Curated, Opinionated Shanghai Living

News, updates, everything we've got...
- Good People: Adopt a Puppy from Hangzhou This Weekend
  
  The Rooster is hosting a Puppy Adoption Day this Sunday (January 20) from 3-6pm. Is now the time to add a new furry friend into your life? Organized by Fosters4Hangzhou, the event is a direct response to a new Hangzhou law that bans daytime dog walking. The law caused a lot of pet owners in the lakeside city to abandon their dogs, and hence, an increase in rescues. This batch of around 20 dogs (mostly young puppies!) comes directly from those rescues. All the puppies have been vaccinated and de-wormed; adult dogs have been sterilized. Alternatively, SmartShanghai's classifieds have pets who need a home too. Do a good thing!
- Jazz Trumpeter / Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis Coming To Shanghai in March
  
  Jazz fans! This one's for you: Wynton Learson Marsalis is coming to Shanghai, leading the Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra for a one-night show on March 15. The orchestra itself is made up of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players and arrangers in jazz music today, but the real appeal is the man himself. He's a big deal in music circles. The artistic director at New York's prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center and a nine-time Grammy Award winner, in 1983, aged 22, he became the only musician to win Grammy Awards in both jazz and classical music in the same year. The next year, he did it again. He's the first musician to win a Pulitzer. That's not normally for musicians! Tickets start at 180rmb over on SmartTicket. The program's currently set to feature Duke Ellington, Marcus Printup, Lester Young, Neal Hefti, John Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis' own work, a Chinese melody, and more.
- Restaurant R.I.P.: EQ and Sushi'O on Yanping Lu Shut Down
  
  The CNY reaping! In the latest news, EQ Nordic Eatery on Yanping Lu has shuttered its doors just over a year after opening. With the demise of their popular Bundside spot and the one in Global Harbor, that brings an end to EQ in Shanghai. For now. Bummer. Their Scandinavian sensibilities will be missed. Just a little further up the street, Sushi'O closes today after six years on the block serving popular budget sushi. They've still got their original Yongkang Lu location, as well as the one in Found 158 and they continue to do deliveries.
- Watch This: Er Guang Wonton's Name Stolen and Franchised
  
  Interested in the intersection of trademark law and a bowl of steaming hot wontons? Then watch this short video (on YouTube; VPN it) that explains what happened to local favorite Er Guang Wonton — victims of trademark squatters who have stolen their brand and begun to franchise it. So we called Er Guang today and asked how to tell the difference. Click-through to find out! Read on
- Ticketing Now Open for Jason Mraz in May, Get Them Fast
  
  The gates of Mraz have swung open. Ticketing has now begun for the epic Jason Mraz, who will be performing his blue-eyed soul in Shanghai on May 15 for a single engagement with Shanghai. That is all. They will sell fast. If you want to go, it's time to buy. And, hey, conveniently, you can do that right here with SmartTicket.
- R.I.P.: Boutique Cinema Cinker Pictures Has Closed
  
  Like sand slipping through your fingers, Cinker Pictures has gone back to the Earth. The private cinema, which opened about a year in Taikoo Hui, has closed for good. Their phone number has been suspended, their online listings deactivated and their associates have been telling us this isn't the temporary "upgrade" their WeChat account suggests. A shame for those who reveled in the private feel of this dinner-and-a-movie-in-one-package idea, for sure. See what we thought of it in its early days right here and perhaps console yourself with another high-spec, high-tech movie theater in town.
- New Restaurants: Shanghai is Having a Hot Pot Moment
  
  Shanghai is going through a hot pot moment right now. The city has never lacked for places to dunk things in scalding broth; there are 7,900 hot pot restaurants in Shanghai, according to Dianping. But this year, there has been a crazy fragmentation, with new niches being created and filled in the time it takes to swish a piece of hand-cut lamb around a qingtang stock. As evidence, I present four new-ish restaurants all trying to put their own spin on the genre. Read on
- Shanghai's Most Photographed Cafe, The Original Seesaw, Closes Friday
  
  You've definitely seen pictures of it. It's the one with the atrium skylight and the spiral staircase. According to a post on their WeChat, the Seesaw Coffee on Yuyuan Lu which launched an empire, is closing Friday, January 18. Opened in April 2012, it's been a staggering 7-ish years, which is like 6,000% longer than most coffeeshops in Shanghai. Also makes it possibly the first wanghong cafe, before wanghong even congealed as a concept. They're giving away free coffee from 9am-4pm, with 200 goodie bags of freshly roasted beans going to first comers. Expect crowds, and people taking pictures. Read on
- Cum Again: The Sexiest Performance in Shanghai This Week
  
