May Events: Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month

Having made it through the first quarter of 2021, the year continues as it approaches a new season and with that, it’s time to mark your social calendar with the slew of exciting arts and cultural events to see this month of May…

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Balanchine’s Jewels
Until 23 May
Arguably one of the most influential ballet choreographers of the 20th century, George Balanchine first made his mark in 1967 in the debut of his gemstone-inspired Jewels. Renowned for its style and glamour, the three-act ballet was initially inspired by Balanchine’s chance visit to the iconic jewellery house of Van Cleef & Arpels on New York’s Fifth Avenue. Now, it returns in a modern revival courtesy of the Hong Kong Ballet.

How Much: From HK$140
Where: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wanchai
Website: hkballet.com

Misplaced 
Until 7 July
The much anticipated Affordable Art Fair has returned to the city, albeit in a digital format yet again, for the second edition of the Affordable Online Art Fair. Partnering with some 50 galleries on a worldwide basis, audiences can browse through thousands of paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures by local and international talents, while also participating in virtual talks, tours and art advisory sessions, with the latter designed to ensure you make better informed purchases from the expansive selection on offer.

How Much: Free entry
Where: Online
Website: affordableartfair.com

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Waiting For The Moment
Until 20 Jul
Following the earlier success of its showcase of the works of eminent locally-based photographer James Chung, Tsim Sha Tsui-set photo art gallery F22 is following this up with a new collection of more than 30 of the renowned lensman’s most iconic images of old Hong Kong. Featuring a variety of his finest work from the ’50s and ’60s, the exhibition – Waiting for the Moment – is too good a visual odyssey to miss out on.

How Much: Free
Where: The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Website: f22.com

gafencu May Events Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month 3000 years of gold craftsmanship

The Art of Gold: 3000 Years of Chinese treasures
Until 29 Aug
Shining a light on 3,000 years of Chinese treasure and craftsmanship, the French school of jewellery arts, L’Ecole, is presenting its third exhibition at the K11 MUSEA. This time around, it is highlighting a selection of masterpieces from the Mengdiexuan collection, as well as classic examples of the ancient art of Chinese gold-smithing. From now until the end of August, jewellery enthusiasts can enjoy a truly epic hour-long guided tour through centuries of the master craftsmanship once practiced in ancient China.

How Much: Free 
Where: K11 MUSEA Victoria Dockside, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Website: lecolevancleefarpels.com/hk/en

gafencu May Events Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month extended figure lalan

Extended Figure: The Art and Inspiration of Lalan
Until 19 Sep
In honour of the iconic abstract painter Xie Jing-lan, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center is exhibiting the artist’s best loved masterworks as part of the venue’s 30th anniversary celebrations. This classic Chinese painter – affectionately known as Lalan – was a pioneering figure in the integrated art world, an achievement that saw her incorporating choreographed brushstrokes alongside the mediums of music and dance. Running until mid-September, this is a unique opportunity to relive the legacy of a truly inspired artist.

How Much: Free
Where: Chantal Miller Gallery, Asia Society Hong Kong
Website: asiasociety.org

Le French May 
1-31 May
Le French May, the annual France-themed arts and culture festival, returns with a slew of visual and performance exhibits, as well as a series of gourmet offerings that celebrate many of the country’s most sophisticated delicacies. Organised, as ever, by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate French art and culture as part of a month-long cavalcade of gastronomic greatness, the fine arts, opera, music, theatre and cinematic offerings.

How Much: Various prices
Where:
Various locations
Website: frenchmay.com

M+ Cinema, Disrupted
6-16 May
Despite the ongoing renovations to M+, West Kowloon’s visual culture museum, it is opening its doors – virtually at least – to film enthusiasts with an online screening of local and foreign films and a programme that sets out to examine the many different aspects of cinematography and the transformative power of global filmmaking. Comprising a two-part programme, it is said to promote the concept of film as an ever-evolving format and an essential part of modern visual culture.

How much: Free
Where: Online
Website: westkowloon.hk

gafencu May Events Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month cheung chau bun festival

Cheung Chau Bun Festival
19 May
With many of the current pandemic-related restriction in place across Hong Kong set to ease, the ever-popular Cheung Chau Bun Festival, a long standing annual celebration of the Taoist pantheon, is expected to go ahead as planned. By far the city’s most popular Da Jiu celebration, the event always sees thousands heading to Cheung Chau, one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands. This year, any visitors able make the trip on 19 May will get to experience its unique vertical bun-snatching race, as well as a variety of elaborate floating parades and traditional performances.

How Much: Free 
Where: Cheung Chau Island
Website: cheung-chau.com

Annual Academy Ball fundraiser a star-studded success

The annual Academy Ball is one of the key charity events on Hong Kong high society’s social calendar, and this year’s #LIKEINAMOVIE-themed party did not disappoint. Over 400 donors and supporters of the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) turned up for the exclusive fundraising gala including guest of honour HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan.

Other A-list attendees included Charmaine Ho, Sabrina Ho, Harris Chan, Jonathan Cheung, Rosamund Kwan, Brandon Chau, Kathy Chow, Angela Leong  and many more.

Pianist Yundi Li and Stanley Ho's son Mario performed lovely duets at the Academy Gala

Held in order to raise scholarship funds for outstanding APA students, last week’s Academy Ball featured live performances by renowned pianist Yundi Li, Mario Ho and May Lui. Academy students also showcased their talents, performing a dance tribute to six classic movie musicals.

The evening culminated in a charity auction featuring 13 high-end items donated by luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre (the Academy Ball’s title sponsor), Poly Auction and other generous patrons.

APA Council Chairman Stephen Chow Chun-kay, Director Adrian Walter and Executive Chairwoman Winnie Chiu were thrilled by the turn out and by the generosity of this year’s Academy Ball attendees.

Film star Clive Owen shares acting tips with Hong Kong students

Golden Globe-winning actor Clive Owen is something of a jetsetter. He recently appeared in the Italian capital Rome, where he unveiled his latest film, a short film noir called Killer in Red.

Then, just last week, the British actor was whisked away to Hong Kong to teach a cinema masterclass at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The class was attended by more than 150 students from the School of Drama, as well as the School of Film and Television.

The actor – who is perhaps best known for his appearances in Children of Men, Croupier and Closer, in addition to his roles in major theatre productions – discussed his experiences working on both the silver screen and stage.

“Acting is all about rhythm and timing, both in the doing of it and also throughout a career,” Owen told local media in an earlier interview. “Every actor will tell you that getting breaks at the right time is hugely important. For me, getting a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) when I was 19 was a huge opportunity and getting certain film roles at certain times really helped my career.”

His diverse roles have earned him a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. In addition to picking up a Golden Globe in 2005 for his role as Larry Gray in the 2004 film Closer, Owen also received an Academy Award nomination for the role.

Owen recently announced that he was chosen to play the central role of Rene Gallimard in the upcoming Broadway revival of M. Butterfly, a play inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly. The play will open on 26 October 2017, but the theatre has not yet been announced.