It's nearly March: spring is in the air, the weather is getting warmer, the blossoms are blooming and it's time to stop hibernating in your apartment and make the most of living in Shanghai. Luckily, there's a veritable smorgasbord of things to do this month and we've hand-picked the best of them for you right here.
ART
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 1,000-square-metre 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 Jun 4. 60RMB.
Polar [mirrored]
This collaborative project by Slovenian theatre and radio director Marco Peljhan and German artist and musician Carsten Nicolai sees the creators question the relevance of the audience and the reality of art in an infinite universe. Showcasing a series of sci-fi fantastic objects, including a cloud chamber, high frequency radio receivers and Geiger counters. It's gon' get weird.
Chronus Art Center 50 Moganshan Lu. Until Jun 18.
James Turrell: Immersive Light
James Turrell's critically acclaimed exhibition continues at the Long Museum, bringing with him works of epic proportions, showcasing a lifetime of experimentation with light, space and perspective. Having spent 50 years learning how to shape light into art, Turrell's exhibition is mesmerising and inspiring in equal measure.
Long Museum West Bund 3398 Longteng Road. Until May 21. 200RMB.
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 Mar 26. 30RMB.
Shanghai Biennale 2016
The 11th Shanghai Biennale runs into its final month with the works of a whopping 92 participating artists and artist groups from 40 countries worldwide, occupying the atmospheric Power Station of Art. Alongside the main exhibition, other highlights of the Biennale include the project 51 Personae, a community-based project that aims to present the perspectives of ordinary people from every corner of the city.
Power Station of Art 200 Huayuangang Lu. Until Mar 12. 30RMB.
NIGHTLIFE
MNDSGN
Elevator's first major hip-hop show sees Xiamen-based Beatween bring in Stones Throw affiliate and cosmic funk producer MNDSGN (say it 'mind design'). His sublime 2016 album Body Wash is full of warm, ‘80s RnB-inspired grooves. Support from Kota, ollo-MAM, Jiaming and Knopha.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. Mar 4. 10pm. 130RMB; 100RMB (presale).
12 inches of Fun x Holly Sh*t presents Fantastic Man
Melbourne-bred Berlin-based Mic Newman aka Fantastic Man might be one of the most interesting house producers in current years. His releases all share an attraction for the psychedelic, the trippy, the drawn out musical journey. Newman describes his DJ sets as ‘good acidy tribal percussive workouts’. He's back by popular demand after past Shanghai sets at The Shelter and Lola. Support from fantastic four of Tobias Patrick, Lindberg, Charp and Thoma Cher.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. Mar 4. 10.30pm. 70RMB.
Goth Trad
Antidote bring the Japanese dubstep and bass music pioneer to town on the back of his 2016 full-length Psionics. He’s been running Tokyo party Back To Chill (now also a label) for over a decade and has been described as a ‘modern standard-bearer for dubstep’.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu. Mar 9. 10pm. 50RMB.
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. Mar 24. 10pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Addison Groove
Formerly a dubstep mainstay as Headhunter, Addison Groove has been pushing the boundaries of dance music for over a decade, combining flavours of jungle, footwork, 808s and bass. Support from Kilo V, Siesta and more.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu. Mar 31. 10pm. 60RMB; 40RMB (before midnight).
MUSIC
The Temper Trap
Chart-topping Australian pop-rockers The Temper Trap make their Shanghai debut, bringing a mix of U2-esque guitar hooks and triumphant, air-punching choruses to town as art of Live Nation's new Soundbox series. The Temper Trap's uncomplicated, mainstream-friendly sound has seen them build a large following well beyond their homeland and led to the quartet opening for Coldplay on the Mylo Xyloto tour’s Australia leg.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu. Mar 6. 8pm. 330RMB; 288RMB (presale).
Festivus
This show at On Stage brings together Braids, Shigeto, Nonku Phiri and Faded Ghost as part of a 'micro music festival for the rest of us' from promoters Spectacles of Sound. Having started out in more experimental territory, Braids' most recent album had more of a pop sheen to it, with piano-driven tunes founded on skittering, almost drum 'n' bass-like beats. Joining them are Nonku Phiri - a South African artist specialising in brilliant, darkly soulful RnB - and Faded Ghost, one of enormously talented Shanghai-based singer, producer and DJ ChaCha's alter-egos.
