ISLAND-WIDE NEWS

HAPPENINGS & EVENTS STUFF TO KNOW IN AUGUST!

SHOWTIME FOR 673 MOVIE LOVERS!

MCL CINEMA NOW IN TUNG CHUNG

MCL Citygate Cinema (Tung Chung) opened on June 17 providing a total of 673 seats. Each of the four auditoriums is equipped with 4K laser projectors and Dolby 7.1 surround sound, while House 1 is also powered by Dolby Atmos.

Multiplex Cinema Ltd (MCL) currently manages 14 prime cinema sites (74 screens) across Hong Kong; the new Tung Chung cinema is the group’s first in the Outlying Islands.

Formed in 1982, with the aim to provide audiences with the best possible movie-going experience, MCL was the first cinema circuit in Hong Kong to exhibit digital and digital-3D feature films. MCL’s House FX Theatres now combine a 4K laser projection system, Dolby Atmos sound system and ButtKicker vibration seats for the ultimate in 3D cinematic entertainment.

Movies shown at MCL cinemas range from major Hollywood blockbusters to small-budget local films. MCL also actively brings alternative entertainment programmes, live broadcasting events and a series of recorded live programmes ranging from opera and classical ballet to K-Pop.

In recent years, in order to promote film appreciation and audience’s understanding of world cinema, MCL has acted as an exhibition platform and organiser for various film festivals, including Hall of Korean Film, Studio Ghilbi Film Festival and 12th Spanish Film Festival.

Live musicals and animation shows, such as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Musical and Takarazuka Revue Theatre Performance have established MCL as a local hub for Japanese pop and anime culture.

SUPPORT THE #ENOUGHPLASTIC 2021 CAMPAIGN

PHOTO COURTESY OF My Impact

TUNG CHUNGER’S ECO APP

Tung Chung resident and co-founder of Eco Drive Jason Holoman has set up My Impact, a free and easy-to-use app that tracks your efforts to reduce single-use plastic. Input your habits – Refuse, Reuse and Recycle – and the app will automatically log this for you, while giving you milestones to work towards. There’s also the opportunity to earn awards, add friends and compete.

My Impact’s Discover section is packed with eco news, from finding local events, such as beach clean-ups or new recycling initiatives, to simply learning everyday tips for further increasing your impact. Jason’s app is available for download from iOS and Android; to find out more visit www.ecodrivehk.com.

COOKIE SMILES’ WOOF TWISTERS

Tong Fuk-based ‘Woof Buddy’ Roxy is a big fan of the dog treats made by Cookie Smiles. The Hong Kong social enterprise sells dog treats (and human-friendly cookies), and donates 15-20% of its profits to local NGOs. Cookie Smiles also offers training opportunities for the disadvantaged and provides jobs for the physically impaired.

Breadstick-shaped Woof Twisters are made of all-natural ingredients – puréed pumpkin, crushed roasted peanuts, eggs and wholewheat flour – which makes them not only healthy, but also easy for our furry friends to digest. They contain no artificial flavours or preservatives. To place an order online, visit www.cookiesmiles.com.hk.

FANCY A WOOF TWISTER, ROXY?

PHOTO COURTESY OF Cookie Smiles.

Enjot a Farm Visit on your Mini Break

PHOTO COURTESY OF Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung

FARMCATION AT THE SHERATON

Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung’s Family Farmcation package, available from now to December 31, is a community-driven programme created to raise awareness on the implementation of sustainable farming practices in Lantau. During your stay, you get to visit Winnie the Farm in nearby Mui Wo to learn more about organic farming, develop a deeper connection with nature and understand where your food comes from.

Activities include planting vegetable seeds, fruit picking and harvesting seasonal produce (currently butterfly pea flower). The package includes a deluxe family room with buffet breakfast in Cafe Lantau. To make a booking, visit www.sheratonhongkongtungchung.com.

TUNG CHUNG ARTISTS’ GROUP EXHIBIT

Vitality and Vibrancy, showing July 28 to August 2 at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, has created quite a buzz. The group show – a dynamic mix of figurative, expressive and abstract paintings created during the pandemic – features the latest works by six local artists, including Tung Chungbased Eunhe Park, Hiromi Fujiwara and Jonas Ng.

