HONG KONG Exhibitions Thaiwijit Poengkasemsomboon Or 'Thailand's best abstract artist' whose works are snapped up as quickly as the 43-year-old can paint them. Tue-Sun, 11am-8pm. Chouinard Gallery, G/F, No 1 Prince's Terrace, Mid-Levels. Inquiries: 2858 5072 or www.chouinardgallery.com . Until Jun 30 Living With Fruits Leung Yiu-Wah's installation works put fun into the familiar. This collection previews his latest pieces, to be showcased in Italy at the end of July. Exhibition Area, TaiKoo Place, 1/F Devon House, 979 King's Rd, Island East. Inquiries: 3110 4618 or go to www.muse-hk.com . Until Jun 12 Within These Walls Photographing a series of Hakka walled villages in Guangdong, Iain 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. Until Jun 31 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. Ends Sat Performing Arts Young Soloist Series Letty Poon's cello recital features Beethoven's Cello Sonata No 5 and Popper's Hungarian Rhapsody, Op 68. Poon has a first-class bachelor's degree and has performed in masterclasses from the likes of Julian Lloyd Weber and Misha Maisky. Tue, 8pm. Theatre, HK City Hall. $100 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321 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. Thu-Fri, Jun 16-17, 7.30pm; Sat, 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. Fri, 8pm. Shouson Theatre, HK Arts Centre. $120-$80 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2575 3931 Orgy Manual This one-woman show comprises several short monologues on the same topic: orgies. The overall aim is to abandon prudish sensibilities and gain an understanding of a misunderstood concept. Performer Gabriella Heinz manages to play every character without leaving the stage. In English. Fri-Sat, 9pm. Theatre, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd. $145 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2547 6732 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 obligation and family duty an increasingly heavy burden. Bedridden daughter Laura finds solace in her collection of glass. A bleak outlook, yes, but Tennessee Williams' masterpiece is nonetheless enchanting. In English. Wed-Fri, 10.30am and 8pm. Sat, 8pm. Studio, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd. $240 ($190 members) HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2547 6732 Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra Joining the orchestra will be two young violinists from Moscow: Dmitry Kogan, 25, and 18 year-old Alena Baeva. Sat, 8pm, Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre. Sun, 8pm, Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall. $100, $80 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321 Night Scene EXIT & Thinking Out Loud Live music to get Lan Kwai Fong rocking. Those who found themselves in the Valley Tent after the Rugby Sevens may remember Exit. Many of you, of course, probably won't, so here's a chance to catch them in a more intimate setting. They will be joined by Thinking Out Loud, comprising members of the now defunct Sisters Of Sharon. Jun 21, from 9pm. Bar George, Lan Kwai Fong. Free. Inquiries: 9371 6664 Extra-curricular Affair With Nature 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 potters have created more than 500 air plants (pot plants that can survive on moisture from the atmosphere alone) for sale. Proceeds go to the non-profit association. Other ceramic works including mugs, plates and sculptures will also be available. Prices start from $50. Tomorrow, 10am to 8pm. Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hotel, Admiralty. Tel: 2521 3838 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 religious mission to Vietnam and China. In English, by the Royal Asiatic Society, Hong Kong Branch. Fri, 6.15pm. Extension Activities Room, 8/F, City Hall High Block, Central. Free. Inquiries: 2813 7500 or membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk The Return Of The Refugee God: Wong Tai Sin In China Dr Graeme Lang, Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Social Studies at City University, will give a talk on the god Wong Tai Sin who eventually became Hong Kong's most popular deity, although his cult was crushed in China. Jun 27, 6.15pm. Extension Activities Room, 8/F, City Hall High Block, Central. Free. Inquiries: 2813 7500 or membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk MACAU Solan's Clay Road An exhibition at the pavilion of Macau's bucolic Lou Lim Ioc Garden is 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 around the world. 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 and includes 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 Prints About The Landscape Of Macau In The 19th Century On display are 50 works of prints depicting the landscape of Macau and mainland China in the 19th century. Tue-Sun, 10am-6.30pm (closed Mon). 1/F Macau Museum of Art, Macau Cultural Centre, Outer Harbour. Five patacas (free on Sundays). Inquiries: (853) 7919 814 or (853) 7919 800 Liang Piyun Calligraphy Exhibition Exhibition of 60 calligraphic works by Liang Piyun, one of Macau's most outstanding poets and calligraphers. Tue-Sun (closed Mon), 10am-6.30pm. 4/F, Macau Museum of Art, Outer Harbour. Five patacas (HK$4.84). Free Sun. Inquiries: (853) 7919 814 or (853) 7919 800 NATIONAL BEIJING Arena Thursday's hip-hop nights mean big beats and cheap booze with selected drinks going for 10 yuan (HK$9.37). 