SmartShanghai.com Blog

[My Weekender] with Maya Poulton

2008-07-18T00:00:00+01:00

Maya is a self-described "accident waiting to happen." She also writes for SmartShanghai, and you can read her articles here.

This week's "weekend" started on Wednesday, when I slipped and fell into a bottle of white wine at Enoteca on Anfu lu.

As many nights in Shanghai start, this one began with an absolution to "have a chill one" and have a healthy girls' dinner catch-up. Of course, as soon as the venue was changed from the healthy Haiku to Eno (as we so fondly call it) I knew that I was in trouble. When I walked in and spotted my friend Megan Fischer standing at the bar with the legendary party boys Toby and Ian I knew my number was up (the number of drinks I would consume, that is). In all honesty I shouldn't be writing this as this Wednesday ended on Thursday morning (and I don't mean 12:01 am), and resulted in my being "sick" from work yesterday. However, as today is my last day of work in Shanghai, that dangerous statement should be okay.

Besides, in typical Shanghai-small-world fashion, I bumped into my boss Kellie at YY's (Shanghai's 1st and perhaps longest enduring bar) after Enoteca. And let's just say I think she realized the source of my Thursday illness as I'd jumped into her lap and professed my love for her.

Anyways, 2 years ago when I moved to Shanghai, weekends started on Thursdays (seemingly tamer than this week's "end" day). However, besides my recent transgression I have been tamed / exhausted by Shanghai's lifestyle and am usually not spotted out until Friday. I'm also in the opinion that the once cool Laris Thursdays has gone downhill, as like all things popular in Shanghai the word is out and it's now rammed with tourists. At 2 years in as a relative Shanghai oldie I'm very prissy, re: my dislike of tourists, and as life is ironic I also tend to get claustrophobic (I know, good choice of cities to live in with that!) and can't stand people pushing me around and scuffing my beloved shoes.

Luckily, Shanghai is usually big enough and has enough on every weekend to avoid being in a mosh pit. I will not get into the details of the weekend days as they are filled like anyone else's with DVDs, retail therapy, and spa treatments. I am however hoping there is a new Taikang Lu-type hangout soon though as it's now rammed and no longer a fun outdoor brunch spot. As a seasoned connoisseur of the mega-brunch, I would say the top spots in Shanghai are Enoteca (which I dare you to try and finish), Crystal Jade in Xintiandi for dim sum, and Azul Viva (killer French toast).

Like my dear gay boyfriend Kiko Sih, I am a fashion whore, and consequently if there is a show, store party, soft launch, or any other invite-only event then I am there. The free champagne and canap��s also help, which when I first moved to Shanghai to start my career after university I basically lived off (to my amusement).

The last of these parties that I went to was the opening of LAN, which I have to say is gorgeous and massive. I do wonder how they will fill it. After being a social butterfly in Shanghers for so long, there's usually a birthday or leaving party to attend these days. This weekend there is fittingly both: my good friend Jane Dee is having a lavish girls' dinner at LAN tonight, followed by a bash where I'm sure much Mumm will be consumed; Saturday Chin Okeke is having his leaving dinner at an as of yet secret location (the hype!), themed by Kubrik's Eyes Wide Shut. Dress code black and sexy with masks (though luckily not topless).

After both of these dinner parties I will go with my heterosexual life partner Amina Belouizdad to one of a handful of places that I frequent, namely Lounge 18 and my favorite place, the unpretentiously cool The Shelter. On a night that isn't lined up with large parties I like to wine-dine at Issimo at JIA or roomtwentyeight at URBN, and then have a quiet cocktail at the superb Constellation Bar (which has the best dirty martini in town, prepared by a bow-tie clad professional in a closet-sized space) or the URBN Private Bar (if you haven't been, you must find a way in!), a Bungalow 8-type incarnation where you drink beside a bonsai and watch 70s Bruce Lee kick ass along to the beats of the thumping music. To conclude my 2 years and 12 day tenure in Shanghai I will actually be hosting my own leaving party there next week, to go out in style as I came in.

Turntabalism for Dummies

2008-07-17T00:00:00+01:00

This Friday is the China final of the 2008 DMC championship, an international competition featuring DJs from around the world. Sponsored by Techniques, finals are also being held in the UK, Canada, the U.S., and Australia, among others, with winners going on to compete at the world finals later this year in the UK.

Basically the competition judges DJs on skill, artistry, and their ability to "beat juggle," with the rule that the program "Serato" isn't allowed. Serato, I gather, removes the possibility of human and technical error. The China final hosts over 20 DJs from all over the country playing five minute sets, and it's all judged by DJ Shortkut from The Beat Junkies, and DJ Swift Rock (Vestax World Champion).

When I was a wee lad in Jah-nah-dah, I remember going to one of these DMC things and being fucking bored to death. Basically, it's 900 DJs playing similar sounding stuff, some more fluently than others, and a big TV screen shows what they're doing on the decks. Then some dude gets a trophy.

Anyways, I figure I didn't like it, not because it's not my kind of music, but because I didn't really know anything about scratching or what "beat juggling" was, and I couldn't really appreciate the tremendous skill involved.

But this year I gave it another shot and went down to The Lab to get V-Nutz to show me what exactly all this DJing business is about so I'd know what's going on.

Below is the fruits of that journey, which might help you out if you -- like me -- know absolutely shit-all about DJing, scratching, and beat juggling.

V-Nutz: So what do you want to know?

SmartShanghai: How do you make the record go wikka-wikka-wikka?

The Set-Up:

The basic DJ set-up is two turntables on either side of a mixer (as pictured above). The sound comes from the turntables and is fed through a mixer, which combines the two audio signals, and then out into the speakers. The knobs running from the top vertically down the mixer manipulate the equilibrium levels of the audio signals (bass, middle, treble), the two vertical levers at the bottom are for volume control, and the horizontal lever at the bottom is called the "cross fader," and that controls which of the two records playing is heard through the speaker. If you move the cross fader from left to right, it fades the record on the left out and fades the record on the right in.

Scratching:

So you get that wikka-wikka sound by moving the record back and forth with your hand. Pretty basic. I knew that.

What I did not know, however, was that you can manipulate that scratching sound with the cross fader, which clips and chops up the wikka-wikka in various ways according to however you jimmy with this cross fader. V-Nutz showed me about four different ways to manipulate the cross fader that produces various different types of scratching, but apparently there are like 80 different techniques that you can do. My favorite was something called "the crab" (I think) in which all four fingers are used on the cross fader in quick succession like tapping on a table.

When he was showing me all this, it reminded me of someone showing off how you do moves on Street Fighter 2. Like a "haroken" is down, diagonal, and right on the joystick with the punch button... scratching is pretty much like that. Left hand on the record (joystick), right hand on the cross fader (punch and kick buttons).

Beat Juggling:

So this "beat juggling" is the really hard thing to do and it's a main component of the competition.

Beat juggling is this: two of the exact same records playing at the same speed on turntables one and two, and the DJ creates a unique composition by manipulating the mixer and the records themselves. When you see DJs stepping side to size, going back and forth between the two records real fast, they're beat juggling. It's called juggling I guess because doing it is like trying to keep a ball in the air -- trying to maintain the flow of tempo but layering on phrases of music taken from the records.

If you look at the above picture, you can see that there are stickers on the faces of the records themselves. These mark the position of specific audio content on the records (a particular snare drum here or a high hat there) and the DJ layers these -- pausing, back spinning, delaying the record with a finger -- and restructures the song itself.

The compositions are structured along the repetition and laying of musical bars (a phrase of music): listen for a bar repeated four times, then two times, then one time. That's one general trajectory of beat juggling.

The real difficulty involved is being able to maintain the flow of the beat, but also thinking fast enough and broad enough to see where these samples are on the records and layering them accordingly.

Or to revisit the Street Fighter analogy: it's like trying to fight yourself using both Player 1 and Player 2 controls.

Here's an interesting thing I read about beat juggling on wikipedia: "The inventor of the technique, DJ Steve Dee from Harlem, NYC, referred to it simply as bringing "The Funk" out of a record."

***

So those are the basics. Now all you have to do is spend 12 hours a day doing it in your parents' basement for a few years, refining your skills. Or you can just head down to the Zhijiang Dream Factory on Friday and watch China's best do it for you -- which is what I'll be doing, beer in hand. After party at The Shelter...

