What's On in Shanghai: January 2017

That's Shanghai takes a look at the best of the month:

Jan 1: Bridget Jones’ Baby

A dozen years after her misadventures in The Edge of Reason, Renée Zellweger is back as Bridget Jones for some more romantic drama. This time, her character is dealing with some baby daddy drama, as in sorting out who exactly is the father. In one corner is Colin Firth who returns as Mark Darcy, Bridget’s ex-husband and the primary love interest in the first two Bridget Jones’ films. In the other corner is the always smoldering Patrick Dempsey. So far, the world is eager to find out, as the film has already grossed over USD211 million worldwide.

Jan 2: Brain Failure

The veteran Beijing punk rock trio have rocked livehouses across the nations for over two decades. Expect a powerful show at Yuyintang as the group celebrates their newest disc, Utopia Again.
Jan 2, 9pm-late, RMB80-100. Yuyintang.

Jan 3: Haggard

The 16-piece German group have been mixing classical with death metal for over 25 years. They’re bringing their world tour to MAO Livehouse to support their latest disc, Grimm, inspired by the works of The Brothers Grimm.
Jan 3, 8.30pm, RMB380. MAO Livehouse.

Jan 4: David Guetta

Image by Ellen Von Unsworth

Few DJs encapsulate the mainstreaming of electronic dance music like David Guetta. A veteran of the French underground, the producer has been catapulted into superstardom thanks to anthems like ‘Where Them Girls At’ and ‘When Loves Take Over.’ The two-time Grammy Award winner returns to Shanghai with his first China arena tour, ready to welcome in 2017 with help from fellow DJ Mag anointed Top 10 DJ, Oliver Heldens. For more, check out our interview with David Guetta.
Jan 4, 8pm, RMB380-480 (RMB980 for VIP tickets). Shanghai New International Expo Center.

Jan 4: Soldout

Fans of The Knife, Depeche Mode and Cabaret Voltaire will want to catch the electro-pop duo that are celebrating their most recent disc, More.
Jan 4, 9pm, RMB80-100. Yuyintang.

Jan 4: Novelist

For their first party of 2017, Yeti is bringing the 19-year-old South London emcee that’s widely considered ‘the future of grime’ to Arkham (update: now DADA). In just a few years, Novelist has gone from battling in afterschool clashes at the local McDonalds to sharing the stage with Kanye and Skepta. Naaah, Kilo Vee and Esa support.
Jan 4, 10pm-late, RMB80-120. DADA.

Jan 5: Little Creatures Tap Takeover

The Hop Project welcomes the multiple Australian International Beer Award winning brewery as it takes over the Dagu Lu taps for the next few months. Brew master Tom Champion will be in town for the launch party showing off the Fremantle, Western Australian’s brews like their famed Pale Ale.
Jan 5, 1pm-late, free entry. The Hop Project.

Jan 6: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Last year’s successful launch of the third trilogy in the Star Wars series was just the opening salvo in an onslaught of upcoming films. Rogue One kicks off the Star Wars Anthology series – standalone stories set shortly before the events of the original Star Wars film (or Episode IV for the hardcore). Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) stars as a new recruit to the Rebel Alliance tasked with stealing the design schematics of the Empire’s new superweapon, the Death Star. Chinese stars Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen cameo as a warrior and an assassin respectively.

Jan 6: Five-Pointed Star 10th Anniversary Show

The Shanghai grunge rockers have two reasons to celebrate - their milestone 10th anniversary and the release of their latest disc, Existence.
Jan 6, 8pm, RMB100-120. MAO Livehouse.

Jan 6: Sosupersam

A member of the too cool Soulection crew out of Los Angeles, Sosupersam has headlined iconic parties like Low End Theory while performing with the likes of Questlove, Erykah Badu and Dam Funk. In addition to her left field hip hop flavored sets, Sosupersam has become a fashion icon for bridging the gap between street wear and club wear.
Jan 6, 9pm, free entry with RSVP. Le Baron, see event listing.

Jan 6: Spyfi

Praised for mixing deep basslines with strong beats, the producer has been a vital part of China’s underground scene since first emerging in 2009. He caps off a national tour to support his self-released new disc, Let Me Low It. Aivilox and Sayer support.
Jan 6, 10pm-late, RMBTBA. DADA.

Jan 6: Vinai

The Italian duo, who are signed to mega-EDM label Spinnin’ Records, have released collaborations with the likes of DVBBS and have performed at major music festivals like Ultra and Mysteryland.
Jan 6, 10.30pm-late, RMB180. Fusion.

