19 brilliant things to do this week in Shanghai
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets (Black Mirror)
It's Monday again and we're sorry about that. But there's no need to feel down, as there's a lot of great stuff to look forward to this week in Shanghai. There's a spring pet adoption fair, Bohemian Rhapsody is in cinemas, Bendo na Bendo turns two, plus there are a bunch of great drinking events on (even one that's non-boozy). Read on for our picks of the best things to do.
Things to Do
Photograph: courtesy Shanghai Comedy Bunker
BFC Spring Adoption Fair
Find yourself a fuzzy flatmate this weekend at Best Friends China's spring adoption fair. This Saturday and Sunday, BFC will be at Lite Shopping Center with plenty of dogs and cats in search of a new forever home. For more information, visit the Best Friends China website at bestfriendschina.org.
📍Lite Shopping Center, 1559 Pudong Dadao, near Changyi Lu, Pudong. Sat 30-Sun 31. 1.30-5pm. Free entry.
YCW: Cyber Policy in China
At this Young China Watchers talk, Control Risks’ Carly Ramsey delves into the complex topic of company data protection and management in a digitised world.
📍Kartel, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Thu 28. 7pm-tba. 100RMB (includes two drinks and snacks).
Candor pres Black Mirror
Candor presents Black Mirror, a show combining a traditional circus with a new darker aesthetic and the allure of Cabaret. Expect a genre-bending performance with modern dance, sultry moves and cool costumes.
📍Candor, Third Floor, Lyceum Theatre, 57 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu. Wed 27-Thu 28. 200RMB; 180RMB (presale). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Stand Up Comedy Showcase: The British Show
Join a group of British comedians as they laugh their way through tears the day after Brexit. Featuring Magners Comedy Competition finalists Gene George and Steven Skilling.
📍Shanghai Comedy Bunker, Third Floor, Jingan Sports Centre, 428 Jiangning Lu, near Wuding Lu. Sat 30. 10-11.30pm. 80RMB; 70RMB (presale).
Music & Nightlife
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets
HYDE
Best known as the lead vocalist for L’Arc-en-Ciel, Japan’s prolific alt-rocker tours Asia following the release of his new power ballad ‘Zipang’.
📍National Exhibition and Convention Center Hong Arena, East Hall, 333 Songze Dadao, near Laiqing Lu. Wed 27. 7.30-9.30pm. 980-1,280RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Tropical China
A musical doubles match that aims to establish new correspondences between Brazilian and Chinese artists and record labels, the showcase will feature noise/experimental musicians 33EMYBW and GOOOOOSE of China, and post-Tropicalia artists Ava Rocha and Negro Leo of Brazil.
📍Modern Sky Lab, 188 Ruihong Lu, near Tianhong Lu. Sat 30. 9pm-late. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Back to the '80s at The Pearl
The Pearl is debuting its new in-house band the Red Stars, along with more special guests. Don your flashiest gear and dance to a night of classic '80s hits like Michael Jackson, Queen, Yes, Elton John, ABBA and Bon Jovi performed live.
📍The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, near Wujin Lu. Thu 28. 9-11.30pm. 100RMB (includes two drinks). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Women of the World Concert
Representing Japan, Italy, India and the US by way of Haiti, award-winning vocal quartet Women of the World hits Shanghai to perform folk songs in various world languages.
📍Daning Theatre, 1222 Pingxingguan Lu, near Lingshi Lu. Wed 27. 7.30-9.30pm. 80RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Calories by Bonbon
Bonbon is building an all-inclusive community of global citizens one party at a time with its new series Calories. People of all backgrounds are welcome to dance 'til the early hours with young DJ Alynaa, who's got a night full of pop and Latino hip-hop on deck.
📍The CUT, Sixth Floor, IAPM, 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xiangyang Bei Lu. Sat 30. 9.30pm-2.30am. Free entry.
Bendo Na Bendo's second anniversary
Expect afrobeats, hip hop, reggae, dancehall, zouk and some Gqom (straight out of Durban street in sunny South Africa). Proceeds from the party will be given to orphanages, schools and scholarship programs across Africa.