***

Here They Are Now, Entertainers

2008-07-17T00:00:00+01:00

Just a few shows here and there to look out for in Shanghai this weekend, as you wait for Rock Band 2 to come out and make all this shit obsolete...

NOIShanghai at Live Bar

...the first is the 17th installment of NOIShanghai at Live Bar -- Shanghai's only consistent experimental/noise night featuring the huggable Torturing Nurse. For the Friday show, the SH harsh noise act will be joined by Dr Rock from the Australian band Kunt, who is calling herself "Vario Air" and describing it as "hot, sexual noise."

Have a look at Kunt's website here or their MySpace page here. If this isn't the world's scariest act, it's pretty damn close. They describe their sound as "a mix of new years eve and hell" and it looks like a power saw plays a pretty large part of their set.

Head on down and check out just how sexy a power saw can be.

0093 at Yuyintang

0093 is a rock showcase night featuring bands that practice at the Shanghai-famous 93 Linling Lu bomb shelter. It's a real charming little shithole, and because of the low cost of playing there, just about every band in Shanghai uses it. Anyways, for this the sixth edition of 0093 on Saturday at Yuyintang, a bunch of newer Shanghai bands will take the stage, including Six Shot, which is a death metal band, along with Red Grid, BlacKRomancE, Brunch, lollipop, 5-pointed star, and Dessert Store. Starts 7pm.

I've never seen or heard them, but I'm really looking forward to seeing "Brunch" on name alone. Cover: 30rmb.

Upcoming

Keep your calendars clear for the Miniless Records showcase at Yuyintang on July 26. "Miniless: Shanghai Calling" will feature experimental rock-ish acts singed to miniless records, which is an indie label in Hefei.

Performing is Muscle Snog, Self Party, Lava/Ox/Sea, and Grace Latecomer.

Should be a good one if you like your rock esoteric.

***

Qimin Chicken

2008-07-16T00:00:00+01:00

Shanghai's pioneer organic restaurant is situated in a decidedly inauspicious locale. Over recent years a handful of western places have opened and closed in this old Shanghai villa on Shanxi Bei Lu, none of them ever establishing a foothold.

Qimin is doing things differently from its forebears; the art deco exterior is now painted stone gray and burgundy and large windows look out onto a cultivated garden with stalks of bamboo. What's more, Qimin is Chinese owned and managed, serving one of the most authentic cuisines �C hotpot - in an upscale setting. The restaurant's name is derived from China's classic cookbook, the Qimin Yaoshu.

A quick word on organic: becoming a licensed organic farm or venue requires muddling through an extensive legal process to prove that all produce is untainted by pesticides and meat is never "genetically modified" - fed growth hormones. Qimin, for instance, imports its vegetarian ingredients from a farm in Kunshan and its mountain raised, free-range chicken from Taihu.

Qimin's interior d��cor can only be described as rustic �C burnt reds and all wood generate a farmhouse ambiance. Simple but elegant photography of freshly picked strawberries dripping with dew and other ripening fruits are hung sparingly on the earthy walls. Complementing the overall d��cor is exquisite glassware. A private room on the second floor is enclosed by opaque glass and is big enough for a small gathering will be completed in the near future.

So often the mention of hotpot conjures images of Chinese-style fondue with twelve people and their 24 chopsticks diving into a filthy steel bowl where meats and veggies mingle with floating unidentifiables.

As a pleasing and complete departure from this mental vision, Qimin's set menus are catered with the single diner and hygiene in mind. One can order a la carte, but the set menus are the way to go.

Qimin offers different "levels" of set menu but all include appetizer and a consomm�� of your choosing in which to cook your hotpot ingredients. My appetizer arrived on a white plate in four partitions, each of which contained a dainty a color-complementary morsel. A small mouthful of succulent cabbage doused in special sauce, long-stemmed shitake mushrooms floating in delicate butter sauce, a deviled mushroom bursting with fluffy egg and bite-size pieces of dark meat chicken made for a striking contrast in flavors. Light sauces and small portions ensure you'll still have an appetite for your main.

The broth at Qimin Organic Hotpot "took us half a year to perfect," says Stephanie Ho, General Manager of YFY Biotech. "The Qimin Manual calls for the bones to be splintered and then simmered at 80��C for 6 hours, during which time it is carefully strained." The result is a light but flavorful broth that doesn't weight you down.

Presentation of the actual hotpot ingredients is unique. Each diner receives a tiered platter laden with a colorful array of veggies, the meat of his choosing and a set of multiple tongs, for ladling, straining and stirring. A waiter ignites the personal stove at your place setting, which reaches 140 degrees centigrade. As usual, vegetables take longer to simmer so toss them in the pot first. On the other hand, thinly sliced pieces of pork cook within minutes.

The set meal is called for one person, but after finishing the last scrap of lettuce I realized that the meal could probably be shared by two provided they are less than ravenous.

Attentive, efficient, and donning silk costumes, the servers speak very little English but are knowledgeable about their craft. Qimin is new, but so far it attracts locals and foreigners alike. The restaurant also appears to cater a late night crowd - business picks up around 9pm.

Set menus for 120rmb, 150rmb and 200rmb.

For more information on the organic trends in China click here for an article by SmSh writer, Bruce.

[Wellbeing] A Balanced Lifestyle

2008-07-15T00:00:00+01:00

Looking for ways to enhance the overall quality of your life? The simplest habits in life are actually the most important in determining balance and overall happiness. It's tough trying to juggle everything at once, especially living in Shanghai. And most of us don't always make time for all the things that make up a balanced lifestyle. Going to the bar, working late at the office, entertaining clients or friends in town - it's always hard to find the time for just one more thing. So I've put together some suggestions and facts to help you gain a deeper understanding of the importance the most basic lifestyle habits. These suggestions are all ways to boost energy levels, improve focus, and increase happiness. Take what you want from this and find out what works best for you.

Always eat breakfast!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should never be skipped. A healthy meal in the morning can balance your blood sugar levels and give you the sustenance you need to handle physical and mental stress. While skipping breakfast is often a common strategy for losing weight, it actually has the opposite effect. Those who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

What your body needs most first thing in the morning is protein and fiber. Fiber can be found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits; foods rich in protein are low-fat meats, eggs, beans, and soy.

It's better to stay away from sugary cereals and pastries that will leave you feeling hungry and tired after only a couple of hours. A breakfast diet rich in protein and fiber will leave you feeling full and energized through until lunch. If your energy starts to fade and you need a pick-me-up, try trading in the chocolate and coffee and going for something with slow-releasing carbohydrates like popcorn, fruit, yogurt, or nuts.

Easy Breakfast Suggestions: Hard-boiled egg, an orange or banana, and a bowl of whole grain cereal (or) yogurt and a piece of whole grain toast.

Drink plenty of water

The human body consists of 50% to 70% of water, and it's our job to ensure that we maintain optimum hydration levels. The benefits of drinking plenty of water are endless. In addition to the fact that it's hot as hell in Shanghai, and naturally your body needs to stay hydrated, it's also really important for your health, figure, and overall wellbeing. Drinking adequate amounts of water is essential for maintaining proper energy levels and bodily functions. Some benefits include maintaining healthy skin, flushing toxins, reducing the risk of heart disease, sustaining energy and alertness, and burning fat.

Healthy skin: Water moisturizes skin from the inside out by cleansing skin cells and leaving the skin healthier and younger looking. The true fountain of youth can be found in a glass of water!

Flushes toxins: Drinking plenty of water helps remove toxins from the body, specifically in the digestive tract. This in turn can prevent things such as headaches and fatigue from occurring.

Reduces risk of heart disease: Dehydration causes cells and tissues to absorb water from the bloodstream and thus decreases the volume of blood flow. In other words, it raises your blood pressure. Drinking enough water can help prevent this from happening and ultimately reduce the risk of heart disease.

Energy & Alertness: Even minor dehydration can cause impaired concentration, headaches, and fatigue. So often when we feel we need that mid-morning energy boost it's often due to lack of water. As your body takes in more water, the oxygen levels increase in your bloodstream, which gives you more energy. Try to replace that second or third cup of coffee with a glass of water. Drinking plenty of water can also help you think more clearly and focus on the task at hand.