Jan 6: Florian Picasso

Pablo Picasso’s great grandson is making a name for himself in the EDM world thanks to acclaimed collaborations with stars like Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki. DJ Magazine has noticed, with the Cannese based producer and DJ ranking 38th in last year’s Top 100 DJs list.
Jan 6, 10.30pm-late, RMB100. MYST.

Jan 6-7: Paris Opera Ballet

Eleven dancers from one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious dance companies will perform 11 pieces ranging from classical to contemporary that represent typical French ballet. For more, check out our 2016 feature on the Paris Opera Ballet.
Jan 6-7, 7.15pm, RMB80-880. Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

Jan 7: They Will Have To Kill Us First

A week before Vieux Farka Touré’s show, Woozy Community Films screens this award-winning documentary about Mali’s legacy of Saharan blues. After Islamic hardliners took control of northern Mali in 2012, they enforce one of the harshest interpretations of Sharia law and ban all forms of music. The stirring documentary follows the country’s revered musicians’ efforts to preserve Mali’s cultural legacy as they are forced to go in hiding. The film is being screened in China for the first time and is in English with Chinese subtitles. A curated playlist of contemporary pan-African music will be played before and after the movie.
Jan 7, 6pm, free entry. DADA, see event listing.

Jan 7: Alan Walker

Since his single ‘Faded’ went platinum in over 10 different countries, the Norwegian DJ and producer has been a major name to keep an eye out for. With over 700 million YouTube views and official remixes from EDM legend Tiësto, Walker has proven he’s no one-hit wonder, reconnecting with singer Iselin Solheim on last summer’s chart-topping single, ‘Sing Me To Sleep,’ which has been streamed over 17 million times on Spotify.

Jan 7, 10.30pm-late, RMB180-380. MYST.

Until Jan 8: Cookin’ Nanta

The longest-running show in South Korean history mixes comedy with traditional samul nori rhythms. Set in a kitchen where three cooks are furiously attempting to prepare a wedding banquet while dealing with the buffoonery of their bosses’ nephew, Cookin’ Nanta mixes acrobatics, comedy, magic tricks and audience participation to great effect. It has been performed in 18 countries including a 2004 run on Broadway.
Until Jan 8, 7.30pm and 2pm weekend matinees, RMB80-1,080. ET Space, 433 Yanan Dong Lu, by Xizang Lu 延安东路433号, 近西藏路 (5046 2471, 247tickets.cn)

Until Jan 9: IdleBeats: Tale of Two Cities 2

Shanghai screen printing institutions Idle Beats team with Phnom Penh based Sticky Fingers Art Print to showcase works from both cities. Nini Sum debuts her new Statue portrait series and Gregor Koerting continues his Real Big City series.
Until Jan 9. Bldg 2, 65 Songyuan Lu, by Huangjincheng Lu

Jan 10-15: Riverdance

What began as an interval performance for Eurovision has grown into a dance sensation. This celebration of traditional Irish music and dance returns to Shanghai as part of its 20th anniversary tour.
Jan 10-15, 7.15pm (with 2pm show on Sat), RMB80-850. Shanghai Grand Theater.

Jan 11: Hudson Mohawke

The highly-touted Scottish DJ has evolved from glitchy turntablist to trap-hop heavyweight in just a few years. Signed to Warp and Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music production team, Mohawke has laced giants like Ye, Pusha T, Drake and Anohni with beats. In addition to his acclaimed solo albums like 2015’s Lantern, Mohawke is one half of trap giants TNGHT.
Jan 11, 9pm-late, free entry with RSVP). Le Baron, see event listing.

Jan 12: Before the Flood

Green Drinks screens this star-studded documentary directed by Fisher Stevens and produced by Leonard DiCaprio inspired by his work as United Nations Messenger of Peace. The documentary focuses on climate changes and how people can rally together to save the earth.
Jan 12, 6.30pm, RMB70 (RMB50 if registered). Haworth Organic Space, see event listing.

Jan 13: Shanghai Sharks vs Liaoning Jiebao Hunters

First, he won America’s heart as a relentless scoring machine for Bringham Young University. Now Jimmer Fredette has taken his act to China where he’s led the Shanghai Sharks to the top of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) standings. While the Sharks are mainly on the road this month, they’ll face a big challenge against a Liaoning team that features foreign CBA vets (Lester Hudson, Shavlik Randolph) and domestic standouts (Guo Ailun, Han Dejun). Other home games include battles against Jilin (Jan 11) and Fujian (Jan 20). Averaging nearly 40 points a game (a league high), the former Sacramento King has made a strong case to return to the NBA, meaning there’s just a couple more months for Shanghai to revel in the revived Jimmer mania.
Jan 13, 7.35pm, RMB50-300. Yuanshen Stadium.

