Shanghai's best community groups

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Flashing lights and promises may lure us to Shanghai, but it is the diverse and tight-knit community which keeps us here. This city is rich in grassroots organisations that help balance our lives and keep Shanghai vibrant. From running collectives to 'cultural enthusiasts' to everything in-between, these groups welcome all with open arms, helping people find their tribe in a place often compared to a revolving door. At the close of 2018, we take a moment to look back on how some of our favourite groups have fared and round up the new community groups that made this year something special.

By Sarah Boorboor

This year’s new groups

There’s something for everyone in Shanghai, which is home to a multitude of diverse community groups. New is a constant, but here’s a list of the latest additions that have made an impact from promoting the arts to protecting the environment.

Comedy UN

Gaining traction at the start of 2018, Comedy UN brought a new brand of stand-up to Shanghai offering sets in both English and Chinese. Founded by Storm Xu, a comedian from Yangpu who has been in the business of comedy for six years, the club is unique in catering to a largely Chinese audience. There are shows in Mandarin every night and English showcases on Saturday, as well as a regular open mic on Wednesdays.

Here's what Storm had to say about Comedy UN's first year in business: 'We've been fostering up and coming Chinese and foreign talents and our audience is this fantastic melting pot of people from all over the world. Laughter is a universal thing – it doesn't matter where you're from, at the end of the day everyone wants to have a good laugh.'

Look for shows in English and Chinese, as well as open mic opportunities via the official Comedy UN WeChat account (ID: comedyUN2).

Trash Runners

Trash Running or 'plogging' involves picking up litter while jogging and has become a surprising sports trend in 2018. Shanghai got its own dedicated group when Kate Sogor and Celina Eisenring moved to town and began organising a weekly 6K trash run and semi-regular plogging trips outside of the city. Both Sogor and Eisenring are runners and self-proclaimed 'easy-going environmentalists' who have created a fun way for people to get active, saying, 'Through our activities and challenges we aim to reduce and raise awareness of littering. We also just want to get people moving. Mostly, we empower people by showing we can all make a difference, however small that is.'

To get in on the run, follow the group's official WeChat account (ID: TrashRunning顺手捡跑团).

SUBLAND

Run by SUBTROPICAL ASIA, this space inside a commercial building is unadorned, a blank canvas to be built up by community. SUBLAND opened just a few months ago, but has quickly become a home for live music, film screenings and workshops. The goal is to build community among artists and art consumers in Shanghai by providing not just a space to display work but an open place to spend time and build connections. One of the organisers of the space Ale Amazonia (also of the band Dirty Fingers) says, 'SUBLAND is not only a self-constructed creative ecosystem, but also an unfettered cultural playground. It's a communication space and venue for creative minds, cutting-edge artists and cultural enthusiasts.'

To keep up on events, follow its official WeChat account (ID: Subtropical亚热).

Chopsuey

Chopsuey Magazine is a brand new Spanish-language publication launched through AL Works – an arts and culture organisation that brings contemporary Latin American art and culture to Shanghai through shows and creative events including readings, concerts and film screenings. Chopsuey is produced by AL Works founder Antonieta Landa along with Marcela Mimica, and edited by Salvador Marinaro and Lucila Carzoglio, who had this to say about Chopsuey’s mission: 'We aim to promote reading and writing in Español and show a different side of the East to friends back in the West. The project believes that fair expression, the smell of printed paper and good stories will always find their rightful readers.'

Chopsuey Magazine is available for purchase by contacting the team on their official WeChat account (ID: AL-Works).

Honourable mentions and community updates

While we love to list the new and shiny, here too are the communities that thrived in 2018, making strides and adding colour to our Shanghai existence.

Unravel

This storytelling platform launched in 2017 and continues to bring six personal narratives to the stage around a monthly theme. The structure of the show is the same but this year the community has grown with bigger monthly live shows that have continuously sold out. Rumour has it there will be more content to consume in 2019 with the launch of a podcast and storytelling workshops.

Find out more by following Unravel on WeChat (ID: UnravelShanghai).

Shaving in the Dark

Everyone's favourite comic community gained traction this year with the publication of three new issues: 'Metamorphosis', 'Trip' and 'Mute'. Issue number seven 'Virus' will be released in mid-January and SITD will continue to host regular drink and draws in their new permanent home SUBLAND with zines available for purchase at neocha.com.

Follow SITD on WeChat (ID: ShavingInTheDark) for details on upcoming Drink and Draw events and more projects.

Shanghai Queer Film Festival (SHQFF)

SHQFF runs a series of events every September to celebrate queer cinema and culture. This year the group ran the second edition of their film festival which lasted six days and brought an audience of over 1,200 people. In addition to the festival, they host free workshops, parties and forums.

Keep up to date with SHQFF by following its official WeChat account (ID: 上海酷儿影展SHQFF).

The Shanghai Literary Review (TSLR)

In its second year, indie publication The Shanghai Literary Review launched its third and fourth issues and hosted a collaboration with Beijing’s indie magazine Spittoon, which saw a mash-up of music and poetry. The group are currently taking submissions for 'Issue 5' until January 1, find more information via the official WeChat account (ID: TheShanghaiLiteraryReview).