Burns fat: Maintaining the proper level of hydration can help increase your metabolism and thus keep your weight at a healthy level. Water is calorie free, so it's a great alternative to sodas or sugary drinks. It can also act as an appetite suppressant, making you feel full.

So, just how much should you drink? You should drink about 50 to 75% of your body weight in ounces.

Exercise at least three times every week

Some form of regular exercise is absolutely essential to maintain a healthy body and mind. Life in Shanghai can be insanely busy, but so making time for exercise will help keep you focused, calm, and energized. Below are some of the main benefits of exercise:

Improves Mood: Exercise provides an opportunity for your body to "de-stress" which can ultimately elevate your mood and self-esteem. Feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression tend to melt away during a workout, and a regular exercise routine can help manage these issues. Exercise stimulates brain chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, which often leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than before you began exercising. A regular workout routine can even reduce your frustration with daily problems - like the common outbursts in taxis we all seem to have.

Strengthens Heart and Lungs: Exercise aids in the prevention of heart disease, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes. Blood travels more efficiently by bringing the essential oxygen from your lungs, and nutrients to the rest of your body. This is why we often feel more refreshed and energetic after a workout.

Look (even) Better: Exercise has the obvious benefits of looking better in addition to the health advantages. You'll feel better about yourself, lose weight, or maintain an ideal weight. Studies have also shown that athletics help you sleep better thereby enhancing your appearance. And those that sustain long-term exercise programs will age better than those who don't.

Builds Strong Bones and Muscles: Aerobic and strength training are the two essential components in an exercise routine. Aerobic training is any kind of exercise that gets your heart pumping and quickens your breathing. It makes your heart stronger and more efficient in delivering oxygen to all parts of your body. Strong muscles can help burn more energy when a person's at rest than fat does, so building strong muscles helps you burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight. Building and maintaining strong bones is especially important for women because they're more prone to osteoporosis later in life.

Enhances Sex Drive: If you're too tired or feel too out of shape for intimacy, regular exercise can heighten energy levels and also improve your circulation which can lead to more satisfying sex.

So even when exercise feels like the very last thing you feel like doing because you're stressed or tired, try to remember that once you take that initial step it becomes much easier, and eventually you'll be anticipating your workouts!

Even if you don't have a gym membership you can still add a regular exercise program into your weekly routine. I know it's tough to exercise outside in Shanghai, but finding a park to jog in would be pleasant compared to dodging bikers and random stray walkers on the sidewalk and street. Running, biking, hiking, and climbing walls are all great ways to cardio train. Yoga and Pilates are also fantastic for strength training and increasing flexibility. And all of these activities are available in Shanghai.

Okay so maybe you really are "too busy" to belong to a gym or maintain a regular workout routine. Here are some options for you to help get the blood flowing: When you wake up first thing in the morning, try doing some basic stretches and/or some push-ups or sit-ups before you get into the shower. This should only take you about 5 or 10 minutes. Walk or bike to work instead of cabbing it. Studies have shown that a brisk walk can dramatically alter consciousness. A morning walk can help you mentally prepare for your day, manage stress, and even sleep better at night. If you need a mid-day energy boost, try walking or jogging up and down a few flights of stairs in your building.

For information on gyms around Shanghai click here

Get enough sleep

Getting the proper amount of sleep every night is a challenge we all face living and working in Shanghai. With the work hard, and play even harder mentality sleep become a secondary concern at times. If you experience low-energy levels on a regular basis it may be because you're not getting enough sleep.

When we get less sleep than our bodies need each night, or we're just not sleeping well, sleep deprivation develops. This "sleep debt" will continue to build over time and promote a host of problems. Even if you don't feel sleepy during the day, sleep debt can still have powerfully negative effect on your daytime performance. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to a number of issues including heart problems, obesity, mood disorders, mental clarity, memory, and an overall poor quality of life.

Sleep is an active process of repair and restoration. Generally speaking, sleep is compromised of two states: REM and Non-REM (rapid eye movement). REM is responsible for our mental and emotional wellbeing, and Non-REM is for our physical wellbeing. It is essential to achieve both states of REM when sleeping to avoid sleep deprivation.

While many people claim they can function on 6-7 hours of sleep, extensive research studies show that most people perform best with 7.5-8.5 hours. Find out what's right for your body and try to make more time for a healthy dose of sleep each night. You'll wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Proper sleep can also keep you looking young. Long-term sleep habits have been known to directly affect facial features, weight, and even lifespan.

Maintain a healthy and balanced mind

The overall wellbeing of our emotional state is equally important as the aforementioned routines, and is often the most overlooked. People need just enough stress to maintain energy and alertness, but too much can lead to a "burnout" and/or disease. Finding the right balance in life is extremely important. Here are a few suggestions on how to manage stress and maintain a balanced state of mind:

Deep Breathing: Take a few moments each day to relax and take several deep belly breaths (inhale slowly through the nose and into the abdomen, not the chest). This can help control stress and give you sense of calm.

Simple Stretching or Yoga: Both are great ways to promote mental and physical relaxation and balance.

Journaling: Writing in a journal on a daily basis can help you feel focused, process negative emotions, solve problems, and lead to increased self-awareness.

Try implementing some of these routines one by one into your schedule and you're guaranteed to see an improvement in quality of life. Just remember to breathe and relax....Life is beautiful.

For further reading and some of the author's references please click here,
here and here.

Flower Power

2008-07-14T00:00:00+01:00

Wujiaochang art space is a 50rmb cab ride from Hengshan Lu. It is also the location where models draped in so-called "ready-to-wear" peony-flower inspired fashions strutted down the catwalk to the delight of approximately 150 members of the local population and a lone laowei this past Saturday night.

The title of the show, Peony Pavilion, does not refer to the multi-functional free-standing cube hall in the courtyard of 800 Wujiaochang where the leggy ones struck their poses. Stephane Cheung's Autumn/Winter collection is named after a 16th century Chinese opera during which a young girl sleeping in a garden dreams of a lover she's never met. Upon waking to dull reality she withers away and dies.

This Frank Gehry inspired hall including a stage and capacity to seat a couple hundred is a truly unique space. Wooden slats constructed in series of three-dimensional hexagons make up the four walls and ceiling. Concaving and convexing in infinitude, the walls themselves are an installation work. In various spots slats of wood are exchanged for gentle beams of light that glowing through plastic casing.

Absent from this catwalk was the heroin-chic, Gia-style train wreck. As far as this fashion critic is concerned all models should be opiate-addicted waifs. Although these ladies appeared healthy, seductive they were not.

The 40 plus designs inspired by the aforementioned Ming dynasty opera and China's floral symbol ushered vegetation into the realm of high fashion. Many of the models donned corset-style tops, cinching their healthy-sized torsos into painful contortions. High-waisted Capri pants sprouted leaf-like petals of fabric that grew as far north as the bust area - creating women that resembled unfurling bean sprouts.

Mr. Cheung's fashion opinions for the fall/winter season: As far as the color palate - per usual black is in. The majority of the outfits were neutral, wintry shades of gray and beige although the occasional hot pink jacket and ice blue dress did make the cut. Poofy white dresses that terminate at the butt cheek crevice offset by sheer black stockings and patent leather pumps are also in. Pants and dresses lined with exceptionally large pockets into which the models shoved balled up fists as they swaggered through the hall are all the rage. Many design aspects were purely aesthetic �C long flowing ribbons with no function trailed from dresses and tops.

From starting 40 minutes late, to the slew of photographers, Peony Pavilion proved a more or less professional fashion show. Models' exits and entrances were precision timed, while artistic lighting and heavy-bass music set the atmosphere. All the models were able to "turn left," although some of the ladies exhibited more adept gaits than others. And, from my seat hovering near backstage I witnessed the models burst into giggles as soon as they completed their turn on the catwalk.

Check out the website here and the Chinese-language blog here.

DVD Sunday: The Happening

2008-07-13T00:00:00+01:00

M. Night Shyamalan's newest thriller, The Happening was anything but. Granted I'm not a fan of the scary movie �C jumping out of my seat and nightmares are hardly my bag. But Shyamalan's films have always occupied a separate category in my mind �C a departure from the typical "don't run upstairs" terror film and worth some uncomfortable suspense on account of enlightening twists at the end. However, The Happening did not deliver the goods to keep me happy with my 11rmb purchase. I could have found more entertaining uses for my time - like ironing my socks.

Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel star in this flick as a newly wed couple on the rocks, forced to evacuate Philadelphia after a so-called terrorist attack releases a deadly toxin into the air. It's a no stretch role for Wahlberg who plays yet another reincarnation of the go-getter character. Deschanel, who you might remember from films such as Almost Famous (2000) and Elf (2003), assumes a doe-eyed maternal role when she's forced to care for a young girl while the couple braves the toxin-ridden landscape in search of survival. The film also features famed comedian and actor John Leguizamo in a supporting role, who failed to infuse some much-need comic relief into this movie.

The film begins with Wahlberg, a high school science teacher, lecturing about a strange phenomenon, pontificating on experimental procedure to teenagers. You'll really have to suspend disbelief to buy into Marky Mark as a wizened science teacher, but so be it. The plot thickens when news of a treacherous toxin forces him to leave school and flee the city with his wife and colleague (Leguizamo). The escape is interrupted only by shots of gruesome deaths, which lose shock value once you realize how and why everyone's dying. What transpires from there is not only predictable, it's downright annoying.

Surprisingly, absolutely nothing in this film "surprised" me. Every character dies in the same way. And the "why" is explained in the first 30 minutes �C leaving you wondering, ��no, that couldn't be it...this is only the beginning." But yes, it could be it and it is. By the time credits were rolling I was left sitting there disappointed, confused: "What?!...that's it? Where was the twist?" ��Alas, The Happening was not so happening. Yeah, I was somewhat entertained (thinking at any moment some radical turn of events was going put me on the edge of my seat). But did I hang on to my seat's edge for a brilliant plot? No. Suspense? No. Creativity? No. And most of all, twists?...What twist?

Grade: C-/D+

[My Weekender] with Shane Benis

2008-07-11T00:00:00+01:00

Shane is a young entrepreneur who came to Shanghai to expand his family's commodities business amongst numerous other things, including media and marketing for the Shanghai Hairy Crab Rugby Club.

I regularly get asked the question: "What you doing this weekend, mate?"

And it takes me a few minutes to think... "Shite, what did I do last weekend?"

Our apartment is littered with trophies from random and crazy nights, for instance: on my office desk there's a multi colored wig, an afro, bra, angel wings, Matsume's tights, and a business card of some lady who sells vibrators (and this is supposed to be where I work).

Shanghai weekends are blurry... I go out so much you'd think it was my job, different pieces from different nights all get blended together. There isn't a structure to my "typical weekend" -- it starts Thursday (guaranteed), I'll hobble down to Scotty's studio and get a few hours boxing in, then head home for a bite to eat, a refreshment or two, and planning where exactly we're going to terrorize that night.

Planning on the phone sounds like this:

Me: Get your shoes on son, we're going out.

David: Ah I dunnooooo you knooooow, I'm struggling after the last two nights... but where were you thinking? I might be tempted...

Me: Let's go to the Cotton Club, have some JD's and listen to some good music.

David: Hmmm, I'm ON IT, but let's go Racks first and do some tequila. Yeah that sounds good, meet you downstairs at 10 -- oh, and Chapin's not coming because he's got another blood clot.

We end up missing my nice evening listening to jazz, and going to places like Honey, MAO, and Laris and all I end up doing is making sure it's a tamer night than last week, where we almost died cab surfing. I'll go home around 2 pretty tired, while David shoots off into the night creating situations and stories which I'll hear all about on the phone Friday lunch time:

David: Bro, I'm in pain!

Me: What the f***! You still in bed Ghani?!

David: Yeaaaah man, hung over and in a random house, and went to Dragon agaaaain... *explicit content*...

Me: You did WHAT!? Don't you work?

David: This is my job bro, this is my job.

Maybe I should consider a career change.

Anyways, back to the rest of the weekend. Muse, Sugar, MAO, Lounge 18, Shelter, Velvet, Volar are usual haunts. Yes, shoot me for not being original. A good mix of music, friends and intoxicants turns me into a party animal! I rate Racks as being a quality place for a night with the boys. The Cotton Club, Labella caf��, JZ Club and Kommune are awesome places to kick back and chat with friends when I don't fancy venturing to clubs. Big Bamboo or The Blarney when rugby's on.

The weekend is always good to spend time cooking... long and detailed meals, followed by couch time and DVDs. I'm lucky to have some really good people as friends in Shanghai, so I try make time to see them all. "Big" Kash, David, Dean, Hien, Arnaud my giant French bodyguard, and numerous others are regular night owls you'll see me bopping around with. My idea of a good weekend is to not think about work, meet new people, and try go to different places or do different things. Bottom line -- enjoy myself!

The rugby season's finished, but the pool parties are back and I plan on making it to a few of them -- sun, friends, music, champagne, and bikinis around water always put a big smile on my face!

Shane x

P.s. Call 15000909814 Kash for a good time.

Review: Hairspray

2008-07-09T00:00:00+01:00

Coming off the mewling "Mama Mia!" last year -- the last big deal musical in town -- "Hairspray" blasts onto the stage with an unexpected edge, coming across as downright "transgressive," if such a thing is even possible for musical theatre.

True to the original staging of the musical, this Shanghai production doesn't dull the "edge" of the original -- or at least it dulls very little -- and although it's a slick, splashy, and bombastic Broadway musical comedy in the best way, it also dishes up double and triple doses of that fine and fast bitchy wit that originated with John Waters, but was streamlined in the original book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnel.

Here are some standout zingers:

"Tracy is retard and a tramp. She's slow and fast at the same time!"

"You want to be famous? Learn how to get blood out of car upholstery. That's a growth industry."

"OH my God! Colored people in the house. I'll never sell it now!"

"The darker the chocolate, the richer the taste."

Although its still John Waters' "safest" work (one critic called it his "most hygienic"), Hairspray's risky PG-13ness is something of a novelty in China English-language theatre, and watching the production one can't help but think that some censor somewhere was asleep at the switch -- or at least they had some inner fat girl that could not be silenced. There is a race riot in it after all. And the police show up to quell it by force. It is a Broadway-esque race riot (about as perilous as a Jets-Sharks gang war), but hey, it's still in there. Exhilarating.

But to focus on the racy (for China) bits -- surging relentlessly as they do from just about every actor on stage -- would be an inaccurate representation of what is truly a glowing, endearing, and heart-warming Broadway musical comedy.

Set in a wonderfully cartooney Baltimore in 1962, Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager and aspiring star of the Corny Collins Show, a '60s dance cabaret featuring teen dancers. After a star on the show leaves (due to pregnancy no less), Corny Collins holds auditions to find a replacement. With the help of her "negro" friend Seaweed, teaching her new moves in detention ("ain't no black and white in detention, it's a rainbow experience!"), Tracy makes it on the show, despite the machinations of the evil star dancer Amber Von Tussle and her mother/producer of the show, the bigoted Velma von Tussel.

Velma von Tussel, a sort of campy, stock '50s Cruella Deville character, harbors a venomous prejudice against both blacks and fatties, and focuses her rage on Tracey as her popularity rises and Amber's wanes. Tracy then realizes that it's not fair that the black kids can only dance on the Corny Collins Show once a month, and with the help of Seaweed and his mother Motormouth Maybelle, she fights to integrate the Corny Collins show. And much epic singing and dancing ensues.

At her side all throughout is Tracey's gargantuan mother Edna Turnblat, originally played by uber dag-queen Devine in the John Waters original, and John Travolta in the 2007 movie remake. Edna is the quintessential John Waters character, being paradoxically the campiest character in the cast, but also the most honest, endearing, and sympathetic one as well.

A glorification of the true heart at the centre of American trash, Hairspray is uplifting as it is entertaining, glossy without being self-important. Although the messages of acceptance and tolerance are straightforward, they nonetheless ring out earnestly all the same when delivered at full volume by 20+ people in unison, and the Shanghai stop of Hairspray is a truly enjoyable experience.

In short, go see it. It's really good.

I also hope the popularity of this musical will bring about the mass flooding of our sacred black market DVD stalls with copies of that other John Waters epic, the decidedly unhygienic Pink Flamingos.

