What's on in Hong Kong this Summer: June
From summer shopping bazaars to pool parties, June promises to sizzle.
Ride the Wave
The notorious W Hotel summer pool parties are back. This time, they come in the form of Shock Wave: #PoseWhenever Pool Party. Splash around on the 76th-floor pool and gawp at all the half-naked, beautiful people all around you. The after-party at Woobar goes from 11pm until late and you can get your thirsty little mitts on free-flow booze all night if you plump for “WIP” tickets ($950-1,100).
Jun 27; Jul 18; Aug 1; Aug 22, 8pm. W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon. $400 in advance or $500 at the door, including one drink at pool and one at after-party. Tickets from www.hkclubbing.com.
Are you taking the piscine?
Russia Into It
Go anywhere near the world of Russian orchestras and you’ll have heard of Mikhail Pletnev. The celebrated conductor and pianist returns to Hong Kong with the Russian National Orchestra to conduct Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Go on and get cultured.
Jun 24, 8pm. Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $200-650 from www.urbtix.hk.
Run for the Hills
Classic musical The Sound of Music graces the Hong Kong stage. Coming straight from the West End’s Palladium Theatre, the international tour of this old-school Rodgers and Hammerstein production has teamed up with the HK Youth Arts Foundation to cast Hong Kong children to play the Von Trapp kids. You’ll be 16 going on 17 all over again.
Through Jun 21, various times. Lyric Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai, 3759-7617. $395-995 from www.hkticketing.com.
Guetta It Done
Ready your glowsticks, party people: Davy G is hitting up the Hong Kong stage this June. One of the biggest names in the music industry, David Guetta has produced numerous singles and remixes, including “Sexy Bitch,” “Titanium” and “Turn me On”—selling 6 million albums worldwide. Do: Bring your neon glowsticks. Don’t: Talk about how you prefer Tiesto.
Jun 14, 8pm. Hall 10, AsiaWorld-Expo, Chek Lap Kok. $580-880 from www.hkticketing.com.
Guettatastic (Photo: Ellen Von Unwerth)
Jazz it Up
Nothing says Paris like an accordion! Rising star jazz duo Vincent Peirani (accordion) and Emile Parisien (soprano sax) are in the SAR for a onenight-only show. The program pays tribute to Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet and Henry Lodge, and the duo will also be playing a few original tunes.
Jun 16, 8pm. Theatre, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. $180-380 from www.urbtix.hk.
Fair Thee Well
The JCCAC Handicraft Fair is back again this June, bringing together dozens of artisan stalls in an effort to promote the creative arts in Hong Kong. It’s a great way to snap up handmade crafts, sneak a peek into artists’ studios and even catch a rooftop movie screening.
Jun 20-21, 1-7pm. Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, 30 Pak Tin St., Shek Kip Mei.
Just Park It
Hong Kong’s beloved Lai Yuen Amusement Park, which closed down in 1997, makes a comeback for a pop-up carnival event. Back in the day, the amusement park was home to an iconic Lai Yuen Castle, a zoo of exotic animals (including the beloved elephant Tino), swimming pools, fairground rides and Hong Kong’s first-ever skating rink. At this summer’s carnival, expect some animal appearances, throwback attractions and an ample dose of good old nostalgia.
Jun 26-early Sep (TBC). Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central, www.laiyuen1949.com. Free admission; game tokens from $10 each.
Happy days, happy memories
Woo Woo
Woobar joins hands with whisky brand Chivas and luxury watch company Hublot to bring you the Dapper Club, a series of parties running through summer. Go for the showcase of new, shiny watches but stay for the whisky-focused open bar and free-flow cheeses, cold cuts, sweet treats and savory snacks.
Jun 22; Jul 17; Aug 14, 8:30pm. Woobar, W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 3717-2222. $300 per person.
Mulan Rouge
The Hong Kong Dance Company brings “The Legend of Mulan” back to the Hong Kong stage. Originating in the 5th century, the classic folktale is about a courageous peasant girl who disguised herself as a man to go into war in her ailing father’s place, invariably befriending a fire-breathing lizard while singing about her reflection. Just kidding: This is based on the real tale, not the Disney deal.
Jun 12-14, 7:45pm; Jun 13-14, 3pm. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $100-320 from www.urbtix.hk.
I'll make a man out of you
May, Oui
Despite its name the annual Francophile festival Le French May continues this month, bringing over 120 acts, exhibitions, films, and a host of foodie promotions to town. This year’s festival celebrates the 500th anniversary of the reign of Francis I, who established the style of the French renaissance. Don’t miss “On the Way to the Front” (Jun 19-20), a Mask Theatre collaboration between Asian People’s Theatre Festival Society and Théâtre de l’Ordinaire, or “Bruno Barbey—China Since 1973,” a collection of the Magnum photographer’s images of China.
Through Jun 30, various times and locations. Visit www.frenchmay.com.
Great Opera-tunity
The annual Chinese Opera Festival will be celebrating the traditional craft of Peking and Kunqu opera forms: it opens with a staging of three plays to introduce the lesser-known art form of Shanghai-style Peking Opera, which requires more demanding acting and rhythm. Other shows to look forward to include an introduction to Hunan-style Qi opera, known for its acrobatic feats, and Dacheng opera stories, characterized by bouts of fire eating and spitting!
Jun 19-Aug 2. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $120-420 from www.cof.gov.hk.
Flamin' fantastic
