bc magazine

This Week @ The AIA Great European Carnival

Star Performances, Live Entertainment and Community Events

The AIA Great European Carnival have announced an exciting schedule of entertainment, community engagement activities, and special guest performances that will take place over the coming weeks until the Carnival closes on February 22. The Carnival’s Live Stage will be the venue for many of the appearances which will range from professional, to youth group and school performances.

“Our aim has been to make the carnival and the Live Stage venue accessible to the entire Hong Kong Community, and in partnership with our Title Sponsor AIA, we are proud to provide an additional element of fun and entertainment to our event,” said Michael Denmark, CEO of The Great European Carnival.

“Many different groups have been given the opportunity to showcase their talents and we will witness a wide variety of entertainment from theatrical to dance and drama, Rock, Jazz and Folk. We want to see both seasoned performers as well as the stars of tomorrow. With performances in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, there is something for everyone in the Hong Kong public to enjoy,” added Mr Denmark.

A preview of some of the Performances:

Puss In Boots – Presented by The Hong Kong Players
The Hong Kong Players perform a traditional Christmas pantomime every year and have done so in Hong Kong for more than 50 years. Last year’s pantomime was Puss in Boots. The show’s setting is London: The once great city is in a sorry state: the bumbling Mayor Boris can’t keep control and the evil Queen of the Rats and her vermin followers are taking control. The only hope comes from an ancient prophesy says that when London is at it’s lowest ebb, an innocent stranger will arrive in town and save the day. His arrival will be signalled by the tolling of the bells. It’s up to our hero Puss in Boots to find this stranger and save London. Puss is joined in the fight to save the city by the very beautiful Alice, and the unstoppable great Dame, Sherry Trifle. Will Puss and Alice find the new mayor in time? Will Dame Trifle’s soufflé rise? Will the good guys triumph over the evil rats?

Puss in Boots
When: 2pm, 31 January, 2015; 4pm, 6pm, 1 February, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

Shelter Skelter – Presented by Shelterbox Charity
Taking place on January 31 from 4pm onwards, the Shelter Skelter is a line-up of some of Hong Kong’s best rock bands, brought together by ShelterBox, a Hong Kong Based charity that provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to support communities around the world overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis. Bands include The Bollands, Thinking Outloud, Shotgun Politics, LOGO, Sheperds the Weak, and the After Party. The aim of the day is to enjoy some of the best local music Hong Kong has to offer and raise awareness for this wonderful charity.

Shelter Skelter
When: 4pm, 31 January, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

VS Music Indie Festival
The VS Music Indie Festival will take place on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February from 4pm until late. Sponsored by VS Music, the Indie music festival will feature up and coming performers from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Included in the line-up is Hey Rachel, Merry Go Round, Tri-dueces, Jabin Law, and Gravity Altestra.

VS Music Indie Festival
When: 7-8 February, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

Youth Performance Groups
Hong Kong youngsters are also given the opportunity to shine on the Carnival’s live stage with a number of song and dance performance groups treading the boards during the matinee shows (between 12noon-3pm) on the weekends. Confirmed already are

31 January – Twinkle Dance Company
1 February – Isla School of Dance
7 February – Island Dance
15 February – The Island Glee Club

The Welsh Male Voice Choir
The Welsh Male Voice choir will sing a selection of Valentine’s themed songs on Sunday the 15th of February at 6pm. The choir was started in 1978 by a small group of expatriates in Hong Kong and now includes some 70 members from a dozen different nations. Over the years they have performed on conventional and unconventional stages at home and overseas. An entirely amateur group, many of their performances are for charity.

The Welsh Male Voice Choir
When: 6pm, 15 February, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

Free Goethe-Institut Online Course for those interested in Arts Marketing

The Goethe Institute is offering a free three-month mentored open online course for those interested in Arts and marketing.