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. (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 . Ends Wed 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 more than 4,500 years old, this exhibition 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 go to www.artscenechina.com TAIPEI Creative Chinese Kung-fu And Dance The Taipei Li-yuan Chinese Opera Theatre offers a sampling of the many movements and dances that can be found in Chinese opera. The skills, movements and rhythms are highlighted in an interplay between reality and illusion. Thursdays to Saturdays until June 21, 2pm. NT$880 (about HK$205). Taipei Eye at the Taiwan Cement Building, 113 Chung-shan North Rd, Sec 2. Or go to www.taipeieye.com Vitalising The Traditional Art A weekly series of traditional Chinese arts aimed at bringing the culture back to the people. Held each Wednesday at the Red Playhouse, at 8pm. NT$200. Red Playhouse, No 10, Cheng Tu Road, Hsi Men Ting, Taipei City. Tel: 2311 9380, or go to www.redplayhouse.com.tw REGIONAL BANGKOK & CHIANG MAI Pictures Hung On A Clothesline This installation exhibition depicts the front and back of T-shirts, each belonging to the artist Vasan Sithiket, one of Thailand's most prominent artists. Each picture allegedly carries answers to the questions Where? Why? And When? Daily 1pm-1am. About Cafe, 402-408 Maitrijit Road. Inquiries: (66 2) 623 1742. Until June 29 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 * Urban Life In China The husband and wife team of Zou Jian Ping and He Wei Na search into the physical and mental aspects of urban life in China, with a particular focus on women. He Wei Na likes to paint women in bold, rich colours. Her husband's portraits are usually against a background of Chinese calligraphy. Daily, 1pm-7pm. Tang Gallery, B28, 919/1 Silom Road, near Central Department Store,Saladaeng Skytrain station. Inquiries (66-2) 630 0977. Ends Tue SEOUL Lord of the Dance Lightning-quick footwork and stirring Celtic songs have made this show a world-wide hit. June 25-July 6, times vary. Opera Hall at the Seoul Arts Centre. 30,000-150,000 WON (HK$192-HK$960). Inquiries: (82 2) 580 1400 or www.sac.or.kr . Anish Kapoor One of the most influential sculptors of his time, Kapoor depicts deep-rooted metaphysical polarities to engage the viewer. Tues-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm. Kukje Gallery. Inquiries: (82 2)735 8449. Until June 29 Artist of the Year 2003 The National Museum of Contemporary Art is doing a sweeping retrospective on Kwak Duck-jun, a Korean-Japanese artist. His paintings, video installations and productions dating back to the 1960s will be displayed. National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi province. Inquiries: (82 2) 2188 6000. Ends Aug 31. Jim Brickman Jim Brickman, a pop pianist, takes the romantic route with this concert entitled Romance of Early Summer Night. Wed, 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 Singapore Arts Festival The festival's wide-ranging programme continues. Inquiries: Sistic outlets (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Winner of the 2001 Grammy Award Shadow Dances: Stravinsky Miniatures, the chamber orchestra will showcase the virtuosic Mozarts Symphony No 20, as well as Richard Wagners Seifreid Idyll, Aaron Copland's jazzy Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra with acclaimed American clarinetist Charles Neidich. Tue, 7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall, S$23-$123 (HK$103- HK$547). Inquiries: (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg Ballett Nurnberg: The Fall of the House of Usher Dance and opera meet in the strange world of Edgar Allan Poe. Philip Glass transformed Poe's work into an opera for 5 singers in 1988, and German choreographer Daniela Kurz is now giving it form. Tues-Wed, 8pm. Esplanade Theatre, S$23-$83. Inquiries: (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg The Necessary Stage (REVELATIONS) The new play studies human relationships through intertwining stories by Alvin Tan and Haresh Sharma. Thur-Sun, 8pm, Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel, 01 Beach Road, S$23-$43. Inquiries: (65) 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg TOKYO Shangri-La II A circus with a difference - it's on ice. It also features a high-tech stage in the form of a shipwreck. Music taken from Yumi Matsutoya's collection. National Stadium Gymnasium 1. Admission: 9,800-11,500 (HK$650 -HK$750) Inquiries: (83 3) 3498 9999. Until June 27 Swan Lake Tchaikovsky's 126-year old masterpiece is performed by the K Ballet Company. Artistic director Tetsuya Kumakawa carefully develops the noble romance between Prince Siegfried and Swan Queen Odette. Wed-June 15 (no performance on June 13) Orchard Hall, Shibuya. Admission; 18,000 yen, 15,000 yen, 10,000 yen. Inquiries: (83 3) 3234 9999. The Victorian Nude This exhibition, on tour from the Tate Britain Museum, looks at artistic concerns about sexuality, desire and censorship during the height of the British Empire. On display are about 100 works by artists such as William Mulready and Joseph Noel Paton. Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music Museum. Inquiries: (83 3) 3212 0189. Until August 31