For show times and ticket info click here.

For those About to Rock

2008-07-08T00:00:00+01:00

After a fairly quiet weekend in Shanghai last week, looks like things are picking up a little bit with some good options for live shows this weekend...

WangWen

WangWen are a "post rock" band (which is like somewhere between indie rock, prog, and math rock) from Dalian, stopping in Shanghai for two shows in support of the latest album, IV. Fresh off a European tour which took the band all the way to the UK, WangWen were formed in 1999 and were last in town supporting their last album in 2007 at the old Yuyintang. If I remember correctly that show was a good one, with a good turnout, and plenty of kids getting all blown away by that sick-ass guitar tone, man.

Musically, their latest album is a tamer version of the explosive post rock visions of Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky, but with more varied instrumentation -- strings, and *shock* some vocal parts here and there -- and it's more ambient and cinematic, as apposed to the slow-crescendo-to-the-boom of most post rock. Less mathy than most, WangWen's alternative background bleeds through the expansive song writing in early Smashing Pumpkins crunchy guitar tones in places. Also, you can download two full albums of theirs off their Myspace page, so that's nice too (click on the band blog).

Anyways if you're a guitar tone freak, and totally on board for 10 minute instrumental songs, check them out. WangWen are playing at something called Swing Bar on July 11 and if you miss that one, they're playing a Tuesday night show at Yuyintang.

***

Carsick Cars

Hugely popular in Beijing, Carsick Cars are back in town for a Sunday night show at Yuyintang. Famous, of course, for being chosen to open for Sonic Youth in China, then being denied the opportunity by The MAN, they nevertheless played some shows with the band in 2007. So musically they sound like they love Sonic Youth, but are also down with New York '70s punk and '80s post punk, which is to say indie rock with noise/post punk overtones. They're supposed to be releasing an album soon. Or maybe they just did. Either way... maybe look out for that one if that's your thing.

Carsick Cars are playing at Yuyintang this here for their MySpace page.

***

Thee, Stranded Horse

And in the not-from-China-at-all category is Thee, Stranded Horse, a singer/songwriter called Yann Tambour from Normandy. This one's being put on by local promoters, S.T.D. at it's at LOgO bar on Saturday. Putting a world-music spin on acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter fair, homey plays a lute. For real. So expect some quiet, subtle, and earthy tones in a more subdued S.T.D. show that you're used to. Maybe even Lord of the Rings-ey. (I hope.) Usual DJ support in the form of trip hop, electroklash, etc. Cover is 30rmb.

Click here for Thee, Stranded Horse's MySpace.

***

A few other ones are also happening -- Xiao He at Live Bar and some local mainstays this Saturday at Yuyintang. Click on the links for more information.

In the next few weeks keep an eye out for NOIShanghai at Live Bar and Super VC at Windows Underground.

The Fruits of Colonialism

2008-07-08T00:00:00+01:00

We supped at the Macau Portuguese Restaurant because it's one of the only restaurants with English-language signage in the north Jing'an area (Xikang Lu) that's not in The New Factories. I know nothing of Portuguese cuisine and even less about Macanese cuisine, but I presume the restaurant stands in testament to some horribly egregious and wide-reaching act of colonialism that thrust the two culinary cultures together, i.e. French Vietnamese.

Sure enough, Wikipedia elucidates that "In 1535, the Portuguese obtained the right to anchor ships in Macau harbors and carry out trading activities. In around 1552-1553, the Portuguese went ashore and erected storage sheds, in order to dry out goods drenched by sea water, and established a settlement..." blah, blah, blah, blah.

Anyways, Macau Portuguese specializes in mostly mid-to-low priced grilled, BBQ, and seafood dishes, but they've also got a slew of Filipino dishes on offer at reasonable prices, which probably explained the amount of Filipino diners that were there when we went. Maybe it also explains the vile muzak on the stereo too -- Celine Dion and other offenders. But that's fine. The restaurant doesn't really sell itself on ambiance and decor, but perhaps they're just being... unpretentious.

Service was better than good, very professional, making us feel valued as soon as we entered, but not accented to the point of forced sycophantism. The Macau Portuguese has a relaxed diner-feel to it and is very ho-hum until the food starts arriving, which is just about when it deserves to be qualified as one of the finer options for budget dinner in the area.

Prices afforded us the opportunity of sampling a slew of dishes, including Shrimp Toast (15rmb), Baked Broccoli w/ Bacon and Cheese (38rmb), and a Mixed Meat Skewer dish (40rmb). All three of these were delicious, singular, and warrant repeat ordering when we go back. Especially that cheese-drenched broccoli... it's about time someone made broccoli unhealthy.

For a main, I had Grilled Spare Ribs with Pepper Sauce (48rmb), which was satisfying -- tasty pepper sauce -- but my partner, somewhat inexplicably, went for the burger, which was rather sad-looking and disastrous. Perhaps this was to be expected, however, as burgers are probably ordered as frequently at the Macau Portuguese as are hot dogs at old movie theaters or pickled eggs at dive bars.

So I'd stay away from the Burgers (20rmb) and Hot Dogs (20rmb) they offer despite the price and just go with their grilled section, along with an ample array of appetizers.

The chief selling point of the Macau Portuguese Restaurant is that it's affordable food that doesn't taste like it came off of an assembly line. It's a diner restaurant without the diner prices that are the norm at western diners around town. Overall, it feels like a more south-east Asian version of Always Caf��, which is an underrated little eatery in my opinion.

Here are some of their deals that might interest you: Daily Lunch Set, Monday to Friday, with a soup and a main for 28rmb. Try the Portuguese Chicken.

Weekend Buffet from noon to 3pm, with over nine dishes to sample from and a full salad bar. For 50rmb.

The Macau Portuguese Restaurant: 466 Xikang Lu, near Kang Ding Lu. Tel: 6255 0092

Mining Nature

2008-07-07T00:00:00+01:00

(Wim Wenders, Lake Galilee Before Sunrise, 2000)

It's the fourth week of unrelenting rain and I'm trudging through the muddy grit of a steamy alleyway to Shanghai's newest art gallery, James Cohan. First established in New York in 1999, the second branch is tucked into an early 20th century mansion. Just inside the deco doors I see a workman and the gallery assistant conversing hurriedly while examining one of the gallery's walls. Large black lettering reads "Mining Nature," the upcoming exhibition's title. The letters are slightly off kilter.

It's eight days from the inaugural show and Arthur Solway, longtime director of the gallery, who relocated permanently from Manhattan to oversee James Cohan is flustered. Shipments of art have been delayed due to Olympic-related customs hassles and the workmen turned up at the gallery without levels, resulting in the uneven lettering. Solway is explaining to his assistant that the gleaming white walls must be repainted and the lettering reapplied. The necessity of this repainting and the fact that it will happen before opening day do not appear to resonate.

The discussion comes to a close and Solway promptly lights a cigarette. "This is the real story here," he says abruptly. "Just how difficult it is to host a show with international art and at international standards." Despite the newness of the gallery, Solway is no stranger to Shanghai. He represented James Cohan Gallery at SHContemporary last fall and has been in and out of the country for the past year becoming acquainted with Shanghai's underpinnings while unearthing the right space for his gallery. Nevertheless, the obstacles confronting an international art exhibition in China may not have appeared quite so vividly until now.

During my 15 months in Shanghai I've witnessed galleries with extremely high hopes compromise, caving to the diverse nuisances inherent in getting things just so - from spelling mistakes to catered food arriving late at an opening because someone left it to ferment on the ground outside. Solway doesn't seem daunted at the mention of these failings: "I'm cursed by perfectionism," he responds swiftly. The language of compromise does not come into my vocabulary. Accomplishing something in China is often a question of when and of how many tries it takes to get it right, but precision is always possible."

The first question off many lips may be why did James Cohan Gallery choose to open its Asian branch amidst Shanghai's somewhat half-baked art scene? Beijing thrives in comparison, at least in terms of the arts. But Solway felt that what he brings will be more effectively absorbed here: "My hope is that Shanghai will welcome what we have to offer. One idea I��d like to communicate is that a gallery is not just a commercial space, it��s also a think-tank. The gallery should be a space that generates ideas in the minds of the visitors." Additionally, Solway prefers Shanghai to Beijing on a personal level. "I find this city studded with pockets of authenticity everywhere you look," unlike Beijing, which he likens to "Los Angeles on steroids."