Jan 13: Alice Sara Ott

The widely lauded German-Japanese pianist returns to Shanghai Oriental Art Center, where she will perform a rare program of Grieg. Recently, Ott made her debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic.
Jan 13, 7.30pm, RMB80-580. Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

Jan 13: Vieux Farka Touré

Often referred to as the 'Hendrix of the Sahara,' the acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist has carried on the tradition of his Grammy Award winning father Ali in terms of peddling the 'phantom blues' while serving as a cultural ambassador for Mali. Vieux makes his Shanghai debut as the latest headliner in the Split Works and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall curated Contemporale series. 
Jan 13, 7.45pm (doors open at 7pm), RMB80-180. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall.

Jan 13: MDC

The seminal punk band formed in Austin, Texas in 1981 and were the standard bearers for the North American hardcore scene along with contemporaries like Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Black Flag and DOA. For their inaugural tour of Chinese mainland, they’re bringing along American punk band The Elected Officials and Shanghai favorites, Round Eye.
Jan 13, 9pm, RMB100-120. Yuyintang, see event listing.

Jan 13: Raz presents Planetarium

The Elevator and Co:Motion staple may be moving to Berlin this month but he’ll be throwing one hell of a farewell bash. The all-night Planetarium set features selections that reflect the passage of a full day from ethereal ambient and dub to twisted disco and soaring synths. Lots of big bookings this month at Elevator with visits from the hip Kontra-Musik label (Jan 7), Murlo (Jan 14), DJ Hyperactive (Jan 20) and Jane Fitz (Jan 21).
Jan 13, 10pm-late, RMB30. Elevator.

Jan 14: Buenos Vista Social Club Tribute Concert

Ry Cooder’s seminal celebration of Afro-Cuban musical heritage is feted in this popular touring tribute show.
Jan 14, 7.30pm, RMB80-580. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, see event listing.

Jan 14: Diplo

From underground tastemaker (M.I.A., Hollertronix) to producer to the stars (Beyoncé, Bieber, Madonna), it’s been an astounding rise for the genre-hopping producer. Acclaimed equally for his electronic dancehall side group (Major Lazer) as he is for his super-duo Jack Ü with Skrillex, the Mad Decent figurehead has managed to achieve new levels of success without sacrificing his music cred.
Jan 14, 10.30pm-late, RMB280-380. MYST.

Jan 15: Metallica

The metal legends are returning to Shanghai for just the second time. They're in fine form with their latest disc, Hardwired... To Self Destruct topping the charts in over 20 countries and marking the group touching on its thrash metal roots.
Jan 15, 8pm, RMB480-1,980. Mercedes-Benz Arena, tickets.

Until Jan 15: Andy Warhol Shadows

The pop art originator has been feted numerous times in Shanghai these past few years, but Yuz Museum is offering a look at a different side of his work. Shadows collects Warhol’s works from 1978-79 when the artist was fascinated with creating silk-screened panels of shadows.
Until Jan 15, 10.30am-5.30pm. Yuz Museum.

Until Jan 15: Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, 1906-1977

This massive exhibition continues its world tour, bringing masterpieces created in France from 1906 to 1977 presented in chronological order. Co-curated by Laurent Le Bon, president of Musée National Picasso in Paris, with Claire Garnier, its deputy director of collections and production, Masterpieces From the Centre Pompidou shows off one piece of artwork each from celebrated masters like Picasso, Matisse, Giacometti and Cartier-Bresson. Children below 1.2m get free entry (limited to one per group).
Until Jan 15, 11am-7pm, RMB80-150. Shanghai Exhibition Center - West Wing 2.

Until Jan 15: Mozart!

This hit musical celebrates the legacy of the Austrian composer. focusing on the child prodigy-turned-adult making the radical change to leave the royal court and find the distinct artistic path that produced enduring pieces like ‘Requiem.’ In that same spirit, this musical adds a modern makeover to the story. So far, it’s been a hit across Europe and will make its Shanghai debut with a 40-show run at Shanghai Culture Square. For more, check out our feature on Mozart!
Until Jan 15, 7.15pm (Tues-Sun) and 2pm (weekends), RMB80-1,080. Shanghai Culture Square.

