December Highlights: Top things to see and do this month

The yuletide season brings with it a slew of festive celebrations and seasonal offerings this December. From a Hong Kong-inspired ballet performance of The Nutcracker, the latest installment of the most iconic couture creations from a collaboration between Adrian Cheng and Carine Roitfeld, the Hong Kong Philharmonics’ Christmas Fantasia to a delicious 6-course sensorial dining experience at Madame Fù and the annual Swire Properties’ White Christmas Street Fair, here are the top things to see and do in this festive season…

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _white christmas street fair

White Christmas Street Fair 2021
2-5 Dec

Swire Properties sets the scene for the festive season once again, with Tong Chong Street transformed into ‘Santa’s Whimsical Factory’ during the annual White Christmas Street Fair. Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of toys and treats, with a chance to tailor-make your own gifts with the assistance of Santa’s little helpers. In the spirit of Christmas and giving back, proceeds from the fair will go to Operation Santa Claus, an annual campaign to boost the coffers of various local charities and regional non-profit organisations.

How much: Free entry
Where: Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay
For more info: swireproperties.com

oriental watch company presents take your times savour the moment gafencu_2

Oriental Watch Company X Madame Fù Presents: Take Your Time – Savour the Moment
Until 10 Dec

Hong Kong’s very own home-grown watch retailer, Oriental Watch Company, celebrates its 60th anniversary with a delicious collaboration with chic contemporary Cantonese dining space Madame Fù and award-winning local artist Sim Chan, serving up a multi-sensorial dining experience right in the heart of the heritage complex of Tai Kwun, Central. Presenting a 6-course menu, meticulously designed by Head Chef Kit Liao, diners will be treated to a multi-sensory gourmet experience that combines a delectable feast with an artistic installation, The Discovery of Time ~ 1961, within the opulent dining space of Madame Fù.

Reserve a table at Madame Fù, 3rd Floor,Tai Kwun, No. 10 Hollywood Road, Central; (852) 2114 2118 / reservations@madamefu.com.hk

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _xiqu

Rare Classics: Shanxi Opera Excerpts
10-11 Dec

A series of xiqu heritage performances at West Kowloon’s traditional Chinese musical theatre venue opens with bangzi, or clapper opera, beloved for its lively singing and rhythmic wooden clappers. Four Shanxi troupes present excerpts from works in their distinctive regional styles– Pu Opera, Jin Opera, Beilu Bangzi and Shangdang Bangzi – which rarely reach our shores, while a narrator is on hand to provide illuminating insights into the traditional skills and gestures.

How much: From HK$270
Where: Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more info: westkowloon.hk

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _the nut cracker

The Nutcracker: A Hong Kong Adventure
11-26 Dec

An annual festive feature that delights both young and old, The Nutcracker appears with a local twist to its magical tale this year. Hong Kong Ballet’s artistic director Septime Webre sets the faithful Christmas ballet in early 20th-century Hong Kong, charmingly fusing local historical characters, wildlife and traditions– imagine dancing dim sum clowns and bauhinia flowers – with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Presented by China Everbright Ltd, it is a glorious feast for the eyes and ears. This year, Fortnum & Mason’s 181, the iconic purveyor of fine foods in Hong Kong has partnered with Hong Kong Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker! to celebrate the iconic retailer’s longstanding support of the arts, particularly during a time where the sector has suffered. On 4th December between 3-4pm, guests will have the opportunity to meet dancers from the ballet in full costume, and take photos with them. 

How much: From HK$180
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more info: hkballet.com

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _kintsugi

Kintsugi Ceramic Restoration Workshop
12 & 19 Dec

Kintsugi (golden joinery) is a traditional craft in which lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum is used to repair broken pottery. Master Wang Sen guides enthusiasts through a three-hour introduction to the ancient Japanese art and philosophy of porcelain restoration at Tai Kwun-based Touch Ceramics. The workshop not only gives participants a souvenir to take home, but also perhaps a new outlook on life.

