THE PLANNER
Culture
Kabuki For Everyone
Having wooed local audiences in the Festival Of Asian Arts in 1996, Kabuki master Manjiro Ichimura returns to the SAR with his troupe, which includes his two sons, in Kabuki For Everyone. The Japanese art of kabuki was born in the 17th century, when a 'shrine maiden' danced on the dry riverbeds of Kyoto. Male audiences thought the movement was seductive and it became popular with women. But when kabuki became a dance favoured by prostitutes, the government saw the art as a threat to morality and banned women from its performance. Male impersonators took on the roles and, by subduing the sexual element of the dance, placed a stronger emphasis on its drama. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. Friday-Saturday, 7.30pm. $90-$450 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7323
Chinese Operatic Art Series
This fourth programme in the summer series showcases the Operatic Music Ensemble Of Jinan City Of Shandong Province. Founded in 1959, the troupe includes veteran artists such as Guo Wenq, who sings ballads to a zhuiqin accompaniment; Liu Yanguang, who is recognised for his pingshu singing; Yao Zhongxian, a master of the Beilu Shandong - a style unique to the troupe - and his disciple Yang Po. The troupe will perform pieces such as King Chu Bidding Farewell To His Concubine and Tongue Twisters. $80-$150. Today, 7.30pm. City Hall, Central. Tomorrow's final show of the series begins a three-day run: Liyuan Opera with The Liyuan Opera Experimental Troupe Of Fujian Province. Tomorrow-Thursday, 7.30pm. City Hall Concert Hall, Central. $80-$200. Inquiries: 2268 7323. Urbtix
Film Festivals
Repertory Cinema: A Spectrum Of Film Classics And Masters:
Jean Renoir The son of Impressionist painter Auguste Renoir, Jean Renoir made movies from the silent era to the French New Wave in the 1960s. His greatest works, including the classics Rules Of The Game and Grand Illusion, are being shown at various times and venues this month. Ticketek
Images Of Women In 1950s And 1960s Hong Kong Cinema
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum has organised the Women Festival 2002 and a special section on film starts today, focusing on the way women were depicted during the Hong Kong film industry's golden era. Curated with the collaboration of the Hong Kong Film Archive, the selection ranges from musicals and comedy to drama and action. This is a rare opportunity to see some of Hong Kong's best-loved female actresses - including Josephine Siao Fong-fong, Linda Lin Dai, and Connie Chan Po-chu - on the big screen. Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema, Hong Kong Heritage Museum Theatre and Hong Kong Space Museum Lecture Hall until September 25. All tickets $30. Inquiries: 2111 5999. Ticketek
Family Films Carnival
Egyptian Film Festival
Extra-curricular
Raja Yoga Meditation
Philosophy Cafe
The Philosophy Cafe has three branches - two English and one Chinese - in Kowloon and Central. Groups usually meet once a month and today the Central branch gathers to discuss the topic, 'Fear Of Freedom'. The introductory speaker is Emmanuel Guttierrez. Newcomers are welcome and no fee or advanced booking is required. 7.30pm, Fotogalerie, The Penthouse (entrance on the second floor via the theatre entrance), Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. Inquiries: 9883 0557
Jazz Up Lecture Series
The topic of the second lecture in this series is 'From Classical To Free Jazz - A Listener's Guide'. The panel includes Dominic Chow (who was made music director of ATV at the age of 21), Dr Raymond Lau (a jazz fan) and Peter Lee (president of Hong Kong Jazz Association). They take the Berlin Philharmonic Jazz Group, who played here in July, and French clarinettist Louis Sclavis as points of reference. In Cantonese. Tomorrow, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre Theatre, Kowloon. $50 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321.
Urbtix: 2734 9009
Urbtix/CityLine credit-
card booking: 2111 5999
Fringe: 2521 7251
CityLine: 2317 6666
TicketNet: 2312 9998
Ticketek: 3128 8288