia Hutong: An RASBJ dinner and discussion with Matthew Hu Xinyu and Paul French about the writers, playwrights, ministers and VIP's who lived in this fabled neighborhood (limited seating)

WHEN: Wednesday Mar. 19, pre-dinner drinks at 5:30 PM at a private location on Shijia Hutong. Dinner in nearby the Yitong Hunan restaurant from 7:15- 9:15 PM

WHERE: Attendees are invited to a pre-dinner drink at a private courtyard near the Shijia Hutong Museum; the street address will be emailed to registrants. From there we'll stroll (about 12 minutes' walking time) to dinner which will be from 7:15-9:15 PM at the Yitong Hunan restaurant, #31 Dongshicao Hutong, Dongcheng District. The front door is on Dongshicao Hutong; the restaurant occupies the northeastern corner of the junction of Dongshicao Hutong and Ganmian Hutong. tel: 130 5115 0162 东城区东石槽胡同31号（干面胡同51号对面）壹同湖南菜。NOTE: those who cannot join the pre-dinner drinks should meet us at the restaurant at 7:15 PM.

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: After a pre-dinner glass of wine or tea at a private courtyard, we'll walk with author Paul French and Matthew Hu Xinyu of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Society (CHP) to the restaurant to continue our discussion over a Hunan meal. During the Republican era, the historic Shijia Hutong neighborhood hosted prominent personalities such as literary celebrity Ling Shuhua. Ling lived in a courtyard which has been restored and transformed into the Shijia Hutong Museum, a hidden gem of a museum devoted to the city's traditional alleyways. Shijia Hutong was also home to playwrights, educators, and ministers. Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor (and the topic of Paul's recent book), lived here for a time in the 1920's.

NOTE ABOUT SHIJIA HUTONG MUSEUM: If you arrive in the neighborhood early, you may wish to pop into the Shijia Hutong Museum at #24 Shijia Hutong. Please note that it closes at 4:30 PM.

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Award-winning author Paul French, currently based in London, had lived in China for many years. He wrote the non-fiction books "Midnight in Peking" and, more recently, "Her Lotus Year: China, the Roaring Twenties and the Making of Wallis Simpson". His prolific body of work has spanned projects in film, commentary, podcasts and publishing.

Matthew Hu Xinyu was born and raised in Beijing. His work in the past 17 years has been largely related to the preservation of built heritage as well as intangible heritage in China. He currently is serving as China Representative of The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, trustee of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP), and Co-Founder of The Courtyard Institute. He was deeply involved in the renovation of the Shijia Hutong Museum.

HOW MUCH: RMB 350 for RASBJ members, RMB 450 for non-members. Included is a pre-dinner drink, a Hunan meal (non-spicy as well as spicey dishes, served Chinese-style), tea and one serving of warmed rice wine per diner. Those who wish additional rice wine or other drinks can order from and pay the restaurant directly.

NOTE: Proceeds will be donated to the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP), which is a non-profit organization, as part of RASBJ's initiative to support good causes in the community. At dinner, attendees also will have a chance to donate directly to CHP via Matthew.

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" ASAP and follow the instructions. For payment, Alipay may be easier than WeChat. After successful registration you will receive a confirmation email. If you appear not to have received it, please check your spam folder. Seating will be extremely limited and RASBJ members enjoy priority. If the event becomes fully booked when you try to register, your name automatically will be added to the waiting list and you'll be notified if a seat becomes available -- so please keep an eye on your emails. RASBJ regrets in advance if not everyone can be accommodated.

REFUND POLICY: If the event is cancelled or postponed by RASBJ, registrants will be refunded in full.