What's On in Shanghai: October 2017

That's Shanghai takes a look at the best things to do this month:

Oct 1: Over/Under

Get your Golden Week off to a roaring start with this all-day event at the McKinnon Hotel. Two parties will be happening at once — on on the hotel’s open-air terrace overlooking Jing’an and the other in the warehouse-esque space underneath. Popasuda and China Social Club will DJ, while Eddy Yang sling cocktails and Bearded Bear Catering serves up tacos and BBQ.
Oct 1, 2pm-late. The McKinnon Hotel, see event listing.

Oct 1: Brodinski

S.T.D. brings pioneering French producer Brodinski to Shanghai over this year’s national holiday. He’s worked with Kanye West and Theophilius and is known for meshing techno with bass heavy-house music and minimal. Catch his show at Arkham.
Oct 1, 10pm, RMB120 presale, RMB150 door. Arkham, see event listing.

Oct 1: Medusa Golden Shower

Elevator’s pansexual dance party returns with a cheeky Golden Week theme. Head there for sets of queer house and soulful techno from residents Michael Cignarale, Mau Mau and newcomer Diamond Lil, plus visuals from VJNY.
Oct 1, 10pm. Elevator, see event listing.

Oct 1-3: Diàn Mí Electronic Music Festival

Formerly known as Midi Electronic, this 3-day festival with camping onsite brings together a solid line-up of DJs and electronic rock bands at Taihu Midi Park out in Suzhou, accessible from Shanghai by bus. This year's line-up includes Asian Dub Foundation, 2manyDJs, Nova Heart, SUBS, MHP and lots more.
Oct 1-3, 11am-late, RMB180 presale per day, RMB280 door per day; RMB450 festival pass presale, RMB680 festival pass door. Taihu MIDI Park, see event listing. 

Oct 2: Beer Plus Grand Opening

Much more than your typical bottle shop, Beer Plus is ready to show you why with its grand opening. Boasting a wide variety of beers, spirits, wines and cocktails - including their own beer on tap - there is space available for a quiet drink alone, a get-together with your mates or an easy and efficient shopping experience if you'd prefer enjoying your purchase at home. Beer Plus also has a host of food available from across the globe ranging from steaks to seafood to pizza. Head down to their grand opening and get 50 per cent off all beer bottles.
Oct 2, 8pm. Beer Plus, see event listing.

Oct 2: Dreamshade

The 5-piece German hard rock/metal act brings their emotive songs to Shanghai, as part of this China tour through Painkiller Magazine. Check out their show at Yuyintang.
Oct 2, 8.30pm, RMB120 presale, RMB160 at the door. Yuyintang, see event listing.

Oct 2-6: Sports Camps with Sport for Life

Need something to occupy the little'uns for a couple of hours a day so you can enjoy the national holiday? Why not sign them up for either a football/soccer camp or mixed sports camp hosted by Sport for Life. Run as a platform for kids to experience new sports, learn new skills and make new friends; the camps are available in either full-day or half-day options in both Pudong and Puxi.
Oct 2-6, 9am. Venues vary depending on choice, see event listing.

Until Oct 2: Songs from Above

Danish company Teater Refleksion presents this show aimed at children aged 2-5. Delicate, calming puppetry and object animation come together to offer gentle moments of exploration and discovery for small children in a safe and stimulating environment.
Until Oct 2, times vary, RMB180. Shanghai Children Art Theatre, see event listing. 

Oct 3-5: Shalanaya

Celebrating its fifth year, Shalanaya is a three-day festival dedicated to art, music and sustainability. With workshops, lectures, live bands, fire performances and flow art; this alternative festival is a multicultural celebration that offers something different from your average festival.
Oct 3-5, 11am. Dianshan Lake Resort, 728 Jinshang Road, near Jinze Town 青浦区金泽镇 金商公路728号, 近大观园对面 , see event listing.

Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Tuesday Night Pub Quiz

Hosted by That's Shanghai's very own Ned Kelly, this weekly pub quiz takes you through ten rounds covering everything from current events, history, music, film and more. Starts 8pm.
Oct 3, 8pm, no cover. Camel Sports Bar, see event listing.

Oct 3: Norman Nodge

Making his China debut, Elevator hosts Norman Nodge for the very first time in the Middle Kingdom. Resident DJ at Berghain since 2005, the German has been a regular of the Berlin scene, forging a reputation with his serious brand of techno.
Oct 3, 10.30pm, RMB50 presale RMB80 door. Elevator, see event listing. 

Oct 3: Kamixlo

Known as the "blue-haired bass demon", Kamixlo hits up All in support of his Bloodless Live EP that exemplifies the artist's visceral mix of reggaeton and other Latin beats with a healthy dose of electronic music. In support will be Deep Fried Kitty, Scintii, Illsee and Sleepless.
Oct 3, 11pm. All Club, see event listing.

Oct 4: Knxwledge

Currently based in Los Angeles, up-and-coming producer and artist Knxwledge - who has produced for Kendrick Lamar - curates a unique sound by creating a pastiche of soul, jazz and hip-hop into a style very much his own. Be sure to stop by Arkham for his set this Golden Week.
Oct 4, 10pm. Arkham, see event listing.  

Oct 4-6: Simple Life Festival

This Taiwan import has a reputation for showcasing sunny mainstream pop artists, and this year’s line-up falls under that category in many respects, though the addition of several notable Chinese hip-hop acts keeps things a bit more eclectic. Pop-rock singer-songwriter Pu Shu will headline, alongside nostalgic Wuhan math rockers Chinese Football (pictured), psych-rockers Sound Toy and folk troupe Wild Children. In the hip-hop department, seminal Taiwanese rapper MC Hotdog will perform, while Chengdu up-and-comers Higher Brothers will return to Shanghai off the back of their debut album tour.
Oct 4-6, 12pm, RMB230 per day, RMB680 for festival pass. Expo Park, see event listing. 

Oct 4-8: Olivier Grossetête Showcase

Visual artist Olivier GrossetÍte creates impressive and poetic constructions simply using packaging and tape. His works are participative. Over the course of four days, residents are invited to erect the buildings designed by the artist, creating a new city inside the city. It is an opportunity for them to appropriate these new places, making these ephemeral neighborhoods into living space where they can get together, exchange, and work together on a common task. These cardboard cities can be used to question our perception of the contemporary city and the spaces we occupy, and encourage us to imagine new ways of organizing and living in public space.
Oct 4-8, all day. World Expo Museum, see event listing.

Oct 5: A$AP Nast

Hailing from Harlem in New York, A$AP Nast is perhaps better known as part of hip-hop outfit, A$AP Mob. A critically-accalimed performer in his own right, Nast is known for his rapid-fire rhymes and ability to adapt his flow seamlessly to match the beats of all styles and eras.
Oct 5, 10pm, RMB220 early bird RMB280 presale. Arkham, see event listing. 

Oct 5-7: Innersect Music Festival

Edison Chen presents a three-day festival with a whole host of names in music, fashion and one from BMXing - yeah, you read that right. With surprise headliner, A$AP Rocky and a long list of support acts from Rich Chigga to Busy P to Scott Campbell; this event promises to take your Golden Week celebrations to the next level.
Oct 5-7, 10am, RMB80-800. Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre, 111 Shiboguan Lu, by Changqing Nan Lu Pudong 世博馆路111号, 近长清南路, see event listing.

Oct 5-7: Comic Con

With a venue that’s twice as big as last year, organizers of SHCC 2017 have brought over 80 brands and exhibitors, who will be showcasing their latest products and merchandises. Fans of the Marvel universe will be delighted to know that American actor Brett Dalton (Grant Ward or Hive from Agents of SHIELDS) will be making an appearance on October 6-7 to sign autographs and take photos with the crowd. In addition, more than 20 headlining comic artists from the US, Japan, China and beyond will also be present to greet their fans, including Dexter Soy (of Batman: Arkham Knight Genesis), Yoshiyuki Tomino (of Mobile Suit Gundam), Phil Jimenez (of Wonder Woman), and more. SHCC will be hosting their annual Cosplay Championship on October 6.
Oct 5-7, 10am, RMB80-800. Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (not the same place as Innersect Festival!), see event listing.

