Opening this week in Kennedy Town is a ‘pop-up’ exhibition of Annie Leibovitz’s photos entitled WOMEN: New Portraits. Leibovitz’s emphasis in the title… Except they’re not really new portraits most have appeared in the media over the last couple of years.
The pop-up exhibition space is the whole floor of an un-renovated industrial building in Kennedy Town, yet the mostly A3 size photos (printed on an office printer) are crammed together in four tight rows. The bottom less than a foot off the floor, making reflective study and appreciation of the photos hard. Far more interesting are the original Women’s photos from 1999 exhibited as a slideshow on three big screens.
Leibovitz’s is in Hong Kong for three days courtesy of the exhibition’s Swiss bank sponsor and in person she’s engaging and has anecdotes about each photo. It was sad though to hear her talk of considering her legacy and how people and history will view her photography as her current reference frame as to which photos she’ll exhibit and who/what she’ll shoot.
As someone who claims each photo tells a story, the tale the exhibition tells is of Leibovitz in need of a pay-cheque. There’s nothing wrong with that, but few of the ‘new’ photos would merit a second look without Leibovitz’s name and the well known status of the subjects. Further exemplified with her newly released photos of the Queen in Vanity Fair. That said the exhibition’s free and the original Women’s series is worth enjoying again.
Hong Kong women’s coach Jo Hull has made only one change to the starting VX that defeated Singapore 40-7 on May 14 for her side’s Asia Rugby Championship match against Japan on Saturday.
Lock Cheng Ching-to comes on to the ground and Claire Forster moves to the bench to make way, while Nam Ka-man and tighthead prop Lee Ka-shun also come in on the reserves bench.
Hull said the changes have been made predominantly to reward players for good form in the win against Singapore. “From the Singapore game, we took a lot of positives about what we can do and what we’d like to try and implement against a harder defence against Japan,” she said. “It’s given them a boost and I think it just gave them an opportunity to play a little bit more against Singapore. Going into to Japan it’s now all about transferring those skills.”
Hong Kong were outclassed by Japan in the opening match of the series, falling 39-3, and while making up the points to win the title may be unrealistic, for Hull closing the gap is not.
“It would be good to win the Asia Championship, but that’s more of an outcome for me,” Hull said.“Our goal in this game is our specific areas, because that’s how we can measure improvement as opposed to points for and against at the end of a tournament.”
The team has been training hard and will be looking for a kick start through its set piece work on the weekend after a poor showing in the lineout against Japan last time around. Hull is hopeful the fitness and in-match pressure gained by the extra game against Singapore will give her side a slight edge over Japan.
“The key thing is improvement,” Hull said. “We’ve talked about improving every time and that’s an absolute must. The result is important but the most important thing is that we improve on performances in some key specific areas that we’ve identified against Japan.”
The performance of centre combination Natasha Olson-Thorne and Rose Fong Siu-lan will be crucial to Hong Kong’s chances, while fly-half Lai Pou-fan should also have a big say on proceedings.
“Having Rose and Natasha in the centres, if they operate well, they could be a real good strike power both in attack and defence,” Hull said. “That is what are aiming to do, create a bit more space, hopefully, this week.”
Hong Kong will use the disappointment from their last effort against Japan for motivation and Hull hopes the match can set the ball rolling for the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
She has an eye even further into the future as well: “In terms of the development, I’m hoping we can go out and put on a performance that really inspires young kids to play the game,” she said.“I’m not sure we did that against Japan at home so we’ve got a job on our hands Saturday.”
Hong Kong Women’s XV v Japan (28 May): 1. Lau Nga Wun; 2. Winnie Siu Wing Ni; 3. Cheung Shuk Han; 4. Cheng Ching To; 5. Chow Mei Nam (captain); 6. Christine Gordon; 7. Melody Li Nim Yan; 8. Amelie Seure; 9. Colleen Tjosvold; 10. Lai Pou Fan; 11. Chong Ka Yan; 12. Rose Fong Siu Lan; 13. Natasha Olson-Thorne; 14. Aggie Poon Pak Yan; 15. Adrienne Garvey. Substitues: 16. Lee Ka Shun; 17. Ku Hoi Ying; 18. Angela Chan Ka Yan; 19. Claire Forster; 20. Tsang Sharon Shin Yuen; 21. Lindsay Varty; 22. Cheng Tsz Ting; 23. Nam Ka Man.
