Pencil This In: February 1-5

Everyone’s counting down to something these days. So whether you’re waiting for Chinese New Year, warmer weather, or the day the iPad (or its clone) is in your hands, here are some events this week to tide you over until those glorious days arrive.

Monday: Bar 498 Opening

Bar 498 is celebrating their Monday night grand opening with beer, cocktails, “Western food” and margaritas. A confusing pitch perhaps, but when so many places are closing down around the city, it might be worth checking out just to bask in the entrepreneurial spirit.

6-10 PM. 498 Bar, 498 Yongjia Lu near Yueyang Lu (永嘉路498号 近岳阳路)

Tuesday: Tasty Tuesday

For a thoroughly Western night out, Shanghai Expat is gathering their crew to meet and mingle over dinner at Elia Greek Restaurant in Pudong. For 150 RMB/person, you can expect the menu to feature several Greek dishes and a lot of feta cheese. RSVP to serena@shanghaiexpat.com.

7:30 PM. Elia Greek Restaurant, 2/F Crowne Plaza Hotel Century Park, 1433 Minsheng Lu (民生路1433号2楼外高桥皇冠假日)

Wednesday: The Mousetrap

Shanghai Modern Theatre presents Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery, The Mousetrap. Eight snowed-in travelers who must figure out which amongst them is a murderer before death strikes again. A must-see with actors from London’s West End and a surprise ending as only Christie can write. English with Chinese subtitles.

7:30 PM. Lyceum Theatre, 57 Maoming Nan Lu near Changle Lu (茂名南路57号 近长乐路) Tickets ¥120-380

Thursday: Haiti Fundraising Dinner

Italian restaurant The Kitchen is holding a fundraising dinner for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Owner Salvatore Cuomo lived through an earthquake in Italy as a child, so he has organized that proceeds from the night will specifically go to the children in need, via Japanese emergency relief organization Japan Platform.

7-10 PM. The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo, 2967D Lujiazui Xi Lu near Fenghe Lu (陆家嘴西路2967号D 近丰和路)

Friday: Chopschticks Comedy Show

Chopschticks is back with comedians Steve Byrne and Sam Tripoli. Byrne’s stand-up has seen him performing on The Tonight Show, The Jay Leno Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live (and as he’s half-Korean and half-Irish, he ain’t so bad to look at either). Opening act Tripoli has been seen everywhere from Spike TV to Comedy Central and the Late Late Show. They’ve even issued a warning: Don’t attend if you’re allergic to awesomeness. Tickets are available at http://chopschticksshanghai.eventbrite.com/ or by calling 138-1897-1975.