FRIDAY
Smash Opening Night
It's the opening night of Smash, a Dingxi Lu bar from China Social Club boys PCJ and Frau. They sell it as 'a place to hang in the afternoon with a coffee, beer or a wine paired with great playlists and turning into more of a bar and club vibe later on'. They promise quality club bookings from local crews and internationals too. Opening night has music from Lindberg and Tobias Patrick and a few more guest appearances.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu. 6pm. Free.
Bye Bye Disco presents Trus'me
Prime Numbers head honcho Trus'me returns to Shanghai, this time at Elevator. A Manchester scene stalwart, Trus'me is known for his soulful take on techno and eclectic DJ sets. Last year he returned with his fourth full length Planet 4, this time veering into intergalactic techno, taking inspiration from his interest in deep space, physics and dark matter.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. 10pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Push and Pull Label Launch Party
After nearly four years as a monthly home for fresh club-focused sounds in Shanghai, Push & Pull launches as a record label with four tracks from some of China's most exciting producers. The first release is a beautiful track called 'Me Or The Other Guy' from Xiamen's Knopha, with remixes from Hyph11E, Dirty K and Naaah. DJs on the night: Knopha, Hyph11E, Dirty K, Zean and Naaah.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu. 10pm. Free.
Swedish Beer Club
Scandic Foods Asia is teaming up with Shanghai Tattoo for the first Swedish Beer Club of 2017. Check out the studio’s latest designs and revel in a free-flow frenzy of Swedish beer and all-you-can-eat barbecue. 100RMB presale tickets are available at Shanghai Tattoo and Nordic Fika Shop until 12pm Friday. 150RMB on the door.
Shanghai Tattoo 1 Maoming Nan Lu. 6pm. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).
SCC: Friday Night Stand-Up Comedy Showcase
Shanghai Comedy Club mainstay Barney Rivera's will be debuting some new material concocted during his recent US tour. The show is hosted by Colin Hanna and will also feature Suhail Nasir, Trista G, Patrick Lozada, Stephen Rancourt and Kurt Dunsing.
Palmetto 800 Changde Lu. 10pm. 70RMB.
The Fallacy
Henan-formed post-punk outfit The Fallacy make a welcome return to Shanghai, performing their accomplished live show as part of an extensive nationwide tour.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu. 9pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Subs
Led by frontwoman Kang Mao, long-running Beijing punk band Subs are still one of the best live acts in China. Catch them at On Stage as part of their latest nationwide tour.
On Stage 570 Huaihai Xi Lu. 9pm. 80RMB; 60 RMB (presale).
Coco Zhao
Ever popular local jazz singer Coco Zhao returns to retro cocktail lounge Heyday for a night of soulful tunes backed by the Heyday Trio.
Heyday 50 Taian Lu. 9.30pm. 60RMB.
Zuoyou
Beijing-based pop punks/nu-metal act return to Shanghai as part of their latest China tour.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu. 8.30pm. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Shanghai Ballet: Jane Eyre
Shanghai Ballet will perform for one night only at the Shanghai Grand Theatre with their unique and innovative take on Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte's much-loved work. The production is modern interpretation of the piece, focusing on the love triangle between Jane, Mr Rochester and his mad wife, usually hidden in the attic.
Shanghai Grand Theatre 300 People's Avenue 7.15pm. 280-480RMB.
SATURDAY
Bingo x District x Aboro Foundation
District's second community charity bingo extravaganza, this time raising funds for the Aboro Foundation in advance of their Knockout charity boxing and kickboxing event on April 2. The Aboro Foundation provides career-oriented fitness and wellness training for underprivileged young people in China. 100RMB for one bingo board and one drink. Bingo starts at 5.30pm with prizes from the likes of Alan Wong's, UnTour food tours, FIELDS and more.
District 284 Yuyuan Lu. 5pm. 100RMB.
Dwayne Perkins at Kung Fu Komedy
Dwayne Perkins, as seen on Comedy Central, Conan, and headlining the Hong Kong Comedy Festival, is coming to Kung Fu Komedy for two nights. The shows will be hosted by Byron Murphy and will feature Alejandro Scott, Andy Curtain and Reyhaneh Rajabzadeh.
