Summer is almost here people! Longer, warmer days mean more fun. And there's lots to look forward to. We made a list of all the coolest events coming up in May, so you can get organized. Check it out:
Theatre
My Fair Lady at Daning Theatre
Address: 4/F, 1222 Pingxingguan Lu, near Lingshi Lu, Zhabei district
When: May 1-3
How Much: From RMB 180
Tickets: 247tickets.cn/tickets/my-fair-lady
Sometimes dubbed as the 'World's Greatest Musical', My Fair Lady hits Shanghai for some very special dates in early May. This charming story follows a clash in cultures during Edwardian England, as a cockney girl struggles to impress a snobbish professor.
Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssy at Children’s Art Theatre
Address: 800 Miaojiang Lu, near Xizhang Nan Lu, Huangpu district
When: May 21-22
How Much: From RMB 180
Tickets: 247tickets.cn/tickets/moon-mouse-space-odyssey
Lightwire Theater presents: Moon Mouse, a cosmic adventure about celebrating differences. It follows the story of a mouse who lets his imagination take him into space, told through "ballet in the dark". One to watch out for!
La Bayadere at Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Address: 425 Dingxiang Lu, near Century Avenue, Pudong New Area
When: May 31
How Much: From RMB 180
The Kharkov National Opera and Ballet Theater is one of the oldest musical theaters in the former USSR and Ukraine. In October 1925, the first State Opera Theatre was founded in Kharkov. The majority of Soviet Opera and Ballet stars performed on Kharkov Opera and Ballet Theatre's stage at one time or another, and many of them started their career there.
Nanta at Shanghai Poly Theatre
Address: 159 Baiyin Lu, near Yumin Nan Lu, Jiading district
Tel: 021 59513377
When: May 25-26
How much: From RMB 180
Tickest: en.damai.cn/event/tickets_97022
Claimed as one of South Korea's best performances, this non-verbal comedy show features the country's traditional samu nori rhythm played using improvised instruments such as kitchen knives and cutting boards, as well as acrobatics, magic tricks, pantomime and audience participation. The story revolves around 3 chefs rushing to finish a wedding banquet while managing the troublesome nephew of their boss.
Cinema
Captain America: Civil War
When: May 6
Captain America and Iron Man are back, but this time they are on opposing teams because of new regulations for superhuman activity. As usual, big things to be expected of the latest Marvel instalment.
The Angry Birds Movie
When: May 20
Angry Birds will finally arrive in China with a battle between favorites Red, Bomb & Chuck and Bad Piggies. Probably quite fun, plus they promise to reveal why the birds are always so angry and what those green pigs are up to.
Exhibitions
Performing Time at Leo Xu Projects
Address: Build. 3, 49 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Yongfu Lu, Xuhui district
Tel: 021 34611245
When: Until Jun 12
This contemporary art gallery on Fuxing Lu is collaborating with London's Pilar Corrias Gallery for a group exhibition featuring artworks from Chris Huen, Li Qing, Elizabeth Neel, Ken Okiishi and others. A promising show about youth and energy, interpretated by various international artists.
Yuhan Solo Exhibition at M Art Center
Address: 1/F, Bldg 2, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Changhua Lu, Putuo district
Tel: 021 62996610
When: Until May 28
An exhibition featuring lively abstract paintings by Su Yuhan from Beijing. Featured in the CIGE "Exhibition of Asian Young Artists" in 2010 and in the Schiller Gallery in Germany, her artworks are claimed to have an interesting blend of personality and emotion.
Dou Rongjun & Tang Shu at Around Space
Address: Suite 703, 33 Sichuan Zhong Lu, near Yan'an Dong Lu, Bund area
Tel: 021 33050100
When: Until Jun 12
Around Space on the Bund hosts a series of artworks by Dou Rongjun and Tang Shu entitled 'A Moment in Time'. Taking inspiration from Thoreau's philosophy about nature and the meaning of life, both artists remind us of nature's value and nostalgia through their paintings of plants.
Earlier Mona Lisa at The House Xintiandi
Address: 380 Huangpi Nan Lu
When: Apr 28 – Aug 28, 11:00-21:00 (closed on Thu)
How much: From RMB 80
Tickets: 247tickets.cn/tickets/earlier-mona-lisa
We've all heard about Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. But did you know that there is another 'Mona Lisa' by Lisa del Giocondo, estimated to have been painted 10 years earlier. This 'Earlier Mona Lisa' will be displayed at The House Xintiandi, accompanied by insight into the technology used to analyze this painting.
