Events

B-boying competition, shake and bake, and do whatever it takes to win a cash prize of upto Rs 50,000. 26 January, 10.45am, Dasrath Stadium, 984925612/9849685110/9841721736

Bato ko cinema, six movies, six screenings, six fabulous opportunities to watch amazing documentaries on the streets of Patan. 21 December, 6pm onwards, Patan, 9813485716, (01)5523486

Katha-kuro, opportunity for young aspiring writers to learn the art of narrative storytelling at this feature-writing workshop with journalist, blogger, and aspiring filmmaker Pranaya Rana. Rs 1,000, 22 and 23 December, 10am to 2pm, Ting's Tea Lounge, Lajimpat,
editor@ventzine.com

The Gurkha's daughter, meet the Darjeeling-born author Prajwal Parajuly, and take part in a talk programme on literature in and around Nepal. 21 December, 3 to 5pm, Institute of Advanced Communication, Education, and Research, Baneswor Heights, (01)5536974/4471915/4467528

Dabangg 2, catch the new Bollywood flick at a charity screening that aims to support Hospice Nepal, a nonprofit organisation providing palliative care to cancer patients. 23 December, 6.30pm, Civil Mall, 9802051400

Artmandu, the month long celebration of art comes to a spectacular end. 21 December, 6pm, Naag Bahal, 9721383294

Cycle race, lace your boots and crank your wheels for a 17km race in the streets of Pokhara, cash prizes included. 25 December, Pokhara

KJC winter camp for kids, music, movies, drama, arts, and a range of outdoor activities to keep your children excited this winter. 30 December to 11 January, for children aged 6 to 14, (01)5013554, info@katjazz.com

Rotary photography competition, chance for professional photographers to show what they're made up of. 30 December, rcjphotocomp@gmail.com, 9841634909/9802087277

Music

KCM inter-college music competition, rock the living daylights out of your competitors, and win up to Rs 145,000 in cash and kind. Rs 5000 registration fee, 22 December, 10am to 7pm, Fun Park, Bhrikuti Mandap, (01)5201997

Live at Café 32, live music and delicious food every Friday. 6pm onwards, Café 32, Battisputali, (01)4244231
Trisoul, Abhaya Subba Weise will perform live at the release of her latest album. 21 December, 7pm onwards, Factory, Thamel, (01)4701185/4701187

Chopstix turns 5, catch Hem Lama and Band at the fifth anniversary of the restaurant, and try the 5 new dishes prepared for this very occasion. 22 December, Chopstix, Kumaripati

Dining

Cafe and Bar, gather with your friends for drinks, and also catch the English Premier League live as Arsenal take on Wigan Athletic. 21 December, 6pm onwards, Thamel

Salt & Pepper Restro Lounge, espresso, mocha, latte, frappuccino, cocktails, liquor, beers and flavoured shishas, with an outdoor lake-view terrace. Lakeside, Pokhara, (061)463484, 9846210568, www.saltandpeppernepal.com

Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Cafe, bide your time in ther free wi-fi zone as you enjoy our wood-fired pizzas, home-made pastas, and the Tibetan gyakok. Boudha, (01)4485585

Chilly Bar and Restaurant, quality food and wide selection of drinks with great views of Phewa Lake. Lakeside, Hallanchok, Pokhara, (061)463614/463163

Tamas-laya, promises a refined dining experience, try the prawn tempura, fisherman's fish and Balinese chicken satay. Naxal, Kathmandu

Tass and Tawa, savour a wide variety of Nepali meat dishes and reserve your palate for the heavenly Chusta. Pulchowk, Kathmandu

Yin Yang Restaurant, east meets west as you choose from a variety of Thai and continental dishes. Add a little spice to your life with the pad thai or green curry. If you can't handle the heat, fall into the safety net of its western dishes. Thamel, 10am to 10pm, (01)4701510

Shambaling Hotel, this new hotel promises a fine dining experience. Boudha
Cha Cha Cafe, this Japanese restaurant is popular for its spaghettis and burger steaks. Thamel

New Tushita Restaurant, relaxing ambience and good food. Don't miss out on its penne with creamy bacon and mushroom sauce. Lazimpat, 44432957

Getaways

Shivapuri Village, eco-tourism close to the Shivapuri National Park replete with a charm of bygone days. Patiswara, Shivapuri National Park, (01)4017725, 9851034141, info@shivapuri.com

Winter camp at Borderlands, send your kids packing into the jungle where they get to develop their leadership, communication, and basic life skills while taking part in outdoor and extracurricular activities such as tent crafting, rock climbing, canyoning, abseiling, cooking and art, music, and dance lessons. 5 to 12 January, Borderlands Resort, Bhotekoshi, (01)4381214, 9802025666, www.borderlandsresorts.com

Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, located on a hilltop the resort offers a magnificent vista of valleys, foothills, and moutains to the north. Dhulikhel, (011) 490114/494, www.dhulikhellodgeresort.com

Spread the word, Santa's come to town

Father Christmas is visiting Manny's Eatery this weekend, so don't forget to take your kids to the Children Mela organised there as part of the season's festivities.

Besides Yuletide cheers, the carnival will feature boat rides, trampoline, face painting, bouncing castles , lucky dips, puppet shows, treasure hunts and lots of other filled activities, in addition to a food court.

If your kids happen to be whisk wise, persuade them to take part in the evening's special 'Manny's Junior Master Chef' event so that they may show their culinary expertise to contemporaries and seniors alike.

A part of the proceeds generated will be contributed towards the Mary Ward High School in Lubhu.
A fun filled weekend awaits all families, door prizes and gift hampers galore.

Call (01)5536919 for registration and booking.

The lake-city beckons

Head out to Pokhara this week as the lake-city gears up to celebrate the coming of the new year, and not just the Gregorian one, during the 14th Pokhara Street Festival.

Tamu Lochhar, the new year of Gurungs, falls on December 30, and Pokhara is likely to be at the centre of all festivity.

The five-day party will have over 150 stalls, with restaurants also setting up shop on the road, and will also showcase arts, crafts, culture and traditions of Pokhara and the surrounding areas to promote Nepal amongst tourist and local alike.

If the winter has halted your trekking, rafting and mountaineering plans, come out on the streets and to the streets and party like a Pokhareli.

28 December to 1 January