Valentine's Day in Shanghai will be upbeat this year with party organizers offering a variety of music styles for young lovers, metal fans and singles, Valentine's Day has become one of the biggest commercial celebrations in China. It is the first big festival after the Chinese Lunar New Year, with most young people yet to really get in the mood for work again. It will be even more enjoyable this year as it falls on Saturday, offering a great excuse to go out and celebrate.
Party organizers in Shanghai are not going to disappoint the city's night animals despite the financial crisis. There are romantic concerts with love songs for couples, fun parties for singles, and exciting local rock music for those cool metal fans.
Famous pop stars including the Malaysian "Queen of Love Songs" Fish Leong, Malaysian singer/songwriter Gary Cao and the Chinese-Korean boy group Super Junior M, are all giving Valentine's Day concerts in Shanghai.
As well as the mainstream and pop sounds, the local jazz pianist Zhang Bo will give a romantic piano recital, "Fall in Love with Me," at the Australian bar 1oz3 on Yueyang Road.
A lecturer at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Zhang started playing piano when he was four years old and continued studying through the middle school attached to the conservatory and then at the conservatory itself.
He formed the band E Groove with four other local musicians in 2002, with E standing for electric and every and Groove reflecting their melodic approach.
Zhang's music is influenced by traditional Chinese folk songs, pop songs from old Shanghai and classical masterpieces. Known for his modern interpretations of jazz standards, Zhang has expanded his repertoire to include other genres including rock, pop and funk.
He played at the bar last Saturday and will be there again on Valentine's Day to bring his romantic melodies to life.
The Vault Bar at Three on the Bund is inviting singles in the city to a "Love Boat" party. The organizer is describing it as an "anti-Valentine's Day party" for singles to celebrate their status and have fun.
The organizer insists that it is not a matchmaking or speed dating event, but they do want partygoers to interact with each other.
Inspired by the 1960s show, the party will have "Cupids" ready to deliver love notes, roses or cocktails. With the 1960s cruise ship theme, the party will feature limbo dancing, hula hoops, blackjack and roulette.