We’re back again for another round-up of the latest news and happenings in Shanghai. From Avril Lavigne to Formula 1, and murder mysteries to a laowai lifesaver, Shanghai Watchdog will bring you up-to-date on all the major new developments.

1) The Arts…

Get your Sk8s on - Avril Lavigne is coming to town. Everyone’s favourite Canadian tween rocker is all grown up, and is playing the Shanghai Grand Stage on May 2nd as part of her Black Star Tour. She’ll be singing old faves like Sk8r Boi, Girlfriend and Complicated, as well as new tracks from her recent album Goodbye Lullaby. Tickets are going for between 180 and 1280 RMB.

Shakespeare with a twist - East West Theater are performing Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead” at the Downstream Garage until the 17th. The play launched Stoppard as one of the most prominent modern playwrights, and tells the story of “Hamlet” from the viewpoint of two minor characters. Payment by donation – you name your price (they suggest 150 RMB).

Call for playwrights– If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Stoppard in the making, now is your chance to shine. Shanghai Repertory Theater have put the call out for submissions to their one act play project. Submit a play no longer than 30 minutes long using five characters to shanghai.repertory.info@gmail.com before April 25th. The best eight will get a read-through, and the best three will be performed in June.

Art Shanghai – See some free art over at Shanghai Mart, where the ninth Art Shanghai show is showing until April 17th. There are over 10,000 works on display including paintings, sculptures and installations. Only the first 10,000 people to show up get in, so arrive early. More info here.

2) Cars…

Grand Prix fever– One of the biggest events in the Formula 1 calendar comes to Shanghai (well, Anting town, about 40km out of downtown ) between April 15th and 17th for the eighth year running. The racetrack is the second most expensive in the world, and the event promises to be as big as ever.

Shanghai Autoshow – Missed the Grand Prix but still want your fix of all things auto? The annual Shanghai Auto Show is on at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Hall (SNIEC) between April 21st and 28th. BMW and Audi will be unveiling new models to the world’s largest automobile market. More info here.

3) City news…

Grim discovery - Body parts were found in the Xinchapu Creek on the weekend of April 10th. A torso was pulled out of the water in Jiading, followed by a left leg further down the creek in Putuo. Police have yet to work out the body parts’ identity, or owners’ cause of death.

Knife death – Bad news continues in the north of town. A girl in her 20s died from knife wounds in a convenience store after staggering out of the Holiday Inn Vista hotel on Changshou Road on the morning of April 13th. The circumstances of her death are as yet unknown.

Laowai hero – Video footage has revealed that a Westerner stopped to help Mrs Gu, the lady who was stabbed by her son at Pudong Airport earlier in April. He tried to stop her wounds from bleeding until medical help arrived. The good Samaritan’s identity remains a mystery. Do you know who he is?

New Vice Mayor – Some cheerful news from the Municipal Government, who have just announced a new Vice Mayor for Shanghai. His name is Jiang Ping, and he will work alongside the city’s other eight Vice Mayors. He’s from Hangzhou, and is 54 years old.

PVG to LAX – Flying to the States just got a whole lot cheaper. American Airlines has announced a new daily direct flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles. It’s a snip at 3,288 RMB for a round-trip. More info here.

King of shops – The biggest outlet mall in China is set to open in 2013 in Chuansha, ten kilometers away from the Disneyland in Pudong. Read more here.

4) Food and drink…

The Yanping 98 saga – What used to be Cantine and Shoka will open in early summer as a vegetarian restaurant called Kush, a manga-themed sushi bar, and a wine bar named DVINO run by the guys who throw the (in)famous Pervert Parties.

Tequila! – Top-notch Mexican restaurant Maya has announced a series of tequila tasting “flights”. Ranging from 100 to 250 RMB, each flight contains three taster shots, each with individual accompaniments. There are seven flights to choose from, and your selection will be brought to your table on a trolley.

The Apartment grows – Love The Apartment but hate the weekend crush? From now on it should be a whole lot less crowded. Management has taken over the spa on the floor below and turned it into an annex.

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Keywords: Shanghai watchdog April news round-up Shanghai Avril Lavigne Shanghai