How to become a celebrity in Shanghai

Shanghai's a big city with its fair share of stages.

Whether you are a musician, actor, writer or comedian, there are opportunities for every kind of attention-seeking personality to get their fill of Shanghai's spotlight.

1. “Readings” at The Glamour Bar

Who's there: Writers who are interested in receiving feedback on their work, others who are curious about what local writers are scribbling about.

What's there: This regular event for Shanghai's writers cements The Glamour Bar's reputation as the city's literary capital.

Amanda Palin, the former event organizer at M on the Bund, says they usually feature an array of poetry, short stories and essays in a variety of styles on a wide range of subjects.

She describes the atmosphere as “relaxed” and says it is designed to be an opportunity for all sorts of writers to get feedback on their work.

“'Readings' gives people the chance to take their ideas and their texts off the page and into a public space," adds Palin.

"Both fun and useful, it gives people the chance to receive feedback on their work, meet other writers and engaged readers, and have a peaceful but stimulating afternoon in The Glamour Bar's beautiful surrounds.” 

Time: “Readings” is held on the third Saturday of every month from 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.. All readers must send a 150-word proposal or sample to literary-m@m-restaurantgroup.com at least three days before each session.

Address: The Glamour Bar, 6/F, 5 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu 中山东一路5号6楼, 近广东路, +86 21 6350 9988, www.m-theglamourbar.com

2.Beedees' Comedy Open Mike Night

Who's there: Aspiring comedians, as well as anyone who wants to support Shanghai's grassroots comedy scene.

What's there: This comedy-themed open mike event is held in conjunction with the funny folks from Kungfu Komedy, the local stand-up comedy group, and can oscillate wildly between hilarity and disaster. But that's kind of what makes it fun.

According to organizer and long-time Kungfu "komedian," Andy Curtain, the best thing about this event is “the enjoyment of having a good friend crash and burn and then laughing together about it afterward.”

Although the idea of standing up in front of a crowd and “being funny” is a terrifying prospect for many, Curtain says it's an exhilarating ride and anyone wanting to try their hand at stand-up shouldn't feel too intimidated.

“If performing five to 10 minutes of stand-up is not on your bucket list, it should be,” he adds. “Open mikes are relaxed and friendly. The pressure's low and people are there to laugh.”

Time: Beedees' Comedy Open Mike Night is held every other Wednesday night from 8 p.m.-10 p.m.

Address: Beedees, 433 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Bei Lu 大沽路433号, 近成都北路, +86 21 137 6176 4438, andrewscurtain@gmail.com, kungfukomedy.com

3. Not Me's Open Mike Night

Who's there: Musicians, poets, MCs and whoever else has a talent they would like to share.

What's there: This weekly event is reminiscent of a more traditional notion of an open mike night, where people bring their talent along to Not Me, and they provide a stage on which they can display that talent –- whatever it may be.

Past events have featured plenty of musicians as well as a number of poets, a smattering of rap stars and occasional comedians looking to demonstrate their credentials beyond the privacy of their own home.

Even if you aren't keen to take the stage yourself, RMB 20 drinks are on offer for all and you might also catch a great show.

Time: Not Me's Open Mike Night is held every Wednesday from 9 p.m. onwards.

Address: Not Me, 21 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu 东平路21号, 近衡山路, +86 21 6433 0760, www.not-me.com

4.Judy's Open Mic Session

Who's there: Singers who want to strut their stuff outside of their shower.

What's there: The setup of this event is kind of more karaoke-plus than a traditional open mike night.

Singers who want to belt out a number for the crowd -- just let the house band know what you want to sing and they will play it for you.

The combination of an open bar (for RMB 100) and numerous crowd-pleasing numbers makes it far easier than you would think for inhibitions to fade; and even those who wouldn't normally hog the stage get up and get a taste of the limelight.

The performance quality is obviously mixed, but the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, making it a nice option for letting your hair down after work.

Time: Judy's Open Mike Session is held every Tuesday from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

Address: Judy's, 142 Tong Ren Lu, Nanjing Xi Lu ( 铜仁路142号, 近南京西路), +86-137-7424-2649, www.judysco.com.cn

5. Launch your acting career

Who's there: Anyone who has dreamed of making the stage and screen a way of life.

What's there: There are a number of opportunities to get involved in film, television and stage in Shanghai, and according to veteran actor Paul Casaventes -- who has starred TV series as well as a national commercial with Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) -- anyone looking to make a move into acting in China should beware of the industry's many unscrupulous agents.

“There is a demand for foreigners and if you speak Chinese fluently, you will get much more work,” Casaventes says.

“Shanghai is known for extras, this is where they come to get extras. For extra work, the wage can be between RMB 80 and 300 for a 10-hour day, but that day could actually go for 17 hours.”

For those with no acting experience, Casaventes recommends connecting with independent theater companies, where you can get experience and connect with people who may already be in the know about good agents and opportunities.