PlanetEye

The sun is shining outside my flat.  This may not seem to be world-shaking news but after the wettest month in the weather-recorded history of Hong Kong, it is a welcome change.

The record was set in May 1889, so we can't blame the deluge on global warming.  There was only six days without rain in June and 56% of the average "yearly" rainfall fell in June.  The final precipitation total was 1245mm.  

The good news is that there were few landslides and closed roads and only two fatalities attributable to the storms.  Hong Kong Island which is basically a huge rock had no problems shedding the rain.  The wind from tropical storm Fengshen caused some problems though and a "Black" rainstorm earlier in the month hit Lantau Island pretty hard.

The phenomenon has been attributed to this year's monsoon which is much stronger than usual; drawing moist air from the Indian Ocean across the Indo-Chinese peninsula right up to Hong Kong.

"So what?" you may ask?  Well, if most of the rain, we can expect, has already fallen; then that means the rest of the year, including the typhoon season, will be relatively dry.  Unless, of course, this turns out to be a record wet year.  But I'm being optimistic.   So firm up your plans to visit or, if you live here, schedule your outdoor activities.  The rest of the year looks to be dry and sunny.

I am working to make this a regular, monthly article highlighting some of the major events scheduled for the next 30 days or so.  Please be aware that this is just a sampling.  There is a lot more going on here.

If you want more detailed information or scheduled events for dates beyond this list, you can contact me on the Planet Eye blog or e-mail me directly at ejhahn@netvigator.com until we get our feedback utility going on this site. In most cases, you can also do a Google search on the event for more details.

Tuesday, July 1: Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia Chamber Music Concert, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Tuesday, July 1: (also July 2-5) "Oleanna" by David Mamet, Blank Theatre Company, Hong Kong Arts Center, McAuley Studio, Wanchai.    

Wednesday, July 2: "Saxo Carnival" by La Sax Ensemble, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Wednesday, July 2: (also July 3-12) "Desert Dreaming", Exhibition of Aboriginal art, Cat Street Gallery, 222 Hollywood Ave., Sheung Wan, 852-2291-0006.

Thursday, July 3: "Flamboyance", Musique Ensemble, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Thursday, July 3: (also July 4 - 6) "Evolution: Asia Yoga Conference", Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai.

Friday July 4: (also July 5, 6), "Modern Peking Opera", Peking Opera Theatre of Shanghai, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Saturday, July 5: (also July 4) The Leningrad Symphony, Hong Kong Cultural Center,Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Saturday, July 5: "HK Live" featuring Killersoap, MAsques and Tai Tai Alibi, Fringe Club, Central.

Sunday, July 6: Enchanted Strings Concert, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Monday, July 7: (through February 16, 2009), "Jewelry for Life" Exhibition, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin, New Territories

Tuesday, July 8: "A Theme of Paganini" Concert, Felix Tam, Icarus Lee, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Tuesday, July 8: "Djizoes" Swiss Hard Rock Band plus Gong Wu, Darkness Pool & COCKFIGHT, Club Cixi, Lan Kwai Fong, Central. 

Wednesday, July 9: "Presentation on Dance in Australia", Dr. Anita Donaldson, Keiko Aoki, Fringe Club, Gallery, Central 

Thursday, July 10: (also July 11, 12, 13), "Thomas Saves the Day", Thomas and Friends, AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island. 

Thursday, July 10: (also July 11, 12, 13), "Hanako's Pillow" by Theatre du Pif in English with Chinese sub-titles, Hong Kong Cultural Center,Studio Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Friday, July 11: (also July 10 and 12), Punchline Comedy Club - Gavin Webster, David Williams, Alun Cochrane, The Viceroy, Wan Chai. 

Friday, July 11: (also July 12 and 13), "Aeros", The Romanian Gymnastics Federation, International Arts Carnival, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Saturday, July 12: Cabaret Performance, Rick Lau, Fringe Club, Central.  

Saturday, July 12:  A Concert of Cantonese Music featuring Four Virtuosi from Guangdong and Hong Kong by Yin Ngai Opera & Musical Troupe of Hong Kong, Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre, Sheung Wan, New Territories.

Sunday, July 13: Hong Kong Children's Choir, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Auditorium, Kwai Chung, New Territories 

Sunday, July 13: Piano Recital - Schumann, Beethoven, Ravel, Mary Wu, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

Monday, July 14: (also July 15-17) "2008 Hong Kong International Youth and Children's Choir Festival", Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Monday, July 14: Talk by Political Cartoonist Kevin Kallaugher, Foreign Correspondents' Club, Central. 

Tuesday, July 15: "ARS NOVA", Hong Kong Ars Nova Orchestra with Hye Jin Chung and Cherry Tsang Chi-Lai, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central. 

Wednesday, July 16: (also July 17) "Hulun Buir Fantasy", Concert, 2008 HK International Youth & Children's Choir Festival, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central. 

