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Around town
The Upside Down World of Philippe Ramette
Photographs of French performance artist Ramette  in mediative positions which defy gravity and logic. A Le French May event. Daily, open 24 hours (lighting provided 6.30pm-midnight), Avenue of Stars, TST Promenade, TST, free. Inquiries: frenchmay.com. Ends May 29   
Journey to the West
Painter Wong Sau-ching's  visual diary of his visits to Tibet and Xinjiang. Daily, 9am-9pm, 1/F Lobby, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai. Inquiries: 2132 8601. Ends May 15   
Birthday Of Lord Buddha Festival
Special celebration activities include: Buddha bathing ritual, until May 10, 9am-4.30pm, Hall of Great Hero, Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping, Lantau; and cultural variety shows (featuring Shaolin kung fu demonstrations, face-changing displays and acrobatics), May 5-7, 9-10, noon-12.45pm, 2pm-3pm, May 8, 3.30pm-5.14pm, stage outside the Hall of the Great Hero, Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping, Lantau, free entry. Inquiries: 2985 5248. Environmental and spiritual preservation Buddha's birthday carnival, May 10, 10am-6pm, soccer pitches numbers 4-6, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, free entry. Inquiries: 3110 9000 
Creating Watches for 200 Years
Exhibition of timepieces from the Chaumet Museum  in France that help recall highlights in watch-making history. Daily, 10am-6pm, Chaumet Flagship Boutique and Museum, Shop 1-2, St George's Building, 2 Ice House St, Central. Inquiries: 2536 9338. Ends Jun 19   
How Safe Are the World's Banks?
Economist-journalist Leo Goodstadt  discusses why US and British officials failed to halt the market abuses behind the 2007 financial meltdown  and why Hong Kong suffered comparatively limited damage. In English. May 5, 1.15pm (lunch, 12.45pm), Foreign Correspondents' Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central, HK$180 (members HK$150), includes lunch, booking required. Inquiries: 2521 1511
Forgotten Souls
Author Patricia Lim talks about her book on the social history of Hong Kong Cemetery. In English. May 5, 6.30pm, The Helena May, 35 Garden Rd, Central, HK$70 (HK$50 Royal Asiatic Society members), booking required. Inquiries: 2813 7500
Mapping the Field of Indian Art Criticism: Post Independence
New Delhi-based curator-art critic Vidya Shivadas  talks about the development of art criticism in India from the post-independence period to the present.  In English. May 5, 6.30pm, A Space, 1001, 10/F, 233 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan, free, registration required. Inquiries: 2815 1112 
The 7th Asian Flower Exhibition 2011
Flower art works by various Asian masters. May 6-10, 10am-8pm, Atrium and Centre Bridge, 2/F Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Rd, Taikoo Shing, free. Inquiries: 2811 3036 
ArtWalk DB
Showcase of works by Lantau Island artists and exhibition of international street art; proceeds (such as those via donations and the evening's art auction) go to MADaboutART.  May 6, 6pm-10pm, DB Plaza and restaurants on D Deck, Discovery Bay, free entry. Inquiries: 9037 2983 
Lecture Series on the Appreciation of Kunqu Opera
Senior kunqu researcher Cheung Lai-chun talks about kunqu role-types and their performance, May 6, 7.30pm. HK Baptist University Chinese language and literature professor Lau Chor-wah discusses the Birth of kunqu opera in the context of Chinese theatrical systems, May 8, 2.30pm. Lau also talks about kunqu opera as a literary form, May 15, 2.30pm. All talks: in Cantonese. AC1, L4, Administration Building, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, TST, HK$40 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7325   
HK Gold Coast Boat Show
Marine event featuring displays of boat models and associated marine products.  May 7-8, 10am-6pm, The Gold Coast Yacht Club, 1 Castle Peak Rd, Castle Peak Bay, HK$20. Inquiries: 2404 3257
Cemetery Walk
Writer Patricia Lim leads a walking tour through Hong Kong Cemetery. In English. May 7, 10.30am, Hong Kong Cemetery, Happy Valley, HK$200, includes post-walk lunch, booking required. Inquiries: 2813 7500
Wine Walk 2011
Fundraiser featuring opportunities to sample wine, meet chefs and enjoy canapes at 19 restaurants and wine cellars; proceeds go to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. May 7, 2pm-6pm, various addresses, SoHo, HK$300. Inquiries: 3583 5678
What's the Value of Indie Music?
