The best things to do in Shanghai this week
Photograph: courtesy Capella Shanghai
It's Monday, and it looks like we've seen the end of the summer weather – it'll probably be 35 degrees tomorrow now we've said that. Inaccurate weather predictions aside, it's shaping up to be another great week of things to do in Shanghai, including British pop sensation Jessie J doing her thing at Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Things to Do
Photograph: courtesy organiser (Joe DeRosa)
Stand-up comedy doubleheader: Joe DeRosa and Stephen Carlin
Sina Comedy productions and Shanghai Comedy Club are bringing a comedy doubleheader to Cages as Joe DeRosa (Inside Amy Schumer; Better Call Saul) and Stephen Carlin (Comedy Central; BBC) headline Cages on the same night. DeRosa will also be headlining Comedy UN the following night at 9pm.
📍 Shanghai Comedy Club, Third Floor, Jingan Sports Centre, 428 Jiangning Lu, near Wuding Lu. Sat 22. 9-11pm. 220-500RMB. Extract the QR code to book.
Historic Shanghai: Three Cities of Old Shanghai in One Morning
Old Shanghai was a cosmopolitan brew of three cities, and this walking tour takes you through all of them in one morning. From the grand edifices of commerce to Blood Alley and the narrow lanes of the old city, stroll through the oldest parts of the International Settlement, the original French Concession and the old Chinese city. The tour finishes up with an optional lunch (not included in the price). RSVP to confirm meeting point and to reserve: info@historic-shanghai.com
📍 Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on The Bund, 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu. Wed 19. 10am-midday. 150RMB (members); 250RMB (nonmembers).
KFK Spotlight: Tamby Chan – Top Crass
Hong Kong-based comic Tamby Chan, a Magners Comedy Festival runner-up and as seen representing Hong Kong at Laugh Factory's Funniest Person In The World competition, headlines KFK. Support comes from Jorge Castellanos, Adam Hopkins, Norah Yang, Nate Johns, Kade Moore and host Andy Curtain.
📍 Kung Fu Komedy Club, Fourth Floor, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Sat 22. 8.30-10pm. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale). Extract the QR code to book.
Author Talk: Jeremy Tiang on his Communist novel
In China, Communism won. But what happened in countries to the believers when it didn't? Jeremy Tiang addresses this in his debut novel, State of Emergency, which just won the 2018 Singapore Literature Prize.
📍 Madame Mao's Dowry, 207 Fumin Lu, near Julu Lu. Sun 23. 7-9pm. Free.
Music & Nightlife
Photograph: courtesy AEG
Jessie J
Jessie J drops in to Pudong as part of a nine-stop tour of China. The singer who made her name with 'Price Tag' has found new fame in the country following her appearance and victory on Hunan TV talent contest Singer earlier this year. Building off of her success on the show and the release of a new four-part album R.O.S.E, she'll be knocking out the hits in Shanghai tomorrow. Tickets are sold out, though you can try unofficial vendors at the venue if you really need to, not that we recommend it.
📍 Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Expo Avenue, near Gaoke Xi Lu, Pudong. Tue 18. 7.30-10pm. 380-1,280RMB.
This Will Destroy You
Billed as 'one of the biggest instrumental bands of this planet', This Will Destroy You return to China to destroy us all over again after two sold out shows in 2013 and 2015. This time around they'll be playing their highly-acclaimed records S/T and Young Mountain in full. Expect tickets to go quickly.
📍 MAO Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Sat 22. 9-10.30pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).
JZ Festival 2018
Shanghai’s longest-running jazz fest is back with a new location but the same old smooth jazz vibes. The Original Gypsies (featuring former members of the Gipsy Kings) are the main attraction this year as part of a bill that comes with a little lower star wattage compared with previous years. As ever, it’s rounded out by local jazz acts including JZ’s Big Band and they’ll be running effectively the same line-up over each day of the fest.
📍 West Bund Art & Culture Pilot Zone, 2599 Longteng Dadao, near Fenggu Lu. Sat 22-Sun 23. Midday-10pm. 320RMB; 588RMB (two-day pass). Extract the QR code to book.
Shanghai Soul Club
Shanghai's only dedicated all-vinyl Northern Soul and Motown night is back at punk rock dive Specters. If you were at one of these, you'll know this is one not to miss. The night features DJ Glen who will be bringing '60s tunes to the dance floor.
