bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Exhibitions

Meditations

Paintings in ink and colour on paper by calligrapher Katherine Xiao Kejia. Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm, Sun, noon-6.30pm, Galerie du Monde, 328 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. Inquiries: 2525 0529. Ends  today

Asian Travel

Paintings by Caroline Bouquet inspired by travels in the region. Gecko Lounge and Wine Bar, Ezra Lane, Lr Hollywood Rd, Central. Inquiries: 2537 4680. Ends  today

Li Guijun Exhibition

An exhibition of new works by the Beijing-based artist who paints only modern adolescent girls. Mon-Sat, 10.30am-6.30pm, Schoeni Art Gallery Ltd, 21-31 Old Bailey Street, Central, Inquiries: 2869 8802. Ends  Wed

Christopher Ku

Thoughtful paintings inspired by the intangibleness of the imagination by the Hong Kong artist. Mon-Fri, 10am-6.30pm, Sat, 10am-6pm. Hanart TZ Gallery, 202 Henley Building, 2 Queen's Road Central. Inquiries: 2526

9019. Ends  Wed

New Phase 2004: The Hong Kong Visual Arts Society 31st Annual Exhibition

Paintings, sculptures and mixed media works by artists who were at the vanguard of the local 1960s scene and younger names.

Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6pm, Sun, 1.30pm-5.30pm (closed on  public holidays), University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, 94 Bonham Rd, Mid-Levels. Inquiries: 2241 5512

Nguyen Dinh Dunh - The Art of Inspiration

The former cartoon film director and illustrator exhibits paintings inspired by folk traditions and colourful stage characters. Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6.30pm, Sun, 10.30am-6pm. Arch Angel Art,

38 Peel St, corner of Hollywood Rd, Central. Inquiries: 2854 4255. Ends Jan 20

Facade Facade

Mixed media by Shanghai artist Huang Yuanqing. Daily, 10am- 11.30am and 3pm-6.30pm, Brasserie on the 8th, Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, Queensway, Admiralty. Inquiries: 2559 5141. Ends Feb 9

Performing Arts

La Traviata

Verdi's much-loved opera, produced by Warren Mok and performed by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Opera Hong Kong Chorus and Hong Kong Dance Company. In Italian with Chinese and English surtitles. Today and tomorrow,  7.30pm, Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, TST, $120-$680 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321

HKPO: Amadeus Concert

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra performs a programme of works by Mozart and from the film Amadeus, including the Don Giovanni Overture, the Magic Flute Overture and the Concerto for Flute and Harp. With Andrea Lam on piano, principal flautist Megan Sterling and principal harpist Christopher Sidenius.  Jan 6, 8pm, Cultural Centre Concert Hall,  Jan 7, 8pm, Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium, $100-$240 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2721 2030

Chinese Music Company of Hong Kong

The company will perform a selection of solos, duets and operatic songs and music accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments.  Jan 9, 8pm, Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall,

1 Yuen Wo Rd, Sha Tin, $80-$120 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321

Chinese Folk Song Troupe

The troupe will perform a selection of regional songs. Jan 15, 8pm, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Jan 16, 8pm, Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre, $80-$150 Urbtix. Inquiries:

2268 7321

Jazz Up: Dianne Reeves

The Grammy-award winning singer draws on influences from Brazil, Africa and the Caribbean as well as gospel, pop and R&B to reinforce her classic jazz style. Jan 19, 8pm, Sha Tin Town Hall, $150-$400 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7321

Classics and Beyond

The Hong Kong Ballet perform extracts from Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote

and new works. HK City Hall Theatre, Jan 28-29, 7.30pm, Jan 30, 2.30pm, $70, $100 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2105 9724

Extra-curricular

Asian Cultural Council - Call for Fellowship Applications

The ACC supports cultural exchanges in visual and performing arts between the US and Asia. It is now accepting applications for fellowship opportunities in the US in 2005. Grants are available in the fields of archaeology, architecture (design, history and theory), arts administration, art criticism,

art history, conservation, crafts, dance, film and video, museology, music, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and theatre (not for undergraduate study).  Application deadline:

today. Inquiries: 2895 0407 or www.asianculturalcouncil.org

Meet at the English-Speaking Union

A monthly social gather for ESU members and non-members to chat in English, and hear two guest speakers. This month's topic is cross-cultural communication.   Today, 6.30pm, G04 The Center,

99 Queen's Road Central, $75

ESU members, $90 non-members. Inquiries: 2186 8449

The Rise and Fall of Social, Economic and Political Reforms in Hong Kong, 1930-1955

A talk by former head of the Central Policy Unit, Professor Leo Goodstadt about the steps Hong Kong took in the 1930s towards becoming a welfare state, and subsequent policy changes. Fri,  6pm, Lecture Hall, HK Jockey Club Museum, Happy Valley.

Free. Inquiries: Royal Asiatic Society on 2813 7500

Book event: Uneasy Partners

Author Leo Goodstadt  introduces his new book Uneasy Partners: The Conflict Between Public Interest & Private Profit in Hong Kong.  Jan 13, 6pm-7.30pm, Bloomsbury Books Ltd, 2/F, Club Lusitano Building, Duddell St, Central. Reservations:  books@bloomsbury.com.hk Inquiries: 2110 9828

Confucianism and Democracy

Are Confucian values compatible with modernisation and western concepts of democracy and human rights? With speakers Professor William Theodore de Bary and Lu Xiaobo,  of Columbia University.

Jan 13, 6.30pm (reception), presentation 7pm.  Optional dinner at 8.30pm. Helena May, Garden Room, 35 Garden Rd, Central, $150 Asia Society members and full-time students, $200 non-members (lecture only and drinks reception); or $450/$500, including 3-course dinner. Inquiries: 2103 9508

Film

Tricky Wonderland

Screenings of films famous for their special effects, including Stanley Ku, winner of the 2003 HK Film Awards for special effects. Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, $40 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2739 2139 or

go to www.filmarchive.gov.hk.

Ends Jan 8

Aliens

James Cameron's 1986 science fiction film is the sequel to Alien (1979). Sigourney Weaver returns as the heroine who must overcome   her worst nightmare and go back  to the planet where a hostile  alien species wiped out her crew. Jan 8, 7.30pm, HK Film Archive,  50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho,  $40 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2739 2139  or www.filmarchive.gov.hk

French Cinema: From Classic to Contemporary

Twenty-six French films from the 1930s to present day, including Marius, The Samurai, Madame Bovary, Boy Meets Girl, Van Gogh and Under Satan's Sun, will be screened. Opens  Fri, various times. HK Film Archive Cinema, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, $40 Urbtix. Inquiries: www.filmarchive.gov.hk or 2739 2139. Ends Feb 13

Urbtix: 2734 9009

Urbtix/CityLine

credit-card booking: 2111 5999

Fringe: 2521 7251

CityLine: 2317 6666

HK Ticketing: 3128 8288

For a complete listings service

visit totallyhk@scmp.com



The Planner