Category: Social Calendar

Leisure and Pleasure: Events in Hong Kong this January

Hong Kong is kicking off 2018 in a big way with flying acrobatic acts, purr-forming Cats and more! Here are some of the exciting events are hitting our fair city this January.

The Great European Carnival

The Great European Carnival

Central’s waterfront comes to life once again for the AIA Great European Carnival, bringing with it a number of rides, games and food. This year, the main event is the magical Big Top Circus, a show of death-defying feats performed by acrobats, riders and artists from Kenya to Colombia. Highlights of The Great Circus of Europe include a human pyramid on high wire, heart-pounding motorcycle rides inside a steel-mesh globe and performances on a revolving “space wheel”. Circus tickets are sold separately and range from HK$150-$400.

Till 25 February
Central Harbourfront Event Space
HK$40-$130
www.tgec.asia

Cats - The Musical

CATS – The Musical

Cats – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece based on a T. S. Eliot book – tells the story of “Jellicle cats” who come out to play in a larger-than-life junkyard on the eve of the Jellicle Ball. The soundtrack is best known for the moving tune Memory, belted out by Grizabella, a once-glamorous cat who has become despondent in her old age. Get in touch with your feline side as you jump into a purring world of song and dance.

Till 11 February
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
HK$445-$1,045
www.catsthemusical.com

Volvo Ocean Race and Festival

Volvo Ocean Race and Festival

For the first time ever, Hong Kong will host the Volvo Ocean Race and Festival for 15 days at the former Kai Tak runway. This eight-month-long, round-the-world sailing race arrives in Hong Kong on 20 January, with the Sun Hung Kai/ Scallywag team representing the city. On the 27th, the Victoria Harbour In- Port Race will see boats compete for points. While the festival itself is free, VIP tickets (HK$2,900) can get you seats on a spectator boat and access to the festival’s lounge.

17-31 January
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park
www.volvooceanracehk.com

Kidsfest

Kidsfest

Now in its seventh year, KidsFest presents world-class theatre for young people, with favourites including The Gruffalo Live on Stage (now sold-out), Monstersaurus and What the Ladybird Heard. “KidsFest is an exciting festival for the whole family where compelling characters are brought to life,” says executive producer Matthew Gregory. “At the same time, it nurtures children’s interest in literature and language.” The event has grown to embrace nine productions over a five-week calendar.

Till 11 February
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
HK$195-$435
www.kidsfest.com.hk

Foxy Pub Quiz at Mr and Mrs Fox

The Foxy Pub Quiz

Playful Quarry Bay hangout Mr & Mrs Fox is back with another quiz night to get you and your friends together in the name of fun and games. Teams of four and above are invited to participate in a just-for-kicks trivia challenge on the 30th of January (Tuesday) from 7 to 9pm. Winners get a trophy, a HK$1,000 bar tab, Valentine’s dinner for two and other prizes to be announced later on their Facebook page. (We’re eyeing those 12 bottles of wine…)

The ‘Mr & Mrs Fox Love Card’ Valentine’s Day menu upstairs is a four-course affair featuring dishes like Foie Gras Macaroons; Confit of Parsnip and Dashi Emulsion; Black Sea Bass with Clams; and grilled Beef Tenderloin with Manchego Cheese and Bone Marrow Sauce. Decadent desserts of Caramel Mousse with Candied Nuts and Brown Butter Crisps seal the deal. The dinner menu is priced at HK$1,100 for two.

30 January
23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay
2697 8500
dine@mrmrsfox.com

 

CATS is back to purr-form in Hong Kong this January

CATS returns to Hong Kong after a successful prowl around the world. Indeed, as one the world’s most beloved, longest-running musical, CATS has always been a roaring success since its premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it ran for 21 record-breaking years. 9000 performances, 81 million viewers and several accolades later, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical has again set the thespian world purring with pleasure with its reappearance in Hong Kong this January. Playing at Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy of Fine Arts, the show will run till 11 February.

Speaking at an exclusive media preview of the musical, producer David Ian says, “I am absolutely delighted that the revival production of CATS has received such a warm welcome in Hong Kong. Once again, this stunning creation will delight a new generation of theatre fans. It’s time to let the memory live again!”

But how is this world of feline perfection created? Gafencu went backstage to explore. We spoke to actor John Brannoch, who plays the pivotal character Rum Tum Tugger, to understand the process better. According to John, “It takes months of rigorous physical training and stamina-building exercises to replicate the natural grace of cats. We’d spend many hours just crawling around on the studio floor on all fours. At the beginning, you do feel a bit ridiculous, but our director encouraged us to be fearless and to improvise.”

