Living in Hong Kong 2016 - Arts and Culture

Chapter 5

Arts and Culture Ever since the boom of the 1960’s Hong Kong has welcomed with open arms the arts scene in all forms.

Arts hubs and venues started opening at a rapid rate – a trend still ongoing as seen from the development of the West Kowloon Cultural district.

ARTS & CULTURE

5 Like many modern and vibrant cities around the world, Hong Kong is a haven for lovers of art and culture. Both professional and amateur groups abound, offering an amazingly diverse range of experiences to the public.

Since the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China, the population has become more diverse, certainly artistically.

Stemming from its British past, Chinese heritage and the influence of the world, Hong Kong has become the entertainment melting pot of Asia. There are foreign expatriates, who, along with a new middle class of local Hong Kongers, push demands for entertainment options.

The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), under development, will contain every kind of venue needed to put the arts in Hong Kong on a very high pedestal. The first stage, the M+ visual culture museum, is due for completion in 2018, and the second and final stage in 2026. Initially proposed as a way to boost tourism, stakeholders in the WKCD soon realized how such a cultural district could benefit the local community by nurturing local creative talent and elevating Hong Kong as a hub for culture and art in Asia.

In recent years, Hong Kong has been host to numerous art fairs that feature international and local artists. Thanks to its zero sales tax environment, Hong Kong now rivals New York and London as a major art trading center, where galleries and international auction houses such as Sotheby’s do a booming business in contemporary and classical arts.

Also in Hong Kong, film professionals are given an outlet for their overflowing talent in film festivals such as the Hong Kong International Film Festival, PUFF (Pineapple Underground Film Festival) and more.

Cinemas throughout Hong Kong show the

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latest Hollywood blockbusters as well as popular local and art-house films.

World-class entertainers and artists from the USA, the UK and other countries in Asia regularly come to Hong Kong on their world tours. Recent artists to grace the stages of Hong Kong include UK boy band One Direction and US rapper Pitbull. Some of the artists scheduled to perform in Hong Kong during 2016 include Tom Jones, The Vamps, The Beach Boys and 5 Seconds of Summer from the United States.

Street performers of all kinds have become a big hit in recent years, with musicians, sometimes known as ‘buskers,’ performing from Kowloon to Central. They are especially prevalent on Mong Kok’s Sai Yeung Choi Street on the weekends and public holidays.

Where to Go Hong Kong has many venues where performances and shows are scheduled.

The websites for these venues will give you the details on what they have to offer. The Discover Hong Kong website has a calendar listing the major shows and arts-related events.

Broadway Cinemateque Broadway Cinemateque is one of the most popular venues in town for international indie and art house films. www.cinema.com.hk

Fringe Club The Fringe Club is a multipurpose, multi-venue facility for visual arts, theatrical and musical performances. The Fringe Vault offers coffee, light meals and has its own entrance on Wyndham Street. The alfresco balcony at the Collette’s is a good spot for rest and drinks

with friends. By night, the Fringe Dairy hosts jazz and cabaret performances. An acoustics night with a local indie group or a bit of pop rock may be offered. The club always has something on. www.hkfringeclub.com

Hong Kong Arts Centre Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) provides a wide range of programs featuring local and overseas artists, with facilities that include theaters, galleries and a cinema. www.hkac.org.hk

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is one of Hong Kong’s most important performance centers. Student opera, drama, dance productions, concerts and recitals are given throughout the year to the public. www.hkapa.edu

Hong Kong AsiaWorld Expo AsiaWorld-Expo is a venue that provides space for events ranging from large-scale trade fairs and conferences to chart-topping pop and rock concerts and groundbreaking performances. Recent acts include Madonna and 5 Seconds of Summer. www.asiaworld-expo.com.hk

Hong Kong Coliseum The Hong Kong Coliseum is one of the largest multipurpose indoor stadiums in Hong Kong for international sporting events, spectacular entertainment, pop concerts and conventions. www.lcsd.gov.hk

Hong Kong Cultural Centre The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, located on the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui, is the city’s primary venue for a variety of cultural activities. These include world-class concerts, operas, dance, drama, theater and musical productions. www.lcsd.gov.hk

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5 Hong Kong Film Archive

Chinese Opera

The Hong Kong Film Archive screens old Hong Kong classics and films from around the world. It is also a resource center, with books, magazines, newspapers and audiovisual materials. www.lcsd.gov.hk

West Kowloon Cultural District

Chinese operas have a long tradition in Hong Kong. Different types of Chinese opera – Cantonese and Peking style, are on virtually year-round. The Hong Kong Government has increased funding to support art groups and expand venues for training and performances by local artists.

