Category: May

Heathers the Musical Live in Hong Kong

Welcome to Westerberg High, where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather. It’s going to take a Veronica and a mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count and reveal that everyone fears being a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

In 2010, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy turned the iconic 1988 movie Heathers, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, into a musical – Heathers the Musical. And as illogical as it sounds mostly it works, there’s even a film version.

To celebrate their 10th Anniversary local music school Amusix is bringing Heathers the Musical live to Hong Kong on the 13-14  May at The Box, Freespace in West Kowloon. Director Joul Jacquin spoke to bc magazine about his new production.

What attracted you to put on Heather’s the Musical in Hong Kong?
I’m not a big fan of musicals. I thought that Grease was my only favorite. But the soundtrack of Heathers is wonderful. As a music school for over 10 years, we’ve done many types of performances from bar shows to big venues, to touring around Asia. A bigger project was the next step to celebrate 10 years of the school. The major thing about this show is that the music is played live by the students of Amusix, in a rock band formation. 

Have you made any ‘local’ changes to make the show more relevant?
Not really, the talented cast is very eclectic due to HK’s multicultural society. 

The film the musical is based on is quite old, do you think it still resonates with a very changed modern youth who exist on social media?
We’ve made a few changes to make it modern, but otherwise, the problems are still the same: ‘popular’ girls, bullies, anorexia, and people who don’t even know you exist. The High School Society. 

Heathers-Veronica Hong Kong 2023

What were you looking for when casting?
Characters that match at best the role and are ready to spend 6 months on a project. And I think we did pretty well on that. I love this cast.  They know what compromise for each other. means. 

Can you introduce yourself and Amusix to our readers?
I have been a gweilo in HK for +17 years now. As BC magazine readers know, I was the frontman of a band called Dr. Eggs till it was over my head and I chose to spend more time on productions with young artists at Amusix. We are not only coaching music but we are producing some of them. Let’s say I’m sharing my experience from the past with them. They are fresh. They want to go. They want to play. 

What do you hope the audience can draw from the show?
Heathers remind you how important decisions you take are important for your life. Be kind to your friends and also to your enemies. This is a micro-society. Be good for everyone. Be sunshine. it will always pay.

Heathers the Musical
Date: 13-14 May 2023
Venue: The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District
Tickets: $450, $280 from Amusix

Heathers the Musical 2023

Police Seize ‘Pillar of Shame’

The Hong Kong national security police have seized a sculpture created to commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in connection with a subversion investigation. The sculpture, known as the “Pillar of Shame,” was confiscated from the Kadoorie Centre in Yuen Long, an agricultural research facility run by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), on Friday.

The seizure of the “Pillar of Shame” has sparked outrage from human rights groups and the artistic community. The sculpture was created by Danish artist Jens Galschiot and erected on the campus of HKU in 1997 as a symbol of democracy and human rights, and as a tribute to the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre. The sculpture has since become an important landmark for activists and pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.

According to a source familiar with the case, the police used a subversion investigation as a pretext to seize the sculpture, raising serious questions about the state of artistic freedom in Hong Kong. The seizure of the sculpture has been condemned by NGO DEI (我地), which has called for the immediate return of the “Pillar of Shame” and for the Hong Kong authorities to respect artistic freedom….

Continue reading the full article at HK01

police seize pillar of shame - vawongsir

image: vawongsir

The Wanch Reopens…

The Wanch Reopens… Or rather a new incarnation of The Wanch, which sadly due to current covid restrictions is without live music – just food and drinks.

The new larger location is the old Uptown 90, on the corner opposite Joe Bananas and the entrance is next to Amazonia with their popular cover bands.

When live music eventually returns will the ‘new’ Wanch be able to step beyond the legacies and memories of the old location and boldly go where no large-sized original live music venue has gone before…

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2010/Bc-unpluggedthe-wanch-19/i-NWLRXSz

The Wanch
1/F, Henan Building, 90 Jaffe Road
Wanchai,
Hong Kong

image: The Wanch, bc magazine

Art Basel, Treasure or Trash

After a two-year absence, courtesy of covid Art Basel returns as a physical event… Although with travel quarantine measures still in place many of the regular Art Basel participants are not here.

If we’re being honest – among art aficionados, the amount of hot air often overpowers the strongest aircon – this year’s Art Basel was simply boring.

While art is very subjective and personal and what you like I may not. Art Basel usually has a fair number of pieces that even if you don’t like them they get you thinking or stimulate discussion. This year it was a bit like walking through Ikea it was all so bland, safe and derivative. Not to mention that most participating artists were of the idea that big, bigger and biggest will be ‘more better’ (and profitable).

Here are a few pieces that were less ordinary than the rest, more can be found here:

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-wnPCBkm

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-r5RN4cF

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-mh9PWSW

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-Q4K6J29

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220526-Art-Basel/i-JzdkgxJ

David Bowie – Imagine, Live in Hong Kong 1983

The final concert of David Bowie‘s Serious Moonlight Tour was in Hong Kong at the HK Coliseum on 8 December 1983. It was also, sadly, the third anniversary of John Lennon’s murder and after performing Fame Bowie and spoke to the audience about Lennon.

