Two interactive fundraising events for The Conservancy Association, a 21.1km cross-country Mountain Bike Challenge and a more sedate 8.8km Green Challenge.
What: Green Rider, 2013
When: 27 October, 2013
Where: Tai Lam Country Park
Details: Registration, which closes 7 October, www.cahk.org.hk
The Australian Association of Hong Kong host’s its 7th annual Charity Tennis Doubles Competition at the Chinese Recreation Club on Tuesday 26th November, 2013.
A cross between the Australian Open and Carnival, the event is a fundraiser for the Australian Association’s selected local charity The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children at the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital, Sandy Bay and consists of a doubles competition for the seriously-minded player, as well as a competition for “best-dressed” for those who prefer tennis to be a bit ‘whacky’ rather than just whacking a ball!
What: Australian Association Charity Tennis Doubles Competition
When: 26 November 2013
Where: Chinese Recreation Club
Registration: [email protected]
Website: www.ozhongkong.com
Here’s the press release in full, with the amount of corporate sponsorship $ swilling around the SAR and the high profile of the event. The late cancellation and reason hint that the press release is perhaps not the complete story. The Sixes have grown to become a fun high profile event, lets hope it returns in 2014.
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes cancelled for 2013
[Hong Kong, September 11, 2013]: The Hong Kong Cricket Association
(HKCA) today announced “with great regret” the cancellation of the
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes for 2013.
While the HKCA had examined various options to possibly scale back the
tournament in 2013, it was decided that the established history and
tradition of the Sixes remained the paramount concern.
HKCA remains committed to hosting the Cricket Sixes on an annual basis
and are hopeful that the event can return to the local and
international sporting calendar in 2014.
The Association cited a variety of reasons for the decision not to
proceed with the event this October, but the primary concern was the
difficulty in securing sufficient government funding and private
sector backing in the difficult economic climate.
HKCA Executive Committee released their comment on the announcement saying:
We apologise to the many local cricket fans and our many long-serving
corporate supporters for whom this weekend has been a highlight of the
local calendar for many years, but it was decided by the Executive
Committee that it would be better to cancel rather than leave the
association open to a potentially significant financial loss.
The rejection of the HKCA’s request for Hong Kong SAR Government
funding through the Mega Events Fund was a significant blow to the
Association’s plans to mount the tournament and made finding a
corporate underwriter for the tournament a significantly more
expensive proposition in 2013 with the resulting shortened timeframe
to find a title sponsor further exacerbating matters.
HKCA understands the need to approach government, corporates and the
international cricket boards as early as possible and so will very
shortly start work on the 2014 event and will make every effort to
return the Sixes to its rightful place in the International Calendar
next year.
With Hong Kong being the 20th ranked team in world cricket and
considering the Sixes’ unique history and role as the showcase event
for cricket in China and north Asia, we are still struggling to
understand why we were rejected. But we remain thankful for the strong
support we have received in years past from Government bodies like the
Major Sports Executive Committee, LCSD, Home Affairs Bureau and the
Hong Kong Police.
We will make a further approach to the Mega Events Fund for next year
as we believe that the potential of the Cricket Sixes to enhance Hong
Kong’s position as a premier international sporting and tourism
destination remains as strong as ever.
The Association will stay in close contact with the many existing
corporate partners as well as the numerous companies who expressed
interest in supporting the tournament this year to manage their
expectations and rekindle their excitement for a bigger and better
tournament in 2014.
About the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
Organized by the Hong Kong Cricket Association since 1992, the Hong
Kong Cricket Sixes is the only international cricket event held in
Hong Kong and is fully sanctioned by the world’s governing body for
cricket, the International Cricket Council.
The tournament has been broadcast live since 2008 and in 2012 reached
over 127 million households on the Indian subcontinent, across
Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa, as well
as being packaged for distribution in North America, the United
Kingdom, Europe and China.
ENDS
Noughts and Exes teamed up with musicians from around Hong Kong for a flashmob performance of their song ‘Hearts’.
September 2013 marks the 19th Anniversary of the launch of bc magazine – what an amazing experience it has been – highs, lows, depths of despair, top of the world… Massive thanks are owed to far too many people for me to list individual contributors for fear of missing out someone – but without Tom Hallahan and Mark Fitzsimons, bc might never have made it to your hands. A big thank to all the advertisers who made bc possible. And a big thank you to you the readers – it’s a really rather wonderful emotion to watch people read and enjoy a magazine you’ve been a part of creating… Thank you!
Moonlight and Passion
Hong Kong’s neon-lit concrete jungle stands bright against the night sky, a vibrant reminder of the city’s modernity and ability to continually evolve while retaining its unique identity. The Chinese lanterns that have become one of the symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival float against the neon, their shapes and soft light a welcome traditional warmth in a cyber world.
Legends and and myths surrounding the origins of the Mid-Autumn/Lantern/Moon Cake Festival have, like our city home, evolved but the core traditions of families coming together, giving thanks for the harvest and past bounties, and praying/giving offerings for a good future remain strongly rooted. Into this convivial family festival João Marcos Mascarenhas and Sabrina Foote will be injecting some Latin passion and exuberance with their Festival de la Luna con Música Latina. bc chatted with them, trying to find what could possibly couple moon cakes with merengue.
