Modern Sky Folk & Poetry Festival

When: 1.30pm-8pm, April 23-24
Where: 68 Daqiao Lu, Zhouzhuang, Kunshan
What: Organized by Beijing’s famous record label Modern Sky, this is a festival dedicated to folk music and poetry, with a line-up of over 20 Chinese folk singers, bands and poets spread over three stages right inside the small water town.
They say: ‘Poetry and folk music is a kind of cultural mix and match, which is a new way of cultural transmission and will become a new trend.’
We say: We don’t know much about cultural transmission, but folk music in one of the most iconic water towns? Definitely a match made in heaven.
Don’t miss: Zuo Xiao Zu Zhou, Zhou Yunpeng, Lao Lang.
Tickets: 120rmb presale/150rmb on site for one-day pass (ticket hotline 158 0117 5975)
How to get there: Just hop on a train to Kunshan and then take Bus 161 or 130 to Zhouzhuang (approximately one hour). 

Strawberry Suzhou Music Festival

When: 12.30pm-9.30pm, April 30-May 2
Where: Green Country Garden, Qidu Town, Wujiang, Suzhou
What: Launched in Beijing in 2009, Strawberry Music Festival is yet another brainchild of Modern Sky. This is the first time the festival takes place outside the country’s capital. Compared to MIDI, Strawberry is more light-hearted and youthful, with a focus on pop rock, folk and post punk.
They say: “Strawberry Music Festival 2011 – the most springlike, the most rock ’n’ roll, the most romantic, the freshest, the hippest, the sexiest and the most loving.’
We say: Yes, we can use some fresh air by the beautiful Taihu Lake, and feel the springtime, music and love all around us. If MIDI is too heavy for you, go get a bite of the sweet Strawberry.
Don’t miss: Xie Tian Xiao, Re-TROS, Queen Sea Big Shark, Zhou Yupeng, Cui Jian.
Tickets: 60rmb presale/80rmb on site for one-day pass (ticket hotline 400 610 3721).
How to get there: A bus leaves for Wujiang every 40 minutes from 7am to 8pm at Shanghai Long Distance Central Bus Station (North Square Shanghai Railway Station, 1662 Zhongxing Lu). The bus ride is approximately two hours (38rmb). After you arrive at Wujiang Bus Station, hop on another bus to Miaogang, the small town where Green Country Garden is located. This will take another 40 minutes or so (12rmb).

(This event is postponed. See the details here: sh.asia-city.com/events/article/strawberry-suzhou-postponed-indefinitely)

Blossom: Nanjing International Music Festival 2011

When: 2pm-11pm, April 30-May 2
Where: Binjiang Park, Nanjing
What: Staged in a massive park by the Yangtze River, this one-year-old music festival is not as famous as MIDI or Strawberry. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth going. The festival features a wide range of Chinese and international acts, many of whom are highly thought of. Plus the location is amazing.
They say: ‘You can not only feel the passion of music, but also experience the beauty of the riverside.’
We say: Bijiang Park is relatively easy to get to. Go for this one if you hate all the hassles on the road.
Don’t miss: Carsick Cars, Cui Jian, Li Zhi, Pet Conspiracy, Subs, Little Dragon, He Yong
Tickets: 80rmb presale/100rmb on site for one-day pass, 200rmb for presale three-day pass (ticket hotline 400 610 3721).
How to get there: Ride the train to Nanjing, and then take Metro Line 1 to Olympic Stadium Station, which is just a few minutes walk to Binjiang Park. Or just hail a cab.

Shanghai MIDI Festival 2011

When: 1pm-9.30pm, May 6-8
Where: Century Park, Pudong, Shanghai
What: As the oldest and most influential rock music festival in China, MIDI needs no introduction. However, it’s worth mentioning that this is the much anticipated debut of MIDI in Shanghai (the first attempt to host MIDI in Shanghai failed in 2009).
They say: ‘Just like at MIDI Beijing, the audience at MIDI Shanghai will enjoy a two-hour-long, concert-standard performance by Mr. Big.’
We say: First MIDI in Shanghai? We are in even though there are only two stages (Tang Stage for live music, Antidote Stage for DJs).
Don’t miss: Mr. Big, The Top Floor Circus, Miserable Faith, Good 4 Nothing.
Tickets: 150rmb for May 6; 80rmb for May 7 and May 8; 200rmb for three-day pass (ticket hotline 400 610 3721).
How to get there: Take Metro Line 7 and get off at Huamu Lu station.