The West Kowloon Cultural District is located at the southern tip of the West Kowloon Reclamation Area. Performing arts venues of different types and scales are being planned and will be launched in phases. In the interim, some temporary spaces have been set up there for performances and exhibitions. www.wkcda.hk

Groups perform different genres, with many Mainland artists performing in Hong Kong.

Unlike their Western counterparts, Chinese operas are noisy affairs. In performances at open-air theaters, people in the audience may arrive late or leave early, come and go as they please.

Yau Ma Tei Theatre

Sunbeam Theatre

Yau Ma Tei Theatre is a pre-war cinema building that was renovated and reopened in 2012 to reprise its role as a place of entertainment dedicated to Cantonese opera. www.lcsd.gov.hk

The Sunbeam Theatre in North Point has been home to Cantonese opera for decades. Since 1972, the theater has been showing traditional Chinese art performances, in particular Cantonese opera, and is synonymous with this classic form of opera in Hong Kong.

Opera Western Opera Western opera has also gained a following by the local Hong Kong and expat population, even more so since the establishment of Opera Hong Kong in 2003. As Hong Kong’s own opera company, it has since become a household name in the cultural scene. Beyond staging operas and other performances throughout the year, the company also holds a number of educational and outreach programs for youth and the general public to learn about and appreciate modern opera.

Opera Hong Kong During 2016 Opera Hong Kong will present Broadway Extravaganza and Romeo and Juliet. Artistic Director, Warren Mok, is also a leading tenor of international acclaim. www.operahongkong.org

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Live Theater Braveheart Theatre Founded in 2014, this new theater group was established to build a repertoire of local and international plays in English. It is currently located at Premium Sofa Club in Sheung Wan, an intimate basement space where its inaugural season wowed critics. http://bravehearttheatre.wix.com/index

Chung Ying Theatre Company Chung Ying Theatre Company is recognized as one of the leading professional theater companies in Hong Kong. The company strives to connect people with drama through stage performances, drama education and outreach programs. Chung Ying fosters drama education for all ages and organizes touring performances and

a range of professional training courses for schools and local organizations. Some of its productions include adaptations of famous western literature, for example, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Miracle Worker and The Elephant Man. www.chungying.com

a broad-based repertoire, performing fulllength ballet favorites that include Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Giselle. They also perform classical works of the 20th century, such as Marius Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty and Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet, among many others.

Hong Kong Repertory Company The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre is the largest professional theater company in the city. It presents high-quality, creative and diverse productions. These encompass Chinese, overseas, classic and contemporary masterpieces, as well as original new works by local artists.

They offer theater education through courses and workshops aimed at skill development for adults and children. The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre also works to increase awareness of theater arts through performances for students and the community. www.hkrep.com

Ballet For aspiring students and professionals alike, Hong Kong provides an excellent platform for dancers to pirouette their way onto the world stage. A multitude of dance schools specialize in ballet and other dance types for children and adults wishing to learn the art. At the top of the list, however, stands the Hong Kong Ballet, founded in 1979.

The Hong Kong Ballet also partakes in a number of educational and community outreach programs: organizing and presenting talks, lectures, demonstrations, master classes and backstage tours. These serve to promote awareness and deepen appreciation of ballet in the community, especially for young people and students.

The Hong Kong Ballet’s website provides a schedule of their performances. www.hkballet.com

Contemporary Dance The modern dance presented in the city reflects the vitality and creativity of Hong Kong’s vibrant and multifaceted contemporary culture. There are two

Hong Kong Ballet The company has acted as Hong Kong’s ambassador to the world, performing in Europe, North America, Singapore and major cities in Mainland China. The 40-plus dancers and team of artistic directors originate from 10 countries and perform classical masterpieces, contemporary works and special commissions.

Since its inception, the company has presented countless performances from

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5 companies that offer training as well as performances in modern and contemporary dance.

