Popular Shanghai event organisers Kick the Gong Around are set to launch their seventh bumper extravaganza next weekend, inspired by the sights, sounds and flavours of summer. As well as seminars in partnership with Time Out Talks, KTGA SUMMERFEST will include more than 70 local vendors offering vintage, bespoke and design-forward products, a huge atrium brimming with food and beverage outlets (we’ve heard the likes of Pie Society, Bumbu, Mr Waffle and BottlesXO will be serving up drinks and grub) and a huge roster of workshops, performances and activities that will run throughout the weekend.
Not a big shopper or need a place to entertain the kids? KTGA has planned a huge range of activities ranging from ping pong tables and live artist performances (if you loved FANANA then expect to see artist Ton Mak in action) to henna stations and face painting.
KTGA will be evoking pure beachside summer vibes – a fitting distraction from drizzly Shanghai – with paddling pools, cocktail and ice cream vendors, a dance floor and DJ, SUMMERFEST looks set to offer a taste of the tropics within the safe and sound confines of Line 4.
KTGA’s latest festival will be returning to the beautifully austere 1933 Old Millfun – Hongkou district’s weird and wonderful canal-side slaughterhouse that has been fully repurposed and filled with studios, galleries, event spaces and restaurants - taking over the fourth floor of the complex in a chandelier-accented ballroom and colossal circular rotunda with panoramic views of the district's century-old industrial architecture. With the success of last year's Vintage Tribal Fest at the once derelict Datong Mill (now Found 158) and the Christmassy Winter Festival at a half-finished shopping mall in Xintiandi, SUMMERFEST is set to be just as spectacular.
KTGA is partnering with Time Out to provide a series of seminars that will be offered on a walk-in basis throughout the weekend. Time Out Talks will be putting community figures centrestage, giving a platform to speakers passionate about fashion, food, health, history and more. Take a sneak peak at the scheduled speakers below:
Seasonal Fashion and Beauty Trends - Catalina Calin
A professional makeup artist and fashion designer, Catalina Calin is the mastermind behind Calin Fashion Academy, an organisation that supports those who dream of entering the world of fashion and beauty. Catalina will share her passion for encouraging creativity and artistic talent in young people, as well as this season’s hottest beauty trends with a live makeup demonstration.
Sunday 2 July, 2pm.
Guided Gratitude Meditation - Elizabeth Schiefflin
The brains and brawn behind Shanghai’s favourite smoothie concept Lizzy’s All Natural, Elizabeth Schieffelin has been providing delicious grab-and-go smoothies, juices and nut milks to the city’s health obsessed since 2015. A certified holistic health coach, Schiefflin offers health and wellbeing training to clients alongside her booming business. Ramp up the positive vibes by joining her for a guided gratitude meditation and a talk on mindfulness.
Sunday 2 July, 3pm.
Shanghai Love Notes - Gabby Gabriel
Shanghai-based entrepreneur Gabby Gabriel pumps energy into her business and social projects, building a language-learning platform, property management company and queer women’s community group LesQueers. Gabby will talk about her long-term hobby and art project Shanghai Love Notes, a photography, poetry and creative writing initiative that profiles the people and voices of Shanghai’s residents.
Sunday 2 July, 4.30pm.
Click 'read more' below for full ticket details.
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