Music
Ummet Ozcan at Fusion
Address: 5/F, Build. 6, South Block, 123 Xingye Lu, near Madang Lu, Xintiandi
Tel: 021 53868088
When: May 6
How much: RMB 100 (presale)
Tickets: en.damai.cn/event/tickets_99882
One of Turkey's most prominent DJs will be playing at Fusion on May 6th. A true veteran of techno, trence, house and EDM, he's been working with big name musicians such as Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Sander van Doorn, Calvin Harris and Hardwell. For a preview, check out his music hits: 'Time Wave Zero', 'Arcadia' and 'Shamballa'.
Blasterjaxx at MYST
Address: 1123 Yan'an Zhong Lu, near Fumin Lu, Jing'an district
Tel: 021 64379999
When: May 7
How much: RMB 150 (presale)
Tickets: en.damai.cn/event/tickets_99680
A huge booking for all house music fans at MYST, as they will be welcoming electronic DJ duo Blasterjaxx on May 7th. Positioned at number 19 at DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll last year, they're a specialist in the house genre world – from big room house to electro house and Dutch house.
RATATAT at Mao Livehouse
Address: 3/F, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu , Huangpu district
When: May 14
How Much: From RMB 120
Vice supplying the fun again by bringing in dynamic duo RATATAT for a night of live dance music. The New York act has worked with Interpol, Franz Ferdinand and CSS, amongst many others. Mixing live rock(ish) music with dance, they have been likened to Daft Punk. Support from local nutcase G00000SE.
Damien Rice at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall
Address: 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Baoqing Lu, Xuhui district
Tel: 400 8210522
When: May 22
How much: From RMB 180
Tickets: www.shsymphony.com/item-index-id-316.html
Following his career as a member of the 1990s rock group Juniper, Damien Rice gained several notable prizes as a solo artist such as the Shortlist Music Prize and was placed No.8 in the UK album chart in 2002. His latest album in 2014 featured the first single "I Don't Want To Change You" and has received positive criticsm amongst commentators. We agree, it's a great song.
Jay Chou at Mercedes-Benz Arena
Address: 1200 Expo Avenue, near Gaoke Xi Lu, Pudong New Area
Tel: 400 6103721
When: Jun 1-3
How much: From RMB 580
Tickets: item.damai.cn/95181.html
Titled as the 'New King of Asian Pop' by Time magazine, Taiwanese singer Jay Chou began his career in 2000 and is still reigning as one of Asia's leading pop stars. His latest world tour includes Shanghai and he will be stopping by the city next June for a concert at Mercedes-Benz Arena (yes, this isn't a May event, but we wanted to include it anyway since it's huge). For those of you who have never heard his songs, he was featured in the 'Kung Fu Panda 3' theme song.
Festivals
Strawberry Music Festival at Expo Park
Address: Shibo Da Dao, near Changqing Bei Lu, Pudong New Area
When: Apr 30 – May 2
How much: From RMB 180
Tickets: ticket.zhengzai.tv
This annual indie/pop/elctro dance festival is one of the first music festivals of the season. Headliners include dance heavy weights Disclosure and legends the Prodigy. Go check out some of the big Beijing acts also signed on - they have some pretty decent bands/producers on the bill.
JZ Sping Festival 2016
Address:
Jing'an Park: Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huashan Lu
Jing'an Temple: Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huashan Lu
Reel Mall: 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu
Shanghai Centre Theatre: 4/F, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu
When: Apr 30 – May 2
How much: No cover (outdoor Shows), from RMB 180 (indoor shows)
Tickets: item.damai.cn/97529.html
JZ Spring is a warm up festival to the city's most anticipated jazz event JZ Festival in October. They will host over a hundred international and local jazz musicians performing at Jing'an Park, Jing'an Temple Square, Reel Mall and Shanghai Centre Theatre. Outdoor shows are free . For more information, follow the official WeChat 'jzmusicsh'.
MIDI Taihu Festival at Camp MIDI Taihu
Address: Gelin Park, Taihu Lake, Wujiang province, Suzhou
When: Apr 30 - May 2
How Much: From RMB 150
China's oldest heaviest music festival is back in May, following its cancelation in Shanghai and Beijing last year. They've a pretty good lineup this year, with loads of great Chinese bands playing like Nova Heart, as well international headliners Killswitch Engage.
