Time Out Family Issue 4 (January/February 2017)

Education | Lifestyle | Home | Activities

January/February 2017

KungHei Fat Choi !

Learn how to be lucky in the Year of the Rooster

Contents

O

h, 2016. We had such high hopes for you in the beginning. The first female president of the United States! Local elections that would see new lawmakers elected who could begin to heal Hong Kong's political divides! Well, we all know how that lot worked out. Yes, it's been something of a year to forget, so that's all the more reason to welcome the new year. The Year of the Rooster. We've got all the top tips on how to maximise your luck for the next twelve months – from what to eat to when to dust the house. Here's to the coming year being better than the last.

36 Treats for the new year

22 Drama and creativity for kids

32 Sweat free workouts

Hannah Hodson, Editor hannah.hodson@timeout.com.hk

2 6 14 22 26 32 36 42 44 47

Around Town Feature Education Activities Home Health & Wellness Food & Shopping Holiday The Guide Where to find us

42 Beach breaks

Publisher Desiree Au I General Manager Agee Leung I Editor in Chief Douglas Parkes I Editor Hannah Hodson I Marketing & Advertising Director Karman So I Art Direction and Designers Phoebe Cheng, Jessica Li, Stanley Chung I Photographer Calvin Sit I Sub Editor George Major I Contributors Jen Chan, Jeremy Chan, Angie Kwon, Rachel Lau, Zachary Santos, Matthew Tse I

www.timeout.com/hk

This is a supplement published by Rubicon Communications and Time Out Hong Kong (Suite 1002, Wanchai Commercial Centre, 194-204 Johnston Road, Hong Kong) in collaboration with Time Out International Limited, London, UK. Printed by Apex Print Limited. No contents or photos can be reproduced without permission. Time Out is the registered trademark of Time Out Group Limited, London, UK. The right to use the trademark, name and logo of Time Out is licensed from Time Out Group Limited, London, UK.

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The NIGHTSCAPE 2050 UNTIL JAN 30

FEB

essentials

Don’t miss this month’s top events!

BIRD WATCHING FESTIVAL: “SECRETS OF THE WORLD OF BIRD” UNTIL APR 10

FREE

10am-8pm, Artistree, 979 King's Rd, Quarry Bay, free.

Haven’t had enough of fireworks?

This unique and exhilarating celebration of the International Year of Light is arriving in Hong Kong.

Immerse yourself in a luminous adventure with this exhibition’s dazzling interactive light rooms.

Presenting the future of the HK nightscape, this exhibit will satisfy designers and kids alike.

KIDSFEST UNTIL FEB 12 10am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm, HKAPA, 1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai, $195-$435; kidsfest.com.hk.

Back in Hong Kong for the sixth time, Kidsfest promises a January filled with fun yet educational entertainment that won’t fail to delight. With internationally acclaimed productions such as the Gruffalo, Shark in the Park, and LadyBirds, as well as with the accompaniment of a photobooth and face-painting, this event is going to live up to its undertaking.

9am-5pm, Hong Kong Wetland Park, Wetland Park Rd, Tin Shui Wai, $25; wetlandpark.gov.hk.

Learn with laughter at the Hong Kong Wetland Park, as they revamp their renowned Bird Watching Festival to include more fascinating activities than ever.

This aviary celebration is the perfect opportunity for a day away from the concrete jungle with your favourite wildebeasts.

THE GREAT EUROPEAN CARNIVAL UNTIL FEB 21 11am-11pm, Central Habourfront, Central, $90-$125; tgec.asia.

AIA’s thrilling extravaganza is back for a second year of festivity and fun. With HK’s biggest ice rink, incredible entertainment, gorgeous views of our city, exciting rides and tasty treats, an afternoon at the Carnival is definitely going to be packed with merry shenanigans.

KINDNESS MATS 2.0 JAN 21 11am-5pm, The Desk, G/F, 511 Queen's Rd W, Sai Ying Pun, $20.

Start the year off with an act of kindness at this volunteering event.

You will be recycling plastic bags into mats, blankets and pillows, while 100 percent of the minimum $20 donation will go towards free laundry and dinner vouchers for the homeless.

SUN LIFE RESOLUTION RUN AND CARNIVAL JAN 22

BALLET CLASSICS FOR CHILDREN: CINDERELLA JAN 20-JAN 22 Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, $180, $280; urbtix.hk.

This January, celebrated choreographer Yuri Ng brings to Hong Kong the second instalment of Ballet Classics for Children. A master of storytelling through dance and music, Ng’s series provides children with an accessible introduction to the magical art form that is ballet.

CHINESE NEW YEAR AT DISNEYLAND HONG KONG 2017 JAN 20-FEB 5 10.30am-8pm, Disneyland Hong Kong, Lantau Island, $589 for Adults, $385 for children.

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Get into the festive season that is Chinese New Year at Disneyland Hong Kong! Fun for the whole family, there's no better way to celebrate than among Disney’s most famous characters. Dazzling red lanterns and boisterous lion dances will have you bringing in the Lunar New Year in style.

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8.30am-1pm, Science Park, Sha Tin, $200-$250; sunrun.sunlife.com.hk.

Gather all your loved ones for a family running event sponsored

by Sun Life Financial. The races range from 10km runs for the more experienced, to the 1km runs for the four to six-year-old runners. The event will also feature a carnival full of fun, interactive game booths.

FAIRISH LATE NIGHT NEW YEAR FAIR JAN 25-JAN 27 3pm-11pm, D2 Place One, 9 Cheung Yee St, Lai Chi Kok. This Chinese New Year night market will be offering over 200 stalls selling gifts, festivities and handicraft. There are also creative game booths and several food stalls. Celebrate the New Year within the festive atmosphere of a special bazaar and go exploring with the whole family.

Around Town DON’T MISS

New Year’s Flower Market Jan 22-28

24-hours, Victoria Park, 1 Hing Fat St, Causeway Bay Celebrate the tradition of hang fa shi, a New Year’s Hong Kong tradition of walking down the flower market. The new year's flower market fair opens annually in early February with hundreds of stalls selling dozens of vibrant flowers. Look out for the traditional peony: the flower of prosperity and the popular tangerine trees.

CHINESE NEW YEAR NIGHT PARADE JAN 28

FREE

7pm-10.30pm, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, partner.viator.com.

The Lunar New Year always promises lively celebration in Hong Kong, but with its vivacious performances and stunning floats this magical spectacle is definitely a major highlight. This hugely popular event is a wonderful way to celebrate Chinese New Year, but book early spectator tickets usually sell out in the first day.

HONG KONG WELLWISHING FESTIVAL JAN 28-FEB 11

FREE

9.30am-5.30am, Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees, Lam Tsuen; lamtsuen.com Write a wish on a red and gold piece of paper, tie it to an orange and toss it towards the wishing tree. The higher it hangs on the tree, the more likely your wish will come true!

CHINESE NEW YEAR FIREWORKS JAN 29

FREE

8pm, Victoria Harbour.

Have an explosive start to the Lunar New Year! Bring your family and friends to Victoria Harbourfront and embrace the pyrotechnic pandemonium in all its glory. A fleet of boats will put on a fantastic 30-minute fireworks display.

CHINESE NEW YEAR RACE DAY JAN 30 12.30pm-6pm, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, $10, $130; hkjc.com.

Try your luck at the Chinese New Year Race Day at Sha Tin Racecourse! At this festive event, spirits will be high as a variety of entertainment brings smiles and joy. With singing performances, traditional lion dances and good luck tips from renowned feng shui masters, Race Day is sure to be fun for the whole family!

AMAZING SNOW IN ASIA JAN 31-FEB 14 11am-10pm, Exhibition Hall E, The Venetian Macao, Macau, $120, $180; amazingsnowinasia.com.

The Amazing Snow in Asia carnival combines virtual reality, food, games, dance shows, music and shopping to recreate an interactive ‘real snow’ experience suitable for all ages. Try skiing for the first time on the snow slopes, or just spend a moment to enjoy some warm beverages in the Sky Cafe.

EXPLORER’S 3D GAME MODDING CAMP: MINECRAFT FEB 1-3

own virtual world. The Explorer’s 3D Game Modding Programme teaches students to understand technical concepts behind video game modding, and empower them with the ability to modify video games. A unique experience for those who seek unique skills!

9:15am to 12:15pm, First Code Academy, Sheung wan, $3,150; hk.firstcodeacademy.com.

If you are a fan of best-selling game Minecraft, this 3-day camp is for you! Minecraft provides a 3D canvas in which to create and explore your

INDIA BY THE BAY FEB 17-FEB 25

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Various times, various locations, 9151 8808; indiabythebay.com.

India By the Bay is a cultural festival that emcompasses all things India: food, dance, music, literature, film, theatre and much more. The festival will be set in several different venues. Learn to cook Indian food with celebrity chef Karen Anand.

Or enjoy the dance events from the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble.

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Around Town

MY LIFE AS A...

FIRST LOOK

Life coach

After 15 years in the corporate world, Mac Ling changed tracks and set up a life coaching business and it’s proving to be a hit with busy Hongkongers.

What’s the difference between life coaching and therapy?

I see the difference between life coaching and counseling or therapy as this: as a counselor or therapist you are primarily a healer.

Therapists work with clients to heal wounds of the past, making way for a better present.

Once in this improved position, you can start to think about the future. In contrast, as a coach, I work with clients to create a clear vision of a fuller, unprecedented future, leveraging that vision to enable them to make changes right now. From there we work together to develop new habits and rhythms in order to reach that better future.

THE ARCADE: DISCOVER THE LEGEND OF NIAN

How did you get into it? What were you doing beforehand?

Words of advice: being an entrepreneur is the hardest job you'll ever do. After 15 years of corporate life I took a plunge into entrepreneurship and moved to Bangkok to create a business that combined things that I love – travel, food, storytelling and social good.

But when I couldn't figure out my customer acquisition model I pivoted my business to create a leadership development NGO allowing

me to work with leaders of small Bangkokbased NGOs. I connected with an amazing coach to provide a four-day intensive training course to the leaders I was working with. That coach helped me to see that after my first business had failed I hadn't taken the time to dream a new dream. It's through this process that I found the emotional resilience to bounce back and the desire to work with people to help them live fuller, richer lives.

Why do people need a life coach?

Varying reasons. Everyone has their own hurdles to overcome. The majority of my clients feel stuck in their current situation and need assistance to move forward towards the path they feel compelled to pursue but are unsure what the next step is.

