Coming up

Stage

This tragic tale of two sisters trying to buy an apartment of their own spawned a successful TV series and heated debate recently as playwright Liu Liu dwells on the difficulties and challenges facing city slickers in urban China today.

Jan 7-10, 14-17; 7:30 pm

Shanghai Grand Theater

300 Renmin Avenue

人民大道300號，上海大劇院

Tel: 6372-8702

Tickets: 150-250 yuan

Jackson Harrison Trio

Jackson Harrison is an Australian jazz pianist and composer whose music is often compared to abstract art. JZ Club, which is hosting the trio, describes them as "splashing fiery colors onto backgrounds that are often stark but always stunning". Joining Harrison are Chris Trzcinski on drums and Peter Scherr on bass.

Jan 18, 9:30 pm

JZ Club

46 Fuxing Road W

復興西路46號

Tel: 6431-1075

Free admission

Notre Dame

The dance drama borrows all the music from the French original musical under the same title, and showcases different dances from all over the world - classical ballet, ballroom dance, flamenco, jazz and modern dance. The performers are made up of more than 50 dancers from 10 countries. Esmeralda, the gypsy girl, will be acted by Yana Tikhenko. The play will tour 20 cities in China.

Jan 22-23, 7:15 pm

Shanghai Grand Theater

Tickets: 180-880 yuan

Celtic Legends

This show by River Dance veterans and other Irish musicians is unlike any other. The original River Dance troupe will also perform at Shanghai Grand Theater from Jan 5.

Jan 1-2, 7:15 pm

Shanghai Oriental Art Center

425 Dingxiang Road

丁香路425號，東方藝術中心

Tel: 6854-1234

Tickets: 180-880 yuan

Swan Lake

This classic tale of a princess who is turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer will be staged by the Kremlin Palace Ballet Theater, which was founded by Andrei Peterov, one of Russia's leading stage actors. The troupe essays to uphold popular plays and maintain traditions while experimenting with innovative changes.

Jan 7-9, 7:15 pm

Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Tickets: 100-880 yuan

Swan Lake

The Russian Imperial Ballet is throwing its hat into the ring with another rendition of Tchaikovsky's classic, having previously performed The Nutcracker, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty. Formerly a part of the Moscow Grand Theatre, the troupe was established in 1994.

Jan 1-2, 7:30 pm

Majestic Theater

66 Jiangning Road

江寧路66號，美琪大戲院

Tel: 6217-2426

Tickets: 100-680 yuan

Exhibitions

Things from the Gallery Warehouse 2

Similar to its last show, ShanghART is emptying out its warehouse to reveal large installation works and other art that the public has not become acquainted with. Works form Hu Jieming, Shao Yi and Yang Zhenzhong will be on display including Hu's 1999-2000 Legend, which was exhibited at the San Francisco MoMA 10 years ago.

Until Feb 27 (1 pm-6 pm)

H-Space, ShanghART Gallery

Bldg18, 50 Moganshan Road

莫干山路50號，18號樓，香格納畫廊H空間

Tel: 6359-3923

Sun Jiangtao

Sun Jiangtao, the director of the Chinese Painting Institution in Macao, celebrates the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to Chinese sovereignty with an art exhibition entitled "High Mountains and Long Rivers". Sun, 49, developed his artistic style after studying traditional masters such as Liu Haisu and Fu Baoshi.

Until Jan 3

Shanghai Art Museum

325 Nanjing Road W

南京西路325號，上海美術館

Tel: 6327-2829

Points and Crosses

Nineteen contemporary artists create an independent space and timeline on their respective canvasses to lead visitors on a tour through history and around the world. The exhibition is organized by National Art Magazine.

Until Jan 30

2010 Art Center

800 Shangnan Road

上南路800號，2010藝術中心

Tel: 189-1730-4779

Follow your Heart

Xie Aige's sculptures of women seem to radiate peaceful happiness while others speak reams about the artist's views on life. An exhibition of her works over the past few years is now showing at Tangram Art Center.

Until Dec 30

Tangram Art Center

2F, Building 17, 50 Moganshan Road

莫干山路50號，17號樓2樓，7藝術中心

Tel: 6299-9868

James Bollen

British photographer James Bollen moved to Beijing in 1996 and documented the city's underground punk scene. His latest gallery shows street scenes from Shanghai and London, the two cities between which he divides his time. Bollen is now working on a project related to novelist JG Ballard's childhood in Shanghai.

Opening reception: Dec 27, 3-5 pm

Exhibition: Dec 27-Jan14, 10 am-6 pm

Broadway Mansions

2F, Belle Vue, 20 North Suzhouhe Road

北蘇州路20號，上海大廈2樓

Tel: 130-6162-1246

Events

New Year Countdown

The 2010 Shanghai Xintiandi New Year's Eve Countdown Party will take place on Dec 31 at Taipingqiao Lake. Called "Together We Dance in Bliss", this year's themes are environmental protection and hi-technology. The big-budget celebrations will feature special effects and fireworks, led by Aaron Kwok, JJ Lin and World Expo singer Sky Wu. Spend a combined 600 yuan at any two or more Shanghai Xintiandi or Corporate Avenue shops or restaurants in a single day before Dec 27 to get a free ticket.

Dec 31, 9 pm

Xintiandi, Taicang Road

太倉路新天地

www.xintiandi.com