HONG KONG Exhibitions A Time Like This An exhibition in response to Sars and co-presented by Hong Kong Arts Centre, Goethe-Institut, Para/Site Art Space and Art in Hospital. The idea is for the public to submit their own visual and/or written interpretations of events of the past few months. Goethe Gallery and Studio, Goethe-Institut Hong Kong, 14/F Arts Centre; Pao Galleries, 4-5/F, Arts Centre; Para/Site Art Space. Inquiries: 2582 0214 or 2802 0088. Ends tomorrow Le Songe Creux (The Hollow Dream) In this culmination of 15 years' work, Frank Vigneron presents a series of ink drawings that attempts to recreate and unite two simple representations of infinity: the rectangle and the spiral. Tue-Sat, 11am-7pm (closed 2pm-3pm); Sun, 1pm-5pm; or by appointment. John Batten Gallery, 64 Peel St, Central. Tel: 2854 1018. Ends Sat Girls + Goldsmith's graduate Yumi Kondo presents her second exhibition, featuring portraits of 'cheeky, sexy' women framed next to images that evoke a sense of that personality. Galerie Martini, 1/F 99F Wellington St, Central. Tue-Sat 11am-7pm. Inquiries: 2526 9566 or galeriem@netvigator.com . Ends Sat Spying On Le French May For once Russian Cold War technology gets some respect, thanks to the Lomo camera craze. Quite right too - the machine is capable of amazing images. Daily, noon-10pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central. Inquiries: 2521 7251. Ends Sat Bold + Trendy A solo exhibition of 38 oil paintings by Liu Fei, examining attitudes towards women and how they view themselves. Liu's work veers from the comical to the unsettling and near ghoulish. Schoeni Art Gallery, G/F 21-31 Old Bailey St, Central. Mon-Sat, 10.30am-6.30pm. Inquiries: 2869 8802. Until Jun 9 Hoo Mojong Regarded by many as the most famous Chinese woman painter since Pan Yuliang, Hoo Mojong's exhibition features 26 works. Each piece is rich in colour and texture, with bold, primary colours infused with warmth. Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm, Sat, 11am-6pm. Alisan Fine Arts, 315 Prince's Building, 10 Chater Rd, Central. Until Jun 14 Within These Walls Photographing a series of Hakka walled villages in Guangdong, Ian Masterton and Ulana Switucha capture a sense of the culture that exists in and around the enclosed villages and castles near Huiyang in Guangdong province. China Tee Club, 101 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder St, Central. Inquiries: 2521 0233. Opens today Performing Arts Two Or Three Ways Of Making Love Around Sunset A controversial multimedia production in which a housebound, impotent victim of a car crash gets sexual gratification by listening to his neighbours making love. In Cantonese. Today, 8pm. HK Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre. $150, $100 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 9009 Emperor Qianlong And Fragrant Concubine Hong Kong Dance Company presents this tale of the lonely emperor's quest for his dream girl Guli, her lover's jealousy and their attempts at reunion. The dance drama incorporates Manchu, Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak folk music and dances, as well as aspects of life in the Forbidden City. Today, 3pm. Cultural Centre, Grand Theatre. $180, $150, $120, $90 (Buy one ticket, get a second for $1). Inquiries: 3103 1810 The Eccentricities Of A Nightingale Hong Kong Repertory Theatre brings Tennessee Williams' classic to the stage. In Cantonese with English surtitles. Today, 7.45pm. HK Arts Centre, Shouson Theatre. $180, $140, $100 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 3128 8288 Fiddler On The Roof The enduring tale of a Ukrainian milkman's efforts to keep to tradition returns with a Cantonese-language version featuring students and staff of the Academy for Performing Arts. Today, 2.30pm. Drama Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. $140, $90 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 3128 8288 The Glass Menagerie Director Jessica Lefkow's final work in Hong Kong, this highlight of the Faust Festival illustrates a family struggling to come to terms with the realities of life. Mother Amanda is chained by memories of former triumphs, while her son Tom finds the weight of obligation and family duty an increasingly heavy burden. Bed-ridden daughter Laura finds