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ISCM-Musicarama 2015: 31 May – 3 June 2015

Contemporary music’s annual International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World Music Days Festival will be held in Hong Kong this year from 31 May to 3 June 2015 and features four concerts and a one-day Composers’ Forum to share the composers’ musical ideas with local audiences.

Presented by the Hong Kong Composers’ Guild, the ISCM-Musicarama 2015’s four concert programmes showcase the world’s contemporary composers and feature 28 compositions including five pieces written by local composers.

The first concert will feature Global Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Mak Ka-lok. In 2011, Maestro Mak returned to Hong Kong with an aim to build an orchestra of the best local musicians, hence the Global Symphony Orchestra. His vision is to nurture and support local young talented musicians with a mission of popularizing classical music in Hong Kong. The programme includes The Green Vision by Indra Riše (Latvia), two works by Belgium composers, Lettre Soufie: L(àm) by Jean-Luc Fafchamps and Monolithe by Jean-Marie Rens, Critical Mass by Tomasz Skweres (Austria), Nachtsicht II by Peter Gahn (Germany) and Dai Pai Dong by local composer Cheung Pui-shan.

The second concert will be performed by the Taipei Chamber Singers (TCS), a vocal ensemble dedicated to modern choral music. Founded in 1992, TCS has become one of the top vocal groups in Asia performing at several music festivals. Chen Yun-hung will conduct the concert. The concert programme on June 2 will feature nine works, including Two Years Later by Alex Taylor (New Zealand), Sujechon by Lee Il-joo (Korea), Strange was the World by Victor Chan (Hong Kong), The Somnambulistic Girl by Pan Hwang-long (Taiwan), two works by Swedish composers We Know Not Where The Dragons Fly by Mattias Sköld and Urworte. Orphisch by Anders Nilsson; Für Viele by Kurt Bikkembergs (Belgium) and two pieces by composers from Latvia Sonnet Nr. 28 by Oskars Herlins and Light Seeking Light by Gundega Šmite.

The Festival includes a concert of mixed ensemble music for Chinese and Western instruments,with the aim of presenting contemporary music that goes beyond the cultural boundary. Performed by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) Ensemble and the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, this third concert will be conducted by the Resident Conductor of HKCO, Chew Hee-chiat and feature six works by composers worldwide. Programme: Four Gentlemen by local composer Lam Lan-chee, Zusammenflusses by Lee Chihchun Chi-sun (Taiwan), Wu by Klaus Hinrich Stahmer (Germany), two works by Austrian composers Seized by Wolfgang Liebhart and NUR ICH by Wang Ying, and In the Year of the Dragon by Marcel Wengler (Luxembourg).

The last concert will be performed by Japan’s Ensemble Kochi conducted by veteran composer and conductor Isao Matshushita. Works to be presented at this concert include O poveste by Alin Gherman (Belgium), Dry Tears by Yau May-kay (Hong Kong), Reverberation by Stephen Yip (Hong Kong/USA), Gealach Chríoch Lochlann by Ryan Molloy, Intim by Santa Bušs (Latvia), Persephone by Chris Adams (New Zealand) and Summer Echoes from the Valley by Janet Chen Jie-ru (Taiwan).

Admission to the Composers’ Forum on June 1 at the Central Library Lecture Hall is free of charge on a first-come-first-served basis. Audience will hear the visiting overseas composers introducing their compositions one by one in paper presentation format. Tickets for the rest of the concerts range from $100 to $180 and are available at URTBIX outlets. The four concerts take place on May 31 at City Hall Concert Hall, and June 1 to 3 at City Hall Theatre. Tickets from URBTIX.

Source: Hong Kong Composers’ Guild : bc magazine

Hong Kong 18th at Touch Rugby World Cup

The 2015 Touch World Cup has come to an end in Coff’s Harbour in Australia, and Hong Kong’s first ever participation has ended with an extremely creditable 18th ranking in the Mixed Open Division with a record of played 9, won 4, lost 4 and 1 draw – full results below. Although the tournament was hit by torrential rain storms which left pitches resembling swimming pools on more than one occasion, it was a great experience for this young side who will now look forward with greater confidence to the next World Cup which will be held in Malaysia. The Mixed Open Cup Final was contested by traditional touch powerhouses New Zealand and Australia, with the hosts taking the honours and the World Cup trophy.

Hong Kong’s campaign got off to a tough start as they faced the mighty English side, but although it was a steep learning curve they managed to get on the score sheet, with vice captain Lai Yiu Pang getting in the history books with Hong Kong’s first ever World Cup try! After the completion of the pool games the team were ranked 3rd in their group and moved into division three, where they next faced 6 games against Chile, Middle East, Germany, Holland, China and Italy. A record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses meant a return match against Italy on the final day’s play-offs, and a convincing win left Hong Kong ranked 18th at the conclusion of their first World Cup adventure.