Shanghai has always been an international city, a fact that parallels Solway's perspective on Chinese Contemporary art - he's not interested in it as such. Not that Solway disdains art emerging from China, he's just not particularly concerned with an artist's geographical origins: "I don't care where you're from, I care about what you do, what you're thinking and how you're going to elicit a discussion about the human condition."

The imminent show, "Mining Nature," displays artists exploring man's ever-changing relationship with his surroundings. In this age of environmentalism one might expect that a show with nature in the title would put forth a particular message, but Solway denies agenda pushing. "I have no desire to implant a particular thought in viewer's minds. I want to curate a show that generates contemplation so visitors use their own voices to bring meaning to the work."

One highlight of the show is Bill Viola's Old Oak Study (2005), a time-lapse video on LCD panel that compresses 24 hours segments of footage of a tree into a single 30-minute film (main image). Very much an artist of the times, Viola is celebrated for implementing technology to discuss the human condition. Old Oak Study offers a vision of a sped-up life cycle. Natural light illuminates the screen and then fades back into nighttime at a rapid rate, altering the viewer's perception of time.

Filmmaker, photographer and poet Wim Wenders (who self-describes as "traveler") will be represented by a 14-foot panoramic print Lake Galilee Before Sunrise (2000), pictured above. It is tempting to assign meaning to this sweeping image of Israel's largest freshwater lake. Although Galilee is laden with biblical allusions, in recent times the site has become a heavily populated tourist spot. At its core however, Galilee is quite simply a beautiful body of water.

Visitors to the gallery should expect any variety of artistic media. Solway happened upon a location with outdoor space and plans to make full use of the garden for sculpture and performances, both musical and otherwise. Embracing culture in its many forms, James Cohan Gallery will join a few pioneers in Shanghai that are developing projects in this vein, where a single location becomes a hub for various types of creative projects.

Mining Nature runs from July 10th - August 31 at James Cohan Gallery

Image Credits:

Main Image:
BILL VIOLA
Old Oak (Study), 2005
Color high-definition video on LCD panel mounted on wall
14 X 24 3/4 in
35.6 X 62.9 cm
Edition of 12
Photo: Kira Perov
Copyright the artist

Article Image
WIM WENDERS
Lake Galilee before Sunrise, 2000
C-print
70 1/8 X 176 in
178.1 X 447 cm
Edition of 6
Copyright the artist

Courtesy of the artist and James Cohan Gallery, Shanghai

DVD Sunday: War, Inc.

2008-07-06T00:00:00+01:00

Too soon for jokes about "Operation: Iraqi Freedom?" John Cusack doesn't seem to think so.

Cusack both wrote and stars in War, Inc. (2008), an obscene, yet heartfelt satire of a certain war waged by a certain Bush Administration and the rampant profiteering that has characterized "rebuilding" efforts. At times discombobulated, the movie takes a humorous nibble at the powers that be.

Brand Hauser (John Cusack) is a down and out hitman who drowns his personal problems in the sauce �C the hot sauce that is. During moments of extreme stress Hauser serenely tips back shots of Tabasco. Hauser is commissioned by Mr. Vice President (Dan Akroyd) to fly to Turaqistan (it's a fictional country) and rub out indigenous entrepreneur Omar Sharif (Lyubomir Neikov), whose success would threaten the oil interests of American business conglomerate Tamerlane (it's Halliburton spelled backward). Did I mention that the VP delivers these instructions from the can via telecam? "Hope you like the smell of fresh liberation," Cheney/Akroyd cracks while flushing the toilet.

As a ploy to lure Omar to the killing zone Tamerlane hosts a Brand USA Trade Show MC'd by Hauser and organized by his snippy proxy, Marsha Dillon (Joan Cusack). Uber liberal, disillusioned reporter Natalie Hegalhuzen (Marisa Tomei) shows up to rain on the parade with a healthy dose of integrity and expose Hauser for his ethical failings. A fumbling love affair ensues.

War, Inc. produces a handful of snort out loud moments: one highlight of the Trade Show is a Rockett style performance by the one-legged and legless casualties of war who've been carefully fitted with Tamerlane-brand prosthetics. As the (now) physically challenged practice for the big day, kicking their plastic limbs hither and thither, Hauser remarks, "It's just another breathtaking example of how American know-how alleviates the suffering it creates."

But comic genius erupts with the on-screen arrival of Asia's pop-star Yonika Babyyear (Hilary Duff) at the Emerald City (Green Zone). Yonika, ante-breakdown Britany Spears, is set to wed Omar's son in the ultimate Trade Show celebration. Her entourage of hummers bursts into the compound pouring forth a chain-wearing gang of scalawags draped in bodysuits, one of whom proceeds to pummel an overzealous fan with a baseball bat. Hauser greets the clan wearily, nodding to each in turn: "Hello, nice work with the bat, hi, Mr. Pickle, Las Vegas, Mr. Federline." What?! K-Fed! Surely, if there is one thing funnier than death, war, rape and pillage it is Kevin Federline.

As satire, War, Inc. does not offer an engrossing plot-driven narrative. All the same, it achieves what it sets out to do �C pour acerbic glee onto the oozing disgrace that is American foreign policy.

Grade: Shock and awe

NB: Make sure to cop the version with deleted scenes. Includes a mockumentary style romp through the trenches of Abu Ghraib with Will Ferrell as Army Reserve Spc. Charles Graner Jr.

[My Weekender] with Kiko Sih

2008-07-04T00:00:00+01:00

Kiko is the International Design Director of Liuligongfang and legendary entertainer.

I always leave work early on Friday because nothing pisses me off more than being un-groomed for the weekend. And being the epitome of all things superficial and self-obsessed, I must yield to my gay needs.

Leaving work at 3 p.m., I head straight to Helen Nail Spa for a manipedi and a monthly waxing session (ask for Fifi, she's ferosh!). After that, it's a one-hour circuit-training session with Tom, my personal trainer. I take it easy at the gym on Fridays because I need to have lots of energy at night. After that I head back home and obsess over what I'll wear; I'm really lucky because one of my best friends, Megan Fischer, lives in my building so we always get ready together (with the help of champagne etc...). Then its dinnertime! I always go to the same places: Issimo at Jia Hotel, Franck Bistro, Haiku by Hatsune, Shintori, Bukhara, Lost Heaven, Hamilton House, The Kitchen or Jade at 36. But as a self-respecting gay man, I have sworn off all carbs after 4 p.m., so it's just meats and veggies. Then, it's off to the races!

I'm a big fan of fashion parties or openings. But if there's nothing special going on that night you'll find me at Sugar and Lounge 18... yeah, I'm original like that. Around 4 a.m. I'll make my way to MAO, and then I'll always end up at some sketchy afterparty in someone's house or... wait for it... Dragon Club. Unless I've gone home with someone not-so-special, of course.

As soon as I wake up I'll order something from Sherpa's... full-fat, full-carbs! Then I'll meet Tom for a weight-training session. In the summers I like to lay out by my pool with friends in my speedos (I'm Brazilian, shut up!). Then I'll bike over to Shui Spa for a deep-tissue massage and a facial. Once rejoujed, I'll stop at the DVD store and buy tons of movies that I'll never watch. If it isn't too hot, I like to stroll down Taikang Lu, Moganshan Lu or Dongtai Lu. Followed by heavenly naptime and dinner at one of the aforementioned-predictable-restaurants.

If I decide to host a dinner at home, I'll go to City Supermarket and the flower market in the morning and spend all day in the kitchen with my sous-chef, aka Ayi. My dinners are always very elaborate: lavish table d��cor, decadent food, candlelight, caipirinhas, 10 people. Saturday nights, I like to go to more underground places like The Shelter because I get fed up with the scene easily. If it sucks I'll go succumb to the goddamn scene, so Lounge 18 and MAO. You'll never catch me at a gay club. What's the point? I'm the conversion king!

Sundays I go for Dim Sum with my best friends Tais Cabral, Megan Fischer and Grace Chang, and gossip about everything and everyone there is to gossip about. It's very "Sex and the City," except I'm the gay Carrie. Then we'll order masseuses to come over and rub our feet while we watch a DVD and snack. At night we like to go to YY's for drinks and dumplings. It's Sunday, so I'll allow myself carbs at night.