The Managing the Arts: Marketing for Cultural Organisations (MOOC) course has been developed by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with Leuphana University of Lüneburg and will be available worldwide for interdisciplinary further training of (aspiring) cultural managers. Chris Dercon, Director of the Tate Modern in London, will guide the course. Participants will join a global network to discuss and share with academics, cultural professionals, artists, students, experts, journalists and cultural policy-makers. With specially produced video case studies about cultural institutions in Bangkok, Berlin, Budapest and Lagos, the MOOC looks to build a bridge between academics and the practical demands of cultural management.

The course offers insights into practical work for the inexperienced and gives experienced cultural professionals the opportunity for reflection and networking. Students will be able to draw up concepts in the fields of cultural management and marketing in a dialogue with cultural professionals from around the world.

Participation in the course is open to all. Specific professional or formal training is not required!

Enrol here:
https://course.goethe-managing-the-arts.org/users/sign_up

Course structure
The online course is divided up into six phases, which will be conducted with motivations by Chris Dercon. In a multimedia and interactive online learning environment, video contributions by selected academics and experts convey the core terminology of cultural marketing and management. A comprehensive digital reader with academic articles forms the theoretical framework. In small interdisciplinary groups, the participants will work on one assignment per course phase in which they will discuss the knowledge they have acquired and apply it to actual case studies. The groups will have personally supervising mentors as well as the entire learning community at their disposal for feedback and expert support via the online platform. Cultural professionals from four renowned cultural institutions in Lagos, Budapest, Bangkok and Berlin offer a look at the challenges they face. Interviews and on-site impressions put tasks and strategies of cultural marketing, project management, audience loyalty, sustainability, digitization and finance in concrete terms.

The cultural institutions involved are the Centre for Contemporary Art in Lagos, which, as a centre for the development, presentation and discussion of contemporary visual art, pays special attention to photography, film, video, performance and installation art. In Budapest, the Trafó House of Contemporary Arts has made a name for itself with international productions in dance, theatre, literature and music. And we will gain insights into the Thai cultural scene via the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), a venue for art, music, theatre, film, design and events in the centre of Bangkok. The Berlin HAU Hebbel am Ufer with its three venues for young, experimental theatre is the participant institution from Germany.

More information:
https://www.goethe-managing-the-arts.org/?wt_sc=mooc

Cheung Chau Diary 2014 Outdoor Screening – 8 November, 2014

The Cheung Chau Diary 2014 Outdoor Screening, part of the Chinese Documentary Festival has been rescheduled to Saturday 8 November 2014. The programme will include the new films of 2014 as well as works from Cheung Chau Diary 2013. There will also be a performance by Cheung Chau musicians.

Cheung Chau Diary 2014
Earlier this year veteran documentary filmmakers from Hong Kong and Taiwan worked with 20 young participants at the “Young Talent Training Camp” on Cheung Chau as they explored the island for interesting film topics. After eight days of heat, rain, frustration and the confusion of filming, they present us with 10 short films that make up Cheung Chau Diary 2014.

The films include people features such as Brother Key, An Ambulanceman, Postman and The Ukulele. Luthier; A Qilin Story of Two Generations, Flower Banner and Man Beside the Sea on preserving traditional businesses; Family on what it is like to be the small shop owners on the island while The Pier and Too Many Cheung Chau Guests are about life on the island. Through the films discover more about the different facets of life in Cheung Chau and the sense of community and tradition that lies in the heart of Hong Kong.

Cheung Chau Diary 2013
Selected shorts from last year’s “Youth Talent Training Camp” including Life, Neighbourhood and Brother Wah, which portray friendship among neighbours; Uncle Fai and The Hair Salon, which examine old traditional shops; The Savage in the Hill and A Man from Cheung Chau, which are character sketches, and Insects and On the Wretched Lives of Fish, which explore nature. The films investigate, each with its unique style, a broad range of subject matters, from intriguing characters to important social issues to the vanishing culture of old districts.