And it is not just the actors who have to go through such rigourous preparation. From the larger-than-life sets designed by acclaimed designer John Napier to elaborate handmade costumes and masks, every aspect of this show is overwhelming in magnitude and painstaking in details.

It is safe to say that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s orchestra, Trevor Nunn’s direction and Gillian Lynne’s choreography not only bring to life T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats (on which CATS is based), but firmly places it as an undisputed masterpiece of the theatrical world.

Tickets are available here.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Hong Kong Races: A guide to the city’s most popular running events

Standard Chartered’s annual marathon will be upon us in less than two weeks. But it’s not the only competitive running event that our city plays host to by a long shot. In fact, with competitive running fervour at an all time high in recent years, there are countless competitions for runners of all ages and abilities. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a marathon novice, lace up your running shoes and check out these popular Hong Kong races!

Standard Chartered's annual marathon is one of the most popular Hong Kong races

Standard Chartered Marathon

Boasting over 70,000 participants in 2017 alone, Standard Chartered’s annual marathon has established itself as one of most successful Hong Kong races. The flat-terrain event, which takes runners through the heart of Hong Kong, sees many international marathoners and athletics enthusiasts descend on the city to compete. But if you’re not a professional, don’t worry. There are plenty of family- and handicapped-friendly options too.

Distances: Marathon, half marathon, 10km, youth dash, family run, wheelchair race
Date: 21 January 2018

The goal for Barclay's Moontrekker is to reach Lantau Peak's summit by sunrise

Barclay’s Moontrekker

The aptly named Barclay’s Moontrekker trail race doesn’t just challenge participants with difficult terrain, it asks them to traverse across the wilderness in almost complete darkness. Runners can choose from two distances, the Moonlit 30 and Sunrise 43. Both cover roughly the same route, and the goal is to reach the summit of the 934-metre Lantau Peak in time to enjoy a glorious sunrise.

Distances: Moonlit 30km, Sunrise 43km
Date: Around October

100km Oxfam Trailwalker is among the most challenging Hong Kong races

Oxfam Trailwalker

Launched in 1986 as a special fundraising event, Oxfam Trailwalker is now among the most popular Hong Kong races each year. Participating teams of four take on the challenge of completing the 100km Maclehose Trail – which runs across the entire New Territories – in under 48 hours. As you can imagine, the biggest difficulty is the need to push on without any sleep. Don’t attempt this one unless you’ve completed significant training.

Distance: 100km
Date: 16-18 November 2018

Spartan Race is equal parts obstacle course and racing event

Spartan Race

The Spartan Race definitely isn’t one of your run-of-the-mill Hong Kong races, it’s an endurance test designed to push you to your physical limit. The upcoming Spartan Sprint event in April features a six-kilometre obstacle course that will see participants leaping past burning logs, climbing up walls and pulling themselves through mud in the famed wire crawl.

Distance: Spartan Sprint: ~5km
Date: 14 April 2018

Among Hong Kong races, the Matilda Sedan Chair Race may be the most fun

Matilda Sedan Chair Race

Matilda Hospital’s annual sedan chair race isn’t the most challenging or the longest by any stretch of the imagination. What it is, though, is fun. Held around Halloween each year, the charity race sees participants team up in groups of seven (including one passenger) to race around Mount Kellett while carrying a traditional sedan chair. Many dress up in creative costumes, and there are tonnes of fun prizes up for grabs.

Distance: 2.1km
Date: End of October

Mademoiselle Privé: New interactive exhibition pays homage to Chanel

W3ZpZGVvIHdpZHRoPSZxdW90OzYwMCZxdW90OyBoZWlnaHQ9JnF1b3Q7NDA1JnF1b3Q7IG1wND0mcXVvdDtodHRwczovL3d3dy5pZ2FmZW5jdS5jb20vdmlkZW8vMTgwMS9DaGFuZWxfcHJpdmVfdGVhc2VyLm1wNCZxdW90OyBhdXRvcGxheT0mcXVvdDt0cnVlJnF1b3Q7IHRleHQtYWxpZ249JnF1b3Q7Y2VudGVyJnF1b3Q7IGRpc3BsYXk9JnF1b3Q7YmxvY2smcXVvdDsgbWFyZ2luPSZxdW90OzAgYXV0byZxdW90O11bL3ZpZGVvXQ==

The third edition of Chanel’s Mademoiselle Privé is about to hit our city after successfully premiering in London in October 2015 and again in Seoul last summer. The interactive exhibition, to be held at Hong Kong’s PMQ heritage venue, pays homage to the creative legacy of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the brand’s eponymous founder, and current creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

Fans of the brand will be treated to first-hand experience in crafting some of Chanel’s iconic products. The festivities begin with a high jewellery workshop (13-18 January) followed by a Lemarie feather and flower creation session (19-25 January) and ending with a masterclass in the iconic No.5 perfume (26 January – 1 February).

