Category: Social Calendar

PIERRE delights the epicurious for Elite Dining Week 2017

Polish the Laguiole and dust off the decanters! It’s time for the second instalment of our EDW restaurant review series! Running from 9-19 November, DiningCity’s popular Elite Dining Week is a by-invitation culinary extravaganza showcasing over 30 new menus from the cream of Hong Kong’s restaurant crop. The resulting menus reflect each participant’s signature often alongside uniquely themed culinary experiences. Nowhere is this more apparent than at PIERRE – a bastion of refined French cuisine at The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.

For EDW 2017, Pierre Chef de Cuisine Jacky Tauvry has curated a six-course menu under the watchful eye of mentor Pierre Gagnaire. These dishes champion seasonal French produce (80 percent of the restaurant’s ingredients are sourced from French locales) and the molecular wizardry which Gagnaire finesses in his Parisian flagship on Rue Balzac.  Seasoned diners will be excited to (re)acquaint themselves with some of the Ligérien master chef’s classic creations. The Mimolette, Parmesan and Comté shavings elegantly subvert clichés associated with the ubiquitous cheese platter. The Grand Dessert is a sextet of diminutive sweets – some light others decadent – each a universe of flavour in its own right.

Gagnaire’s creative fingerprint is an undeniable part of the menu’s allure, but Tauvry injects his own insight into the proceedings with an assured and harmonious touch. Autumn is renowned for its bold hearty flavours; and the young Chef de Cuisine channels the season throughout 2017’s EDW menu. Snails persillade are perched atop a watercress velouté: evoking the imagery of a brilliantine green forest in Fall. Autumn leaves are replaced by caramelised salsifies (a root vegetable belonging to the dandelion genus) and the snails themselves – wonderfully unctuous, fragrant and moreish – would not seem out of place amidst a bounty of foraged delicacies.

Equally, wild game is now in season: traditionally sought after for its suitability to stewing and roasting. Tauvry’s take is the Grouse fillet with white bacon. Game fowl is roasted with thyme before being finished with a hint of peaty whisky; accompanied by what Tauvry somewhat self-effacingly dubs “sauerkraut” – cabbage minced until tender with fresh barely-acidic grapes. Paired with a Bordeaux from PIERRE’s monumental cellar (Gafencu recommends the Domaine de Chevalier 2000), this course is enough to convert even the staunchest steak lover into a gun toting plaid wearing hunter – eager for their next bounty of grouse from the moor.

The PIERRE EDW menu is tightly edited and self-assured. It’s a bravura display: balancing perennial favourites, crafted by its legendary namesake, with imaginative (yet completely comprehensible) seasonal cooking. It’s the sort of menu that suffers no mediocrity. Then again, at PIERRE, even the breadbasket deserves its own standing ovation.     

PIERRE (MANDARIN ORIENTAL)
5 Connaught Road Central
www.mandarinoriental.com

Reservations at Pierre during Elite Dining Week may be made via the DiningCity app and EDW website. Prices start at HK$1,998 (plus 10 percent gratuity). Stay tuned for the next instalment of our EDW restaurant review series!

Text: Randalph Lai

HK’s most prestigious restaurants open their doors for Elite Dining Week 2017

From 9-19 November, DiningCity, in partnership with American Express, is collaborating with 30 of the city’s finest restaurants to hold its Elite Dining Week 2017. Top chefs were exclusively invited to participate by creating special tasting menus for the event, featuring their signature dishes plus optional wine pairings. Without further adieu, let’s dive into the first instalment of Gafencu’s Elite Dining Week reviews.

Themed meals and extraordinary dishes have been the challenge for this season’s edition of Elite Dining Week. The discerning foodie’s demands for flawless plating and palate pleasing concoctions are sure to be met. Take Bibo for example, whose HK$488 lunch showcases a playful yet thoughtful experiment: a deconstructed Carambar, which the pastry chef used to love as a child. He reinterpreted the candy in the form of cacao crumble, salted caramel, chocolate Chantilly and house made Carambar ice cream.

For dinner, we’re eyeing fine dining at Conrad, whose three renowned gastronomy brands are participating in different capacities. There’s the Italian Nicholini’s featuring the white truffle turbot, the Cantonese Golden Leaf highlighting their signature crabmeat fried rice with homemade X.O. sauce and the French Brasserie on the Eighth, whose HK$790 dégustation dinner wouldn’t dent the wallet quite as much as the first two.

