Shanghai City

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Valentine's Day at The House of Roosevelt 2012-02-13 15:06

Nestled in the crux of the Bund's most prestigious and historical area, The House of Roosevelt represents the evolution of present-day Shanghai. The former headquarters of the British trading firm, Jardine Matheson, the building has consistently been at the forefront of Shanghai's financial and cultural boom. In 1843 the Jardines purchased the plot of land at the commencement of foreign trade in the port city. As the trading firm burgeoned, the structure evolved from colonial mansion to its current granite edifice, which was erected in 1920. The final floor of the structure was added during World War II when it was occupied by the Japanese Navy Intelligence. After the building was returned to the trading firm in 1945, it was confiscated from Jardine Matheson in 1949 and remained a government office as the Shanghai Foreign Trade Commission for nearly 50 years.

Through the Roosevelt China Investment Corporation, the American Roosevelt family finally purchased the building in 2008. During the days of Jardine Matheson, the establishment once sold silk, tea and opium; but it is now the largest wine cellar in the city, boasting an impressive 20,000 bottles and 2,500 labels.
The Final Stretch of an Emotional Tour: "Can I Have Some Mohanik?!?" 2012-01-18 11:49

Last Sunday night, 150 rock fans shook off their umbrellas and entered the smoky, dark and cavernous Yuyintang with a look of anticipation in their eyes. Purple and red lighting exposed the porthole windows and the splattered paint along the walls. Framed black and white photographs of musicians and two large colorful paintings resembling a god chicken adorned the venue. The dungy, hip atmosphere of Yuyintang gives one the impression of a basement meets submarine, serving as the perfect setting for the final show in the "Can I have Some Mohanik" 2012 tour.

Shanghai's legendary DJ B.O. arranged the Trash A-Go-Go tour that began on January 12th and that spanned four cities in China. Three acts from Shanghai, 'The Horde', 'The Moon Tyrant' and 'Banana Monkey' opened the stage for Mohanik, a garage rock band hailing from Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. The three opening bands greatly differed in sound and style, creating a diverse, euphonically pleasing show. The beat-folk duo, The Horde consisted of a mandolin and guitar player who serenaded the audience with soothing, whimsical sounds. Moon Tyrant took the stage with a shirtless singer and barefoot bassist. Each of their songs varied in style, ranging from screamo to eerie vocals, consistent in its command over the audience.
New Year's Eve 2012 with the SHEXpats 2012-01-04 16:54

With so many options to celebrate one of the biggest party nights of the year, ShanghaiExpat asked a few of our socially tuned-in members to share their experiences on New Year's Eve. You know, so you can compare notes and figure out if you hit or missed the party of the year. Here is what went down with four expats in Shanghai on NYE 2012.

Masked Pétillante Night 6^th at Belloco with Lasse Gebbers
Sasha’s, Taste a Piece of History 2011-12-30 15:58

One of the cool things about China is that there is valuable history in almost every corner of its vast territory. Even in some of the most ordinary places around this country, you can find a story worth telling. You might find a piece of land where a major battle was fought, where a famous person once stood, or even stumble across the location of mythological legend.

This is especially true in Shanghai, where so many of China's major historical events have taken place. Wars, agreements, revolutions, Yao Ming (yes, seriously)…..so many important things have happened and so much history lies in plain sight, right here in Shanghai. One of these gems happens to be on the corner of Dong Ping Lu and Hengshan Lu, where the former Soong Family Mansion is located.
The Night Before Christmas – Shanghai Style 2011-12-20 15:56

T’was the night before Christmas, and all throughout Shanghai,
Not a creature was stirring, except for a few restless Laowai.
Tattered clothes were hung outside balconies with care,
As they dried and soaked up the smog-infested air.

Little Emperors were nestled all snug in their beds,
All dreaming of cash-filled envelopes colored red.
So I sat down for a cup of Baijiu and a Peking Duck Christmas feast,
Review: ShanghaiExpat 11th Anniversary Party 2011-12-05 16:44

This past Friday, ShanghaiExpat rolled out the red carpet to celebrate its eleventh year. And what a birthday celebration it was.

Fashion and glamour filled Kathleen’s 5 restaurant as expats and Chinese alike gathered to celebrate this landmark occasion, Hollywood style. As guests entered this trendy hotspot they were greeted by beautiful young ladies, whisked down the red carpet, and photographed as they struck a pose. But this was just the beginning.
SHEX Reviews: The Enchanted Circus of Grimm 2011-12-14 14:53

Fairytales have long been used to sooth children as they fall fast asleep in their mother’s arms. The happy endings and pleasantries in these stories are a perfect way to end a long, hard day in the real world. Escape for a moment, as it happens, into a fantasy land that always ends with the phrase, “Happily Ever After.” The story of Little Red Riding Hood, for example, ends when the young, innocent girl defeats the evil Big Bad Wolf. Good triumphing over Evil – a classic ending for fairytales, and it certainly is comforting while in the safe arms of your mother…

But what happens after “Happily Ever After?” What happens to Little Red Riding Hood after she defeats the Big Bad Wolf? What happens to Gretel (of the famous duo, Hansel and Gretel) after she and her brother outsmart a witch that was about to eat them?

Well, apparently they followed several of their fictitious friends and joined The Enchanted Circus of Grimm, story about the collection of once-magical Grimm characters, banded together under the Big Top and all dealing with life after “Happily Ever After.”
Hard Work and a Bowl of Rice 2011-12-12 15:31

A bespectacled 17 year-old hunched over a textbook, thick rimmed steel glasses, dim light on a cramped desk, crunched ball of used tissue on the desk, so focused and with seemingly no time to blow the nose properly, nor throw the used tissue in the wastepaper basket.
Lasse Gebbers Take: “Art Tour on the Bund – The Directors Cut” 2011-12-08 16:10

I woke up this Saturday morning by the sound of my alarm. Since it was ShanghaiExpat’s 11th Anniversary Party the night before, I didn’t feel all to well and slowly crawled out of bed into my freezing cold room, not the best way to start a Saturday. After a warm shower and a good breakfast things looked better and I felt ready for the day. The reason for this unusual habit of waking up early on a Saturday was an invitation I got for the Art Tour on the Bund – The Directors Cut which is part of the “Art on the Bund” program. Coming from a family of artists, I was very interested to see what Shanghai’s art world has to offer.
NFL Experience in Shanghai 2011-11-30 17:31

Oh yeah baby, Football was in China this past weekend at Shanghai Stadium. I’m not talking about futbol, with a lower case f. No. I’m talking about high-impact Middle Linebackers coming at you like a freight train Football. I’m talking about 6-foot 6-inches, 350-pounds, I-can-run-40-yards-faster-than-you-can-drink-your-beer FOOTBALL.