10 brilliant things to do this weekend in Shanghai

Image: courtesy Melampo Cinematografica (Life is Beautiful)

The holiday season is over and we're back to reality. Christmas and New Year are now a distant memory and you're probably back at work and/or school – if you had any time off in the first place, that is. As always, there's plenty of stuff to do in Shanghai this week to take your mind off your festive withdrawals. It's not that long until Chinese New Year, anyway...

The Last Love Bang Ever on Xingfu Lu

Graphic: courtesy the organiser

Love Bang began on Xingfu Lu in 2010 and will finish just like it started: house-party-in-the-club vibes all night with musicfrom club trax to Hip hop and all that's in between. The DJ lineup includes Lanzhou Noodle Princess, Heatwolves, The Ghost of The Dog From The Adult Toys Shop Next Door, mystery guests and surreal cartoon visuals. Dress code: Funeral vs Birthday Party.

📍DADA, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Fri 3. 9.30pm-5am. Free entry.

First Fridays at The Rooster

Photograph: courtesy The Rooster

Who doesn't enjoy a little free booze? Head to The Rooster for a free glass of Prosecco or Firestone Walker Easy Jack Session IPA on the first Friday of every month from 6-7pm.

📍The Rooster, 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Fri 3 Jan. 6-7pm. Free entry.

Bánh Mì Sunday Groove Session

Photograph: courtesy The Melting Pot

This pop-up brings the streets of Saigon to Shanghai Yongjia Lu. Tuck into classic homemade chả lụa (traditional pork sausage wrapped in banana leaves), giò thủ (meat jelly), liver pâté bánh mì and groovy tunes from the owner of The Melting Pot/DJ Rochaos. 

📍The Meltong Pot, 673 Yongjia Lu, near Anting Lu. Sun 5. 3-7pm. Free entry.

Medusa Body Heat

Photograph: courtesy organiser

Shanghai’s monthly glitter-soaked queer party MEDUSA will take place at Elevator this Saturday for a night of house and disco. Lineup includes MEDUSA residents Michael Cignarale, Mau Mau and Diamond Lil.

📍Elevator, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Lu. Sat 4. 10pm-5am. 80RMB; 50RMB (before 11pm). 

Dreamgirls The Musical

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

This musical tells the story of three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. With an extraordinary story and spine-tingling vocals, the production soars with the classic songs ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘I Am Changing’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’.

📍Shanghai Culture Square, 597 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. Until Tue 14. 2-3.30pm; 7.30-9pm. From 400RMB. Extract the QR code to book tickets. 

Shenel Johns Quintet

Photograph: @shenelvox via Instagram

Shenel Johns is a dynamic jazz performer who commands the stage with her lively spirit and impressive range – 'history in the making' according to The Boston Globe. 

📍Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, Fourth Floor, 139 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Jiangxi Zhong Lu. Until Sun 5. Multiple time slots. 220RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

Adele & Ed Sheeran Tribute Concert

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

The Pearl’s stage stars and perfectionists Ksenia and Dave Stone have teamed up to deliver the soul of Adele and Ed Sheeran's music for one weekend. Expect 'Rolling In The Deep', 'Someone Like You', 'Sing', 'Thinking Out Loud' and a few surprises thrown in to boot.

📍The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, near Haining Lu. Fri 3-Sat 4. 9-11pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale). Extract QR code above to purchase tickets.

Tessa Souter Quartet

Photograph: courtesy Blue Note Shanghai

Award-winning New York-based vocalist Tessa Souter makes her Shanghai debut at the Blue Note. Named 'world-class' and a 'must-see' by our friends at Time Out New York, her emotional connection to the songs, the lyrics and the audience is remarkable. The band consists of Lawrence Fields on piano, Gary Wang on bass and Clarence Penn on drums. 

📍Citic Plaza, 867 Sichuan Bei Lu, near Tanggu Lu. Fri 3 Jan. 7.30-10.30pm. From 160RMB.

Spies in Disguise

Image: courtesy Twentieth Century Fox

The world is in danger and super charming spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) has to go undercover and work closely with his nerdy tech officer Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) to transform himself into… a pigeon.

📍On general release.

Life is Beautiful

Image: courtesy Melampo Cinematografica

More than 20 years after its initial release, the Oscar-Nominated classic Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella) makes its way to Chinese cinemas for the first time. Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, it tells a poignant story about a loving Jewish father who despite being victims of Holocaust, protects his son from the harsh life of the concentration camp by telling him it is nothing but a game.

📍On general release.

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