City Contemporary Dance Company City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) is Hong Kong’s first full-time professional contemporary dance company. Over the past three decades, CCDC has inspired audiences in Hong Kong with modern dance performances of over 200 original works. The company has staged overseas performances at the world’s foremost dance stages and festivals. www.ccdc.com.hk

for Asia’s brightest young musicians. They spend three weeks together in rehearsal camp and then perform on tour for three weeks alongside international artists and conductors. Chosen through highly competitive auditions held throughout the region, members are among the best of the best from Asia. The Asian Youth Orchestra has performed before standing room only crowds in New York’s Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, at the White House and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. www.asianyouthorchestra.com

City Chamber Orchestra Hong Kong Dance Company The Hong Kong Dance Company has staged over 100 productions that focus on the cultural tradition of China combined with the creativity of contemporary Chinese dance.

The company has toured internationally as well as around Mainland China as a way to encourage cultural exchange wherever it goes. www.hkdance.com

Symphonic Hong Kong undoubtedly offers some of the finest Chinese and Western classical music in Asia. With an abundance of classical music events throughout the year, you cannot experience true life in Hong Kong without treating yourself to the captivating orchestral experience from the city’s finest talents. The following are some of the wellknown orchestras making appearances in Hong Kong’s most prestigious classical music events.

Asian Youth Orchestra The Asian Youth Orchestra is made up of about 100 young men and women representing the finest young musicians in Asia. The orchestra is together for six weeks each summer, providing a tuitionfree cultural exchange summer program

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The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong is renowned for its innovative programming and fine musicianship. Inaugurated in 1999, the ensemble comprises professional freelance musicians resident in the city. It gives regular concerts and specializes in the performance of a wide range of small and intimate works for orchestra. www.ccohk.com

Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

The Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra gives annual concerts of their own and collaborates with other music groups. Their players include professional musicians graduated from local and overseas music academies and universities, professional music teachers and experienced amateur musicians of professional standard. The chamber has accompanied numerous local choirs and taken part in many successful operatic productions. It also supports local artists by engaging them as soloists.

Founded by a small group of musicians who felt there was a need in Hong Kong for a chamber-sized orchestra, it aims at a high standard of music making. The orchestra has a membership of about 60 professional and non-professional musicians and each year gives about six concerts in Hong Kong. www.hkchamber.org

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra was the first fully professional orchestra in Hong Kong. The ensemble turned professional in 1974, and when the Hong Kong Cultural Centre opened in 1989, the Concert Hall became its home. The HK Phil also brings the excitement of the concert experience to the general public through radio and television broadcasts, including their annual outdoor event, Swire Symphony under the Stars. The Swire Sunday Family concerts are also popular, featuring some of the classics. www.hkphil.org

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is among the largest Chinese orchestras of its type in the world. The Orchestra promotes Chinese music and explores new frontiers in music by experimenting with techniques and styles. Its repertoire includes both traditional folk music and contemporary works. Since its inception, the orchestra has commissioned over a thousand original compositions and arrangements and has performed around the world. www.hkco.org

Hong Kong International Cello Association Established in Hong Kong in 2005 by a group of outstanding cellists, the Hong Kong International Cello Association is a registered non-profit organization. Since then the association has been exploring various forms of performance and educational activities including a Cello Carnival. www.hkcello.com

Hong Kong Sinfonietta The Hong Kong Sinfonietta, originally a medium-sized amateur orchestra formed by local musicians in 1990, is a yearly contributor to New Year’s Concerts and Outstanding Young-Talents Concerts, among others. It is now a professional orchestra with the very popular Wing Sie Yip as Music Director. Besides giving regular concerts, the orchestra often performs contemporary renditions of classical works, as well as new works by local composers. They participate in educational and community activities throughout the year. www.hksinfonietta.org

Premier Performances of Hong Kong Premier Performances of Hong Kong is a registered charity founded by Andrea D. Fessler in 2007. Its focus is to bring top-notch performances to Hong Kong, particularly solo recitals and chamber music concerts. www.pphk.org

Live Music Concerts Hong Kong has a constant flow of rock and pop stars who hold concerts in various venues around the city. Every band and singer of renown has played in Hong Kong, including J Lo, Lady Gaga and more

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5 recently concerts by Madonna, The Beach Boys, Backstreet Boys, Brit boy band One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz and Pitbull.

Hong Kong seems to have a nostalgic heart and wallet for stars who saw fame decades ago. Rock concerts by “oldies” bands and singers are frequent in Hong Kong. The reunion tour is always a good reason to host a concert here. Bands and rock stars that have performed in Hong Kong include the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Sting.

