The Weekender: Our don’t-miss list for Shanghai

Let the Christmas celebrations begin! Eat, drink and be merry all in the name of the holidays and a good cause (or two)

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Expect the usual sparkle-covered costumes to dominate, some with a gothic twist.

The Art of Bellydance
Tribal, traditional style meets Hollywood hot in The Bellydance Superstars, a multi-ethnic group of performers on tour from San Francisco, California. The troupe of unconventional, sensual hip-swingers earned high praise at Lollapalooza in the United States. They have also spread their good vibrations and abdominal gyrations all over Europe, reaching millions of viewers.
December 15-19, Shanghai Theatre Academy, 630 Huashan Lu, near Zhenning Lu 华山路630号近镇宁路,7:30-9:30pm, RMB 120-580, tickets available at +86 21 6276 2695, or online.
more via Bellydance Superstars

BEAN Christmas Party
There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with a bit of selflessness. Surround yourself with young professionals who have been volunteering with BEAN all year long. Join this gathering of like-minded folk as they celebrate at Cotton’s dressed to impress. Dress code for this Christmas party: overdressed. Think it’s too fancy for enjoying drink specials at Cotton’s in? Think again. RSVP requested.
December 18, 294 Xinhua Lu, near Fanyu Lu 新华路294号, 近番禺路, free, 7-11:30pm, beanshanghai@gmail.com
more via BEAN

twocities Christmas Party
Although you might know twocities for their fabulous jazz series and art shows, tonight they’re switching gears offering holiday treats, carol singing and the requisite lucky draw as they celebrate the launch of the NGO Compassion for Migrant Children's (CMC). CMC helps educate Chinese urban migrant children. Proceeds from the lucky draw and 10 per cent of gallery sales benefit CMC.
December 19, 2/F, Bldg 0, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Chang Hua Lu and Aomen Lu 莫干山路50号0号楼2楼, 近澳门路, free, 2-6pm, +86 21 5252 1518, eva@twocitiesgallery.com
more via twocities

Historic Shanghai French Concession Tour
Forget about the cold and enjoy the brisk winter weather with a walk through the French Concession with someone who actually knows what they’re looking at. Historic Shanghai's co-founder Wm Patrick Cranley shares his knowledge about the area before sending you off just in time for brunch. No need to RSVP, but showing up on time is a must.
December 19, meet on the corner of Gao'an Lu and Kangping Lu rain or shine, RMB 100, 10am-noon, SHHA-subscribe@topica.com
more via Historic Shanghai

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A borough-bred Manhattanite, Jessica Beaton has lived in Shanghai for three years working as a magazine editor and freelancer writer. She's now the Shanghai city editor at CNNGo.