There is a healthy mix of diversions this weekend out there in Shanghai if you're looking for them. We're looking at a few last rooftop parties for people looking to wring the last bit of summer out of their lives, some interesting-looking stage shows opening up, and some great food and drinks deals. There's a dirt cheap all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at the Conrad in particular. 208rmb for all-you-can-eat at a luxury hotel! Hot damn!
Scroll on for the fine print on all these and more, more, more...
Community and Classes
Local writers group Inkwell presents "A Heroes & Villains Literary Open Mic". Listen to heroic and villainous literature (poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc.) written by writers in Shanghai, have a drink, and enjoy some company. Free entry. If you'd like to read your own self-written literature on the mic, contact Tiana at We Chat ID TianaMinglan for more info.
“Seisiún 上海” is the city’s new monthly Irish Social for fans of Ireland’s famous musical sessions. There’ll be a drink deal, live music, and Guinness. They’ve partnered up with Irish Chamber member Butler & White with Guinness, at the Tavern Tianzifang, and Black Velvet Band, a two-piece spin off from Shanghai’s long-standing Irish band Doctor Midnight, featuring Rory O’Neill (Cork, Ireland) and Richard Morris (Coventry, UK). They switch between mandolin, guitar and accordion while singing stories of alcohol and romance from the Emerald Isle. Join them on Friday, September 1 for the craic agus ceol, free entry but table booking advisable.
Representatives from the Chinese and African business communities are meeting to discuss Sino-Africa business in the post-COVID era and exchange contacts. On the docket: international student opportunities, cultural exchanges, and international investment promotions. Starts 2pm at Speto's. More information on the QR code on the flyer.
Expat networking group InterNations hosts its next social event at The St Regis. They are celebrating 16 years of "bringing international people together and making life abroad a fun experience." This event is open to members and nonmembers. Registration is needed, payment at the entrance.Members can register on the website (free access for Albatross members). Non-members can be guided to register by InterNations Ambassador Shanghai, WeChat ID “CorinaSH”. No advance payment. Free entrance for Albatross members. 145rmb for basic/registered members. 175rmb walk-ins. Starts 7pm.
Join the event to explore the latest Chinese Consumer attitudes toward sustainability and the implications for global consumer brands. BritCham Shanghai’s ESG Committee invites Crystal Wang from Deloitte to share the key findings from their recent survey on Chinese consumers’ attitudes towards sustainability and their interviews with several leading global and local consumer product brands in China, followed by a panel discussion with sustainability/ESG experts from MNC, local companies, and the academia. The entry includes tea, coffee, and snacks. Free for members; 150rmb for non-members. More information via the QR code on the flyer.
Clubbing and Live Music
A moonlit dip into the waters of dream pop, shoegaze and noise pop - an auspicious trifecta of bands old and new including Hangzhou’s City Flanker, known for their retro-futuristic sound drenched in waves of synths, plunging beats, and an atmosphere would be right at home prom night circa 1986. They’ll be welcoming a new generation of stargazers including Tardis, out of Ningbo, who burst onto this past year with their brand of explosive dream pop. And last not least, The Curly, color their sound with ethereal vocals and roaring guitar noises. Jump on in. 90rmb in advance; 155rmb at the door. Stars 8:30pm.
Get ready to rock that throwback swag this Friday at RIINK. They've got DJ Melody and DJ Shelter in the house, spinnin' them old-school, hip-hop, and R&B beats that'll take you back in time. Roll up with their dope eat, drink, and skate package deal that's available all day long. And yea, happy hour? It's poppin' off till 8pm every day. Get your groove on, grab your crew, and make it a night filled with hip hop and R&B vibes and straight-up good times at RIIN
With a beautiful city garden view, Portman Ritz-Carlton and FoS will be hosting this party featuring multiple DJs and bubblicious performers on September 2, Saturday, from 4pm to 10pm. In addition, you can expect mouth-watering food, bubble machines, and free bubble guns! Early bird is 108rmb for single entry, 300rmb for 3 ppl. Presale price is 138rmb. All tickets include 1 drink.
Liquid, Liquid, the queer performance playground returns to Elevator for a night of music, dancing, art, and Leigh Bowery club kid-inspired zaniness for all the party monsters in town. Hosted by local chanteuse/agitator Dai Nasty and features appearances and performances from only the loveliest people in town. - Ana1, Frozen Lolita, Erica Assdika, Raani Deepali, and more. Dress up like yourself and turn up at 9:30pm. 100rmb entry with a shot before 11pm; 120rmb after.
Beijing band Xiaowang brings their brand of tipsy turvy swirl of kawaiicore, punk, J-rock, pop and then some - mixing vulnerability, seething rage and bubbly exuberance with potent results. The band has stuck to their DIY roots through thick and thin, refusing to let labels, audiences, and themselves corner them into a box resulting in a sound that’s as lean as they come - a high-octane cathartic unleashing of bittersweet yet ferocious songs that strike down with vengeance. The band is finishing up their nationwide tour this weekend at C's Bar - a place that's been due for some rough-housing. Support from the deliriously fun post-punk outfit JieChi. 130rmb cover. Early show: start 8:30pm.
