Sensory overload with a packed party scene

There's this great scene in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where big fatty Augustus Gloop, after falling into a river of chocolate, becomes stuck in a tube, only to eventually be shot out the top from the pressure built up by the damning effect of his huge ass.

An odd reference for sure, but I think this may be the best way to describe what happened in Shanghai the first weekend of September. After several months of hiding away on the Bund, Xintiandi and Tongren Lu, I (and many of you too) was suddenly bombarded with bountiful nightlife options, my Facebook events page fully stocked with choices. But with so many parties and so little time, how is it possible to make it to every function, ensuring maximum gratification? Let the marathon commence.

One Friday began with an intimate, yet raucous, punk show at Yuyintang by Nanjing's Shy Tall Mighty, which eventually turned into a midnight pastis at The Hut, featuring dubstep jams from Jay the Head. After a quick dose of reggae from Uprooted Sunshine at LOgO, the evening eventually climaxed in some after-hours hip-hop from The Lab at The Shelter's re-opening. The only thing missing was a trip to Dragon. "Our little damaged and disenchanted scene looks ready for a re-birth now," comments Anitdote founder Michael "Ozone" Ohlsson, "and I expect it's gonna get crazy."

This annual onslaught of parties and shows in September and October, for all its merits, also means that party-goers with multiple interests will be forced into quite the predicament, needing to pencil in their pleasures, bringing on fun while the ride lasts. It also means that promoters need to better communicate with one another and at least attempt to spread out their special events.

With Friday set and fixed with weekly affairs (so I need to stop going to LOgO and The Shelter so much), and Saturday outrageously jam-packed with visiting artists, bands and DJs, Thursday's monthly events really become the key to a balanced party schedule.

In addition to Ohlsson's Antidote on the last Thursday of every month (save September) at C's, parties like the rarer Karma Koma and the Mod Dance Party become "can't miss" events.

So there you have it. The solution is simple–cut down to a four-day work week and just embrace your future liver damage with grace...

Dan Shapiro