May is drawing to a close, so what’s in store for the weeks ahead? Here’s a look at what’s coming up, and what’s been going on in Shanghai lately.

1) Take me to Disneyland…
Plans have been unveiled for two new Metro extensions to serve the future Shanghai Disneyland. Lines 2 and 11 will get several new stations connecting to a Disney terminal at the 100 billion RMB theme-park. Read more here.

…or Beijing

In other travel and transport news, it has been revealed that the new Beijing to Shanghai high-speed rail line slated to open over the summer will charge around 600 RMB each way – about the same as a one-way plane ticket.

2) Lujiazui Gets Connected

The skyscrapers of Pudong are to become a “wireless financial city” before the year is out, according to the Administrative Committee of the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone. Ninety WiFi hotspots will be added by the end of 2011.

3) Goodbye…

….to the lovely Iiit! Café at the Summit clubhouse on Wulumuqi Lu. Kelley Lee is shutting up shop, spelling bad news for the Baker & Spice overspill. The Guangdong Lu branch will stay open though, so fans of Iiit! smoothies, salads and sandwiches will still be able to get their fix.

Also gone but not forgotten is Horizen lounge on the Bund. With barely half a year of operations under their belt, the managers were shafted by their local partners, and have closed their doors while they battle it out through the courts. Who knows, they might win; in which case, there may be a re-opening on the Horizen…

4) Hello…

The folks behind The Apartment have opened up Food Central on Anfu Lu, which is still in soft opening. Downstairs is a deli and shop selling sandwiches and imported goods; upstairs is a restaurant with three food stations serving sushi, noodles and pizza. Cocktails are mixed by George Nemec of Chinatown and Lost Heaven fame.

5) Coming soon…

Tara 57’s management are working on a new venue named Rico Rico at the Cool Docks. It promises to be even better than Chicha, with live Latin music, cocktails and food. The venue is slated to open in mid-June. Riverside Promenade is getting a branch of Beijing’s Tavolo – an upscale Italian restaurant – at the end of May, and Mattia Visconti’s new wine bar on Yanping Lu looks like it’s shaping up for opening next month.

The Eagle Has Landed

Shanghai’s first branch of American Eagle is opening on Saturday May 28th on Nanjing Xi Lu, near GAP, Uniqlo and the nascent H&M, adding even more retail opportunities to this already well-stocked stretch.

6) Pirates
If you want to catch the newest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise before the pirate DVDs come out, head to Shanghai Peace Cinema, Shanghai Stellar Cinema City or
Shanghai Wanda Cineplex Wujiachang to see it in glorious 3-D (see cinema listings here). Arrrr.

7) Free Umbrellas?
If you weathered last year’s plum rains with the help of a free Metro umbrella, you’ll be glad to know that the scheme is returning in 2011. If you were one of the 14,000 people who kept your brolly instead of handing it back (only 600 were actually returned), it’s your fault that the scheme has introduced some rules. Umbrellas won’t be advertised; you have to ask an attendant. You also have to give your phone number so they can chase you if you don’t return it…

8) Upcoming Gigs

Probably the biggest name coming to town in June is the Eels. They’re playing MAO Livehouse on June 7th with support from French cover band Nouvelle Vague. Tickets are 200 RMB presale and 260 on the door.

Classical fans may prefer the Italian chamber orchestra I Musici, performing at the Shanghai Concert Hall on June 4th. Topping the repertoire is a soundtrack suite produced by Ennio Morricone to celebrate the orchestra’s 60th anniversary. The programme also includes Oscar-winning music from Oliver Stone's Platoon, and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.

9) Sumo for Charity

On June 10th, charitable organization BEAN gets together with Shanghaiist to host a special fundraiser for Concordia Welfare and Education. Participants get to don sumo costumes and battle it out next to Suzhou Creek. Check the BEAN website for details.

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Keywords: Shanghai Watchdog June 2011 Shanghai events in June newest news from Shanghai