Schedule:
1pm–2:45pm – Screening of Cheung Chau Diary 2013
4-6pm – Music performance
6:30pm-9pm – Outdoor Screening of Cheung Chau Diary 2014

Cheung Chau Diary 2014 Outdoor Screening
When: 1-9pm 8 November, 2014
Where: LOHAS Cheung Chau (Fisheries Joint Association School), Tung Wan Road, Cheung Chau
How much: Free
More info: www.visiblerecord.com

Tallis Vocalis: Great English Renaissance Polyphony – 3pm, 8 November 2014 @ Chinese Methodist Church

Founded in 2013 by local choral enthusiast Raymond Choi, the 20 strong ensemble Tallis Vocalis, Hong Kong’s first vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of European Renaissance music, will present a double debut programme in Hong Kong and Macao on 8th and 9th November 2014 respectively.

The programme consists of works by two important figures of the time: Thomas Tallis and William Byrd and features a variety of styles, from a simple four-part setting of an English text to more elaborate music in Latin for up to seven voices. The ensemble will be conducted by the outstanding young British conductor Andrew Griffiths.

A free pre-concert talk (in English) will be given by the conductor at the Function Room, Chinese Methodist Church, Wanchai at 2:15pm, 8th November 2014.

Programme

Tallis: Loquebantur Variis Linguis, Third Tune from Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, O Nata Lux, O Sacrum Convivium, Miserere Nostri.
Byrd: O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth, Ave Verum Corpus, Laudibus in Sanctis, Vigilate, Nunc Dimittis.
Sheppard: Media Vita

Tallis Vocalis: Great English Renaissance Polyphony
When: 3pm 8 November, 2014
Where: Chinese Methodist Church, 36 Hennessey Road, Wanchai
How much: $250 ($200 advance)
More Info: www.tallisvocalis.com

Tallis Vocalis: Great English Renaissance Polyphony
When: 4pm 9 November, 2014
Where: St. Joseph’s Seminary, Macao
How much: Free
More Info: www.tallisvocalis.com

Letter to Hong Kong String Orchestra, re your patron CY Leung

Dear Ms Jue Yao, Prof. Anna Pao-Sohmen, Dr. Dame Rosanna WongYick-ming

As founding members of the Hong Kong String Orchestra I’d like to congratulate you on what you have achieved. bc magazine has given the orchestra lots of free coverage, listings and write-ups for your concerts over the years.

However, yesterday we received an email asking for free coverage of your upcoming charity concert – regrettably bc magazine will not be giving exposure to your concert, however noble the cause.

The recent speech by the HK String Orchestra’s honorary patron CY Leung that those Hongkongers who earn less than $14,000/month should be considered second class citizens and have no say in the future of Hong Kong is deeply offensive.

The median monthly income in Hong Kong is $14,000 and a couple of million people work hard long hours doing jobs vital to Hong Kong every day. Every one of those would love to earn over $14,000 – they don’t – but without them Hong Kong ceases to function.

The people CY Leung insults and degrades with his comments are the heart of the orchestra that is Hong Kong, The soloist or conductor are often changed – but without the violin section, or the cellos the music cannot be performed and enjoyed as the composer intended and the soloist is exactly that… solo, alone playing for herself.

Would you have a violinist on stage purely because they were rich, even if they couldn’t play a note and their inability would destroy your performance?

Your charity concerts claim to help those in need or is it purely the charity of the rich ‘be grateful for what we give you’ so you the donor can sleep better at night? Think on this, I expect most of those your charity performances ‘help’ earn less than $14000/month – are their opinions about Hong Kong and it’s future (or on any subject) irrelevant because they are old, sick, victims of crime or abuse… Or will you only give them charity if they mindlessly think and act as you tell them?

While CY Leung is the HK String Orchestra’s patron, I regret to inform you that bc magazine cannot write about the orchestra or its concerts – with all your wealthy financial backers, I doubt you’ll care what one English language magazine does. But if your charity comes from the heart, rather than from selfish need, perhaps you should. Hong Kong has thrived because each person matters, and will continue to thrive if we remember that.

