42 awesome things to do in Shanghai this April

Photograph: courtesy Strawberry Music Festival

It's April: spring is in the air, the weather is getting warmer, the blossoms are blooming and it's time to stop hibernating in your apartment and make the most of living in Shanghai. There's loads of great things to do around town this month and we've conveniently listed our pick of them below. Because we're nice like that. From Formula 1 to a whole heap of incoming gigs and parties, read on for the best that April has to offer.

Things to Do

Tom Green Live in Shanghai

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

Acclaimed comedian Tom Green (of Roadtrip, Freddy Got Fingered, Charlie's Angels and Saturday Night Live fame) comes to Shanghai with his debut Asia tour, dishing out his incomparable brand of original comedy for the audiences. 

📍Cages Bar and Sports, Third Floor, 428 Jiangning Lu, near Wuding Lu. Fri 19. 8.30-10.30pm. 350RMB. Extract the QR code to book tickets.

In Sharks We Trust Earth Day film screenings

Image: courtesy organiser

In time for Earth Day, sustainable swimwear label In Sharks We Trust is bringing the work of conservation filmmaker Rob Stewart to Shanghai. Catch screenings of Sharkwater (2006), perhaps one of the most influential shark documentaries ever made, and Revolution (2012), which sheds light on today's biggest environmental issues and what we can do about them. All proceeds will benefit the Rob Stewart Fund via WWF Canada.

📍Shanghai Everbright Conference and Exhibition Center, 66 Caobao Lu, near Xiqin Lu. Sat 13-Sun 14. 11am-4pm. 90RMB.

Path Finder: How to Make a Career with Disabilities

Photograph: Christian Fregnan via Unsplash

Three accomplished blind speakers: a blind lawyer, an athlete and an IT engineer/businessman will share their life stories, as well as how they managed to make a successful career despite difficulties, to help change limited beliefs of people with disabilities. Seats are limited and will be given on a first come, first served basis. 

📍NYU Shanghai, 1555 Century Avenue, near Pudian Lu. Sat 13. 3-6pm. Free entry. Email [e-mail] to book.

Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2019

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

China's annual weekend under the F1 spotlight, the Chinese Grand Prix is back for another year with the world's top drivers once again battling it out for pole position.

📍Shanghai International Circuit, 2000 Yining Lu. Fri 12-Sun 14. 

Comedy UN presents Adam Hamilton: NPC

Photograph: @adamalexanderhamilton via Instagram

Mamahuhu's Adam Hamilton, as featured on Hulu's Coming to the Stage and as a writer for TBS' Drop The Mic, headlines Comedy UN. 

📍Wise Logic International Center, Twenty-first Floor, 66 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Weihai Lu. Sat 6. 8pm-late. 70RMB.

Reboot and Release Wellness Retreat

Photograph: courtesy Linwards

Disconnect over the Qingming holiday with three days of group fitness classes, yoga, meditation and more near Dianshan Lake. Registration deadline is Thu 4. Use discount code ‘timeoutshanghai’ for 10 percent off. 

📍Laya Resort, near Dianshan Lake. Fri 5-Sun 7. 9am-late. Search official account ‘Linwards灵悟’ on WeChat for more. 

Yoga in the Park

Photograph: courtesy organiser

Wholistic health platform Linwards is organising yoga classes outdoors for all levels. Expect a blend of Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin Yoga and meditation led in both English and Chinese.

📍Location tba. Sat 6-Sun 7, Sat 13-Sun14, Sat 20-Sun 21, Sat 27-Sun 28. 10-11am. 88RMB. Search official account ‘Linwards灵悟’ on WeChat for more. 

Music & Nightlife

Strawberry Music Festival 2019

Photograph: courtesy organisers

Courtesy of China’s biggest indie label, Modern Sky, this year's Strawberry Music Festival kicks off at the end of April with three days of indie, dance, rock and electro music.

📍Shanghai Rugby Football Club, Zhangyang Bei Lu, near Wuzhou Lu. Fri 26-Sun 28. 12.30-9pm. 450RMB; 360RMB (presale).

S.T.D. Warehouse Party Hosted by A$AP Rocky

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

East Coast hip hop royalty, American rapper A$AP Rocky comes to Shanghai to host the S.T.D Warehouse Party.

