11 amazing things to do in Shanghai this week
Photograph: courtesy Paramount (Mission: Impossible - Fallout)
It's Monday again, which simultaneously means the end of another weekend and the start of another week. Crazy how that always happens. As per usual, there's a lot of great stuff to sink your teeth into in Shanghai this week, including John Cena and WWE rolling into town. Read on for our picks of the best things to do.
Things to Do
WWE Live
Photograph: courtesy WWE via AEG
The high-flying acrobatics and dramatics show returns to Shanghai for the third year in a row. MMA star Ronda Rousey is set to make an appearance, alongside Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Finn Bálor, Jinder Mahal, Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, John Cena and many more.
📍Mercedez-Benz Arena, 1200 Expo Avenue, near Gaoke Xi Lu, Pudong. Sat 1 Sep. 8pm-late.
Unravel: Like in the Movies
Photograph: Alejandro Scott
Unravel is Shanghai's immensely popular live storytelling series. At each show, a group of storytellers recount authentic stories from their own lives loosely inspired by a given theme. This month's theme is 'Like in the Movies'.
📍WeWork (Weihai Lu), 696 Weihai Lu, near Maoming Bei Lu. Thu 30 Aug. 6.30-8.30pm. 60RMB; 50RMB (presale). Tickets include one drink.
Baijiu Debates
Photograph: Craig Arnold
The Baijiu Debates are back as some of KFK's top comedians debate a variety of topics under the influence of shots of Asia's most contentious drink. The competitors are Adam Hamilton, Ben Frank, Josh Tyas, Maple Zou and Kurt Dunsing and it'll be hosted by Andy Curtain.
📍Kung Fu Komedy Club, Fourth Floor, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Sat 1 Sep. 9-10.30pm. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale).
End of Summer Market
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Rotary Club of Shanghai is pulling together over 40 vendors for its two-day end of summer market at The Rooftop at The Place, with profits going to The Library Project (via its NGO Lingshan Charity Foundation) – an organisation that donates libraries to underfunded schools or orphanages.
Food and booze will come from the likes of Homeslice, Urban Diner, BottlesXO and Crimson Pangolin; and on the shopping front there'll be Kate and Kimi, Epermarket, Sen Lab, RJ Clothing, Lohan Jewelry and much more.
📍The Place, 457 Jumen Lu. Sat 1-Sun 2 Sep. 10.30am-9.30pm.
Fantasy Land VR
Photograph: courtesy Jaunt China
Get a glimpse of the future at this funky tech pop-up. Part gallery exhibition, part interactive arcade, Fantasy Land VR is showcasing a series of mind-blowing virtual reality experiences from immersive horror films to roller-coaster rides and sci-fi games. Their showpiece attraction, the 'Birdly VR flight simulator', allows you to fly like a bird through a virtual metropolis – you'll have to see for yourself how, or read our impressions of it.
📍HKRI Taikoo Hui, 789 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu. Until Sun 2 Sep. 10am-10pm. 140RMB (weekdays); 170RMB (weekends).
Music & Nightlife
Mouse on the Keys
Photograph: courtesy Mouse on the keys
Japanese band Mouse on the Keys return to Shanghai to perform their latest album tres, a blend of jazz, funk, post-rock and electronic music.
📍MAO Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Sat 1 Sep. 9-10.30pm. 150RMB (presale); 180RMB (door).
Gallium Launch Party
Photograph: courtesy Arkham
'It’s intimate, it’s inspirational, it’s casual, it’s fun, and it goes on until 6am' – that's how Team Arkham are selling this new venue within a venue located in the depths of Arkham. The idea is for it to be a bit less hands in the air and a bit more ooh that's interesting, with artsy installations, film projections, the occasional fashion show... that kind of thing. They're also aiming for a slightly different clientele with a proper cocktail menu.
📍Arkham, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Thu 30. 10pm-6AM. 100RMB.
East Sea Music Festival 2018
Photograph: courtesy East Sea Music Festival
One of our favourite music festivals in the region (for atmosphere/setting, if not always for lineup) returns for 2018. Artists confirmed so far include Nova Heart, Kim Taylor, Shanghai Restoration Project, Lu Chen + Sonnet, Bian Yuan, Super VC, and Sitar Tan. It takes a little while to get here (there are direct buses from Nanpu Bridge), but the reward is a fun, fairly cheap festival where you can watch the main stage while swimming in the sea.
📍Zhujiajian Nansha, Putuo district. Fri 31-Sun 2 Sep. 1-10pm. 280RMB (day pass); 680RMB (three-day pass).
Film
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Image: Bad Robot
Actor Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie are back with another Mission Impossible. This time, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team find themselves wanted by assassins and in a race against time. Be prepared for more death-defying stunts and Cruise jumping out of planes.
📍On general release from Fri 31.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Photograph: Marvel Studios
The tiniest Marvel hero may turn out to be the mightiest – or at least that's what is implied by his absence in Avengers: Infinity War. For now, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) rocks dad life and pines for another adventure. His wish comes true in the form of Hope van Dyne, the Wasp (Evangeline Lily), as they battle against a new enemy.
📍On general release now.
Art
Parallel World
Bring your camera and a change of clothes, maybe a suitcase full of them, because this 'exhibition' is all about photos and the 'parallel world' they, in a manner, create. Can't deny that someone, or some committee, put some thought into this.
📍Fourth Floor, Super Brand Mall (Next to MUJI), 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu, Pudong. Until Fri 31 Aug. 76RMB; 99RMB (weekends).