Art beat ... finger on the pulse

Shanghai

Ukulele orchestra

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a group of all-singing, all-strumming ukulele players, who believe that all genres of music are available for reinterpretation when they are played on the ukulele. Going from Tchaikovsky to Nirvana via Otis Redding and Spaghetti Western soundtracks, the orchestra takes audiences on "a world tour with only hand luggage".

8 pm, Oct 9. Shanghai Symphony Hall - Concert Hall, 1380 Fuxing Zhonglu (Middle Road), Xuhui district. 4008-210-522.

Life of Mei Lanfang

Peking Opera maestro Mei Lanfang's life story is adapted into a theater production. The national award-winning Mei Lanfang is directed by Wu Siyuan, under guidance from Mei's son, Mei Baojiu. It traces the life of Mei Lanfang from 1909 to 1949, when he rose to fame for playing young female roles onstage, fell in love and had a family, and refused to perform for the Japanese invaders during World War II.

7:15 pm, Oct 11-12. Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Dadao (Avenue), Huangpu district. 400-1068-686.

Beijing

Best of musicals

The World of Musicals, a show that pays tribute to some legendary musicals, was produced by London-based Big West End Musical Arts Troupe in 2013. It will soon bring to Chinese audiences songs from the best West End and Broadway musicals, including The Lion King, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. The show has also toured Europe and the United States.

7:30 pm, Sept 30-Oct 4. Oriental Theater, 11 Chaoyang Beidajie, Dongsishitiao subway station. 4006-228-228.

Jazzy autumn

Jazz bands from more than 10 countries will gather at the Beijing Jazz Music Festival organized by the Beijing-based indie music label Tree Music. Some of the jazz musicians include Smak Dialog from Indonesia, Boris Savoldelli from Italy and Deer from Switzerland.

8 pm, Sept 15-28. Post Mountain Space, Building 8, Dangdai Moma, 1 Xianghe-yuan Lu (Road), Dongcheng district. 010-8400-4774.

Guangzhou

Shakespeare here

Shakespeare aficionados should not miss Shakespeare's Globe Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which will be staged in the city on Sept 26 and 27. The play follows four lovers into a forest filled with fairies and magical spells. The Globe's production takes the play back to its Elizabethan roots with authentic costumes and settings, as well as live music.

8 pm, Sept 26-27. Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang West Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe district. 4008-808-922.