Indie musicians including the Pancakes, P (of My Little Airport) and MastaMic discuss the artistic value of producing and publishing indie music. In Cantonese. May 7, 3pm, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central, free. Inquiries: 2521 7251
Birthday of Tam Kung
Festival activities at Shau Kei Wan include: a kung fu performance, May 8, 1.30pm-4pm, in front of Tam Kung Temple; religious ceremony, May 9, 11pm, Tam Kung Temple; procession with people dressed as gods from popular fairy tales and decorated floats, May 10, 9am-11am, starts at Shau Kei Wan Main St East and concludes at Tam Kung Temple; and a parade featuring performances such as lion, dragon and unicorn dances, May 10, 11am-noon, starts at Shau Kei Wan Main St East and concludes at Tam Kung Temple, free to watch: discoverhongkong.com
Feldenkrais Workshops
Theatre du Pif artistic director Bonni Chan  conducts workshops on the Feldenkrais Method  that combines gentle exercises with body-awareness training. In Cantonese and English. May 9, 16, 23, 30, 4pm-5.30pm (Class A), 7pm-8.30pm (Class B), Theatre du Pif, Rm 901, Hua Fu Building, 111 Queen's Rd West, Sheung Wan, HK$600 (for four sessions), registration required. Inquiries: 2904 2030
The English Language: Its Literature and Aspects of British Culture in Pre-Independence Singapore, Post-Independence Burma & Indonesia and Post-War Japan
Institute of Language in Education director Verner Bickley  discusses the English language's use and influence in various Asian territories during and after the colonial period. In English. May 9, 6.30pm, Aston Institute, 5/F, Tai Yip Building, 141 Thomson Rd, Wan Chai, HK$90 (English-Speaking Union members HK$75). Inquiries: 2186 8449 (Mon-Fri mornings only) or esuhk@netvigator.com 
Lectures by Didier Fassin 
The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, social sciences professor discusses how military action and humanitarian aid have become intertwined in the modern world. In English. May 11, 6.30pm, Rayson Huang Theatre, University of HK, Pok Fu Lam Rd, Pok Fu Lam, free, registration recommended. Inquiries: 2859 2867. He also talks about global health and conspiracy theories. In English. May 13, 12.30pm, Exhibition Area, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of HK, Sassoon Rd, Pok Fu Lam, free. Inquiries: 2859 2867. 
Disaster in Japan: Two Months On
Krista Mahr, associate editor of Time, University of HK arts faculty associate dean Yoshiko Nakano and University of HK history department chairman Charles Schencking  review the post-earthquake humanitarian effort, the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts, and the economic, environmental and social impacts of the disaster on Japan.  Proceeds go towards ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Japan. In English. May 11, 7pm (reception, 6.30pm), Hong Kong Club, 1 Jackson Rd, Central, HK$300, registration required. Inquiries: 2103 9511
Passion Speaks VI: Champagne - Life's Lessons
Benny Chia shares his stories about champagne and the part of France where it is made. In Cantonese with some French and English. May 12, 7.30pm, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central, free. Inquiries: 2521 7251
3 Authors, 3 Ways of Getting Published
Mary-Jane Newton, Shobha Nihalani and Susan Jamieson  discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different publishing methods. In English. May 17, 6.30pm, Foreign Correspondents' Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central, HK$150 (Women in Publishing Society members HK$80), registration required. Inquiries: events@hkwips.org
Diplomatic Briefings: Sino-Indonesian Relations
Imron Cotan,  Republic of Indonesia ambassador to China, shares his views on the relations between his country and the  nation he has been an ambassador to since January 2010. In English. May 18, 1.10pm (reception, 12.15pm; lunch, 12.30pm), Hong Kong Club, 1 Jackson Rd, Central, HK$550 (Asia Society members HK$450), registration required. Inquiries: 2103 9502 
Family 
Wonderland
Works designed for 'discerning little collectors' by 10 artists including Kate Banazi and Catherine Swan. Today-Sat, 10.30am-6.30pm, Amelia Johnson Contemporary, G/F, 6-10 Shin Hing St, Central. Inquiries: 2548 2286. Ends Sat  
Riverdance: The Farewell Tour 
Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises and Abhann Productions present a showcase of Irish music, song and dance. May 5-7, 10-14, 8pm, also May 7-8, 14-15, 2pm, May 8, 15, 7pm, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai, HK$350-HK$950  HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 8203 0299   
Cocorico 
French comedy duo Patrice Thibaud and Philippe Leygnac perform a physical theatre work that includes music, contortionist acts and mime. A Le French May programme. May 6-8, 8pm, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, TST, HK$160-HK$280 Urbtix. Inquiries: frenchmay.com
Champion Interactive Theatre - Theatresports
Champion Arts Association improvisers lead audience members in performing theatre games and performing interactive improvisation theatre. In Cantonese. May 8, 3pm, Youth Square, 238 Chai Wan Rd, Chai Wan, HK$40. Inquiries: 24074861
Summer Garage Sale and Fair
Community bazaar with more than 180 tables of food, drink, and new and secondhand goods. May 14, 9.30am-1.30pm, LG3 Car Park, HK University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, free entry. Inquiries: 9045 5942



Around town