That's Suzhou picks the best things to do in the city each month.

Nov 1-5: Evita

Image via promoter

Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s much-beloved 1978 West End musical is coming to Suzhou this November. Evita follows the life of Eva Peron. It’s a story about an Argentine girl who charmed and worked her way up from poverty and eventually married the country’s leader General Juan Peron. Evita was conceived as a sung-through dramatic piece and ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ proved to be the most popular single from a show for many years. However, it was 18 months after the release of the record before Evita arrived on stage. The production was directed by Hal Prince and was an artistic and popular success.  

Nov 1-5, times vary; RMB199-1,180. Suzhou Culture & Arts Center, see event listing. Purchase tickets here.

Nov 6: China Suzhou Information Technology Expo

Image via promoter

Calling all tech people! China Suzhou Information Technology Expo is free to attend and you can register through their website right here. 

Wed Nov 6, free entry. Suzhou International Expo Center, see event listing. 

Nov 15-17: 2019 AT ONE International Festival 

Are you looking to get rejuvenated? Lucky for you, The 2019 AT ONE International Festival is right around the corner. Head on over to Suzhou’s SANGHA Retreat by OCTAVE Institute on November 15-17 to partake in three days of spiritual learning workshops, master classes, markets and more. Last year's inaugural event hosted 90 learning workshops and master classes and attracted 3,000 people, but this year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with over 150 learning workshops and master classes taught by over 60 professional practitioners from all over the world. In addition to getting in touch with your mind, body and spirit, you'll also be able to sample plenty of healthy eats, watch a variety of performances, shop at the craft market and farmers' market and check out unique exhibitions throughout the 3-day festival.

Nov 15-17, SANGHA Retreat by OCTAVE Institute.

Nov 19: Suzhou MathsJam

Poster via promoter

MathsJam is a monthly opportunity for likeminded, self-confessed math enthusiasts to get together in a pub and share stuff they like. Puzzles, games, problems or just anything you think is cool or interesting. They meet on the second-to-last Tuesday of every month, in the evening, simultaneously in pubs and bars around the world! On November 19, there is a local event right here in Suzhou at Locke Pub. 

Tues Nov 19, 7.30pm; Locke Pub, see event listing. 

Daily: Morton's Power Hour

Get ready for the fall with one of the best power hours in town! Available every day from 5-7pm.

Daily, 5pm-7pm; prices from RMB28, Morton's Grille Suzhou, see event listing.

Daily: WOOBAR Afternoon Tea

Head over to WOOBAR every day to enjoy a special afternoon tea! Standard sets are RMB288 net, while sets including cocktails and bubbles are priced at RMB458 net.

Daily, 2pm-4.30pm; prices start from RMB288 net per set, WOOBAR W Suzhou, see event listing.

Mondays: Chris Classic Movie Club

Chris Classic Movie Club and The Butcher's Hook proudly present Movie Monday: The Star Wars Saga. From now through December Butcher's Hook will show nine movies of the Star Wars saga.

Mondays through December 16, 8pm, The Butcher's Hook, see event listing. 

Mondays: Morning Coffee

Join the Expatriate Association of Suzhou every Monday morning for coffee. Enjoy great conversation and learn everything you need to know about Suzhou. It's a great opportunity to socialize and, of course, to get that all-important morning coffee fix. 

Mondays, 10am-midday. See event listing. Visit www.suzhoueas.org for more details.

Mondays: Craft Club

Interested in arts and crafts? Join the Expatriate Association of Suzhou’s Monday Craft Club to get in touch with your creative side as you socialize and make new friends. 

Mondays, 1.30pm-4pm; free entry. See event listing. Visit www.suzhoueas.org for more details.

Tuesdays: Weekly Game of Mahjong

Interested in mahjong? Join the Expatriate Association of Suzhou every Tuesday to learn how to play this classic Chinese game. All skill levels welcome! 

Tuesdays, 1.30pm-4pm; RMB10 per player. See event listing. Visit www.suzhoueas.org for more details.