📍Shanghai International Sourcing and Investment Co., 2739 Guang Fu Xi Lu, near Yunling Dong Lu. Fri 12. 9-11pm. 499-699RMB.

AlunaGeorge

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

UK electronic duo AlunaGeorge, singer Aluna Francis and producer George Reid bring their seductive R&B vocals and cutting breathy riffs to Arkham.

📍Arkham, Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Fri 19. 9-11pm. 300RMB; 260 (presale).

Alter. One Year Anniversary feat John Talabot

Image: courtesy Alter.

Kick off rooftop season at Alter.'s one-year anniversary party with Spain's most revered producer and DJ, John Talabot. 

📍POP Bar, Seventh Floor, 17 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Sun 14. 2-10pm. 120RMB (early bird); 150RMB (presale); 180RMB (door).

Wild Nothing Indigo Tour 2019

Photograph: @wildnothing via Instagram

Jack Tatum has been making shimmery, '80s-influenced chillwave music since the genre emerged in the late 2000s. On Indigo, Tatum uses mellow vocals and vintage synthesisers to make his most intimate record to date. 

📍Modern Sky Lab, Third Floor, 188 Ruihong Lu, near Tianhong Lu. Sat 13. 8.30-10.30pm. 360RMB.

Troye Sivan: The Bloom Tour Live in Shanghai 2019

Photograph: @troyesivan on Instagram

Pop prince Troye Sivan brings The Bloom Tour to Shanghai, supporting his release of his sophomore album, Bloom.

📍Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Shibo Da Dao, near Shangnan Lu. Mon 22. 8-10pm. 380-1280RMB. 

toe: Our Latest Number Tour 2019

Photograph: @toemusic via Facebook

The aerobic Japanese instrumental rock quartet return to China to present their new critically acclaimed album, Our Latest Number.

📍MAOLivehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Fri 12. 9-10.30pm. 280RMB. 

Slikback

Photograph: @meetfactory via Instagram

Contemporary club music from East Africa, the Kenyan native fuses trap, dub and grime with percussive, underground rhythms.

📍ALL, Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. Sat 20. 10pm-3am. Tickets tba.

4x4x4x4 pres Wrong Assessment

Photograph: @migueltfotografia via Instagram

Milanese DJ, producer and label manager Marco Selph (aka Wrong Assessment) will bring his deep, minimalist techno to Arkham, supported by Max Shen and Yoshinaga.

📍Arkham, Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Sat 6. 10pm-4am. Tickets tba.

Medusa turns 3 feat Chris Cruise

Image: courtesy Elevator 

Shanghai's glitter-soaked monthly queer rave returns to dissolve boundaries in their third lap round' the sun. An all-night session of fierce tracks awaits with resident DJs Michael Cignarale, Mau Mau and special guest Chris Cruise.

📍XSPACE, Third Floor, 77 Jiangning Lu, near Fengxian Lu. Fri 5. 11pm-late. 100RMB (presale); 150RMB (door).

S.T.D pres Thundercat

Image: courtesy S.T.D

LA-native Stephen Bruner's acrobatic, groove-heavy, velvety basslines have made contact with every major artist in the hip-hop industry including Erykah Badu, Travis Scott, Kali Uchis, Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington.

📍Arkham, Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Fri 12. 10pm-midnight. 280RMB (presale); 350RMB (door).

Eating & Drinking

RAC X Guy Savoy pop-up dinner

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

RAC X Guy Savoy’s third pop-up dinner brings a collab between RAC’s Goh Shan Tze and La Monnaie's Simon Dhainaut where guests will get to tuck into a five-course menu and 16 wines by glass. 

📍RAC Coffee, 322 Anfu Lu, near Wukang Lu. Tue 9-Wed 10. 6-9pm. 788RMB.

Easter brunch at Together

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Together is extendeding hours for brunch on Easter Sunday and will offer a free Easter ice cream to kids under 12.

📍Together, 546 Yuyuan Lu, near Zhenning Lu. Sun 21. 11.30am-4pm. 