Regards

Simon Durrant – Editor

www.facebook.com/HongKongStringOrchestra

www.stringorchestra.org.hk

Belle and Sebastian, live in Hong Kong @ Asia World Arena – 15 February, 2015

Belle and Sebastian, live in Hong Kong
When: 15 February, 2015
Where: Asia World Arena
How much: $760 (all standing)
More info: Available from www.hkticketing.com from 10am on Friday 24 October

Hong Kong Squad for Friendlies against Singapore and Argentina

Hong Kong’s squad for tonight’s international friendly against Singapore and Tuesday’s HK Football Association Centenary game against Argentina is announced. Match details below

Goalkeepers	WANG Zhenpeng (Kitchee), YAPP Hung Fai (Eastern)
Defenders	LEE Chi Ho (Eastern), Wisdom Fofo AGBO (Harbin Yiteng), NAEGELEIN Andy Hannes Ling Fung (Hunan Xiangtao F.C.), CHEUNG Kin Fung (Kitchee), CHAN Wai Ho, KWOK Kin Pong, SEALY, Jonathan Jack (South China), LEUNG Kwun Chung (YFCMD)
Midfielders	HUANG Yang, LAM Ka Wai, LO Kwan Yee (Kitchee), CHAN Siu Kwan Philip, LEUNG Chun Pong (South China), JU Yingzhi (Sun Pegasus), WONG Wai (YFCMD)
Forwards	LAM Hok Hei (Rangers), Christian Kwesi ANNAN, XU Deshuai (Kitchee), CHAN Man Fai (Sun Pegasus), CHAN Siu Ki, LEE Wai Lim (South China)

Match Details:

Hong Kong v Singapore
Where: Mong Kok
When: 8pm, 10 October, 2014
How Much:
More info: www.hkfa.org

HKFA Centennial Celebration Match: Hong Kong vs Argentina
When: 14 October, 2014
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: $1800, $1300, $850, $590, $490 from Cityline.com
More info: www.hkfa.com

Lamma Fun Day – 1 November, 2014 @ Tai Wan To Beach

Now in its 14^th edition, this year’s Lamma Fun Day’s takes place on Tai Wan To (Power Station Beach), Lamma Island on Saturday 1^st November 2014. The all-day event starts at noon and includes food and market stalls, a licensed bar, arts & crafts and kids’ activities, as well as live music on the beach until 10pm.

Established to raise money for development projects in Nepal run by Child Welfare Scheme (CWS), this year’s Lamma Fun Day will support a new CWS project in Nepal that works with children and young people rescued from corrupt or fake orphanages. CWS provides protection, health care, education and much needed counseling to those rescued with the main emphasis on family reunification.

“Live music is at the heart of every Lamma Fun Day and this year’s line up is truly awesome with everything from electronica and heavy metal to country music and indie rock, performed by a multinational cast,” says music coordinator Dave Wilkinson. “The event is growing from strength to strength every year thanks to the great support we get from local musicians and live music venues in Hong Kong. And what could be better than drinking a cold beer for charity on the beach in the autumn sunshine listening to some of the very best bands in Hong Kong.”

The evening line-up features metal heads DP, the return of show stoppers Shotgun Politics, indie mavericks New Tonic Press, the melodic voices of Dark Himaya and country outfit The Curs. On stage in the afternoon is the irrepressible Dr Eggs, acoustic guitar impresario Todd Warner Moore, soulful electronica hip hop trio The Anello, kids’ favourites The Hairy Family Jam Band, Pink Floyd cover band Brain Damage and kicking off the day the fascinating soundscapes of Mogulogeek. Add to this a couple of sets from sensational drumming troop Salvaje. DJ Gramophone will be spinning 78s throughout the day while DJ Barnaby Bruce rounds up the entertainment programme after dark.

Bands and musicians all donate their time for free, so the majority of money raised on the day is through sales at the licensed bar, which offers draft beer, house wines and soft drinks. There are also food stalls, donations and a charity auction that runs through the afternoon. “Come along, have fun and enjoy a great day out for charity!” says event organizer Sonya Yeung. “Our sponsors and supporters are very generous so there are always some great items to bid on in the live charity auction on the day, from original artworks and spa sessions to hotel nights and specialty wines.”

Lamma Fun Day
When: 12noon-10pm, Saturday 1^st November 2014
Where: Tai Wan To Beach, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island
How Much: Free
More info: www.facebook.com/LammaFunDay