How much: HK$1,980
Where: Shop 203, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, Central
For more info: touchceramics.com

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _savoire faire k11 foundation

Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion
13 Dec – Feb 2022

Artisanship and culture from the East and West come together in a partnership between Adrian Cheng, founder of K11, and French fashion icon Carine Roitfeld. Haute couture and avant-garde pieces from the likes of Balenciaga, Chanel, Givenchy, Richard Quinn and Tom Van der Borght stand alongside both rare and modern artefacts from the archives of the K11 Craft & Guild Foundation. Designed to be both visually and physically immersive, the exhibition underlines Cheng’s ongoing mission to conserve and preserve Chinese traditional craftsmanship, will take audience on a visual journey into the fantastical pages of Roitfeld’s iconic fashion editorials. Book now to immerse in the storied crafts of haute couture and traditional Chinese craftsmanship in Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion.

How much: Free entry
Where: 6/F, K11 Art & Cultural Centre, K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more info: k11musea.com

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _paper-cut_The HK Phil_

Christmas Fantasia
23-24 Dec

The melodic ambiance of the Christmas holiday is traditionally upbeat with joyful choirs and audience cheers. This will certainly resonate as the Hong Kong Philharmonic welcomes two wonderful choirs, the HK Phil Chorus and The Hong Kong Children’s Choir, to perform timeless melodies from Tchaikovsky, Handel’s Messiah, and a musical visit from Our Neighbour Totoro, among other tuneful treats. Christmas Fantasia, a delightful concert for the whole family, is in the able hands of conductor Apollo Wong.

How much: From HK$220
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.
For more info: hkphil.org

december event highlights thins to see and do in hong kong gafencu _the sun museum

Splendour of China 
Until 15 Jan 2022

Sun Museum, a local private, non-profit museum, pays tribute to the formative figures of the People’s Republic of China through an exhibition of Chinese artworks and letters from the 20th century. Calligraphy, ink painting, news clippings and woodblock prints are among the diverse artefacts that share stories, narratives and perspectives of those who played a role in the country’s transformation. Discover the individuals and groups that contributed to the rise of modern Chinese society.

How much: Free entry
Where: 4/F, SML Tower, 165 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong
For more info: en.sunmuseum.org.hk

Immersive Whisky Tasting Bothy
From now until Jan 15 2022

Dram fans make way for an immersive journey at Glenlivet’s whisky tasting bothy pop-up. ‘An experience beyond time’, the instagrammable journey takes you into the brand’s rich heritage and whisky making concepts from 1824 to modern-day Glenlivet… The immersive experience harks back into the 19th century with an exciting journey of what makes the inimitable single malt “the real stuff”. A tasting of their limited edition 12-Year-Old Licensed Dram, in a limited run of 300 bottles, as well as its limited edition of The Glenlivet 14-Year-Old Sherry Cask selection is available. Additionally, the exciting The Glenlivet Cocktail Capsules are also featured at the pop-up.

How much: Free entry
Where: Ground floor, K 11 Art Mall
For more info: https://live.eventtia.com/en/theglenlivetbothy

June Highlights: 11 happenings not to miss in Hong Kong this month

Looking for the hottest arts and cultural shows and exhibitions to fill your social calendar? Look no further than these 11 event highlights in Hong Kong that are not to be missed this June.

Karen Mok: The Ultimate Grand Slam Show
11 – 13 Jun
Iconic Hong Kong pop singer Karen Mok bids farewell to performing on stage and moves on to the next chapter of her life in the final stint of her three-year tour to 40 cities worldwide. Held over three nights within the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon, her last large-scale concert serves as the star’s last hurrah in her decade-long career in the showbiz industry. Though it remains uncertain whether the artist will be retiring from performing completely, it is definite that this concert would be the last of its kind for the megastar and is surely a historic event that is not to be missed.

Price: From HK$380
Location: Hong Kong Coliseum, Hung Hom Bay
For more information: sunconcert.com

Music After Work @ Xiqu Centre
Until 24 Jun
If you’re seeking a relaxing end to a busy Thursday, perhaps a visit to West Kowloon’s most prominent arts and culture venue, Xiqu Centre, will offer you just the escape you need. Presenting a weekly slew of live musical performances by the likes of local jazz bands, folk singers and songwriters, the live ensemble will take place at the venue’s front entrance, generously offering the public a soundscape of lyrical tunes and sweet harmonics to unwind to.