As well as these, in recent years a new popular outdoor music event has been established. Founded in 2008, the Clockenflap Multimedia Arts and Music Festival is a three-day outdoor festival similar to SXSW in the States and the Reading Festival in the UK. It hosts popular and up-and-coming acts in the local and international rock and indie scenes, drawing huge crowds of both locals and international visitors. www.clockenflap.com There are many other good places to enjoy some live contemporary and folksy music any time you fancy a night out. Many hotel lounges and bars also feature live bands in the evening.

Musicals Hong Kong does not have its own theater district, but at least half a dozen Broadway or West End shows do come to the city for a limited run each year. Disneyland has its own short musical, Festival of the Lion King, a theatrical production based on the movie The Lion King, which is performed every day and is included with the price of admission to the park.

Started in 2000, the Hong Kong Jazz Association is an organization of interest for all jazz lovers in Hong Kong. They sponsor the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival, which features various programs of performances by renowned international and local jazz musicians. The festival takes place in the fall each year. www.hkijf.com

Music Venues There are several places in Hong Kong to hear live jazz and contemporary music. Grappas Cellar, Peel Fresco, and the Australian themed pub, Ned Kelly’s Last Stand (also Hong Kong’s oldest pub) are a few places to find regular jazz sessions.

Bert’s Bar Bert’s Bar at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) hosts live jazz several nights a week, with Allen Youngblood on the keyboard and the FCC house band. Local Jazz singers and musicians from across the globe regularly play at Bert’s stage. FCC is a member’s club, but admission is open for guests of members. http://fcchk.org

Fringe Club The Fringe Club also presents theatrical and musical performances. By night, the Fringe Dairy hosts jazz and cabaret performances.

An acoustics night with a local indie group or a bit of pop rock may be on offer. The club always has something on. www.hkfringeclub.com

Grappa’s Cellar As well as being a terrific Italian restaurant, this venue features a variety of talent, comedy shows, dinner theater and live rock and jazz. www.elgrande.com.hk

Ned Kelly’s Last Stand Jazz and Blues The Hong Kong Jazz Association

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Nightly jazz and live music is performed at this venue located on Ashley Road in Tsim

Sha Tsui. Good live jazz entertainment along with good value-for-money pub food.

Peel Fresco Music Lounge Great musicians from all over the world perform all kinds of jazz, blues, soul and reggae. Plenty of jamming and open mic opportunities are here, too. http://peel-fresco.com

The Wanch Since 1987, The Wanch has hosted all kinds of great music, including classic and blues rock. Original music showcase nights and top local cover bands in jam sessions are regular features here. Available to music lovers seven nights a week. Conveniently located on Jaffe Rd, Wan Chai, there is no cover charge. www.thewanch.hk

broad study of music as early as their primary and secondary education years. As most parents favor music as an extracurricular activity for their children, a large percentage of Hong Kong youth will study one or more musical instruments throughout their academic life. In Hong Kong, there are many English-speaking music teachers who offer music lessons.

There are a number of societies and organizations that aim to develop music as a vital interest of Hong Kong, encourage the exchange of music between cultures and assist in the training and education of Hong Kong’s next classical music superstars.

Punchline Comedy Club

They include groups such as the Hong Kong Chamber Music Society, the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Hong Kong Composer’s Guild, and the Chopin Society of Hong Kong, just to name a few.

Another comedy club founded by Australian expat Jon Moorhead, the Punchline Comedy Club has locations throughout Asia. They serve up stand-up and improv from international and expat comedians at Tamarind in Wan Chai. www.punchlinecomedy.com/hongkong

Throughout the year, classical music events are organized by Hong Kong’s music organizations, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta and City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong.

Comedy

Takeout Comedy Hong Kong’s first comedy club, Takeout Comedy, founded by Chinese American, Jami Gong, offers stand-up comedy and improv every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The club also conducts Basic Standup Comedy Workshops. Reserve tickets at their website or by phone. www.takeoutcomedy.com

Music Lessons/Participation For the young and the mature, local or expat, Hong Kong offers an extensive support network for all those interested in music.

Local Hong Kong students experience a

The following groups offer opportunities for participation: • The Chopin Society of Hong Kong www.chopinsocietyhk.org • The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts www.hkapa.edu • Hong Kong Chamber Music Society www.chambermusic.homestead.com • Hong Kong Composer’s Guild www.hkcg.org

Drama Lessons/Participation When it comes to drama, there is not much that can beat the thrill and reality of the live stage. Whether it’s a tribute to the

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5 classics of theater such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Macbeth and Richard III, or original performances by aspiring and upcoming artists and directors, theater is nothing less than a thriving industry in Hong Kong. There are many amateur and professional theater groups in Hong Kong, with performances offered in English or Cantonese.