Thursday, July 17: (also July 18,19,20) The Royal Ballet presents "Sylvia" and "Manon", Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Friday, July 18: (also July 19 & 20) "The Legend of Mulan", Chung Ying Theatre Co., Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra,  Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Friday, July 18: (also July 11 & 25) People's Liberation Improv Troupe, TakeOut Comedy Club, Soho, Central.

Saturday, July 19: (also July 20, 26, 27) "Hawaiian Family Festival from Aloha to Lohas: Aloha Hoku Gala and Aloha Ohana Play-Fair", North District Town Hall Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Center Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall Cultural Activities Hall, all in the New Territories. 

Saturday, July 19: Heavy Metal Performance with Intolerant, Shepherds, Weak, Maniac and Evocation, Warehouse Teenage Club, Aberdeen.

Sunday, July 20: (also July 18, 19) "Nada...Nada", Aracaladanza Dance Troupe, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central. 

Sunday, July 20: (through November 19) Francis Stafford Photo Exhibition, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum, Mid-Levels.

Monday, July 21: Allegro Singers 44th Annual Concert, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Tuesday, July 22: (through August 7) "One Journey", Yvonne Chan Photo Exhibit, Fringe Club, Fotogalerie, Central.

Wednesday, July 23: (Also July 24 - 29) Hong Kong Book Fair 2008, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai. 

Thursday, July 24: Stereophonics "Pull The Pin" Tour,  HITEC Star Hall, Kowloon Bay

Friday, July 25: (also July 26, 27) "Space Within Shapes", Allen Lam and Company, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Black Box Theatre, 12 Hing Ning Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories.

Friday, July 25: Helter Skelter Blues Rock Band, Fringe Club, Central. 

Saturday, July 26: Ryu Goto, Violinist, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

Saturday, July 26: Akon "White Party" Live Concert, AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island.

Sunday, July 27: (also July 25, 26 And August 1, 2, 3) "Hua-yen Sutra Mind as a Skillful Painter", Zuni Icosahedron, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Monday, July 28: (also July 27) "Out of the Box", City Contemporary Dance Company Limited, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Auditorium, Kwai Chung, New Territories. 

Tuesday, July 29: Alicia Keys "As I Am", AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island.

Tuesday, July 29: "Drum Jam", Kumi Masunaga, Fringe Club, Central.  

Wednesday, July 30: "Songs in Memory of Luciano Pavarotti", Lydia Chan Music Forum, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Wednesday, July 30: (Also August 2) "ING Cup" Football (soccer) Tournament, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, U.S.A., Netherlands, Hong Kong Stadium, Causeway Bay.

Thursday, July 31: Travis Live, AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island

That's all for now.  "Whass Up? August" will be posted in late July.  "Whass Up" is always a work in progress and will be updated regularly as new and interesting events are scheduled and/or until a full month of events are listed.

The latest flap on the appearance of the chicken virus, H5N1, reminds me of the SARS outbreak 10 years ago:  in a word - overreaction.

Let me make this very personal.  I will not stop shopping in the wet markets.  I will not stop eating chicken.  I will wash my hands regularly.  I will not butcher any chickens, myself.  I will not wear a face mask.  I will, in other words, deal with this "crisis" sensibly. 

Please do not postpone or cancel your trip to Hong Kong.  Unless you plan to spend a lot of time up close and personal with chickens imported from the mainland, you are in no danger of contracting the disease.  

The government is doing what all governments do, covering their ample derrierres.  Don't let their understandable overreaction keep you from enjoying your trip to Hong Kong.

I am working to make this a regular, monthly article highlighting some of the major events scheduled for the next 30 days or so.  Please be aware that this is just a sampling.  There is a lot more going on here.

If you want more detailed information or scheduled events for dates beyond this list, you can contact me on the Planet Eye blog or e-mail me directly at ejhahn@netvigator.com until we get our feedback utility going on this site.  In most cases, you can also do a Google search on the event for more details.

Sunday, June 1: "Paris 1730-1930: A Taste for China", exhibit of art objects and paintings acquired over 200 years in Paris, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Tsim Sha Tsui. (May 1 until June 15)

Monday, June 2: Pablo Casals Chamber Music Festival of Prades, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai.

Tuesday, June 3: "Music Matters" conference, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Wanchai. (Through June 5) 

Wednesday, June 4: "Purity": Genius Guitarist Estaban Antonio appears the first time, Fringe Club, Fringe Theatre, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central.

Thursday, June 5: "Spanish Master": Pianist Warren Wills presents a medley of Spanish musical gems, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central.

Friday, June 6: Let My Joy Remain - A red-carpet dance of Baroque style modernized with vivid costumes. Kwai Tsing Theatre, 12 Hing Ning Rd., Kwai Chung, New Territories.