A fantastic musical adventure about an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Face Productions’ summer show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the musical, based on the 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins) is one adventure that audiences will find Truly Scrumptious.
An eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts finds an old race car on a scrap heap and sets about restoring it with the help of his children Jeremy and Jemima. They soon discover the car has magical properties including the ability to float and fly. Trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself. The family joins forces with Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness and their villainous henchman, the Child Catcher in the mysterious land of Vulgaria.
Filled with unforgettable songs, including the Academy Award nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a high-flying fun-filled adventure that first opened in London’s West End in 2002 and was the longest-ever running show at the London Palladium. The Face Productions show is directed by Candice Caalsen, who headed last year’s award-winning Legally Blonde.
In addition to the full version, Face Academy offers an abridged interpretation to showcase younger performing arts talents in Hong Kong.
Cast
Caractacus Pott – Samuel J Craig
Jenny Potts – Charlotte Blyth
Jemima Potts – Jorja Townson
Grandpa Potts – Terry Hart
Truly Scrumptious – Michelle Edwards
Lord Scrumptious /Baron Bomburst – Angus Scott
Baroness Bomburst – Moe Moss
Toymaker /Ensemble – Kirill Voloshin
The Childcatcher /Ensemble – Barry O’Rouke
Boris – Conor O’Grady
Goran – Jade Elizabeth du Toit
Production Team
Director: Candice Caalsen
Assistant Director: Conor O’Grady
Choreographer: Claire Johnson
Musical Director: Enrico Narvaez
Vocal Director:Jessica Peralta
Producer: Kenix Ho
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Date: 10-12 June, 2016 Venue: HKAPA, Drama Theatre Tickets: $395 from HKTicketing More info:
10-12 June – 7:30pm
12 June – 3pm
By Face Academy
11-12 June – 11am
11 June 3pm
$275
Lee Ryan, of British boy band Blue, has extended his visit to Hong Kong to play an intimate gig for 100 of his fans at pentahotel Kowloon. Lee, who has sold more than 15 million records worldwide with hits such as, “Sorry seems to be the hardest word” is looking forward to playing the cosy lounge-like set – entry is on a first come first serve basis.
Lee Ryan Date: 7pm, 7 May 2016 Venue: pentahotel Kowloon, 19 Luk Hop Street, Hong Kong Tickets: Free
With an extensive series of matches scheduled for later in the year the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) have announced the men’s National Squad and National ‘A’ Squad for 2016-17.
The Hong Kong team will tour Ireland and Scotland in late August and September. They will play Ireland in a First Class, Intercontinental Cup match and two Twenty20 Internationals. Scotland will then host two One Day Internationals in Edinburgh where Hong Kong will attempt to retain the Braidwood Cup. Hong Kong will also face Kenya in a World Cricket League Championship clash in November.
HKCA Director of Cricket Charlie Burke is very optimistic about the squads: “It is a very clear sign by the selectors that they have selected players based on performances and also with one eye on the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers which will be played in 2018.”
“The young squad is vibrant, enthusiastic and dedicated. It’s always nice to have a few fresh faces which lifts everyone. The squad will be the most competitive I have seen in my time in Hong Kong, this only encourages me with the fact we have some big tours coming up later this year, and the importance of domestic performances,” added Burke.