On Stage 570 Huaihai Xi Lu. Mar 10. 9pm. 180RMB;140RMB (presale).
Shake Vol 1 CD Launch Party
The Ben Misterka-led Shake house band and singers Cherry Brown, Naomi Fitch and Hazel Gould combine for a live celebration of their recently-recorded studio album, which features reworkings of classic tracks such as 'Superstition' and 'Hit the Road Jack'.
Shake 120 Jinxian Lu. Mar 10. 10pm. 150RMB.
Alpine Decline
Formerly Beijing-based husband and wife psych-rock duo Alpine Decline make a very welcome return to China and to Shanghai, with brilliant labelmates Dream Can - one of our Shanghai bands to watch in 2017 - in support. Don't miss.
Harley's 265 Nandan Dong Lu. Mar 17. 9pm. 90RMB; 70RMB (presale).
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.The list of bands and artists that Watt has been involved with reads like a who's who of rock 'n' roll - he's played with everyone from Henry Rollins, Black Francis and J Mascis to members of Sonic Youth, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys.
Dujia 1028 Wenhui Lu. Mar 19-21; Mar 25.
Chinese Football
Whatever your take on the beautiful game in China, there's a lot to like about Wuhan band Chinese Football. They're bringing their melodic, likeable, math-rockish indie sound to Shanghai in celebration of a new EP, Here Comes a New Challenger!
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu. Mar 11. 9pm. 80RMB;60RMB (presale).
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. Mar 24. 9pm. 80RMB;60RMB (presale).
FOOD & DRINK
Shanghai Spring Edition Restaurant Week
The tenth edition of Shanghai Restaurant Week is here, the time of year when you can snag awesome deals at some of the city's best joints. From March 2-12, participating restaurants will have set lunch and dinner menus where you can sample a selection of their bites for stellar prices.
Deals available at participating restaurants around town. Visit restaurantweek.cn for more information.
St Patrick’s Day drink deals in Shanghai
The evergreen holiday falls on Friday 17. Keep an eye on Time Out for all the info on drinks deals and special events taking place across the city to help you get your Irish on.
Venues around Shanghai. Long press and extract the QR code above to find out more.
FILM
La La Land
Jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) falls for an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) in this modern romantic musical set in Los Angeles.
Cinemas around Shanghai. Until Mar 9.
The Pearl Movie Night - Princess Bride (1987)
In honour of the film's 30th anniversary, The Pearl is screening one of the most famous fantasy adventure comedy film of all time: The Princess Bride.
The Pearl 471 Zhapu Lu. Mar 7. Free.
The Pearl Movie Night - Amy (2015)
The Pearl is screening the 2015 documentary that presents an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.
The Pearl 471 Zhapu Lu. Mar 14. Free.
Assassin's Creed
When Callum Lynch explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar and gains the skills of a Master Assassin, he discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassins society.
Cinemas around Shanghai. Until Mar 9. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
Resident Evil
Alice returns to where the nightmare began: The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
Cinemas around Shanghai. Until Mar 9. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
CLASSICAL & STAGE
Rudolph Buchbinder’s Beethoven Sonata Cycle
One of the world's premier Beethoven interpreters, Rudolph Buchbinder does what he does best – namely, a seven-concert series of Beethoven piano sonatas.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Mar 13. 7.45pm. 130-330RMB. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
From Forbidden City to Hutungs of Peking
Conductor Yu Long leads the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in an eclectic Programme of Aaron Avshamalov's symphonic poem Hutungs (sic) of Peking, Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1, Paganini's Sonata for Gran Viola and Orchestra, and Mandfred Honeck's Turandot Suite. With Scott Lee (viola) and Yalun Wong (piano).
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Mar 17. 8pm. 180-580RMB. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal: Modern Times
An internationally renowned repertory company, BJM has continued to grow with all the energy and spirit of exploration for which it has been known since its birth in 1972. Thanks to the enduring faith of Geneviève Salbaing and co-founders Eva Von Gencsy and Eddy Toussaint, this vitality has made its mark through the years.