Mac Ling mac-ling.com.

THE BULLETIN

What are your new year resolutions?

T

o welcome in the Year of the Rooster, The Arcade at Cyberport is featuring a special Chinese New Year themed train carriage. Families can take a ride on the VR Express, which departs from Peach Blossom Village. On the journey, travellers will be invited to look out for the Chinese New Year mascot Nian, play an AR game and learn all about the traditions and history of this important festive season.

As well the games, there’re are also a number of fun ways for visitors to boost their luck in the coming year. Take a spin on one of The Arcade’s special bicycles and use your kinetic energy to make the eyes of a lion statue light up. By doing so, you’ll be welcoming a prosperous Year of the Rooster.

Alternatively, try your hand at the spinning wheel, where you can pick up different coloured packets of lai see, depending on where you land on the wheel.

With a whole host of family-friendly activities, this is an ideal weekend activity for the whole gang!

Ocean View Court, The Arcade, Cyberport, various times until Feb 26. timeout.com/hk

Next issue: What's your ideal weekend? letters@timeout.com.hk.

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New Term starts THIS MONTH! Celebrating 18 Dramatic Years

Holiday Theatre & Creative Writing Available for Chinese New Year & Easter

Weekly Term-Time Drama Workshops Join us for weekly drama workshops for ages 3 to 18 that takes place in venues across Hong Kong and Kowloon including: Sheung Wan

Discovery Bay

Mid Levels

Stanley

Kowloon Tong

Pok Fu Lam

Repulse Bay

The Peak

www.FaustWorld.com

2547 9114

Info@FaustWorld.com

FaustHongKong

Top 10

Best After-School Activity

Winner

2014, 2015, 2016

Hong Kong

Summer Activities for Kids

Best

After-School Activities for Tots to Teens

Feature

Ring in the

rooster The most important holiday in Hong Kong’s calendar has arrived. We give you the scoop on the what to do over this auspicious time of year

Being able to make a loved one light up as they unwrap a truly precious gift is one of the best parts of Christmas.

Whoever you’re shopping for, make sure they have a magical day on the 25th with the help of our gift guide.

Your Christmas shopping sorted!

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Feature

Do’s & don’ts

As one of the most fortuitous festivals in the world, there are a number of traditions that should be acknowledged in order to ensure a prosperous new year

Do’s

4. GET SOME NEW GARMS

1. THANK THE KITCHEN GOD

On January 21 enjoy a healthy serving of sugary rice balls with loved ones. Make up an extra portion for the kitchen god and place it in front of his picture.

After dinner, send the Kitchen God back to heaven by burning his picture.

Invest in some new threads for extra prosperity. Over the New Year holiday all clothing should be new to ensure a fresh start!

2. VISIT THE FLOWER MARKET

A week prior to the main celebrations, between the 23rd and 27th of this month, it is traditional to pay a visit to a flower market.

Orange trees and flowers are not only bought to decorate the home but are thought to help unmarried people find love.

3. STOCK UP ON SNACKS

Snacks are always welcome and Chinese New Year ones are no different.

Tuck into melon seeds, dried meats and fruit during the celebrations.

Many vendors will even be offering free samples.

You can’t beat the hustle and bustle of the markets around the Spring Festival!

Don’t...

5. CLEAN THE OUSE

Get the whole family together to make sure the home is spic and span!

Chuck out old furniture, wipe the dust off the ceiling fan and sweep the floor. When sweeping, make sure that everything is swept towards the door – this is symbolic of cleaning away bad fortune. If you’re after extra luck for the Year of the Rooster you could employ the help of a feng shui master.

4. NO MONOCHROME Wear your brightest red outfit but avoid black and white clothes.

While red is said to keep bad spirits away, black and white symbolize bad luck and death.

1. SWEEP THE FLOOR BEFORE THE FIFTH DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

Pack away all of your brooms and dustpans before the fifth day of the month or you may sweep away your good fortune. This isn’t an excuse to have a messy home, though!

3. WAIT FOR THAT TRIM

2. NO NAUGHTY WORDS

That’s right, rinse out your potty mouth and make sure all of your debts are cleared. New Year’s Day is said to set a precedent for the rest of the year. So start it off on the right note and don’t bring up any taboo subjects such as death or the dead.

Haircuts should be delayed until the second day of the new year. This is down to an old legend about a poor barber who loved his uncle. The young man couldn’t afford to give his uncle a lavish gift so gave him a haircut instead, this continued every year until the uncle died.

The young barber was so overwhelmed with grief during each CNY that it became taboo to get your haircut during the festive period.

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5. STAY HOME ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, which is January 30 this year, it’s considered unlucky to receive guests or visit others. Known as ‘red mouth’ or Chikou day, many visit the Che Kung temple in Sha Tin, which is devoted to the god of wealth. timeout.com/hk

Feature

Good luck grub As with all festivities the world over, food plays an important role in the celebrations. During the new year period many dishes are deemed auspicious, with several ingredients thought to bring prosperity

DUMPLINGS

Dumplings are always a good idea, but they’re an even better idea when they bring you good luck.

The tradition of making and eating dumplings around this time of year dates back over 1,800 years ago and is particularly popular in Northern China. Though the tradition isn’t as strong in Hong Kong many families still enjoy them over the festive period.

The delicacies are made to look like old Chinese currency, known as gold ingots, and the more you chow down on the more money you’ll make in the new year!

Though the main reason for tucking into dumplings is to do with prosperity, different fillings actually have different meanings.

CELERY

Dumplings stuffed with celery represent industriousness. This is due to the fact that the chinese word for celery, ‘kun choi’, sounds like industrious wealth.

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CABBAGE

For a hundred years of good luck stuff your dumplings with cabbage. This lucky veggie is also lucky for couples who seek enduring love.

FISH

Pack your dumplings with fish and you’ll have surplus wealth in 2017. This is because the word fish in chinese sounds like surplus.

BEEF

If you’re after strong economic growth then munch on some beef dumplings. This is down to beef coming from bulls, a strong animal that can take on just about anything.

MUSHROOM

Tucking into dumplings stuffed with mushrooms is thought to bring about wealth and good luck. This is down to the shape of the mushroom, which is much like a coin, representing the money that you will recieve over the new year.

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OTHER DISHES NIANGAO

This cake is a staple during the festivities and legend has it that if you tuck into this sweet treat you will have lots of success in the coming year. The word niangao sounds like a term to get higher year on year, so if you want a little extra hei ght or for your grades to improve then eat plenty of it! The cake is made with rice and served in small square portions along with taro cake and turnip cake.

TANGYUAN

To be a true Hongkonger over the new year holidays you simply must tuck into tangyuan.

The delicacy is made by mixing glutinous rice flour with some water to form balls which are then cooked in boiling hot water. The sweet variety is filled with sesame paste and served with a delicious red bean soup. The treats are eaten on both the lantern festival and at weddings, as the round shape represents wholeness and unity.

Feature

Make your own dumplings Serve up your very own handmade dumplings over the Lunar new Year period

INGREDIENTS

· 1/2 pound cabbage · 1/2 pound ground pork · 1/2 bunch scallions finely chopped · 1/2 cup chopped garlic chives · 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped · 1 (1-inch) knob fresh ginger, grated · 3 tablespoons soy sauce · 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil · 1/2 pound round wheat dumpling wrappers

METHOD

For the filling….

1. Coarsely chop the cabbage and then pop it in a food processor.

2. Pulse until the cabbage is finely chopped but not puréed.

3. Remove the cabbage, wrap it in a kitchen towel and squeeze it to remove any excess liquid.

4. Transfer the cabbage to a large bowl and stir in the pork, scallions, garlic chives, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil.

Decorations Forget about the pine trees and bring out your mandarin orange tree. These are the decorations which are said to ensure good luck, health and happiness!

FAI CHUN

Over the new year period many people will hang fai chun on their doors. The square or rectangular paper decorations traditionally feature hand drawn calligraphy but are now mass produced and can be picked up from most shops and markets.

The calligraphy written on the red paper is traditionally in black or gold ink and features phrases suggesting good luck or prosperity. They are often hung upside down as the homonym of the Chinese words ‘inverted’ (倒) and ‘arrival’ (到) suggest the arrival of happiness and good fortune.

KUMQUAT TREES

If floral decorations aren’t your thing then go for a kumquat tree. The plant not only gives off a fresh citrus scent, but also brings good luck to the family, with the idea that there will be many generations to come. For extra good luck and wealth decorate your tree with ribbons and lai see packets.

FLOWERS

Fresh flowers are often used to decorate the home during the festive season. Peonies symbolise spring and wealth, while orchids represent love and fertility. Live flowers are thought to bring luck into the home, but it’s regarded as very unlucky to have cut flowers in the home as anything cut represents severing good luck and prosperity.

To shape the dumplings…

1. Hold a dumpling wrapper flat in your hand, place two teaspoons of the filling in the centre of the wrapper.

2. Wet the edges of the wrapper and fold the dumpling in half, forming a half-moon shape, pressing out the air as you seal the dumpling.

3. Use your fingers to pinch pleats around the edge of the half circle. Repeat until all the filling is used.

To cook the dumplings...

1. Bring a large pot of water to a slow boil.

Add the dumplings and cook until they float to the surface.

2. Then add a cup of cold water.

When the water returns to the boil, add another cup of cold water.

3. When the dumplings float to the surface again, use a slotted spoon to remove them to a platter.

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LANDMARK’S A YEAR OF WISDOM MARKS CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH A CELEBRATION OF TOGETHERNESS

I

n 2017, LANDMARK presents A Year of Wisdom, a groundbreaking initiative that explores the power that wisdom has to enrich our lives.

The year-long exposition seeks to understand this universal concept in its many guises, taking customers on a journey of discovery through the exploration of wisdom in making our lives interesting, rewarding and, ultimately, more fulfilling.

In Chinese culture, the concept of wisdom is perhaps no better represented than through the tradition of 團 圓 (tuan yuan). Refering to the sense of togetherness that a new lunar year represents, 團 (tuan) refers to a gathering of family, while 圓 (yuan) represents a unified circle. The concept of 團圓 (tuan yuan) expresses a togetherness that is richly intertwined with the essence of a complete circle of unity. Chinese New Year brings us back full circle to where we began: our home.

Here, we gather to share wisdom with our loved ones, enriching our souls by honouring time-honoured traditions and customs.