Commune Social and Le Tribute

Photograph: Pegenaute

The Commune Social will be teaming up for five-course cocktail and food pairing with Le Tribute gin on the 11th April. Reservations highly recommended.

📍The Commune Social, 511 Jiangning Lu, near Kangding Lu. Thu 11. 7pm-late. 588RMB. 

Street food brunch at UP Shanghai

Photograph: FIBOproductions

Six Shanghai chefs are bringing a special street food brunch to UP Shanghai. Expect a daytime NYC style pop-up, with a menu from the likes of Ling Huang (Pirata and Latin Woo), Jason Oakley, Eduardo Gomez (El Luchador), Simon Sunwo (Liquid Laundry), Austin Hu (Madison Kitchen and Union Trading Company) and Carlos Sotomayor (Kitch by UP).

📍Up Shanghai, 688 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Kangding Lu. Sun 7. 11.30am-3pm. 

Monthly Vegan Brunch at Glam

Photograph: courtesy Glam

Created by chef Hamish Waddel, with a colourful, delicious menu that's light and nourishing, Glam's monthly vegan brunch is back. Vegan or not, all are welcome.

📍M Glam, Seventh Floor, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Sun 7. Midday-3pm. Free entry.

Film

Dumbo

Image: courtesy Walt Disney Pictures

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.

📍Now on general release. 

The Road to Hippie

Image: courtesy Dadao Guangying Media

This feel good Chinese-language flick follows shy and artsy Yang Feng who throws caution to the wind and sets off on a joy ride with a friend. Expected shenanigans ensue.

📍Now on general release.

The Shadow Play

Image: courtesy Dream Factory

When newbie cop Yang Jiadong witnesses a grisly death, his investigation triggers a dangerous chain of events that forces him to flee to Hong Kong, seeking the help of the daughter of the deceased to solve the case.

📍On general release from Thu 4 Apr. 

Art

teamLab: Universe of Water Particles in the Tank

Photograph: teamLab, courtesy Pace Gallery

TANK Shanghai's inaugural exhibition, Tokyo-based art collective teamLab have turned the former oil tank into an interactive, ever-changing installation. Featured works include an enormous waterfall cascades, huge screens of flower patterns, waves triggered by human movements and more.

📍Tank Shanghai, 2350 Longteng Dadao, near Longqi Lu. Until Sat 24 Aug (Tue-Sun). 199RMB.

Parallel: Erwin Olaf

Photograph: Erwin Olaf, courtesy Magda Danysz Gallery

Fashion and commercial photographer Erwin Olaf's introductory exhibition in China is full of his signature highly stylised and theatrical shots including a few works from his series titled 'Shanghai', shot here a couple years back. 

📍Shanghai Center of Photography, 2555 Longteng Dadao, near Longlan Lu. Until Thu 30 May (Tue-Sun). 40RMB; 30RMB (student).

Tobias Rehberger: If you don’t use your eyes to see, you will use them to cry

Photograph: courtesy Rockbund Art Museum

German artist Tobias Rehberger brings a butcher shop, flower arrangements, a teahouse, a bar and public signage to occupy the entirety of Rockbund Art Museum. 

📍Rockbund Art Museum, 20 Huqiu Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu. Until Sun 26 May (Tue-Sun). 30RMB.

Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol

Photograph: Fancycrave-254 via Unsplash

Modern Art Museum Shanghai, in cooperation with London Fashion and Textile Museum, celebrates the connection between fashion and art history with an exhibition of textile designs from big names Dali, Warhol and Picasso, and design works from Sandra Rhodes. 

📍Modern Art Museum Shanghai (Yicang), 4700 Binjiang Dadao, near Pudian Lu. Until Sun 5 May (Tue-Sun).

The sky is the limit

Image: courtesy Tom F Klein

German painter Tom F Klein first solo exhibition in China, expect colourful acrylic portraits reminiscent of pop art thanks to his graphic design background.

📍La Galerie Shanghai, 1 Fenyang Lu , near Fuxing Zhong Lu. Until Sun 21. 3pm-midnight. 

Love is Metaphysical Gravity

Photograph: courtesy Lisson Gallery

Lending its title from a quote by American architect and theorist Buckminster Fuller, 'Love is Metaphysical Gravity', Lisson Gallery Shanghai's inaugural exhibition includes works by Richard Long, Shirazeh Houshiary, Tatsuo Miyajima and Marina Abramović. 

