THE Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts has won keen admirers in the form of Chris and Lavender Patten. Following the successful concerts at Government House, the academy has been invited back by the Governor and his wife to perform three more: on February 27, April 24 and June 13 at 6.30pm. The idea of holding the concerts came two years ago as a result of a conversation between the now retired Academy director, John Hosier, and Mrs Patten. She told him that she would like to see more of Government House opened up to the public. As a result the concerts, a mixture of Chinese and Western music, were born. 'They are always a sell-out. They take place in the ballroom, which can hold about 300 people. At first we were worried about the acoustics but the sound turned out to be very warm,' said the Academy's Susanna Chan. 'There's always a representative of the Pattens there. Sometimes Chris brings the whole family.' Tickets are available from URBTIX. BRITISH photographer Frances Dumbleton, who commutes to Hong Kong every month from Cambridge to take portraits of the rich and famous, has picked up a nice little commission. Aunty Fran, as she is known to her subjects, returns on February 16 to photograph owners of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys bought from MD Motors. The company is paying for the privilege as a gift to their customers to mark Lunar New Year. Meanwhile, Fran has confided which local personality she would most like to have sitting for her. No, not jowly old Chris Patten but the ever-beaming Anson Chan. 'She has the most interesting of faces. I'd like to photograph her as a woman, not as a politician. She has feminine charm and a strong, intelligent personality.' Fran has traditionally based herself at the Hilton for her photographic assignments. Now that it is due to close on April 30, she is looking for an alternative venue in which to sit her auspicious clients. Any interested hoteliers can contact her at the Hilton from February 16 to 26.