Year”. In fact, Hong Kong has more choral societies, choirs and a capella groups than one can count. Interested youth usually begin their pursuit at a relatively young age, and not necessarily at their academic institutions.

Private singing lessons are usually offered for small groups of two or three, since customization and flexibility of the training There are also many places where both young program is often required for best results. For and old can educate themselves on the skills adults, singing lessons may require audition and techniques of drama. A number of drama prior to being accepted by more prestigious and acting schools in Hong Kong, such as the tutors, as there is a benchmark that needs to Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, run be reached at those levels. courses throughout the year, offering after school and weekend classes.

Societies dedicated to the promotion and advancement of vocalists in Hong Kong Theory and practice aside, one of the most include the Hong Kong Oratorio Society, Hong important skills of an actor is the ability to Kong Bach Choir and Hong Kong Singers. perform in front of a live audience. One of the biggest events for drama students is The following groups offer opportunities for the Hong Kong Drama Festival, with public participation: performances by primary and secondary • Hong Kong Bach Choir www.bachchoir.org.hk students, held during March, April and May every year. For the semi-professional aspiring • Hong Kong Oratorio Society www.oratorio.org.hk actors out there, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Arts Centre and the Fringe Club • Hong Kong Singers www.hksingers.com host a number of theater productions year round.

• Hong Kong Voices www.hkvoices.org The following groups offer opportunities for • Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir participation: www.hkwmvc.com • American Community Theater (ACT) • Kassia Men’s Choir www.acthongkong.com www.katterwall.com • Faust Hong Kong • Kassia Women’s Choir www.faustworld.com www.katterwall.com • Hong Kong Players www.hongkongplayers.com Program and Events Throughout the year, Hong Kong is home to Choir/Singing Lessons/ a number of festivals that celebrate arts and Participation culture from around the world. The diversity Hong Kong’s tradition in singing and chorus and number of events on offer throughout the is one aspect of art that can be easily year mean that in Hong Kong, enthusiasm overlooked. Schools often participate in for arts and culture is just as lively as the city intense competitions for “Best Choir of the itself.

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Major Festivals & Fairs

FILMART

Hong Kong Arts Festival

Just prior to the Hong Kong International Film Festival, The Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) is held annually in March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. This giant fair is a must-see for all those involved in the Asian movie scene. A trade only event, it attracts participants from both the business and artistic side of the industry, from producers to the all-important “money men.” It is also a wonderfully creative meeting place for those who may have nothing more than a very good idea. FILMART attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors from all over the world. FILMART has firmly established Hong Kong as a regional center for the distribution of film, television and all things entertainment related. www.hkfilmart.com

The transition from winter to spring every year is the time of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the premier event in the local arts calendar. It began in the early ’70s with a group of individuals who saw Hong Kong as a fast growing, vibrant metropolis in need of an annual arts festival. This cultural spectacular of music, dance and drama brings top international and local performers together for the month-long series of performances presented at various venues throughout Hong Kong. www.hk.artsfestival.org

Hong Kong Salsa Festival The Hong Kong Salsa Festival is an annual international event celebrating salsa music and dance. The event is a week-long extravaganza for the whole family, with road shows, street parties, club nights, competitions, dance workshops, performances from top international and local salsa dance artists, and competition in the Asia Pacific Salsa Open Championships. www.hksalsafestival.com

Media & Film Hong Kong International Film Festival The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is typically held in March or April each year. The HKIFF is always a magnet for film buffs, showcasing hundreds of films at various cinemas and arts venues in town. From its humble beginning in 1977, the festival has grown to become one of Asia’s most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and film-goers of the world. The HKIFF is one of the most important events in Hong Kong’s cultural calendar, as it premiers some of the most innovative and influential films from filmmakers around the world. For award winning movies, booking tickets early is essential. www.hkiff.org.hk

Literary Arts Hong Kong Book Fair In mid-summer, the Hong Kong Book Fair is held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Although positioned as a trade fair, it is highly regarded not only as a promotional platform for writers and publishers but also as a cultural literary event for the Hong Kong people. At this fair, visitors are treated to a selection of books and publications, as well as a variety of electronic multimedia such as e-books, audio-visual learning aids and educational software. http://hkbookfair.hktdc.com

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival The Hong Kong International Literary Festival is a unique and exciting annual celebration of literature. Events and readings take place all over the city. Started by a small group of friends in 2001, it has since received much recognition and stature on the international literary stage, featuring high caliber overseas and local authors every year at a

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5 wide selection of ticketed and free events.