Jan 15-17: Sidney Schutte Meets Wujie

After October’s vegetarian menu collaboration at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, the two-star Michelin chef will be coming to Shanghai to return the favor. For three nights, Chef Schutte will team with Wujie’s head chefs for an exciting culinary menu where East meets West and tradition meets contemporary. The gastronomic experience isn’t solely for vegetarians, but for all fans of innovative cuisine.
Jan 15-17, 6pm, RMB1,288. Wujie (Bund 22), see event listing.

Jan 20: Osunlade

UNICO Shanghai welcomes back the Yoruba Records founder that’s been dubbed ‘the messiah of ancestral house music.’ After cutting his teeth working with R&B icons like Patti Labelle and Freddie Jackson, Osunlade has crafted a distinct style of Afro-Caribbean-inspired deep dancefloor beats. With 14 albums to his name, Osunlade is a highly sought-after remixer and is praised worldwide for his legendary DJ sets.
Jan 20, 10pm-late, RMB100. UNICO Shanghai, see event listing.

Jan 20: US President Inauguration Day Viewing

It’s actually happening. Donald Trump will officially become the President of the United States with what might be the most unpredictable inauguration speech to date. Need a drink? Bars like The Brew will be screening the proceedings.
Jan 20, 11.30pm, free entry. Kerry Hotel Pudong, see event listing.

Jan 20-21: James Adomian

Kung Fu Komedy welcomes the Comedy Bang! Bang! staple. For years a respected stand-up who has appeared on Last Comic Standing and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Adomian’s star was boosted last year for his much loved impersonation of politician Bernie Sanders. Last year, he toured America as part of the Upright Comedy Brigade organized show, Trump vs Bernie.
Jan 20-21, 9pm (Fri), 8pm and 10pm (Sat), RMB170-200. Kung Fu Komedy Club.

Jan 21: Australia Day Roast

Austcham Shanghai once again takes over Kakadu for this entertainment-packed family day gathering featuring kids’ activities, a pavlova bake-off and live music. Expect a roast of Aussie favorites as well as free flow beer in this lively toast to the land down under.
Jan 21, 11.30am-4pm, RMB420-520 (for adults), RMB200-250 (for kids 6-15 years old), RMB1,000 (for AustCham families). Kakadu.

Jan 21: Ruth’s Record: The Diary of an American in Japanese Occupied Shanghai

Historic Shanghai has organized this illuminating talk by Betty Barr reflecting on her mother, Ruth Hill Barr’s experience as a long-time Shanghai resident that was placed in a Japanese internment camp following the city’s occupation in 1941. Barr will share stories from the book that includes full text of Ruth’s diary from that time written in secret during the camp years.
For venue and time information, reserve at info@historic-shanghai.com.

Jan 21: Magic Piano & The Chopin Shorts

Chopin comes to life in this multimedia concert that pairs short films by award-winning animators that tell the story of Anna, her cousin Chip-Chip and their journey across Europe aboard a magical flying piano. Young Chinese pianist Tong Li will perform live.
Jan 21, 3pm and 7.30pm, RMB80-580. Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

Jan 27: JZ Spring Festival

To kick off the holiday, JZ Club has invited 10 bands of different styles from funk to fusion to rock the house. Participating acts include Macleen Trio, Kuzu, Rendez Vous with Miss Helene, Mixx Company, Il Funkky Shu’s wit Nu Soles, PlaRay, Noukilla (pictured), Latin Quintet, Tinho Pereira & band and an epic bass jam session going off at 3.15am.
Jan 27, 7pm, RMB80. JZ Club.

Jan 28: Spring Festival

The year of the rooster officially kicks off, and more importantly, that means the first major holiday of 2017. This year’s days off are Friday, January 27 to Thursday, February 2 (yay). On the flip side that means Sunday, January 22 and Saturday, February 4 are the official adjusted work days (boo). For more on the Spring Festival from Chinese New Year dinners to recommended getaways, stay tuned to www.thatsmags.com/shanghai.

Jan 30-Feb 3: Ghost: The Musical

Over a million people have seen this hit musical adaptation of the Oscar nominated film that famously starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Boasting impressive effects and stirring songs, this stage version has been nominated for Tony and Olivier Awards. For more, check out our 2015 feature on Ghost: The Musical.
Jan 30-Feb 3, 7.15pm (with 2pm shows from Tues-Thurs), RMB80-980. Shanghai Culture Square.

Feb 1: Laputa - Castle in the Sky

This hugely popular multimedia concert celebrates the partnership between legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki and composer Joe Hisaishi. Live renditions of the score will be paired with scenes from the duo’s animated classics like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke for a wondrous show that will thrill Studio Ghibli fans.
Feb 1, 7.30pm, RMB80-680. Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

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