  Feeling like your sex life could use a pick me up? This Saturday, Cum Again presents an evening of sexual empowerment performances, hosted by DomiKnow, a woman from New York City. Cum Again is a movement, open to all genders and sexualities, to encourage sex education and communication in a positive, healthy way. "50% of women don’t achieve orgasm," DomiKnow says, and she’s hoping to change that. But she understands that such topics can be taboo in China, even in the more forward-thinking cities like Shanghai. "I muted all my colleagues on my WeChat moments, because I don’t want to offend my boss," she says. Read on
- Xinfab Closing (Again) After Brief Reopening, Looking for New Digs
  
  Non-profit "fablab" (stands for "fabrication laboratory") Xinfab has announced it'll be closing at the end of January, according to a post on their website. If this sounds a little familiar, it's because the same thing happened back in 2018. It's hard out there for non-profits, and Xinfab's had a rocky road even by those standards. They're actively seeking anyone who might be able to help them get a new home for the 3D printers, laser cutters, and power tools they offer to members looking to get their DIY on. If you happen to have, or know of, an appropriate space that hasn't been turned into a cafe yet, you can get in touch with them via their website, or their WeChat channel (search Official Accounts for "xin_fab"). Good luck out there, boffins!
- Free Booze Alert: Abbey Road Courts Disaster for Customer Appreciation Day
  
  Probably shouldn't boost the signal on this sort of hubris, but 1) free booze makes the world better and 2) we're here to build a better world. Abbey Road, a cozy, live-music spot on Taojiang Lu is celebrating Customer Appreciation Day (capitalism eating its own tail), by offering two free drinks for all customers, starting at 4pm, this Saturday, January 19. Says so right there on the flyer! Shanghai, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
- This New Gelato Shop Has Lines Out the Door — In Winter
  
  Just in time for the bone chilling Shanghai winter, Grom gelateria has opened its doors on Nanjing Xi Lu. Like a Milan fashion house, this Turin-based brand boasts branches in New York, L.A., Paris, London, and a host of other major metropolises. Its stock in trade is gelato "how it used to be made". This means no artificial flavors, colorings, additives, preservatives or emulsifiers. They operate their own farm, where they grow many of their own ingredients, experimenting with various fruit cultivars, discovering those best suited for gelato and sorbet. It's all explained in a looping video on a high-def monitor mounted on the wall. Read on
- Bantha Poodoo! Tickets for Star Wars With Live Orchestra Going Fast
  
  Boy oh boy, the midichlorian count is strong with this one. On March 8, the Sofia Philharmonic will be performing the live accompaniment for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. The idea is simple: huge screen, dialogue-only version of the film, the 70-strong Sofia Philharmonic orchestra providing John Williams' banger of a score as accompaniment. And evidently, Shanghai's down to Force. The 180/280rmb tickets are already sold out, and the 480rmb ones are disappearing faster than the Jedi after Order 66. Zing! That's a joke straight from the prequels. I've never seen the original trilogy, it looks old and lame. Tickets here.
- Penny Wise: This Public Event Explains All the Big Income Tax Changes in the Works
  
  China’s made some changes to its income tax laws this year. It has shortened the amount of time before you’re considered a tax resident, added some deductibles options and announced the tax perks for foreigners we’re accustomed to will vanish at the end of 2021. Wading through the changes is confusing, but a couple of Deloitte China’s tax professionals will be on hand next week to talk you through it at an Australian Chamber of Commerce- and Swiss Chamber of Commerce-organized event. Deloitte China’s Tiffany Lu and Eve Yu will discuss the current state of China tax law and what it means for individuals and organizations operating here. Want to go? It's open to the public. Event details right here.
- Shake Shack Gives Media Preview: Here's What to Expect
  
  The long-awaited Shake Shack restaurant is gearing up to open January 24 at 11am, at which hundreds (thousands?) of burger-hungry fans will descend upon the store. There will be lines. Lines that you will take one look at and think, “Nope.” At a preview today, Shake Shack culinary director Mark Rosati was on hand to introduce the store and its fast food offerings, including a selection of “local menu items.” Here's what to expect. Read on
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While She Sleeps

Independent English metalcore band out of Sheffield, While She Sleeps formed in 2006, starting out as just a bunch of mates before deciding to get serious in 2009 with a ...

Nightlife | MAO Livehouse

Podfest China

Podfest China is the first of its kind, an all day festival of talks, workshops, and discovering new podcasts made in China. Featured speakers include Yan Lin of Himalaya...