Along with the presentation of a number of literary works by authors from around the world, many book launches by local writers are scheduled to coincide with the festival.

In a city where Chinese and English are the official languages, this festival aims to encourage further English writing and reading. www.festival.org.hk

Arts and Design The visual art and design scene in Hong Kong has boomed significantly in the last few years, and there are many galleries and exhibitions where you can view and buy pieces by local and international artists, both big and small.

Art Basel in Hong Kong Art Basel is held each year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It features hundreds of galleries with contemporary artwork from all over the world. The worldclass art, sculptures and installations by leading artists are a major draw for art lovers and art novices. www.artbasel.com/hong-kong

Asia Contemporary Art The Asia Contemporary Art Show is a biannual event held at a hotel. Here you can find paintings, photography and sculptural works from the finest artists all over the globe. http://asiacontemporaryart.com

Fine Art Asia Fair Fine Art Asia Fair (FAA) is an art fair held in October each year at the Hong Kong and Convention and Exhibition Centre.

FAA features top galleries, antiquarians, jewelers and museums from all over the world. The wide range of art and artifacts on display include contemporary and old masters painting and sculpture, vintage jewels, museum quality antiques and furniture. www.fineartasia.com

Fotanian Open Studios The Fotanian Open Studios is a similarly refurbished factory building located in Fo Tan, home to the studios of many artists including sculptors, photographers, painters and calligraphers. Like JCCAC, the center also runs workshops and classes on subjects such as traditional Chinese calligraphy and oil painting. www.fotanian.org

Hollywood Road One of the first roads to be paved in colonial Hong Kong, Hollywood Road, which runs from Central to Sheung Wan, has established a firm reputation as the place to go for fine arts, jewelry and antiques.

There are many street-level galleries selling wares ranging from pocket watches, gems and memorabilia, to contemporary arts and historical Chinese artifacts.

Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre Situated in Shek Kip Mei, this former factory building is home to many cultural and artistic activities and events including visual art exhibitions, theater productions, open studios and a seasonal handicrafts fair. Visitors can take part in various hobby classes including life drawing and pottery. www.jccac.org.hk

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5 PMQ This creative hub is situated on the site of the first government school in Hong Kong and was formerly the Police Married Quarters.

This multilevel compound is now home to local creative entrepreneurs, designers and artists. There is a monthly program of exhibitions and happenings that keep the place energized and well visited. Besides studios and shops, there are boutique food and beverage venues that offer special delights for guests. www.pmq.org.hk

West Kowloon Cultural District Currently undergoing development, the West Kowloon Cultural District is part of an ambitious plan to place Hong Kong on the global art map. It showcases many facets of art and culture in state-of-theart buildings as well as arts and music festivals. Encompassing 40 hectares of public space on the harbor front area, the district is currently home to a waterfront promenade, West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre, and the Xiqu Centre, where visitors can watch Chinese opera. The M+ building is currently under construction and will house a museum and educational facilities. www.westkowloon.hk

Other Festivals

French May, is one of the largest French Arts Festivals in the Asia-Pacific region and has grown into one of Hong Kong’s major art events. With support from the Government Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Le French May presents programs reflecting the best of France’s artistic heritage and creations, while fostering cultural and artistic exchange between French and local artists to strengthen the vibrant art scene in Hong Kong with new and refreshing talent. www.frenchmay.com

Lan Kwai Fong Street Carnival

The International Arts Carnival

As autumn makes its way to Hong Kong, the Lan Kwai Fong Street Carnival is held in Hong Kong’s most youthful entertainment and dining area. Booths offer delicious foods, beers and interactive games, while marching bands, dancers and various others provide street entertainment. This is one of the liveliest festivals in one of the trendiest places in Hong Kong and absolutely cannot be missed. www.lankwaifong.com

In the heat of the summer, the International Arts Carnival provides children, youth and their families with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of art and culture through various entertainment programs, including music, dance, drama, puppetry, multiarts, film and theatrical arts. The carnival organizes various cultural and historical tours to places such as the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Museum of History. It also holds various workshops and exhibitions to provide some hands-on interactivity with the arts. www.hkiac.gov.hk

