HONG KONG Exhibitions Aung Myint One of the leading lights of the Myanmar art scene is self-taught painter, installation and performance artist Aung Myint. Using oils, acrylics and collage, his work refuses to be pigeonholed. Karin Weber Gallery, 32a Staunton St, Central. Inquiries: 2544 5004. Until Wed Tim Hall The London-based photographer unveils a collection of his work featuring pictures taken in Myanmar, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India and Morocco over the past decade. His ability to capture images that exude life and character gives the display a reassuring warmth. The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Central. Inquiries: 2526 9566. Until Apr 7 Red/White/Blue Local artist Stanley Wong (alias Anothermountainman) believes Hong Kong is in the grip of a deep malaise. To console a population he says has lost confidence in its city, Ho has produced an interpretation of 'humble building site material and its colours'. An attempt to rebuild Hong Kong? Go see for yourself. One-fifth, Starcrest, 9 Star St, Wan Chai. Inquiries: 2861 3317. Until Apr 11 Cha Chan Teng Photographer Rick Martin's obsession with cha chan teng, Hong Kong's old-style cafes, resulted in an artful reclamation of what has become an everyday institution, the local equivalent of London's 'greasy spoon' cafes. Martin's eye allows the tatty teahouses to radiate with a sense of heritage usually reserved for the oldest colonial buildings. John Batten Gallery, 64 Peel St, Central. Inquiries: 2854 1018 or batten@netvigator.com . Until Apr 12 Realm Of Black And Red: Works Of Ou Da-wei Having studied Chinese arts for more than 40 years, the painter and seal cutter has a distinctive style that evokes the work of the old masters. Featuring Ou's crooked, black-and-white landscape paintings, the exhibition will also show some of his calligraphy. City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon. Inquiries: 2788 9322. Until Apr 21 City Heroes Photographer Leong Ka-tai's attempt to find the 'true heart' of the city by capturing its ordinary people on film. The 40 snapshots of individuals who personify the story of Hong Kong moves to a new venue each week in April. Apr 1-4: HSBC Bldg, 1 Queen's Rd, Central (street level). Apr 11-14: LG2, Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong. Inquiries: 2521 1751 or info@cityheroes Stage Hong Kong String Quartet Providing a showcase for chamber music, the quartet are now in their 10th year. Here they will perform Beethoven's String Quartet No 6 in B flat, Op 18 and Schubert's String Quartet in D minor (Death And the Maiden). Tomorrow, 8pm. Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall. $130, $80 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321 Blood Brothers Willy Russell's emotionally charged rock musical charts the lives of twin brothers separated at birth. While one enjoys a privileged upbringing, the other suffers the plight of poverty with his natural mother. Liverpool, a once thriving port in decline, provides a suitably harsh backdrop. In English. Wed, Thu and Sat, 8pm. Fri, 6.30pm and 9pm. Fringe Theatre, Fringe Club. 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central. $180 ($150 members) HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2511 6192 Identity Crisis Dinner Theatre Billed as A Confusion Of One-Act Comedies, a series of award-winning single-act plays penned by offbeat writers Christopher Durang and David Ives are performed by the American Community Theatre, while the audience wine and dine to their contentment. Sat, 7.30pm. Zuni Icosahedron Art Space, 15 Hawthorne Rd, Happy Valley. $380. For bookings and inquiries, call Brown on 2891 8558 or e-mail brown1@netvigator.com Spring Is Sprung The Cecilian Singers return with a few uplifting scores from the likes of Purcell, Britten, Mendellsohn and Finizi with which to celebrate the season. Tickets include a glass of wine and spring rolls. Thu, 7.30pm. The Helena May, Garden Road, Central. $140. Sat, 7pm. St Stephen's Chapel, St Stephen's College, Stanley. $120. Bookings and inquiries 2575 3931 Film The Big Film Poster Show Hong Kong's only specialist vintage poster dealer, Picture This, will host an exhibition and sale. Look out for classics such as Ronald Reagan starring in Hong Kong - Port Of A Thousand Dangers; rare Sean Connery 007 selections and a wealth of Bruce Lee favourites. Prices will range from $500 