Lots happening in the local scene again this week! We love it! Boys Climbing Ropes play twice, Acid Ponies have a birthday, and we wish farewell to our favorite all-girl joke rockers The Dudettes! Read on for details, or check out our calendar for more! more ›

The news this past week has been overcast with the horrific unfurling of events from the Japanese earthquake. We just got this in our inbox, but one way you can support the Japanese earthquake relief efforts is by turning up at The People's Republic of Comedy improv show tonight. The comedy group is donating 100% of the show's ticket sales to the tsunami and earthquake victims in Japan. more ›

Most of you have no doubt heard about the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch recently. Over a hundred people were killed after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city and the death toll continues to rise daily. In light of the disaster, the New Zealand community in Shanghai and friends are banding together to hold a earthquake appeal ball on Saturday, April 2. more ›

We've been watching closely as the horrible events of Monday's fire unfolded but now you can do something to help. BEAN is hosting a special fundraiser at Kaiba to help the victims of the devastating Jiaozhou Lu fire which led to a tragic 53 deaths, inflicted numerous injuries and displaced hundreds more. All proceeds from the drinks event will go directly to the Shanghai Red Cross Jiaozhou Lu fund. more ›

For the past year, the non-profit and non-governmental organization Hands on Shanghai, with the help of ad agency TBWA and Kodak, has been putting cameras in the hands of children from migrant families and teaching them principles of photography both inside the classroom and out in the field. Several of the photos taken by the kids through this learning program, called "Shutterbugs," will be on display and up for auction this Sunday at Glamour Bar, with the proceeds going towards expanding the program in Shanghai and Chengdu. more ›

Having written about a couple of his campaign events in the past, it should be clear by now that we are unabashed supporters of Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois who is running for president of the United States. It's not that we didn't try to find Shanghai-based groups supporting other candidates; it just appears there aren't any. Now that Obama has sewn up the Democratic party's nomination and can focus on the general election in November, we bring to your attention another conference call fundraiser for our favorite presidential candidate. more ›