Happy weekend Shanghai! It's the middle of July, and you know what that means! No? Well it's all nerds and musicals from here on out. This weekend you can catch the Comic Expo over at the China Pavilion, and the first all-Chinese Mamma Mia is premiering tonight! more ›

Yes, it is Friday. It really is Friday and you know what you have to do: You've gotta get down on Friday. But also on Saturday and on Sunday. Here are our highlights for this weekend: more ›

Now that Thanksgiving is over for another year, it’s time to turn to Christmas! Market sellers are now busy peddling decorations and shops are in full Christmas swing with decorations and music. As the festive period grows more intense, expect Yule-tide cheer to dominate most of Shanghai’s events - we even have a smattering of Christmas in this week’s Weekendist. As always, check out our Midweek Music Preview and Calendar for more events and activities. more ›

697 Yongjia Lu, near near Hengshan Lu 永嘉路697号, 近衡山路 more ›

With the Olympics winding down, the underground gigs seem to be finally picking up. We still aren't sure what is going on at Yuyintang, their webpage isn't loading and the message they were sending out on Facebook was vague on when they were planning to re-open. Yesterday we text-messaged them regarding The Gar, who were scheduled to play tonight and YYT confirmed the gig was still on. Shanghaiist plans on showing up tonight, but with all the uncertainty we might be the only ones. Also, tonight at Live Bar they are going back to the blues with Plastic Shell and more. more ›

Tired of standing around awkwardly with your cheap drink at weekday happy hours? Express your inner artist (and your inner alcoholic) at the studio’s Happy Hour Art. Sketch, paint, drink and snack — all for 150 RMB. 796 Julu Lu, Luwan near Fumin Lu 巨鹿路796号 近富民路 more ›

It is not uncommon for many of the Chinese indie bands to have their actual popularity and accomplishments embellished and twisted in order to drum up hype for upcoming shows. One of the few indie bands that actually is and does have the huge local following to justify the hype is Xie Tian Xiao and Cold Blooded Animal. This grunge/acid rock band formed back in 1994 when grunge was still riding out the Nirvana wave. Since then XTX has made a name (we aren't spinning another load of crap) among the indie crowd and teeters on the edge of mainstream fame. Xie Tian Xiao and Cold Blooded Animal will be playing tonight at Live Bar. Tickets are a bit steep at 120rmb (100rmb for advance purchase) but that just goes to show you the amount of local fans, and the price they are willing to pay, that is expected. Other than XTX there isn't much happening tonight, but we heard something is going on out at Yuyintang but we weren't able to get the details (yes, we are lazy). more ›

more ›

Shanghaiist had long heard whispers of grandparents and parents heading to People’s Square at weekends and attempting to match-make their children but, assuming that it was merely half a dozen old people sat around talking, didn’t think it was anything to write home about. We were wrong. Very wrong. more ›