April events in Hong Kong for 2024

Discover the fusion of art and community at the TypePop Show hosted by Gate33 Gallery (3/F) at Airside. As part of Hong Kong's Art Month, this exhibition showcases the creative works of 10 contemporary artists, including Katol Lo, Jonathan Mak, Chi-wing Lee, Adonian Chan, and more. Expressing art through words, they weave together stories of Hong Kong's sentiment, culture, and history, focusing on the neighbourhoods of Kowloon City, San Po Kong, To Kwa Wan, and Wong Tai Sin. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in large-scale installations and interactive works that capture the essence of these historic pockets of Hong Kong until June 12. 

Step into the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of acclaimed British artist Gary Card at his first large-scale solo exhibition in Hong Kong titled People Mountain People Sea. Gary's diverse talents span painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design, and set design, having worked with some of the biggest artists and designers from around the world. For this exhibition, Gary was inspired by the vibrant fusion of East and West cultures in Hong Kong. Using various objects and elements he's observed during his visits to the city, Gary has crafted a series of bold and unique artworks to transform the historic Oi! Warehouses into a multimedia art space, where animation and sound merge to create an immersive visual and sensory experience. Visit Oi! Street Art Space between now and July 28 to his works and be sure to snap pics of the giant outdoor sculpture on the Oi! Lawn.

This year marks a century since the birth of Dr Louis Cha, better known by his pen name Jin Yong, the literary giant who wrote numerous hit martial arts novels that earned a place among classic Chinese literature. Starting from March 15, there will be a range of events and exhibitions that pay tribute to Jin Yong’s work and legacy, as well as to create unique cultural intellectual property that tells Hong Kong stories.

‘The World of Wuxia’ at Edinburgh Place will present 10 sculptures of Jin Yong’s most iconic characters, created by sculptor Ren Zhe. Apart from figures of Xiaolongnü, Yang Guo, Abbess Miejue, the Golden Wheel Monk, and more, there will also be a Mongolian yurt inspired by The Eagle-shooting Heroes, where visitors can recreate famous scenes with audio guides and AR technology. A larger exhibition of Ren Zhe’s sculptures will also be on show at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin from March 16 to October 7, along with seminars, talks, immersive experiences, and a manuscript display.

As the birthplace of Jin Yong’s wuxia novels, Hong Kong has always been known as a city of diverse peoples and cultures. The organisers of his centennial events have therefore collaborated with international institutions and foreign consulates in Hong Kong to create interactive artistic experiences that promote Jin Yong’s novels as a way to appreciate Chinese culture and tell Hong Kong stories. While most Hongkongers will already have vivid shared memories of Jin Yong and his famous works, younger generations can now also be  introduced to these literary classics.

With upcoming art festivals like Art Basel and Art Central taking place in the city, vegetarian restaurant Jaja joins the fun by releasing their Taste of Arts afternoon tea set. This artsy tea set is full of colourfully decorated desserts like mushroom-shaped meringues, raspberry chocolate dipped croissants, rose-shaped mousse, and plenty more. As for savoury treats, diners can look forward to bites such as mini margherita pizzas, one-bite deep fried risotto balls, and maki sushi.

Hong Kong audiences will be able to enjoy the 2023/24 season of The Metropolitan Opera of New York (The Met) from the comfort of our city’s own cinemas. This season opens with the Met premiere of Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie, and will also include two other contemporary premieres, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X by Anthony Davis based on the life of the American civil rights leader, and Florencia en el Amazonas by Mexican composer Daniel Catán.

Don’t miss brand-new productions of repertoire classics like Bizet’s Carmen, whose story has been reset in modern-day America, and Verdi’s La Forza del Destino in its first rare appearance at the Met. We’re also looking forward to revivals like Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly starring soprano Asmik Grigorian in her Met debut as the lead Cio-Cio San.

The Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia (FAMA) is bringing these works to a Hong Kong audience with The Met: Live in HD 2023-24, to be shown across the city at Emperor Cinemas in Central, K11 Art House, Movie Movie in Pacific Place, and Premiere Elements. Each production will be screened at approximately monthly intervals until the end of the year, and the viewing schedule is available on The Met in Hong Kong’s website. Tickets are priced at $290.

Spring has arrived, and despite the unpredictable mix of warm, cold, and often humid days, those in search of the perfect outdoor ambience can venture to The Repulse Bay. Asian restaurant and lounge Spices launched a new music series, Bayside Beats, to liven up the midweek slump. Happening every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, along with delicious Asian bites and drinks, the event features an array of musical talents against the restaurant’s lush, cosy outdoor terrace with stunning sea views. Attendees can look forward to a mix of live jazz saxophone, DJ sets, and band performances, all while enjoying tropical drinks and tasty Asian delicacies. Make it your after-work escape or a full evening’s entertainment under the stars at this iconic Southside venue.