I’m from Chiu Chow. I moved to Hong Kong when I was 10 to live with my parents and three brothers, who immigrated earlier.

In China I did really well in school. But when I got here things were more difficult because I had never learned English before in my life.

I first realized I was pretty when I was in secondary school. Random guys on the street would try to flirt with me and my classmates began giving me compliments.

In Form 4, I became a part-time model. When I graduated from Form 5, I started working in a boutique full-time, but I realized pretty quickly that there were no prospects there. No matter how well you do there, you will never be able to escape from that tiny store.

I suck at selling other people’s products. Yes, what I’m doing now in a way is selling myself to promote other products. But I’m interested in this, and I’ll spend the time and energy to do it right.

About four years ago, I went full-time. Encouraged by my modeling agency, I started taking part in competitions. It was a great experience and I learned a lot about presenting yourself in front of a big crowd.

I never intended to get this “bikini girl” image. When I went full time, I tried out a few styles, but this is the one people liked. Naturally, people wanted me for that again and again. That’s fine. It’s not like just anyone can be me.

I love myself and my body. If I dislike my body, how am I going to convince other people to like it?

Magazine writers may not like me, but it’s important to remember they don’t represent the whole of Hong Kong.

I’m not very bright. So I still don’t really have a long-term goal in my life. The only thing I can do is strive to improve myself everyday. I do see show business as a life-long career, and I’m determined to succeed in it.

I can’t really change the way people see me. You can only do that very gradually. Once you’re the sexy doll, people will only think of your sex appeal and won’t be interested in the other million things you do.

I’ve been attacked by many people in show business too, not just the media. In this industry, we’re routinely forced to do or say something we might not want to do.

I feel grateful for all the criticism. Without it, I wouldn’t be in the newspapers everyday.

The special “Chrissie Chau pillow” is super huggable and very comfortable and my company is receiving orders for it nonstop.

I never said I liked to be in men’s sexual fantasies, I just said I can’t control what they think. People can like me in whatever ways they want to. Even the most innocent girl in the most proper outfit can become their sex object.

Hong Kong as a city can be open and welcoming. But the individual people in Hong Kong like to say one thing and do another. I believe many people don’t mind what I do, but when they realize people around them are more conservative, they change their opinions to fit in.

I’d never do nudity. There are some sexy stars I look up to, and they don’t have to take all of their clothes off. Angelina Jolie is a good example.

Everyone thinks of me as a sex icon. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the less clothes I wear the sexier I become, or vice versa.

People keep reminding me that there is a price to pay for being successful. It’s inevitable that I’ll lose some of my freedom. But I have to accept that and stay happy.

There was a time when I was shaken and scared by the people around me, and everything they were saying. But then I thought, if this is something I really want, why don’t I just do it instead of regretting it later?

Do whatever you want when you’re still young. You have to stay true to yourself and your faith.
 

Chrisse Chau is playing a DJ set at Richbaby on Friday March 18.

KAIBA

The original Kaiba sits among some great bars and restaurants in the Kangding 528 complex, and serves a huge array of imported beers, many of which are Trappist brews from Belgium.
528 Kangding Lu, near Xikang Lu, 6288 9676
康定路528号， 近西康路

BOXING CAT BREWERY

Now with three branches across town, Kelley Lee’s Boxing Cat Breweries are a go-to when it comes to micro-brewery beer. This branch is the most picturesque thanks to its leafy terrace.
82 Fuxing Lu, near Yongfu Lu, 6431 2091
复兴路82号, 近永福路

THE BREW

The newly opened Kerry Parkside hotel in Pudong has an on-site brewery complete with a three-story brew room and plenty of indoor and outdoor space.
Kerry Parkside, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu, 6169 8888
花木路1388号, 近芳甸路

