covid Archives - Gafencu

With an influx of distressing Covid updates 24*7, never have we ever so desperately needed a break from reality… If you’re in the same boat and tired of idling at home, bookmark our handy list of things to do about town – from supporting your neighbourhood F&B to enjoying the diverse cultural scene of Hong Kong, or double masking and going to socially-distanced virtual events, – our curated a list has something for every taste. Scroll on…

Hong Kong Arts Festival 2022
When: Until 31 Mar

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hong kong arts festival — (Photo: HK Art Festival)

The 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival returns once more with a wide array of music, opera, drama and dance performances, both traditional and contemporary. As the city’s biggest and most high-profile cultural event, its 50th iteration pulls out all the stops to showcase local talent, as well as feature pioneering projects in arts and technology.

Price: HK$100
For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

XYZ On-Air
When: Until 20 April

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_xyz on air — (Photo: XYZ)

Although fitness centers and yoga studios may have shut their doors for now, boutique spinning studio XYZ is opening its virtual doors to the city’s many fitness enthusiasts with an On-Air programme to make sure viewers at home stay safe and healthy. Exercise whenever and wherever by tuning into the studio’s live classes.

Price: Free
For more information: onair.youarexyz.com

Chamber Music Series: Tai Kwun Beethoven Meets Mozart
When: Until 15 Mar

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_chamber-music-series-hkphil — (Photo: HKPhil)

The combination of piano and wind comes gracefully alive in this comparatively rare piano and wind quintet. Fittingly appropriate for this repertoire, the programme expresses Mozart’s fascination with the clarinet as well as his profound influence on Beethoven.

For more information: hkphil.org

HKMoA Online
When: Throughout 2022

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hkmoa online — (Photo: HKMoA)

Enjoy art at home through a slew of virtual exhibition presented by the Hong Kong Art Museum. Browse the varied exhibitions and showcases online with complementary audio guides, multi-media programs and exciting stories of vibrant museum collections.

Price: Free
For more information: hk.art.museum

Aqua mark-making
When: Throughout 2022 (5 days booking in advance)

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_pmq_513 paint shop_Aqua_mark_making — (Photo: 513 Paint Shop)

As part of the PMQ’s Creative Workshop Series, 513 Paint Shop, a boutique paint shop that’s all about bringing brilliant colours and environmentally safe paints to the home, presents an online painting workshop to welcome fellow art enthusiasts to scribble, splash, doodle, and dot. Enjoy the process and bring your emotive imaginations to canvas.

Price: HK$380 (Materials included)
For more information: pmq.org.hk

Wine and Dine Online Masterclass
When: Throughout 2022

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hong kong wine and dine online — (Photo: HK Wine & Dine)

The thousands of the city’s epicureans are in for a treat with Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival’s permanent online masterclasses programmes. Satisfying the curiousities of the city’s gourmands with a conveniently accessible virtual courses that hosted by food and wine experts; from on-air wine tastings to the art of pairing food and wine to a special hojicha cocktail workshop.

Price: Free
For more information: discoverhongkong.com

Museum-inspired Jewellery Shopping
When: March onwards

In a global first, the iconic Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) museum in London and the city’s reputed jewellers Chow Sang Sang have collaborated to create an innovate shopping adventure for patrons at K11 MUSEA. Anyone with an appreciation for history, culture, precious craftsmanship and jewellery art will love the unique and immersive experience the grand store offers – expect artistic genius to be sprinkled throughout the space, a fine selection of merchandise from the V&A museum in a harmonious old-world, British vibe whilst you select the fine pieces of high-end jewellery.

For more information: chowsangsang.com

Hong Kong Cine Fan Online
When: Until 31 Mar

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hkcinefan — (Photo: HKIFF)

The many Hong Kong movie buffs were delivered unfortunate news that the 12-day HKIFF event, initially scheduled between 31 March and 11 April, had been postponed. Nonetheless, HKIFF have — in place of physical screenings — will continue to screening movies online for film enthusiasts to while away the impending lockdown and possible quarantine days.

For more information: online.hkiff.com.hk

EduVirtues Workshop: Yoga and Mindfulness for the Family

When: 27 Mar

Stay active at home with the family through EduVirtues Workshop: Yoga and Mindfulness for the family, presented by K11 Musea. Spend a joyful Sunday at home bonding with your little tots and introduce the family to different stretches and yoga poses inspired by nature, and open the platform for young minds to learn about expressing gratitude, respect, mindfulness, teamwork and communication.

Price: HK$750 (each pair of yogis — parent and child — will receive a complimentary lightweight non-slip grip kids yoga mat (valued at HK$630)
For more information: k11musea.com

Disclaimer: While Gafencu tries to keep up to date with the latest restrictions, the situation in the city is rapidly changing – contact the establishments to make sure you get the latest information of opening hours and services before venturing out. Follow all government directives when you’re out and about.

While galleries, events and dinner service all stand cancelled following the government’s latest directive to nip the rising Covid cases in the bud, it’s not all gloom and doom for the next two weeks. We’ve curated a list of things you can still safely do in Hong Kong whilst abiding the official guidelines on Covid:

1. Join a cooking workshop

Try your hand at creating something from scatch at K11’s ABC Cooking Studio, where you can choose from a variety of courses, from baking cookies and cake to making pasta. Gather a small group of 2 to 3 people or sign up for a private class to live out your dream as a gourmet expert.

For more information, click here and here.

Also Read: Lockdown Learning: New skills to pick up to expand your horizons

2. Find your center

While gyms and fitness centres have hit pause on their services, several top personal trainers have already turned to online classes. Do not let your fitness gains hit a slump, in fact make the most of your at-home exercise session with a smashing 1:1 class with integrative healing and wellness coach Anita Cheung, or join a live streaming, fat-busting session with top local trainer Trixie Velez at Defin8 Fitness.

For more information, click here and here.

Also Read: Unusual alternative wellness therapies to try in Hong Kong

3. Attend an online wine / cocktail masterclass

To meet the demands and curiousities of the thousands of epicureans in the city, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival has launched its permanent online masterclasses for convenient access to the many food and wine experts in the Hong Kong. From on-air wine tastings to the art of pairing food and wine to a special hojicha cocktail workshop. Don’t miss out!

For more information, click here.

Also Read: Five online learning apps that can teach you a handy new skill

4. Take a stroll into nature

Traverse the many beautiful, forested hiking trails in Hong Kong or cycle through the stretch of seaside cycling paths for a change of scenery. Although the much anticipated Hong Kong Cyclothon stands cancelled, there’s no reason to not pedal away those blues in the greens! A solid mental health boost is all we need.

See our top picks for sunrise hikes here and our favourite cycling paths here.

Also Read: Seven cool new hobbies to pick up during quarantine

5. Camp under the stars

Cruise to nowhere cancelled? Spa-cation not in service? Go glamping under the stars or set up your own tent with the family in the middle of nowhere. Waking up to roasted marshmallows and a piping hot cuppa sounds like all the mental peace we need right now. Check out our guide to unique staycations for the family here. Remember to observe all the social distancing rules because there are still “at least three transmission chains in Hong Kong at the moment”.

Also Read: Essential camping gadgets to level-up your next outdoor experience

Disclaimer: While Gafencu tries to keep up to date with the latest restrictions, the situation in the city is rapidly changing. Contact the establishments to make sure you get the latest information of opening hours and services before venturing out. Follow all government directives when you’re out and about.)