A bit lighter on the big-time DJ clubbing events this week. Hey, that means this is a great opportunity to get out of your wheelhouse and try something different. The Grammy-award wining 30-member Soweto Gospel Choir is performing this weekend in Shanghai. That should be pretty amazing. Details to that one and a few other highlights in this week's ticket events after the jump.

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Friday, October 20

Black and White is essentially a contemporary, adapted version of the flagship of the classical repertoire – Swan Lake, however in this production the story is told through the main character of Prince Siegfried, who is going through a difficult life situation associated with the treatment of a serious illness. The work attempts to bring to the younger generation a different point of view, contradicting all traditions and, as such, visually reshaping Swan Lake. Presented on stage in Shanghai by Czech Republic’s acclaimed NdB Ballet company. Tickets available right here. The Royal Hombres have been a fixture on the Shanghai music scene since... the beginning of time. (When Cotton Club opened.) They held court at Shanghai's much-missed Cotton Club for nineteen years and their music reflects an eclectic mix of blues, jazz and funk. The band is led by American guitarist Greg Smith with Jorland Paulino on bass, Francesco Perre on drums and Matt Cadillac Cooper on guitar and vocals. Since the closing of the club a while back, they're around town to new stages, and tonight for one night only, The Pearl. Concert starts at 9pm. Tickets available right here.

Saturday, October 21

The Soweto Gospel Choir, formed in Soweto, South Africa, is a 30-member vocal ensemble that blends elements of African gospel, reggae, and American pop music. The group performed at the first concerts honoring Nelson Mandela and have since taken their show around the world to entertain international audiences. The group was also featured on the Peter Gabriel song "Down to Earth", featured in Pixar's 2008 film WALL-E. Their albums Blessed and African Spirit won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Once in a lifetime opportunity to catch them on a Shanghai stage. Tickets available here.

Sunday, October 22

Estonian Voices is an a cappella vocal ensemble, who perform jazz, folk, and pop music. The group has been successful in touring Europe, giving shows in Germany, Russia, and Sweden to high praise. Their show is mostly comprised of original compositions and arrangements, but they also cover some well known hits. Some of the field’s greatest like Peder Karlsson and Britt Quentin have recognized Estonian Voices as a unique sounding vocal ensemble that shouldn’t be missed.

Ongoing

Cirque Du Soleil is in town with their Kooza show. Since its debut in 2007, it has toured in 18 countries, mixing acrobatic performance with the art of clowning. Clowns. So hot right now. As always, Cirque Du Soleil grounds the performance in a narrative -- this one’s about exploring fear, identity, and power. But more importantly, there will also be body-bending-gravity-defying performances, pretty costumes, and state-of-the-art set design. Tickets range from 28rmb to 1,980rmb and the show will run through the month of October. They will set up a tent as a temporary venue for the first run of performances. You can find the address here. Tickets here. Jazz at the Lincoln Center hosts in Camille Thurman Quartet featuring Charenée Wade to their lux environs to perform whilst you sup and imbibe on a high-end a la carte menu. About the Camille Thurman Quartet: First Runner-Up in the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition, Charenée Wade is a notable singer, composer, arranger, with a list of accolades to her credit and a slew of revered records to her name. She’s joined by Acclaimed by Downbeat Magazine as a “rising star” singer with “soulful inflection and remarkable, Fitzgerald-esque scat prowess” and hailed by All About Jazz as a “first class saxophonist that blows the proverbial roof of the place”, Camille Thurman. About the tickets: SmartTicket is handling entry tickets to the event. There is also a minimum spend on the menu of 100rmb per guest. Tickets available right here. *** For more, visit SmartTicket right here.