to $50,000. Fri (10am to 8pm) and Sat (10am to 6pm). Pine Suite, 22/F, Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Inquiries: 2501 0599 Night Scene Blow Up! Following last December's BBC Radio 1xtra with DJ Manny Norte, the producers of one of Britain's biggest hip-hop radio shows Rodney P and Skitz come to Hong Kong. Their award-winning mix of hip-hop and R&B should suit a club scene that is becoming increasingly Urban. They're also on the look out for local material from wannabe hip-hoppers and producers to take back to their show. In support is Gruv and Junkun. Dress code is 'dress to excess'. Sat, 10pm-5am. Club Ing, 4/F, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Wan Chai. $180 (includes one drink). Inquiries: 2824 0523 or blowup02@hotmail.com Tribal Gathering The Feathers & Facepaint Tour makes a flamboyant entrance to Hong Kong's club scene. Leading the charge will be Tribal Gathering's own resident Greg Vickers and London's Fabric resident Terry Francis in the last of the popular series of Freedom parties. In support will be David Lam, Thierry Wils, Jay Pelmet and DJ Yeodie. Sat, 2am-10am. Skitz, cnr Fenwick St and Jaffe Rd, Wan Chai. $240 in advance from HMV outlets. Inquiries: 6253 3427 (English) or 9543 1937 (Chinese) Adam Freeland Breakbeat wouldn't be what it is today without Adam Freeland. Widely held as one of the genre's true pioneers, he brings his record box full of fine breakbeat moments to take part in one of the many Easter weekend parties in town. Sat, Apr 19, Club Ing. 4/F, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Wan Chai. Prices to be confirmed. Inquiries: 2824 0523 Extra-curricular Ballroom Champions None other than John and Snieguole Wood, the World Professional Ballroom Champions, are set to perform in Hong Kong. Exhibiting their hot-stepping excellence in waltz, Viennese waltz, quick step, foxtrot and tango, they will perform as part of a dinner and dance evening. Tomorrow, 7pm. 22/F, Great Smart Tower, 23 Wan Chai Rd, Wan Chai. $350 (includes dancing, food, drink and show). Inquiries: 9486 4984 or keithandsunshine@aol.com Charity Auction Of Sporting And Musical Memorabilia by Dermot Reeve OBE The ex-England and Warwickshire cricket star is back in town to host an auction of signed memorabilia from his collection, the proceeds of which will be donated to local children's charities, among the items is a cap signed by the Australian cricket team that won the 1997 Ashes. Let's just hope he doesn't cancel. Apr 7 and 8, 7.30pm. Delaney's Wan Chai, 1/F, Floor Sports Bar, 1 Capital Place, 18 Luard Rd, Wan Chai. Inquiries: 2804 2880 CANCELLED Carlos Santana Guitar master Carlos Santana will play a small club with an audience of 1,500 in Osaka, Japan, on Apr 11 - instead of his scheduled Hong Kong concert. Moby King of the electro-lounge and health-conscious vegan Moby looks set to stay indoors as he has cancelled his show scheduled for Thu. Inquiries: 3128 8288. Tan Dun & HKCO The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has announced that the concert scheduled for April 4 and 5 has been postponed. Inquiries: 3185 1647 12th Great Chefs Of Hong Kong The annual charity cook-off scheduled for Apr 7 has been put off for the time being. Inquiries: 2810 0532 Spring Shopping Day The seasonal shopping extravaganza, scheduled for Apr 1, has also been cancelled. Inquiries: 2523 8089 Andy Williams The Emperor of Easy has rescheduled his April 12 show to June 6 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre due to the atypical pneumonia outbreak. Inquiries: 2882 1689 Miguel Migs The deep house DJ has cancelled his scheduled Apr 11 appearance at One-fifth due to the war in Iraq. Inquiries: 2520 2515 MACAU Chinese Treasures Features relics from eight archaeological sites in China that are bidding for Unesco world heritage listing. The exposition includes Macau's own bid, accompanied by 270 works from 183 local artists. Daily, 10am-9pm. 2/F Macau Tower. Free. Inquiries: (853) 335 141 Colours of Korea/Glamorous Ink As the world pays increasing attention to the South Korean arts scene, Chun Soo-kyung, one of the peninsula's internationally renowned female artists, adds this overseas exhibition to her previous showings in Paris, Philadelphia and New York. Daily (except Mon), 10am-6pm. Exhibition Gallery of Taipa Houses Museum, Taipa Island. Free. Inquiries: (853) 825 314 Raymond Iong's 'Soul-stirring Magic Show' Raymond Iong is a magician held in high regard by his Macanese fans as well as having a strong following in other parts of Asia. Here he performs a magic and variety show organised by Macau Association of Magicians (MAM). Sun, April 5, 8pm. Macau Cultural Centre, Grand Auditorium. 