Until September 9
Historically dubbed the ‘Province of Abundance’, Sichuan is one of China’s major agricultural bases but in archaeological terms, it has also yielded great riches. In particular, the ancient Shu Kingdom (221-263 CE) artefacts unearthed at two sites just 50km apart rank as among the world’s major cultural finds; and more than 120 of these treasured objects are on show at the Splendour and Mystery of Ancient Shu – Cultural Relics from Sanxingdui and Jinsha exhibition that ends on Sunday, September 9. So, to ensure you don’t miss the chance to check out some of the world’s rarest cultural finds, head over to the HK Heritage Museum before then. The museum is closed on Tuesdays but open from 10am to 6pm on Mondays and Wednesdays to Saturdays, and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. Admission to this special exhibition along with the rest of the museum is $20.

Sept 2, 9 and 16
Internationally renowned virtuoso Jue Yao was the sole violinist included in the China’s Famous Females tome published as part of the 1995 International Women’s Congress in Berlin. She remembers a time when Chinese musicians were only allowed to play Chinese music, but masterpieces by Western composers like Niccoló Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate and Fritz Kreisler will be on the programme of the Jue Yao Dream Come True Recital, at the HKAPA Concert Hall. The Sunday, September 2.concert begins at 6:30pm while those on the two following Sundays start at 8pm. Tickets are $250 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Sept 4-30
Think Korean cinema and melodramatic weepies are likely to come to mind. Leesong Hee-il’s first full-length feature, No Regret, is another of those romantic dramas that may get viewers reaching for the Kleenex. But this surprise box office hit is different – it is an independent film with a focus on homosexual rather than heterosexual love. From September 4 to 30, this film will have a special limited run at the HK Arts Centre’s Agnès b. CINEMA! Tickets are $50 from URBTIX, 2734 9009. For further details (including specific screening dates and times), go to www.hkac.org.hk

Sept 5-8
Infidelity, homosexuality, incest and bestiality are some of the social taboos confronted and explored in The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? So it makes sense that the Dramatic English Educational Repertory (DEER) Theatre and Sometimes Y Theatre’s latest production has been tagged “for mature audiences” because of “language, violence and sexuality”. However sensational or even ludicrous its plot of a middle-aged married man who falls in love with a goat may sound though, this Edward Albee drama is a Tony Award Best Play winner and went on to have a successful run across the atlantic as well. All shows start at 8pm at the Fringe Club’s Fringe Theatre. Tickets are $180 and $150 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Friday, September 7
A major star in the contemporary jazz world for more than a decade, Texas-born Roy Hargrove has long stood clear of the shadow of Wynton Marsalis, the legend who discovered the now 38-year-old trumpet prodigy. Considered to be one of the most influential artists leading the recent resurgence in acoustic jazz, he is also widely recognized as an unparalleled improviser on the trumpet. So a genuine musical treat should be in store on Friday, September 7, when Hargrove and the rest of his quintet give a Jazz Up performance at HK City Hall’s Concert Hall. The ‘for one night only’ Roy Hargrove – A New Generation of Dynamic Artists show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $400, $300 and $150 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

Sept 7-12
Canto-pop singer cum actor Leo Ku jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon when one of his recent music videos featured an appearance of Katie Leung, the gal who played Cho Chang and figured in Master Potter’s first wet kiss. With or without her presence though, there’s magic in the air for fans of one of the few Canto-pop stars capable of singing falsetto as the time for his latest concert series draws near. Leo Ku in Concert: The Magic Moments LIVE 2007 was originally scheduled to be a three-nighter. However, it has now been extended to run from September 7 to 12, all performances starting at 8:15pm in the HK Coliseum. Tickets are priced at $400, $250 and $150 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

Sept 7-30
“In a world as badly made as ours, there is only one road – rebellion.” Thus proclaimed Luis Buñuel, the filmmaker in focus of the Repertory Cinema 2007 Programme 2. A surrealist, iconoclast, contrarian and provocateur, this world cinema great was responsible for a number of prestigious award-winners, quite a few of which – including the feminist masterpiece, Diary of a Chambermaid (1964), the Oscar-winning The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) and multiple-award-winning That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) – have been included in the 15-film programme to run from September 7 to 16 at the HK Film Archive’s Cinema, September 19 to 30 at the HK Science Museum’s Lecture Hall and September 22 to 26 at the HK Space Museum’s Lecture Hall. Tickets are $50 for each screening and available from URBTIX, 2734 9009. For further details (including information about individual screening dates and times), go to www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/
filmprog/nglish/2007Luis/
2007lu_index.html

Sept 8 and 9
The Ho Ho Chuen Dance Organizations’ founder and artistic director wasn’t joking when he said he’d composed close to 200 works but decided many of them were “junk” and condemned them to obscurity. However, Genesis, Chance Encounters, Time Flies, The Spirit of the Angels and Dagger Society Ho Ho-chuen deemed worthy enough to put on stage and they will be among the original works performed by his dance company in the As Time Goes By dance gala at the Kwai Tsing Theatre’s Auditorium. Showtime for the Saturday, September 8 performance is 7:30pm while the Sunday, September 9 show is scheduled to begin at 3pm. Tickets are $150, $120 and $90 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

Sunday, September 9
And they’re off! The 2007/08 horseracing season opens at the Sha Tin Racecourse on September 9 but before the first competitive race of the new season a group of Hong Kong trainers will ride against one another over 800 metres for charity. For a change, no betting will be allowed but the HK Jockey Club will give a $200,000 donation to a locally-based charity chosen by the contest’s winning trainer and owner. To view this event and the rest of the day’s races from the Public Enclosure costs $10. For more information, go to www.hkjc.com/
english/come_racing/index.asp

September 11-October 6
On Monday, September 10, the world’s oldest ocean-faring passenger ship with its all-volunteer crew will sail into Victoria Harbour. During her visit, from September 11 to October 6, the MV Doulos will anchor in TST’s Ocean Terminal and become the venue for the world’s largest floating book fair. Opening hours on Tuesday, September 11 are from 6pm to 9pm, and from 10am to 9pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 2pm to 9pm on Sundays thereafter. The Doulos will be closed every Monday. Admission tickets are $10, available at the ship.

Looking Ahead

September 13
Nine Inch Nails Live 2007
Tel: 31 288 288

September 14 – 16
Butterfly Effect (dance)
Tel: 2734 9009

Shaolin in the Wind
Tel: 2734 9009

September 15
The Legendary Glen Campbell Live in Hong Kong 2007
Tel: 31 288 288

September 15 & 16
2007 International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament
Tel: 2863 4365

September 17
Dag Arnesen Norwegian Song Trio Live in HK
Tel: 31 288 288

September 17 – October 14
Chinese Film Panorama 2007
Tel: 2734 9009

September 20-23 & 26-30
Circus Oz
Tel: 31 288 288

September 21 & 22
5th Hong Kong Drum Festival - Majestic Drums IX
Tel: 2734 9009

Forever Young: Lucnica – The Slovak National Folklore Ballet
Tel: 2734 9009