Oct 6: Timetable Records

A crew of musicans from around the world including Nosaj Thing, 4thSex, Holodec and Daito Manabe, Timetable Records collectively represents a cross section of music and visual interactive media. Catch them at Arkham this national holiday.
Oct 6, 10pm. Arkham, see event listing.

Oct 7: The All Seeing Hand

The All Seeing Hand continues their tour of China with a much-anticipated stop in Shanghai. The New Zealand band combine throat singing, drumming and turntabling to produce a truly unique sound, making for a transcendent live experience. We sat down with Jonny Marks recently, one third of the innovative music-makers to get the low-down on the band prior to their current tour.
Oct 7, 9pm, RMB60 presale, RMB80 door. Yuyintang, see event listing.

Oct 9-15: Shanghai French Week

Back for its 16th year, this celebration of everything French takes over Yandang Lu as usual. Vendors offering the finest in French fashion, design and food will be on-site. The Alliance Francaise in Shanghai will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary during the week. Check out sketch artists, babyfoot (table football), a dance video game and quirky comic books all week long.
Oct 9-15, 11am-7.30pm (Sun-Thurs) and 11am-8.30pm (Fri-Sat), free entry

Oct 9-16: Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 

Shanghai's biggest tennis event of the year returns to Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, where 99 matches between the worldís best players will go down over the course of 8 days. Head there to see which players will earn the most points toward the ATP World Tour Finals in London, which awards its winner an RMB50 million prize.
Oct 9-16, times vary. Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, see event listing.

Oct 11: House of Co: Motion feat. J. Lindroos

Elevator revives their recurring House of Co:Motion parties with a Wednesday night set by Helsinki-based DJ and promoter J. Lindroos, who runs the Dept. and Retriitti parties in his home city. Diamond Lil and Finascia will spin in support.
Oct 11, 9pm, no cover. Elevator, see event listing.

Oct 12: Roots Reggae Ambassadors

Earl Gateshead, who has been a roots reggae ambassador since 1979 and built his own sound system, comes to Shanghai for a performance thanks to promoters Heavy HK. Joining him will be Dan Wiltshire, who has been spinning deep roots dub vinyl for two decades. Donít miss this reggae and dub night at Dada.
Oct 12, 10pm. Dada, see event listing.

Oct 12: Javiera Mena

Considered one of the most important Chilean pop stars of the last century, Javiera Mena comes to Shanghai for her debut China show at MAO Livehouse. Her music is an exhilarating mix of techno, disco and synth pop, and sheís considered a queer icon thanks to songs like her smash hit 'Otra Era.'
Oct 12, 9pm, RMB80 presale, RMB100 door. MAO Livehouse, see event listing.

Oct 12-21: Oktoberfest

This 10-day celebration of all things beer and German goes down at the new flagship outlet of Paulaner Brauhaus in Raffles City. Expect Paulanerís special home brewed Oktoberfest beer, traditional Bavarian schmankerl, a live band from Munich playing tradional music and lots more. A variety of set menus and all-you-can-drink beer packages are available.
Oct 12-21, 5pm, prices vary. Paulaner Brauhaus (Raffles City), see event listing.

Oct 13: Sapphire Slows

MIIIA's monthly party Room 303 returns with a set by Sapphire Slows, a Tokyo-based DJ, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who is known for her signature eerie, shadowy vocals. Her songs range from slow and brooding and wild and krautrock-influenced. Catch her performance at Elevator with MIIIA in support.
Oct 13, 10pm, RMB60 presale, RMB80 door. Elevator, see event listing.

