The buzz
Welcome to the South China Morning Post's new-look Going Out guide - where you'll find an insider's guide to everything that's going on in Hong Kong in the worlds of food, film, arts and music.
We've adopted a smaller format, beefed up the content - and also become a little bit edgier. And apart from coming in your Post every Thursday, you'll also be able to pick up a free copy at some of the funkiest locations around town.
Edgy may not be a buzzword you've previously associated with the grand old dame that is the 107-year-old South China Morning Post, but each week our team of expert editors and hand-picked writers will be sorting through all the goings-on in Hong Kong and bringing you the best entertainment options in this great city of ours.
Summer is definitely upon us, and our new Bars section (see page 6) outlines our favourite destinations for slaking a thirst. And on this page you'll see two more new additions in the form of an events calendar and 'On the horizon', which tells you what you should be planning over the coming fortnight and even further down the track.
Every week we'll be giving away movie tickets as well as other goodies that find their way to our office. In our launch issue you'll find giveaways of tickets to various shows (pages 14 and 15) as well as chances to win products such as a Luxe travel-guide box set (page 4). And of course, there'll be our regular listings, reviews and previews of the hottest restaurants, movies, arts events and music gigs.
Right now, there's no shortage of entertainment coming up in and around Hong Kong this summer - particularly for the music fans among us.
First up is a host of events planned on the night before next Thursday's handover anniversary holiday, which has traditionally proved to be a good excuse to party.
Apart from the big Wednesday night celebration headlined by British electronic duo Evil Nine (see page 15) at Armani/Bar, there are more intimate dance events being held at M1NT and at new Wyndham Street venue Sliver. And the gay crowd will be going a little bit wild that night at the Royal Magenta Ball at Volume and the Summer Love Party at Dada.
Looking farther ahead, one trend that can't have escaped the attention of most live music fans is the migration of the big gigs across the Pearl River Delta to Macau - and it's a trend that will become more pronounced this summer, particularly with all the big attractions coming up at the Venetian Macao casino.
Apart from the July 13 show by US R&B hero Usher, announced this week, there's also the sexy Hed Kandi Pool Party on July 24, and the two-day Mima Rockit music festival featuring electronic rockers UNKLE, Japanese madmen Electric Eel Shock and former Underworld member Darren Emerson from August 7 to 8.
Summer is also the season of the huge Hollywood blockbuster, and - as mentioned in this week's cover story - the blocks are going to be busted all over the place with the release of Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After and Inception, the latest film from The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan.
It's going to be a long, hot summer - and remember to look for Going Out every week to help guide you through all the happenings.