150, 120, 80 patacas. Inquiries: (853) 700 699 NATIONAL BEIJING Oil Paintings Five artists' works on the themes of revolutionary guards, family feuds and western Chinese ethnic minorities. Daily, 9.30am-6pm. Qin Gallery, Hua Wei Li 1-1E (north of Beijing Curio City). Free. Inquiries: (8610) 8779 0461 or 8779 0458. Until Apr 15 Birds and Pigs Sichuan art academy graduate Zhou Jinhua shows paintings of the world from a bird's vantage point, and Nanjing art academy product Wan Yisheng exhibits his ideas of how humans resemble pigs. Art captions in Chinese and English. Tues-Fri, 11am-7pm, Schoeni Art Gallery, Xiandai heng (SOHO complex) Bldg B, Room 904. Free. Inquiries: (8610) 8580 2142. Until Apr 10 The Rolling Stones - Licks World Tour There's still time to make up for the disappointment of this weekend's cancellations by catching the rockers in Beijing this week. Despite giving themselves an unexpected break, don't expect any moss to have gathered as they ought to be raring to go again. Fri, 7:30 p.m. Workers' Gymnasium, Workers Stadium Road between the Dongshisitiao subway station and Sanlitun. 280 -3,000 yuan (HK$263-HK$2,830). Bookings and Inquiries hotline: (86)1362 129 3454 or (86) 1391 013 1973. GUANGZHOU Belphegor, Phantom Of The Louvre Sophie Marceau's 2001 horror flick in which she plays Lisa, a woman possessed by the devilish spirit of a long-dead Egyptian. Six shows daily. China Plaza Cinema, 33 Zhongshan Sanlu. Inquiries: (8620) 8373 9423. Ends tomorrow Exhibition Of Shanxi Chinese Shadow Puppet Plays A showcase of the ancient art, which originated about 2,000 ago, spread as far as Europe during the Yuan dynasty, and is now slowly approaching oblivion. 9am-5.30pm daily. Guangzhou Museum, Guangzhou Yue Xiu Park. 6 yuan. Inquiries: (86 20) 8354 5253. Until Apr 15 Ice Sculpture Exhibition The mainland's biggest indoor ice sculpture show features almost 100 items at minus eight degrees Celsius. 9am-8pm daily. Donghu Lu, Dongshanhu Park. Tel: (8620) 8777 5672. Entry: 30 yuan. Until June 25 French Neo-Realism Exhibition A showcase of 60 works by 13 French artists, including Arman and Cesar. 9am-5pm, closed Mon. Guangdong Arts Museum, Er Sha Island. Tel: (8620) 873 51468. 15 yuan. Until Apr 20 SHANGHAI Cats The curtain fell for the final time on the long-running musical in London last May, but continues in 20 theatres around the world. Having made its long-awaited Shanghai debut on Friday, it will now be performed for the next month. Nightly, 7.15pm. Shanghai Grand Theatre. 80 to 1,200 yuan. Inquiries: (8621) 5385 3300. Until May 9 Shanghai Acrobatics Defying gravity and the usual boundaries of the human body, Shanghai Grand Theatre Acrobats are known for their astonishing feats. Nightly, 7.30pm, Odeum of the Shanghai Centre Theatre. 80 to 280 yuan. Inquiries: (8621) 6372 3836. Ends tomorrow. SHENZHEN Qian Songai Exhibition An arts show displaying 70 paintings by water-colour master Qiang Songai, famed for his depiction of Jiangsu province. Daily, 9am-5pm. 10 yuan. Shenzhen Arts Gallery. (86 755) 2542 6069. Until Apr 6 TAIPEI Vienna Philharmonic Asian Tour The first concert includes Haydn's Sinfonica Concerto in B flat Major, and Mahler's Symphony No 1 in D Major 'Der Titan'. The second features Beethoven's Overture No 3 in C Major, and Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E flat Major, with Hans Peter Schuh as soloist. Sat, Apr 5 and Sun, Apr 6, 7.45pm. National Concert Hall at CKS Memorial Hall. NT$2,000 to NT$7,000 (HK$448 to HK$1,568). Bookings and inquiries: (8862) 2325 7575, (8862) 2343 1000 or www.ntch.edu.tw Understanding Islam Through The Art Of Calligraphy This exhibition of ancient Islamic calligraphy makes for an interesting comparison to its Chinese equivalent. Only 13 pieces are presented at the exhibition. Nevertheless, the collection emphasises the concern over possible losses of ancient works during the conflict in Iraq. Daily, 10am-5pm. Museum of World Religions, 236 Chungshan Rd Section. 