solace in her collection of glass. A bleak outlook, yes, but Tennessee Williams' masterpiece is nonetheless enchanting. In English. Thu-Sat and Jun 14, 8pm; Jun 11-13, 10.30am and 8pm. Studio, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd. $240 ($190 members) HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2547 6732 The Orgy Manual This one-woman show is composed of several short monologues that share the same topic: orgies. The overall aim is to abandon prudish sensibilities and gain an understanding of a misunderstood concept. Performer Gabriela Heinz manages to play each and every character without leaving the stage. Fri-Sat and June 13-14, 9pm. Theatre, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd. $145 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2547 6732 Viola Dolce Taiwanese violinist Huang Hung-wei has performed across Asia and North America, including venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Centre and at the Marlboro Music Festival. Here he is joined by the Hong Kong Philharmonic under the baton of Samuel Wong and performs Christopher Coleman's A Descent Into The Maelstrom, Haydn's Symphony No 103 in E flat and Berlioz's Harold In Italy. Fri, 8pm, Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium. Sat, 8pm, Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. $100, $80, $60 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 9009 Violinmania: Christopher Warren-Green Christopher Warren-Green is regarded as one of the most exciting players of his generation and he conducts too. The combination is dynamite. Performed will be Grieg's Holberg Suite, Op 40, Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending (for violin and orchestra) and Brahms' Symphony No 2 in D, Op 73. Fri, 8pm. Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. $220, $140, $100 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2836 3336 or info@hksinfonietta.org South Pacific The Rogers and Hammerstein spectacular is brought to the stage by the Hong Kong Singers. With a lavish production and a famous score, there should be something for everyone. In English. Jun 12-13 and 16-17, 7.30pm; Jun 14, 2.30pm and 7.30pm; Jun 15, 2pm and 7pm. Sheung Wan Theatre, 345 Queen's Rd Central. $350-$210, Urbtix. Inquiries: 2537 4180 or e-mail hksingers@hotmail.com All That Jazz The Kassia Women's Choir makes its debut. Formed in April, it features about 50 Hong Kong women who share a love of popular hits, show tunes and gospel music. Bethan Greaves leads. Jun 13, 8pm. Shouson Theatre Hong Kong Arts Centre. $120-$80 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2575 3931 Cathay Pacific Discovery Series: Soovin Kim Soovin Kim has performed across Europe and North America since 1996, when he won the prestigious Paganini competition. This will be his Hong Kong debut, and the 26-year-old will play the ever-popular Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Jun 13-14, 8pm. Concert Hall, City Hall. $250, $160, $100, $60 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2312 6103 or www.hkpo.com Night Scene The Punchline Comedy Club The club makes its long-awaited return after Sars-enforced exile as the team from the hit series Whose Line Is It Anyway? makes fun out of whatever you throw at them. Thu-Jun 9, 9pm. The Viceroy, 2/F, Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai. $290 Cityline (also $120 buffet dinner from 7pm). Inquiries: 2827 7777 Rude Movements More modernism with a bit of everything thrown in. Funky, jazzy, soul-y, breakbeat-y. Possibly the most happening party in Hong Kong at the moment. Sat, 9pm. One-fifth, Starcrest, Star Street, Wan Chai. Inquiries: 2520 2515 Junk The local folk band have made only one personnel change since they started in 1987. They now say cheerio to founding-member Ron James, who is off to pastures new, with this gig. A band with a rock edge and a typically folkish sense of humour. Sat, 8pm. Caledonia, G/F, Hutchinson House. $100 (members), $120. Inquiries: 9770 4742 or 2335 1886 Extra-curricular Lunch With Anna Wu In this talk titled The Equal Opportunities Commission: Its Impact And Challenges, the commission's chairperson Anna Wu Hung-yuk will discuss the role of the statutory body in this executive-led government, and how there is room for more