After trying a few of the participating establishments, the Gafencu team would definitely recommend these once-in-a-lifetime tastings the likes of which will never be seen again! Stay tuned for more Elite Dining Week coverage. 

Text: Julienne C. Raboca

Online reservations for Elite Dining Week 2017 can be made at www.elitediningweek.diningcity.hk

Leisure and Pleasure: Events in Hong Kong this November

Whether you’re a music lover, ballet aficionado, avid reader or artist at heart, Hong Kong has something for everyone to enjoy this month. Here are some exciting events happening this November. 

Clockenflap

Hong Kong’s biggest music and arts festival is going all out for its 10th anniversary along the waterfront. This year’s line-up is headlined by international acts including Massive Attack (UK), Feist (Canada) and MØ (Denmark). “Festivals like Clockenflap occupy a very important place in the cultural and creative landscape of the city,” says founder Justin Sweeting. “This is our 10th year and we’re very much staying true to our vision and spirit as always. You’ll have to come to see for yourself – the only way to experience the magic.”

17-19 November
Central Harbourfront Event Space
9 Lung Wo Road, Central
HK$570-1,720
clockenflap.com

Arts in the Park

Calling all kids and kids at heart – this popular annual outdoor youth arts festival and puppet parade is back, this time celebrating all things Roald Dahl. The British novelist’s works (Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) will come alive in the form of giant characters and storytelling sessions. Interactive activities like the African Drum Jam and free art stalls will allow youngsters to unleash their creative energy in projects like mask and headdress making or face painting.

11-12 November
Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
Free
hkyaf.com

Rugby Charity Ball

Now in its 16th year, the prestigious Hong Kong Rugby Union Charity Ball continues its gala-for-a-cause. This year’s event will be headlined by World Classic Rockers, a supergroup composed of former members of Santana, Kansas, Boston and other legendary bands. The annual fundraiser has contributed over HK$88 million to education and rugby programmes serving underprivileged children since 2002. The black tie affair includes pre-dinner cocktails, a four-course dinner, a live concert and an auction (starring a custom-painted Harley- Davidson bike!) to cap off the night.

11 November
Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention
& Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. 6pm
HK$2,488
hkrucharityball.org

World Cultures Festival

Thumping beats and tribal arts travel to Hong Kong from the cradle of civilisation: Africa. The colourful World Cultures Festival is set to showcase the continent’s most distinctive music, dance and theatre acts in a line-up opened by none other than “African artist of the century” Youssou N’Dour (Senegal). The closing performance by Cape Town Opera pays tribute to South Africa’s first black president in a stirring folk opera entitled Mandela Trilogy.

Until 19 November
Schedule and venues vary
HK$80-$580
worldfestival.gov.hk/2017

Secret Theatre’s Project Mayhem

If you’ve been bemoaning the lack of an edgy arts scene in the 852 reminiscent of London and New York, maybe you haven’t been looking hard enough. Secret Theatre – which got its start with a production of Edward Scissorhands in an abandoned New York City factory – is in town for another round of immersive storytelling. While details on this experiential dinner and theatre show are intentionally scant, audiences can expect to be placed in a warehouse with devious characters who will act out “one of modern history’s most twisted tales of fraternity, violence and all-out psychological warfare”. You’ve been warned!

3 November – 10 December
Location to be announced upon ticket purchase
From HK$850
secretstudiolab.com, ticketflap.com/projectmayhemhk

Hong Kong International Literary Festival

Established and emerging writers from around the world come to Hong Kong for a 10-day programme of discussions, literary-themed lunches, workshops, debates, book signings, lectures and readings. The annual festival embraces creative writing in English, with an emphasis on connections to Asia. Look out for Amy Tan (author of The Joy Luck Club) at the gala dinner.

3-12 November
Venues and prices vary
festival.org.hk

Le Corsaire

Emmy Award-winning choreographer Anna-Marie Holmes is the creative force behind Hong Kong Ballet’s premiere of Le Corsaire. This staging stars Moscow-born Maria Kochetkova (San Francisco Ballet) and Canadian Matthew Golding (The Royal Ballet). Audiences can follow the romance between a dashing pirate and the beautiful harem girl he rescues – a classic adventure with a side of pas de trois.