One of the most important practices during the New Year period is the family reunion feast – indeed, the spirit of 團圓 (tuan yuan) is best articulated through shared family meals. Much like

Limited edition tote bags and gift packaging

Spring symbolising both the beginning and the end of a complete cycle, we indulge in our feasts around a circular table, where family members sit side by side, strengthening bonds, sharing wisdom and passing on family values from one generation to the next.

Part of the joy of Chinese New Year is the sharing of values and wisdom, and gaining new insights through the understanding of one’s past. It is only fitting, that an exuberant family reunion feast upholds this traditional custom and pass wisdom down the family tree. A perennial highlight of the holiday, festive and traditional dishes are lovingly prepared to ensure the best possible start to the new lunar cycle and as a demonstration of love and respect for one’s kin. Memories are made when children help out with food preparation, to shopping for gifts, in anticipation of the ensuing gathering of family and friends.

In bringing a new sense of joy to the Year of the Rooster, LANDMARK presents the Artisanal Market, where a finely curated a selection of food, condiments and gift items of over 11 beloved Hong Kong heritage brands will be featured for sale. Taking place in LANDMARK Atrium over the festive period from January 18 to 27, the Market is a charming slice of old Hong Kong in elegant, contemporary surrounds, reminiscent of traditional festive fairs. Every meal starts with the right ingredients, and from the best soy sauce to the highest quality abalone to shrimp paste, and tea leaves, the best artisanal products can be found under one roof. Each selected brand carries their own story to tell.

Each represents the best in their respective category in Hong Kong.

Over 40 items will be featured and displayed in specially designed trolleys.

A certain selection of beloved products will be available in a limited edition LANDMARK Chinese New Year packaging - making them perfect for seasonal gifting.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CALVIN SIT

LANDMARK presents an Artisanal Market in collaboration with revered Hong Kong brands steeped in family traditions

Specialty teas from Gong Fu Teahouse

The brand highlights feature Hong Kong’s most artisanal and heritage brands which are not widely sold and generally only available through their own outlets. They are also run by tight-knit families, who have eschewed the allure of ambitious expansion and steadfastly keeping time-honoured traditions alive. Their stories are inspirational and their products are beloved by gourmands and those “in the know”.

In Chinese cooking, seasoning and sauces is crucial to achieving the right taste. Two such companies specialising in seasonings and sauces are Tai Ma (大孖) and Yik Cheung Ho (益昌號).

Founded in 1951 by Tai O resident Chui Kam-yuen, this specialty shrimp paste is dedicated to using the freshest ingredients harvested from the crystal clear waters of Hong Kong’s most famous fishing village. In 1975, Chui Chun-wah kept the family tradition alive and brought the taste of Tai O to gourmands citywide. To this day, the

Yik Cheung Ho label remains dedicated to using seafood from Tai O – where it is still based – and uses unique drying methods in their own plant to retain the freshest flavours of the sea in their paste.

Fans of Tai Ma’s soy sauce will attest that the aromatic quality of this family operated soy sauce brewery comes from their use of the best soy beans and a natural fermentation process.

Noodles are another popular staple of the New Year Meal because its length stands for longevity. Another highlight at the Artisanal Market is Cheung Wing Kee (張榮記), who, for more than half a century, have kept true to their ethos of producing the most flavourful and high quality noodles in Hong Kong. Their range – which includes egg noodles, rice flour noodles and vermicelli, among others – is held in the highest regard by Hong Kong’s food set. They have also perfected the art of producing flavoured noodles, which they make using prime ingredients such as ground whole abalone and dried sea scallops.

Special feature

Handcrafted Chinese slippers

Dried seafood such as abalone is perhaps as traditional and steeped in connoisseurship as ingredients get, with much of Sheung Wan’s Wing Lok Street devoted to these speciality ingredients.

The Artisanal Market is proud to host

On Hing Ho (安興號), which started life in Guangzhou as far back as 1945. The business is owned by the Sit family, who settled in Hong Kong in that same year. It was in our city that they honed their focus to fine delicacies such as

sea cucumber and other dried seafood.

On Hing Ho are experts in the health benefits of dried seafood goods and have searched for the cleanest waters to source their high quality items. The Sit family sons now work alongside their father so they can learn about and gain experience in running a business that makes no compromise on quality.

No meal is complete without a wonderful selection of Chinese teas, and one will find an amazing selection presented by Gong Fu Tea House , who specialises in Pu Erh and Oolong teas.

For those who want to learn a bit more about the art of tea preparation, they will have experts on site to share tips and experience to make your shopping experience an enriching one.

Also behold the art of hand embroidered Chinese slippers, created by the artisans of Sindart (先達商店).

This three-generation maker of bridal

shoes, slippers and accessories is helmed

by Miru Wong, who studied the art of embroidery under her grandfather, Wong Wing, the founder of Sindart.

“Crafting footwear by hand does take a long time, but the finished product offers more comfort and durability, and customers develop a love for our products.”

With over 40 items on sale, the LANDMARK Chinese New Year Artisanal Market is the perfect place to pick up ingredients to transform your New Year feast into something truly special. And with each brand having their own story to tell, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover a different side of the heritage of Hong Kong.

The Artisanal Market opens daily from January 18 to 27, from 10am to 7pm at LANDMARK ATRIUM

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE AT THE ARTISANAL MARKET WORKSHOP SERIES Learn the stories behind the craft at exclusive, intimate demonstrations, and take home a piece of your own handicraft at a series of special workshops, all part of LANDMARK’s Chinese New Year Artisanal Market.

The Zen of Tea

The Porcelain Experience

Tea forms a significant part of Chinese culture.

Historically, the art of tea brewing has long been recognised as nourishing for the mind and body. With over 50 years’ brewing experience, Gong Fu Teahouse harvest only the best leaves to produce their blends, specialising in oolong and pu’er. Discover the secret to making the perfect cup at this workshop series, where you’ll be guided by Gong Fu’s tea masters to bring out the best taste and fragrance from a blend of your choosing. See up close the characteristics of high-quality tea leaves and learn about traditional harvesting and drying methods before you brew and taste your perfect cup while sharing in the wisdom of tea preparation, a calming custom favoured throughout history by noblemen, artists and the literati.

First setting up shop in Kowloon City nearly a century ago, Yuet Tung China Works maintain the art of Guangzhou-style, Qing Dynasty porcelain painting. While technologies might have changed, the family-run Yuet Tung still upholds the tradition of painting by hand, using glazed colours and liquid gold, with all pieces fired in the on-site kiln. Paint your own plate at this workshop series at LANDMARK, under the tutelage of Yuet Tung’s master craftsmen. When your masterpiece is complete, it will be taken back to the Yuet Tung kiln and sealed and heated for you, ready to be collected in just about a month’s time. Your white plate, paints and brushes are all provided, so all you need to bring is your imagination.

20th, 27th January, Friday: 1pm and 6pm.

The Art of Chinese Embroidery From a tiny shop that sowed its first stitch in 1958 to an enduring statement of elegance, the handembroidered footwear designs of Sindart are a favourite of the modern woman with an eye for the finer things. Miru Wong, the third-generation chief designer of this label, will be demonstrating the intricate art of traditional Chinese embroidery at her workshop. Take home your own hand-embroidered accessory to stare the creative wisdom this season.

21st January, Saturday: 1pm and 6pm; 26th January, Thursday: 1pm and 6pm.

19th January, Thursday: 1pm and 6pm.

The Fun of Chinese Embroidery (for children and adults) Similar to The Art of Chinese Embroidery, this entertaining workshop allows parents to share the fun with their children following simple steps that anyone can master. Take home a personalised work for your keepsake.

22nd January, Sunday: 1pm and 6pm.

How to register: • Registration by emailing rsvp.landmark@hkland.com. For more details, please visit landmark.hk.

• Completion of registration will require a non-refundable HKD300 admission fee, and participants will receive a HKD300 Artisanal Market Voucher after the completion of the workshop.

• 10 registrants per workshop. Terms and conditions apply.

• Workshops will be conducted in Cantonese with English interpretation.

Education

Occupational therapy for children Hannah Hodson chats to occupational therapist Kate Powell about her work and its benefits and then meets two mums whose young sons it has helped

T

o many, the idea of playing in a gym to help concentration, or working on balance to help handwriting seems bizarre. Particularly in Hong Kong, where many little ones are sent straight to a tutor. However, this form of therapy is working miracles for many young children the world over.

Occupational therapy for children incorporates play into therapy sessions, keeping kids engaged, boosting their confidence and working on their weaknesses.

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Kate Powell is a mum of two and works as an occupational therapist at SPOT, a paediatric facility that offers a number of different therapies for young kids.

What is occupational therapy Occupational Therapists have been around for more than 100 years enabling people to engage in the ‘occupations’ of daily life. We support ‘skills for the job of living’ and use meaningful activities to help people gain skills they have not yet developed or regain skills they have lost due to illness, injury or accident.

How does it Help Children?

The occupation of childhood is to grow and learn, and a child’s daily life revolves around school, family, friends and play. Occupational therapists can help children with motor development,

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social skills, emotional capabilities, concentration and attention. We also help children with organising themselves or their materials, play skills and sensory integration issue – this is a huge topic in itself.

What might be some reasons that parents would bring their child to see you?

A lot of time children can be referred for one reason and there is another underlying reason, or number of reasons, for the issue. For example, one of the most common reasons for referral with school aged children is difficulties with handwriting. With handwriting, people often say ‘well, they just need to change their pencil grip or it’s a fine motor issue’ and then when I assess the child the handwriting problem is actually the end product and ’the hand’ is not actually

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causing the problem. The actual causes of the problem could be a lot of other things.

It could be a lack of core strength – our muscles in our stomach and back – it’s like a building, if you don’t have good foundations then the walls or fixtures won’t fit properly. It’s the same with handwriting. If core strength isn’t strong, then your fine motor skills in your fingers won’t work.

In primary school boys can often struggle with handwriting more than girls, is there a particular reason for this?

I often see more boys than girls generally not just for handwriting.

In Hong Kong there isn’t the outside non-structured play that the boys really crave: climbing trees, running around and letting off steam and using up the energy they have pent up all day. People are great here at getting children into after-school activities but that’s very structured. They won’t just pick up a ball and mess around because there isn’t the space. It’s a generalisation but I do think boys need much more movement.

Do you help children who may have difficulties concentrating?

Yes, this is another major area that we help with. Issues with focus and attention often come down to problems with a child’s sensory systems, which is very

complicated. So, we’d look at what their sensory system – and there are more than the five senses that we all know of – is and how the inputs are maybe distracting or confusing for the child, meaning that their output of attention is affected.

