THE PLANNER

Published: 12:00am, 6 Sep 2002

Culture

Heading West

This absurd black comedy is the most recent collaboration between Ho Ying-fung, the artistic director of Theatre Fanatico, and composer John Chen. The play explores the rapidly developing western regions of China and follows in the footsteps of a traveller who tracks the route the monk Tripitaka took in the ancient Chinese classic, Journey To The West. The cast includes Chan Ming-long, Yeung Sze-man and Priscilla Leung, with live music by the Omnimus Group and some of Hong Kong's leading names forming the production team. In Cantonese and Putonghua. Today, 8pm. Tomorrow-Sunday, 3pm and 8pm. Studio Theatre, Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. Inquiries: 2268 7323. $160 Urbtix

Boris Petrushansky

Moscow-born Boris Petrushansky, the last pupil of legendary pianist Heinrich Neuhaus, performs the first of the Pan Asia Concerts' four recitals. The acclaimed concert pianist and revered teacher will perform a programme that includes Brahms' Rhapsody No 1 In B Minor Opus 79; Rhapsody No 2 In G Minor Opus 79; Scriabin's Waltz In A Flat Major, Opus 30, and Sonata No 4 In F Sharp Major, Opus 30, and Rachmaninov's Sonata No 2 In B Flat Minor, Opus 36 (second version). Today, 8pm. City Hall Concert Hall, Central. Inquiries: 2368 2650. $70-$300 Urbtix

Ashley Wass

The opening show of the Hong Kong Philharmonic's season starts with the exceptional young British pianist, Ashley Wass. The 25-year-old performs under the baton of conductor Christopher Seaman. Tomorrow, 8pm. Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. Inquiries: 2721 2030 or visit www.hkpo.com. $60-$250 Urbtix

Shall We Ha?

Trinity Theatre presents a drama that questions the concept of happiness. 'Have you smiled recently?' the troupe asks. Today, 8pm, tomorrow, 3pm and 8pm, September 17-20, 8pm. Fringe Studio, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. $65-$85 Ticketek

Annual Exhibition Of Mui Hing Calligraphy Society 2002

The Mui Hing Calligraphy Society is a non-profit organisation which formed in 1999 to promote Chinese calligraphy in Hong Kong. In this exhibition more than 30 members, between the ages of 15 and 65, present their works - many of the teenage calligraphers are the winners of inter-school competitions. Open today, 2.30pm-8pm; Tomorrow 9am-8pm, Sunday 9am-6pm. Gallery 3, Central Library, Causeway Bay. Inquiries: 6012 0292

Shanghai Charm

Gallery On Old Bailey aims to capture the mix of East and West in Shanghai with its exhibition of three leading contemporary artists from the city. Wang Yuhong has a distinctly Chinese approach to her still-life paintings; Weng Jijun rejuvenates a traditionally Chinese craft into modern art with his lacquer paintings and Yu Zhongbao depicts scenes of daily life in Shanghai with vivid realism. Monday-Saturday 10.30am-7pm, Sunday noon-5pm. Gallery On Old Bailey, G/F and Basement, 17 Old Bailey Street, Central. Tel: 2869 7122 or visit www.galleryonoldbailey.com

Extra Curricular

More Laughter

Due to its tremendous success last month, the free laughter club has become a regular fixture at the Kowloon Cricket Club on Friday evenings. 'Laugh it off,' is the motto of the trained therapists who help the public 'offload years of emotional baggage'. Today, 6.30pm sharp. Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Jordan MTR, Kowloon. Inquiries: call Ms Kwan at 2721 0129. Free half-hour sessions

The World Of Autism

That Drama Society, which was formed in 1999, has organised a multimedia exhibition to highlight awareness of autism. There are boards which display information on the nature of the complex developmental disability, drawings by autistic children that highlight their often advanced creativity, and video art screening on monitors and two installation art pieces inspired by the project. Cultural Centre Exhibition Area, Tsim Sha Tsui. Inquiries: 9772 9331. Ends Monday

Ayurveda: Art Of Being

The Asia Society will screen a film about one of the world's oldest holistic healthcare systems tomorrow. Ayurveda originated in India 5,000 years ago and has since spread to Egypt, Greece, Rome, Tibet, China, Russia and Japan. In Ayurveda: Art Of Being, director Pan Nalin (Samsara) travels 15,000 kilometres across India to document this ancient discipline. The film interviews experts and patients and follows healers who 'scan' the sick to detect disease by covering the body with mud; doctors who claim to cure leukaemia with tree bark, and other practitioners as they apply centuries-old ayurvedic practices with astonishing success. In Hindi and English with English subtitles. Tomorrow, 2.30pm and September 18, 7.30pm. Lim Por Yen Theatre, Arts Centre, Wan Chai. Inquiries: 2103 9508. $120 ($80 members) Ticketek

Night Scene

Summer Salsa

A salsa and tango party gets underway at the Hong Kong Football Club. One of Hong Kong's leading teams of dance educators, the Trio Spin Studio, are organising the Milongsalsa with a buffet dinner and dancing galore. Today, 7.30pm-12am. Tickets: Trio Spin members $280, non-members $320. Trio Spin Studio, 1/F, Tung Yiu Commercial Building, 31A Wyndham Street, Central. Tel. 2521 2168 or e-mail [email protected]

Malaysian Meals

Take a culinary trip to Malaysia at the Spice Market restaurant in the Marco Polo Prince hotel. The buffet includes favourites such as beef rendang, laksa lemak, fried chilli crabs and mee goreng. Marco Polo Prince, 23 Canton Road, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2113 6046. Ends September 22

Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten returns to Hong Kong to celebrate the first anniversary of his namesake restaurant, Vong, in the Mandarin Oriental. The chef will hold a series of cooking classes and guests can taste new dishes at lunch and dinner. There's also an exclusive 'chef's table' which allows a maximum of six to watch Vongerichten in action in the kitchen while eating dinner. Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central. Book early: 2525 4818

Urbtix: 2734 9009

Urbtix/CityLine credit- card booking: 2111 5999

Fringe: 2521 7251

CityLine: 2317 6666

TicketNet: 2312 9998

Ticketek: 3128 8288

For a complete listings service visit totallyhk.scmp.com

Post