Mademoiselle Privé event details

Chanel’s Mademoiselle Privé exhibition is free for the public, but visitors must make reservations via the dedicated app if they want to nab a seat at one of the workshops. Get the Apple version here and the Android version here.

Mademoiselle Privé runs from 13 January to 10 February at PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central.

Reel Deal: What to watch in theatres this January

2018 is poised to start big for the film industry with a whole lot of Hollywood biggies hitting the theatres in January. Whether it’s a spine-chilling thriller, a tragicomedy or an epic adventure, there’s something for everyone! An entertaining movie and a tub of popcorn may be a good way to welcome the New Year!

The Disaster Artist

Director James Franco retells the real-life story of aspiring filmmaker and infamous Hollywood outsider Tommy Wiseau, whose ‘disasterpiece’ film The Room was dubbed as the ‘Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made’. Based on Greg Sestero’s best-selling book on the making of Tommy’s cult-classic disaster, The Disaster Artist is a tragicomic tale of friendship, artistic expression and hopes pursued against all odds.

 Opening on 12 January 2018

The Commuter

The story centres around Michael MacCauley (starring Liam Neeson), a newly sacked insurance salesman who faces an interesting proposition during his daily commute that turns his world upside down. Persuaded by a mysterious stranger, Michael seeks to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on the train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the mystery, he realises he has been caught up in a conspiracy that could spell death for all his co-passengers on the train.

 Opening on 12 January 2018

Downsizing

In this dystopic film, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans as a solution to overpopulation. Lured by the promise of a better life, Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to get small and shift to a new downsized community. What follows is a life-changing adventure.

Opening on 25 January 2018

Maze Runner: The Death Cure

In the final movie of the Maze Runner saga, Thomas leads the escaped Gladers on their ultimate mission. Only this time, the mission gets even more dangerous and life-threatening. To save their friends, the group has to get into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that is surely the deadliest maze of them all. If they come out of this alive, they’ll finally find the answers to all the questions that the Gladers have been asking since they arrived in the maze.

 Opening on 26 January 2018

 Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

CATS is Back: Record-breaking musical returns to Hong Kong

Revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS musical an award winner
CATS returns to Hong Kong’s Lyric Theatre this January

Thespians are in for a treat this January as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit CATS returns to stages in Hong Kong. The legendary West End musical first premiered in 1981 in London, where it went on to play for a record 21 years with almost 9,000 performances. It performed equally well on Broadway in New York, running for 18 years and winning seven prestigious Tony Awards. 

Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this 2015 revival of the famous musical sees the return of larger-than-life felines of the Jellicle tribe including beloved characters like Grizabella, Old Deuteronomy, Rum Tum Tugger, Macavity and more. Famed for its dazzling costumes and beautiful choreography, fans will also be swept away with musical scores such as ‘Mungojerrie & Rumpelteazer’ and ‘Memory’. 

CATS will be performed at the HKAPA

CATS will run from 6 January to 11 February 2018 at the HK Academy for Performing Arts. Tickets range from HK$445 to HK$1,045 and can be purchased at the HK Ticketing website here. Don’t miss out on this musical extravaganza!

Clair De Rose: New Tudor watches celebrated at exclusive Tudor Rose Evening

Iconic watchmaker Tudor debuted its Clair de Rose ladies watch collection with an exclusive Tudor Rose Evening at the picturesque Watermark restaurant. The collection features six different designs available in three different sizes.

Celebrating the ‘Born to Dare’ feminine spirit of Tudor’s latest collection, four strong female A-listers were invited to model various Clair de Rose designs on the catwalk: Chrissie Chau, Ali Lee, Tracy Chu and Cecilia Yeung. The evening’s entertainments also included live performances from Violin DJ Olivia Dawn and HK singer Phil Lam.

Usher in the New Year with the hottest parties and the most decadent dinners in town

Forêt noire at LE PAN

The last evening of the year has to be the best, right? Be it an intimate dinner with a special someone or pub-hopping with your BFFs, whatever be your choice, we have for you a carefully selected list of the best parties and the most opulent dinners in town this New Year’s Eve.