Tuesdays: The Camel Pub Quiz

Every Tuesday, James Brown, the Hardest Working Man in Show Quizness, challenges with 10 rounds testing a wide variety of subjects ranging from general knowledge, film and current affairs questions. Camel vouchers are up for grabs, plus plenty of shots to keep the atmosphere lively and competitive.

Tuesdays, 8pm-late; free entry. The Camel Pub Quiz, see event listing.

Wednesdays: Ladies Night

Calling all Ladies! Wednesday night is all about you. Head over to Gastro Lounge 1/2 Azucar for fine Italian Prossecco and French artisanal ice cream. But the best part is that you can enjoy 50% off on a range of fancy cocktails. There will also be a DJ on site and beats for you to groove to.  

Wednesdays, 8pm-1am. Gastro Lounge 1/2 Azucar, see event listing

Wednesdays & Saturdays: Sunset Vibe at WOOBAR

Enjoy some chill time with live tunes at Sunset Vibe at WOOBAR (W Suzhou) every Wednesday and Saturday night. There will also be 2-for-1 on select cocktails and red, white and bubbles.  

Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6.30pm-8.30pm WOOBAR. W Suzhou, see event listing

Thursdays: Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic

Looking for a laugh? Well, you're in luck because Suzhou Comedy Club is hosting a weekly Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic event every Thursday from 8-9pm. And it's free so there's no excuse not to go!

Thursdays, 8-9pm; free entry. Zhangmen Craft Brewery, see event listing. 

Thursdays: Acoustic Night

Calling all acoustic music lovers! Head over to Feeling Bar 188 every Thursday evening for a night of 'Purely Acoustic.' Ranging from folk, country, pop, rock to Latin and everything in between. There is music for everyone's taste. Don't miss it!

Thursdays, 9pm-1am. Feeling Bar 188, see event listing.

Fridays: Amigos Tex-Mex BBQ Buffet

Amigos Tex-Mex has a new all-you-can-eat BBQ at RMB148 per person (RMB98 for kids) happening every Friday evening. Expect to dig into some beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked ribs and much more! Plus, there will also be free flow options available. Reservations are recommended. 

Fridays, 6-9pm; RMB148 (RMB98 for kids). Amigos Tex-Mex, see event listing.

Fridays: El Social

Live it up every Friday night at El Toro Loco! Party with El Toro's resident DJ, DJ Nao. From 8-10.30pm, enjoy free flow wines, cava, beer, cocktails and tapas for only RMB248. From 10.30pm-midnight, the party continues (only without the tapas) for RMB158.

Fridays, 8pm-late; prices start from RMB158. Toro Loco W Suzhou, see event listing.

Fridays & Saturdays: DJ Gin at WOOBAR

Say hello to the weekend by jamming to house, nu-disco, deep house, funk, bass, pop and more with WOOBAR's DJ Gin every Friday and Saturday night. 

Fridays and Saturdays, 9pm-1am. WOOBAR W Suzhou. see event listing.

Events worth traveling to Shanghai for:

Until January 5: Bob Dylan's 'Retrospectrum'

Image courtesy of promoter

Bob Dylan is well known as one of the world’s most influential and groundbreaking musicians. But did you know he has a long history as an extremely talented visual artist? The first retrospective exhibition of Bob Dylan’s visual artworks – Retrospectrum – debuted at the Modern Art Museum (MAM) in Shanghai on September 28 and will run through January 5. Spanning five decades of the artist’s career, and seven series of works, Retrospectrum will mark the artist’s most comprehensive art exhibition to date, enabling visitors to experience Dylan’s artwork in a uniquely immersive and interactive environment.

Until January 5, Modern Art Museum. Tickets. 

Nov 2: BUDX Freak Out 2019 

Image courtesy of promoter

That’s right, China’s biggest Halloween warehouse rave is back! The fifth annual Halloween bash welcomes all you ravers, party people and freaks to their Evil Circus. Just like every year, there will be an action packed lineup of DJs and rappers like Herobust, Svdden Death, K?D, ATLiens and Fat Nick. But wait, there’s more. In line with the evil circus theme, there will be all sorts of games, monsters and more to keep the party going into the wee hours. So get your party crew together and bust out your best costumes because this is going to be one hell of a Halloween party. FYI, BUDX Freak Out will be held on Saturday November 2. Not only can you keep the Halloween festivites going all weekend long, but you don’t have to worry about being hungover at work the next day. It’s a win-win!

