This week looks set to be a scorcher, so get out there and make the most of it with this list of awesome things to do.
MUSIC
Play Rec Night
Cutting edge electronic label Play Rec present this 127bpm party at 696 Live's latest incarnation with interesting, quality electronic music from Gooooose, Xu Cheng, Shi Zheng, Wild Cat & Lynx, Dark Flame Busta and Wang Changcun.
Tivoli by 696 Live, 260 Changshou Lu. Sat 3. 8pm-late. Free.
NIGHTLIFE
INTRO Festival
After its storming Shanghai debut last year featuring DJ Koze and Kevin Saunderson, Beijing-born INTRO Festival returns with another impressive line-up from the worlds of techno and bass. It's an all-night two-stage affair at Bandai Namco Shanghai Base (formerly QSW). Headliners from the techno side include Munich singer and producer Virginia and the UK's Dax J, and bass offerings are headed up by DJ Paypal and MikeQ. Support from a strong list of locally-based DJs including MIIIA, Osheyack, Kilo Vee, Hyph11e and Howell.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu. Mon 29. 6pm-7am. 280RMB (presale); 380RMB (on the door).
Teenage Hate with Morgan and Sacco
Morgan and Sacco's dance party returns to Smash. This pair are more a performance art piece than a DJ set. They’ll be playing classics from the '80s as well as a bunch of rock n roll dance tunes.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu. Mon 29. 10pm-late. Free.
Ferry Corsten
Dutch DJ and producer Ferry Corsten made his name as a ’90s Ministry of Sound-affiliated trance producer. He’s maintained a prolific output whilst shifting towards a progressive house sound and is a regular on DJ Mag’s top 100 poll.
MYST 1123 Yanan Zhong Lu. Sat 3. 10pm-late. 150RMB.
Bump Ahead presents Hodge
Hodge has become a leading figure in bleeding-edge UK techno music, stacking up releases on respected labels like Hotline, Tempa and Berceuse Heroique. With roots in garage, drum ‘n’ bass and dubstep, his sound is a product of the UK melting pot, characterised by strong 4/4 thrust and bloated basslines. Support from Cavia, Zean and more.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. Thu 1. 10pm-late. 60RMB.
FOOD AND DRINK
Grande Affaire de Champagne
The Peninsula Shanghai is throwing a three-day boozy bash celebrating everything Champagne. There's a bumper line-up of fizzy-wine-related activities including a six-course, Champagne-paired Gala Dinner by celebrated French chef Philippe Mille and Sir Elly's Restaurant's Chef de Cuisine Han Zahner; a Champagne and caviar tasting class; an oyster Champagne brunch; and a special masterclass led by Champagne journalist Antoine Gerbelle. These are the more exclusive experiences of the weekend, with prices ranging from 988RMB to 2,888RMB (plus the standard hotel service and tax). If dropping a grand plus isn't in the cards, but you still want to have a lazy, beautiful weekend sipping on Champers, there will also be a 'Garden Party' at No. 1 Waitanyuan – the gorgeous house and grounds of the Former British Consulate, now managed by the Peninsula. The lawn soiree on Saturday and Sunday (11am-6pm) will have a 50RMB entry, but this can then be redeemed for consumption from any of the on-site Champagne brands at their booths.
The Peninsula 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. Fri 2-Sun 4. 11am-6pm. 50-2,888RMB.
THINGS TO DO
Festival des Arts Vivants
This free arts festival showcases more than 123 art forms, including music, dance, installation, theatre, new circus, marionette and many more. There will be more than 30 performances by groups from all over the world including China, France, Switzerland and Italy lined up throughout the Sinan Mansion complex. Expect to see Ensemble Lodi from Italy presenting well-known works such as Volver! and About Don Giovanni, as well as local Chinese artists such as Song Siheng performing a multi-media piano recital and renowned Shanghai electronic producers B6 and MHP presenting their works.
Sinan Mansions 519 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Until Tue 30. 2pm-9pm. Free.
Jiashan Saturday Market
Held on the first and third Saturdays of every month, this open-air market sells goods from around 30 artisan food and drink producers and lifestyle vendors. Regular products on offer include the likes of jam and preserved goods from Amelia's, meats from Monster Steak butchery, Jonas Emil's freshly roasted coffee, a load of cakes, European breads, wine and craft beers from Bottles XO and more. The market also has live music throughout the afternoon.
