Lots of stuff going on around town this weekend. Get out there and get active, y'all!

(Or, hey, don't. You don't have to. Whatevs.)

The annual Shanghai Book Fair is back on at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. Stop by that and do some browsing for a few new books to read if you don't mind the crowds. We're also looking at a full weekend of wine-focused events, but maybe that's just US, where we're at, emotionally and spiritually, with this summer. We just want to drink wine through all of this right here.

A wine and sharing plates bar called Alors is hosting an opening party on Saturday. They're stocking lots of obscure French labels if that's your thing. There's another tasting at Vinhoo, and rounding out the weekend, the delightful Japanese restaurant Xime is hosting its first "Natural Wine Izakaya Series", which sounds alright!

Details for all this and more are below.

Concerts and Stag

Rocky Li is hosting a concert in tribute of Chet Baker along with with Michael Compton (Pianist), Pan Ruilin(Bass), and Wang Pinhuan (Drummer) on August 18th at 7:30-9:30pm at Lincoln center Shanghai. Chet Baker, American jazz trumpeter and vocalist noted for the plaintive, fragile tone of both his playing and singing.'My Funny Valentine' is perhaps Chet Baker's most famous and enduring song.

‘Daap Bok Tau’, also known as Shoulder Hug, shows a close relationship between friends, as a symbol of encouragement and support to each other. This is a dance piece based on each participant's observation of their own daily life and understanding of the relationship between the individual and the community. The performance uses representative miming gestures, space and places, and "oral images" in classical ballet performances as clues and methods,  to build a space with different dialogue forms. The performance is 2 nights only on August 18 and 19, ticket price ranges from 80 to 280rmb.

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Dining and Tastings

New wine and sharing bites bar Alors is grandly opening with a little help from their friends. Pasta bar Yaya's is coming across town to collab on a special menu, with Round One dinner from 5:30pm to 8:30om -- everything a la carte (last order at 8pm). After 8:30pm, they're changing into party mode, moving the tables to make more space, with a DJ spinning tunes to celebrate the opening until 1am.  Cuisine is contemporary Chinese, street food style, with wines, selected and interesting vintages from France. No entry fee but head down early if you want to get food. 

Celebrate Indonesia's 78th Independence Day with Southern Bowls at SPETO'S. Chef Ivanne is serving ”Tumpeng” rice to celebrate the national day from 11:30am to 4pm.  Platter set is118rmb with ample vegetarian options. Scan the QR code to book your seats. Optional 198rmb free-flow deal is also definitely available.

Discover the essence of Baldovar 923 wines from Valencia at Vinhoo's tasting event. Limited to 10 spots, RSVP now for a chill evening of natural whites, reds, and rosé paired with small bites, and chit-chat about wine. Runs from 5pm to 7pm. 199rmb per person all inclusive. Add the venue's WeChat ID to sign up: laowine_cella.r

Lovely French resto Chez JOJO is hosting a great deal on mussels for Sunday brunch: All-you-can-eat mussels in both locations for 168rmb per person. Runs 12pm to 3pm on Sunday, August 20. 

XIME hosts its first Natural Wine Izakaya Series together with Mr. Amber Wine. A chilled summer evening to enjoy 10 different natural wines from Spain, Turkey, and Georgia paired with 10 summer izakaya dishes prepared the XIME's head chef Sam Norris. Limited seats are available, book through QR code on the flyer.

Community Spirit

"Beyond the Streets" is a celebration of graffiti, street art, and beyond. Following blockbuster exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, and London, the show is curated by Roger Gastman, noted graffiti historian and founder of Beyond the Streets. On display in paintings, instalations, photography, film, and sculpture is a roster of over 100 artists representing over 60 years of graffiti and street art culture. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm. Tickets are available at 138rmb for workdays and 188rmb for weekends and holidays. You've got tomake an reservation after purchasing the tickets. Free entry for children within 1 meter height. Read more about it on SmartShanghai here.

This summer, Community Center in Shanghai is hosting a special summer Clothesline workshop to share their voices. They will be using this opportunity to invite you to talk about: What do you want your parents to know about mental health and you? Bring your family, friends, and your old T-shirt, and you are good to go! The ticket price is 50 RMB per person. All proceeds of the donation go to CCS Subsidized Counseling fund.

The annual Shanghai Book Fair attracts thousands of publishers nationwide, bookstores, stationery companies, media, and book lovers. Expect large discounts on books (at least 20%), plus international authors and literature professors giving speeches and hosting forums at multiple venues around Shanghai. Ticket prices are 10rmb during 9:00-17:00, 5rmb during 18:00-21:00. Not available at the door. Visitors have to book through Damai and register ID information.

The new venue from boxing gym Ringside grandly opens with a big showdown of 16 fighters from boxing and kickboxing gyms all over town. "The energy will be electric, and the fighters will leave you speechless with their raw talent and passion. And guess what? The party doesn't stop after the final bell – we're cranking it up with an afterparty that'll keep the adrenaline pumping all night long!" Scan through the QR codes on the flyer to see who's on the card. Table and VIP tickets are available (prices on the flyer). Starts 6:30pm. 

