1 . The Ark

Shanghai International Dance Center Theater will present “The Ark” this weekend, a two-dance performance by Chinese and foreign female choreographers (编舞者).

“Build Beauty” by Chinese choreographer Gong Xingxing and “Last Man Standing” by German choreographer Sita Ostheimer, comprise “The Ark”. Artists from Xiexin Dance Theater will perform both works.

Time: December 23, 7:30 pm

Admission:180 — 580 yuan

Venue: Shanghai International Dance Center Theater

Belt and Road Initiative

The exhibition narrates the history of the ancient Silk Road and Shanghai’s modern development. It features over 250 documents, artifacts, photos and videos. About 80 percent of the exhibits are on display in Shanghai for the first time. Highlighted items include a tiny replica (模型) of the treasure ship of Zheng He and some historical documents.

Time: Through late April, 2024

Admission: Free

Venue: Shanghai Archives

Live in Love!

The Shanghai Rainbow Chamber Singers will lead audiences to welcome the New Year with a concert “Live in Love!”

Starting at 10:00 pm on Sunday, the concert features RCS’s original compositions covering the themes of love, memory, and farewells. The concert will end with the title song “Live in Love!” Audiences will be invited to stand up and set their emotions free together with the singers to welcome the New Year.

Time: December 31, 10:00 pm

Admission:180 — 1,080 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Inside No. 9

The popular British TV series “Inside No. 9” has been adapted into an immersive (沉浸式的) live theater performance. Three “Inside No. 9” stories will be performed live for the audience. The specially designed seats and stages will provide audiences with a one-of-a-kind immersive theater experience.

Time: Through February 29, 2:50 pm/7:30 pm/8:20 pm

Admission:489 —   589 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater

3 . Make life as easy as possible with devices and gear designed to simplify your travels — whether that means charging on the go, neat organizers or lightweight storage for no-trouble quick trips.

LARQ Bottle Filter (过滤器)

This innovative drinking bottle with a low-pressure sucker is designed to filter water on the go, wiping out pollutants such as chlorine (氯) for a refreshing taste. The filter will work on up to 151 litres of water before needing to be replaced — the equivalent (等同) of around 300 single-use plastic bottles. Available in 500ml (£58) and 740ml (£68) sizes.

Stubble & Co Adventure Bag

This 42-litre backpack has an easy-access clamshell (翻盖) design that opens to reveal zipped parts of various sizes, including a waterproof pocket for shoes. It also features a laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket and hidden parts for valuables. Available in black, olive, blue and orange. £195.

Shokz OpenFit

Shokz’s lightweight earphones sit on top of the ear canal, meaning they’re comfortable enough to wear for long periods. The 28-hour battery life ensures you won’t need to charge them on an overnight trip, though it’s easy enough to do so by plugging in the small, accompanying case. The Shokz App allows you to customize the controls, too. £179.

July Carry On Pro

For those who prefer not to carry luggage on their backs, this smart roller is the perfect overnighter. It has two separate internal parts, a waterproof polycarbonate (聚碳酸酯) hard shell and a zipped front part in which to store a laptop. The integrated, removable power bank allows travelers to charge devices on the go. £275.

4 . Emma Stone was seven years old when she experienced her first panic attack: She was just sitting at a friend’s house, and all of a sudden the house was on fire. Stone remembers her chest started to tighten. She phoned her mother, who didn’t understand what was happening, but came to pick her up anyway. Stone says her fear eventually disappeared that day, but the anxiety still existed.

Stone had massive separation anxiety from her mother. That was a large part, she thinks, of what was setting off her anxiety. But going to school meant that she would have to be away from her mother for hours in the day. “I started to receive treatment around age eight, because it was getting really hard for me to leave the house to go to school,” she says.

Despite her anxiety—or maybe because of it—Stone began acting when she was 11; by age 15, she had convinced her parents to move from Arizona to Los Angeles so she could go on auditions (试镜). Stone found that acting was a way to remain in the present moment, without worrying about the past or the future. Plus, she adds, “As an actor, all of my big feelings are productive.”

Stone won the Academy Award in 2017 for her performance in the movie musical La La Land, and was nominated (提名) for Oscars for her performances in Birdman and The Favourite. She has been nominated again this year for her starring role in Poor Things.

In Poor Things, which Stone both starred in and produced, she plays Bella, a woman who has nearly died by killing herself and then is brought back to life by a strange surgeon. After that, Bella has the brain of a baby and the body of a grown woman. When her brain develops into a young adult brain, Bella leaves the surgeon to go on an adventure with a man who has become crazy about her.

Stone says, “Anxiety is like rocket fuel because I can’t help but get out of bed and do things. That’s really a gift.”

6 . Ready to Experience Summer?

Are you looking to get your kids signed up for a summer camp program? We’re here to help.

ID Tech runs summer camps at over 75 college campus locations across the country. The camp makes the claim to be the top tech camp for 23 years running and offers teens the chance to take part in activities like hands-on STEM leaning and fun to get a preview taste of the college life that may soon be coming their way.

Located on Lake Livingston in Trinity, Texas on over 100 acres of private land, Camp Olympia has its own swimming pool, challenge course, archery field, and more. Kids aged 6-16 can attend one, two, or three-week camps. Campers can participate in over 45 activities over the course of their stay, whether that be water skiing, horseback riding, golfing, or a team competition.

Located on a 5,100-acre YMCA of the Rockies about 1.5h from Denver, this camp first hosted campers in 1908. It’s billed as an “adventurous playground and traditional overnight camp for kids age 7—17—with mountains, valleys and streams.” Their programs are meant to build campers’ confidence, independence, and resilience, while they live in cabins of up to 10 campers and two staff members.

This outdoor adventure camp, located in Ketchum, teaches kids important values and life skills through entertaining activities in the Idaho wilderness. M.A.T. runs several camps per summer and each has an individual theme, along with accompanying age groups. There are five-night sleepaway camp for 13-15-year-olds, plus themed camps like river rafting and survival skills.

9 . The Best Writing Contests of 2024

The Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest, an annual contest, is designed to highlight Kentucky’s rich literary talent and celebrate the best in short fiction written by Kentuckians or about our beloved Bluegrass State.

This is an international competition—we welcome entries from around the world. Maximum word count: 1,000, Stories may be on any theme. Entries must be previously unpublished. Results will be announced by April 2024. Minimum age: 16 years. Children’s compositions cannot be accepted sadly.

What are the most important issues taking place close to home? Perhaps a rare bird sighting near your town? Or a band of young people in your province fighting for access to higher education? This month, involve yourself in a newsworthy event inside the borders of your own country, and invite us there through your written reporting.

“Poetry lays the foundations for a future of change,” wrote Audre Lorde. This month, sow your own seeds of change into poetry, or else write and perform an original piece of spoken word(poetry performed aloud). We’ll award two top prizes-one for a written poem, and one for a recorded performance.