Hong Kong Sevens: monster party just got bigger
City's premier rugby event promises a weekend of sport, music, fun and frolics
Classic disco, belly laughs and kung fu-fighting rugby players sound like the perfect entertainment for a big 40th bash and that's just what the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union has lined up for this weekend's Hong Kong Sevens.
"It's the 40th anniversary so we wanted to do something a bit different. We've spent more money, and made it bigger and better and more exciting," says Robbie McRobbie, head of rugby operations at the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.
Pioneering disco group the Village People are the headline act and are sure to go down a storm with their instantly recognisable hits such as , and . Those still scouting around for ideas about what to wear to the monster party weekend might be inspired by the band that is made up of a police officer, a native American, a soldier, a biker, a cowboy and a construction worker. Although the only original member appearing in Hong Kong is Felipe Rose - who plays the native American - the crowd is unlikely to care once those disco classics are wheeled out.
The tournament opening ceremony has been pushed back to 5.45pm on Friday, so more people should be able to attend the kick-off - which will begin with the traditional Chinese dotting of the lions' eyes for good luck - but McRobbie promises it will be better than ever.
It's on Saturday that the stadium really gets rocking. As usual, tournament DJs Simon and Simon will be spinning tunes at half time and between games. At 2pm the massed pipes and drums of the police, auxiliary police and scout pipe bands will lead the 28 teams and members of Hong Kong's 21 mini rugby clubs onto the pitch in the traditional March Past parade. They will be immediately followed by the Village People.
Throughout the weekend, comedian Al Murray will be popping up on the big screen and in the stadium in his much-loved Pub Landlord persona. Murray has been helping hype this year's Sevens through social media and he'll be doing more filming in Hong Kong over the weekend with commentary and crowd interaction pieces direct from the heart of what he calls the "mardi gras of world rugby".
The highlight on Sunday afternoon will be Kung Fu Rugby, a 15-minute performance that has been months in the making. An elite group of martial artists have been preparing in Foshan near Xiqiao Mountain, trained under sifu Sharon Yeung Pan-pan who earned the nickname "Lady Jackie Chan" for her feisty moves in 1980s kung fu flicks. Word has it that the show - at 1.10pm in the main stadium - will involve traditional kung fu as well as acrobatics and wire-rigging stunts.
And there's plenty lined up outside the main stadium. On the east upper-level concourse, the mini stage will be managed this year by youth events and performance platform YRock and will showcase young bands and musicians. Sevens regulars the Hong Kong Welsh Male Choir and local cover band Bus Uncle are booked to play, as well as a series of YRock POP award winners, Clockenflap veterans and finalists from last year's Music Challenge, including Seasons for Change, One Day More and the Black Cat Blues Band.
If you haven't been lucky with tickets, you can always catch the action across from the stadium at the Sevens Village where the rugby and entertainment will be screened live. Entry to this area is free. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are scheduled to play a set in the village and you might even catch Al Murray making his rounds.
Apart from the action in and around the stadium, the Hong Kong Sevens Official Fans Party at the Wheel will be screening the matches and hosting live entertainment all weekend on the Central harbourfront.
Running from 5.30pm to 11pm on Friday and from 8.30am to 7pm on both Saturday and Sunday, the official outdoor pop-up party will feature another appearance by the Village People on Saturday night, along with Brazilian dancers and other acts.
Sevens: deals on meals at restaurants showing the action
Bars, restaurants and even salons are doing their bit for the Sevens with broadcasts, discounts and freebies.
in Happy Valley is just a short taxi ride from the Hong Kong Stadium. Though they're not broadcasting the games live, they'll have special offers over the weekend, with discounts on wine, beer, and bar snacks.
1A Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley
in SoHo will be showing the games live on their many TVs and will be serving craft beer at HK$50.
38 Elgin Street, Central
(above) will be playing all games live on their big screen, and you'll get a free Stella Artois beer if you turn up with a Sevens ticket stub.
Shop 6, Brim 28, 1/F Causeway Centre, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
is serving a full English breakfast (with a free beer) from 7.30am so you can fuel up before the games. You can watch live coverage of the Sevens, or if you have Sevens tickets, present it for a free beer.
Shama Soho, 9-11 Staunton Street, Central
Until March 31, is offering an exclusive treatment including a wet shave and prep facial, hand treatment and 30-minute Indian head massage. All served with a cocktail. The package is priced at HK$1,200 (120 minutes).
Shop C, Sun Lee Building, 43-49 Wellington Street, Central
