Make September more fun and entertaining with all the cultural events ranging from comedy shows to plays and art exhibitions to Mid-Autumn festivities that are taking place this month. With Hong Kong bringing a plethora of things to add to your calendar, Gafencu has picked the ones you should not absolutely miss.
La Finta Giardiniera
Even those who are not well versed in classical music will know of Mozart, and despite centuries having passed since his short but prolific life, he will never be forgotten as long as his compositions are played. On that note, Musica Viva is bringing Mozart’s three-act comedy La Finta Giardiniera to the stage. Composed by the Austrian musical genius in 1775 when he was only 18, this is an opera with a plot that will have you hooked. From a libretto by Giuseppe Petrosellini, the complicated romantic tale sees multiple players disguise their identities in quests for love and revenge.
When: September 1 – 2
Where: Hong Kong City Hall Theatre
How much: From HK$200
Click here for more details.
1/X Andy Lau X Art Exhibition
Hong Kong star Andy Lau is popularly known as an actor, singer and producer. He now adds another string to his bow of creative achievements with an art exhibition. For the first time, Lau has collaborated with various artists to create works that reflect his triumphant and longstanding career in the entertainment industry, while also diving deep into his thoughts and emotions. For this purpose,1/X will bring forth different art forms including painting, sculpture and calligraphy.
When: Until September 9
Where: Freespace Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District
How much: HK$298
Better with Beer
Described as the “ultimate craft beer festival”, Better with Beer is a two-day event where people can come together and try a diverse variety of craft beers. No less than 150 beers will arrive straight from more than 20 breweries for ticket holders to sip on, and the best part is that they are available in unlimited free flow. Other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food have to be purchased separately. Selected live music gigs and games add more merriment to the festival.
When: September 15 – 16
Where: Central Harbourfront Event Space
How much: From HK$450
Click here for more details.
The Actor is Present
Much heralded and long anticipated, The Actor is Present has arrived in Hong Kong after being previously showcased in New York, Seoul, Busan, Shanghai and Beijing. The fan-favourite photo exhibition features portraits of 200 award-winning South Korean actors – 100 female and 100 male stars – who have had an impact on the industry. The photo gallery also aims to narrate their individual stories. The famous faces you can admire at the gallery include Jung Hae In, Lee Seung Gi, Kim Go Eun, Park Bo Young and many more besides.
When: Until September 16
Where: Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong, PMQ, Central
How much: Free entry
Click here for more details.
Ink | Pulse
Combining ink art by Taiwanese master Tong Yang-Tze and new media art techniques from Hong Kong’s Chris Cheung (h0nh1m), Ink | Pulse is a vibrant, interactive exhibition that shows ink painting in a new and interesting manner. For this purpose, 100 ink and calligraphy pieces produced while Tong was working on her Silent Music series were collected and digitalised to create generative art, capturing each stroke and the weight of the brush on the canvas. Simultaneously, the art show also focuses on addressing the artistic and philosophical significance of ink painting.
When: Until September 24
Where: M+ Facade, West Kowloon Cultural District
How much: Free entry
Click here for more details.
Miz Cracker Live in Hong Kong
If you love to spend a night out laughing your socks off after a hectic day at work, this show might be right up your alley. Former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Miz Cracker flies into town for one night to perform her one-person comedy show, A Brief History of the Entire World…and also me! Expect great fun and some jaw-dropping jump splits as the American drag queen (a.k.a. Maxwell Heller) shares her unique, humorous and queer take on historical and ongoing political events.
When: September 26
Where: KITEC, Kowloon Bay
How much: From HK$488
Fire Dragon Dances
Hong Kong is in full celebratory mode during the Mid-Autumn festival, but apart from heading to the beach or the park to sit and gaze at the moon, do not miss one of the most colourful traditions at this time of year – the fire dragon dance. This centuries-old ritual sees a fire dragon being constructed of bamboo and straw and paraded loudly through the village streets to banish bad luck. The best fire dragon dances include those held annually in Tai Hang Village in Causeway Bay and Pok Fu Lam Village. Join the parade and immerse yourself in the spectacle of Hong Kong’s traditions and culture.
When: September 28 – 30
Where: Various venues
How much: Free entry
Voyager: The Never-Ending Journey 3D
In 1977, two space probes – Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 – were sent to outer space to better acquaint us with our solar system, a mission achieved through the precise images of the universe they captured and transferred to Earth. If you want a quick and fun way to travel into space (at least through your imagination), then include this 3D dome show in your schedule this month. Voyager: The Never-Ending Journey highlights key moments from the decades-long expedition, including closer looks at Saturn’s rings and Jupiter.
When: Until September 30
Where: Hong Kong Space Museum
How much: From HK$24
Click here for more details.
Le Sserafim Tour ‘Flame Rises’
Despite debuting only one year ago, K-pop sensation Le Sserafim has already earned global phenomenon status due to hit (and easily stuck in your mind) songs like Antifragile. Last month, the talented five-member female group kicked off their first tour. After performances in South Korea and Japan, they will land in Hong Kong, so local Le Sserafim fans – the Fearnot brigade – can get their light sticks ready and look forward to hours of singing along with excitement.
When: September 30
Where: Asia-World Expo
How much: From HK$499
Click here for more details.