anti-discrimination legislation in Hong Kong. The issue rumbles on. In English. Tomorrow, 12.30pm. Foreign Correspondents' Club, Lower Albert Rd, Central. $150 (members), $170 (guests). Inquiries: 2521 1511 World Environment Day Everyone knows the beauty of Tai Long Wan on the Sai Kung peninsula. Nevertheless, scores of campers leave rubbish there to rot every weekend while debris floats in from the South China Sea. Join Ecovision and Surfrider Asia for a day of fun, sunshine and a beach clean-up. Give a little love back to the land. Sat, 11am-6pm. Ham Tin Beach, Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung. Inquiries: info@ecovisionasia.com before Thu Olivia Cheng's Affair With Nature A provocative title for a plant show, this exhibition by members of the Hong Chi Association for the mentally handicapped is part of the Spring/Summer Fair 2003. Under the tutelage of former Miss Hong Kong Olivia Cheng, the workshop has produced pottery to accompany 'air plants' which require only the moisture in the air to exist. Jun 9, 10am-8pm. Conrad Hotel Grand Ballroom. Free. Inquiries: 2661 0709 or www.hongchi.org.hk Through Spanish Eyes Professor Gregory James and David Morgan from the Language Centre at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology will give a joint lecture based on their book of the same title, focusing on a Franciscan mission to Vietnam and China. In English, by the Royal Asiatic Society, Hong Kong Branch. Jun 13, 6.15pm. Extension Activities Room, 8/F, City Hall High Block, Central. Free. Inquiries: 2813 7500 or membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk Postponed/ Cancelled Krystian Zimerman Inquiries: 2268 7321 MACAU Solan's Clay Road An exhibition at the pavilion of Macau's bucolic Lou Lim Ioc Garden, it's a thematic collection - including people, animals and traditional and abstract objects - of ceramics works by Zhao Solan. The internationally renowned pottery artist, who attended school in Macau before emigrating to New Zealand, has ateliers in Auckland and Hong Kong. Tue-Sun, 9am-9pm (closed Mon). Free. Inquiries: http://www.iacm.gov.mo . Until Jun 15 Time Out - Independent Shorts Organised by One Minute Before, this series of 61 independent shorts showcases the talents of film-makers from various countries. Daily. Small Auditorium of Macau Cultural Centre, Outer Harbour. 15 patacas, for discount packages phone 7171 7171(Hong Kong) or (853)555 555 (Macau). Bookings and inquiries: www.macauticket.net or www.ccmm.gov.mo Until June 16 Heritage Exhibitions At Tak Seng On Pawnshop Museum Macau's newest museum is holding a heritage exhibition that centres on Macau's centuries-old pawnshop business, including authentically restored rooms. 10.30am-9pm (closed first Monday of each month). 396 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. 5 patacas. Inquiries: Tourist Office (853) 315 566 Light Touches - Photographs By Anna M Kindler A joint exhibition presented by the Macau Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong. Tue-Sun (closed Mon), 10am-6pm. Gallery of The Taipa Houses Museum, Taipa Island, Taipa Village Promenade. Free. Inquiries: (853) 825 314 or (853) 827 527 Ox Warehouse Macau's newest venue for alternative and avant-garde arts and crafts, the Ox Warehouse is a former abattoir where Macau's young artists now gather. It houses some of the brightest exhibitions from Macau's new wave, an alternative library and a funky cafe. Daily (except Wed), 12pm-7pm. Macau Canidrome, intersection of Avenida do Coronel Mesquita and Avenida do Almirante Lacerda. Free. Inquiries: (853) 530 026 or e-mail oldladieshouse@hotmail.com NATIONAL BEIJING Folk Music The soon to be demolished San Wei bookstore presents a folk music concert every Saturday. Featured professional musicians include: Zhou Yaokun, Lin Jiaqing, Tian Weining, Li Zengguang,Yang Xi. On the programme, an erhu solo, Erquan Yingyue (Reflection Of The Moon Over Two Springs); Sai Ma (Horse Racing); a pipa solo, Yueguang Bianzouqu (Moonlight Partita); and a pipa and guzheng duet, Chunjiang Hua Yueye (Moonlit River In Spring). Sat, 8.30pm. San Wei Bookstore, 60 Fuxingmennei Dajie. 