Coming up
Stage
Xiao Shenyang
The comedian became well-known across China after a successful 2009 CCTV spring festival gala show performance. Led by his mentor Zhao Benshan, also a famous comedian, Xiao Shenyang and his colleagues will entertain Shanghai audiences with their song-and-dance talk show.
April 26, May 17; 7:30 pm
Shanghai Grand Stage
漕溪北路1111号，上海大舞台
Tel: 6217-2426
Tickets: 180-980 yuan
Design for living
Starring actress and movie director Sylvia Chang and young soap opera idol Joe Cheng, the original play by acclaimed Hong Kong director Edward Lam tells the story of a group of people embroiled in office politics and their struggle for survival.
April 30, May 1-3; 7:15 pm
Shanghai Grand Theatre
300 Renmin Avenue
人民大道300号，上海大剧院
Tel: 6386-8686
Tickets: 100-680 yuan
Shang Yang
Widely regarded as one of the best creations in Shanghai's theatrical scene, the original play by director Chen Xinyi tells the story of Shang Yang, a reformer in the Warring Period over 2,000 years ago. He brought miraculous social changes to the kingdom of Qin, yet ended up being executed.
April 27-28, 7:15 pm
Shanghai Oriental Art Center-Opera Hall
425 Dingxiang Road
丁香路425号，东方艺术中心
Tel: 5169-1234
Tickets: 60-420 yuan
Mantovani Orchestra
Venice-born Annunzio Paolo Mantovani (1905-1980) is not known for his arrangements of popular tunes and original compositions, but for the unique sonic character of his orchestra, a sound often associated with the strains of cascading strings. Mantovani is remembered as one of the best light orchestral music creators and conductors of his time.
May 2-3, 7:30 pm
Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Concert Hall
Tickets: 180-880 yuan
Six cellos
Six cellists from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra present a concert. Established in 2002, the unique group is known for producing the most beautiful bass music arrangements.
May 8, 7:30 pm
Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Concert Hall
Tickets: 100-680 yuan (50 yuan for student tickets)
Exhibitions
Old photos
Retired US Navy soldier Roger Moore, now 84, previously served a tour in China from 1944 to 1945, where he took many photos of Shanghai and the lives of ordinary people. Today, his presented collection of photos are said to reflect the integrity and persistent faith of a nation during the tragic war years.
Until May 17, 10 am-6 pm (Monday to Saturday)
The Pottery Workshop
2/F, 220 Taikang Road
泰康路220号2楼，陶艺坊
Tel: 6445-0902
Nostalgia for the future
Exhibited photos by Juan I-Jong remind us that such nostalgia not only leads to recollections of the past, but also buoys confidence for the future. The show is said to express a deep love for his homeland in Taiwan, China, an appreciation needed in order to be able to treat strangers as compatriots - and the world as one's hometown.
Until May 19
Epsite Photo Gallery
106, Building No.7, 50 Moganshan Road
莫干山路50号，7号楼106，爱普生影艺坊
Tel: 6266-9191
Open End
The simplicity and free spirit shown in Tan Chengyan's painting and drawings is the result of courage and confidence. Such qualities have become valuable in contrast to the frail and superficial works often presented by more modern artists. In search of an entrance or exit between the state of consciousness and sub-consciousness, the artist's uncertainty in this process has become her freedom.
Until May 15
Opening: 3 pm (April 19)
Stir Gallery
2F, 1 Maoming Road S. (at the corner of Yan'an Road)
搞艺术画廊, 茂名南路1号二楼
Tel: 2635-9535
Ghosting
Li Qing presents his solo exhibition of paintings, photos, installations and video projects. The 28-year-old first made his mark with a series of paintings in a collection titled Finding Differences at the Second Triennale of Chinese Arts at the Nanjing Museum in 2005. Later, he took his creative ideas further by sticking two paintings together before they were dry - and later pulled them apart, producing new images.
Until May 3
Duolun Museum of Modern Art
27 Duolun Road
多伦路27号，多伦美术馆
Tel: 5671-9068
Slope
Young artists in Sichuan province have shown distinctive styles and ideas in the contemporary Chinese art scene. Many have turned away from historical subjects and depictions of harsh realities, instead looking at art and their own lives from a more personal point of view. Co-hosted by Art Museum 800 and the Blue Roof Museum in Chengdu, the collection features 16 artists from the region.
Until April 28
Art Museum 800
Rm 117, East Wing, 800 Guoshun Road E.
国顺东路800号，东楼117，上海800美术馆
Tel: 6148-3428
Feng Dakang
The Homeland paintings by Feng Dakang are melancholic and thematically poetic. As the artist is obsessed with architecture in decay and destruction, his subjects include buildings in a state of ruin or demolition. Yet, these twisted and damaged structures are wonderfully delicate.
Until April 30, 10 am-6:30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Art Scene Warehouse
2/F, Building No 4, 50 Moganshan Road
莫干山路50号，4号楼2楼，艺术景仓库
Tel: 6277-4940
Events
Liu Linghua
Guests staying at Hilton Hotel Shanghai can enjoy the best of China's traditions without stepping foot outside the hotel. A collection of oil paintings showcasing classical Chinese dramatic themes by Liu Linghua will hang in the hotel lobby for the next couple of years. The most acclaimed piece is Drunken Beauty, featuring a Peking opera scene.
Hilton Hotel Shanghai
250 Huashan Road
华山路250号
Tel: 6248-0000
Peony festival
Within an hour's drive from Shanghai, the 2009 Jiangnan Peony Festival in Taicang, Jiangsu province, offers a great spot for peony blossom viewing. The Yuanhuayuan Garden in Liuhe town of Taicang city boasts over 40,000 peonies and about 360 different types of the flower. There's also a root sculpture exhibition on display and a restaurant featuring fresh seafood from the river.
Until May 3
2009 Jiangnan Peony Festival
Yuanhuayuan Garden
Taicang, Jiangsu province
江苏省太仓浏河镇园花园
Silent love auction
Banyan Tree Spa is encouraging people to remember those affected by last year's Sichuan earthquake through another silent auction in China, which will again reach out to victims of the quake. Proceeds will contribute to the ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in the southwestern Chinese province. Selected spa and accommodation packages for their Shanghai and Lijiang locations will be up for bids.
For more information, or to participate in Auction with Love, please visit www.banyantreespa.com/auction or contact Banyan Tree Spa Shanghai at spaops-shanghai@banyantree.com or call 6335-1888 ext.7272.
(China Daily 04/24/2009 page13)