What sort of things would you encourage to help kids focus?

It would really depend on what causes the lack of concentration. There could be a lot of reasons causing the lack of concentration. It could be a lack of core strength, it could be to do with their vestibular system – which is a movement system – or, it could be that they’re seeking touch or a lack of their own intrinsic motivation. So, if for example their vestibular system is affected, we would within therapy get them moving more. In a gym you might use suspended equipment like swings or hammocks. In the classroom you might encourage them to sit on a therapy ball.

It gives them a little bit of movement in their seats which really helps.

Serotonin helps with concentration.

How is this so?

It’s a mood stabiliser and it helps if y our arousal level is on the lower side.

You get this naturally by exercising. So, I had this child the other day and his arousal level is very low – he struggles to talk and do something, or listen and do. So when he’s doing something he struggles to stop and listen. His arousal levels at school are on the low side, so by increasing his movement, it increases his serotonin and his arousal improves and so he’s able to respond quicker.

So can stimulating a child and keeping them active help with concentration?

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Yes. There is more and more evidence that the more a child moves the more available they are for learning. Even moving while learning appears to be more effective than sitting still. You have to be careful with movement though as you can over stimulate a child. If you get a child on a swing and you turn them round and round, they might be seeking that but the effect lasts 24 hours. This can result in them having a huge melt down due to overstimulation a few hours later .

What sort of age would parents come and see you about their children?

At the moment I work with children who are from about two-years-old to going into secondary school. Other occupational therapists on the team at SPOT work more with babies and others with teens. With the very young children we often use an approach called DIR floortime and that helps look at the social and emotional levels that a child is functioning at. The idea is one looks at where the child play and interactional development is at and expand on that.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I am really passionate about the work I do. It is fabulous to see children develop and grow with confidence.

I also love how I can help parents and teachers develop their relationships with children who may need a little more help.

SPOT Various locations inc 19/F, 50 Stanley St, Central, 2544 5835; spot.com.hk.

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Brooke Langford Douglas is a mum of two and owner of a small business. She and her husband sought the help of an occupational therapist for their oldest son when they noticed some gaps in his development.

What challenges was your child facing that made you seek the help of an occupational therapist?

We were alerted to some gaps in our son’s development by both his teacher and GP, in regards to his speech and also social development. It was a very scary time but we rallied and as a first step went looking to understand where the gaps were via a range of tests and observations. Then we looked at the best possible strategy which included being referred to an occupational therapist.

How were you introduced to occupational therapy?

We were aware of the importance of occupational therapists and were referred to a number of professionals.

However, when we met Kate from SPOT we just knew she and her approach was the right fit for our child and our family. It’s crucial you feel comfortable and work as a team as so

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much of the work needs to be done at home, incorporating your domestic helpers into the plan and working with your teachers. Having the right teammate is crucial. You are also in an incredibly vulnerable state, so you need someone who can also support you on the roller coaster as it can be incredibly taxing emotionally. What we didn’t quite realise was how many people have seen or regularly see an occupational therapist as part of their child’s strategy. It’s not widely talked about by people but once you open up and start to share experiences, it’s eye opening how many of us are out there.

were very open and supportive and welcomed our occupational therapist to do some observations in the classroom as they too wanted to understand how they could be assisting and encouraging our son.

They’ve taken all the strategies on board suggested by his occupational therapist. Some examples have included encouraging eye contact, speaking with clear, consistent directions and reducing the amount of words in the directive so it’s easy for him to digest and understand.

How often does your son attend sessions?

He attends weekly sessions and each week is different dependent on his progress which means the sessions, although structured, play to our child’s strengths and needs. These sessions are also supplemented with speech therapy sessions as required. It’s amazing how incorporating both really lifts a child’s confidence and skills.

What changes have you noticed in your child since seeking the help of an occupational therapist?

The information and support provided to us by his occupational therapist has meant we have been armed with the right strategy and support for our child. No two children are the same

Have you managed to incorporate some of the tools from occupational therapy in school?

We are fortunate our son’s school

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and we have been so fortunate that the plan put in place for our son has meant he has come on in leaps and bounds in the areas he needed some assistance with. We too, as a family have learnt so much because at times we have needed a session or two, just one on one with our son’s occupational therapist to ensure we were guiding him appropriately.

Do you have any advice for parents who are new to occupational therapy?

I think it is truly important for any parent or care-giver to remember that these wonderful occupational therapists like Kate give you the tools to best suit your child. However, the work has to be done by you. It’s also really important in HK to include your domestic helper, children spend so much time in their care.

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Alice Lee took her son to see an occupational therapist when he was 26-months-old after noticing delays with his social interaction and his sensitivity to sounds, light and touch.

much at all. He was getting a lot of help at physiotherapy, but I felt that he would benefit from an occupational therapist. So, we started seeing one when he was 26 months.

When did you start to notice that your child may need the help of an occupational therapist?

Since he was a newborn he seemed more sensitive to sounds, touch, light (visual stimuli) and had trouble feeding. As a toddler he avoided social interaction, had almost no eye contact and would often have extreme meltdowns in public. When he was one and a half we decided to get him assessed with a psychologist, who determined that was borderline on the autism spectrum.

Has the communication between you son’s occupational therapist and school been easy?

Yes, he has amazing, supportive teachers who are well aware of sensory challenges and neurodiversity. So we have been able to communicate with them about his sensory difficulties and incorporate modifications to help him succeed in the classroom. We share reports and recommendations from the occupational therapist, so his teachers are more attentive to moments when he needs help washing hands, offering a chair to sit in during circle time or warning him of a loud musical session. Since he was 33 months he has been attending playgroups independently and has had no meltdowns and difficulties coping.

What sorts of therapy did you first explore?

He started getting behavioural therapy and physiotherapy in addition to attending playgroup three times a week. He seemed stressed, tense and would stay away from circle time. He was not affectionate as he said hugging hurts and was generally poorly regulated mood-wise. He had poor balance, low muscle tone and unusual posture. His social interaction was more delayed compared to his motor delays – with age-appropriate language skills and vocabulary, he did not converse

How has occupational therapy helped your relationship with your child?

I think the greatest gift that having access to a great occupational therapist has given us has been the knowledge in understanding our son’s behaviour and emotional regulation. What otherwise might be

misinterpreted as unwillingness to comply or join in socially, turned out to be a challenging situation with sensory inputs. Once that challenge is overcome we see him doing more and more without prompting. Our son is fully aware when he is misunderstood and if we blame him or push him into activities where it ‘hurts’, it would deter him socially and undermine the relationship with him.

Have you noticed that he’s better able to cope with lots of stimuli around?

Yes. Whereas before he would have a meltdown or run away, now he is much more at ease with average levels of stimuli. Occasionally he’ll comment on school being loud – if several peers cried that day – or avoid the MTR train when he is tired, but we can go through the day with relative ease and without a public meltdown. He’ll always stay with the group when he’s in school and will sing along with his favourite songs.

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Education

Social Snap Take a peek at some of the exciting events that have happened in the city's schools over the last couple of months

Kellett School’s choir American School Hong Kong perform at Disneyland

The French International School Christmas Fair

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Education

Girls from Island School’s Fleming house on a charity walk

The Senior Administration Team at CDNIS serves up coffee and breakfast to staff ahead of the holidays

Harrow’s senior drama competition Primary school students from the French International School

Kids at Discovery College celebrate the Lantern Festival A Harrow rugby team training session during the enrichment period

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Activities

Rachel Lau meets three people who work in drama and creativity with children

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n Hong Kong traditionally academic subjects such as maths and science are considered the most important part of a child’s education, but does that give them a truly holistic education? Three pioneers of drama and creativity in Hong Kong give us an insight into the benefits of performing.

Lindsey McAlister is the Founder of the Youth Arts Foundation.

What inspired you to found the Youth Arts Foundation?

I began the Youth Arts Foundation 24-years-ago. I had been travelling in Asia for a year and arrived in Hong Kong. The moment I put my foot down on Hong Kong soil I knew I was going to be here forever. My background was working in the arts in the UK. There were a lot of opportunities for young people in Hong Kong, but everything seemed to be quite competitive. My background is non-competitive, nonjudgmental. I just want people from different backgrounds and different cultures to immerse themselves in the arts and be the best that they can be, not be competing to be better than somebody else, which obviously is quite a Hong Kong thing. Over time people caught on to the fact that just participating in the arts is incredibly good for young people. At the end of the day YAF is a life skills project. It’s about being confident, a good communicator, a collaborator and a leader. So it’s not just about the arts.

What is the most rewarding thing about working at YAF? The transformation of the lives of the children that we work with. I find that so motivating because we work with hundreds of thousands of kids every year. The thing I love most is that journey from nobody knowing anybody, people arriving and thinking, “Oh God, why did I commit to this project? Should I be here?” to four months down the line when you are a family. I find that very powerful.

How have you seen the arts scene for children change since you set up YAF? I think there are so many more opportunities for kids now, from opportunities where young people can get involved

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in the arts, whether that be fee-based schemes or projects like ours. At YAF everything is free because we find companies that we can partner with to give these kids the opportunity. It was always my intention to set up something where it didn’t matter what your mum and dad did for a living and it didn’t matter whether or not you had money. On occasion, we’ve even paid for MTR fares or bus fares for kids who’ve lived in remote places. The arts are so fundamental to being a person that you can’t say, “You can’t do this because your parents don’t earn enough.”

What transferable skills do you and your team teach kids that they can use in their day-to-day lives?

We teach leadership and being part of a team. I would say that 99 percent of all jobs require those skills. Lacking self-confidence and self-esteem puts young people at an amazing disadvantage because if you don’t believe in yourself then that’s very detrimental to you having a big vision for your future. If you have good self-esteem and confidence, then you’re more likely to be more motivated and maybe dream a little bit bigger. So even though the arts might seem a bit airy-fairy, actually all the skills that you would benefit from you can get from the arts.

What’s one message that you’d give to our readers regarding their children and the arts?

“Live your life with passion.” I’ve always been lucky in my own life to do what I really love because for me it is more important to do what I really, really feel that I couldn’t do without in my life. I really want to instill that passion into young people. I want them to gain pleasure and a sense of achievement from being involved with arts activities. So I always think, “live your life with passion.”

Youth Arts Foundation hkyaf.com.

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Activities Keon Lee is the general manager at Faust.

How does Faust help with the emerging youth drama scene in Hong Kong?