80 yuan (HK$75) Inquiries: (86 10) 6601 3204 Arena Thursday's hip-hop nights mean big beats and cheap booze with selected drinks going for 10 yuan. Friday night is Korean night, while Saturday offers destruction with an all-you-can-drink special. Music is supplied by the Public Sound Bureau crew featuring DJs El-Mar, Kuang Youn, Stone and guests (40 yuan, from 9pm) 161 Lan Qi Ying, Chengfu Lu (opposite Qinghua University south gate). Inquiries: (86 10) 6252 1374 Beijing Hikers The club offers a gentle hike in the Beijing suburb of Pinggu county. The scenic three-hour walk winds through villages, over bridges and past wide-angle views of mountains. Every Sun, 8.30am, meeting at the Lido Hotel Starbucks. 150/100 yuan (covers round-trip bus transport, guide service and refreshments. Hikers are advised to bring their own lunch and water). Inquiries and information: www.bjhikers.com GUANGZHOU Asian Field By Antony Gormley Hundreds of helpers from Xiangshan Primary School and students of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art worked on this underground car park installation of more than 200,000 clay figures. Presented by the British Council China. 105 Zhongshan Dao, Xinhau Garden, Huajing Xinzheng, Guangzhou. Inquiries: www.britishcouncil.cn . Until Jun 11 Ice Sculpture Exhibition The mainland's biggest indoor ice sculpture show features almost 100 items at a temperature of minus eight degrees Celsius. Daily, 9am-8pm. Donghu Lu, Dongshanhu Park. Tel: (86 20) 8777 5672. 30 yuan. Until Jun 25 Soul Of India From a civilisation with over 4,500 years of heritage, this exhibiton displays bronze Buddhist statues from the Polo and Zhulo periods. All pieces are on loan from the Indian Museum. 15-10 yuan (groups), 5 (students). Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. Room 68, Guangdong Museum of Art (86 20) 8735 1468 or (86 20) 8735 1336 SHANGHAI The Russian National Circus One of the top 10 circuses in the world, the Russian National Circus makes a two-month guest appearance. Expect a big line-up of exotic animals and daredevils such as elephant trainer Kornilova, tiger-keeper Ladesova, and bear tamer Balovich. Daily, 7.30pm. Shanghai Grand Stage. 50-580 yuan. Bookings and inquiries: (86 21) 5665 6622 ext 2027. Until Jun 30 Transformation of Paradise Three artists' visions of paradise are depicted here. Liu Wei's Buddhist imagery and depiction of a Nirvana-like scenario is complemented by Pei Jing's portrayal of joyful women encircled by cultural icons. Wang Xiaojin's tranquil paradise, meanwhile, reveals a subtle Chinese femininity. A postmodern cultural kaleidoscope of reality and illusion. Daily, 11am-9pm. Art Scene China, No 8, Lane 37, Fuxing Xi Lu. Inquiries: (86 21) 6437 0631 or www.artscenechina.com TAIPEI Past Virtualised, Future Cloned Exploring the digital art of the computer gaming world, Feng Mengbo (himself a programmer) investigates how the fast-paced, unrestrained speed and ever-changing nature of cyberspace reflects the world in which we live. Here, he offers the chance to indulge in his online game Q4U and experience virtual fantasies. Daily. Museum of Contemporary Art, 39 Chang-an West Rd, Taipei. Inquiries: (886 2) 2552 3721 The New Brown Sugar Taipei's famous jazz lounge has moved to a new hot-spot in the east of the city. A stone's throw from the Warner Village movie complex, the New Brown Sugar is bigger and more comfy while offering the same smokin' line-up of live jazz. Daily, 9pm-late. 101 (rear) Song-ren Rd. Free. Inquiries: (886 2) 2322 4677 REGIONAL BANGKOK & CHIANG MAI Stephen Funke A photographer with a mission, Stephen Funke set out to photograph Thais as they want to be seen. In doing so, he revealed their aspirations and the many things that makes the nation tick. Daily, 8am-5pm.Goethe Institute, 18/1 Soi Goethe, off Atthakarn Prasit Sathorn 1 (near the Malaysia Hotel). Inquiries:(66 2) 287 0942. Chiang Mai University Art Museum Artists from northern Thailand explore the rapid transformation of society. Artists include the prominent Kaewkaw na Chiangmai and Komkrit Jianpinitnan. They use video, photography, installation art and mixed media. Daily. CMU Art Museum, Nimmanahaeminda Rd, Chiang Mai. Free. Inquiries: (66 53) 218 280 The 12th EU Film Festival With screenings in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai, films from across the European Union are shown. The EU delegation website displays screening schedules at www.deltha.cec.eu.int . All films have English subtitles. Inquiries: (66 2) 664 8001. Until June 8 SEOUL Please Kill Me, Forgive Me, Don't Cry Ahn Eun-mi, avant-garde dancer and choreographer, teams up with underground noiseniks Uh Uh Boo Band. Ahn's previous offerings Seoul Rainbow Cafe and Fresh Track, earned favourable reviews from New York critics. Thu-Fri at 8pm, Sat-Sun Jun 8, 5pm. Jayu Theatre at the Seoul Arts Center. 