When/how did your love of Latino music begin and how has it evolved over time?
Sabrina: Actually my love of Latino music began at very early stage when I was studying in London. I learned Spanish as a second language and used to spend most of my holidays in different cities in Spain. During that period, I joined and participated in all the Latin student unions and communities, hence spending a lot of time with different Spanish-speaking people from all the Latin countries. Then later I worked in the hospitality business in Spain.
I love the sound of Spanish with its very soft flowing speech and, together with the Latinos’ natural passions in life, the music and songs are so expressive and communicative, even for people who don’t speak the language.
After a long while away, recent time in different countries in Latin America has crafted me back into being almost a Latino again, especially in most of my music choices.
What prompted you to organise a concert marrying Latin passion with the family romance of the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Sabrina: In my experience with the Latin culture, celebrations and love feelings in daily life are demonstrated with warm gusto. Old customs of families gathering when there’s a full moon and celebrations of love through music and dance are very similar to the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival where families congregate, old and new romances are honoured, love ones come together, and children play among all the drinking, eating, music and dances.
I wanted to revive my secret passion for Latin music and at the same time promote Latin music in Hong Kong. Most importantly, I am very fortunate to have met a very devoted and talented Latin artist in João, my musical director, who is highly respected in the music industry and among the Latino communities.
Do you have any special musical plans for the Festival de la Luna con Música Latina?
João: Of course! The whole event by itself is already unique and special. But I have to say very proudly that my band is the most special feature. I am a hybrid of the academic, jazz, and commercial music worlds in composing/arranging/performing/producing/teaching/researching. All of that makes me very selective when it comes to choosing the right musicians to perform or record under my direction. For this band, I carefully chose the best Latino musicians, as I want the evening to be as authentic as possible. I got the crème de la crème of Latin musicians in Hong Kong! Simply, the best ones! My advice: Don’t miss Festival de la Luna con Música Latina!
For those who know nothing of música Latina, how would you describe the upcoming show?
An enjoyable evening to spend with your family and love ones with good food and romantic and energizing music with all the electrifying Latin rhythms of boleros, bachatas, merengue, salsa, samba, and much more.
For the singles; you never know – you might get lucky with all the Latin passion around!
Chris Polanco is your guest artist; what is it, do you think, that has allowed him to become one of the most sought-after drummers in Hong Kong?
João: My friendship with Chris started when I met him in 2001. At that time I was the music director at the Grand Hyatt; my Brazilian band worked there for 7 months, while Chris was working somewhere else. I believe we were the only Latino musicians in Hong Kong at that time, or maybe the first ones. We were somewhat pioneers! After that job I went back to Brazil to do some music production and then went to the USA to get my Masters in composition. Chris stayed in Hong Kong. Later, in 2007, I came back to start my PhD in music composition at HKU, which I finished last year. Chris had his own band, Azucar Latina, performing regularly in the Hong Kong area. Since I cannot get away from my Latino roots, every time I had a chance I would stop at Chris’s performances and jam. During this period I saw Chris becoming an excellent percussionist, keyboard player, and music producer. His charismatic personality and unquestionable musical talent put him in amongst the music stars of Hong Kong.
Joining Chris and João on the Grappas stage are El Salvador’s Oscar Azahar, a seasoned professional saxophonist; Colombia’s Fernando Nohra, a drummer who’s been performing across the globe for over 20 years; Mexican Victor Geronimo on the bass and providing backing vocals; Filipino John Ralph Campo, whose trumpet has been energizing crowds for years, and, last but not least, our very own Angelita Li whose vocals will add a touch of femininity to the Latino passions.
What: Festival de la Luna con Música Latina
When: 9pm, 19 September, 2013
Where: Grappa’s Cellar, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Road, Central
How Much: $288 (inc one drink) advance tickets from [email protected] / tel: 2521 2322
The Opposite House turns 5 and The Upper House Celebrates
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click for more photos
Pacific Place used to be ‘Pacific Place’ a vibrant destination with cachet, now it’s just one of many malls across Hong Kong and before today it was probably more than a few years since I’d done anything other than watch it slide past in the window of the tram. But, and there’s always a but, while I’m no designer clothes horse I do enjoy a bit of cheese – which, and I digress, is insanely expensive locally compared to Europe. Included within Great supermarkets’ relaunch strategy for the reopening of its 36,000 (no, that’s not a typo) square foot flagship store is the opening of 10 gourmet food zones including a CHEESE ROOM! While locally chocoholics have been fawned over, macaroonites indulged, ice-cream lovers low-fattened – turophiles have lived in a overpriced wasteland. No longer, over 200 cheeses in a special cheese room and many more outside, it really is a bit tasty and well worth a visit.
Great: LG1 Pacific Place, Admiralty, Tel: 2918 9986, www.greatfoodhall.com