7th International Beer Festival at Wharf 1846
Address: 601 Waima Lu, near Maojiayuan Lu, Huangpu district
When: May 6-8
How Much: RMB 50
Yessss! It's the 7th international beer festival next to the Huangpu River on the first proper weekend of May. This means: affordable beers, nice food, DJs, fun and a whole load of debauchery. There are over 250 types of beers, represented from over 24 countries, as well as four favourite local restaurants supplying that fully needed drunk food.
MYTH Festival
When: May 14-15
Where: Expo Park, Shibo Da Dao, near Changqing Bei Lu, Pudong New Area
The organisers of Strawberry festival have been pretty busy bringing the party in Shanghai over the season. Just two weeks after shredding the expo park (hopefully), they bring us MYTH as well. International headliners include Diplo and DVBBS. There will be three stages to watch, one of them local. The theme this year is 'The Sixth Element', not quite sure what thatmeans, let's hope it means you.
Top 100 DJ Music Festival
When: May 29
Where: Boda Carpark, 189 Guozhan Lu, Pudong New Area
How much: From RMB 480
Tickets: en.damai.cn/event/tickets_98301
This one is held in the same location as the Shanghai beer festival. Hosted by DJ Mag, their readers have been voting on the top DJs of the past year who will be making up the bill for the one day festival in May. They will also be hosting warm up parties all over China in cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau. This year headline spots have been given to the 'Kings of Tomorrow Land' Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike.
Dragon Burn
When: May 27-29
Where: Lost in the mysterious bamboo hills on Anji
How much: RMB 250
Tickets: 247tickets.cn/tickets/dragon-burn-2016
Yes it does sound a little like burning man and no it's not a free for all nutty festival where all normal societal rules go straight of the window. It's actually a pretty relaxed affair in the beautiful setting of the Anji bamboo forests. This one is all about coming together and having a good time, not just in music but also with workshops, art, craft, performance and community. The music itself will be mostly DJs, don't expect international headliners as no one will be paid. It's all about self-sustainability and pitching in for the general wellbeing.
Sport
Longines Global Champions Tour at Expo Park
Address: Shibo Da Dao, near Changqing Bei Lu, Pudong New Area
When: Apr 29 - May 1
How Much: From RMB 880
The best show jumpers in the world will converge in Shanghai this weekend. This tour is visiting the biggest cities in the world during their annual event. Shanghai will be the fourth leg of the tour, where the riders will battle it out to win an unprecedented amount of prize money.
Open Air Festival
Where: 33 Shaohong Lu, Minhang District
When: Apr 30 - May 29
How much: RMB 68-128
Registration: www.gewara.com/drama/reserver/index.xhtml?dramaid=295405698
The world famous Indoor Ski Dive has finally arrived in Shanghai with a month long festival. The wind tunnel has been brought from the US, along with a team of qualified coaches who will teach classes and give guidance during the dive. There will also be a bunch of free performances over the month, including Sky Skating, Air Ballet, fireworks shows and much more. Definitely book your dive tickets in advance.
Milan Glorie vs Shanghai Legends at Hongkou Football Stadium
Address: 444 Jiangwan Dong Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu, Hongkou district
When: May 7
How Much: From RMB 100
Following hot on the heels of the Juventus Legends a few weeks ago Milan Glorie head Shanghai's way to pit the likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Massimo Ambrosini and Franco Baresi against Shanghai's former best. They may be a bit slower moving but they still have the skills to entertain.
Other
Whose Line Is It Anyway? At Zapata's
Address:
Zapata's: 5 Hengshan Lu, Xuhui district
The Exchange: B1/F, Pudong Shangri La, 33 Fucheng Lu, Pudong New Area
Kerry Hotel: 2/F, 1388 Huamu Lu, Pudong New Area
When: May 26-28
How Much: From RMB 290
Tickets: 247tickets.cn/tickets/whose-line-it-anyways-2016-26th-may-zapatas
Popular British improve TV show comes live to Shanghai, with a special showcase at Zapata's on May 26th, The Exchange on May 27th and Kerry Hotel on May 28th. In the show, the comedians will ask the audience for topic suggestions, then razz out a show for them. Featuring UK comedians: Andy Smart, Stephen Frost, Steven Steen, and Ian Coppinger.
Do you have an event? Send posters, information and images to nightlife@shanghaiwow.com
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