There are so many talented and committed kids in Hong Kong and we are very proud to be nurturing them. We provide them with a space to develop performance skills, engage their creativity, build confidence and give them the platform to be authentic storytellers on the stage and in life.

Why do you think it's important for children to engage in the arts? What are the benefits?

The benefits of engaging in arts transcend the stage.

The arts give children the space to express themselves in creative and engaging ways to help them understand ideas, narratives and culture. Through the arts they are able to develop their emotional intelligence, increase self-

esteem and gain a stronger sense of identity. This helps children to be well rounded people who are empowered to speak up, empathise with others and appreciate the world around them.

What have been the challenges you've faced in working with young performers?

Probably confidence, some of our young actors are just beginning to discover their potential and purpose in performance. We see their potential before they do and challenge them to be brave and step up. While it sometimes takes patience, it is a great feeling to see them blossom into their unique selves.

In what ways do you think the Hong Kong art scene can improve?

Better publicity of artistic projects and general funding and support for the arts. Sometimes events and shows in Hong Kong happen in the blink of an eye.

What are your opinions on the prevailing attitude towards drama for parents?

Being involved in drama doesn’t necessarily mean that people should be an actor or get a certificate or diploma.

Fundamentally, for us at Faust, it’s about guiding kids to become well rounded, self-expressive people. After 18 years I have seen many former students grow up in all kinds of professions and they’ve told me that drama gave them confidence to present themselves and express their ideas powerfully.

Faust faustworld.com.hk.

10 reasons to encourage your kid to take part in drama

Vincent Warren is the artistic senior

side of education is being sidelined a little bit. We believe that it’s really important because obviously creativity is not just about whether you can stand on stage or not, or whether you can paint a picture. It’s actually a mindset, it’s the ability to work well with others and to create ideas using your imagination.

company director at Starlit Voice.

Academic subjects like maths and science are traditionally viewed as more important than the humanities. How does drama help children to develop holistically?

The thing about drama is it’s about using your imagination to place yourself in other situations and to understand different viewpoints. So it really is about empathy, the understanding of other people, that’s really important because obviously when you’re working with other people you need to understand their viewpoints.

Your website features a quote from the educationalist Ken Robinson ‘creativity is as important as literacy’. How so?

Nowadays, in particular with education systems, there’s a lot of focus on outcome-driven subjects like maths and the sciences. What’s happened, and this is not just in Hong Kong, is that the creative and artistic

How does Starlit Voice nurture that creativity in children?

We run programmes across most international schools. A lot of our programmes are part of extracurriculars or after school activities and our programmes are based upon things like devising and acting or communication and improvisation. Basically, our programmes provide skills that enable young people to work in different situations.

What is Starlit Voice’s goal for children and the arts in Hong Kong?

A lot of it has to do with creating mindsets within young people that enable them to think outside the box, to enable them to be versatile in different situations, to understand other people. Because if young people don’t understand other people, then there’s not much hope for the world.

Empathy: Drama is about imagining yourself in other people’s shoes and understanding other perspectives Communication skills: What do lawyers, teachers and public officials have in common? The ability to communicate Teamwork: Drama provides positive teamwork experiences for your child.

Self-discipline: Working with strict deadlines and crazy schedules will definitely help your child develop their time management skills.

Accepting feedback: Acting in big productions necessitates a large amount of constructive criticism.

Self-esteem: They don’t necessarily have to be the lead actors, just contributing to a larger end goal will help them feel like they’ve achieved something.

Appreciating the arts: Participation in the arts will help your child develop a greater understanding and appreciation for theatre and other forms of art.

Externalising emotions: Acting can make a tremendous difference in how people understand their own emotions.

Creativity in problem solving: Drama allows children to think outside of the box.

Fun: More than anything, participating in drama is fun!

Starlit Voice starlitvoice.com.

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Activities

ACTIVITIES LISTINGS years). The inclusive program is extremely unique as it doesn’t only focus on building students’ physical skills, but it also concentrates on the kids’ mental and emotional wellbeing. Various locations and venues, 2117 3055; rugbees.hk. Class time and prices vary.

Ages 3-5 Monster Tennis Mon-Sun Aimed towards younger kids, Monster Tennis is a physical play programme designed for three to 10 year-olds.

It gives toddlers their first glimpse into the competitive sport. Parents are also highly encouraged to participate in the fun and exciting games to motivate their children’s development and learning.

Various locations, 9662 8888; monstertennis.hk.

Class time varies.

Free trial class.

Jean M Wong School of Ballet Wed, Sat, Sun

Bounce Inc Mon-Fri

Bounce Inc has a delightful, yet safe mini bounce programme just for your precious tots. Introduce your kids to a world of fun at this trampoline gym as experienced instructors have designed wonderful games, activities and exercises just for junior jumpers. The programme focuses on honing toddlers’ basic movement and control on trampolines so they will be able to tackle big trampolines with family

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Founded in 1960, this longstanding school has taught countless enthusiastic dancers about the art of ballet and jazz. The moral pillars behind this formidable physical performance art teach little ones discipline and structure, while highlighting an appreciation for the beauty behind ballet. Various locations and venues, 2886 3992; jmwballet.org. Class time and prices vary.

Dance Zing Mon-Sun

Did someone say ‘cha cha cha’? Dance Zing will spice up your kids’ dance moves by introducing them to the art of Latin dance. But in case that’s not quite what

MEET THE COACH

Emma Gregory

Netball Programme Manager

Netball is traditionally played by girls. Has there been more interest from boys in recent years?

Netball has been played by boys for many years with competitions opening up to include them. In Hong Kong, the Junior Netball League allows boys to play in teams and primary schools hold a mixed tournament. The ESF Wildcats always welcome boys to join our classes or teams!

At what age do you encourage kids to take up netball?

Children of all ages can take up netball at any time as training sessions are adapted according to skill levels. We offer classes from age five and up for children to play in fun modified games for U8s and U10s.

What are the key skills that the sport teaches?

Hand-eye coordination, passing, catching, shooting, communication and teamwork are the basics that we build on for all age groups and all skill levels.

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What social skills can young players learn from playing in a team?

Being part of a sports team is a great way to learn how to communicate in different environments and gives young players a chance to create friendships for life.

As a coach, what do you hope the players take away from training sessions?

We hope that after every training session our players have had fun and leave with a smile on their face knowing that they have learnt or accomplished something new!

How many netball teams does ESF Educational Services coach?

ESF Wildcats Netball has over 130 girls training each week and we recently entered 10 teams into the Autumn Junior Netball League in all age groups.

ESF Educational Services esf.org.hk

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you’re looking for, award winning teachers Kenny Leung and Winnie Cheung also teach the elegant art of ballroom dancing. Your little ones can pretend to be their favourite Disney princesses or princes dancing under the moonlight until the clock strikes midnight. So what are you waiting for? Put on those dancing shoes and whisk yourself away to Prince Edward. Various locations and venues, 9010 7793 or 9106 1446; dancezingeng. weebly.com. Private class times and prices vary.

Infinity Dance Studio Sat-Sun

Infinity Dance Studio is a leading contemporary dance force in this bustling metropolitan city. Were your kids as obsessed with the Step Up series as much as we were? If so, head over to this cool and funky studio, where your kids will learn to bust fierce hip-hop moves.

5/F, Kimberly Plaza, 45-47 Kimberly Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui.

2369 1632; infinitydance. com.hk. Class time and prices vary.

Lam Tin Campus

Year 1 to Year 13 Enrolling for Year 10 from August 2017

Tin Wan Campus

Nursery, Reception & Year 1,2 & 3 Opening August 2017 *Subject to receipt of customary regulatory approval

Open Day 2017 Visit Our School

Our Open Day is a great opportunity for parents to come and explore our state-of-theart campus and understand NAIS’ philosophy of ‘Be Ambitious’.

Come visit our campus in Lam Tin and meet our outstanding teachers. Our teachers are passionate about your child’s growth and they will be engaged, challenged, and inspired throughout their educational journey with us.

Date: Saturday March 18, 2017 Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm Venue: Lam Tin Campus, 11 On Tin Street

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openday@nais.hk

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For more details, please visit our website.

+852 3958 1488

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Home

Artful This home is a living museum displaying the owner’s passion for collecting contemporary artwork.

Hannah Hodson talks to interior designer Stefano Tordiglioni about how he made it all work

living

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Home

F

rom packaging design to commercial interiors like Brooks Brothers’ stores, Stefano Tordiglione Design Studio does it all. This home is an example of the designers’ unwavering ability to take risks and combine a variety different aesthetics.

You’ve used a beautiful wallpaper in the bedroom. Are there any special treatments that you did to the wall to ensure that it doesn’t get ruined by the Hong Kong humidity?

In this case the apartment is not too humid as it is not on a ground floor. The general humidity is taken care of with dehumidifiers and heaters when cooler. Anyway, if humidity is persistent and structural, there are waterproof treatments that can be done by layering products inside the walls and then covering them with the beautiful wallpapers.

Asian art is a clear theme throughout the home. Where did you source the artwork?

The artwork belongs to the owner. She’s a collector and has a wonderful eye and taste for Asian art.

The home was originally designed to have three bedrooms, why did you remove one of these? timeout.com/hk

The square footage is not that big and we decided to sacrifice one bedroom in order to have more space for the rest of the apartment. Especially for the living space and open kitchen. That’s how Hong Kong original layouts are creatively redesigned to give more space.

What challenges did you face when changing the original floor plan?

There were certain structural walls that were untouchable. Luckily, however, they were in a good layout and gave us some nice natural boundaries. This allowed us to free up space for the for the living and a nice kitchen area.

Other buildings are in quite close proximity to the flat, how have you ensured that it’s still very light?

The point of strength of this apartment is a quite open space in front and well positioned where light gets in easily. The windows used for air con have been freed and left as windows. The conditioning has been replaced with split units to allow for more space.

Stefano Tordiglione stdesign.it.

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Home

Ask the expert Stella Abraham, the head of residential leasing and Relocation at JLL answers your questions

I currently live in a very nice apartment, and have signed a two year lease. However, it has recently been decided that the entire building will undergo major renovations – causing much inconvenience and noise nuisance. Is this a reason to ask my landlord to reduce the rent, even though we already have a contractual agreement? I want to know what the norm is in cases like these.

Thank you for your question, one I think that many tenants may relate to. As you can imagine, with so many buildings here in Hong Kong there is always one under renovation within a fairly close proximity of your home, if it’s not your building itself!