“I co-wrote that song with John Len­non.And I asked him one day ‘How do you write your songs’, and he said ‘lt’s easy, you just say what you mean, and you put a back-beat to it’.
I said ‘What do you think of my kind of rock & roll’. He said ‘It’s great, but it’s just rock & roll with lipstick on’”.

Bowie pauses for a moment, as the audience cry out, “Last time I saw John Lennon was in Hong Kong, we went to a Hong Kong market and there was a stall that sold old clothes, and there was a Beatles jacket on the stall, and I did something that is not usually in my character – I asked him to put it on so that I could take a photograph, I took a photograph, and I’ve still got the photograph. The jacket doesn’t fit properly, it looks like John had outgrown it”.

Bowie then performs a beautiful version of Imagine in honour of his late friend. An upgraded 4K version of this iconic performance has been uploaded to Youtube – enjoy.

https://youtu.be/yo5W9ByBbrQ

There’s also an audio bootleg of the whole concert.

https://youtu.be/mKf2T1chytQ

image: screenshot

Ghost Bikes Memorial

James Ockenden’s “ghost bikes” project remembers the nine cyclists who lost their lives on Hong Kong’s roads last year. White painted bikes with white silk flowers and a memorial card with details of the person who died were placed at each of the fatal accident spots.beware of bicycles

Ockenden, who organised the ghost bike memorial after the annual Ride of Silence 2022 was made a virtual event, said of the people who died – I think it is important to remember that these accident victims were not racing, but just getting around in an easy and environmental-friendly way, and we should be supporting that as a community.

The Ride of Silence is an annual international bicycle ride that pays tribute those killed or injured when cycling on public roads. The ride had been held in Hong Kong on the third Wednesday of May for the last 16 years.

After the 2021 memorial ride organised by the Hong Kong Cycling Alliance, the police accused riders of violating Covid-19 social distancing rules and ticketed everyone.

hk ghost bikes 2022

The Ride of Silence 2022 livestream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NBihAt2Pao

Ghost Bikes Memorial 2022

Ghost Bikes Memorial 2022

Ghost Bikes Memorial 2022

Ride of Silence 2022
Date: 7pm, 18 May, 2022
Venue: Hong Kong
Tickets: Free

images: hkghostbikes

Press Freedom Plunges….

Hong Kong’s ‘press freedom’ has plunged 68 places to 148th (out of 180) since the implementation of the National Security Law as government critics are jailed and publications silenced.

The 20th World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals a large increase in polarisation amplified by information chaos – that is, media polarisation fuelling and feeding divisions within and between countries.

The spread of ‘opinion media’ and disinformation are amplified by the way social media functions and are creating extreme polarisation of views with an unrepresented and unlistened to middle ground.

“At the international level, democracies are being weakened by the asymmetry between open societies and despotic regimes that control their media and online platforms while waging propaganda wars against democracies.”

Reporters Without Borders defines press freedom as “the effective possibility for journalists, as individuals and as groups, to select, produce and disseminate news and information in the public interest, independently from political, economic, legal and social interference, and without threats to their physical and mental safety.”

In order to reflect press freedom’s complexity, five indicators are used to compile the Index: the political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and security.

image: The Korea Herald

World Rugby Announces Upcoming Locations of Rugby World Cups

At its Annual Meeting in Dublin, World Rugby confirmed the locations for the next three women’s and two men’s Rugby World Cups:

  • England to host Rugby World Cup 2025 (women’s)
  • Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s)
  • USA to host Rugby World Cup 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s)

World Rugby also confirmed a new partnership approach towards hosting the Rugby World Cup that looks to as they put it “stimulate the dynamic development of rugby globally and increase investment in the women’s game”. It was also confirmed that the 2025 Women’s World Cup will expand to 16 teams.

After the announcement, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Today, we have approved three exceptional Rugby World Cup host nations – England, Australia and USA – providing unprecedented certainty and an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate the growth and impact of rugby globally. It is great for rugby, for fans and for the host nations.”

“Today is a landmark moment for the sport and exciting development for fans. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this dream a reality as we look to deliver a truly global sport for all.”

“We are thrilled to be hosting Rugby World Cup 2025, it is going to be incredible,” said RFU Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer and former England captain Sue Day. “As we have seen from other home World Cups in cricket, hockey and netball, a Rugby World Cup will further advance all women’s sport.”

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan said: “This is a historic day for rugby in Australia. We’re beyond thrilled to be welcoming not one, but two Rugby World Cups to our shores. It’s a game-changer for rugby in this country, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and secure the future of the sport here and see the game we all love grow and thrive for years to come.”

“I speak for the rugby community and fans across the United States when I express our sincere gratitude to World Rugby for their trust and endorsement of our vision to grow this incredible sport exponentially across our country.” added USA Rugby Chief Executive Ross Young. “USA Rugby will now venture into a new era and ensure the sport’s most treasured event is a springboard for creating lasting, sustainable enthusiasm and passion for rugby from coast to coast.”

The postponed women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 will take place in New Zealand later this year with the final held at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland on xx November 2022.

wrwc22021

If readers are interested in news and ticket information about future Rugby World Cups the sign up here www.rugbyworldcup.com/newsletter.

additional reporting, images: World Rugby