1, Yungho City (in the Pacific Department Store), Taipei County. NT$150. Inquiries: http://www.mwr.org.tw/ . Until May 4 Ning-Xia Dance Troupe - Xi-Xia Vibes This innovative troupe draws inspiration from the ethnicity within its own ranks. The award-winning choreography highlights the dazzling and sensual styles of 12th century northwest China, complete with ancient flutes. Tomorrow, 7.30pm. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Cnr Kuang-fu South Rd and Chung-hsiao East Rd (Sun Yat-sen MRT station). NT$300 to NT$800. Inquiries: (8862) 2758 8008 REGIONAL BANGKOK Bangkok International Book Fair Boasting thousands of titles spread over 700 booths, the fair offers a chance to meet winners of the annual Southeast Asia Write Awards from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Daily, 10am-8.30pm. Queen Sirikit Convention Centre (near Asoke Rd). Free. Inquiries: (662) 253 6809. Until Apr 7 Rare Gems Exhibition Billed as Thailand's best gems display, it's set to open next Monday in the new Night Bazaar (offering nightly shopping to rival the more famous Chatuchak Weekend Market). Tonight, 7.30pm. Market off Wireless Road (behind the Joe Louis Theatre). Opens on Apr 7 Pramual Thungprue Exhibition The latest oil paintings from the prominent local artist ostensibly represent flowers - he says that 'humans are like flowers. They light up at different times. They Blossom in different seasons'. Daily. Ban Bangkok Gallery, Phra Suneru. Free. Inquiries (662) 908 9159 SEOUL Seoul Collection Korea's top fashion designers are putting their latest designs on the catwalk, including designer Young Sun E's show Ecole de Paris, which closes the festival. Daily, at various times (final display is at 7pm). COEX Convention Centre, 7,000 won (HK$43) per show. Inquires: (822) 5284 7416. Until Fri Tongyeong Music Festival Performers include the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, led by maestro Zubin Mehta, oboist and composer Heinz Holiger, violinist Sarah Chang, the Hugo Wolf Quartet from Vienna, St Petersburg Capella from Russia and the Yun Isang Flute Quartet in Tonyeong, a port in South Gyeongsang province. Programme changes daily. Inquiries: (822) 6303 5700, or www.timf.org . Ends Fri Swan Lake The Cullberg Ballet, Sweden's premier dance group, is bringing an all-male troupe to Korea to perform Mats Ek's post-modern version of Swan Lake. Thu-Apr 5. LG Art Centre. 30,000 to 70,000 won. Bookings and inquires: (822) 2005 0114 SINGAPORE Singapore Food Festival The month-long festival will take food lovers on weekend celebrations, themed events, culinary workshops, cook-ins and food trails. One of the highlights will be Bugs Mania, featuring unusual fare such as scorpion scaloppine and grasshopper kebabs. Inquiries: www.singaporefoodfestival.com . Until Apr 30 A Midsummer Night's Dream TNT Theatre Britain presents Shakespeare's most popular comedy, where the lunatic, the lover and the poet combine with the magical world to create a perfect mix of mirth and romance. Tues and Wed, 8pm. The Swiss Club New Auditorium. S$46 (HK$202). Inquiries: www.sistic.com.sg Larasati - Pictures of Asia Fine Art Auction Indonesia's leading auctioneers, together with Dutch Glerum Auctioneers, will hold their first international fine art auction in Singapore, with a selection of Indonesian paintings featured. Previews on Thur and Fri, auction on Sat, 2.30pm. Artfolio Gallery and Space, Raffles Hotel Ballroom. Inquiries: (65) 6331 1735 TOKYO Robodex 2003 Leading hi-tech corporations, research institutes and organisations put their most recently manufactured robotic friends up for scrutiny. The human-friendly robots perform various tasks with the aim of bringing cohabitation of humans and robots that little bit closer. Thu-Apr 6, 10am-7pm. Pacifico Yokohama, Exhibition Halls C & D. 1,000 or 500 yen (HK$66/HK$33). Inquiries: (813) 5218 5055 Kanamara Festival Held on the first Sunday of April each year since the Edo period, when Kawasaki's prostitutes visited the local shrine to pray for prosperity and protection from disease. These days the festival is an international event focusing on fertility and Aids. Apr 6, 11am- 4.30pm. Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine, 2-13-16 Taishi Ekimae, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki. Free. Tel: (813) 2222 3206 Olivia Newton-John The Australian singer of Physical and star of 1950s American high-school musical Grease returns to Japan for the first time in 25 years. Fri, 7pm & Apr 6, 5pm. Tokyo International Forum. 9,500 or 8,000 yen. Inquiries: (813) 5464 9099