Unfortunately, unless you have already negotiated a renovation clause into your contract there is no opportunity to renegotiate the lease. I would, however, speak with your landlord or the agent who placed you in the property and ask if you can break the lease, but contractually you are not entitled to ask for a reduction in your rent.

When looking at apartments I always suggest asking the agent, landlord and even the concierge if there are any known renovations that are planned to take place in your building or in the vicinity. If you do find out renovations are planned, make sure you consider this before placing an offer. If you discover planned renovations before signing a contract, and you are happy to live with any disruptions, you can try to negotiate a better rental rate during the period that they are taking place.

For more information visit jllresidential.com/hk or contact Stella Abraham at stella.abraham@jll.com.

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Tree $750. 28/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, 2870 1582; tree.com.hk.

Light and Shade Price TBC. Kapok, 3 Sun St, Wan Chai, 2520 0114; ka-pok.com.

Indigo $2,490. 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, 2555 0540; indigo-living.com.

Tom Dixon $6,600. Lane Crawford Shop 4008, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com.

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Health & Wellness

Don’t sweat it

Working off your Christmas pounds is always the toughest part of January. But what if we told you there was a 50-minute programme that lets you slim down those wobbly bits while barely breaking a sweat? We try out Hypoxi, a treatment loved by A-listers that’s rapidly becoming a worldwide hit

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L

unchtime workouts often promise results that are too good to be true. And by the time we’ve got to the gym, showered and changed, there is only time for a measly 20 minutes on the treadmill. Hardly enough to work off all the indulgences of Christmas. But then along came Hypoxi. A space-age workout that zaps out fat but which rates about a nine on the relaxation scale – 10 being a massage on a beach in Thailand.

Founded in 1998 by Austrian sports scientist Dr Norbert Egger, the Hypoxi-method is much loved by fitness fanatics and A-listers alike – including a particular Material Girl. The approach targets stubborn fat in areas that are hard to tackle with diet and exercise alone. This is done with a combination of fat burning exercise, compression therapy and vacuum therapy, which increases blood flow to target areas.

The experience

There are various programmes that you can sign up for depending on what results you’re after. We went for a 50-minute session which combines dermology and gentle training.

Health & Wellness

Five reasons to try Hypoxi

It can be done during a lunch break

It’s an inviting space free from blaring music and gym rats

You can online shop while burning fat The dermology part is as good as a massage

It’s not too good to be true – it works!

The 20-minute dermology session is, well, certainly something different. Before lying down on what feels like a business-class airline seat we’re popped into a rather enormous onesie, known as the HD-pressure suit, which features various tubes leading out of it. Then comes the fun part, the air is sucked out of the suit and you are left tightly wrapped like a fresh sirloin steak. But it doesn’t end there, hundreds of bubbles inside the suit fill up intermittently. This application of high pressure and low pressure all over the body enriches the blood with nutrients, in turn increasing the metabolic rate.

Next comes the 30-minute training session – a spin session at such a relaxing pace that you can catch up on emails and barely break sweat. Like everything done at Hypoxi gyms this workout is far from bog standard.

Wearing a neoprene skirt we are secured into a pod, with the skirt making sure that everything is boxed in from the waist down. During the exercise the pod fluctuates between different pressure levels, increasing blood flow to the wobbly bits that otherwise just won’t budge!

The verdict? For busy Hongkongers who don’t have time for a dedicated gym schedule this is ideal. It’s also great for those wanting to shift extra pounds quickly.

For anyone looking to get their adrenaline pumping, you might want to look elsewhere.

Hypoxi 8/F, Eubank Plaza, 9 Chiu Lung St, Central, 2537 6637; hypoxi.com.hk.

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Health & Wellness

IN THE KNOW

James Theos

Over two years ago Australia experienced the fastest growing fitness trend it had ever seen F45. The franchise has now gone international, with one of the latest opening in Quarry Bay

F

45 is a proven concept as there are over 600 studios all around the world,” explains James Theos, the owner of the new F45 gym in Quarry Bay. “F45 sets itself apart from the competition due to three key principles: innovation, motivation and results,” Theos says. The innovation side of F45 is down to the way they incorporate technology, TVs deliver the workout, freeing trainers up to correct their clients’ form.

When it comes to results the F45 method is foolproof.

Theos explains, “high-intensity resistance and cardio training is proven to be more effective at building muscle and stripping fat than any other training.” He adds, “This coupled with ever-changing workouts makes sure that you never plateau and that you are constantly being challenged.”

Unlike many gym classes, F45 always has two to three trainers on hand for classes of ten to 15 people.

“We like to keep classes small so that our members have enough space to train comfortably and enjoy the experience.” he says. The small classes and high ratio of

ULTIMATE EXPERT

Pete Fisher from Ultimate Performance Fitness answers your questions I’m trying to build muscle, what sort of foods should I eat post workout and how soon after?

If you’re trying to build muscle then you need to pay attention to what you eat around the workout, however you should also be paying attention to total daily calorie intake and macronutrient intake – the amount of protein, carbs and fat – which will have a bigger impact on your results than focusing purely on the post workout window. If you absolutely nail your post-workout nutrition but fail to consume adequate calories and protein throughout the day then you will undermine your progress substantially. So first things first:

trainers to members also helps ensure that people get results.

Theos remarks, “Our members have literally started seeing changes to their body composition after just one week of consistent training.” This comes down to the unique style of workout, “High-intensity training coupled with ever changing workouts in a fun environment constantly keeps your body guessing.” he adds.

With fast results and dedicated trainers F45 is a fantastic new addition to Hong Kong’s ever growing gym scene. Theos comments, “People in Hong Kong are time poor and are becoming more conscious about fitness. F45 classes work your whole body in just 45 minutes, letting you finish a workout, shower and be back at work within the hour.”

Best music to workout to?

Heavy metal: nothing beats some Metallica when lifting those weights!

Ideal weekend?

Mid-morning workout followed by a big brunch and then spending time with friends and family over a nice glass of red.

F45 Unit 2108, Westlands Centre, 20 Westland’s Rd, Quarry Bay, 6165 5770; f45training.com.hk.

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The timing itself isn’t as important as people make out. Protein shakes are popular post workout for a number of reasons, but the greatest reason is convenience. Let’s assume that you’ve been training hard, you probably won’t feel like eating a solid meal for some time after your training session. A protein shake is an easily prepared and easily digested solution that means our clients don’t have to worry about eating again for another couple of hours.

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Post workout, your body will handle carbohydrates better than at any other time and carbs will be more preferentially stored within muscle tissue as glycogen. Kids cereals are popular post workout as they replenish glycogen stores rapidly, digest easily and satisfy sugary cravings.

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There are no magical foods that you can consume after training that will magically build muscle. Focus on eating well over the course of the day and over the course of the week. Consistency is the key to building muscle.

5

If you are sandwiching your training between two high protein meals containing a substantial portion of your daily calories then you needn’t worry too much about the anabolic window.

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The more experienced you are as a lifter the more relevant the anabolic window becomes. In beginners, resistance training triggers muscle protein synthesis for upto 72 hours. With consistent training this window drops down substantially over a period of months to under 24 hours and in very advanced lifters this window can decrease further in size to a matter of hours.

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Don’t ignore total daily calories and protein intake. Make sure you are doing things correctly throughout the day to maximise muscle growth. Four to five servings of protein spread evenly throughout the day will ensure maximal levels of muscle protein synthesis and will minimise muscle protein breakdown leading to a net increase in muscle mass.

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Favourite workout?

Panthers: 14 stations of grueling resistance training.

For more information visit upfitness.com.hk.

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Premiere Performances of Hong Kong is financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Pilot Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Festival Sponsor

Supported by

Water Partner

Venue Partner

The content of these programmes does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Media Partner

PR Partner

Outreach Program Partner

Food

Food 1

New Year nibbles

Fill up your confectionary box with these festive favourites. Jen Chan and Matthew Tse scout the city for the best spots to pick up all of your Lunar New Year snacks. Photography by Calvin Sit. Art direction by Phoebe Cheng

A

s with festivities the world over, food is one of the main components of Chinese New Year. Whether it’s glutinous rice cake or some crispy yau gok, you’re never far from something to satiate sweet or salty cravings!

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Sweet snacks

For those with a sweet tooth these snacks are a dream. Tuck into some sugar coated dried carrot, a slice of sugary coconut or some sweet lotus seeds. They’re practically one of your five a day – but much more delicious! Various locations inc Mag Store, 402 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai.

2

Melon seeds

Symbolic of harvest, fertility and abundance, melon seeds are traditionally consumed during this period. Often offered at friends and relatives houses, they’re the perfect mid afternoon snack and much healthier than Hobnobs or Digestives! Various locations inc Yiu Fung Store, 1-2 Mallory St, Wan Chai.

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Tangyuan

It wouldn’t be the Spring Festival without a healthy portion of tangyuan. These glutinous rice balls are stuffed with sesame paste and nowadays you can even get rainbow coloured ones! Various locations inc Shop B110-F, B/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson St, Causeway Bay. 4

Yau gok and bun sa

These crispy nibbles are a staple. Yau Gok is filled with a meaty stuffing while Bun Sa is more like a cracker. Once you tuck in it’ll be hard to stop! Various locations inc Fresh Wheat Bakery, 162-164 Wan Chai Rd, Wan Chai.

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Taro cake and glutinous rice cake

Taro cake and glutinous rice cake are some of the many delicious cakes served up over the festive break. The hearty slices aren’t like your traditional Victoria sponge but are just as tasty! Various locations inc Bao Yam Li Dim, 10 Bowrington Rd, Causeway Bay. 36

Food 2

5

4

3

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Food

COOK AT HOME

Okonomiyaki Literally meaning ’grilled-as you-like-it’, this Japanese favourite can be tailored to your tastebuds, whether you’re a fan of seafood, red meat or veggies. Chef Jin Suzuki, from Fujiyama Mama shares his favourite recipe for this delicious dish

Instructions

1

Cut the cabbage and scallion into small pieces

Put the sliced pork on top and turn the pancake upside down.