3-12 November
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
2:30pm & 7:30pm
HK$140-$1,000
hkballet.com

 

Australia’s emerging wine trends showcased at 2017 Wine & Dine Festival

Last week, the annual Wine & Dine Festival began under the auspices of an exclusive showcase by Wine Australia. In collaboration with Meiburg Wine Media (MWM), Wine Australia – the country’s top statutory authority – invited media and hospitality professionals to sample exclusive varietals. Notably, a number of these wines were not exhibited at this year’s Festival.

Held at Michelin starred BIBO, the event was warmly attended. Eight tasting stations, manned by diverse regional winemakers, were erected throughout the space; complemented by fresh canapés made from local Australian produce. Alex Aranchikov, Communications Manager at MWM, said that the evening’s objective was to expose Hong Kong oenophiles to contemporary developments in the Australian winemaking scene: including the focus on cool climate wines; rosé; and minimal intervention.

Highlights included cold climate releases (e.g. the Clairault Estate Chardonnay) from Clairault Streicker – a Margaret River winery that is a far cry from the stodgy syrah makers of the Barossa. Elsewhere, Paringa Estate – hailing from the heart of Victoria’s iconic Mornington Peninsula appellation – showcased their Estate Pinot Noir, a textural yet finely grained collection of red wines made from far-ranging vintages (2010-2014).

For those who missed the opportunity to attend the Wine Australia event, the MWM Wine School holds regular tastings year-round. Based in Aberdeen, they provide a comprehensive range of educational programmes suited to everyone from beginners to accredited wine masters.

Text by Randalph Lai

Movies to watch at the cinemas this November

With the holiday season kicking in, a horde of big-budget movies are set to release in November. From nail-biting whodunits to superhero franchises, from Cannes’ award winners to simple Christmas comedies, you can have your pick and more! Here are our top picks for November:

Murder on the Orient Express

When Agatha Christie’s detective fiction Murder on the Orient Express came out in 1934, it was considered to be one of the best ‘railway stories’ ever written. Many decades and numerous adaptations later, the classic whodunit still remains a crowd favourite because of the startling (and frankly unparalleled) nature of its climax! We don’t want to reveal more, so just head to the theatres on 30 November to be part of an extraordinary ride.

Justice League

Another superhero flick from DC and Warner Bros’ stables, Justice League is the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe. Inspired by Superman’s selfless sacrifice (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince combine forces with other superheroes like Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash to save the planet from a new and powerful enemy. Scheduled to be released on 16 November, box offices everywhere have already pinned high hopes on this one.

Wonder

If the trailer is anything to go by, this film promises to quite endearing. As a simple story of a little boy with facial ‘deformity’ who’s trying to fit in at his new school, this film will resonate with anybody who has had issues ‘fitting in’ with their peers. Wonder’s simple message, that beauty is not skin-deep, is a particularly relevant one in today’s world of superficial beauty parameters. Releasing on 30 November, Wonder offers a breath of much-needed empathy.

The Star

A Christian comedy based on the Nativity of Jesus, this one is a lighthearted animation centering on Bo, a donkey, and his friends from the animal kingdom who become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas. Hitting the theatres on 17 November, the film promises to be a good watch for the kids and for those young at heart.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

A competitor in the Palme d’Or category in the Cannes Film Festival 2017 and the best screenplay award winner at the festival, this movie has already made the right noises even before its global release. Featuring big names like Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman, the film explores the unconventional relationship between an established doctor and his teenage neighbour, a relationship that is laced with underlying menace and a threat of violence. Playing in theatres from 30 November, the film has already won critics’ hearts through its twisted brilliance and intriguing screenplay.  

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Tip of the iceberg: There’s more to Scandinavia than the Aurora Borealis

 

Fancy sledding in the Arctic Circle on reindeer sledges? Or listening to a private concert in a grotto in Iceland? Or maybe snowmobiling through frozen lakes in Sweden?

If you are all geared up for a Scandinavian adventure this winter, look no further! Award-winning luxury travel company, Jacada Travel, has just introduced its Northern European travel experiences, designed to transport you to the fairy-tale land of Frozen with lots of chilling adventures in tow.

And if winter’s not your thing, fret not, because each season in Scandinavia is unique and brings its own set of attractions. While in autumn, the nature blooms to its brightest colours before a barren winter, in spring-summer, there’s a chance of spotting bears that have just come out of hibernation.

To give us a sneak peek into what’s in store in a Scandinavian vacation, Jacada Travel is currently hosting an exhibition ‘In Search of Light’ by British photographer and explorer, George Turner, who has captured the beauty of lesser-known terrains of Norway, Finland, Scotland and Iceland through his lenses.

Exhibition details:
The Haven by Jacada Travel
29/F Wyndham Place, 40-44 Wyndham Street, Central
21 October to 9 December 2017
From 10am to 8pm (7pm on Mondays)
Free for public

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

What to do and see in Hong Kong this October

October is such a fun month, isn’t it? The weather is perfect (not too hot, not too cold) and there is a lot of festivity in the air. For Hong Kongers, not only is there the Mid-Autumn Festival at the beginning of the month, but also a horde of events throughout the month. Whether you are a music lover, a food aficionado or a sports freak, there’s something for everyone this October. 

 

 

ABBA Tribute Show

Tribute group ABBA MANIA returns to Hong Kong, which means it’s time to break out the flared trousers and have the time of your life. Recreating the final 1979 concert of its sensational Swedish namesake, Abba Mania will take audiences on a vibrant journey through song and dance.

28-29 October
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
1, Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
HK$295-HK$695
lunchbox-productions.com

Marco Polo Bierfest

For its 25th consecutive year, Marco Polo Hong Kong brings gourmands the most authentic German beer and cuisine. With a view overlooking Victoria Harbour, guests can expect a range of traditional German weissbier and dunkel.
Expect things to take a turn for the sillier as the festival features performances from the Notenhobler Band – the official Marco Polo Bierfest band since 1994. Rumour has it that one of the staples in their musical repertoire is the Chicken Dance.

20 October-11 November
Viewing platform, Level 6, Marco Polo Hong Kong
Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
HK$120-HK$280
gbfhk.com

The Roots of Flamenco

The living tradition of Flamenco arrives in Hong Kong with a world tour featuring two of the art form’s biggest proponents, Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernández.
Flamenco’s “Golden Couple”, whose performances New York Times critic Brian Seibert called “a furnace of earthy sensuality”, will stage a two-day show with accompaniment from world-renowned pianist Chano Dominguez.

11-12 October, 8pm
Lecture Hall, Sheung Wan
Civic Centre
HK$300-HK$580
rootsofflamenco.com

The Naked Magicians

Aussie comedy veterans The Naked Magicians return to Hong Kong this month with their critically acclaimed live show featuring full-frontal illusions and hilarious innuendo. The dashing duo performs an array of classic magic routines while stripping down to nothing but top hats and capes. Decidedly R-rated, the show guarantees plenty of laughs on your next group date.

25-27 October, 8pm
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
1, Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai
HK$395-HK$595
nakedmagicians.com

 

Verdi’s Aϊda

Celebrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of the HKSAR’s establishment continue this month with the arrival of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aϊda. Notable for its four-act structure and central place in the operatic canon, this production is the result of a new collaboration between the Shanghai Opera House and Opera Hong Kong.
China’s brightest contributors to the operatic arts are represented, with singers He Hui and Hao Jiang Tian among them. Aficionados of Verdi’s works can also expect an exciting accompaniment harnessing the talents of mainland China’s best orchestras, including the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra.

10-15 October, 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
HK$150-HK$1,080
operahongkong.org

Tennis Open 2017

The atmosphere is thick with anticipation as some of the biggest names in professional women’s tennis prepare to return to Hong Kong for the 2017 WTA Tour. Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams is joined by former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, in addition to a host of other leading players from the Asia-Pacific region. Be sure to catch a few of the tournament’s first and qualifying rounds, as admission is free on a first-come first-served basis.

7-15 October
Victoria Park,
Causeway Bay
HK$160-HK$880
hktennisopen.hk

Spanish October launches a month-long celebration of flamenco, food and fiesta

 

As Spain’s National Day on 12 October approaches, Hong Kong’s Iberian community is abuzz with preparations for its extended celebration. A wide range of cultural activities have been lined up for the month’s social calendar: from events in gastronomy and music to history and arts.

We’re most looking forward to the Latin Party at Zafran, as well as the VIP party by jewellery icon ARTĒ Madrid at Armani Aqua. The same company will also be holding a special artistic workshop for art jewellery enthusiasts. Meanwhile, foodies would love the Seminar-Brunch at Zafran, as well as Estrella Damm’s Tapas Journey.

We’ve listed some of the other highlights below to mark on your diary. For the full schedule, visit www.spanish-october.com.

10 Oct: Fiesta Nacional Española / National Day Cocktail
The Consulate General of Spain hosts a reception receiving Spanish citizens, government officials and friends.
By invitation only

12 Oct: The Roots of Flamenco (Esencia Flamenca)
The Roots of Flamenco World Tour 2017 comes to the 852 featuring Flamenco’s Golden Couple Sonia Olla & Ismael Fernández.
Time & Venue: 8pm, Lecture Hall – Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan

7-10 Oct: Clara Ramona and co. presents: Special Flamenco Dance Workshops with Pol Vaquero
Where: Cheong Hong Mansion, 1/F Flat E, 25-33 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai

19 Oct: Asia Society/Ruta de la Plata book
A discussion on The Silver Way-OBOR: Models of Globalization
Time & Venue: 6-8pm, Asia Society Hong Kong Center 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Price: HK$200 for Asia Society Members/ Friends of the Consulates General of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela. Non-members: HK$350

14, 16, 25 Oct / 4 Nov: Spanish Classes and more at the Hong Kong Institute of Languages
A round of activities kick off with an Open Day on the 14th for both kids and adults, featuring quizzes, complimentary language evaluations, snacks, free gifts, drinks and a fun workshop at 2pm for the little ones. On the 16th and 25th, adults can come in for trial lessons from beginner to intermediate levels. A Spanish handicraft-making class, named Con Manos (With Hands), will be held for kids on 4 November.
Venue: 6/F Wellington Plaza, 56-58 Wellington Street, Central

30 Oct: Spain – A legacy in History
Spanish history revealed through displays of Royal manuscripts and memorabilia of the Spanish Empire during critical times.
Time & Venue: Puerta Roja, 189 Queen’s Rd W, Sheung Wan. www.puerta-roja.com

What to watch at the cinemas this October

Hong Kongers have yet another reason to look forward to the festive season in October. There are a slew of movies releasing this month, and there’s something for everyone – from docu-style The Helper based on Hong Kong’s domestic workers to Hollywood biggie Blade Runner 2049, starring 2017 Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling. Here’s our list of must-see movies for October:

The Lego Ninjago Movie

In this big-screen Ninjago adventure, Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, and his friends, who are all secret warriors and LEGO Master Builders, are called to action in the battle for Ninjago City. Led by the worldly wise and wise-cracking kung fu master Wu, they have to beat the Worst Guy Ever, Garmadon, an evil warlord and also Lloyd’s father.
This epic showdown will test the fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to fight their inner demons and pull together to unleash their true power.

Releasing on 28 September 2017

The Mountain Between Us

Directed by Academy Award nominee Hany Abu-Asad and starring Academy award winner Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, this movie promises a gripping storyline, backed by some stellar performances. Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers are forced to forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow-covered mountain. When they realise there’s no help coming, they embark on a terrifying journey across hundreds of miles of wilderness, backing each other every step of the way and sparking an unlikely attraction.

Releasing on 5 October 2017

Blade Runner 2049

In this neo-noir sci-fi film, Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that could potentially plunge society into a state of complete chaos. His discovery leads him on a mission to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. As a sequel to the cult movie Blade Runner, released in 1982, this one has a lot of hype to live up to.

Releasing on 5 October 2017

The Helper

The Helper is a feature-length documentary chronicling the lives of Hong Kong’s migrant domestic worker population. The film reveals the unheard stories of the unsung (s)heroes around us, from Liza Avelino, a domestic helper who climbs mountains in her spare time to Nurul Hidayah, a single mother with a harrowing story of survival. Choosing to leave their homeland and separated from their families, the stories uncover an inspiring tale of grit, pride and determination.

Releasing on 10 October 2017

Victoria and Abdul

When Abdul Karim (starring Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, he finds favour with the Queen (starring Academy Award winner Judi Dench) herself. As the Queen challenges the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle attempt to destroy. The film humanises the lofty and idealised British monarch.

Releasing on 19 October 2017

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

What to see and do in Hong Kong this September

It’s the typhoon season, but that’s no reason for your spirits to be dampened! We have here a list of must-see and must-do events to keep up the party spirit this September. The choices are eclectic, from art shows and Shakespeare plays to pop music concerts and beer tasting events. Read on to find the event that piques your interest the most.

 

Ariana Grande in Concert

Multi-platinum-selling superstar Ariana Grande comes to town with her unique brand of pop and R&B. Listed among Time’s 100 most influential people in the world, Grande will be performing chart-toppers like Side to Side, Into You and Dangerous Woman.
21 September, 8pm
AsiaWorld- Expo arena, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau Island
HK$888-$4,888.
www.livenationlushington.net

 

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Musical

This Olivier and Tony award-winning musical is a feel-good favourite from Broadway and the West End. Based on the hit movie, it tells the story of three friends who hop aboard a battered bus named Priscilla in search of love and friendship. Dance floor favourites such as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, I Will Survive and Shake Your Groove Thing are sure to get disco babies dancing.
29 September-22 October
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Lyric Theatre
1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai
HK$330-$995.
www.priscillahk.com

 

Road to Ultra

The Road to Ultra tour visits several countries in Asia this month. The Hong Kong encore touches down on the third Saturday, with Europe’s best electronic music acts headlining: DJs Kygo (Norway), ZEDD (Germany) and Hardwell (The Netherlands).
16 September, 12pm-10pm
West Kowloon Nursery Park Hong Kong
HK$990-1,480
www.hongkong.roadtoultra.com

 

Asia Contemporary Art Show

The 11th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show begins on a Thursday night with an exclusive UnionPay Private View and VIP Collectors Preview. On Friday, the HK Liquor Store Art Night officially kicks off the weekend with 2,500 works of art. Original paintings, limited editions, sculptures and photography from emerging to mid-career artists will be on display.
21-24 September
Conrad Hong Kong (Level L)
One Pacific Place
88, Queensway, Admiralty
HK$240
www.asiacontemporaryart.com

 

Beertopia

Are you a big fan of the amber brew? Does choosing from over 500 varieties sound like a dream come true? If so, there’s only one place to be on the fourth weekend of September: at the waterfront along with the rest of the city’s revellers. Called “Asia’s biggest craft beer event” by CNN, Beertopia partners with 25 restaurants, live music acts, shisha experts and more for a 14,000-strong outdoor party.
22-23 September
Central Harbourfront Event Space
Lung Wo Rd, Central
HK$230-$445
www.beertopiahk.com

Latino Party 5

The Mexican Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong brings back its annual bash celebrating all things Latin-American. This colourful party – well-attended by Hong Kong’s Spanish-speaking community and friends – features free-flow mezcal cocktails, Mexican canapés and raffle prizes. No Latin party is complete without a live salsa band, which will be firing up the dance floor with a reggaeton DJ from the land of Despacito. Get your dancing shoes ready for this one!
9 September, 9pm-12am
Picada, 2/F, LKF29, 29 Wyndham Street, Central
HK$250-$350
www.mexcham.hk

HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair

The region’s leading timepiece trade platform returns to Hong Kong for its 36th edition. Last year, the fair hosted more than 800 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions. This year, make a beeline for Salon de TE, which offers a curated selection of international watch brands grouped into five thematic zones including wearable tech, chic & trendy, and “renaissance moment”.
5-9 September
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai
Free admission for trade visitors
www.hktdc.com/fair/hkwatchfair-en

OneRepublic Live

Grammy Award-nominated quintet OneRepublic – hailing from Colorado Springs, USA – stops in Hong Kong at the tail end of their tour. The band’s most recent album, Oh My My, became their highest-charting debut to date, landing at No 3 on the Billboard 200. Their biggest hits include Apologize, Secrets, Counting Stars and If I Lose Myself.
19 September, 8pm
AsiaWorld-Expo Arena
Chek Lap Kok, Lantau Island
HK$688-$888
www.livenationlushington.net

 

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s iconic show, the three-man comedy troupe brings its antics to the Hong Kong stage. The bard’s 37 plays will be condensed to 97 minutes in a high-speed roller-coaster of comedy and tragedy that promises to have you laughing and crying at the same time.
19-24 September
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Drama Theatre
1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai
HK$295-$595
www.auroratheatrehk.com