National Squad Afzal Tanwir 阿夫扎 (Pakistan Association) * Ahmed Nadeem 簡均倍 (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) * Arif Imran (Kowloon Cricket Club) Ahmed Tanveer 廷伊華 (Kowloon Cricket Club) * Atkinson James 艾堅遜 (Kowloon Cricket Club) Barkat Waqas 高域斯 (Kowloon Cricket Club) Chapman Mark 查普曼 (Hong Kong Cricket Club) * Caddy Ashley (Kowloon Cricket Club) Carter Christopher 基斯卡達 (Kowloon Cricket Club) * Shah Ninad 沙利勒 (Kowloon Cricket Club) Shah Kinchit 金赤沙 (Kowloon Cricket Club) * Kapur Raag 卡普華卡 (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Hayat Babar 巴巴凱逸 (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CCc) * Lamplough Giacomo 積卡姆 (Hong Kong Cricket Club) * Li Kai Ming 李啟銘 (HKCA Dragons) * Mehmood Adil 亞迪 (Kowloon Cricket Club) * Mcaulsen Cameron 麥國麟 (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Khan Ehsan (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Khan Nizakat 穆罕默德汗 (Hong Kong Cricket Club) * Khan Aizaz 艾扎茲 (Pakistan Association) * Nawaz Ehsan 納瓦茲 (Kowloon Cricket Club) * Rath Anshuman 阿舒曼華夫 (Hong Kong Cricket Club) * Khan Waqas 瓦格斯汗 (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Subramanyan Jhathavedh (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Wasif Shahid (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Sodhi Kabir (Hong Kong Cricket Club) *Contracted Players
National ‘A’ Squad (including Under-19s) Bukhari Daniyal (Pakistan Association) Bhimsaria Sunny (Kowloon Cricket Club) Gorawara Adit (Kowloon Cricket Club) Khan Akbar 簡卡巴 (Vagabonds CC) Khan Anas 安納斯簡 (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Khan Mohsin 甘莫斯 (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Khan Mohammad (Kowloon Cricket Club) Lulla Ansh (Kowloon Cricket Club) Manglik Ahan (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Mohammad Saad 馬力山 (Vagabonds / Pakistan Association) Mohammad Haroon Arshad 哈利 (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Mohammad Huzafah (Pakistan Association) Mohammad Awais 艾小文 (USRC-MCC) Mulchandani Ravi (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Robson Angus (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Sharma Vishal (Kowloon Cricket Club) Sheopuri Tej (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Singh Karandeep (Diasqua Little Sai Wan CC) Singh Simandeep 冼文迪 (Kowloon Cricket Club) Umar Mohammad (USRC-MCC) Zafar Sikandar (USRC-MCC) Ur-Rehman Ateeq (Kowloon Cricket Club)
Hong Kong Women’s XV will play a home and away series against Japan to settle the 2016 Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) after perennial contenders Kazakhstan withdrew from the competition. The tests will be played before the respective Hong Kong v Japan men’s fixtures with the women opening their campaign at home at 1:30pm this Saturday (7 May) at HK Football Club – entry is free, so head down and cheer on our talented women.
Coach Jo Hull yesterday announced her debut squad of 28 players for the ARC campaign, which will include the two matches versus Japan and a game against Singapore on 14 May. With Kazakhstan’s withdrawal, Hong Kong’s tour of Spain last December – the first and hopefully not last ever tour for the Women’s XV outside of Asia – looks even more vital in hindsight.
Hull agreed that that opportunity will now prove even more useful than initially expected, saying, “I think now is when we’re going to see the pay-off from the Spain Tour. We have pretty much been working non-stop since we came back with the group and the players have had time to reflect on the tour and the physicality and skill level required in the elite women’s game. The last few months have been focusing on implementing what we have been working on since Spain.”
Hull has placed a premium on experience in the squad with 18 of the players coming from the Spain Tour. Of the ten not present in Spain, five come in from the sevens programme in experienced campaigners Christine Gordon, Lai Pou Fan and Lindsay Varty, and up and comers Nam Ka Man and Lee Tsz Ting. Those five join several of their fellow HKSI elite athletes in the ARC squad, with 13 of the 28 players coming from the sevens set-up including captain Natasha Olson-Thorne.
Also returning to the squad after a lengthy recovery from injury is the influential Rose Fong Siu-Lan, a top class player who will be a massive addition to the side. “Rose has been working really hard and it is great to have her back,” said Hull, who previously coached Fong in the United Kingdom. “She is a quality fly-half who can help direct our game on the pitch. Saturday will be her first test match since her injury and I know that she is really looking forward to returning.”
Reflecting the dominance of recent Premiership seasons, the majority of the squad come from Gai Wu Falcons and league title and grand champion winners Valley, with 12 and six players respectively in the final 28. USRC Tigers have six representatives followed by Kowloon and Hong Kong Football Club with two each. Gai Wu No.8 Chow Mei Nam will captain the squad with Valley’s Adrienne Garvey as vice-captain, reprising their roles from Spain.
Hull continued “Our back row is a real strength. Our tight five, while not overly experienced in numbers of caps, has really improved in their fitness and in mastering the unique skillsets required for their positions while our backs are hugely experienced and have some real pace.”
Hull is particularly excited about the new culture developing around the team since the Spain tour. “We’ve seen a huge improvement in the work the team has put into their strength and conditioning, something which has been helped by our access to the facilities at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi).
“With the recent tests in Spain, this year’s inaugural Super Series competition, the growing competitiveness of the Premiership and the facilities at THEi, I would say that this is the best and most intense build-up the Hong Kong Women’s XV have ever had ahead of a competition. The training centre at THEi is a fantastic resource and has not only enhanced our performance but helped focus the environment within and around the team,” Hull added.
