16 awesome things to do in Shanghai this week

Photograph: courtesy M Glam

It's already the second week of 2020 – hope you’re feeling fantastic. As usual, Shanghai has a lot of activities to keep you entertained. This week, we've got a vegan menu at el Willy, a couple great musicals and some crowd-favourite parties are making their way back to Shanghai's dance floors.

Things to Do

Photograph: courtesy Unravel

Storytelling Workshop: Unravel Your Story

Spend the morning with the Unravel team for a session of idea generation, free writing and small group workshopping. All participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the fundamentals of storytelling and a first draft of a personal narrative that can be submitted to its next show. All tickets include coffee and bagels from Spread the Bagel. 

📍IT Consultis, Second Floor, Room 205, 485 Xiangyang Nan Lu, near Jianguo Xi Lu. Sat 11. 10am-1pm. 448RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

M Talks China: Zhang Lijia Three Generations of Women in My Family

Writer Zhang Lijia will give a talk on her novel Lotus, in which she illustrates the changing role of women in China, as well as lead a discussion on the challenges facing women today and how the market-economy has undermined gender inequality. Ticket includes a drink.

📍M Glam, Seventh Floor, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Sun 12. 4-6pm. 100RMB; 50RMB (students).

Music & Nightlife

Photograph: courtesy Elevator

Richard Johnson's Quintet

Richard D Johnson has strong jazz roots. He once was under the direction of the influential Ron Carter and was invited to become a member of Wynton Marsalis' Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which he did from 2000 to 2003.

📍Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, Fourth Floor, 139 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Jiangxi Zhong Lu. Tue 7-Sun 12 (closed Thu). Multiple time slots. 220RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

Handaga China Tour

Handaga, the seven-piece Mongolian folk music band, is a rising star of China’s folk-rock circuit. Its other-worldly songs often reflect the natural lives of its homeland Inner Monglia with vast horizons, sparkling water, grasslands and roaming elk. There’s a certain restlessness, melancholy and yearning in its songs that make the band stand out.

📍Yuyintang Park, B1, 1398 Yuyuan Lu, near Dingxi Lu. Wed 8. 10pm-midnight. 100RMB; 80RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

A Trip to Motown

Shanghai's house of funk and soul takes you to Motown this weekend with a concert of timeless and euphoric music from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Rick James and more from the label's catalogue of 180 number one hits. Courtney Knott, Sheree and Shake's six-piece band star in this journey to Detroit as we begin a new decade. Dinner and cocktails from 6pm; live music from 10.30pm. Dress code: fix up, look sharp.

📍Shake, Third Floor, 46 Maoming Nan Lu, near Jinxian Lu. Thu 9-Sat 11. 9pm-2am. 100RMB.

Hologram Dreams and Anime Screening

Shanghai's monthly night for Italo Disco, Synth-Pop, raw house trax, City-Pop and cybernetic sounds returns to Elevator for a dance party and double-feature anime screening. From 10pm, Heatwolves, Jianz and Megaforce blend classics, brand new sounds and unknown pleasures with rare anime visuals dripping from the walls. 

📍Elevator, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Bei Lu. Fri 10. 8.30pm-5am. 80RMB; 50RMB (before 11pm). Free entry.

Popasuda: Salute to DADA and Farewell

After almost a decade of throwing stellar parties, the city's iconic venue is set to close. Popasuda gears up for one last party at DADA, where Skinny Brown will hit the decks for an epic eight-hour set with global sounds.

📍DADA, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Fri 10. 10pm-5am. Free entry.

Punk show ft Round Eye, The Flood and Dahaha

The promotion team behind bringing top punk and rock acts like Descendents, Mike Watt and The Dickies to China presents another night of local punk rock with three of Shanghai's underground titans – Round Eye, The Flood and Dahaha – along with the debut gig of local dudes White Ink.

📍Harley's Underground, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Bei Lu. Fri 10. 9pm-midnight. 50RMB.

Eating & Drinking

Photograph: courtesy The Blind Pig

Thirsty Thursdays Ladies' Night Out at The Blind Pig

The thirst is real. Every Thursday night, ladies can enjoy free-flow Pink Ladies, margaritas and Espelho red or white wine from 9pm to midnight free of charge.

📍The Blind Pig Bourbon and Smokehouse, 132 Nanyang Lu, near Xikang Lu. Tue 7 Jan-Tue 23 Jun (every Thu). 9pm-midnight. Free entry.

Sexy Veganuary

Veganism is on the rise. Hop on the ‘Veganuary’ bandwagon with el Willy’s vegan menu. You can choose anything from its whole menu for 400RMB per person or single dishes at listed prices.

📍el Willy, 22 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Jinling Lu. Until Fri 31. 11.30-2.30pm; 6-10.30pm. 400RMB. 

Natural wine dinner with Asia Sparks

Kin Urban Thai Kitchen is hosting its first wine dinner featuring natural wines from funky producers Brendan Tracey, Milan Nestarec and Meinklang set against the bright and bold flavours of Northern Thai food. Seats are limited; call 6433 0201 to book.

📍Kin Urban Thai Kitchen, 45 Yongkang Lu, near Jiashan Lu. Thu 9. 8pm-late. Free entry.

Film

Image: courtesy Melampo Cinematografica

Spies in Disguise

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

📍On general release. 

Life Is Beautiful

More than 20 years after its initial release, the Oscar-nominated classic Life Is Beautiful (original title: 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 protects his son from the harsh life of their concentration camp by telling him it’s nothing but a game.

📍On general release. 

Stage

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

Dreamgirls the Musical

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 unforgettable, spine-tingling vocals, this spectacular musical production soars with classic hits like ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ and 'Listen'.

📍Shanghai Culture Square, 597 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. Until Tue 14. 7.30-9.30pm. From 400RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

Secret Cinema Presents Casino Royale

London-based immersive theatre company Secret Cinema has brought its latest show to Shanghai: a spy thriller based off the 007 film Casino Royale. Unlike traditional theatre, with Secret Cinema there’s no screen or stage – the audience is a part of the show. 

📍Location tba. Dates ongoing. Prices and times vary by day. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll. This brand new version of Spring Awakening will be performed in English and Chinese by a bilingual cast.

📍Theatre Above, Metro City F5, 1111 Zhaojiabang Lu, near Dongan Lu. Until Sat 18. 7.30-9.30pm. From 380RMB. Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

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