 NYE Fireworks and Dinner at LE PAN

Kowloon Bay’s hottest French restaurant LE PAN introduces a special six-course dinner for New Year’s Eve, specially curated by internationally acclaimed chef Edward Voon. With dishes like forêt noire and Périgord winter truffle with foie gras de canard, the last hours of 2017 are bound to be special. Le PAN has also arranged for a special rooftop countdown with fireworks and champagne to usher in the New Year in style! Prices are at HK$2,800 per person without alcohol and HK$4,800 per person with wine pairings. 

Call 3188 2355 for reservations.

View from Aqua Spirit

Black and White Party at Aqua Spirit

Located on the 29th and 30th floor of One Peking Road in TST, Aqua Spirit boasts one of the highest panoramic viewpoints in the city. To welcome the New Year, the super-chic bar presents the Black and White Party. Guests can capture the best scenes of New Year’s spectacular fireworks over Victoria Harbour while sipping on a glass of Dom Pérignon. Sushi and canapés from the Japanese and Italian kitchens will be served till the wee hours of the morning. Early-bird tickets are priced at HKD $550 per person and table prices start at HK$4000 for two people.

Tickets are available at https://nyeaqua.eventbrite.hk.  

Masquerade party at Armani/Privé

Carnevale di Venezia at Armani/Privé

Armani/Privé, Central’s most stylish roof terrace, presents a Venetian masquerade party on New Year’s Eve from 10pm to 1am. Titled Carnevale di Venezia, it invites guests to embrace the mystique spirit of Venice with live dancers and exhilarating music by DJ Maarten Goetheer. Early-bird tickets are priced at HK$888 and include a three-hour long access to an open bar. Entry tickets purchased after 25 December will priced at HK$988.

Tickets are available at alivenotdead.com/events/nye.

Cadoret oysters at Fishsteria

Le Grand Bleu NYE Party at Fishsteria

For seafood lovers, Fishsteria offers an opulent feast of free-flow Cadoret oysters, La Maison Nordique caviar, Feyel foie gras, their signature lobster macaroni, scallop and black truffle carpaccio, salt-baked sea bass and more. Also on offer are a bevy of alcoholic drinks like Ayala champagnes, wines by Chanson and Handpicked, Sabatini gin cocktails, etc. The restaurant has also organised some special acrobatic performance to keep guests entertained on the special night. Phase 2 tickets are now available till 24 December and are priced at HK$888 per person. Phase 3 tickets will be available from 25 December and will be priced at HK$1300.

Tickets are available at https://pelago.events/.

Seared salmon at Le Bistro Winebeast

Le Bistro Winebeast

Those looking for an intimate dinner this New Year’s Eve, Le Bistro Winebeast, a quaint French restaurant tucked away in a corner of Wan Chai may just be the thing. Thanks to Chef Johan Ducroquet’s attention to details, Le Bistro Winebeast brings the most authentic French gastronomic experience to diners from 26 to 31 December. Highlights of the New Year’s Eve 5-course menu include Marinated Salmon, Griddle-Grilled Scallop, French Duck Fillet and more. Prices are at HK$588 per person and HK$200 more for wine pairings.

For bookings, call 2782 6689.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

 

Annual Academy Ball fundraiser a star-studded success

The annual Academy Ball is one of the key charity events on Hong Kong high society’s social calendar, and this year’s #LIKEINAMOVIE-themed party did not disappoint. Over 400 donors and supporters of the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) turned up for the exclusive fundraising gala including guest of honour HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan.

Other A-list attendees included Charmaine Ho, Sabrina Ho, Harris Chan, Jonathan Cheung, Rosamund Kwan, Brandon Chau, Kathy Chow, Angela Leong  and many more.

Pianist Yundi Li and Stanley Ho's son Mario performed lovely duets at the Academy Gala

Held in order to raise scholarship funds for outstanding APA students, last week’s Academy Ball featured live performances by renowned pianist Yundi Li, Mario Ho and May Lui. Academy students also showcased their talents, performing a dance tribute to six classic movie musicals.

The evening culminated in a charity auction featuring 13 high-end items donated by luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre (the Academy Ball’s title sponsor), Poly Auction and other generous patrons.

APA Council Chairman Stephen Chow Chun-kay, Director Adrian Walter and Executive Chairwoman Winnie Chiu were thrilled by the turn out and by the generosity of this year’s Academy Ball attendees.