7 days

October 1

Shanghai Grand Theatre

The Royal Ballet of Flanders, the only Belgian classical ballet company, presents the Asian premiere of Impressing the Czar, an award-winning ballet choreographed by William Forsythe, at 7:15 pm on Oct 1.

The three-act ballet features five sections:Potemkin's Signature, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, La Masion de Mezzo Prezzo, Bongo Bongo Nageela and Mr Pnut Goes to the Big Top. Although the ballet doesn't have a continuous narrative theme, it comments ironically and often humorously on the history of Western civilization and its economies of culture.

This is one of the highlight performances of this year's Shanghai International Art Festival. An additional performance is scheduled for Oct 2.

300 Renmin Avenue

October 2

Asia Square

Rita Yahan-farouz, the most celebrated and successful singer in Israel, will perform in the Expo Garden from Oct 2-3 at 7:30 pm.

In 2008 she was voted the No 1 female singer on a special countdown for Israel's 60th anniversary. Twenty-five years after her career began, Rita continues to prove, with crowded theaters and stadiums and multi-platinum albums, that she is by far one of the best female vocalists Israel has to offer.

Her unique voice has gained her worldwide attention. Her first single to hit the airwaves in the United States, Love Has Begun, is making its way up the US music charts. Rita was nominated for the New Music Weekly Award "Top 40 Breakthrough Artist for 2009".

October 3

Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center

This original play Big Brother is showing on Oct 3 at 7:15 pm. The play, starring national-theater-award-winning actor Hao Ping, tells the story of an ordinary Shanghai man's life and his experiences going through drastic social and family changes.

Four siblings fight for money and turn away from each other, but their big brother Niu Peihua, played by Hao Ping, tries to keep the family together. As he grows old, he is disheartened to learn that his son sees him as a loser.

Set during four New Year's Eves in 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009, the play presents Peihua's loss of his first love, his understanding of family and the regaining of his ideals and values.

288 Anfu Road

October 4

LifeHub@Jinqiao

One of contemporary China's most acclaimed alternative musicians, Zuo Xiao Zu Zhou, will perform on Oct 4 at

7:30 pm. This is part of the Music Power Festival.

Zuo Xiao Zu Zhou has been active in the underground music scene in China since the early 1990s. He is now famous for his cynical and sharp lyrics filled with dark humor.

3611 Zhangyang Road

October 5

Water Heavens

Oscar-winning musician Tan Dun has revamped an old building in Shanghai's Zhujiajiao, a water town west of the city, and created a concert program for the new venue. The concert, premiering during the National Day holiday, will bring together a string quartet, the Chinese pipa, singers and percussionists to create a varied musical program.

Japanese architect Kuniaki Takahashi, from the Arata Isozaki Studio, has designed the interior and brought river water into the building to create a unique organic environment for music. Tan Dun also plans to renovate the two neighboring buildings to create ceramic and paper-themed concert halls.

3 Caogangtan, Xijing Street, Zhujiajiao, Qingpu

October 6

Shanghai Museum

Paintings of Chinese cultural relics and antiques from the 7th to the 14th century are featured in a special exhibition. Many of the paintings were contributed by museums in Japan. This exhibit provides a rare opportunity for Chinese audiences to see masterpieces that have been taken abroad over the past century.

The Shanghai Museum is also hosting an exhibition of cultural relics about the Buddhist monk Jianzhen, who traveled to Japan in the 7th century, and played an important role in the introduction of Buddhism in Japan as well as the communications between China and Japan.

201 Renmin Avenue

October 7

Mingyuan Art Center

"Oil paintings featuring Chinese spirits" has become a distinctive art school in contemporary China's art scene. Thirteen artists are featured in an exhibition at Mingyuan until Oct 14.

Traditional Chinese art emphasizes imagism, where specific images are connected with emotional expression and spiritual pursuits. These artists have provided a new idea about contemporary art under the influence of traditional Chinese culture. Some argue that Western painting art is on its way out, but these artists' works give powerful counterevidence, according to Peng Feng, a professor with Beijing University's art school.

1199 Fuxing Road M

(China Daily 10/01/2010)