Shanghai’s coolest event makers Kick the Gong Around are set to launch their seventh bumper extravaganza next weekend inspired by the sights, sounds and flavours of summer. KTGA SUMMERFEST! promises to be bigger and better than ever, with more than 70 local vendors offering vintage, bespoke and design-forward products, a huge atrium brimming with food and beverage outlets (we’ve heard the likes of Pie Society, Bumbu, Mr Waffle and BottlesXO will be serving up drinks and grub) and a huge roster of workshops, performances, seminars, and activities that will run throughout the weekend.
Not a big shopper or need a place to entertain the kids? KTGA has planned a huge range of activities ranging from ping pong tables and live artist performances (if you loved FANANA then expect to see artist Ton Mak in action) to henna stations and face painting.
Organised by an achingly cool collective of passionate events specialists, known for their love of the arts, creative initiatives and immersive experiences, KTGA SUMMERFEST! is the latest edition of a history of huge events. With the huge success of last year's Vintage Tribal Fest at the once derelict Datong Mill (now Found 158) and the Christmassy Winter Festival at a half-finished shopping mall in Xintiandi, SUMMERFEST! looks set to be just as spectacular. KTGA will be evoking pure beachside summer vibes – a fitting distraction from drizzly Shanghai – with paddling pools, cocktail and ice cream vendors, a dance floor and DJ, SUMMERFEST! looks set to offer a taste of the tropics within the safe and sound confines of Line 4.
KTGA’s latest festival will be returning to the beautifully austere 1933 Old Millfun – Hongkou district’s weird and wonderful canal-side slaughterhouse that has been fully repurposed and filled with studios, galleries, event spaces and restaurants - taking over the fourth floor of the complex in a chandelier-accented ballroom and colossal circular rotunda with panoramic views of the district's century-old industrial architecture.
This year, KTGA is partnering with Time Out to provide a series of seminars that will be offered on a walk-in basis throughout the weekend. Time Out Talks will be putting community figures centrestage, giving a platform to speakers passionate about fashion, food, health, history and more. Take a sneak peak at the scheduled speakers below:
A professional makeup artist and fashion designer, Catalina
Calin is the mastermind behind Calin Fashion Academy, an organisation that supports those who
dream of entering the world of fashion and beauty. Catalina will share her
passion for encouraging creativity and artistic talent in young people, as well
as this season’s hottest beauty trends with a live makeup demonstration.
Sunday 2 July, 2pm.
The brains and brawn behind Shanghai’s favourite smoothie
concept Lizzy’s All Natural, Elizabeth Schieffelin has been providing delicious
grab-and-go smoothies, juices and nut milks to the city’s health obsessed since
2015. A certified holistic health coach, Schiefflin offers health and wellbeing
training to clients alongside her booming business. Ramp up the positive vibes
by joining her for a guided gratitude meditation and a talk on
mindfulness.
Sunday 2 July, 3pm.
Keep udated with KTGA Summerfest and Time Out Talks here – we'll be adding more information and sneak previews during the lead up the big event.