“Even against the big name opponents our team wasn’t overawed and played with aggression and increasing confidence, and thanks to our preparation our energy and fitness levels were of a good standard,” explained coach Zanio Yong. “We achieved a ranking of 18th on our debut, but with seven different try scorers throughout the competition I feel it showed we played as a team rather than individuals, and I’m very proud of all the squad members. Our thanks to our sponsors ANZ as well as the HK Touch Association and the HKRFU for making this possible.”

Day 1 – 29th April
England 8 v Hong Kong 1 (LAI Yiu-pang)
USA 6 v Hong Kong 2 (AU Chi-wai, NG Chok-shing)

Day 2 – 30th April
Chile 6 v Hong Kong 2 (WAN Kwok-kwong, LAI Siu-hong)

Day 4 – 2nd May
Middle East 1 v Hong Kong 1 (KWOK Kak-ah)
Germany 0 v Hong Kong 3 (LAM Ka-lok, NG Chok-shing x2)
Netherlands 2 v Hong Kong 3 (LAM Ka-lok, WAN Kwok-kwong x2)
China 2 v Hong Kong 1 (NG Chok-shing)
Italy 0 v Hong Kong 1 (LAI Yiu-pang)

Day 5 – 3rd May
Play-off
Italy 2 v Hong Kong 5 (FONG Chun-sin x2, LAI Yiu-pang x2, WAN Kwok-kwong)

Hong Kong final World Cup ranking – 18th

Full results www.touchworldcup.com

Occupy Prince Edward – Buildings Department Eviction Protest

Occupy Prince Edward just started outside Pioneer Centre in protest at the Building Department’s eviction of Tsuen Wan families from a sub-divided industrial unit two days ago.

There’s lots of people showing up in support outside the Pioneer Centre Mall, passing sleeping mats and supplies through the cracks of locked doors to the protestors camped out on the ground floor.

The building management have blocked the lift from stopping at the Buildings Department on the 18/F essentially trapping those protesting the evictions there, and also turned off the a/c to that floor.

For some background on the same issue of sub-divided industrial units ‘converted’ into flats, see this 2012 Varsity article http://varsity.com.cuhk.edu.hk/index.php/2012/05/industrial-buildings-subdivided-units/

https://www.facebook.com/socrec/videos/vb.160696287290644/1132024046824525/

Photos and video courtesy of SocRec and LostDutch

HK Soccer Sevens 2013 @ HK Football Club – 25 May, 2013

HK Soccer Sevens 2013 @ HK Football Club – 25 May, 2013

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2013/HK-Soccer-Sevens-2013/29615880_Xrvv5B#!i=2533964848&k=gVmJfpn

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Hennessy Session: Pet Conspiracy @ Asia One Tower, Chai Wan – 24 May, 2013

Hennessy Sessions: Pet Conspiracy @ Asia One Tower, Chai Wan – 24 May, 2013
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2013/Hennessy-Seesion-Pet/29602638_NPRDvF#!i=2532597580&k=nzZXgCC
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International Soccer Sevens 24-26th May 2013

International Soccer Sevens 24-26^th May 2013
While Football Sevens doesn’t roll quite so smoothly off the tongue, the beautiful game has firmly embraced the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens, which returns this weekend to once again display future talent and past greats in another giddy amalgamation of sport and entertainment.
What started as bit of end-of-season fun fourteen years ago has evolved into a fiercely competitive tournament. Stars of the future play in anonymity and stars of the past showcase in person the silky skills admired and cheered from afar.
This year again sees both local and international, UK giants like Manchester City, defending champions Newcastle United and Glasgow Rangers will all be in attendance competing for silverware and a year of solid bragging rights. While local clubs including the HKFA Dragons, Kowloon Cricket Club and a Yau Yee League select will be looking for their moment in the sun with victories against a big name.
Taking place over 3 days, the action is spread between two separate tournaments. The main event sees 16 teams putting forth their best and brightest to fight it out with just enough good nature to keep the event family-friendly (though some obligatory ear-covering may be necessary). While in the Masters section there’s the unique opportunity to see some of the games legends up-close and personal. Still operating with the kind of skill and command of the game that you would expect from past greats such as Teddy Sheringham, Arthur Numan, Jari Litmanen, Darren Anderton, Peter Beardsley, and Aron Vinter, (ignoring the fact that a few shirt sizes may have been upgraded) it’s thrilling and competitive soccer and a true testament to the draw the event has.
If football’s not your thing or the kids need a breather there’s a family fun zone filled with all kinds of games, entertainment and other brightly-coloured whimsy to keep the little ones happy.
The first match kicks off at 7pm on Friday 24^th May, with the final at 7pm Sunday 26^th May