Price: Free entry
Location: Xiqu Centre entrance, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more information: westkowloon.hk

Hi! Flora, Fauna
Until 30 Jun
One of the oldest zoological and botanical centres in the world, and the city’s oldest park, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens provides the lush backdrop for an art project that exhorts visitors to explore their relationship with nature. ‘Hi! Flora, Fauna’ exhibits 17 different artists and groups using various media, including painting, photography, sculpting and installation. The experience is further enlivened with a collaborative audio experience by Hong Kong New Music Ensemble.

Price: Free entry
Location: Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Central
For more information: lcsd.gov.hk

Calligraphy Rhapsody: Retrospective Exhibition of Georges Mathieu
Until 4 Jul
Co-presented by non-profit organisation K11 Art Foundation (KAF) and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau at K11 MUSEA. Calligraphy Rhapsody is the largest Georges Mathieu exhibition in Hong Kong  that marks the French artist’s centenary. Curated by Catherine Kwai, featuring 14 oil paintings loaned from important private collectors, three of which span 6-meters wide and were specially created for Mathieu’s Grand Palais retrospective in Paris in 1978.

Price: Free entry
Location: Shop 605, 6/F, K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more information: k11musea.com

Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival 2021
Until 16 Jul
Organised by the Tourism Commission, the Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival continues its three-year pilot scheme to instigate a new experience of art through the integration of culture, heritage and nature in everyday life. The festival takes on a virtual space to showcase its varied artworks in digital format, inviting viewers to immerse in a 360-degree virtual reality exhibition that encapsulates the unique natural landscape and history of the Sai Kung village.

Price: Free
Location: Online
For more information: yimtintsaiartsfestival.hk

Between the Lines: The Legends of Hong Kong Printing
Until 26 Jul
This fascinating exhibition presents stories and illustrations of traditional printing techniques and movable type tools, as well as works and designs by emerging young designers who have assumed the mantle of reviving and modernising the craft of letter printing. Curators at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum train a special spotlight this month on the disappearing art form of lithography.

Price: Free entry
Location: Thematic Gallery 5, 1/F, Hong Kong Heritage Museum
For more information: heritagemuseum.gov.hk

Chinese Surrealism
Until 7 Aug
In association with the month-long Le French May arts festival, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau partners with Alisan Fine Arts to present Chinese Surrealism. The exhibition of contemporary Chinese ink paintings and sculptures focuses on dreamscapes and explorations of the unconscious mind – imagery more commonly associated with Western names such as Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. Young Hong Kong female artists dominate a six-strong group selected for their impressive interpretation of surrealism through a Chinese lens.

Price: Free entry
Location: Alisan Fine Arts, Aberdeen
For more information: alisan.com.hk

Colour The World
7 Jun
D2 Place, together with the French May Arts Festival, proudly present an extraordinary art exhibition that showcases two talented Hong Kong-based artists, The French Girl (Caroline Tronel) and Rainbo in a joint collaboration to bring French and Hong Kong culture together in an extraordinary art journey — co-creating a giant 10m-long mural painting titled Smell of Stars. Other highlights at the event include a series of artworks courtesy of the new knitting brand hoopla.

Price: Free entry
Location:
The Garage, G/F, D2 Place TWO
For more information: frenchmay.com

Romeo + Juliet
18 – 20 Jun
The Hong Kong Ballet brings to life one of the most epic love stories of all time, Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, with a contemporary Hong Kong-inspired twist. In this local iteration of the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, the duo is caught in a war between rival triad families in the ’60s Hong Kong. The narrative follows their passion and tragedy in a fusion of dance and drama with original choreography by Septime Webre, Prokofiev’s dramatic score, and sumptuous cheongsam costumes.