20,000 WON (HK$128). Inquiries: (82 2)580 1400 or www.sac.or.kr . Chloe Hanslip The story has it that Chloe Hanslip began playing the violin at the age of two. Now 16, after studying in Germany, she continues to dazzle with renditions of Brahms, Mozart, Ravel and Waxmann. Fri, 4pm. Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. 20,000-70,000 WON. Inquiries: (82 2) 580 1400 or www.sac.or.kr . Brand New Heavies Groove, funk and acid jazz are the hallmarks of these cool cats who refuse to go away. The band are touring to promote their new album, defiantly titled We Won't Stop. Jun 8, 6pm. Sejong College, main auditorium. 40,000-80,000 won. Inquiries: (82 2) 784 5118 Jim Brickman Jim Brickman, a pop pianist, takes the romantic route with this concert entitled Romance of Early Summer Night. June 11, 7:30pm. Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Centre. 20,000-70,000 WON. Inquiries: (82 2)580 1400 or www.sac.or.kr . SINGAPORE The Vagina Monologues The acclaimed play by Eve Ensler is based on real interviews with women about the most private part of their body. A wealth of human emotions is explored ranging from the hilarious to the painful and mysterious. Tomorrow until Jun 9, 8pm (Sat 3pm). The Substation, 45 Armenian Street. S$39 (HK$175). Inquiries: Sistic outlets (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg Confessions of Zeno Handspring Puppet Company has transformed the 1923 cult novel Confessions of Zeno into a multimedia theatre piece that combines puppetry, live singing, acting, a string quartet and a video projection. Through the gently mocking voice of self-irony, Zeno mulls upon the unresolved relationships he has with his father, wife and mistress. Tue-Wed, 8pm, Victoria Theatre, 9 Empress Place. S$23-S$53. Inquiries: Sistic outlets (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg Adishakti Theatre Company (Brhannala) Versatile solo actor Vinay Kumar transforms himself from tiger to dog, macho warrior to swaying chanteuse, and Arjuna to Shiva, while sharing the stage with a music ensemble playing up to 40 instruments. Performed in English with some Tamil and Malayalam. Thur-Sat, 8pm, DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Road, Robertson Quay. S$23-S$43. Inquiries: Sistic outlets (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg Incandescent - Ken Cheong Cheong's 25 black and white and colour photographs explore the single incandescent light used by the Chinese Street Opera troupes before they were outlawed in 1992. The effects of the raw bare bulbs used backstage dramatised human emotions, facial expressions, bodily movements and postures. Daily, Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay, Jendela Gallery. Inquiries: (65) 6828-8222 Until July 13 TOKYO Arms and the Man George Bernard Shaw's comedy examining love and war is presented by Mozaffar Shafeie and the Intrigue Theatre. June 2-6, 7.30 pm; June 7-8, 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm. Studio Akasaka Playbox, 8-12-12, Akasaka, Minato-ku. Admission 4,000 yen (HK$265). Inquiries: (83 3) 9955 0200 or check out www.intriguetheatre.com . New Archaeological Discoveries This exhibition displays a whole range of artefacts and oddities unearthed from all over the Japanese islands, with some finds up to 33,000 years old. June 3 - July 9, 9.30am-5.30pm. Edo Tokyo Museum, 1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku. 600 Yen. Inquiries: (83 3) 3272 8600. Short Shorts Film Festival 2003 Oscar-winning directors Roman Polanski and Pedro Almodavar feature in this fifth annual festival that includes minute-long pieces and short films on the theme of war and peace. Sat - June 11, Laforet Museum, Harajuku, 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. 1,500 Yen on the door, 1,200 Yen advance. Inquiries and screening times: (83 3) 5214 1233 or www.shortshorts.org .