Sushi, Inc.

2008-07-03T00:00:00+01:00

Some PR folks from Sushi, Inc. contacted SmartShanghai to get this new venture from Haiku by Hatsune on our radar. Raised on sushi myself (childhood consisted of nary a home-cooked roast for yours truly) I felt it my duty and purpose to visit the other side of the pond and mix it up in the Lujiazui business district with some raw fish.

Ambiance: Citigroup Tower, Floor 2. Personally, I prefer not to dine in any structure dubbed "Tower" unless it was thus dubbed by Ludwig the Mad King of Bavaria. Tower eateries generate an airport ambiance, and I find myself continually checking for my passport. In the case of Sushi Inc., the outdoor patio where I hunkered down was actually an indoor balcony overlooking the building's sleek lobby. I sat with my back facing the lobby for a view of a trickling wall of water: rather soothing. In fact, the entire dining experience resonated with an aura unusual this side of the Huangpu: quiet.

I started off with the Hiyayakku Tofu. Presentation made a good impression; a delicate slab of creamy white tofu doused in dark green seaweed and light green scallions was as pleasing to the eye as to the palate. Next to arrive was the Wasabi Challenge, eight cut rolls of tuna and cucumber slathered in the Rising Sun's version of Tabasco. The rolls appeared on a two-foot slab of a plate, garnished with fish eggs as well as some unidentifiables, generating a murmur or two from fellow diners. I found the dish unexpectedly exigent �C certainly I've tasted hotter and more refined wasabi. Nevertheless, the Challenge left me with tears in my eyes.

For my main course I ordered the Chirashi Sushi. Traditionally, Chirashi is an assortment of sashimi (raw fish), arranged with color in mind and carefully laid on a bed of rice. I specifically chose this dish because I had been disappointed by Haiku's rendition and was wondering if Sushi, Inc. had developed any innovations. Alas, the Chirashi was identical to Haiku's, replete with scrambled egg studded rice. Seeing as I'd consumed this very meal before, the dish smarted with the ironic double whammy of being both bizarre and predictable.

I selected green tea ice cream for dessert, a staple of any Japanese joint. Meiyou. Moving on to vanilla bean. It tasted suspiciously like Haagen Dazs.

For my beverage, I enjoyed a Perrier, neat.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Sushi Inc, per se. Service was swift and kind and the sushi is fine. Despite the PR efforts to market Sushi, Inc. as an entity distinguishable from Haiku, the menu is essentially identical. I can recommend a lunch here should you work in the area. Given the location, expect to be surrounded by suits discussing stocks, the least expensive business class ticket to Shanghai (US$ 5,000), and a bear market...or was it bull...definitely bull.

Dinner for one with a drink: 200rmb

Main photo: Tony Cenicola, New York Times

CD Giveaway: The Bug

2008-07-02T00:00:00+01:00

In anticipation of Ninja Tunes recording artist The Bug's performance this Saturday at The Shelter, we've got three free 12-track promo copies of his latest CD called "London Zoo" to give away.

The Bug is the moniker of the current project of London-based producer Kevin Martin. Coming from a rock and noise background (in particular an industrial-ish band called GOD), Martin incorporates hardcore elements into the music of dancehall, grime and hip hop, although his more recent work has invited the classifications of dubtronica, broken techno, and dub-step.

Formed as a duo back in 1997 with DJ supasta DJ Vadim, The Bug hatched the first album in that year, "Taping the Conversation," conceived as an alternative soundtrack to the 1974 Francis Ford Coppola film, The Conversation. The Bug's second album, "Pressure" showcased the ambient side of the project, which has included collaborations with a number of MCs including Cutty Ranks, Flow Dan, Warrior Queen, and Ras B.

This 12-track promo of his latest release "London Zoo" features Ricky Ranking, Warrior Queen, Flow Dan, Killa P, and Roger Robinson. A great little intro into the dub-step sound that has been receiving wide-spread attention these days, "London Zoo" also showcases the noise and grime "onslaughts" The Bug is known for.

Presented by Sub-Culture, The Bug plays this Saturday at The Shelter as part of the London Zoo album tour. Support by Viceroy, Drunk Monk, Deville, dji, MC Didje, and MC ChaCha. Cover: 50rmb.

Want a copy of The Bug's new CD? ~~Send us an email here~~ with "London Zoo, Shanghai Zoo" as the title, along with your name, mobile number and address (in Chinese if you can, and please include cross street).

USA A-OK

2008-07-02T00:00:00+01:00

As a tribute to the upcoming American Independence Day this Friday, I give you in it's entirety Bill Pullman's speech from the 1996 Will Smith/ Jeff Goldblum blockbuster epic Independence Day:

***

"Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind.

"Mankind."

That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist.

And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!"

***

America: inventor of the hot dog, improver of the English language, originator of the suplex, birthplace of "America's Next Top Model".

Here are some places that will be celebrating USA Independence Day 2008.

Don't forget to bring your infectious, cocksure, shoot-from-the-hip swagger, your self-righteous ignorance of the rest of the world, and your utter disdain for the metric system:

Amcham's All-Day Independence Day Celebration

A family event organized by the American Chamber of Commerce, this one's happening all day Saturday starting from 2pm at the Sheshan Golf Estate Country Club: live music, games (potato sack race anyone?), a charity bazaar, and food. All the proceeds to earthquake relief. Probably several thousand miniature American flags as well. Tickets are 300rmb for members, 400rmb for non-members, and kids, 150rmb. Call 6279-7119 for tickets.

~~British~~ Bulldog's Independence Day party

The new Bulldog pays tribute to the colonies: live music, food and drink specials, free t-shirts, live sports, and music from house band "Dogstyle." From 9pm until 10pm they're giving away free American Craft beer, and its buy one get one free on American Craft after that. That's this Friday and there's no cover.

White Trash July 4 Bash at I Love Shanghai

Epicenter of cultural expression, I Love Shanghai salutes America in style. You know you're a redneck when... 150rmb gets you all-you-can eat BBQ & fixins and two free drink tickets. Keg games, obstacle course, fireworks, beer pong, all for USA Independence Day. Food by "Party On" catering.

The chanting of USA! USA! is all the more powerful when interspersed with the chanting of CHUG! CHUG!

Otto's Independence Day BBQ

The new Otto caf�� on Nanjing rings in July 4 with a 150rmb BBQ feast after work on Friday. Free flow drinks and meat. To get that 150rmb price tag, send a message with the words "BBQ" and your name to 132 4808 2640.

Or just show up and pay 188rmb, but paying full price for stuff is not what our forefathers fought for.

They've got a nice, spacious patio at that new Otto as well.

Bubba's Golf Tourney

Bubba's is holding its second Annual July 4th Golf Charity event. This ones happening on Friday at the Lake Hill Country Club near Haining New Business District. Bubba's is providing a bus to the golf course and they'll have cold beer on board. To register, send an email to bubba@bubbas.com.cn and they'll get back to you with the full details. The event will benefit a Jane Goodall effort to improve school facilities in Shanghai for migrant worker children.

Attica's Independence Day

Attica is expanding their Independence Day party to include themes non-American: "we have taken the traditional American Independence Day and expanded it to make tonight a celebration of all themes independent and global." But they��re hearts in the right place with a free Bud draft deal and the ��Budweiser Angels�� in attendance.

Happy Independence Day! USA! USA!

[SmartShop] Ladies Swimsuits

2008-07-01T00:00:00+01:00

Ladies, swimsuit season is around the corner! And you know what that means -- countless hours spent squeezing into impossibly awkward spandex bits, hoping for the best, only to become hopelessly disillusioned. Setting out for the suit quest in Shanghai can be even more vicious, with the notoriously clingy sales people and unreal sizing (medium?! LIES!). Luckily for you, this brave little reporter spent Monday navigating the mean streets and dreaded terrain of swimwear markets to narrow it down to a few select places where (fingers crossed) the trials will be slightly less tortuous.