“We target to take two from two against Japan, but we fully respect what they bring to the table and we don’t say that lightly. We haven’t beaten Japan for a long time, although we have come close on recent occasions. We know Japan will be supremely fit and ferocious in the contact area. The key for us is how we match that physicality and how we manage the game beyond the set piece. We want the players to express themselves. The team are getting much better at playing what is in-front of them and playing with innovation and we want them to feed off the occasion and the opportunity to play Japan at home.”
Hong Kong Women’s Squad for the Asia Rugby Championship 2016:
Chow Mei Nam (captain), Adrienne Garvey (vice-captain), Natasha Olson-Thorne, Rose Fong Siu Lan, Colleen Tjosvold, Li Nim Yan, Karen So Hoi Ting,Amelie Seure, Chan Ka Yan, Cheng Ching To, Christine Gordon, Claire Forster, Ku Hoi Ying, Tammy Lau Nga Wun, Winnie Siu Wing Ni, Cheng Tsz Ting, Chong Ka Yan, Mak Ho Yee, Poon Pak Yan, Sharon Tsang Shin Yuen, Lee Tsz Ting, Nam Ka Man,Cheung Shuk Han
The Governments lame brained idea to introduce ‘Food Trucks’ to Hong Kong, when we already have some of the most amazing street food in the world, wanders down an expensive cul de sac at PMQ over the next 5 days.
There are four concept ‘food trucks’ at PMQ, as well as host of other tasty food outlets – so if you fancy grabbing a bite take a wander down. But in what is an all too familiar tale in recent years the rules and regulations imposed by the FEHD are well meant but idiotic and impractical.
The food truck festival is supposed to showcase the food trucks concept (the ones on show are far too small to be practical, but that’s a different matter) yet the FEHD rules prohibit any cooking inside the trucks (apparently they even prohibit serving food to customers from inside the truck…). So all the ‘cooking’ (actually re-heating as FEHD rules don’t allow actual cooking) is done behind the trucks.
The four participating restaurants masquerading as food trucks are: Homie Cookies: Joyce Cheng’s home-made soft cookies ($20 each) and ice-cream sandwiches ($60) – pretty good. A La Maison XXL Seafood and Grill: paella, lobster roll ($90), 12inch hotdog – friendly staff but small portions and nothing special enough to make visit North Point a priority. Boomshack: burger ($80) triple cheese chicken waffle ($90) honey sriracha chicken waffle ($90) – solidly good, but with some authentic US food truck experience among the owners it would have been nice to see something more than just the same sandwiches you can buy slightly cheaper in the restaurant. Superstar: Assorted Korean snacks $10-$50 – if you’re going to name your outlet Superstar then you need to deliver and on the first night they weren’t.
There’s lots to drink, but sadly no seats. Running even a pretend food truck is expensive in HK so bring plenty of cash as prices are basically the same or higher than in the restaurants of the food truck vendors and booths.
Hong Kong Food Truck Festival 2016 Date: 4-8 May, 2016 Venue: PMQ Tickets: Free More info:
4 May – 6–10pm
5 – 7 May – 11am–10pm
8 May – 11am–9pm
The trial of the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) and it’s Chairman Pieter Schats on Criminal Defamation reached the plea stage at Eastern Magistrates Court on 22 April, 2016 with the charges in the private prosecution read out to the defendants:
The charges read out were:
Information has been laid THAT YOU, Hong Kong Rugby Union a limited company registered in Hong Kong did on the 25 September, 2015 in Hong Kong deliberately and maliciously published, in the form of the article annexed here, defamatory libel knowing it to be false and factually inaccurate in breach of Section 5 of the Defamation Ordinance, Cap 21 of the Laws of Hong Kong.
The article in the form of a letter written by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union on the letterhead of the HK Rugby Union (HKRU) was published to “All of our friends at World and Asia Rugby, Hong Kong Rugby Union Past Chairmen and Vice Presidents, Board of Directors, Hong Kong Rugby Club Chairmen and the Hong Kong Rugby and Sporting Community. It was also published on the HKRU’s website www.hkrugby.com under the title “Note from HKRU Chairman Pieter Schats.”
On or before the 23 September, 2015 the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) – the organisation responsible for the running and management of the sport of Rugby Union in Hong Kong – did approve and implement a new rule imposing ethnic Chinese player quotas on teams playing rugby in Hong Kong.
