Arts lovers cry 'Vive la France'

There's good news for arts lovers: this year's Le French May Arts Festival once again features exciting, high-quality art events from France. Organised by the French Consulate, the festival covers a range of artistic genres, from classical and modern music and dance to theatre, cinema and food. Visit www.frenchmay.com for details.

Glass Music (May 26)

City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong will accompany world-renowned glass harmonica player Thomas Bloch as he plays Adagio and Rondo in C Major by Mozart, and the Quintet for Glass Harmonica and Strings by Benjamin Franklin. Yes, the man who discovered electricity was also a musician, and invented the glass harmonica. Known for its almost hypnotic sound, the once popular instrument became less fashionable during the 18th century, as people believed it caused madness.

Bloch has made the instrument cool again, collaborating with acts such as Radiohead and Damon Albarn.

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet: Piano Journey (May 19)

Classical music lovers should not miss out on the French piano maestro.

Bavouzet is currently in Beijing where he will perform the complete cycle of Beethoven Piano Sonatas.

In addition to his Le French May concert, he will give two short performances and answer students' questions at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and University of Hong Kong.

Little Stories.Com (June 9, 10)

Accrorap Dance Company breaks cultural and language barriers with a dynamic fusion of hip hop and contemporary dance in the award-winning show Little Stories.Com. The dance tells the story of a man, childhood memories and the meaning of world citizenship.

The company will also hold workshops and master classes in collaboration with the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation.

Seven Boards of Skill (May 15, 16)

Inspired by the ancient Chinese tangram game, 14 dancers from Dalian School of Opera merge modern dance, circus skills and physical theatre while manipulating the seven gigantic 3D pieces of the puzzle.

Around (May 1-30)

This sound art exhibition gathers sound and performing artists, composers and musicians in a collection of shows, installation art and dialogues. The show explores the lack of attention paid to sound due to people's focus on visual images. Some parts will be staged in old Chinese houses on Lamma Island, making it the perfect get-away event.