Jiashan Market Lane 550 Shaanxi Nan Lu. Sat 3. 11am-4pm. Free.
Pawnstar Pop-up
China's biggest secondhand store Pawnstar is having a pop-up event on the third floor of Lost Heaven on Julu Road. They'll be bringing designer fashions from major to more independent brands, unique upcycled pieces, and vintage.
Lost Heaven Silk Road 758 Julu Lu. Sat 3-Sun 4. Midday-9pm. Free.
One Summer Day: Central Studios Annual Fair Day
With the theme of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,' One Summer Day features the best Shanghai market creatives. Browse original fashion designs, vintage treasures and unique wares from more than 40 retailers, and enjoy food and drink from various Shanghai staples, as well as music from local DJs. Entry is free but attendees are encouraged to make a donation to supported charities The Library Project and RE:FORM.
Central Studios 751 Huangpi Nan Lu. Sun 4. 11am-8pm.
FILM
The Pearl Movie Night: Blues Brothers
As part of its movie night series, this week The Pearl is screening Blues Brothers. Expanding on their Saturday Night Live characters, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues, two white boys with black souls. Sporting cool shades and look-alike suits, Jake and Elwood are dispatched on a 'mission from God' by their former teacher, Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman). Said mission is to raise 5,000USD to save an orphanage. Screening starts at 8pm, with happy hour from 5-7pm. There's an all-night burger deal too offering a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a beer for 88RMB. Reserve a spot if you want dinner.
The Pearl Theatre 471 Zhapu Lu. Wed 31. 8pm. Free.
Wonder Woman
Widely seen as the best thing about the dour punchfest that was Batman v Superman, DC’s iconic Wonder Woman now gets her own Hollywood blockbuster movie, directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster).
On general release from Fri 2.
STAGE
Richard Strauss' Salome
China regular and friend of the SSO Charles Dutoit takes on the concert version (songs not sets) of Richard Strauss’ Salome, set to text by Oscar Wilde. The goriest, most dissonant version of this classic story.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Thu 1-Sat 3. 8pm-10pm. 80-580RMB.
NT Live: Man and Superman
A fresh take on Shaw's indictment of romance and, indeed, woman-kind. The protagonist, a rich and garrulous bachelor, flees from a pursuing romantic conquest and ends up in Spain, where he engages in a debate with the devil. This has gotten rave reviews, particularly Ralph Fiennes. Running time is long but reportedly worth the effort.
Huangpu Theatre 780 Beijing Dong Lu. 2.30-4.30pm. Sun 4. 7pm-9pm. 100-200RMB.
QUEER
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. Sat 3. 2-7pm. Free.
ART
FANANA
Having previously worked as an advertising strategist for Apple, designer Ton Mak would often draw little cartoons and leave them on the desks of colleagues. This was the start of FLABJACKS, a community of chubby characters 'full of love'. The works on display at UNDEF/NE are from Mak’s ‘FANANA’ series, a collection of cartoon bananas, taking the form of canvas prints and pen artworks. The result is a yellow banana wonderland on the second floor of the M50 coffee shop-cum-creative space, featuring some happy-go-lucky bananas who, in Mak’s words, ‘do what they want, and don’t care what anyone says about them.’
UNDEF/NE 50 Moganshan Lu. Until June 27. Free.
Song Dong: I Don't Know the Mandate of Heaven
RAM hosts a monographic exhibition by leading avant-garde installation artist, Beijing-born Song Dong. In a show that transforms the entire building both inside and out, the museum presents some of the innovative artist’s best-known works and imposing installations.
Rockbund Art Museum 20 Huqiu Lu. Until Sun 4. 30RMB; 10RMB (students/teachers/over 60).
Shadow of the Wind
Artist Zhou Li has spent her career working with a variety of fascinating media, attracting the close attention of the Chinese contemporary art scene. In this, her first solo exhibition since a show at the National Art Museum of China in 2001, Li presents a striking new series of abstract paintings created over the past two years. In the rectangular hall of the Yuz Museum, the paintings and installed sound will build a spatial field, based on the concept of 'the heart' as the core of the exhibition.
Yuz Museum 35 Fenggu Lu. Until Sun 4. 60RMB; 30RMB (students and senior citizens).
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