What: Soccer Sevens
When: 24-26 May, 2013 – Friday: 7pm start, Saturday: 9am start, Sunday: 8am start
Where: HK Football Club
How much: Friday: Free, Saturday, Sunday: $160/day, Weekend pass $300
Enquiries: www.hksoccersevens.com

A festive occasion thrice over, the Eighth Day of the Fourth Moon – 17 May 2013

A Festive Occasion Thrice Over, the Eighth Day of the Fourth Moon – 17 May 2013
A festive occasion thrice over, the eighth day of the fourth moon (or month) of the Chinese lunar calendar is the birthday of Tam Kung, an immortal Chinese sea deity, and also commemorated by Buddhists in this part of the world as the birthday of the Buddha. It’s also the climax of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival.

Buddha Bathing Festival
According to Buddhist legend, when the Buddha was born he stood straight, took seven steps, and declared “I alone am the World-Honored One.” And he pointed up with one hand and down with the other, to indicate he would unite heaven and earth. Buddhists are told the seven steps represent seven directions – north, south, east, west, up, down, and here. While Mahayana Buddhists interpret “I alone am the World-Honored One” in a way that “I” represents all sentient beings throughout space and time – everyone, in other words.
Also according to legend, nine dragons sprayed water to bathe the baby Buddha at birth. To commemorate this, at Buddhist temples across Hong Kong, devotees gather to pay their respects to this revered deity by bathing statues of the baby Buddha, with the right hand pointing up and the left hand pointing down, in bowls of water. The ritual is believed to aid in the purification of one’s soul.
Before and after the Birthday of Buddha, celebrants also eat special green cookies, the cookies are deliberately quite bitter, as eating them represents passing through hardship to enjoy better things.

One of the grandest ceremonies is held at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, home of the Big Buddha and you can find out more about Hong Kong’s Buddhist culture via a tour of Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden.

Tam Kung
Tam Kung, is a Taoist sea deity worshipped in Hong Kong and Macau. With a reputation for being able to control and accurately forecast the weather, Tam Kung – usually portrayed as an 80-year-old man with the face of a 12-year-old child because he is believed to have achieved wisdom at a young age and learned the secret of remaining forever young – has a following among seafarers and a temple in his honour in the former fishing village of Shau Kei Wan was built in 1905 and renovated in 2002 with the original design carefully restored. On May 17, head over to the eastern end of Hong Kong Island for the annual Tam Kung procession by local residents, which includes unicorn, lion and dragon dancing.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival 12-18 May 2013

Cheung Chau Bun Festival 12-18 May 2013
Who to believe? Some say the Cheung Chau Bun Festival is held every year to placate the ghosts of the victims of pirates who used the dumbbell-shaped island as their lair, while others maintain it a commemorates the liberation of the island’s residents from a plague some 200 years ago. What pretty much everyone is agreed on, though, is that it’s a time for one big party! Officially the Cheung Chau Bun Festival falls on the fifth to the ninth days of the fourth lunar month – this year’s festivities go from May 12 to 18, with a Chinese Opera performance every night to May 21 at Pak Tai Temple, starting at 7:30pm. But the festival’s undoubted highlight will be a spectacular parade from 2-4pm and a midnight ‘bun snatching’ competition on 17 May centred around the Pak Tai Temple Plaza and adjacent Football Court.

The complete event schedule is as follows:

Date	Time	Activities	Location
12 May	Noon to 6pm	Climbing Carnival • Climbing demonstrations • Game stalls • Variety shows	Soccer Pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground
14 May	10am to 9pm	• Ceremony inviting deities to Pak Tai Temple • Ritual marking start of Bun Festival	Pak Tai Temple Plaza
14 – 21 May	7:30pm to 11pm	• Chinese opera performances	Pak Tai Temple Plaza
16 May	2:30pm to 3:15pm 3:45pm	• Lion and Unicorn Dances • Ritual and Chinese Acrobatic Performances	Pak Tai Temple Plaza
17 May	10:30am 2pm Midnight	• Unicorn and Kung Fu Performance • Bun Festival Parade • Bun Scrambling Competition*	Pak Tai Temple Plaza
18 May	2pm	• Ceremony to send the deities back to their temples	Pak Tai Temple Plaza