Here's a link to a review of my book on Mu Shiying by Maura Cunningham, published on the LA Review of Books blog site:
Shanghai Art Deco Weekend: A Talk on the Paramount Ballroom of the 1930s
I usually give talks on the jazz age cabaret and ballroom culture of 1920s-30s Shanghai, but this was a rare chance to focus on Shanghai's most famous ballroom from that era: the Paramount.
Read MoreAnother review of Mu Shiying
I just received news of a very favorable review by Frederik H. Green of my book, Mu Shiying: China's Lost Modernist, for the e-journal MCLC. The review may be found on this web page.
Time to celebrate with a night on the town, once I've recovered from this head cold I caught whilst on a company retreat in Moganshan. James Farrer is in town now, and we have some more follow-up research to do for our upcoming book, Shanghai Nightscapes!
The recordings of Whitey Smith, the Jazz-Man who Taught China to Dance
Whitey Smith was one of Shanghai's most cherished jazz bandleaders during the 1920s and 1930s. His autobiography, I Didn't Make a Million, tells his story. In a nutshell, as a young jazz drummer, Whitey was "discovered" in San Francisco by the nightclub owner Louis Ladow in 1922, and agreed to sail to Shanghai to form a jazz band to play in Ladow's new club, the Carlton Cafe. When the club folded he got work playing at the Astor House and later at the Majestic Hotel after in opened in 1925. It was at the Majestic Hotel ballroom that Whitey taught China to dance (in the words of Pearl Buck) by incorporating Chinese folk elements into his repertoire, and by simplifying the complex harmonies and orchestrations of his tunes.
He also recorded his own songs. "Nighttime in Old Shanghai" is his most well-known song, which is available on an album of "Oriental" jazz tunes. Taking a newsreel from 1929, featuring Whitey's band performing in the garden of the Majestic Hotel to a group of elegant Chinese dancers, I added this song and put it up on youtube.
Recently I found a file online of his complete recordings (as known). I do have one of his other recordings, "To a Wild Rose," but don't have any others. Would appreciate if anyone knows where to find them.
A review of Mu Shiying: China's Lost Modernist in Asian Review of Books
Here is a favorable (it seems) review of my latest book from John Butler, just sent to me by my publisher.
Announcing our New Book: Shanghai Nightscapes (to be published within the next year or so)
Over the next few months, as we gear it up for publication with U Chicago Press later, I'll be making some more announcements about my upcoming book, Shanghai Nightscapes, co-authored with James Farrer. This book uses the methods of the historian, sociologist, and ethnographer to trace a century of Shanghai's history through the lens of its nightlife, with a focus on establishments featuring dancing and/or drinking in a public social environment as their main activities.
Read MoreBook Talk at Italian Chamber of Commerce in China
The SPWG with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China invites you to our next meeting on April 23th at 18:00 in Shanghai. Our guests Mr. Andrew David Field (Associate Dean at Hult International Business School) will present Shanghai Metropolis - from history to the future and his new book Mu Shiying: China’s Lost Modernist
Read MoreMu Shiying Book Talk at Wooden Box, Shanghai April 3
An announcement for a book talk hosted by Frank Tsai at the Wooden Box in Shanghai.
Read MoreFilm Screening of "Down" for RAS Shanghai, Wed Mar 26, 7 pm
Please join me and my partner Jud Willmont for a special film screening of our film Down: Indie Rock in the PRC, this Wednesday evening at 7 pm at the Apartment on Yongfu Road.
Mu Shiying Book Talk at FCC HK
Hong Kongers, please join me this Sunday March 30, for a book talk at the FCC Club in Hong Kong:
Foreign Correspondence Club (2 Lower Albert Road, Central,
Hong Kong) Burton Room . Sunday, March 30, 2014
12:30pm to 2:30pm 150 HKD entrance fee
A Whirlwind of Talks and Tours in March 2014
This has been a busy month. In addition to all of my responsibilities with Hult, I've been launching my new book on Mu Shiying, and at the same time I'm putting the finishing touches on our Shanghai Nightscapes book project with Dr. James Farrer.
Read MoreCity of Darkness Revisited, by Greg Girard and Ian Lambot
A book project by photographer Greg Girard, launched on kickstarter
Read MoreThe 2014 Shanghai Literary Festival Begins
The Shanghai Literary Festival is now a cherished institution in Shanghai. It has been running for over ten years now. Started by M on the Bund owner Michelle Garnaut, this event brings authors from around the world to Shanghai to promote their new books. The venue, M on the Bund's Glamour Bar or the Crystal Room above, provides a fun stage for book talks and for shmoozing with Shanghai's literati.
Read MoreLocal media support for my new book on Mu Shiying
In preparation for my book launch, I've fielded a few interviews with journalists based in Shanghai and Beijing. Andrew Chin interviewed me for That's Shanghai. (He's working on an article about Shanghai-based writers, featuring me and Spencer Dodington for an upcoming issue). I also had an interview with Mike Peters for the China Daily based in Beijing. Meanwhile there have been some reviews and articles published in Time-Out Magazine and City Weekend.
It's great to get some local support in the news media for my book on Mu Shiying and I'd like to give a shout-out of thanks to all the folks who wrote up articles for the book launch. Hopefully this will lead to some good showings for my upcoming book talks!
Mu Shiying: China's Lost Modernist now available on Amazon
I just received the good news from my publisher that my new book is now available from Amazon or directly from the publisher. Also there is a kindle version available in addition to the softcover version. I'd be much obliged for any reviews posted on Amazon or other sites, as well as published in professional journals.
My New Book has Arrived!
Last Friday the publisher sent me ten copies of my new book. It feels good to finally hold it in my hands.
Read MoreA Review of our Film, Down: Indie Rock in the PRC
Marc Moskowitz's review of our film Down: Indie Rock in the PRC has just been published in the journal Pacific Affairs. I would like to thank Marc for taking the time to view and analyze the film so closely. Overall I am in agreement with his assessment of the film. I commend his even-handed approach to the subject matter and editing of the film and of course, who could disagree with his concluding remarks?
Here is a PDF file with the full review.
The Poseidon Project: A Review of a Locally Produced Indie Doc
Last night I attended a screening of an independent documentary film. Held at the Apartment, a bar-restaurant on Yongfu Road in Shanghai, the event was organized by the Royal Asiatic Society's Shanghai branch. The film is called The Poseidon Project. It tells the story of a British submarine that sank off the coast of Shandong Province near the town of Weihaiwei in 1931, and the efforts of an American journalist and scuba diver based in Beijing named Stephen Schwankert to learn about the fate of the submarine and its occupants. The locally based British filmmaking team of Arthur and Luther Jones produced and directed the film. The film is 82 minutes long.
Read MoreSome podcasts on my rotation list
I listen to podcasts frequently, especially when I am traveling or commuting back and forth to work. Since I joined a business school as Associate Dean, my listening habits have changed somewhat. Here are my current top picks:
Read MoreTwo new BBC radio shows: on Chinese Pop Music and Shanghai History
Recently I was asked to participate in two radio programs produced by the BBC. The first program focuses on the history of Shanghai and the connections between the contemporary city and its colonial-era legacy. Naturally this is a subject that is right up my alley, so I was happy to be a part of the show.
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