After a long series of successful British Invasions concerts the Red Stars band created a special version: The Beatles and the British Invasion. Along with a large array of British hits, The Pearl Red Stars have put together a selection of Beatles hits to honor what has been referred to as the last big rock band. From the 80s, the likes of Queen, Yes, and Def Leppard. The 90s, Oasis and Radiohead. More recently, Adele, and the timeless Elton John. Concert starts at 8:30pm
Dining and Tastings
Conrad Shanghai offers a lunch/dinner buffet with all-you-can-eat seafood, BBQ, delicious cold cuts and salad, and plenty of sushi at the Lane 11 restaurant -- for only 208rmb! 248rmb for dinner on the weekend. Soft drinks are included in the buffet. Steal of a deal, don't miss out. Please note that Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance.
Sexy Spanish tapas restaurant hosts a sexy seafood dinner one-off in partnership with Le Sommelier. Go "adrift at sea" with six tapas courses paired with six wines for one night only. Damage is 588rmb per person all inclusive. Call ahead to reserve your table. Dinner starts at 7:30pm.
Cheap beer and pizza at Liquid Laundry as they clear out old stock to make way for the new. They're hosting a pizza buffet carnival for only 88rmb. For beers, they're serving 3 glasses of any variety for 100rmb. (Which also includes house wine and selected cocktails.) If you're looking for something from the a la carte menu, that's 20% off. Enjoy the home version: get up to 2L beer for 88rmb to refill any container and get one customized roaring pot for another 30rmb. Crazy deals on food and booze on Saturday and Sunday night at LL.
Concerts and Stage
'The Peacock' is a dance work created and launched by Yang Liping in 2012, adapted from Yang's famous work 'Spirit of Peacock.' She is known across China for her creativity and her performance of the peacock dance. Yang has been dubbed as the 'Peacock Princess of China'. The dance drama shows the magical peacock world of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. It depicts many peacock portraits with great metaphors and is full of ethnic customs, which conveys the artist's thinking and understanding of art and life in the process of growing up. The 2023 tour of this edition will arrive in Shanghai on August 30 and will perform for 5 nights. Ticket price ranges from 180-1080rmb.
SpicyComedy is an English stand-up comedy show in Shanghai that features some of the funniest local and traveling comedians. With shows held throughout the week at the SpicyComedy Lounge in Xintiandi, audiences are in for an unforgettable night of laughs. The event showcases 5-6 talented English-language comedians, each performing 8-15 minute sets. The event format varies with everything from spotlight specials with featured comedians and open mic nights for newcomers. See the flyer below for details. Seating is first come, first served, so head down early to get a good spot.
As the music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Jaap van Zweden is one of the most sought-after world-class conductors, and for this performance at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, he will be joining with the renowned violinist Yang Tianwa to perform Mendelssohn's classics. The September 2 repertoire includes the Overture from ‘The Hebrides’, Violin Concerto in E Minor, and Symphony No.4. Ticket prices range from 180rmb to 880rmb. Starts 7:30pm.
Julia Jive is coming to the Jazz Lincoln Center on September 2. Julia Jive, A Russian jazz vocalist with rich singing experience. She started her career in a quartet, specializing in all types of jazz standards and a cappella. She has appeared in international jazz festivals and concerts in Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Italy. She has shared the stage with everything from jazz duos to large bands.
Family Friendly
ASAS organizes a sports weekend out to Anji Country, with river hiking, ATV riding, archery, rafting, and more. Enjoy the largest natural bamboo forests in the world where the Academy-Award-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was filmed. Minimum number of participants: 12. Price for self-driving participants registration: early bird price, 858rmb (until August 28), standard price 958rmb (from August 29). The price includes a welcome dinner on Saturday and Sunday breakfast, standard room for one night (one room for 2 people) at Anji Golden Leydisson Resort. The Price excludes transportation from Shanghai to Anji, and local transportation in Anji; Lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Contact the organizers for more information. QR code on the flyer.
Ubisoft escape games are created and optimized for entertainment venues and are exclusively available in selected locations, such as escape rooms and VR arcades. They are mainstream experiences, built around cooperation between players from a wide audience and across all ages.There are three storylines you can choose: Escape The Lost Pyramid, Beyond Medusa’s Gate and Prince of Persia: The Dagger Of Time. They are larger-than-life adventures that would be far too dangerous or just impossible to live in real life.MotrixVR is located in downtown Shanghai, officially granted to play Ubisoft VR escape games. Parkson Mall site located in Huangpu, specially decorated for playing escape games. 2 or 4 people can make one game group. Four people is strongly recommended. Hopefully you can solve the puzzles less than the estimated time, the venue will complimentarily offer small VR games you can play on the side.
