The 10 best things to do in Shanghai this weekend
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets (The Dark Circus Experience)
The weekend is finally upon us. Whether you're curling up with a good book or heading out to party hard, Shanghai's got you covered with tons of great stuff to do. From a sultry cabaret performance to the launch of Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King, here's what you can look forward to this weekend.
The Lion King (2019)
Photograph: courtesy Walt Disney Pictures
Relive the classic Disney tale (a week before the rest of the world) through the eyes of director Jon Favreau and with help from a few familiar voices. Starring Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé as fierce Nala and Seth Rogen as lovable Pumbaa.
📍On general release.
KnowYourself pres Practice in City
Photograph: courtesy KnowYourself
China's largest psychology platform KnowYourself will launch a pop-up event, Practice in City, aimed at promoting mental wellness. There'll be 20 workshops (for 268RMB each) covering topics such as intimate relationships, self-exploration, interpersonal communication, emotion management and more.
📍The Living Room by Octave, 357 Jianguo Lu, near Taiyuan Lu. Sat 13-Sun 14. 9am-7pm.
Tomatito 2.0 Launch Party
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe
Tomatito 2.0's sexy launch party is going down tonight (Fri 12) at its new venue in Xintiandi, now featuring a big outdoor terrace. There'll be free tapas all night and buy one-get-one deals on all drinks to celebrate. Party starts at 5.30pm and goes until late.
📍Tomatito 2.0, Hubindao, Third Floor, 168 Hubin Lu, near Jinan Lu. Fri 12. 5.30pm-late.
Space Panda pres Secret R##ft#p Girl Power Edition
Photograph: courtesy FULU
Secret R##FT#P is back for an unmissable summer rooftop day party this time with flower power behind the decks all night featuring some of the best female house and techno DJs of the scene. Go rain or shine; in case of storms, the party will be moved indoors.
📍FULU Modern Cantonese Restaurant, Fourth Floor, 758 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu. Sat 13. 2-11pm. 320RMB (group of five); 200RMB (group of three); 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
AV Party Vol 3: Calm Yourself in the Darkroom
Photograph: courtesy Audio Visual Studio
AV Party Vol.03 will take place nside Changjiang Theater’s immersive multimedia auditorium, the Black Box, replete with four projection walls, surround sound and a revolving stage. The fixed cast of Wang Meng x Yu Miao and Shao x Wang Wenwei will be joined by a guest duo: Jason Hou (a composer, producer and sound designer from Beijing) and Miaojing, a Shanghai-based visual artist, animation director and co-founder of Hibanana Studio.
📍Shanghai Changjiang Theatre, 21-8 Huanghe Lu, near Fengyang Lu. Fri 12-Sun 14. 8pm-late. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale).
Hope & Sesame pop-up at The Shanghai EDITION
Photograph: courtesy Hope & Sesame
Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca from Guangzhou speakeasy Hope & Sesame head to town for a one-night pop-up at The Shanghai EDITION. The bar, known for inventive top-shelf drinks, ranked no 35 on the list of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2019 and was named China Best Bar of the Year 2018 by DRiNK Magazine.
📍Club Room, Fifth Floor, The Shanghai EDITION, 199 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Henan Lu. Sat 13. 8pm-midnight.
French National Day at THE CUT
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Celebrate Bastille Day this weekend at IAPM's rooftop bar THE CUT, including French pop, touch and electro music from Guest DJ Korama. Free entry with password ‘Coco Chanel’ until midnight, otherwise 100RMB including a drink.
📍THE CUT Rooftop, Seventh Floor, IAPM, 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. 9pm-2am. Free entry (before midnight); 100RMB (after midnight, includes one drink).
mitsume China Tour 2019
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets
Initially a four-piece self-recorded band that began live performances in 2010, Tokyo-based mitsume released its self-titled debut album in August 2011. Now, mitsume is ready to explore other cities and bring its music to more places outside Japan.
📍MAO Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Sun 14. 8.30-10.30pm. 200RMB; 160RMB (presale). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Dark Circus Experience – Noire Soirée at The Pearl
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets
After almost two years, the Dark Circus returns to The Pearl for a night of mystery and intrigue. Get ready for a lineup of immersive, in-your-face performances from acrobats, magicians and dancers. The Pearl's in-house band starts things off at 8pm; the show starts at 9pm.
📍The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, near Haining Lu. Fri 12-Sat 13. 220RMB; 180RMB (presale). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
LUÜNA Naturals pres No More Secrets
Photograph: Karen Pang
The latest No More Secrets, an event series from LUÜNA Naturals meant to break taboos about the female experience, is all about breast health. Entry includes a mammogram at Concord Clinic, organic cotton period care products, Yunnanese food and period-themed cocktails from Jin Hua, and medical advice from a female doctor.
📍Jin Hua, 408 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Sat 13. 11am-1pm. 188RMB; 288RMB (two people).