📍Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor, 718 Ningxia Lu, near Jinshajiang Lu. Sat 30. 22pm-late. 55RMB (includes one shot).
Eating & Drinking
Photograph: courtesy Stone Brewing
The Stone Beer Challenge: New Age vs Classics
Sample your way through a flight of six beers and pick your own winners in the New Age vs Classics Challenge. The brewery is pairing its first-ever beer, the Stone Pale Ale, with San Diego-style Pale Ale, Stone Ripper; a subtle, sessionable IPA against the brand's flagship Stone IPA; and the devastatingly dank Stone Enjoy By 04.20.19 IPA matched up against the Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0 Sans Filtre.
📍Stone Brewing Tap Room Shanghai, 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu. Sat 30. 4.30pm-midnight. Free entry.
Seedlip Masterclass with founder Ben Branson
Ever wanted to drink but not actually drink? Join Seedlip founder Ben Branson for a masterclass and booze-free cocktail pairing all based on the world's first non-alcoholic distilled spirit. This event is invite-only; RSVP to clara@taste-collective.com saying why you're psyched on the products and people shaking up the drinks industry for an invite.
📍The Bull & Claw, 110 Fenyang Lu, near Taiyuan Lu. Thu 28. 2-5pm. Free entry.
Spanish wine tasting at Bird
Spend Sunday afternoon sampling six different Spanish whites, presented by Vicente of Le Sommelier International at Bird. Reservations suggested.
📍Bird, 50 Wuyuan Lu, near Changshu Lu (135 0172 6412). Sun 31. 3.30-4.45pm. Free entry.
Film
Bohemian Rhapsody
Nominated for Best Picture, and won four awards at the 91st Academy Awards, this biopic of legendary Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, is a powerful and poignant story about love, pain, and acceptance.
📍On general release now.
Dumbo
In a string of Disney live action remakes, the world’s favourite big-eared flying elephant is back, this time in a movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Colin Farrell.
📍On general release from Fri 29.
Art
Image: Andrew Daly courtesy Noeli Gallery
Vhils: Realm
Danysz Gallery presents Portuguese artist Vhils and his bas-relief wall carving exhibition, Realm, which is, in the artist’s own words, an 'archeology of the city'. The artist transforms plaster boards found on construction sites into contemplative works. Since his first Shanghai show in 2012, Vhils has been invited to carve huge walls around Beijing and Shanghai, bringing a unique style of his own to the world of street art.
📍Magda Danysz Gallery, 256 Beijing Dong Lu, near Jiangxi Zhong Lu. Sat 23 Mar-Sat 25 May. Free entry.
Andrew Daly: Menagerie
For his first solo exhibition in Shanghai, with his latest portraits, still lifes and landscapes, Australian artist Andrew Daly pays homage to one of the most influential American contemporary artists, Alex Katz.
📍Noeli Gallery, 150 Yueyang Lu, near Yongjia Lu. Sat 23 Mar-Thu 25 Apr (every day except Monday). 1-9pm. Free entry.
teamLab: Universe of Water Particles in the Tank
teamLab comes to the brand-new TANK Shanghai museum with an immense inaugural exhibition turning a massive former oil tank into an interactive, ever-changing installation. Featured works include waterfall cascades triggered by movement, screens of morphing flower patterns and digitsed waves.
📍Tank Shanghai, 2350 Longteng Dadao, near Longyao Lu. Sat 23 Mar-Sat 24 Aug (every day except Monday). 199RMB (early bird pair).
Stage
Photograph: Noxolo Bhengu
LWuD Theatre pres Unpacking
Written by and directed by Noxolo Bhengu, Unpacking is about a couple, Nolitha and Benjamin, who have a surreal first encounter that grows into the kind of love story that they thought only existed in fairytales.
📍Room 301, Bldg 1, M50, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Xi Suzhou Lu. Thu 28-Sun 31. 7.30-9pm. 150RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.