Saturday, June 7: Repertory Cinema: In Commemoration of the 60th Death Anniversary of Sergei Eisenstein (1898-1948), HK Film Archive, Sai Wan Ho (June 6, 7, 8), Hong Kong Science Museum Lecture Hall, Kowloon (June 14,15), Hong Kong Space Museum Lecture Hall, Kowloon (June 22).

Sunday, June 8: The Scottish Symphony Orchestra Concert, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai

Monday, June 9: "We Will Rock You": theatre adaptation of rock band Queen's music with Ben Elton arrives in Hong Kong, Lyric Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai, (also June 1-15).

Tuesday, June 10: Chinese paintings by Chiu Sai-kwong, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin, (until November 17)

Wednesday, June 11:  Opening reception: Dream in a Moment - Korean painter Kim Jo Eh captures moments of eternity on her canvases.  Shin Hwa Gallery, G/F, 32 Aberdeen St., Central, 2803-7960. (through Jul 8)

Thursday, June 12:  The Making of YK Lee, Comedy, The Not So Loud Theatre Company, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, (also June 13 and 14). 

Friday, June 13: The National Dance Company of Korea, "Millennium Road", Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central, (also June 14, also June 15 at Tuen Mun Town Hall)

Saturday, June 14: Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races 2008, Shun Ming River, Sha Tin(Also June 15)

Saturday, June 14: "Abba Arrival, The Mama Mia Concert", Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai

Sunday, June 15: The King's Singers a capella Concert, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

Monday, June 16: Derek Ha Violin Concert, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

Tuesday, June 17: opening exhibition of paintings by Wong Pak Ngan, Fringe Club, Economist Gallery, Central (through June 28). 

Wednesday, June 18: "Medi. C" by Daniel Yeung, part of Hong Kong Stories Series, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Thursday, June 19: "What's Cooking", Hong Kong Players and Theatre de R & D, Fringe Club Theatre, Central (also June 20-21).

Friday, June 20: "The Andersen Project - A Fairy-tale for Adults", Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre, 12 Hing Ning Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories, (also June 21, 22)

*Saturday, June 21: "Ticket to Ride - A Tribute to the Beatles", SoHo Collective, Fringe Club Studio, Central (also June 20). 

Sunday, June 22: Performance of "The Children Who Smelled A Rat", Hong Kong Arts Center, McAuley Studio, Wan Chai (also June 21).

Monday, June 23: Photo Exhibition: "Sichuan 100″, Sun Yuen Long Centre, L2 Exhibition Gallery, Yuen Long, New Territories (through - July 1).

Tuesday, June 24: Performance of "The Pillowman", Hong Kong Arts Center, McAuley Studio, Wan Chai (through June 28).

Wednesday, June 25: "Planet Battle" martial arts exhibition, HITEC Star Hall, Kowloon Bay

Thursday, June 26: Performance of "To Love Somebody" by the Nonsensemakers, Hong Kong Cultural Center Studio Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui (through June 30).

Friday, June 27: FIVB World Gran Prix: Women's Volleyball, Hong Kong Coliseum, Kowloon. (also June 28 and 29)

Saturday, June 28: Great Performers: "Midori plays Brahms", Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, Central. (also June 27)

Sunday, June 29: Piano Concert: "ITALIANA" by Ms. Silvia Paparelli, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts' Concert Hall, Wan Chai.

Monday, June 30: "Let's Fight", Live Concert featuring 24 Herbs, Soler, and Audiotraffic, HITEC Hall, Kowloon Bay. 

That's all for now.  "Whass Up? July" will be posted in late June.  "Whass Up" is always a work in progress and will be updated regularly until the full month's events are listed.

Yesterday was the Buddha's Birthday holiday in Hong Kong.  It was also the date of one of the great annual events in Hong Kong, the Bun Carnival on Cheung Chau Island.  Unfortunately, I missed it but see my strategies below for overcoming the problem of getting to the island...maybe, next year.

This is the only festival I've heard of that features buns, the Chinese variety. of course, steamed not baked.  What makes this event totally unique is the bun scrambling competition up a 14 meter high tower.  There are both relay and individual races.

The origins of the Bun Festival are unclear.   While many people relate it to misfortunes brought by pirates and disease during the latter part of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), some people believe it was originally held on Hong Kong Island, in Taiping Shan, where many people were killed by bubonic plague.

Somebody asked Pak Tei, a local Huizhou deity, to stop the plague  Other residents joined his prayers and the disease subsided.  Later, the festival was banned in Taiping Shan because of fire regulations. The festival was then transferred to Cheung Chau, where there was a strong Huizhou community.

In 1978, the cone-shaped tower, then constructed of bamboo, collapsed injuring a number of people.  Government bureaucrats, as they often do, over-reacted and the event was cancelled until 2005, when steel "A" frames replaced the bamboo cones.   Only took them 27 years to figure it out.  This year the bun competition was further diluted when plastic buns were substituted for the real thing.  It appears the authorities were afraid someone might get sick from eating a three day old bun.

