ArtWalk returns to the city’s streets on Wednesday 11, and it looks set to be as loud and entertaining as ever.

The annual art event was an immediate hit when it was first launched in 2001. The concept was brilliantly simple: art galleries in Central, Soho, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Aberdeen open their doors late on a Wednesday night. Participants have to buy a ticket ($420) with all proceeds donated to charity (this year they’re going to the Society for Community Organization, a fantastic grassroots organisation which supports citizens without a voice.) The ticket gets you a passport, which gains you access to all the participating galleries; and an abundance of complimentary wine.

Of course, the idea is for the public to gain a better understanding of the artworks being shown in the city, but in reality it it’s not only about the art – ArtWalk is just as much a fun social event. “The stars of the night are actually the people, the participants,” agrees organiser John Batten. While the art critic and gallerist has pulled together an impressive 65 galleries this year, it’s the Extra events you’ll want to look out for – performances and happenings scattered around the streets.

Artist and educator Magdalen Wong will be leading a crew of performance art students from Baptist University on the steps of Shin Hing Street, just below Hollywood Road. Nearby, the cosy hangout spot Culture Club on Elgin Street has been hired for its vast screen, which will be screening a hilarious video about the Complaints Choir concept currently taking over the world – and soon to launch in Hong Kong.

As the name suggests, it’s a comical choir who funnel all their frustrations at the world, into song. “It is absolutely fantastic,” raves Batten, who saw the video screened at the recent Fotanian Open Studios event in January. “I went in and stood there with my quizzical, cynical look, and soon I was sitting down and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was smiling, it is so funny.”

Doris Wong Wai-yin will be setting up a stall on Elgin Street making and selling her artworks to the public, and the video art of Cédric Maridet will be screened at a groovy small space called Experimenta on Mee Lun Street. But the undoubted highlight will be Kwan Sheung-chi, the brilliant up-and-coming artist who has been chosen as ArtWalk’s Artist-in-Residence. “It’s a bit satirical, because everyone has to have an artist-in-residence at the moment,” explains Batten with a laugh. “You know, a seven hour artist-in-residence is a bit of a wank, really. But it is satirical… We’re not quite sure what he’ll do. He’ll be wandering from gallery to gallery. Doing whatever he likes.” And believe, us, by about 10pm, when everyone’s had a vast quantity of wine, it won’t just be the artists doing strange things on the streets.

Clare Morin