Oct 13: JZ Festival Opening Party

UNICO hosts the official opening party for JZ Festival with performances by two notable jazz musicians and their bands. Belgian jazz pianist Eric Legnini will play with his quartet, while renowned Italian jazz vocalist Karmina will perform with the backing of her quintet
Oct 13, 10pm, RMB100. Unico Shanghai, see event listing.

Oct 13: Slugabed

Longstanding China electronic music promoters Antidote bring Slugabed back to Shanghai as part of a world tour for his latest album, Inherit the Earth. Expect a difficult-to-classify mix of jazz, hip-hop, forward-thinking pop and post-rock, with a unique sensibility.
Oct 13, 10pm. Dada, see event listing.

Oct 13-21: Bar Rouge Anniversary: Wild West

For their 13th anniversary, which is about a century in Shanghai nightclub years, Bar Rouge is throwing a week's worth of theme parties centered around the concept of the Wild West. Expect cowboys, damsels in distress and other general saloon vibes throughout the week. 
Oct 13-21, 9pm. Bar Rouge, see event listing.

Oct 14: Horse Meat Disco

Newly opened hotel W Shanghai has begun hosting an afternoon party series on their WET Deck (aka the outdoor pool area), the latest of which features celebrated UK DJ duo Horse Meat Disco. They deal in a mix of disco classics, Italo disco, house, Afro, punk, funk and more, and have been dubbed ìthe queer partyî for everyone.  DJ and vocalist Michael Cignarale of Shanghai's queer party Medusa will open. Cover price includes a drink.
Oct 14, 3pm, RMB150. WET Deck at W Hotel Shanghai, see event listing.

Oct 14: Wonky Kong 7 Year Anniversary

Promotion crew Wonky Kong, who have been putting on drum & bass parties around China for the past seven years, celebrate their anniversary with a special 'Trust Me I Was There' set from a UK innovator in drum & bass and jungle, DJ Zinc. Wonky Kong founder Siesta will spin in support, along with Andy S, Tonk and Turner.
Oct 14, 10pm. Dada, see event listing.

Oct 14-15: JZ Festival

One of the Shanghai's oldest and most well-loved music festivals returns for its 13th year. The headliners this year include 80s funk troupe Kool & the Gang, Andy Summers of the Police, and Grammy-winning Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes. Head there for a fun weekend outdoors and a mix of local and international jazz talent.
Oct 14-15, 12pm, RMB260 per day presale, RMB360 per day door. Expo Park, see event listing.

Oct 19: Balaio Invites Randy Brecker

For this unique event at UNICO, China-based jazz band Balaio, a project composed of seasoned musicians who hail from Brazil, invites renowned jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker to perform with them, combining their unique takes on Brazilian-inflected jazz music. Cover charge includes one fruit caipirinha for ladies, and DJ set by DJ Zulu to follow the performance.
Oct 19, 10pm, RMB100. Unico Shanghai, see event listing.

Oct 19: DJ Rolando

Say Yes teams up with Ghost in the Machine, a highly regarded Chinese techno radio show, to bring over techno producer Rolando. Formerly a member of revered underground techno collective Underground Resistance, he's known for turning perceptions of techno on their head with tracks like his classic 1999 hit, 'Jaguar.'
Oct 19, 11pm. ALL Club, see event listing.

Oct 19: Aroop Roy

Producer and DJ Aroop Roy, originally from the UK, heads to Shanghai for a performance at UNICO. He deals in an organic mix of jazz, Afro, Latin and funk music, while also drawing in the deeper sounds of house music and disco. DJ S. Kiv will play a warm-up set.
Oct 19, 10pm, no cover. Unico Shanghai, see event listing.

Oct 20-21: Wellington College Festival of Education

The two-day festival will be filled with presentations and workshop sessions, its four themed strands focusing on Early Years, Wellbeing, the Development between Chinese and British Education, and Exploring Education. The presentations will be delivered by more than 30 international education experts. Come and join other festival-goers, get involved with the workshops and activities and connect with other educationalists, teachers, pupils and parents.
Oct 20-21, 11am. Wellington College International School, see event listing.

