The weekend's here again and the weather is fine (for now, at least). It's KTGA SUMMERFEST at 1933 Old Millfun, including a selection of Time Out Talks; it's The Cannery's monthly Bloc Party; The Bodyguard musical hits the stage; Red Town's On Stage takes its final bow and Jochen Miller is at Linx. See below for our full list of weekend picks.
Friday 30
The Bodyguard the Musical
The Bodyguard does not improve on the film's already weak story, but there's more of what you bought the ticket for - Whitney Houston's music. Big, bold, and with plenty of spectacle, this show is not going to do anything for your IQ, but Whitney's fans will love it. This year's guilty summer pleasure.
Shanghai Culture Square 36 Yongjia Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu. 7.15pm. 80-880RMB.
Jochen Miller
Hailing from Holland, EDM DJ Jochen Miller has performed at EDC Las Vegas, ASOT (A State of Trance), Ultra Music Festival Miami, Ultra Europe, Kings Day, Tomorrowland and more. Now signed to world-famous dance label Armada, he's been developing his unique crossover of trance and progressive house since he began mixing at the age of 16.
Linx 98 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xixang Nan Lu. 10pm. 100RMB.
The PLUG presents Sonny Digital
It's hip-hop and urban culture collective The PLUG's birthday, and they're celebrating by balling out at a huge warehouse with Sonny Digital, the producer who's been making headlines all year with his latest collabs with Kanye West, Drake and Migos.
ShanghART Gallery West Bund 2555 Longteng Dadao. 10pm. 100RMB (presale); 200RMB; 420RMB (VIP).
KFK Frontstage: Joanna Sio
Hong Kong stand-up Joanna Sio headlines KFK this Saturday. Having performed in the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, Canada and Germany, expect a clever, worldly performance from this well-traveled comic. Support comes from Björn Dahlman, Danay Kidane, Lincoln Daw and Mohammed Magdi, with Storm Xu hosting.
Kung Fu Komedy Club 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. 8.30pm. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).
SCC: Open Bar Open Mic
Open Bar Open Mic (OBOM) is back at Palmetto. 150RMB gets you entry and unlimited drinks. The show is hosted by Kurt Dunsing and will feature the likes of Barney Rivera.
Palmetto 800 Changde Lu, near Changping Lu. 9pm. 150RMB.
Space-631 Vol 13
This latest experimental showcase features Mexico City-born sound artist Mario de Vega, former Muscle Snog frontman Mai Mai, NOIShanghai organiser Torturing Nurse, Mirrors' Aming plus dee and Anuar. It's a strong bill of experimental talent that's well worth heading to Yangpu for.
Space 631 Room 101, Building C3, 188 Linqing Lu, near Pingliang Lu. 8.30pm. 30RMB.
Loud Summer Fest
Japanese metal outfit Abstracts headline at YYT with strong support from local acts Must Be Red and Fighting Back.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9pm. 160RMB; 120 RMB (presale).
Re-Charge
Expect art instalations, live music, DJs and more at *LLND's latest after-hours takeover of MAO. There'll be drum circles and 'tribal dances', live music from Acid, Aming and Junky of Torturing Nurse fame, plus DJ sets spanning everything from techno to Italo synth.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 11.30am. Free.
Saturday 1
KTGA SUMMERFEST – Make a Splash!
This summer sees the latest incarnation of Shanghai's foremost market makers much celebrated festival series. Get ready for another packed two-day program of spectacular design, shopping, film, music, and food all presented with KTGA’s signature creative flair guaranteed to put a summery smile on your face.
KTGA SUMMERFEST 1933 Old Millfun 10 Shajing Lu, near Haining Lu. Sat 1 and Sun 2. 2pm-9pm Sat; 12pm-8pm Sun. 45RMB.
Bloc Party at The Cannery
A special Canada Day edition of The Cannery's monthly Bloc Party. Get started with yoga class by Lululemon (11am) and competition for best male and female Canada-inspired yoga outfit – winners get a gift certificate to The Cannery and a personal fitting at Lululemon’s store. After that, enjoy a Canadian-style brunch before the Bloc Party gets started, with specials like ‘East Coast’ eggs with lobster hollandaise, and pancakes with maple syrup, Canadian bacon and more.
The Cannery 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu. 1pm. Free.
P.O.E. EP release party
Anhui-born rapper P.O.E. unveils his new record at On Stage, possibly the final show for the venue in Red Town. Support comes from Half a Blunt.
On Stage A2-101, Red Town, 570 Huaihai Xi Lu, near Hongqiao Lu 9pm. 100RMB; 60RMB (presale).
David Thomas Broughton
Born and bred in Yorkshire and currently residing in Seoul, David Thomas Broughton traverses straight-up folk music and more experimental sounds, using tape loops and feedback to add an edge to his music while referencing the likes of Bill Callahan and Antony and the Johnsons.
Basement6 Basement, 115 Pingwu Lu, near Xingfu Lu 115 Pingwu Lu, near Xingfu Lu. 7pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Arkham presents ROMderful
Arkham is bringing Birmingham, UK-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ ROMderful to Shanghai. He has a very unique style which is known as ROMderful. Fusing genres, layering guitar and always maintaining vibes.
Arkham 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 100RMB.
dART presents ABSTRAXION
Abstraxion is fond of squelch and buzz, combining sinister techno and impish electro over punky disco rhythms. For his new live show, he will perform alone on stage, exploring his house and techno sides deeper and further. Lineup includes Diamond Lil b2b Finascia, Deep19 and LEON C.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10.30pm-6am. 50RMB (presale); 80RMB (at the door).
Rainbow Afternoon Block Party
Join the weekly Rainbow Afternoon Block Party at M CAFÉ – the new daytime café and face of popular gay bar Lucca 390 – for a day of drinks, desserts and DJs.
M CAFÉ 390 Panyu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 2pm-7pm. Free.
Sunday 2
Star Spangled Summer Fest
An Independence Day food and drink bash featuring gourmet food, craft beers, pre-prohibition cocktails, live music and DJs. Catch your favourite all American restaurants, bars, and craft beers at the festival, including Big Bamboo, Madison Kitchen, Egg, Lil’ Laundry, Spread the Bagel, Strictly Cookies, Element Fresh, TThe Blind Pig, Boxing Cat Brewery, Al's Diner, Senator Saloon and more.
Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu. 11am. Free.
Entangled in Duality
Hu Weiqi makes an attempt to unveil how deep of an imprint China's eye-catching and lightning-fast social, political and cultural transition has left on the mentalities, conscious and beliefs of the country's people.
Art + Shanghai Gallery 191 Suzhou Nan Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu. Until Jul 30. Free.
Midsummer
Qu Fengguo's new solo exhibition Midsummer, his third at Don Gallery, presents the paintings that belong to the series Four Seasons composed between 2015 and 2017.
Don Gallery West Bund Building 302, 2879 Longteng Dadao. Until Jul 23. Free.
Body·Media II
Continuing the theme of 2007's Body Media exhibition, this new edition re-discusses the close ties between new media and body within the new era context totally revolutionised by advancing technologies.
Power Station of Art 200 Huayuangang Lu, near Miaojiang Lu. Until Jul 30. 20RMB.
Coco Zhao and The Possicobilities
Ever popular Shanghai jazz singer Coco Zhao performs with his Possicobilities (on this occasion Lao Ren, Scott Xue and pianist Huang Jianyi) at JZ Club.
JZ Club 158 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 100RMB. Book on jzclub.cn.