Pencil This In: Acoustic open mic, an all universities mixer, and Shanghai Idol

When the summer heat starts making you drowsy this week, we recommend checking out some live music and art shows, networking with university alums, and ending the week with drunken KTV Shanghai Idol and the Not Me opening.

Monday
Unleash your inner sensitive musician tonight at Bee Dees' weekly Acoustic Music Open Stage. If you're a musician, go and perform your latest songs; if you're not, relax to some acoustic sounds as you drink away the last of the Monday blues.

8:30-11:30 PM. Bee Dees, 433 Dagu Lu near Chengdu Bei Lu (大沽路433号近成都北路) No cover

Tuesday
While we don't have any Tuesday-specific recommendations, today might be a good day to broaden your horizons and check out some art galleries. Ranging from photography to murals to ceramics, and in locations all over Shanghai, there's bound to be one close to you that piques your interest.

Thursday
For those looking to network on a Thursday night, the semi-annual Shanghai All Universities Mixer is a chance for alumni from universities abroad to meet and mingle. Participating alumni groups include Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, USC, Yale and others. Cover is 100 rmb and includes two premium drinks and complimentary canapes. RSVP here

6:30-9:00 PM. Brown Sugar, Building 15, Xintiandi North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, Xin Tian Di (太仓路181弄新天地北里15号近黄陂南路)

Friday
Who needs Adam Lambert when you have Shanghai Idol? Head to the Bulldog to watch some of Shanghai's finest break out of their KTV shells, complete with a panel of "crazy personality judges". Think you have what it takes? Contact Jonathan Biber at jonathan@zuloo.co.uk to become a contestant.

Starts 10 PM. Bulldog Shanghai, Wulumuqi Nan Lu at Dongping Lu (乌鲁木齐南路1号近东平路) No cover

Afterward, walk just a couple blocks to the Not Me opening, featuring female DJ Elin Aram and a mix of free flow from 9 to 11.

Doors open 9 PM. Not Me, 21 Dong Ping Rd at Heng Shang Rd (东平路21号近衡山路) No cover