Shanghai Grand Theatre 300 Renmin Avenue. Mar 7. 7.30pm. 180-680RMB. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
Wuthering Heights - Chapterhouse Theatre Company
Chapterhouse Theatre Company is proud to present Emily Bronte’s classic love story. This treasured story of enduring love and passion has thrilled and entranced for generations and is now brought alive on stage in an adaptation by award winning writer Laura Turner.
Shanghai Grand Theatre 300 Renmin Avenue. Mar 24-27. 2.30pm; 7.30pm. 120-380RMB. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
Zhang Guoyong and Isabelle Faust Perform Schumann
Faust received her first violin lessons at the age of five years. She trained with Christoph Poppen and Dénes Zsigmondy. After winning the Paganini Competition she lived for nine years in France, where she met her husband. In 2004 she was appointed professor of violin at the Berlin University of the Arts. She lives in Berlin and is the mother of a teenage son. Since 1996, she has performed on the "Sleeping Beauty" Stradivarius violin of 1704, on loan from Landesbank Baden-Württemberg. She has also performed with Baroque-style violins and bows.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Mar 10. 8pm. 180-580RMB. Long press and extract the QR code in the image to buy tickets.
BEST OF THE REST
Time Out Shanghai Family's Next Generation Day
Join Time Out Shanghai Family on Saturday 11 March for our Next Generation event at SOHO Fuxing Plaza. Head down to check out talks on the latest technology, healthcare and lifestyle news, in addition to fabulous family entertainment like bouncy castles, children's activities and more. The event is free and open to all, so do drop by for a great family day out!
SOHO Fuxing Plaza 388 Madang Lu. Mar 11. 11am. Free.
Kung Fu Komedy Frontstage: Joe Schaefer
Joe Schaefer is headlining at KFK on March 11, supported by Byron Murphy, Kent Kedl, Misha Kalhin and Mohammed Magdi. The show will be hosted by local favourite Storm Xu.
Kung Fu Komedy Club 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu. Mar 11. 9pm. 150RMB;100RMB (presale).
Shanghai International Literary Festival 2017
The 15th annual Literary Festival at M's Glam is back for another year of exciting speakers, debates, workshops, book readings and film screenings. This year more than 30 events will be held at the fabulous Bund-side location, with tickets promised to sell out fast. Highlights include Amy Tan, Duncan Clark, Rob Schmitz, Jeff Wasserstrom, Alec Ash and Lijia Zhang, plus plenty more to inspire and inform.
Glam 20 Guangdong Lu. Mar 10-22. 10am. Buy tickets at m-restaurantgroup.cn.
SIPG vs Urawa Red Diamonds
Shanghai SIPG take on Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan at Shanghai Stadium on March 15 in the group stages of the AFC Champions League.
Shanghai Stadium 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu. Mar 15. 15 7.30pm. 50-380RMB.
Commune Market: Hello Spring
Get down to naked HUB on Hunan Lu to check out Commune Market’s spring discoveries. There’s designer jewellery, vintage clothing, decorative art pieces, eyewear, apothecary, hand-crafted beer (Love Shanghai) and more. Designers include Bianca’s Atelier and Cousu fil de Blanc. And on the food front, expect homemade pies, dumplings, curries and tacos.
naked Hub 328 Hunan Lu. Mar 18-19. 11am. Free.
Ladyfest
The fourth annual Ladyfest event calls upon the local community to join in supporting freedom of self-expression through a wide diversity of skills and to create an open environment which fosters mutual inspiration, exchange of experiences and visions of femininity and equality. After three outstanding years, Ladyfest Shanghai returns, bringing you an all-day event filled with new and engaging art installations, performances, and workshops.
Suzhou Creek Warehouse 1295 South Suzhou Lu. Mar 11. 10am. Free.
Beyond Rubik's Cube
Beyond Rubik's Cube exhibition has been extended through March 12, 2017. Enjoy multi-sensory experiences in robotics, art, music, computer programming, and engineering at this exhibition celebrating over 40 years of creativity based on the world’s bestselling puzzle toy. Highlights include the poetry composition tool, Haikube; the music-making Cube Symphony; the programming challenge Robot Command; an interactive touch table where guests can collaborate on incredible digital patterns; and a giant working cube that visitors can manipulate.
Shanghai Global Harbor Museum 3300 Zhongshan Bei Lu. Until Mar 12. 70RMB.
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