Category: 2018

JBJ @ AsiaWorld Expo – 6 January, 2018

South Korean boy band JBJ held their first show in Hong Kong at AsiaWorld Expo and thousands of fans sang and screamed throughout the fan meet. Roh Tae-hyun, Takada Kenta, Kim Sang-gyun, Jin Longguo, Kwon Hyun-bin and Kim Dong-han obviously enjoyed the fan adulation including a birthday cake for Kenta.
Click on any photo for the full galley of images.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/JBJ-Fan-Meet-AsiaWorld-Expo-6-January-2018/i-ZQxdggr

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Photos: 5ives Production Limited

New Year’s Eve Fireworks @ Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong welcomed in the New Year with a massive fireworks display enjoyed by throngs of people on both sides of the iconic Victoria Harbour. Happy New Year!

https://youtu.be/amQNtH9jCao

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/New-Years-Fireworks-Victoria-Harbour-31-December-2017/i-jKD3MCz

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/New-Years-Fireworks-Victoria-Harbour-31-December-2017/i-5XwrqFd

Another Long Leg Ahead to Hong Kong

Unlike the traditional Southern Ocean route of Leg 3, the fourth stage of the Volvo Ocean Race from Melbourne to Hong Kong is a new addition for the 2017-18 edition – but some of the challenges it poses will be recognisable from the early north-south legs.

The Volvo Ocean Race leg four will start in Melbourne on the 2 January and the fleet are expected to arrive in Victoria Harbour around the 20 January with local boat Scallyway looking to lead them home.

Where Leg 3 was all about hooking onto the infamous depressions of the Westerly Storm Track that circle the bottom of the world west to east unrestricted by land mass, Leg 4 is all about navigating through climate zones.

Setting out across the Coral Sea, the sevens boat fleet must tackle the Subtropical High Pressure Zone, a stable, semi-static area of high pressure in the Pacific lying between 30 and 38 degrees south. Because of its proximity to the northern edge of the Westerly Storm Track there is a real chance of being propelled out of Melbourne by big winds. Equally, the anticyclone could prove dominant.

The normally-consistent trade winds will come into play as the fleet climbs further north, before the dreaded Doldrums come into play once more. Throw in numerous Pacific Islands dotted around the course and you’ve got a serious challenge in the shape of Leg 4.

Leg 3, Cape Town to Melbourne, day 3, on board Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag. Photo by Konrad Frost/Volvo Ocean Race. 12 December, 2017.

Additional reporting and images: Konrad Frost, Volvo Ocean Race

New Year Fireworks

Starting 2018 with a bang, the traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks will continue the current trend of bigger is better as the display will stretch 1.1km along Victoria Harbour. Launched from barges on the harbour as well as the rooftops of five buildings on Hong Kong Island the display will be to quote the HKTB “Dazzling our skyline with vibrant colors”. 

This year’s countdown celebrations will mercifully be the final event in the drawn out year long series, where much was spent and little of merit organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR.

For the first time the display, synchronised with music composed by Chiu Tsang Hei, will feature a European fireworks maker. The “Magical Stardust” segment mimicking dancing fairies scattering magical stardust over Victoria Harbour starts at around the 6 minute mark and is meant to signify New Year’s blessings to the city.

The shooting stars will start at 11pm for you to make a New Year’s wish and if you have braved the multitudes in Tsim Sha Tsui you might be able to see a performance by Australian performing arts group “Strange Fruit” near the Star Ferry from 10pm.

Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations 2018
Date: Midnight, 31 December, 2018
Venue: Victoria Harbour
Tickets: Free

Food at the Fair

The fairground midway is all about fun and excitement, sometimes though it’s nice to take a break, grab a bite and a drink and soak up the merriment.

The food offerings at last year’s Great European Carnival were pretty gross all told. This year several restaurants are running the show including Maverick’s, Cafe Siam and f&b company  Color Chacha. There are also two candy floss and popcorn stands for all ages to enjoy. Beer is $50 for a cup. There are no water fountains on the midway

Color Chacha’s stuffed waffle Imagawayaki ($20) are available in double cheese, Hokkaido creamy custard, matcha and banana and chocolate and are very tasty. They are also offering a range of colourful fruit and sweet drinks.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Great-European-Carnival-Central-Harbourfront-21-December/i-jxTgh7z

Scorhios naan bread pizza is tasty but pretty pricey at $110 for a pizza that is less than 12 inches. Individual 1/4 pizza slices are $30. Flavours include Peps and Roni’s, The Fun Guys and Marge & Ritas.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Great-European-Carnival-Central-Harbourfront-21-December/i-9cmxHp7

Mavericks from Pui o Beach are offering a range of sandwiches including Double Cheeseburger ($70), pulled pork ($60), smoked brisket ($70).

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Great-European-Carnival-Central-Harbourfront-21-December/i-hghmRXs

While the baked potatoes ($50) are good, but again once you start adding toppings at $10 each the price shoots up.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Great-European-Carnival-Central-Harbourfront-21-December/i-FxJ9nLf

Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival 2018

Taiwanese violinist Cho-Liang Lin returns as Artistic Director of the ninth HK International Chamber Music Festival which runs from 13 to 24 January 2018 and features 16 international and 8 local musicians. 

The festival features 6 concerts and a range of outreach and education events designed to enhance audiences’ concert-going experience and understanding of the music.

An Evening In Paris: Harpist Emmanuel Ceysson headlines an all-French programme (17 Jan, HK City Hall Concert Hall).

A Lifetime of Beethoven: Works from throughout Beethoven’s life including his very last string quartet (19 Jan, HKAPA Concert Hall).

20th Century Masterworks: A programme dedicated to chamber music from works the early 20th century (20 Jan, HKAPA Concert Hall).

Viva! Pipers Family Concert: An afternoon family concert in Cantonese looks to introduce primary school audiences to wind instruments (21 Jan, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre).

Viennese Interlude: A concert of popular chamber music including works by Mozart, Schubert and Brahms (22 Jan, HK City Hall Concert Hall).

Russian Farewell: The festival finale features Russian composers, including works by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. (24 Jan, HK City Hall Concert Hall).

Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival 2018
Date: 13-24 January, 2018
Venue: HK City Hall Concert Hall, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, HKAPA Concert Hall
Tickets: Urbtix, HK Ticketing