National Daze

by Stephanie Sherril
on Friday, September 11, 2009

This is a week to embrace cultural celebrations. Although Brazilian National Day was September 7, the Shanghai Brazilian community has waited for the weekend to throw a big party, where everyone is welcome to share in fun-loving Brazilian culture. On September 13 there will be a huge, all-day celebration at the Pudong Green City International Community, with music, dance and games. Among the activities, there will be presentations of Capoeira (kung fu), Maculele dance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a football tournament. Of course, it wouldn't be truly Brazilian without great food and drink. Latina Grill will be firing up a fabulous Brazilian barbeque along with potent caipirinhas.
Make sure you recover quickly from the Brazilian fun, because the Mexicans are gearing up for their country's celebration too. Although many people wrongly assume that Mexican Independence Day is Cinco de Mayo, the true date is September 16, when Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1810. Many of Shanghai's top Mexican-themed restaurants plan to throw a great fiesta.
Maya's celebration is kid friendly from 5-7pm, with piñatas, face painting and lotería (bingo). Enjoy tasty Mexican treats with a buffet and free-flow beverages (RMB195 adults, RMB100 kids). From 8pm onwards the atmosphere gets more adult as the Latin band begins and the tequila really starts to flow (RMB295 for free-flow margaritas and Sol Mexican beer).
Another venue promising to be crazy from the get-go is Cantina Agave. The celebrations start from 6pm with all-you-can-drink margaritas as well as beer, sangria and Mexican street snacks for RMB200.
Finally, any discussion about a Mexican party in Shanghai would be remiss without a mention of Shanghai legend, Zapatas. As this holiday falls on their normal Wednesday Ladies' Night (where ladies get free margaritas all night long), they plan to kick it up a notch with three Sol's for RMB100 and free tequila shots all night.