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Shanghai is on a one-to-one ratio of Barbie parties versus people actually living in this city, so if you go out this weekend, expect to get your face to get scorched off by pink, pink, pink everywhere in the club. We're not going to list all the Barbie parties herein, suffice it to say, if you're reading this and currently wearing an ill-fitting dayglo Ken outfit you got from Taobao — you'll be allllllllright this weekend out there on the town.

Here's everything else...

Clubbing and Live Music

Le Baron 2.0 AKA La Fin, hosts in celebrity basketball superstar James Harden to hang out after the launch of his J-Harden Wines brand in China. The best beard in the game is kicking out his brand of grapes in the new celeb-focused club in Fuxing Park. Sound like your thing? Then you probably already have a table. It's face control at the door for everyone else. Good event because sometime in the future, when you see him on TV you can be like, "Hey I went to that guy's wine launch."  Which is a pretty funny line. 

Ninja hosts Atlanta soundcloud hip hop artist, UnoTheActivist. With his unique dark aesthetics, he's at the forefront of new school hip hop, with collabs Trippie Redd, Thouxanbanfauni, Maxo Kream, Lucki, MDMA, D Savage, Metro Boomin, and Ty Dolla $ign. From SoundCloud to Instagram, with the support of nearly 700 thousand fans, Uno shines in the dark in his Shanghai stop for the first time while on the 11-date "Shyne China Tour". 200rmb at the door or call ahead for table reservations. 

Composer/producer Doon Kanda (Hyperdub) lands at System for a night of beautiful, grotesque future sounds. With credits on Björk, Arca and FKA Twigs releases, the producer brings avant art sensibilities to the forefront, trading in themes of "growth, decay, death, freedom, fantasy, empathy, dream, innocence, subconscious, sexuality, sensuality, pain, suffering, euphoria, the body, movement, and magic." Whoa, my guy.  Joining on the night are some of China's most outre electronic/hip hop artists: Bloodz Boi and Gooooooose. 10pm. 198rmb at the door. 

1asia presents Indonesian dance music producer Munir's Asian tour. At the invitation of Synth Crush, he will appear in Heim this Friday, his first gig after 6 years away from China, and behind the release of his new album "The Soundtrack of Sentiments”. Music ranges from synth-pop, to jazz fusion to house, disco, and even remakes of techno and Oldskool trance. Illsee and Velvet Robot in bedroom bringing cold wave/dark wave/industrial/EBM vibes. Xiaolaba in Living Room brings fire in the ice, salty and sweet, making you tremble and dance involuntarily. Starts 10pm. 120rmb.

One one of their most popular nights, punk rock dive bar Specters goes full-on Britpop. They’re blowing through all the constant Pulp requests all night long. Shake it to the likes of Suede, Menswear, Blur, Pulp, umm… what else. Elastica! Republica! You get the idea. No cover.  Go get your head checked by a jumbo jet. (Whatever that means.) 

Dining and Tastings

Get your weekend started with that cheapness. Popular patio destination Cantina Agave hosts tequila shots for 40rmb and 20% off tequila bottles every Thursday from 5pm to 10:30pm. Buying a whole bottle of tequila for happy hour? What could go wrong... 

"Cab Sauvignon is among the most popular wines. Still, how much do we know about the king of grapes?" Host Maria, a Chilean winemaker, will introduce five different wines from around the globe, talking about the grapes from different terroirs, winemaking techniques to get the best from them, and aging potential. Limited seats; book in advance by scanning the flyer in WeChat. The event runs 7pm to 9pm. 130rmb per person includes snacks and wine. 

Post No Bills hosts a Saturday afternoon, evening, forever block party with a "summer fiesta theme". Special drinks and agave cocktails, hip hop and Latin jams on the stereo, with a special taco and BBQ pop-up menu from Smokin' Hog. No entry fee. Starts at noon. 

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏÍø and Stage

Jazmine Mary is a Neo Folk Artist from Gippsland, Australia, and based in New Zealand. Visceral and haunting, the 2022 winner of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award (for the release "The Licking of a Tangerine"), Jazmine Mary has opened in New Zealand for Kurt Vile, Billy Bragg, Gang Of Youths, and toured the country in support of Reb Fountain. She's fresh off her latest LP, Dog - 'a noir folk dream, with haunting layered vocals, pensive lyrics and themes of grief and hope interwoven throughout. This August, the rising star will hold a special showcase in the lush quarters of Keep It Quiet. 100rmb in advance; 120rmb at the door. 

The Brian Hurley Quintet is playing at the Jazz at Lincoln Center. Made up of Alex Haavik on saxophone, Zack Zeng on piano, and Dmitry Strelianny on drums, the group will be led by Brian Hurley. A jazz bassist and composer, he was dubbed to be “one of the most important bassists in Canada.” Canada: a lot of important bassists, to be sure.