Kung Fu Comedy Club 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu. 8-9.30pm; 10-11.30pm.
Ellbe Chan
Hong Kong-based Ellbe Chan has been pushing deep house and techno with her regular slots at HK clubs including I Club, Bassment and Social Room. She's at Celia with support from Theo Man Born.
Celia 298 Xingfu Lu. Midnight. 100RMB.
Minimalist
Back for another monthly session and following their huge party with Jozef K, the Minimalist boys host another night of quality house and techno at DADA. Free entry Goes late, solid sounds.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu. 9pm. Free.
Morgan and Sacco Dance Party
The second night at Smash, the new Dingxi Lu bar, is an 'opportunity to get turnt and burnt with two rising DJ/producer talents' Morgan and Sacco. They've 'been listening to the Mulan soundtrack all week so expect plenty of that'.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu. 9pm. Free.
Cottons Club Closing Party
Long-running jazz den Cotton Club is being forced to relocate from its cosy spot on the corner of Fuxing and Huaihai Lus, which means that this Saturday will be the final show in the old location. Thankfully, they're looking for a new spot already, and we expect them to see off the old one in style.
Cotton Club 1416 Huaihai Zhong Lu. 10pm. Free.
Gong Gong Gong
Experimental psychedelic duo 工工工 make the trip down from Beijing for two sets at Basement6. The first will be improvised 'according to whatever they feel in the dungeon cave'; the second will be more song orientated.
Basement6 115 Pingwu Lu. 5pm. 50RMB.
Hell United: The Rebirth
Sam Dust's locally-based metal collective reawakens with a four band show at Inferno. Chaos Mind, October Capricorn, Extinction and OVE are the acts.
Inferno 658 Longhua Dong Lu. 9pm. 60RMB; 50RMB (presale).
Loudspeaker
Long-running Shanghai hardcore heroes Loudspeaker headline at Harley's with support from riot grrrrl punks Ugly Girls and Daseven.
Harley's 265 Nandan Dong Lu. 9pm. Free.
Mike Watt and the Missingmen
Founder of legendary punk act The Minutemen, bassist for the re-formed Stooges and a renowned solo musician in his own right, Mike Watt is coming to China for the first time for a nation-wide tour with Shanghai rockers Round Eye.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu. 9pm. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
Iveta Apkalna Organ Recital
The Latvian Organist Iveta Apkalna impresses with deep musical sense, technical brilliance and a keen sense of the impact of music.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Sat 25. 7.45pm. 80-180RMB.
SUNDAY
Tinho Pereira
Locally based jazz guitarist Tinho Pereira returns to Heyday for a night of Brazilian classics from the likes of Jobim and Joao Gilberto.
Heyday 50 Taian Lu. 9.30pm. Free.
Slapband
Hebei-formed outfit Slap are known for incorporating traditional Chinese folk elements into their rock sound. They're in town as part of their latest nationwide tour.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu. 8.30pm. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Please fasten your seatbelt as we are experiencing some turbulence
In an exhibition examining the state of the world today, Leo Xu Projects presents their latest collaborative group show, featuring two new art pieces by Yale educated Iranian artist Tala Madini, whose older work was featured in recent MoMA exhibition in NYC, in which the museum boldly replaced major works by Picasso and Matisse with artists from countries affected by Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’. The rest of the exhibition features work from artists facing their own immigration crisis, expressing personal stories of exclusion and prejudice.
Leo Xu Projects Lane 49 Fuxing Xi Lu. Until Apr 30. Free.
Sha Sha Sha
Sha Sha Sha by Liang Shaoji presents the unique and thought provoking work of an artist dubbed a recluse for residing in a remote mountain, and spending his time creating large-scale ecological installations.
ShanghART Gallery West Bund 2555 Longteng Avenue. Until May 6. Free.
Song Dong: I Don't Know the Mandate of Heaven
The final day of RAM's 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 26 March. 30RMB.
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