This winter has to go down in history as Shanghai's longest, but it looks like it's finally coming to an end. It's just about warm enough to sit outside, and the evenings are getting longer. The city is coming to life once again, with plenty of new openings, and some great events to look forward to.

What's On…

The latest big-name DJ to hit town is Afrojack, who will be playing at G Plus on March 31st. Afrojack holds the accolade of Number 7 in DJ Mag's Top 100, and he has worked with the likes of Pitbull, Beyonce and Madonna. His collaboration with David Guetta on Madonna's "Revolver" earned him a Grammy, and his song "Take Over Control" was a huge international hit in 2010. His G Plus gig starts at 22:00, and tickets are 300 RMB in advance or 500 RMB at the door.

For a taste of the outdoors this spring, try the 2012 Urban Forest Flower Exhibition that's being held at Gongqing Forest Park between April 1st and May 13th. It costs just 15 RMB to get in, and includes over 150,000 flowers, and over 15,000 Chinese rose plants. If you've never been to Gongqing, this is a great reason to check it out. It's a sprawling wilderness of pine trees, meadows and lakes that's well worth a look.

Closer to downtown, the Yu Garden is hosting an annual festival celebrating China's folk customs, cookery and arts until April 1st. It's a great opportunity to try the cuisine of China's ethnic minorities and rural regions, from places like Anhui, Tianjin and Zhejiang. It's cheap too, with most dishes costing less than 20 RMB.

Openings…

Three on the Bund is undergoing some major changes, with the transformation of Laris's old restaurant into a new Jean Georges concept. Monsieur Vongerichten is going Italian, with an upscale eatery tentatively titled Cetera. It's slated for opening at the beginning of June. The Space by Three gallery and dining area is turning into a fine dining Mediterranean restaurant helmed by Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco. Colagreco, of Italian and Spanish descent, also has a Michelin-starred restaurant in the south of France.

Over in the former French Concession, The Food Central has finally revealed what's been going on behind the construction boards in the front window. The deli area has been transformed into a wine bar, which promises to come into its own as the weather gets better.

Taikang Terrace is starting to shape up, with the imminent arrival of Mesa founder Steve Baker's Larder. Also opening soon is a Japanese sake and cocktail lounge (serving yakitori too) called Sakesan, from Hong Kong's Café Deco Group.

There's more Japanese activity at Bund 22, as Matsuki Tenya opens Tenya 22 – a sushi bar specialising in omakase. With over forty years of experience under his belt, Tenya is a master of the sushi arts, and will present a menu of chef's choice dishes depending on what sort of fish he's got. His tuna supply is imported from Tokyo's Tsukiji Market, so quality is guaranteed.

Another omakase restaurant, Sushi Naramoto, is opening another branch opposite Surpass Court in a converted villa. While the original restaurant seats just 10, the new one will have room for 30. Naramoto is also opening a second whiskey bar in the basement.

Pudong-based fans of the Camel sports bar on Yueyang won't have so far to go for their fix anymore, as a second branch has just opened at 116 Weifang Xi Lu in Lujiazui.

Coming soon…

The former location of Overseas Dragon on Yanping Lu has been shrouded in construction canvas for the past few months, but the new Village du Chocolat is starting to take shape. With huge glass windows on both floors and a terrace on the top, it definitely looks promising.

The space once occupied by Steam in Xintiandi has also changed hands, with a new branch of Element Fresh opening in the middle of May. Details are sketchy at present, but it won't just be an ordinary Element Fresh.

Closings…

The Lujiazui branch of Enoterra has closed its doors, and the Jing'an Brasa rotisserie has shut down due to a kitchen fire.

Reopenings…

Shanghai's Indian dining scene hasn't been the same since Vedas closed last year, but the popular eatery has reopened in a new location on Changshu Lu beside Xibo. The menu and prices are the same. The only changes are a new business lunch going for 48 – 68 RMB, and the lack of a lounge space. Cantina Agave has recently reopened after renovations, just in time for summer.

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Keywords: Shanghai watchdog performances March 2012 Shanghai New Openings Shanghai new events 2012 Shanghai March 2012 Shanghai