Queen! Men! Myths! Legends! Mixing stadium rock, metal, glam, and Freddie Mercury's operatic vocals, Queen exploded into the rock arenas around the world with the over-the-top performance antics of their lead singer and the intricate rock guitar stylings SIR Brian May. In the wake of the new movie on Freddy’s life (‘Bohemian Rhapsody”), the Pearl's live band presents their biggest hits and anthems, featuring some of Shanghai’s greatest vocal performers. Limited tickets and seating available as it will be live concert so expect to stand up and dance. Pre-sale is 180rmb; and 220rmb at door. 

Community Spirit

This is your last weekend to catch the Savvy.755 pop-up on Huaihai Lu, the semi-permanent brick-and-mortar shop for the design collective from the Savvy Market. Vintage and avant styles in basically every medium, plus a lot of extra, fun, uncategorized stuff to check out. They're aiming to break up the limitations of a "market" by becoming an "experimental ground that fully showcases Savvy's core values: Sustainability, Creativity, and Remake." Okay! Open from noon to 10pm. Good daytime activity to check out some locally based fashion, art, design, and weirdness. 

Budding DJ superstars if you're looking to pick up some DJing tips from a few of Shanghai's established house/techno DJs, hit up Elevator Sunday evening for the workshop. DJs Mau Mau and Benimaru are working with guests on tricks of the trade from 9pm and then hosting an after-party afterward. Round out your weekend picking up some new skills in a welcoming environment.  

ASAS Epic Dodgeball and Water Gun Fight is back on this Saturday. Join the "ultimate summer" experience with them this Sunday.  Each player gets a water gun to shoot around on the field. The "Weapon" Water Guns and Dodgeball. The whole event lasts two hours, starting at 1:30pm. Scan the QR code on the flyer for more information and to sign up. Early bird: 95rmb; Regular: 110rmb.

With the commencement of the Shanghai Book Fair 2023 from August 16 to August 22, a parallel event, the Shanghai International Literary Week, is set to kick off around the same period. This noteworthy occasion will witness the participation of esteemed writers and experts who will offer their insights on literature. Stay updated on their meeting schedules and secure your spot by following the WeChat Public Account "guojiwenxuezhou."

Family Fun

Mountain Cat Club leads a family-friendly hike out to Dayewa. Dayewa is located on the western side of Longwang Mountain. It is a pristine canyon with clear pools scattered throughout. The river hiking trails require some climbing and scrambling, offering a journey filled with excitement. The total distance is about 5 kilometers, and if kids get tired along the way, they can opt for the land route for their return journey. For more information, contact the organizers, Mountain Cat Club, directly. 

Mojo Dojo Casa at Riink is a world adorned with dazzling decorations, awash in delightful shades of pink. Immerse yourself in a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors and let the retro beats transport you to a bygone era. For food and drink, check out the special Piinkie menu -- pink juices and sweet treats. "Let your imagination run wild and free, where your inner child dances and is filled with glee." Food, drink, and skate packages are available. Runs all weekend long. 

Also known as, 'Farting Elephant Plays Tuba' -- hey, it's for kids! -- 'Der Elefantenpups' is a child-friendly audiovisual symphonic concert, blending story and music. Based on a German picture book by Heidi Leenen with music by Christian Klaessen, it follows a friendly animal keeper, his elephant and his zoo friends as they explore the world of musical instruments and genres, like jazz, blues, and more. The book was commissioned by Schott Music as a clever way of introducing children to the characteristics of various instruments both working solo and in concert, with musical accompaniment and sound effects provided by a 19-musician orchestra. Good for children above age 2. Please note that children and adults tickets are the same price.

A 100% interactive musical experience where the audience is the show. Canadian performance troupe "Samajam" performs a show for families, creating musical happenings with the help of their young audiences. After a successful tour last year, they're back in China and sweeping their audience through the culture and music of South America. Lively show leaders on stage will teach the audience basic music theory and lead parents and kids in percussive group performances with instruments provided. Tickets are 180rmb-380rmb. Two shows on Sunday, August 13. 

...And We're Looking Forward to:

"Billy the Kid" is an adventure story; a magical, musical comedy set in a colorful world of cowboys and bandits, cactus trees, and caballeros. Saddle up for a journey back in time, to a land where the bravest heroes are only a whip-crack away. Written by Ben Frost and Richard Hough, the brand new "Billy The Kid: The Musical" is one rootin’ tootin’ – all singin’ an’ all dancin’ – musical comedy with a lovable heart as wide as the Grand Canyon. Watch talented youngsters on stage for a theatrical entertainment experience for all the family. Shows are on August 17 and August 18 at 7:15pm. Tickets, 80rmb-480rmb.