[POSTPONED] Oct 21: Supperclub 4th Anniversary

[ED NOTE: Originally scheduled for October 21, this event has been postponed to Nov 11.] Shanghai’s premiere fine dining pop-up event celebrates their fourth anniversary in style with this party at a villa in Sinan Mansions. Organizers are keeping most of the details under wraps, but we know that Pop Secret will be providing the food, and there will be a theme of Surrealism with surprises throughout the night.
Oct 21, 8pm. Sinan Mansions, see event listing.

Oct 21: Throwing Shade

Antidote brings over London producer and vocalist Throwing Shade, who deals in surreal, cosmic pop and R&B. She has several highly-rated EPs, hosts a show on NTS Radio exploring obscure tracks from around the world, and recently was commissioned by the Tate Modern to produce a track for an exhibit.
Oct 21, 10pm. Dada, see event listing.

Oct 22: An On Bast

Beijing's Ran Groove label brings over Polish producer and live performer An On Bast, who playing a live hardware set, moving between the sampler and drum machine in her performances. She participated in Red Bull Music Academy Melbourne Edition in 2006, and is known for her immersive sound.
Oct 22, 10pm. Elevator, see event listing.

Oct 27: Co:Motion Halloween: Extra Terrestrial

For an interstellar night of Halloween debauchery, Shanghai house and techno crew Co:Motion hosts this party featuring several DJs from their roster, including rising star techno producer MIA, Medusa’s queen diva Michael Cignarale, Diamond Lil and Finascia.
Oct 27, 10pm, RMB50. Elevator, see event listing.

Oct 28: Behind the Shadow Drops: Xie Yugang China Tour

Two of post-rock biggest figures, Taka Goto of Japan's MONO and Xie Yugang of China's Wang Wen have launched solo careers (Goto under the name Behind the Shadow Drops). This special tour sees them performing together and showcasing their respective debut albums. A must-see for fans of post-rock.
Oct 28, 9pm, RMB120 presale, RMB150 door. Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, see event listing.

Oct 28: That's Shanghai Halloween Party

Haunting music. Spine-chilling shows. Creepy cocktails from Bacardi. Prizes for the best dressed. It’s that time of year for ghoulish get-ups and we couldn’t be more excited. Once again, That’s Shanghai is hosting a hell of a bash as we take over Cages on October 28. Pre-order tickets are just RMB100, which includes entry to all of the above freaky fun, as well as FIVE devilishly good drinks from Bacardi, or wine and beer if you're that way inclined.
Oct 28, 8pm until hell freezes over, RMB100 pre-sale by emailing marketing@urbanatomy.com, RMB200 door. Cages, see event listing.

Oct 28: Freak Out Rave

Hip-hop and trap promoters SHFT continue their quest for world domination with the third installment of their annual Freak Out rave on Halloween weekend. It goes down in a warehouse in Changning District with a 4,000-person capacity. The theme this year is ‘cyborg horror’ and they’ll go all out with the décor and atmospherics. Higher Brothers, Hydraulix, Y2K, Bailo and more are set to perform.
Oct 28, 7pm, RMB200. 269 Tongxie Lu, Jian Tao Shopping Center, Changning District, Shanghai, China 市长宁区建滔广场空中秀场通协路269号, see event listing.

Oct 31-Nov 5: Pride and Prejudice

For their latest foray into canonic Victorian literature, the UK's Chapterhouse Theatre Company adapts Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's classic romance novel of manners, to the stage and takes it on a China tour.
Oct 31-Nov 5, 7pm (additional show at 2pm on Nov 4), RMB60-380. Shanghai Grand Theatre, see event listing.

For more things to do in Shanghai, check out our Events Section.

Get  more Shanghai event guides sent directly to your phone (along with  restaurant reviews, giveaways and other goodies) by adding  Thats_Shanghai on WeChat, liking us on Facebook or subscribing to our weekly newsletter.

If you have an event, upload it to our site through our User Center. It's free, it's easy and it's the best way to get into one of our Event Guides.