The HKRU on the 23 September, 2015 published on it’s website and caused to be published in the SCMP a news release entitled “Significant changes made to Hong Kong Rugby Union Domestic League structure”. Part of the text of that news release was: The modified Championship Club structure sees that league now highly focused on serving as an entry point and breeding ground for Chinese players, with all teams required to include a minimum of 14 ethnic Chinese players in each match day squad.”
Simon Durrant, the editor and publisher of bc magazine for 21 years wrote an article about the introduction of active racial discrimination, via ethnic quotas, into HK Rugby. According to Chapter 602 The Racial Discrimination Ordinance this is illegal in Hong Kong. The article entitled Active Racial Discrimination in HK Men’s Rugby was published on www.bcmagazine.net on the 24 September, 2015.
The HKRU letter dated 25 September, 2015 in full and specifically but not limited to paragraphs 3,4,5 is defamatory, disparaging and factually untrue. It besmirches and stains the integrity and reputation of Simon Durrant as a journalist and the factual accuracy of his article and in doing so the reputation and integrity of bc magazine – where Simon Durrant often recognised in public as ‘Mr bc’ has been the Owner, Publisher and Editor of bc magazine for over 21 years. Contrary to Section 5 of the Defamation Ordinance, Chapter 21
The HKRU representative Mr Schats pleaded not guilty
Information has been laid THAT YOU, Pieter Lodewijk Schats as Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union on the 25 September, 2015 in Hong Kong deliberately and maliciously published, in the form of the article annexed here, defamatory libel knowing it to be false and factually inaccurate in breach of Section 5 of the Defamation Ordinance, Cap 21 of the Laws of Hong Kong.
The article is in the form of a letter written by Pieter Schats, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union on the letterhead of the HK Rugby Union was published to “All of our friends at World and Asia Rugby, Hong Kong Rugby Union Past Chairmen and Vice Presidents, Board of Directors, Hong Kong Rugby Club Chairmen and the Hong Kong Rugby and Sporting Community. It was also published on the HKRU’s website www.hkrugby.com under the title “Note from HKRU Chairman Pieter Schats.”
On or before the 23 September, 2015 the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) – the organisation responsible for the running and management of the sport of Rugby Union in Hong Kong – did approve and implement a new rule imposing ethnic Chinese player quotas on teams playing rugby in Hong Kong.
The HKRU on the 23 September, 2015 published on it’s website and caused to be published in the SCMP a news release entitled “Significant changes made to Hong Kong Rugby Union Domestic League structure”. Part of the text of that news release was: The modified Championship Club structure sees that league now highly focused on serving as an entry point and breeding ground for Chinese players, with all teams required to include a minimum of 14 ethnic Chinese players in each match day squad.”
Simon Durrant, the editor and publisher of bc magazine for 21 years wrote an article about the introduction of active racial discrimination, via ethnic quotas, into HK Rugby. According to Chapter 602 The Racial Discrimination Ordinance this is illegal in Hong Kong. The article entitled Active Racial Discrimination in HK Men’s Rugby was published on www.bcmagazine.net on the 24 September, 2015.
Pieter Schats letter dated 25 September, 2015 in full and specifically but not limited to paragraphs 3,4,5 is defamatory, disparaging and factually untrue. It besmirches and stains the integrity and reputation of Simon Durrant as a journalist and the factual accuracy of his article and in doing so the reputation and integrity of bc magazine – where Simon Durrant often recognised in public as ‘Mr bc’ has been the Owner, Publisher and Editor of bc magazine for over 21 years. Contrary to Section 5 of the Defamation Ordinance, Chapter 21
Mr Pieter Lodewijk Schats pleaded not guilty.
SCMP article “Hong Kong rugby to revamp domestic leagues in effort to strengthen national team” with ethnic quota rule introduction highlighted.
The cases centre around the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s introduction of Ethnic Quotas to local rugby in September 2015 – as announced by the HKRU in a 23 September news release on their website and also published in the SCMP (linked here) on the 22 and 23 September.
The HKRU website version (linked here) was quickly amended after Simon Durrant’s article (linked here) that ethnic quotas and racial discrimination are illegal in Hong Kong was published on the 24 September.
A day later on the 25 September Mr Schats published a note to the global rugby community (linked here) which according to Mr Durrant is defamatory and factually inaccurate.