Five of the artists involved, including Hiromi Fujiwara and Jonas Ng, are planning a followup show later in the year. To find out more, email Eunhe Park at eunhe67@gmail.com.

ART OF THE PANDEMIC

PHOTO COURTESY OF Eunhe Park.

BREAST IS BEST

PHOTO COURTESY OF Unsplash

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

In the lead up to World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 to 7, over 200 businesses across Hong Kong have joined the #Ittasteslikelove campaign to fight the stigma of breastfeeding in public.

South Lantau concerns pledged to make breastfeeding mums feel welcome and comfortable include Grill House by Capo Group, Lantana, Natural Plus, Pause, Southside Lantau, The Village Bakery and VIBE Book and Music Shop.

“We support all incredible breastfeeding mothers to nourish their child wherever and whenever,” says Kit Lau of Village Bakery. And from Gary Brightman at VIBE: “We fully support mothers breastfeeding in public. If babies feel the need, give them a feed!” For more on #Ittasteslikelove and its Cheung Sha-based founder Liz Thomas, turn to persona section.

CITYGATE’S SUMMER PLAYGROUND

Citygate Outlets has teamed up with local artist and illustrator Messy Desk Studio to transform into a classic playground complete with swings, slides and roundabouts. The fully interactive installation, in place through August 22, has been designed specifically for Citygate as part of its ongoing summer getaway campaign, ‘Swing into ColourPopping Summerland.’ Kids can share playtime photos on Instagram to win a notebook autographed by Messy Desk.

Jane Lee a.k.a. Messy Desk is known for her intricate murals, street art and installations; she has exhibited in the UK, US and throughout Europe. Visit www.illustrator.hk to find out more.

Messy Desks Colour- Poping Summerland

PHOTO COURTESY OF Citygate Outlets.

ELITE GROWTH EXPANDING IN TUNG CHUNG

Elite Growth has powered through the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly unscathed, opening an incredible three F&B venues this year, all in Tung Chung. Founded by Manpreet Singh, Harjit Singh and Gagan Sahni, Elite brought A Tavola Bar & Grill (www.atavola.hk) to Seaview Crescent Plaza in January 2018 (and to Tseung Kwan O in December 2019). The group’s latest offerings are Cabana Breeze Bar & Grill and The Upper Deck, both in T-Bay, and the King’s Arms in Seaview Crescent Plaza.

“It has been tough during COVID-19 to operate restaurants but we have been very fortunate that the lovely Tung Chung community is supportive,” says Manpreet. “They have put a lot of trust in us, and we’ve taken great care to implement all the hygiene protocols and procedures to keep everybody safe and healthy.”

CABANA BREEZE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Elite Growth Group

The Upper Deck

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Elite Growth Group

THE UPPER DECK

Elite opened Cabana Breeze (www.cabanabreeze.hk) in February. A Hawaiian-style tiki bar and grill serving authentic Polynesian cuisine, it also specialises in pizza fresh from a traditional woodstone pizza oven. The Upper Deck steakhouse (www.facebook.com/upperdeckhk) opened in March. Both venues benefit from the classy T-Bay location, with Cabana Breeze providing alfresco dining from its rooftop bar right next to the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung.

“Hong Kong has a wide variety of restaurants with different concepts, but Tung Chung is an area that needs more variety,” says Gagan. “So, we felt that Tung Chung had the potential to accept the varieties of restaurants we wanted to bring to the area. Tung Chung also has one of the fastest growing populations in Hong Kong right now, so there’s room for expansion.”

And what of the King’s Arms (www.kingsarms.hk) gastro pub, which Elite opened in July? “With the King’s Arms, we created a new concept in Tung Chung – a British pub serving traditional English food and authentic fusion Indian cuisine,” says Harjit. “There isn’t anything else like it, so it felt like the best option. It is a really great place to hang out and have fun with family and friends.”

Elite’s continued expansion despite the pandemic shows real dedication to the F&B industry and to the local community. “In our restaurants everyone is welcome,” says Harjit. “Our goal is to satisfy our guests with great food and drink. We hope to make them happy and always serve with great passion and love.”

King's Arms

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Elite Growth Group