The lineup of performances offers something for everyone. Jazz aficionados will be thrilled with Oliver, a sought-after jazz saxophonist known for his performances at The Peninsula's Felix, who will take the stage on Wednesdays. Thursdays feature DJ Matthew Osborne, a favourite in the local scene for his eclectic and sophisticated mixes. The week wraps up on Friday with the Spice Trio, a group beloved for their renditions of pop, soul, and R&B hits.

As part of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2024, which organises year-round events highlighting Hong Kong culture, the Hong Kong Film Archive has hand-picked over 20 martial art films from the 1970s to the present day – movies which not only ruled the local box office but have also dazzled audiences worldwide and cultivated generations of international kung fu film lovers and inspired multiple Hollywood movies. These works span the genres of wuxia, kung fu, modern action, and action fantasy, showcasing how Chinese culture and traditions have been blended with elements of popular culture. 

The programme opens with Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) restored in 4K and closes with Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster (2013), both of which will be screened specially at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre. Grouped under six themes, the film lineup includes The Butterfly Murders (1979), The Way of the Dragon (1972), Police Story (1985), and Once Upon a Time in China (1991), many of which have been digitally restored. This is a great chance for martial arts film aficionados to see the evolution of action choreography, visual effects, and the making of on-screen heroes in Hong Kong cinema.

Tickets are on sale for $45, and all screenings aside from the opening and closing films will be shown on weekends at the Hong Kong Film Archive.

Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) with their exciting Spring Programme 2024, Factory of Tomorrow. From now to July 14, immerse yourself in a fascinating group exhibition that showcases CHAT's contemporary art collection and newly commissioned works. With artworks by 19 Asian artists, the exhibition explores the role of textiles in Hong Kong's past while delving into the present and future. Through textile works, sculptures, immersive installations, and videos, artists examine themes such as technology, diversity, climate change, and our collective future. Additionally, be sure to experience new elements like the Misfitted: Unspoken Stories of Tailoring display, the interactive Illumin-Loom, as well as the reopening of the CHAT Lounge.

To celebrate the grand opening of the new Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space, the 13,300sq m venue will turn into an 'A-Maze-ing Harbourfront' featuring five themed mazes that will transport visitors into a world of immersive art and adventure.

Fusing elements of creative art, entertainment, and Instagrammable spots, each maze offers its own unique theme and experience suitable for visitors of all ages. The Time Maze will take you through a time-travelling tunnel using light and shadow, while the Infinite Mirror Maze allows visitors to view their endless mirror reflections and admire the beautiful Hong Kong skyline. Other mazes include Lost in the Woods, which draws inspiration from the iconic bamboo scaffolding structures of Hong Kong; Light Box Maze, featuring colourful lighting effects; and Air Maze, an inflatable maze specially designed for the little ones with various obstacles and hidden passages.

Mark your calendars for March 15 as the 'A-Maze-ing Harbourfront' opens for 10 consecutive days from 7am to 11pm. Best of all, admission is completely free of charge!

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After the overwhelming popularity of The Peninsula’s collaborative afternoon tea with the Star Ferry, the hotel returns with their Afternoon Tea on the Harbour experience until June 30. Diners can hop aboard a lavishly decorated World Star ferry and enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea package as they sail along Victoria Harbour. The Peninsula’s tea menu provides plenty of savoury bites, such as abalone tart with seaweed cauliflower mousse, ham and mustard seed sandwich, smoked salmon and avocado spread sandwich, and more. As for desserts, guests can indulge in treats like milk tea choux puff, fermented bean curd and peanut brownie with milk chocolate cream, and the hotel’s signature raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

The iconic singer and actor Anita Mui needs no introduction in Hong Kong. Since we’re approaching the end of the year, which marks the 20th anniversary of her passing, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has organised an exhibition that celebrates Mui’s many achievements in music and film, as well as her remarkable contributions to Hong Kong’s pop culture.

Browse through 70 exhibits such as stage costumes, record covers, movie posters, film stills, and more. The prominent fashion designer Eddie Lau – who worked with Mui through the heights of her career and remained a lifelong friend – has generously donated 20 pieces to this exhibition, including eight stage costumes from different eras of Mui’s musical journey, as well as an autographed vinyl record.

There will also be a range of special programmes and public talks to complement the exhibition, including a screening of the 1988 movie Rouge, for which Mui won Best Actress at the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards.