Category: Social Calendar

Morrissey – Live in Hong Kong

A man who hardly needs an introduction, the legendary crooner and former lead singer of The Smiths, that most iconic of ’80s bands, will be playing his first-ever gig in Hong Kong. A one-night-only performance, Morrissey will be swooning his way through a vast repertoire of moody pop numbers from his solo discography. Expect to hear anything from 1988’s Viva Hate to his more recent World Peace is None of Your Business. As renowned for his controversial opinions as for his musical endeavours, the volatile artist recently penned an autobiography which was published in Penguin’s “classics” range.

While no longer a spring chicken, Moz still has the power to captivate an audience. This, after all, is a man who is as revered by gangsters in South Central LA as he is by teenage girls with a particularly melancholy outlook on life. Expect an emotional show with an air of nostalgia suitable for long-time fans, as well as for anyone who has an ear for melodic pop songs with lyrics that paint a bleak picture of life in that unmistakably Morrissey fashion.

Venue: McPherson Stadium
Date: 6 October @ 20:30
Enquiries: 2584 4888
Website: www.true-to-you.net

Gold Coasting in vintage motor cars

Prominent members of Hong Kong society attended a VIP Night yesterday for the Gold Coast Motor Festival, which takes place on 1-2 October.

The exclusive event featured a performance by Ginger Kwan, free-flow drinks and, of course, the opportunity to walk around and view the 60 world-class classic and collectors cars before the event this weekend.

The Gold Coast Motor Festival will have classic and vintage cars, such as American Muscle Cars, the rare Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing, the 1927 Pur Sang Bugatti Type 35 and the Ferrari Daytona. All of the cars come from private collections.

The festival will also transform the waterfront setting, including the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel and Gold Coast Piazza, into lifestyle and entertainment zones, each with a different motoring experience.

Due to the popularity of the event, car enthusiasts should check ticket availability before making the journey to the Gold Coast.

Venue: Hong Kong Gold Coast
Date: 1st & 2nd October, 2016
Time: 1st October – 10am – 9pm ; 2nd October – 10am – 7pm
Enquiries: info@goldcoastmotorfestival.com
Website: http://www.goldcoastmotorfestival.com

Electric avenues

Hong Kong will host its first motor racing event in over 30 years when Formula E cars zoom around the city on 8-9 October.

Formula E is an FIA championship and the world’s first fully-electric race, which means you can leave the earplugs at home.

The race will cover a circuit of 2-kilometres around the Central Harbourfront, passing IFC, Hong Kong Observatory Deck, Star Ferry Pier and City Hall.

With 40,000 spectators expected to attend the event, the only thing moving quickly around the harbourfront will be the Formula E cars.

Before the race, visitors can take in the “Battle of Victors” boxing event, watch celebrities race each other in full-electric sedan cars and stare at a procession of super cars on 8 October.

The event on 9 October starts around noon.

For more information, visit the HK Formula E website.

DCT’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Venue: Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Date: 30 September-16 October
Enquiries: info@dcthk.com.hk
Website: www.dcthk.com.hk

The Dionysus Contemporary Theatre brings the Bard’s Midsummer Night’s Dream to Hong Kong this month. Olivia Yan’s direction breathes new life into this lively romantic comedy, ensuring all of Shakespeare’s rib-tickling rhyming couplets can still amuse a 21st century audience.

The play sees four runaway lovers find themselves smack bang in the middle of a dispute between the King and Queen of the fairies, and, as if that wasn’t enough, a troupe of amateur actors are also there trying to rehearse a play. Between these unlikely groups flies Puck, armed only with a wicked sense of humour and a love potion capable of making anyone fall for the first person they set eyes upon. What could possibly go wrong?

Acclaimed Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong – of Internal Affairs and Hard Boiled fame – sheds his tough-cop image to ham it up in this mischievous romp.

If that isn’t enough to tempt you, the preview notes promise: “This production contains naughtiness of a sexual nature”. Standing room only or what?

Queen & Adam Lambert make their Hong Kong debut

Venue: AsiaWorld-Expo, Arena
Date: 28 September
Enquiries: N/A
Website: www.hkticketing.com

Who would have thought that some quarter of a century after the death of Freddy Mercury – Queen’s legendary frontman – that the band would not only still be touring, but playing some territories, including Hong Kong, for the very first time? Yet, here they are.

Although the band now only includes two members from its 70’s/80’s heyday – permanently-permed lead guitarist Brian May and drummeister general Roger Taylor – it is still selling out stadiums round the world. Having tried out a number of vocalists since the demise of Mercury – most notably Paul Rodgers, the big, bad voice behind Bad Company and Free – this latest incarnation is fronted by Adam Lambert, a former contestant on the American Idol talent show. And, unlikely as it may seem, it has been hailed as a winning combination.

Lambert has been credited as ably aping Mercury where necessary, while also bringing his own style and pizzazz to the Queen experience. With rock legends being a little thin on the ground in HK this year – with Olivia Newton-John being the best known to date – checking out these veteran rockers could prove your musical highlight of the year.

Asia Contemporary Art Show

Venue: Conrad Hong Kong (40-43 floor)
Date: 16-18 September
Enquiries: 2811 9015
Website: asiacontemporaryart.com

There’s no doubt that guerrilla art has exploded all across Hong Kong. Over the past year, emerging artists have been showcasing their talents on and around the streets of Sheung Wan and Central, hoods often referred to as hipster hangouts. Now with the arrival of the eighth edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show (ACAS), there has never been a better time to dig deeper into the world of alternative art.

Held twice a year (in September and March) in the luxurious five-star Conrad Hotel, works of art from more than 50 emerging artists from across the globe can typically be found sprawled on queen-sized beds, hung in front of television sets or even placed inside bathtubs. The event, it has to be said, has a somewhat unusual take on what constitutes an art gallery
Attracting buyers from across the globe, collectors move from room to room to engage directly with the artworks. There is also the opportunity for a closer interaction with the gallery owners and artists over a glass of wine. This year, the September incarnation of the event will showcase more than 3,000 artworks by 89 exhibitors from 17 countries.

Tissot Limitless Challenge

Venue: Tai Tong
Date: 11 September
Enquiries: 2117 1650
Website: www.tissotlimitless.sportsoho.com

Last year some 9,000 fitness fanatics turned out to try their hand at Hong Kong’s first ever competitive obstacle event. Up against a host of challenges – including tyres, nets, mazes, walls and spider webs – hardy competitors all struggled in their bid for glory in the city’s inaugural Limitless Challenge. Now the gauntlet has been thrown down once again and Hong Kong’s fittest folk will get the chance to go head-to-head later this month when the event returns to Tai Tong.

The challenge this year is to beat the time of last year’s winner, Szeto Leanne, who completed the daunting test of strength, perseverance and endurance in just eight minutes and 32 seconds. If you think you are up to it, this year’s event takes place on Sunday 11 September, with sessions running between 8am and 6pm. If you are 16 or over then you can enter the individual and team challenge for HK$420 person. If you are under 16, but over 12 then it will only cost you HK$320 to register for both challenges.

Picture Purr-fect

Animals and fashion labels generally don’t go hand in hand, unless the creature in question seemingly gave its life so that an old lady’s shoulders might be fetchingly draped in its remains.

An exhibition by Hermes, the Paris-based purveyors of high-end style, however, hopes to change fashion’s often less than noble associations with the natural world by raising awareness of Panthera, a global charity committed to wild cat conservation.

Showcasing the work of Robert Dallet, a renowned French artist and illustrator, the brand is sponsoring Fierce and Fragile, a joyous celebration of the world’s most iconic big cats – jaguars, pumas, tigers, lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The exhibition also features a DIY zone, a place where budding artists can try their hand at creating their own fetching feline designs.

Free to enter, the exhibition runs until 24 September at Level 1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway.

MILL 6 WARM UP

Venue: Various venues across Tsuen Wan
Date: 20–21 August
Enquiries: 3979 2301
Website: www.mill6.org.hk

Ever hankered after creating your own clothing line, but stymied by your lack of fashion knowledge or inability to craft anything more ambitious than a bin liner poncho? In that case, the Mill6 Foundation’s summer program might just be the very thing for you.

Open to the public and taking place over two days, the program – Mill6 Warm Up – is chock-a-block with a host of screenings, demonstrations, competitions and more. Hosted by an array of textile industry icons from across the ages, this meticulously curated program apparently strives to “reach out to the wider society by building accessible learning and sharing platforms.”

Its associated events will take place in venues across Tsuen Wan – the Hon Do Restaurant, The Upcycling Bird and Hau Tei Square Sitting Out Area. All in all, it promises to be a two-day orgy of all things textile and garment. Keep an eye out for the Master Demonstration of Pattern Making, guided by Cheung Chi Mou, a pattern maker supremo, and fashion designer Ming King. Attendees will learn everything they ever wanted to know.

Jimmy Carr – “Funny Business”

Venue: King George V School
Date: 24-25 August
Enquiries: N/A
Website: www.la-comedylive.com/jimmycarr_hk

Your mates might think him hilarious but, to your in-laws, he’s probably obscene. This should give you a pretty clear idea of the nature of comedy likely to be in store when Jimmy Carr comes to Hong Kong. One of the most popular live acts on the UK comedy scene, Jimmy will be making his maiden appearance in town with Funny Business, his brand spanking new show.

Equal parts clever word play, razor sharp wit and puerile filth, this is one show you won’t want to take your kids to, despite the gig being held in the somewhat unlikely setting of the King George V School, a venue not often associated with genitalia gaga. The two-night run is part of a tour that will see Carr play more than 200 dates across four continents. Early reviews have described the evening as “A master class in comedy…devastating, tasteless two-liners that are bliss to listen to…Carr’s persona is irresistible and his wisecracks will have you quivering with satisfaction.” Book now, but best not risk taking the in-laws.

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