Amy Bourke, the new marketing person at Kommune Café, recently sent in an event listing for their Monday night monthly 'Kommunity Courtyard'. In essence, it's a chance to "enjoy a night out, with a local restaurant in TaiKang Lu cooking up a storm." For the first event in this series (Monday Sept. 8), Alyssa's Thai Brasserie will pitch in with a Thai buffet.

The title of this event got us thinking about the concept of 'community' in Shanghai. While there's no questioning the vibrancy of Shanghai's expat community, it is an easy scene for newbies to break into?

Regarding Kommune, Urbanatomy asked Ms. Bourke: what if someone is new in town – is it the sort of place a person can rock up to alone, and feel comfortable? Her reply: "Yes!" Why? "The more you put yourself out there and go to networking events or just to the local pub, the more people you meet."

Kommune seems like a good starting point. "We have a wonderful outdoors courtyard to relax in. You can come and just read a book (like one of our regulars). You can sit and enjoy a quiet meal/drink at your own pleasure, or just sit there with your laptop and work from Kommune and not the office."

JFK Miller, Urbanatomy's Editorial Director, had this to say: "Shanghai is only as small as you make it. There are plenty of people – foreigner and local – who are doing interesting things here. Most people I've approached... have been receptive and generous with sharing ideas and experiences."

Social activist networking

Aimee Haynes (aimee.haynes@gmail.com) is the founder of the Shanghai branch of BEAN. BEAN was first started in Seattle, as the 'Business and Engineering Activist Network', although the Shanghai branch is less about business and engineering and more about social activism.

Says Amy: "It's not a case of helping out as an expat in Shanghai – anywhere I am in the world, I feel a sense of responsibility to give what I can back to the community."

Urbanatomy – quite leery of fundraising schemes – was pleased to hear that BEAN's objective has little to do with raising cash: "There's a real disconnect in fundraising, between actions and results. The nice thing about hands-on volunteering is that anyone can do it."

BEAN holds its first networking event for young professional on Sept. 8, at Cantine, from 7-9pm. On the agenda: "… new members will get to meet each other and find out about our upcoming volunteer projects. These include a Backpack Attack (sharing school supplies, and information about back-to-school hygiene) at a Migrant school outside of Shanghai on September 20th, and an afternoon with members of Sunshine House where participants will be playing sports with disabled adults on October 11th."

Worthy causes indeed, discounted drinks on the night, and also a good chance to meet some community-minded folks. Hope to see you there!

Globus Wine at Highstreet Loft, 7pm, RMB 280 (5466 1575).
Let Sophie Liu be your tour guide through the amazing world of Champagne. She will explain how this wine is produced and who the best producers in the region are. We will taste Champagnes from five small-production, high-quality wineries.

Attica, 10pm, Free entry until 11pm; after 11pm RMB 100 not including a free drink (6373 3588).
Attica kicks off the month Carioca style with Carnaval Brasileiro. Come see Brazilian dancers move to samba beats played by a guest DJ from Brazil . Enjoy drink specials all night.

Bar Rouge, 10pm (6339 1199).
Once again the team at Kiken Productions are bringing a fun-filled night featuring DJ Mitomi Tokoto and Cyberjapan girls Kuran, Mayumi, Hiroe, Sachi, Miho and Aoi (Japan).

Exhibition Plaza Area, Level 1 of the Retail Plaza (1376 Nanjing Xi Lu), 10am-12:30pm (Jesse Xu 6279 8600 ext 6621).
Featuring gourmet offerings that include specialty breads, pastries, fruits, grains, organic products, fresh herbs, cooking herbs, imported wines, cheese, dried fruit, seafood, meats, homemade chocolates and more.

Contrasts Gallery, 181 Jiangxi Zhong Lu, by Fuzhou Lu, 5-7pm (6323 1989)
The exhibition will present works by several leading Iranian artists, including the work of acclaimed photojournalist turned artist Jamshid Bayrami, Ali Ajali, Mania Akbari, Yaghoub Emdadian, Golnaz Fathi, Koushna Navabi, Mohsen Rastani, Mehdi Saeedi, Seifollah Samadian, Maryam Shirinlou, Yahya Fiuzi, and Roshanak Varasteh. The exhibition will identify both the distinctiveness and identity of Iranian art of the last 50 years, demonstrating that it cannot be reduced to some trans-historical Islamic essence, and at the same time it will showcase the work of three generations of artists and reveal the extraordinary diversity of Iranian art.

The Shelter, 5 Yongfu Lu, by Fuxing Lu, 9pm-5am (RMB 30)
After one month closed, the Shelter is back with a few improvements to the venue as well as the line up including V-Nutz, Fortune, Deville, Drunk Monk, Didje and Mr Tsang. We have also been making a few improvements to the venue. You no longer need to worry about walking across the dance floor and tripping over the step, spilling beer over someone. You no longer need to worry about the concrete shelf next to the dance floor that gets looser and looser every week, which looks like its going to drop off. Yes, The Shelter will now be whole new, safer experience.

Xian Feng Industrial Park, 2/F, Building 39, No. 702 Lingshi Road, Xian Feng Industrial Park, Zhabei District, 7-9pm
Chinese multidisciplinary artist Qiu Anxiong seeks truth in this materialistic world with an installation that discusses the relationship of production and art. He questions whether the producer-consumer system conduces or hinders creativity. Hundreds of sculpted fiberglass dogs will illustrate a Chinese perspective in response to Western fears of globalization and competition. The installation will be complimented with work by Chinese writer Mian Mian, musician B6, and designer Peter Ting, among others.

Studio Rouge, 17 Fuzhou Lu, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu (6323 0833)
Mao Yu has staged his performances in the rural outskirts of Xi'an, 11 scenes that correspond to the phases of physical, psychological and spiritual development of man as described by the ancient Confucian sages. Mao Yu's philosophical inspirations are the tenets of Taoism and Buddhism. The images reflect the Taoist notions of the unity of heaven and earth, man and nature, combined with the Buddhist concepts of cyclical rebirth and reincarnation. The artist himself, in tandem with his tree, are the main actors. The dramatic use of red yarn provides a bloodline of continuity and visual bondage.

10am-midday, Exhibition Plaza Area, 1/F, Retail Plaza, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
The Farmers' Market brings together some of Shanghai's finest gourmet suppliers of organic fruit and vegetables, potted and fresh teas, herbs, imported wines, cheeses, seafood and meats, homemade chocolates and yogurt, Japanese snacks, fresh flowers and much more. Free admission.

Expat Learning Center (6229 5772 / www.shanghai-classes.com)
Discover the ancient principles and practices of feng shui, based on the idea that our lives are effected by the physical and emotional environment in which we live. This half-day workshop cuts through the hype and the myths of feng shui and explores its relationship to life, health, and general wellbeing.

11am-2pm, Hongqiao Ren Jia Restaurant, 406 Wulumuqi Nan Lu (2861 0946 / winniecook8@gmail.com)
The monthly Ladies Cooking Club is a great way to make new friends and improve your culinary skills. RMB 100 per session including lunch.

9:30am-midday, CCS Pudong, 2/F, The Greenhills Clubhouse, Lane 418 Jinxiu Dong Lu, Jinqiao
Discover the wet markets of Pudong where you can find seasonal fruits and vegetables from around Asia, taste Shanghai's famous breakfast snacks, shop for still-flapping seafood, and pick up flowers, plants and gifts. RMB 200pp, van provided.