Le French May In spring, the French Arts Festival, or Le

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Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra 7/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building 345 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Tel (852) 3185-1600 Fax (852) 2815-5615 Email inquiries@hkco.org Web www.hkco.org Contact Tracy Huang (Head of Marketing and Development) Company Profile: Founded in 1977, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is the only professional, full-sized Chinese orchestra in Hong Kong. It has won the accolades as “a leader in Chinese ethnic music” and “a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong”, and is often invited to perform at various famous venues in the world and at international festivals. It has been heard by audiences in Europe, Russia, North America, Asia, Australia and the Arctic Circle. The Orchestra has an establishment of 91 professional musicians, playing in four sections: bowed-strings, pluckedstrings, wind and percussion. The instruments include both the traditional and the improved, new versions. In particular, the bowed-string section has adopted, since 2009, the Eco-Huqin

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series developed by the Orchestra. With its roots in the Chinese cultural heritage, the Orchestra has built a repertoire that includes not only traditional Chinese music but also contemporary works. It also explores new frontiers in music through commissioning new works of various types and styles, whether as original compositions or arrangements, and the total number has exceeded 2,300. The Orchestra has won numerous awards for its achievements in the arts, arts education, marketing and promotion, governance and administration.

Yan Huichang Artistic Director and Principal Conductor

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Premiere Performances of Hong Kong

Unit C, 10/F, Queen’s Centre 58-64 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel (852) 9545 6851 Fax (852) 2811 2010 Email info@pphk.org Web www.pphk.org Premiere Performances of Hong Kong brings the best classical musicians in the world to Hong Kong for concerts and outreach, building a vibrant local arts scene and inspiring audiences. We aim to make live music performances accessible to all, with outreach events and concerts for all ages, and ticket prices starting at HKD$80 Our programmes include: The Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival, a year-long Recital Series, a Family Series, and an Outreach & Education Programme.

The 2016-2017 season includes Curtis on Tour with Grammy Winner Jason Vieux, guitar 7 Oct 2016 (FRI) | Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Concert Hall Guitar Superstar Miloš - Bach to Beatles!

With 7 piece string ensemble 24 Oct 2016 (MON) Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Concert Hall Rising star Iskandar Widjaja, violin & Itamar Golan, piano 21 Nov 2016 (MON) | Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall Improvisation Master Gabriela Montero, piano 25 April 2017 (TUE) Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall Gypsy Violinist Nemanja Radulović & Laure Favre-Kahn, piano 15 May 2017 (MON) | Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall Dynamic Duo Augustin Hadelich, violin & Joyce Yang, piano 5 June 2017 (MON) | Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival 19-25 Jan 2017 (THU - WED) Various Venues Recital concert tickets are available via www.pphk.org.

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Suppliers for Arts & Entertainment

Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Limited Room 1205, 12/F 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2824 3555 Fax (852) 2824 3798 Email afgen@hkaf.org Web www.hk.artsfestival.org Launched in 1973, the HKAF is a major international arts festival committed to enriching the life of the city. In February and March every year, the HKAF presents about 140 performances and serves an audience of close to 150,000. The HKAF features the world’s top artists as well as stars of tomorrow and gives equal importance to great traditions and contemporary creations. The HKAF also commissions and produces work in theatre, chamber opera and contemporary dance by Hong Kong’s own creative talents and emerging artists, a number of which have had successful runs in Asia after their Hong Kong premiere.

Every year the HKAF also presents over 200 outreach events comprising: events for Young Friends, other education activities with schools and community groups, and PLUS for the general public. The HKAF is a non-profit organisation, with just under 30% of annual revenue from government funding, around 40% from the box office, and over 30% from sponsorships and donations from corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations.

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Living in Hong Kong

Jean M. Wong School of Ballet 1/F, 18 Tanner Road, North Point, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2886 3992 Email ballet@jmwballet.org Web www.jmwballet.org Studios also in Happy Valley, Central, Kowloon Bay, Tsuen Wan & Shatin. Classes from 2.5 yrs old to adult. Free Trial Class.

Children Classes Adult Classes * Ballet, Jazz / Hip Hop * Ballet, Jazz / Hip Hop Visual Arts * Creative Drawing, Chinese Ink Painting Instrument * Piano Children Summer Arts & Dance Programs Hong Kong International Summer Dance School