Cover the pan with the lid and wait until the pork and entire pancake is cooked (around five minutes) 4

Ingredients

3 Heat a pan and cover the pan’s surface with cooking oil.

Put the entire mixture into the pan and cook

Mix water and flour well in a bowl. Add all ingredients and mix again 2

5

Put the pancake on the plate and add mayonnaise and okonomi sauce

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For the pancake: • 50g flour • 70g water • 120g cabbage • 20g scallion • 5g red pickled ginger • 40g sliced pork rib • 1 egg • 1g salt For the sauce: • QP mayonnaise • Okonomi sauce • Dried seaweed • Bonito flakes

Add the dried seaweed and bonito flakes on top of the sauce

Jin Suzuki Operations Manager at Fujiyama Mama timeout.com/hk

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Shopping

Shopping

Keep

1 cosy

We may have had a mild winter but spring is set to get chilly. Wrap up warm in these stylish staples

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4

Cos collar scarf 74 Queen’s Rd C, Central, 3580 7938; cosstores.com.

Gucci gloves $1,850. Lane Crawford, Shop 4008, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com.

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American Eagle Tassle Rim Panama B203, Times Square, 1 Matheson St, Causeway Bay, 2677 4322; ae.com.

Beton Cire beanie Kapok, 3 Sun St, Wan Chai, 2520 0114; ka-pok.com.

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Claudie Pierlot scarf Shop 3085B, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2217 9677; claudiepierlot.com.

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Shopping

SHOPPING NEWS China Doll Kids Kit your daughter out in a qipao with a modern twist over the Lunar New Year. The dresses come in a number of different prints suitable for a variety of different occasions.

With every dress purchased one school starter kit is donated to a child from the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation – so it’s definitely a worthwhile buy! chinadollkids.com.

Marks & Spencer Much loved British retailer, Marks & Spencer has come out with some gorgeous new pieces for little ones. With red as a running theme in the collection, the pieces will be perfect for the Spring Festival celebrations.

There are party pieces as well as some more casual everyday items. 1/F, 22-28 Queen’s Rd C, Central, 2921 8323; marksandspencer.com.

Molo Keep your kids cosy with the help of these Molo sweaters. The boy’s one features graphic prints of cars while the girl’s one is adorned with a cutesy image of two swans. The versatile pieces are ideal for popping over a tshirt, or under a coat. Shop OT G09, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-23 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2352 0182; molo.com.

Little people, big responsibility Leaving home is difficult for everyone, but we give extra help to the youngest relocators.

Relocating is a big change for most people.

It can be difficult and stressful, but it should be exciting and rewarding for everyone.

Our experience and knowledge, built up from nearly fifty years as a worldwide relocations company, is shared by all our people in more than 200 locations.

We’ll always be there to help you get the most from your relocation.

Tel: +852 2636 8399 | hongkong@crownrelo.com

Go knowing

www.crownrelo.com.hk TimeOut Family magazine - CR ad.indd 1

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10/1/2017 9:42:10 AM timeout.com/hk

Holiday

Holiday

Life’s a

BEACH

Top up your tan with some winter sun. Zachary Santos picks out the top sports to jet out to for some sun, sea and sand

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Maldives

The Twin Beaches, El Nido, Philippines

The Maldives is synonymous with paradise and natural beauty. And the country’s exotic beaches certainly deliver breathtaking views. The Banyan Tree Resort on Vabbinfaru Island, with its 48 private villas and gazebos, beachside buffet serving local and international cuisine and picture-perfect docking bridge, is no exception.

Virgin-white sands surround the island, while the almost unbelievably bright turquoise waters of the atoll reef beckon. Banyan Tree, Kaafu Atoll, North Male Atoll, Maldives, +960 6643147; banyantree.com.

An array of limestone cliffs, clear untainted turquoise waters, myriad waterfalls, all just two hours away in the Philippines. El Nido is a national treasure that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Alongside the island hopping usually associated with a visit to this destination, the twin beaches should definitely be in the itinerary. Separated by a sandbar, Nacpan and Calitan boast blues of different hues. It’s a sight to behold, surrounded by palm trees, lush green hills, and powdery-white sand. Plus there are 100 species of coral and 800 species of fish waiting to be found.

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Holiday

Sanur Beach, Bali, Indonesia Sanur beach in Bali hits the spot when it comes to providing a relaxing and family friendly ambiance. Elegantly embracing its local roots by preserving the former fishing village and its lush greenery, whilst presenting guests with a mixture of both classic and contemporary elements of Indonesia’s arts and culture. Multiple resorts and hotels surround Sanur, complementing the picturesque coastline with diverse bars, shops, and dining experiences!

Palawan Beach, Sentosa, Singapore One of Singapore’s most popular destinations, Sentosa Island boasts multiple attractions and an array of activities, stimulating all the senses. From beaches to unique dining experiences, this place has it all. Palawan Beach is the most family-friendly escape, a treat to be enjoyed by both children and adults! Keep the little ones busy at the Port of Lost Wonder, a kids’ club offering a water park plus picnic and leisure areas. Or visit KidZania Singapore, an 81,000 square foot park with 6 olympic size pools and a multitude of roleplaying activities for children such as being a chef or a pilot!

Top five water activities for the family Banana boating

Put the bond of the family to the test with the adrenaline rush of a topsy-turvy ride on a banana boat. It’s the fastest route to a salt-water sinus flush.

Maya Bay, Phi-Phi Island, Thailand The postcard-perfect Phi-Phi Islands are a dazzling wonder a boat ride away from Phuket in Thailand! With 100-metre cliffs surrounding the white-sand beach, Maya Bay became famous as the location of the DiCaprio film, The Beach. In this secluded spot the family can enjoy a sky full of stars, as well as bioluminescent plankton at night!

Kayaking

Cruise the crystal clear waters at your own pace, in reflective solitude or in synchronised chaos with a buddy on a kayak. Kayaking is the perfect way to explore the sea and the shoreline.

Standup paddle boarding

Taking balance to the next level, even the hydrophobic can get their fair share of joy from a calm turquoise ocean, admiring the sea-life below from the comfort of a paddle board!

Surfing

Let the motion of the ocean take you on nature’s own rollercoaster ride! Surfing delivers a real thrill, tests your balance and gives you a workout at the same time.

Snorkeling

Take a day snorkelling, find Nemo, make some new memories among the myriad colourful fish in the coral.

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The Guide

Moggy Pet Supply and Grooming

The Guide

This place will have your cat begging to come back in each of its nine lives.

Reincarnation has never looked so good thanks to Moggy’s promise to keep your kitties in good health with their homeopathic remedies and herbal supplements. One of the rare spots in Hong Kong where you can pick up floral medication for your cat, they also provide consultations regarding various physical and emotional pet problems. Its focus is on natural products but Moggy won’t fail to spoil your feline if that’s what you’re after with its huge selection of tidbits and curated goodies. 1/F, Hoi To Court, 275 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay, 2575 7689.

We track down Hong Kong’s top pet shops

M

ake sure you’ve got the most pampered pets in the city.

Matthew Tse and Jen Chan track down the best pet shops in the 852, that offer food, toys and everything else for your furry friends require

dietary supplements and dental health products to skincare and aromatherapy items. With so many items and consultation services to choose from, there isn’t a single base they don’t cover.

11 Sha Tsui Rd, Tsuen Wan, 9095 6513; holistichorsecare.com.

The Doggeteer

T&L Pet House

Located in the heart of Wan Chai, T&L has no dearth of pet supplies in spite of its small size.

Selling an abundance of goodies for cats, dogs and hamsters alike, this one-stop hidden gem is perfect for picking up treats for your pet. T&L doesn’t just stock conventional pet snacks, it also offers more local treats that you won’t find at larger stores. Wandering into T&L you’re greeted not only by smiling employees but the shop’s well known fat black cat. The store also offers a personal delivery service and professional pet beauty services. It might be easy to miss but T&L is definitely worth hitting up. Shop C, G/F, 188192 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, 2574 6199.

Holistic Pet Help

Marked safe and natural, Holistic Pet Help supplies owners with reliable human-grade ingredients to ensure pets receive the best nutrition. Holistic Pet Help aims to improve animals’ vitality and their quality of life. They use chemical and GMO-free products sourced directly from North America. With incredibly friendly staff members who are well-informed on the statistical and health-related importance of their products, Holistic Pet Help seeks to get owners focused on every aspect of their pet’s health. The store offers numerous products for horses, cats and dogs, from

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A canine-only affair, The Doggeteer is a specialised pup pet shop offering a world of treats.

In a prime location and open everyday, this spot is a must-know for any dog owner on the island.

A true doggie heaven, the real hook here is the store’s homemade pet food. If that isn’t enough to seize your attention, how about The Doggeteer’s reputable care and grooming services as well as its extensive obedience classes. 20 Mosque Junction, Mid-Levels, 2973 6133; doggeteer.com.

Dogaroo

The face-to-face tutorials offered by this dog training centre will make your relationship with your pooch even stronger. A one-stop destination for all your dog related needs, Dogaroo offers a combination of training and grooming services, and is even a pet hotel should you need to put your pet someplace safe while abroad.

Training dogs and their owners since 2006, Dogaroo prides itself on teaching owners how to observe their dogs’ everyday behaviour to build up mutual trust between pet and owner. Various locations inc 404405 Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Rd, Stanley, 2760 0016; fb.com/DogarooGroup.

My Dear Pet Square

One of the biggest pet shops in Hong Kong, My Dear Pet Square offers dog grooming services along with a wide variety of pet

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foods and treats. Most of the products on sale are gentle and natural – customers can rest easy knowing they are buying high quality products with quality assurance. The pet shop is located near the Ferry Street area of Jordan and is easy to find even for anyone not familiar with the neighbourhood. My Dear Pet Square seeks to establish an intimate relationship with its customers. The store provides services tailored to its customers’ needs and they are dedicated to helping each owener to the best of their abilities.

Man Wah Bldg, 2-24 Man Wui St, Jordan, 2194 1616; mydearpetsquare.com.

Dog One Life

Since it established in 2004, Dog One Life has won numerous awards including the Caring Company Award and the Quality Pet Shop Award from the Hong Kong Pet Trade Association. In the style of Japanese pet shops, Dog One Life stocks the best dog supplies from all over the world. On top of their quality merchandise, the store also offers a wide range of services including home delivery, dog training, dog grooming, photo shooting and day services. To ensure the quality of their grooming services, the store has hired the top Japanese groomer in HK, Miss Harumi Moriguchi. 470-472 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai.