Community | WeWork (Landmark Center)

Secret Party

MVP throws a "secret" party in spaced kitted out in Prohibition atmosphere. Dress up for free entry -- strict dress code -- otherwise pay the 100rmb cover charge. Rsvp to...

Nightlife | SmSh Territory
Out of Line

The world worships science. As we enjoy the convenience brought by scientific and technological advance, we are also manipulated or controlled by the machines we invented...

Arts | Shun Art Gallery

Super Smash Bros Tournament

Alright you Kirby using, down B, button mashing pieces of human refuse. Inferno's calling you out! They're hosting the first ever (at least in Inferno) Smash Bros Ultimat...

Nightlife | Inferno (United Valley)

Puppy Adoption Day

With the new dog law being enforced in Hangzhou, the pet adoption group Fosters4Hangzhou have taken in a large number of dogs in need. Drop by The Rooster from 3pm-6pm, t...

Community | The Rooster
Double Double

Monday is Double Double at Beef & Liberty, when their superior, purist patties on a bun (no lettuce or tomato here) come two-for-one from 3pm to close.

Dining | Beef & Liberty (Xiangyang Bei Lu)

Burger Burger

Buy one, get one free on burgers at long-time favorite Blue Frog, the Shanghai-born chain that's now spread far and wide across China. Big, fat American backyard burgers ...

Dining | Blue Frog (SWFC)

BOGO Roasted Chicken

Every Monday, Windows is offering a buy one and get one free for a roasted chicken dinner from 5pm til 9pm. 45RMB for two.

Dining | Windows Scoreboard
Heartbeat of Home

From the creators of the one and only Riverdance comes a new show. Brought to the Eurovision stage by Michael Flatley and Co. back in 1994, Irish step-dance is possibly t...

Arts | Shanghai Grand Theatre

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Consp...

SLASH is coming to Shanghai! Yes! Grammy-award winning songwriter, film producer, American icon and rock God! The man single-handedly responsible for like 30% of every te...

Nightlife | Modernsky Lab

Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Or...

One of the world's preeminent conductors, Neapolitan-born Riccardo Muti has been the tenth music director of the renowned 127-year-old Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 20...

Arts | Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Or...

One of the world's preeminent conductors, Neapolitan-born Riccardo Muti has been the tenth music director of the renowned 127-year-old Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 20...

Arts | Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Dragon Burn Art Collective

Hang with the Burners and learn about this year's Burn, happening in May and lasting five days. This event will school you on interactive projects you can create or get i...

Community | Daliah

ALL EVENTS

GALLERIES

- December 22, 2018
  
  Menace II
  
  @ Arkham
- January 12, 2019
  
  MVP Events On Top
  
  @ Park Hyatt Shanghai
- December 31, 2018
  
  Bar Rouge Gold New Years' Eve 2019
  
  @ Bar Rouge
- December 31, 2018
  
  Samba De New Year’s Eve Party
  
  @ The Peninsula Shanghai
- December 15, 2018
  
  King Kong Club, Soft Opening
  
  @ King Kong Club
- November 23, 2018
  
  Wellington Winter Christmas Bazaar
  
  @ Wellington College International Shanghai
- October 22, 2018
  
  Summer Camp
  
  @ Freesoul Montessori Kindergarten
- October 22, 2018
  
  Montessori Time
  
  @ Freesoul Montessori Kindergarten
- October 22, 2018
  
  Charity
  
  @ Freesoul Montessori Kindergarten
- October 18, 2018
  
  Graduation Ceremony
  
  @ Freesoul Montessori Kindergarten

SMARTREVIEWS

15 Jan 2019

It Feels Like Japan - Best Yakitori Place

Sally Hsiao on Toriyasu (Zhongshan Park)

There're many Japanese restaurants in Shanghai, but this one is definitely on top of my list! Good food, great price and nice venue.

The restaurant itself is pretty interesting. The wooden door entry is tiny and hidden. It's a bit hard to find and here’s a friendly reminder - ben... Read more
15 Jan 2019

Moderate Taste English pie

Sally Hsiao on Pie Society Canteen

The first time I tried Pie society was years ago when they had a Popup somewhere at a hipster place. I remember liking it. When I saw them actually open in Jingan, I had to try it.

Went there for Sunday brunch and it was pretty crowded. We were lucky enough to get the last empty table.... Read more
13 Jan 2019

Zizzi…..a way to go before they become Top

globaltraveller on Zizzi

Just what Shanghai needs is yet another Italian inspired restaurant to add to the list of ever-growing cookie cutter establishments, for those that don’t know or who have not heard of Zizzi, they are a chain of restaurants offering dishes inspired by Italian cuisine in the United Kingdom... Read more