Results tagged “themeltingpot”

            

While most of the Hengshan Lu bars spend their time trying to attract customers with Thursday night offerings of "little girls and little boys" (no joke), The Melting Pot has been putting on a weekly show of Inner Mongolian country bluegrass blues players named Tom and Jerry. The musical super duo mix authentic guitar chops with mandolin, fiddle and a pleasing Chinese drawl to warm even the most frigid of nights. With the help of talented local musicians, Tom and Jerry recreate anything from Johnny Cash's "Cocaine Blues" to a convincing southern-style take on Nirvana's "Something in the Way". While the bar could use a price check (we're not there to show how rich we are--or wish to be), the setting is both comfortable and spacious. Come check them out at The Melting Pot on Thursdays, starting at 9:30 PM. Definitely not your average Shanghai (or Kentuckian) Thursday night.

Alcohol companies (especially in Shanghai) are known for their lemming like approach to parties (maybe it is the incestuous nature of their cliques). The latest trend is in throwing expensive "invite only" parties like the Hennessy Artistry series and this weekend’s upcoming Smirnoff party featuring Hard-Fi and DJ Sasha (gag). Just like at the Hennessey party, we loser expats aren't overly welcome (at more than one of these parties we have been told that our extra invite shouldn't be given to a laowai). About the only way in is to be Chinese and register or be part of that trendster socialite clique who relies on being invited to these things to help keep their massive egos inflated. Don't think too much about it though, because this weekend there are plenty of other great shows where everyone is welcome ... and not a bottle of Smirnoff or Hennessy in sight.

Video of Blind Stereo MV

Just when you think that everything is starting to turn rosy for Shanghai's live music scene, something comes along that hits you like a kick in the teeth.

We were at The Melting Pot Monday night to see Brian Seymour play (great set ... but too short!) and a black board at the bar (pictured) made us do a double take as we looked over our pint of Carlsberg. Arm wrestling? Every Saturday? It all just seems ... we don't know ... strange. Are there any other bars in town that organize arm wrestling tournaments? On perhaps the busiest bar night of the week? Gotta give them credit for being creative.

We have been wanting to tell you about this all day, but the technology gods had other ideas (the same is true for all other Shanghaiist contributors, which should explain while the site didn't change much today). Anyway, if you are still in front of your computer and still have no plans tonight, do yourself a favor and head over to Bar 288 (aka The Melting Pot) for what promises to be a great night of discussion and music. American singer/songwriter Brian Seymour (an indie artist if there ever was one) is in town for a one-night "traveling session" -- from 7-9 pm he'll discuss his craft in workshop form and then after 9 he'll perform. Also, performing tonight are Ferris Wheel (摩天轮), one of Shanghai's top young bands.