Sat Nov 2, 7pm-3am; RMB260 (presale until Oct 24), RMB300 (from Oct 25-Nov 2) 壹秀现场 (2/F, Building 2, 569 Shilong Rd, Xuhui). Tickets. 

Nov 5: Hooked's Melbourne Cup Seafood Luncheon

It's time to pick out your hats, ladies, as Tuesday November 5 sees Australia's most prestigious annual thoroughbred horse race, the Melbourne Cup. In honor of the thunder of hooves on turf, Hooked is hosting a Melbourne Cup Seafood Luncheon, with RMB350 securing you a three-course meal, with free-flow Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, wine, beer and gin and tonics. Get a table of six together and you can book for just RMB1,500. The big race will of course be shown on the big screen. Oh, and there will be sweepstakes and prizes for best dressed.

Nov 5, 11am-3pm, RMB350 per person or RMB1,500 for a table of six. Hooked. Buy tickets here. See event listing here.

Nov 7-10: ART021

Art fair season is returning to Shanghai and it's time to get hyped. You can now grab early bird tickets to Art021 at a reduced price of RMB100 until November 8, after which tickets will cost RMB150. Taking place at Shanghai Exhibition Center over the course of four days, from November 7-10, Art021 brings together 110 galleries from 18 countries and 57 cities. Seventy percent of the galleries that will take part in the fair have galleries in China or other regions of Asia, making Art021 a vitally important arena in which galleries reach out to new audiences. Fans of contemporary art can enjoy sections like Detour, Beyond and Approach, with each of these sections allowing something a little bit different. Detour investigates Euro-American geographic networks and narratives. Beyond allows for larger art works by placing them outside of the fair. Approach gives a platform for young, interesting and upcoming galleries.   

Nov 7-10 (Nov 7/8 are invitation only), 11am-6pm; RMB100. Shanghai Exhibition Center. See event listing. Tickets. 

Nov 8-10: SAMAJAM Kids Show 2

China’s most popular musical kids show is headed back to Shanghai. At Samajam: Kids Show 2 (Djembe), everyone in the audience receives a SAMAJAM Music Bag which contains drumsticks, tambourines, a musical tube and an African djembe. Throughout the show, kids and the entire family learn and play with the instruments, as they are led by SAMAJAM performers on stage. 

Nov 8 at 7:30pm, Nov 9-10 at 10.30am & 3.30pm. RMB180-700. ET Space, see event listing. Tickets. 

Nov 15-16: China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair

Calling all bookworms! The seventh China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) is headed back to town. The event will take place in Shanghai from November 15-17. CCBF is not only a leading copyright exchange hub for children’s books (ages 0 to 16 years), but it’s the perfect outlet to inspire school teachers, parents, children, book lovers, collectors, illustrators and translators. This year, more than 60,000 new books from 70 countries and regions will be presented as part of a worldwide celebration of children’s reading. Not only can visitors buy a variety of original books but CCBF will offer 200 activities and events during the three-day event. 

Nov 15-16, 9am-5pm and Nov 17, 9am-4pm; RMB20-75. Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre, see event listing. Tickets. 

Nov 15-16: Der Elefantenpups - Ein Tierischer Geheimplan

Flyer courtesy of promoter

If you're looking for a fun, interactive and kid-friendly event, you're in luck! The music-filled Der Elefantenpups - Ein Tierischer Geheimplan will be held at Shanghai City Theatre on November 15-16. This time around, a new animal joins the zoo: a young female panda named Mei Yue. Being in a new place means she's suffering from homesickness and would do anything to be able to return home to China. The zoo animals work together and hatch a secret plan to cheer up Mei Yue. They make music for her with their instruments. In the end, the panda cub is able to happily settle into her new home with her new friends. Throughout the journey, kids can learn about various musical instruments and their unique timbres through a fun and sweet story. Your little ones are sure to love it! 

Nov 15 at 7.30pm & Nov 16 at 10.30am, ; RMB120-380. Shanghai City Theatre, see event listing. Tickets. 

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

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