The Guide

Whiskers & Paws

All the way up on the 10th floor of Horizon Plaza, Whiskers & Paws is a massive 10,000sq ft space filled with just about every pet related good imaginable. That’s not all though, Whiskers & Paws also has a 400sq ft private dog park for your furry friends to play and socialise in! They offer a range of top quality products at reasonable prices and they also provide free delivery for pet owners who live further away. It’s more than just a pet store though – Whiskers & Paws offers regular pet care classes that feature amazing external speakers. Last but not least, proceeds from the store go towards the Hong Kong Dog Rescue charity so, you aren’t just pampering your pet but also helping support less fortunate animals.

10/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, 2552 6200; wnp.com.hk.

Hong Kong Doggie House

One of the best places for dog grooming, Hong Kong Doggie House is serious about providing the highest quality dog grooming service around. The equipment they use is displayed in glass cabinets and some are also available for purchase. Offering specific cuts for different breeds of dogs, the service is quite pricy.

However, if you’re looking for the most stylish cut for your furry friend, this is the right place to go! G/F, Shop 5, 5 Peace Ave, Ho Man Tin.

Three Dog Bakery

Priding themselves on selling only the healthiest and all natural doggie treats, Three Dog Bakery has a sizeable range of treats both locally made and imported from the US. In addition, they also carry a small but high quality selection of pet products. 76 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town.

Q-Pets

The largest chain of pet stores in Hong Kong, Q-Pets has stores all over the place-- a total of 39, in fact. Each of the stores has rows and rows of shelves full of pet supplies, and Q-Pets also provides a comprehensive range of services including pet grooming, merchandise delivery, dog training, pet hotel, an online store, funeral service and a special rejuvenating charcoal spa.

5/F, Shop 505, 70 Queens Rd C, Central.

I Love Rabbit

As you probably guessed by the name, this store is obsessed with rabbits, and will have available every rabbit related product imaginable! The store is not huge, but is neat and tidy, with colourful products on display.

Offering everything from rabbit food to toys to cages, this is a one-stop shop for all your bunny related purchases. The owners also care deeply about the wellbeing of rabbits and provide free pamphlets with vital information on how to take care of your chubby bunnies. 1/F, 25-27 Lee Garden Rd, East Point.

Lego Pet

With 14 chain stores all over Hong Kong including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, Lego Pet cherry picks the best products from all over the world and brings them all to one convenient shop. Mainly from Japan, America and Europe, you’ll be able to find some useful and fun stuff for your pets! Also, Lego Pet offers free delivery and pick up services on top of grooming services. Whampoa Garden Site, 3 Block 3, 120 Baker St, Hung Hom.

Lion King Pet Shop

Lion King Pet Shop specialises in pet supplies for dogs and cats. All of your pet’s necessities will be right here, be it the yummiest pet food or important health supplies.

All sorts of food can be found here for your dogs and cats, so even the pickiest eaters will be happy with something from Lion King Pet Shop, with frozen, canned and wet food as well as treats.

G/F, 11 Junction Rd, Kowloon City.

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Bobs Paradise

Located very conveniently on Peel Street in Central, Bobs Paradise has the most unique and quirky pet products in town. From diving helmets to tiny cute backpacks to little tents, you’re sure to find something at Bobs Paradise!

G/F, 41 Peel St, Central.

Mega Pet

Mega Pet has seven branches all over Hong Kong, with the flagship store located in Ho Man Tin. As the name suggests, these stores carry a massive selection of products, and they stock hundreds of different brands. Other than the retail supplies, Mega Pet also provides pet grooming services. supplies. G/F, 1 Peace Ave, Ho Man Tin.

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Win

Win

Jason Licker’s new dessert cook book Licker Land

Email your answers to the editor, Hannah Hodson at hannah.hodson@timeout.com.hk

Renowned pastry chef Jason Licker, who has made a name for himself in high end eateries such as Cé La Vi and the JW Marriot has just released his first cook book. Aptly named Licker Land, the book features Asian accented desert recipes. So ditch the New Year diet resolution and try your hand at creating everything from a Saigon cinanamon dome to a Thai tea cake.

5 readers will win: A copy of Licker Land.

Q: Which restaurant, at the top of California Tower, did Jason Licker work at?

Aira Sasso’s Italian cookbook My Italian Kitchen Away From Home Having grown up in Milan, Aira Sasso knows a thing or two about what makes a hearty Italian meal. Her cook book, My Italian Kitchen Away From Home is packed with dishes for all occasions. Host a dinner party with friends and serve up some tagliatelle al limone e prosciutto ­followed by delizia al limone.

5 readers will win: A copy of My Italian Kitchen Away From Home.

Q: Where did Aira Sasso grow up?

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The Guide

WHERE TO FIND US Grab your free copy every month!

Island South 3 South Bay Close, Repulse Bay 12 Shouson Hill Road 51 Deep Water Bay Road Aberdeen Marina Club Aegean Terrace Art Loop Belleview Place Bookazine, Repulse Bay Bumps to Babes Canadian International School of Hong Kong Capelli Hair Salon Repulse Bay Delaney’s Pokfulam EL Charro Flex Studio, Island South Honey Court Hong Kong Country Club Hong Kong International School ilBelPaese, Pok Fu Lam Kellet School, Pok Fu Lam Preparatory Larvotto Maggie and Rose Manhattan Tower Parkview International Pre-School, Tai Tam Red Hill Peak Rogal Garden Safari Kid International Preschools, Pok Fu Lam Scenic Villas Sense of Touch, Cyberport Spa Sense of Touch, Repulse Bay Spa Sense of Touch, Sai Ying Pun Spa Shouson Peak South Bay Garden Sunshine House International Pre-school, Chi Fu Sunshine House International Pre-school, Pok Fu Lam Sylvan Learning, Repulse Bay Sylvan Learning, Wong Chuk Hang Tai Tam Garden The American Club Hong Kong, The Country Club The Lily The Pulse Victoria Education Organsations, South Horizons Victoria Recreation Club

Mid-Levels and The Peak 31 Robinson Road 62B Robinson Road 62D Robinson Road 98-100 Robinson Road Breezy Court British Council Greenland Graden ilBelPaese, Caine Road Island School MacDonnell House Minerva House

Olympian Man Robinson Garden Apartment Roc Ye Court Strawberry Hill The Peak Galleria Villa Elegance Villa Verde Woodland Garden

Central and Western Baby Buddies / Playgroup, Sheung Wan Baby Steps Bookazine, Exchange Square Bookazine, ifc mall Bookazine, Landmark Prince’s Bookazine, Lyndhurst Terrace Bookazine, Pacific Place Bookazine, Shui On Centre Bumps to Babes, Entertainment Building COLLIERS Hong Kong Flex Studio, Central Feather & Bone, Central Hong Kong Institute of Languages ilBelPaese, Sheung Wan Island Christian Academy Sense of Touch, Central Spa The American Club Hong Kong, The Town Club The Sail at Victoria Victoria Education Organsations, Belcher Wilderness International Kindergarten

Happy Valley and Causeway Bay Alison’s Letterland / Kindergarten Aristle Gifted Institute Ltd, Causeway Bay Baby Buddies / Playgroup, Causeway Bay Colliers Hong Kong Elegant Court Escapade sports ESF Language & Learning Centre Feather & Bone, Happy Valley French International School Hoc Tam Garden ilBelPaese, Happy Valley KinderU Malibu Garden NTK Academic Group Sylvan Learning, Wan Chai Safari Kid International Preschools, Happy Valley Victoria Education Organsations, Causeway Bay

Island East 18 Upper East Jones Lang LaSalle Kornhill Plaza Marble 33 Quarry Bay School

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Victoria Education Organsations, Harbour Heights Victoria Education Organsations, Lower Kornhill Victoria Education Organsations, Middle Kornhill Victoria Education Organsations, Upper Kornhill

Discovery Bay / Ma Wan and Tung Chung Bookazine, Discovery Bay Discovery College ESF International Kindergarten, Tung Chung ilBelPaese, Discovery Bay Sense of Touch, Discovery Bay Spa Sense of Touch @ Visionnaire Club Sunshine House International Pre-school, Discovery Bay Sunshine House International Pre-school, Tung Chung

Sai Kung / East Kowloon / Tseung Kwan O Dragon Lake Villa Escapade Sports, Clearwater Bay ESF Abacus International Kindergarten Kellet School, Kowloon Bay Prep and Senior Mills International Preschool Nord Anglia International School One Kowloon Rainbow Villa Sense of Touch, Sai Kung Spa Sense of Touch, Tseung Kwan O Spa Sunshine House International Pre-school, Clearwater Bay The Giverny Victoria Recreation Club

West Kowloon / TST / Ho Man Tin / Kowloon Tong Aristle Gifted Institute Ltd, Tsim Sha Tsui Aristle Gifted Institute Ltd, West Kowloon Hillwood Vista Joy Garden Parkview International Pre-School, Austin The Long Beach The Palace Victoria Education Organsations, Harbour Green Victoria Education Organsations, Ho Man Tin West9Zone Wing On Lodge

Other areas American School Hong Kong Crown Relocations Gold Coast Piazza Gold Coast Residents’ Clubhouse Harrow International School Hong Kong The Country Club at Hong Lok Yuen

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Artistic Director

Cho-Liang Lin Li Wei Qin

Haochen Zhang

Brett Dean

Attend world class performances, free outreach events, chamber music workshops and masterclasses!

The content of these programmes/activities does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Kristin Lee

Nicholas Canellakis

Borromeo Quartet

Brian Chen

Cecile Licad

OPENING NIGHT CONCERT

FAMILY CONCERT: EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

19 Jan 2017 (Thu) 8pm

22 Jan 2017 (Sun) 4pm

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall

INSIDE BEETHOVEN’S MIND

BEETHOVEN, BRAHMS & BRETT

20 Jan 2017 (Fri) 8pm

23 Jan 2017 (Mon) 8pm

Concert Hall, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall

EPITAPHS

FESTIVAL FINALE

21 Jan 2017 (Sat) 8pm

25 Jan 2017 (Wed) 8pm

Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall

Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW PPHK www.pphk.org 9545 6851 Programme Enquiries info@pphk.org

URBTIX www.urbtix.hk

HK TICKETING www.hkticketing.com

3761 6661 Ticketing Enquiries 2111 5999 Credit Card Tel. Booking

31 288 288 Ticket Purchase Hotline For The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts only HK Ticketing applies a customer service fee to all tickets purchased via its network. This fee is additional to the face value of the ticket and is payable upon purchase of tickets.

Premiere Performances of Hong Kong is financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Pilot Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Festival Sponsor

Supported by

Venue Partner

Media Partner

PR Partner

Outreach Program Partner

Collaborators

www.pphk.org