Price: From HK$140
Location: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more information: hkballet.com

Curve of Buoyancy
20 Jun
Michelin-starred cultural and social destination Duddell’s lends its contemporary mixed-use space to an exhibition of 16 thought-provoking works owned by four eminent female collectors, including Mimi Brown, Karen Levy and Li Lin. Curve of Buoyancy spans such diverse subjects as Gothic architecture and functional straps in athleisurewear, and is inspired by the curved lightness of Wendell Dayton’s sculpture ‘For Calder’ (1975).

Price: Free entry
Location: Duddell’s, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell St, Central. Website: duddells.co/art/main/en

Jewellery & Gem Asia Hong Kong
24 – 27 Jun
Asia’s most important jewellery event returns this year, albeit in a hybrid of physical and virtual programmes. Occupying 70,000sq.m of event space within the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the gathering of all that glitters lives up to its year-on-year exciting line-up of exhibitors and special events. The fair’s virtual showing, meanwhile, extends from 17 June to 7 July and grants full access to new products, digital events, specials and more.

Price: Free entry
Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
For more information: hkcec.com

 

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…

gafencu May Events Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month balenchine's jewels hong kong ballet van cleef arpel

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

gafencu May Events Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month balenchine's jewels hong kong ballet james chung photography exhibition

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

Gaw-Inspiring: Christina Gaw talks finance, family and faith

Christina Gaw is the managing principal and head of global capital markets at Gaw Capital Partners. She’s also a board member of the Women’s Foundation and treasurer of the Hong Kong Ballet.

Where is Gaw Capital primarily doing business?

The company currently has about US$15 billion under its management, and about half of that is in the Asia-Pacific region. The other half is evenly split between Europe and the US.

You formerly worked with Goldman Sachs and UBS. In your experience, how is working in a private company different to an international institution?

I spent nearly 16 years altogether at Goldman Sachs and UBS, which taught me a great deal about corporate governance. With big companies there’s a lot more hierarchy to contend with. Private companies, on the other hand, have the advantage of being flexible and less structured, allowing creativity to be displayed and embraced foremost.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken? Did it pay off?

After working at Goldman Sachs for nine years, I received an offer to work at UBS – a huge decision at the time. I ultimately went for it, and looking back, it was a wise career move because it allowed me to work for two very good but different institutions.

When faced with uncertainty, one thing I take comfort in is my faith. I’m a Christian and I pray any time I have to make big changes in my life. Once I have the prayers going, I can enjoy some peace of mind and trust that everything will work out if I welcome change. That’s why I tend to embrace risk in a positive way.

Considering that you work with your two brothers, how do you compare to them in terms of skills and styles of management?

My two older brothers and I are all very different, but our skill sets complement each other. Goodwin, my oldest brother, is a talented entrepreneur. In his role as chairman of Gaw Capital, he generates new ideas – sometimes a tad too many ideas, in my opinion, because I have to execute them [laughs].

Kenny is an extremely bright mathematician who has a keen eye for details, which complements Goodwin’s ideas and intuition in real estate.

As for me, I’m the fundraiser. My strength lies in interpersonal skills, and I think I’m very good at articulating what the other side of the table is thinking about. Being diligent in understanding investors’ needs is very important.

Do you have any role models you look up to?

My grandmother! My mum’s mother is 100 years old and she’s very healthy and energetic. She had her own textile business and moved here from Shanghai. Imagine being a business owner in those days and then having to start all over again in Hong Kong after the Cultural Revolution. It’s a tremendous example of tenacity and determination.

What hopes or dreams do you have for your children in terms of career?

I go to work happy and excited every day because I truly love what I do, which just so happens to be finance-related, but for my children it could be something completely different.

At this point, I want to give them the confidence to nurture their interests and talents. When I talk to young students, I always advise them to show energy and enthusiasm, engage others through networking and cultivate a sense of entrepreneurship. Not everyone wants to create a business, but you’ve got to have ownership of your work. To me, that’s entrepreneurship.

Thank you.

Text: Emily Petsko

For the full article, please check out the latest issue of Gafencu’s print magazine or the Gafencu app. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store