The BREW at Kerry Parkside hotel

SOUTHERN BARBARIAN

A Yunnanese restaurant might not be synonymous with beer, but Southern Barbarian has a surprisingly prolific stock.
2/F, Ju'Roshine Life Arts Space, 169 Jinxian Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu, 5157 5510
进贤路169号2楼, 近茂名南路

O’MALLEYS

The original expat bar caters to the appetites of the laowai crew with imported beers on tap.
42 Taojiang Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu, 6474 4533
桃江路42号,近乌鲁木齐路

PAULANER BRAUHAUS

Classier than its rivals (and pricier), the Paulaner chain serves up its own brew along with imported selections.
150 Fenyang Lu, near Fuxing Lu, 6474 5700
汾阳路150路, 近复兴路

More bars in Shanghai

BUND BREWERY

Ironically, this place is better known for its gastro snacks than its beer, but its homebrews of wheat lager hit the spot.
11 Hankou Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, 6321 8447
汉口路11号, 近中山东一路

PAPA’S BIERSTUBE

A family favorite thanks to its outdoor space and location in the middle of Hongqiao, Papa’s serves a variety of imported beers.
22-24 Hongmei Entertainment Street, Lane 3338 Hongmei Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu, 6465 8880
虹梅路3338号虹梅休闲街22-24号，近延安西路

BUBBA’S BBQ

Another Hongqiao staple, Bubba’s serves a good selection of beers along with his eponymous barbecue.
2262 Hongqiao Lu, near Jianhe Lu, 6242 2612
虹桥路2262号, 近剑河路

BLUE FROG

With several locations around town, Blue Frog is a beacon on the expat nightlife scene. The Xujiahui branch pairs quality burgers with beer on tap.
131 Tianyaoqiao Lu, near Xingeng Lu, 3368 6117
天钥桥路131号, 近辛耕路

More bars in Shanghai

COTTON’S (ANTING)

Cotton's bar at Anting Lu

The original Cotton’s still draws the crowds thanks to its leafy terrace – perfect for enjoying a cocktail or a coffee on a summer afternoon.

132 Anting Lu, near Jianguo Xi Lu, 6433 7995
安亭路132号, 近建国西路

COTTON’S (XINHUA)

Cotton Ding’s second location has an even bigger terrace, catering to the overspill from the Anting Lu branch.

294 Xinhua Lu, near Dingxi Lu, 6282 6897
新华路294号, 近定西路

SASHA’S

Sasha's restaurant and bar

The former residence of Soong Meiling and Chiang Kai-shek, this gorgeous restaurant and bar has one of Shanghai’s most attractive terraces.

11 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu, 6474 6628
东平路11号, 近衡山路

ABBEY ROAD

This Beatles-themed bar is especially popular in warmer months thanks to its tree-filled outdoor space.

45 Yueyang Lu, near Dongping Lu, 6431 6787
岳阳路45号, 东平路口

BARBAROSSA

One of Shanghai’s best-located venues, Barbarossa’s terraces look out onto a lily pond inside People’s Park, towards the buildings of People’s Square.

People's Park, 231 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Lu, 6318 0220
南京西路231号, 人民公园内 近黄陂南路

COFFEE TREE

Chill out with an iced coffee on this family-friendly terrace inside the Ferguson Lane complex, or head down with your laptop on weekdays for free Wi-fi.

Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, near Tai'an Lu, 6466 0361
武康路376号, 近泰安路

THE APARTMENT

The Apartment restaurant and lounge bar

The 47 Yongfu development is blossoming, and this rooftop bar is one of the highlights.

3/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, 6437 9478
永福路47号3楼, 近复兴西路

KAIBA

Decent beer can be tricky to find in Shanghai, but Kaiba has a great selection of imported brews. Its terrace gives out onto the 538 Kangding complex.

528 Kangding Lu, near Xikang Lu, 6288 9676
康定路528号， 近西康路

SOUTHERN BELLE

If the crowds outside Cantina are getting you down, head up Changle Lu to Southern Belle’s terrace, where the beer is cold and the food is fresh of the barbecue.

433 Changle Lu, near Xiangyang Lu, 5403 3218
长乐路433号, 近襄阳路