Stepping Stones' founder Corinne Hua talks about her 17 years running a Non-Profit in Shanghai. Stepping Stones is a not-for-profit volunteering organization registered in Shanghai with a mission to improve the education and general welfare of disadvantaged children in China. Stepping Stones has hosted numerous programs focused on children’s education and well-being since 2006. Stepping Stones has more than a thousand volunteers who are devoted to helping 10,000-15,000 children from disadvantaged families in 10 provinces each year. The talk is at 2pm. No entry fee. 

Fashion label Khardingclassics is inviting all the Kharding Queens out for a fashion viewing event and afterparty at Speto's. Expect contemporary styles with an African touch from this Shanghai brand with Ghanaian roots; the latest items in their line of urban and casual wear for ladies. Scan the code on the flyer to reserve your tickets. DJ Fredmax on the beats.

Clubbing and Live Music

After four long years of waiting, Behind The Beat is finally back. The hip-hop parties have come into being for a simple reason: dancing all night to Hip-Hop music we value and love. Gathering soulful DJs, dancing maniacs, notorious MCs, Behind The Beat was born. On Aug 18 , starting at 10pm.Presale is 130rmb, and 160rmb at the door.

Two girl punk bands are here to rock you. Pizza Face from Beijing and local rockers Hey Lily from Shanghai will perform at The Pearl on August 18. Show will start at 8.30pm. Ticket price is 100rmb for presale and 120rmb at the door.

Katrina is a resident DJ of Pure G, the notorious party platform in Taipei. Music-wise she is known for her skills in playing dub, leftfield, and bass-heavy music -- you can find her mixtapes on NTS Radio, Noods, c-, Baihui, and more. She's the special guest for Aqualung's takeover of All club on Saturday night. 60rmb early bird; 80rmb per-sale; 100rmb at the door. Starts 10pm.  

Space Panda and Banyan Tree on the Bund hosts a night of "jaw-dropping views, heart-pounding beats, and an electrifying atmosphere." The featured guest for this afternoon-into-evening rooftop party is UK-born, Bali-based organic house DJ\Producer Pippi Ciez, bringing Afro/house beats to the party. Local house and techno DJs are rounding out the two-stage line-up. Table reservations, call in advance.  128rmb-188rmb for GA, including a drink. Start 3pm. 

PsychoCand punk rock drag night returns to Specters dive bar with the theme of getting Spirited Away: "In the far east, the seventh month of the ancient lunar calendar is the Ghost Month. The gates of the underworld are wide open while the subtle balance between “Yin” and “Yang” is shattered. Perhaps, it doesn't matter the true nature of the creature, whether human or demon are being treated all equally. Tonight, come and witness the blending of “Yin” and “Yang”, enjoy the only show that claims to prove humans and sprits’ coexistence. All you left to do is to join us, let the party begins." Doors at 9:30pm. Event at 10:30pm. 120rmb at the door. 

Family Friendly

"Billy the Kid" is an adventure story; a magical, musical comedy set in a colorful world of cowboys and bandits, cactus trees, and caballeros. Saddle up for a journey back in time, to a land where the bravest heroes are only a whip-crack away. Written by Ben Frost and Richard Hough, the brand new "Billy The Kid: The Musical" is one rootin’ tootin’ – all singin’ an’ all dancin’ – musical comedy with a lovable heart as wide as the Grand Canyon. Watch talented youngsters on stage for a theatrical entertainment experience for all the family. Shows are on August 17 and August 18 at 7:15pm. Tickets, 80rmb-480rmb.

The biggest pet products expo in Shanghai is celebrating its 25 anniversary. From Friday to Sunday, pick a big bag or suitcase to grab food and toys from different pet brands for your furry friends. Ticket starts form 50rmb to 80rmb. ID/Passport info required.

As the name suggests, this one's a classical music concert just for kids, with a selection of bright and fun selections from Mozart, Strauss, and Liszt, as well as famous opera songs. Singers and pianists will join to bring this performance to kids and families at the Shangyin Opera House. The show will be on for 120 minutes (including a 10-minute intermission). Ticket price 180rmb/ 280rmb. The performance is one night only on August 19 at 7:15pm. 

Temple of Light - the immersive digital art exhibition on the Bund - continues its Shanghai presence with a new theme show focused on Chinese Shadow Puppetry. The exhibition uses a projection area of ​​more than 1,500 square meters, a 360-degree immersive light and shadow art ‘stage’, and 3,000+ collections of shadow puppetry to reproduce the Chinese aesthetic in a modern way. From Aug 19 to Nov 30. The early bird offer ends on Aug 18.

Save the Date

Enjoy a 90-minute concert performed by a live chamber music group, at the immersive light art gallery teamLab, delivering theme songs from many iconic Ghibli animation films. The music has six parts in total, with the light exhibits changing with it! After the concert you can continue to enjoy teamLab till 22:30. Only two nights on Aug 25 & 26. Limited flash tickets are on sale now for only 158rmb per person. The presale price is 188rmb.