Somehow, straight out of nowhere, this weekend is shaping up to be yet another strong showing of live music in Shanghai, featuring an eclectic mix of hot, hot live acts from hip hop to punk to folk rock.

On Thursday night, December 2nd, The Shelter turns 3, and in honor of 36 months (give or take a couple due to refurnishing and Olympic and Expo closures), the subterranean Yongfu Lu dungeon is hosting Perez Hilton-approved, Brooklyn-based hip hop group Das Racist for a night of wild, deconstructionist rhymes about junk food and grease. Show starts at 10 pm, cover RMB 50.

Then, on Friday night, December 3rd, Beijing glam punks, and defending Global Battle of the Bands champ, Rustic, are in town at Yuyintang, supported by The Beat Bandits. It has always been The Beat’s official stance that Rustic is all flash, and no smash, a combination of sweet stage moves and leather chaps that equate to all style and no substance, but they seem to convert followers everywhere they go, so fans of WASP, Motley Crue and Faster Pussycat enjoy. Show starts at 10 pm, cover RMB 40.

If you’re broke-ass however, check out Mao Livehouse and their monthly local freebie, with Chaos Mind, Androsace, Friend or Foe and 暴走蜗牛. Show starts at 9pm.

On Saturday, December 4th, it’s back to Yuyintang for acclaimed Swedish electronic producer The Field (Alex Willner), presented by Split Works, supported by LON and Downstate. Hailed by Pitchfork for his pleasure-center hitting abilities The Field, will be traveling to China with a bulked-up live line up to bring the music to a bigger sonic platform. Show starts at 9:30 pm, cover RMB 100.

On Sunday, December 5th, China’s greatest, and only, cross-dressing folk rock group, Second Hand Roses play Mao Livehouse for the first time. It’s been quite a while since 二手玫瑰 have played Shanghai, but every time they show, they dazzle, and Sunday’s gig has promise to be the event of the weekend, so long as they sound check that sucker out. Regardless, expect unique songwriting and arrangements, solid musicianship, and great performance from one of China’s most established bands. Show starts at 9 pm, cover RMB 100 (RMB 80 advance).

Finally, The Beat would like to wish happy trails to beloved comedy actor Leslie Nielsen, who passed away on Monday at the age of 84.

"I am serious. And don't call me Shirley" . . .