Quiksilver / Roxy store (921 Huaihai Zhong Lu)
This one stop shop caters to those seeking to communicate the surfer lifestyle, and it carries a sporty assortment of beachwear including bikinis, one-pieces, board shorts, and accessories -- flip flops and carryalls. Items run true-to-size with suits coming in S, M, L, while shorts are stocked in sizes from 1 to 12. Prices are a little high: 150-400rmb for sandals and 500-700 for swimsuits. The unintrusive staff is helpful, making searching as easy as possible. Roxy has many other locations in Shanghai, listed at page bottom.

H&M (651 Huaihai Zhong Lu)
Yayyy! Although I avoid H&M like the plague in the States, I'll admit it has been quite a lifesaver here. Cute swimsuits! Lighter on sporty but terrifically loaded with style, their sets and separates are priced super low, from around 100rmb/piece to 300rmb/set. For curvier ladies, H&M stocks larger sizes, up to US 14/ Euro 44. The clearance section is rife with separates, perfect for switching things up this summer. Keep in mind swimsuits aren't allowed in fitting rooms here, so make sure you know what size you need or bring along a current swimsuit to compare.

Gujin
Of the four stores featured, Gujin has the largest selection of one piece suits for more modest ladies. Don't be put off by displayed suits -- they carry many more, you just have to ask for a catalog ("Neng gei wo kan mu lu ma?") Their items run small compared to other places listed. I'm 5'6 and wear a 26 in jeans, and the medium cut into my hips/shoulders whereas the larger size fit fine. A potentially disastrous uni-size bikini also turned out surprisingly well. The Chinese may not have mastered a perfect low rise bottom, but they didn't fare too poorly on this one. Prices range from 300-900rmb/ suit.

Zara(1201 Nanjing Xi Lu)
Zara has a small yet delicious selection of bikinis on the floor and the sales staff tells me they'll be receiving more within two weeks. Prices range from 200-400rmb/set and come in small and medium sizes.

As for me, I ended up choosing a sparkly pink bikini from H&M. Now excuse me while I finish my rounds on the Stair Master and slather on self-tanner. Just kidding. I'm going to fish for compliments from my boyfriend and drown my swimsuit search induced sorrows in ice cream (Kidding again- yesterday, if anything taught me I better stick to whole grain Cheerios.) Good luck!

Also check out:
Decathalon
Isetan

For more store locations:
Roxy
H&M
Zara

[Wellbeing] Best Beds

2008-06-30T00:00:00+01:00

This blog almost got hurled in the bin yesterday when Mr. Golden Sun reared his ugly head. Fortunately, Zeus is back at it today: rains have reemerged and the universe is (once again) in order, thus rendering this article relevant. Phew.

The benefits of tanning in a bed are manifold: healthy-looking skin, influx of Vitamins D and E and a mild, yet distinct euphoria. Salon tanning is also faster and a lot less messy than a day at the beach. No more picking sand from unseemly places, boys and girls. In an effort to bring a fair and balanced report SmSh shall reference the World Health Organization: WHO states: "there is no evidence to suggest that UV exposure from any type of sunbed is less harmful than UV exposure from the sun." Apparently, there is also no evidence to suggest that UV exposure from a bed is more harmful than UV exposure from the sun.

If you're freaked out about getting naked and acquiring diseases, don't worry. You can leave your undies on. A thin layer of cotton will surely protect against the flesh-eating bacteria.

Now that I've dispelled your fears: tanning in Shanghai is a relatively new phenomenon. As such, salons are few and far between, equipped with a mere handful of beds, and less effective than those in the West. But these are desperate times. SmSh found four salons ranging in quality from just passable to pretty good.

Eurosun Tanning Salon: Tres Chic
One word: Pasties. Located in the basement of Ferguson Lane's complex. First impressions of Eurosun are formidable: floors gleam of Spic 'n Span and walls burst with beach paraphernalia (of what use is a big floppy hat indoors?) in this opulent, spacious foyer. Italian run, Eurosun has a new-age machine with sensors that gage how many minutes of UV radiation your skin can take before it implodes. Reliable? Who knows, but it's a soothing notion. Prices are out of sight. 120rmb for a single session; package deals exist and they get you 50% off waxing.

Bronze Bodies Tanning: Most 21st Century
This basement branch in Hong Kong Plaza boasts the strongest beds. This is also the only salon to pipe in music whilst you bathe, thus ensuring you shall not be left alone with your thoughts. Aforementioned attributes combined with a central location means that BB is the only tanning spot where a wait is even fathomable. A new bed should arrive any day now, according to the staff. For the record, I visited BB's Tongren Lu branch last year. Frightful.

Sunpoint Tanning Studio: Most Miami
By my calculations Sunpoint Tanning is the oldest venue in town but it offered the best "overall experience." Draped in Bermuda shorts and a surfing tank, the Australian reception dude won't try to sell you packages or lotions you don't want. Three beds are enclosed in fake walls, covered in posters of 1980s beach bimbos and sunset scenes. You can tan for up to 20 minutes (!) here, although beds are on the weak side. Should you arrive during off-peak hours, you will only pay 60rmb.

The Tanning Island: Moderately Priced, Moderately Dingy
Unless you find yourself suddenly trapped in a torrential downpour on the intersection of Xietu Lu and Tianyaoqiao Lu, you really have no reason to tan here. The Island is less expensive than Bronze Bodies and Eurosun, but the hygiene is questionable and a weak bed fails to override the dank atmosphere. On the sunny side, the employees have absolutely no clue about their line of work - should you request to bake for three hours they might let you. 80rmb for 11 minutes.

M.H. Tanning Salon: Longest Hours
SmSh did not actually visit this venue, but we did visit their website. (For a giggle, click here.) Now you actually have a reason to check out the art on Moganshan Lu: you can hit up this little number on your way there. And on the way back �C it's open 'til midnight.

DVD Sunday: The King of Kong

2008-06-29T00:00:00+01:00

Rarely do you see a more powerful sight than a 40-year-old man openly weeping in an arcade in rural New Hampshire. With tears of frustration streaming down his face, Steve Wiebe, one of the greatest Donkey Kong players in the world, pours his heart out into the camera after learning that his arch nemesis Billy Mitchell had just posted a new Donkey Kong world record.

Directed by Seth Gordan, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) is a documentary of the surprisingly treacherous and insidious world of classic video gaming. The film focuses on the epic rivalry of two "superstar gamers," Mitchell and Wiebe as champion and challenger, with their battlefield being the pixelated ramps, ladders, elevators of the classic Nintendo arcade game Donkey Kong. With a supporting cast of colorful nerds, social outcasts, and assorted wierdos and basement dwellers, The King of Kong ends up being nothing less than a universal tale of good versus evil, triumph of the will, and what it takes to be a champion.

Originating as a look into the super geeky world of classic video gaming, The King of Kong begins by setting the scene and introducing the community of classic gamers, all competing for the all-time high scores on classic '70s arcade games like Centipede, Missile Command, Q-bert, Galaga, Pac Man, and, of course, the widow maker Donkey Kong. A classic portrait of Americana, the documentary depicts a sub-culture that time forgot, ineffably living on today in rural American arcades, parents' basements, and garages throughout the fly-over states.

But from amongst this community, the directors happened upon the story of Steve Wiebe. An outcast even among the cabal of pro gaming nerds, Wiebe is the quintessential portrait of the underdog -- a man who has "come up short on a lot of things in his life," in the words of his wife. After being laid off from his job, Wiebe happens upon the Donkey Kong record of Billy Mitchell, set way back in 1982, and believed to be unbeatable. Taking it upon himself to defeat the "Gamer of the Century," Wiebe sets out in pursuit of the all-time Donkey Kong record.

Basically, The King of Kong is a real life Ben Stiller movie, replete with a lovable loser protagonist in the every-man Steve Wiebe, and a comically despotic, mulleted villain, Billy Mitchell. The King of Kong is so engrossing -- the nerdiness so profoundly perfect, the dorkiness so powerfully arresting -- one can't believe it hasn't been scripted. Beyond the actual video gaming, the essential characters of the players are laid bare, and it's impossible not to become wholly invested in their chosen obsession.

On finding the movie: Although The King Of Kong is new on DVD, it probably won't be filed in the "New Releases" section because it's a documentary. Check the documentary/Euro film rack at your local if they have one.

Grade: A-

Complementary Sherpas Order: This has pizza written all over it. Cheap pizza. And lots of it.