With Lunar New Year on the doorstep, it's as good a time as any to look back ... way back. Decadent days For a merging of modern art and Hong Kong's decadent past, head for Lantau Island's Sea Ranch - a now largely forgotten luxury resort that was once a haven for the suave and debonair. To spark a little life into the old buildings, organiser Andy Kwong has opened Winter Salon - a gallery of works by six contemporary local artists, set on Sea Ranch's beachfront. Sea Ranch, itself a relic of colonial architecture, harks back to the 1970s when it served as an opulent retreat for playboys and pleasure-seekers. However, since the development of other parts of Lantau, the area has been largely deserted. Yet the nostalgic atmosphere lingers. Within the walls of the seaside resort, the Winter Salon will feature the works of Gerard Bookle, Oliver C.M. Chan, Michael Clements, Lam Wai Kit, Mary Padua and Paulina Wong - a group of artists whose works include conceptual art, impressionist pieces, black and white drawings and photography. To start your adventure, get one of the free ferries at Queen's Pier for a ride to the island, where it's a short walk along the beach to the ranch. Mon-Fri, by appointment only, tel: 2989 1231. On weekends, the gallery is open to all visitors. Ferries leave at 1.15pm, 3.15pm, 6pm and 8pm, with an extra 10am ferry on Sundays. Delightful days If you fancy travelling further back in history, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong is presenting Venetian Delights, an evening of 18th-century music at St John's Cathedral. The concert will feature a selection of Vivaldi's concertos composed for orphan girls, with Lorenzo Colitto, Richard Harvey, Tess Miller and Chui-tan Lee. All benefits from the concert go to Mother's Love, a charity associated with Mother's Choice that helps orphaned children in China. Mother's Love hopes to use the funds to set up a special education programme for disabled children. The concert starts at 8pm, tickets are $355 and $655 through HK Ticketing and Mother's Choice, tel: 2533 6515.
