10 brilliant things to do this weekend in Shanghai

Photograph: courtesy Noeli Gallery (Seen Unseen)

It’s getting close to the end-of-year grind right before the holidays, but don’t forget to give yourself a little break in the meantime. This weekend, we've got a queer party from Berlin, a vintage clothes market, a free meditation marathon and catch Downton Abbey showing in cinemas from today.

Clothing Drive at The Rooster

Photograph: Junko Nakase via Unsplash

Dig up your old clothes (in good, wearable condition) and swing by The Rooster today (Fri 13) through Sunday to donate your clothes to The Renewal Center. Stop by anytime after 3.30pm, donate your clothes and enjoy a free pint of Vedett for your good deed.

📍The Rooster, 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Fri 13-Sun 15. 3.30-11pm. Free entry.

The 6th Meditation Marathon

Photograph: courtesy The Clinic

The sixth Meditation Marathon invites you to meditate at The Clinic, with two rooms available throughout the day: the Stillness Room (Shiva) and Movement Room (Shakti). The Stillness Room lets anyone do meditation in whatever style they prefer, unguided, with breaks in between the 45-minute sessions, while the Movement Room will have guided classes and activities. Children over seven may join the guided meditation classes. RSVP essential. 

📍The Clinic, Fifth Floor, Suite A501, Bldg B, 118 Jiashan Lu, near Yongkang Lu. Sun 15. 7.30am-6pm (Shakti); 9am-6pm (Shiva). Free entry. Add WeChat ID 'tc_theclinic' and download its app to RSVP.

SLOW at Elevator

Photograph: courtesy organiser

Elevator presents SLOW, where you can enjoy slow jams, pastries and coffee, a vintage clothes market and more, all while surrounded in festive vibes. The whole playlist throughout the day will be songs by Marvin Gaye. Stick around, as DJ YogiJazz will be performing an intimate Marvin-dedicated set while showcasing visuals.

📍Elevator, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Lu. Sun 15. 2pm-late. Free entry.

Gingerbuddy Decorating at DOE

Photograph: courtesy Strictly Cookies

Strictly Cookies is doing a DIY gingerbread decorating event at DOE. For 148RMB you’ll get five gingerbread cookies, a decoration set and a coffee from DOE. 

📍Doe Coffee, Unit 105, 88 Tongren Lu, near Anyi Lu. Sat 14. 3-5pm. 148RMB.

Herrensauna x Elevator

Photograph: courtesy Elevator

Elevator hosts Herrensauna, Berlin's queer-run party since 2015 that’s playful, seductive and dripping in attitude. Over the years it’s gone from a dirty basement in Berlin to one of the most established techno clubs in the world. The party has a tight-knit circle of DJs and, more importantly, a community of dance floor freaks and fishnet queens.

📍Elevator, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Lu. Fri 13. 10pm-5am. 100RMB.

Seen Unseen: Yu Zijun Solo Exhibition

Photograph: courtesy Noeli Gallery

Seen Unseen is the latest watercolour solo exhibition by Yu Zijun, a respected Chinese artist over 90 years old. Over the past near-century, he’s experienced everything from the Pacific War to the opening and reform of the PRC. This exhibition shows a collection of Yu’s watercolours from the 1960s to the present.

📍Noeli Gallery, Ground Floor, Bldg 2, 165 Taiyuan Lu, near Yongjia Lu. Sat 14 Dec 2019-Thu 20 Feb 2020 (Tue-Sun). Free entry.

Downton Abbey

Image: courtesy Carnival Film & Television via IMDb

Downton Abbey (2019) is a sequel to the television series. Set in 1927, the story begins with a notice from the King and Queen of their impending visit to the Crawley family. But when the royal staff arrive at Downton, the Crawley family struggle over an inheritance issue as they are pitted against the royal entourage.

📍On general release.

NTS Radio x China Social Club

Photograph: courtesy Uptown Records 'n' Beer

NTS is back at Uptown for the first time since September. It's a big show with first timers JiruiN1L and Jianz, along with seasoned pros Zean and China Social Club. Finish your year with NTS Radio Live from Shanghai, or you can listen live at nts.live/2.

📍Uptown Records 'n' Beer, 131 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu. Sun 15. 4-8pm. Free entry.

#NoMoreSecrets: a Panel Talk on Female Menstrual Health

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Join a panel of leaders in the fields of female health, sustainability and gender equality. You’ll see how driving conversations specifically around menstrual health can advance attitudes towards women and tackle mass scale plastic waste caused by the feminine care industry.

📍M Glam, Seventh Floor, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Sun 15. 4-6pm. 150RMB.

in my head, in my eye…belonging…

Photograph: courtesy Power Station of Art

PSA presents the first solo exhibition of one of the most well-known and prolific French architects, Jean Nouvel. The show debuts a three-and-a-half-hour film produced by Nouvel showcasing hundreds of his architecture designs across the globe, as well as six works of art based on his architecture. The ticket includes another exhibition – Passing Through Architecture: The 10 Years of Gordon Matta-Clark – showing until Sun 16 Feb 2020.

📍Power Station of Art, 200 Huayuangang Lu, near Miaojiang Lu. Until Sun 1 Mar 2020 (Tue-Sun). 11am-7pm. 80RMB.

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