16 brilliant things to do this week in Shanghai

Photograph: courtesy Peddlers Gin

'Can you believe we're almost halfway through March already?' Just a bit of water cooler talk for your Monday, there. Regardless of whether you think this year is flying by or not, one thing is for sure: there's a lot to do in Shanghai this week. From the Shanghai International Literary Festival to China Restaurant Week, read on for our picks of the best things to do around town.

Things to Do

Photograph: courtesy Shanghai International Literary Festival

Shanghai International Literary Festival

M on the Bund’s annual Shanghai International Literary Festival returns to town this Wednesday (Mar 13). For nearly two decades the two-week event has hosted hundreds of emerging and acclaimed international and local writers, journalists, historians and more for panel discussions and workshops. 

Tickets are sold exclusively through M Restaurant Group, so search ‘monthebundsh’ or extract the QR code below to book. 

📍M on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Thu 14-Wed 27. 10am-6pm. 100RMB; 50RMB (students and teachers). 

Talk: Women of Republican Shanghai

In this talk organised by Historic Shanghai and led by Lars Ulrik Thom of Beijing Postcards, hear the stories of how trailblazing Shanghai women inspired their Beijing sisters when the city's  society was crumbling after the abdication of the Boy Emperor in 1912. Email [e-mail] to RSVP. Entry includes a drink.

📍The Tavern Bar & Grill, 78 Xingguo Lu, near Huashan Lu. Sat 16. 3pm-TBA. 150RMB; 100RMB (Historic Shanghai members).

Jim Gaffigan – Quality Time Tour

One of the world’s biggest touring comedians, who’s oddly enough performed for Pope Francis, Jim Gaffigan comes to Shanghai as part of his Quality Time Tour. He’s one of only ten comics in history to sell out Madison Square Garden, and, unsurprisingly, the show's sold out on Time Out Tickets.

📍Shanghai Centre Theatre, Fourth Floor, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu. Fri 15. 8-10pm. 

SCB St Patrick's Showcase

Shanghai Comedy Bunker presents a special St Paddy's edition of their weekly showcase, including Josh Tyas, Ian Badenhorst, Dan Roman and actual Irishman, Darren Beatie. Entry includes a drink.

📍Shanghai Comedy Bunker, Third Floor, Jingan Sports Centre, 428 Jiangning Lu, near Wuding Lu. Fri 15. 9-10.30pm. 80RMB; 70RMB (presale). 

Commune Market at Yong Ping Lane

Commune Market is back at Yong Ping Lane, showcasing local vendors and charities, with live music, cocktails, a BBQ, the Commune Book Swap and more.

📍Yong Ping Lane, 199 Hengshan Lu, near Yongjia Lu. Sat 16-Sun 17. 11am-7pm. Free.

Music & Nightlife

Photograph: courtesy Arkham

Hologram Dreams 全息梦境 One-Year Anniversary

DJs Heatwolves and special guest Illsee take DADA's dancefloor on a hyperloop journey from city-pop to Italo disco, Chicago house into new wave and electro to cybernetic madness. Expect seminal classics, brand new sounds and rare anime visuals.

📍DADA, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Fri 15. 10pm-5am. Free.

Arkham 6th Anniversary Double-Header

For Arkham's sixth anniversary show, its booked a potent double-header beginning Friday with Californian producer and trombonist Alexander Lewis and continuing on the following day to the sound of Danish producer Fabian Mazur's charged EDM/trap.

📍Arkham, Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Fri 15-Sat 16. 10pm-late. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale); 100RMB (early bird). 

Mari Sakurai

Tokyo-based DJ Mari Sakurai embodies the deepest part of Tokyo underground. She’s set up parties as a member of electronic music collective IN HA and has played at DJ Nobu’s party GONG, open-air festival Rural, Boiler Room Tokyo and more.

📍ALL Club, Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. Fri 15. 10pm-4.30am. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).