📍 Specters, 1485 Beijing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu. Sat 22. 9pm-late. Free.
Hogchoker world record LP releases
Help Shanghai band Hogchoker celebrate the end of an ambitious musical project as they release seven different versions of the same LP, which is a certified Guinness World Record. There will be performances from at least eight bands, including Roundeye and Dahaha.
📍 Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Sun 23. 6.30pm-tbc.
Eating & Drinking
Photograph: courtesy Capella Shanghai
2018 Capella: Food and Wine Festival
Capella Shanghai is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a luxurious 'Bites, Beats and Bubbles' two-day food and wine festival. There will be everything from an oyster and meat bar, to cocktails, Champagne, wine, beer and more. Entertainment will be in full swing with live DJs, lucky draw and prizes including a one-night stay at the Capella Bud resort, dinner for two at le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire and many more.
📍 Capella Shanghai, 480 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Wulumuqi Nan Lu. Sat 22-Sun 23. 2-9pm. 300RMB. Extract the QR code to book.
Shake's Tribute to the Kings of Soul
Shake pays tribute to eight kings who changed music history forever. Singer REDIC, Tony Hall and Courtney Knott join Shake's six-piece band for a night of music by James Brown, Luther Vandross, Ben E King, Wilson Pickett, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Ray Charles.
📍 Shake, Third Floor, 46 Maoming Nan Lu, near Jinxian Lu. Fri 21-Sat 22; Fri 28-Sat 29. 10pm-late. 80RMB.
LGBT
Photograph: courtesy SHQFF
Shanghai Queer Film Festival 2018
The six-day film festival returns for its third year with the theme ‘Generation Q’. Aimed at discussing the development of queer film characters through different generations, the festival will see various events and screenings from all cultural backgrounds.
📍 SAS Art Space, M50 Art District, Third Floor, Building 1, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Suzhou Xi Lu. Various times. Free. Extract QR code to register.
Medusa presents SHQFF Opening Party
Medusa, Elevator's most anticipated and daring monthly gay party presents Shanghai Queer Film Festival Opening party with Medusa residents Michael Cignarale, Mau Mau and guests like Diamond Lil and VJNY.
📍 Elevator, Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. Sat 22. 10pm-late. 50RMB; 30RMB (for SHQFF attendees). Free entry for people in drag.
Film
Photograph: courtesy ERA International
Cocktail Cinema at Capella Hotel
Capella's Sam Zhai is curating three bespoke cocktails inspired by the film screening of the night, Raise the Red Lantern directed by famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou. The story, set in the 1920s, is filled with a fight for love, power, wealth and status.
📍 Capella Shanghai, 480 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Wulumuqi Nan Lu. Thu 20. 8-11pm. 250RMB. Extract QR code to book.
Ash Is Purest White
Video: via QQ
Top Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke’s still got it, it seems. His latest effort, a story of troubled romance that deftly winds its way through the last 20 years of change and modernisation in China, was chosen to compete for the Palme d’Or in May.
📍 On general release from Fri 21.
Art
Video still: Miao Xiaochun (Samsara 2009-2011), courtesy Video Bureau Archive (Beijing). Photofairs.
PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai
The international photography gala is returning for its fifth year in Shanghai with a curated programme of installations and photo galleries from over 16 countries. Its Conversations programme will also bring in artists and curators for talks open to visitors.
📍 Shanghai Exhibition Centre, 1000 Yanan Zhong Lu, near Tongren Lu. Sat 22-Sun 23. 110RMB; 96RMB (early bird).
David Shrigley: Lose Your Mind
Expect wit, wordplay and absurdity from British artist David Shrigley’s premiere solo exhibition. A selection of his signature sculptures and installations are on display, including a replica of acclaimed ‘Really Good’, a surrealist sculpture of a thumbs-up.
📍 Power Station of Art, 200 Huayuangang Lu, near Miaojiang Lu. Until Wed 14 Nov. Free
Interstices by Dubravka Vidović
ArtCN hosts Dubravka Vidović’s third solo exhibition in Shanghai. Expect unique reflections on urban culture from her photo and video installations, influenced by her background working and exhibiting in Croatia and Italy as well as China.
📍 ArtCN Gallery, 876 Jiangsu Lu, near Huashan Lu. Until Sun 14 Oct (everyday except Monday). Free.