📍Lisson Gallery, Amber Building, Second Floor, 27 Huiqiu Lu Beijing Dong Lu. Until Sun 11 May (Tue-Sun).

Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawings

Photograph: Yan Tao, courtesy Perrotin Shanghai

Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawings showcases 16 ink-wash wall drawings initially conceived in the 1980s and 1990s, including a monumental, immersive wall drawing spanning four walls. 

📍Perrotin Gallery, Third Floor, 27 Huqiu Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu. Until Sat 25 May. 11am-7pm. 

Chang Ling: Illusion Society

Photograph: Chang Ling, courtesy Dong Gallery

Don Gallery presents Illusion Society, Taiwanese artist Chang Ling’s first solo show in the Mainland. Grotesque and abstract, Illusion Society is grounded in dialogue and critique of social issues. 

📍Don Gallery West Bund, Third Floor, Building 302, 2879 Longteng Dadao, near . Until Sun 12 May (Tue-Sun). 10am-6pm. Free entry. 

Vhils: Realm

Photograph: VHILS, courtesy Danysz Gallery

Danysz Gallery presents Portuguese artist Vhils' bas-relief wall carving exhibition, made from plaster boards found on construction sites. 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, Jiangxi Zhong Lu. Until Sat 25 May. 11am-6pm (Mon-Sat); 12-6pm (Sun). Free entry.

Andrew Daly: Menagerie

Image: Andrew Daly courtesy Noeli Gallery

Menagerie is Australian Artist Andrew Daly’s first solo exhibition in Shanghai, featuring his latest large paintings of portraits, still lifes, landscapes and mysterious or imaginary stories. In this show, artist Andrew pays his homage to influential American contemporary artist Alex Katz

📍Noeli Gallery, Bldg B, 150 Yueyang Lu, near Yongjia Lu. Until Thu 25 Apr (everyday except Monday). 1-9pm. Free entry.

Prada pres What Was I?

Photograph: Delfino Sisto Legnani and Marco Cappelletti, courtesy Fondazione Prada

An eerie look into what the world is like after the collapse of humankind, watch an android, who appears to be the only inhabitant of the historic villa, recite and rehearse a monologue full of excerpts of seminal speeches, claiming himself to be a repository of human knowledge. Accompanying the bot, find 26 other works from the Prada Collection.

📍Prada Rong Zai, 186 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. Until Sun 2 Jun. 10am-5pm. 60RMB.

Hélène Binet: Dialoghi

Photograph: @PSA via Weibo

The exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of Binet’s 30-year professional career, as well as featuring her new Suzhou Gardens series commissioned for this exhibition, presenting over one hundred works in total. 

📍Power Station of Art, 200 Huayuangang Lu, near Miaojiang Lu. Fri 19 Apr-Fri 21 Jun (everyday except Monday). Tickets tba. 

Classical/Stage

Franz Welser-Möst and The Cleveland Orchestra

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

One of America's greatest orchestras returns to China after 21 years, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony. 

📍Shanghai Symphony Hall - Concert Hall, 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Baoqing Lu. Sat 6-Sun 7. 8-10pm. 80-1680RMB. 

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre: White Water, Dust

Photograph: @la_villette via Instagram

Long considered Asia's flagship modern dance company, Cloud Gate is the pride of Taiwan and the envy of the region. Here they present a bi-chromatic piece of pure movement set to scores by Erik Satie and that incorporates digital design to create water in its many forms.

📍Shanghai Oriental Art Center - Opera Hall, 425 Dingxiang Lu, near Yanggao Zhong Lu. Wed 24. 7.15-9.15pm. From 80-880RMB. 

Suzhou Ballet Theatre: Legend of Beauty

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets.com

East meets West culture with this ballet performance of a Chinese tale, in which the King of Wu has invaded Yue. It's a classic story of love, war, passion and betrayal.

📍Shanghai International Dance Center Grand Theatre, 1650 Hongqiao Lu, near Yanangaojia Lu. Wed 3. 7.30-9.30pm. 

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