Eating & Drinking

Photograph: courtesy Peddlers Gin

China Restaurant Week Spring 2019

DiningCity's biannual feeding frenzy China Restaurant Week kicks off again this Thursday (Mar 14) with 11 days of dining deals from March 14-24. Hundreds of Shanghai restaurants, from casual everyday eateries to super fancy fine dining joints, will be dropping their prices to offer set-menus starting from 78RMB per person. For more information or to book, extract the QR code below to visit its official website.

📍Multiple locations throughout the city. Thu 14 Mar-Sun 24 Mar. From 78RMB. Extract the QR code above to book. 

Happy Birthday, Riesling!

A celebration of Riesling turning 584 years old, Wines of Germany and Social Supply are putting on an immersive sensory tasting set to the theme of the birthday tipple. All blindfolds and dark rooms, we're told to expect 'a sensory overload' with a focus on sight, smell and taste. There'll also be cocktails, sparkling wine and music by DJ PCJ of China Social Club.

📍La Maison, 210 Jinxian Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. Wed 13. 6.30-10pm. 100RMB. 

el Ocho x Peddlers Cocktail Takeover

el Ocho and Peddlers Gin are teaming up for a limited menu of bespoke gin cocktails. To help celebrate the end of the day and the end of winter, they've created a lineup of drinks based on the Chinese flavours of Peddlers, including a house-made ginger beer mule, a lemongrass and basil smash and a scorched rosemary and chartreuse bijou.

📍el Ocho, 99 Taixing Lu, near Wujiang Lu. Thu 14. 6.30pm-late. Free.

St Patrick's Day at Stone Brewing

Join Stone Brewing for some pints, pots of gold and pranks all St Patrick’s Day weekend long. Irish tunes will be provided by folk band The Celtys, accompanied by Irish dance performances on Saturday night from 8.30-10.30pm. Dress in green to enter its  Luck of the Irish lucky draw. Each Irish Beer Flight (98RMB) purchase or Bushmill’s ten-year whiskey shot and Cimmerian Portal Stout Boilermaker (48RMB) gets you another raffle entry. 

📍Stone Brewing Tap Room, 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu. Sat 16. 5pm-midnight. Free entry.

Film

Image: courtesy Marvel Studios (via IMDb)

Captain Marvel

Superheroes save the world on a regular basis, but their movies aren’t nearly as courageous: for every ingenious Black Panther that departs from the billion-dollar formula, you get ten timid time-wasters. Captain Marvel, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first female-led installment, means a lot symbolically – especially to young girls who resonate with Gal Gadot’s confident portrayal of Wonder Woman. Read our full review here.

📍On general release.

Art

Photograph: Erwin Olaf, courtesy Magda Danysz Gallery

Parallel: Erwin Olaf

With a career that spans 40 years, Erwin Olaf is one of the most sought-after commercial and fashion photographers. His introductory exhibition in China, Parallel: Erwin Olaf, sees things get a bit more personal however dealing with themes like vulnerability, distance between people and awkward interactions. Parallel is full of the Dutch photographer's signature highly stylised and theatrical shots including a few works from his series titled ‘Shanghai’, shot here a couple years back. Expect emotional photography that leaves you wanting all the backstory or conjuring up one of your own.

📍Shanghai Center of Photography, 2555 Longteng Dadao, near Longlan Lu. Sat 2 Mar-Thu 30 May (closed Mondays). 40RMB; 30RMB (students).

Through the Maze: Navigating One Artist's Path

Lee Shang Hwa's first solo exhibition Through the Maze: Navigating One Artist's Path, sets out to showcase a full spectrum of the artist's creative expressions at an early stage of his career. The exhibition invites you to take a walk 'Through the Maze' to navigate through Lee's artistic universe that is intricately dissected by expansively branching pathways of thoughts and ideas.

📍Art+ Shanghai Gallery, 191 Suzhou Nan Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu. Thu 7 Mar-Sun 14 Apr (closed Mondays). Free.

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