This year, 50,000 people showed up to watch the parade of children on floats dressed as prominent figures from politics, sports and entertainment.  Only 1500 people are allowed into the Bun Competition Venue, the Pak Tei Temple Soccer Pitch.  People start queuing hours before the tickets are distributed at 9:45 P.M.  The competition starts around 11:30 PM and ends at 12:45 AM or so the next day.  

All the hotels and restaurants on the island are booked months, if not a year in advance.  So, if you are considering attending next year's Carnival and want to spend the night, you had better start planning now.  Most people just come for the day.  First Ferry generally schedules a late boat to leave Cheung Chau for Hong Kong Island around 1:15 AM.  There are plenty of opportunities to buy food from the dozens of hawkers that set up for the Carnival.

If the thought of being in a crowd of 50,000 people and standing in line for hours to see the competition turns you off, there is an alternative strategy.  First, attend the Bun Tower Climbing practice sessions which are scheduled for the two week-ends prior to the carnival itself.  Second, watch the competition on television from the comfort of your hotel or flat.  

You can check for the 2009 dates at the Leisure and Cultural Services web site.  I suspect they will be posted sometime in June, 2008.

I hope to make this a regular, monthly article highlighting some of the major events scheduled for the next 30 days or so.  Please be aware that this is just a sampling.  There is a lot more going on here.

If you want more detailed information or scheduled events for dates beyond this list, you can contact me on the Planet Eye blog or e-mail me directly at ejhahn@netvigator.com until we get our feedback utility going on this site.

Saturday, May 10: Eugene Pao, Jazz/Rock, Grappa's Cellar in Jardine House, Central.

Sunday, May 11: Film retrospective of late Chinese director Zhu Shilin, HK Film Archive, Sai Wan Ho. (Through May 18.)

Monday, May 12: French singer Keren Ann, Sheung Wan Civic Center.

Tuesday, May 13: German singer/songwriter Maximilian Hecker at the City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon.

Wednesday May 14: "Art HK 08" opens at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai. (See the May 4 posting on this site)

Thursday, May 15: James Blunt, British singer/songwriter, Emmy award winner, HITEC Hall, Kowloon Bay.

Friday, May 16: "We Will Rock You", a musical featuring 26 Queen Classics, Hong Kong Academy of Performance Arts, Wanchai. (Through June 1) 

Saturday, May 17: Opening of Picasso exhibition - "The Vollard Suite", University of Hong Kong Museum and Art Gallery, Pok Fu Lam. (Through July 20)

Sunday, May 18: An Evening of Opera Excerpts, Nine local HK vocalists, Hong Kong City Hall, Central.

Monday, May 19: Andy Warhol Prints exhibit, Schoeni Gallery, Central (Ongoing through May 29)

Tuesday, May 20: Elton John's "Rocket Man" Tour, Asia World Arena, Lantau Island.

Wednesday, May 21: "Aduna, Land of Adventure", France's Etha Dam Dance Company, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Tsim Sha Tsui. (also May 20)

Thursday, May 22: Comedian Tim Jones' performance, Take Out Comedy Club, SOHO, Central.

Friday May 23: Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's all female ensemble perform Chinese poems set to music using traditional instruments, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Saturday, May 24: "Beerfest" Int'l Beer and Food Festival, Lan Kwai Fong, Central.  (through May 25)

Sunday, May 25: "L'Empereur du Chant" solo musical performance by Jim Chin, local comedian, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Tsim Sha Tsui. (Through June 8)

Monday, May 26: French film "La Chinoise", Broadway Cinematheque, Yau Ma Tei. 

Tuesday, May 27: Mark I Music Centre Showcase performance, The Wanch, Wanchai.

Wednesday, May 28: "The Faust Festival" showcase, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai, (Through June 10)

Thursday, May 29: Musical performance, "France Touches Hong Kong", HITEC Hall, Kowloon Bay.

Friday, May 30: Dramatic performance of "Tuesdays with Morrie" starring Chung King Foi, Hong Kong City Hall Theatre, Central (Through June 8)

Saturday May, 31: Indie Band Night, Backstage Live, Central. 

Sunday, June 1: "Paris 1730-1930: A Taste for China", exhibit of art objects and paintings acquired over 200 years in Paris, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Tsim Sha Tsui. (May 1 until June 15)

Tuesday, June 3: "Music Matters" conference, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Wanchai. (Through June 5) 

Sunday June 8: The Scottish Symphony Orchestra Concert, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai

Saturday, June 14: Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races 2008, Sha Tin(Also June 15)

Sunday, June 15: The King's Singers a capella Concert, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

That's all for now.  A new schedule will be posted in early June.