For Your Diary: What’s On in Hong Kong for February

Get ready to welcome the Year of the Horse with a whole new load of events, exhibitions, shows and concerts! There’s tons going on this month – so make sure you get your culture fix. Check out our top selection of what’s happening in Hong Kong for February… apart from Chinese New Year celebrations! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

K-pop fever
K-Pop fans, are you ready for four minutes in K-Pop heaven? That’s right, the five-member South Korean K-Pop band, 4MINUTE, are hitting up the stage at the AsiaWorld Expo. Get ready for a high-energy performance, killer dance moves and girl band perfection at this fun concert.

When: 8 February, 8pm
Where: Hall 10, Asia World Expo, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: $680, $880, $1280; tickets available via www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Tuck in!
We’re lucky to have such an amazing dining scene in this city, and Hong Kong Restaurant Week celebrates just that! More than 80 restaurants across Hong Kong will participate this year, and each will offer exclusive Restaurant Week multi-course, fixed-price menus (both lunch and dinner!) that offer an amazing opportunity to try out some of the best eateries in town at discount prices! In addition, foodies can feel that they’re giving back as American Express will donate $10 to UNICEF HK for every transaction made with an American Express Card in participating restaurants. Get your reservations in quick – the best tables get fully booked before you can say bon appetit!

When: Priority booking for American Express customers begins 10 February, 10am; online reservations begin 17 February, 4pm; Restaurant Week itself 21 February-2 March
Where: 80 restaurants around Hong Kong, see the full list here
How much: 3-course lunch starts from $98; 3-course dinner starts from HK258; book here

He was a boy, she was a girl…
Grungey teen turned international punk-pop princess, Avril Lavigne, is landing in Hong Kong this February. If you’re fan of catchy adolescent-angst pop like Sk8er Boi and Girlfriend, this is the concert for you!

When: 13 February, 8pm
Where: Asia World Expo, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: $380, $580, $780; tickets available via www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Screen time
Bored of your usual multiplex mall cinemas? Then pop along to one of Hushup’s Rooftop or Undergound Cinemas this February for a unique movie experience. Withnail & I, The Full Monty, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Fight Club are just some of the films on show this month and are the perfect way to have a laugh on a date or with some friends. You might even feel like you’re not in HK…

When: Various dates in February, see full schedule here
Where: Various locations, check here for details
How much: Depends on the film and venue, but around $100-$120

Get in the know…
Classical music fans, this might be the perfect way for you to spend Valentine’s Day! Know Your Favourite Orchestral Tunes is not only a great concert full of classical favourites performed to the highest standards by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, but you’ll also get a chance to learn all about the tunes too. You know what they say… you learn something new everyday!

When: 14-15 February, 7.30pm
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $120, $180, $250; tickets available via www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999

Galloping in…
To celebrate Chinese New Year, there will be various traditional lantern lightings and ceremonies, parades and festivities all over Hong Kong. From the Hong Kong Wishing Well Festival in the New Territories, where people write their wishes for the next year on joss paper and throw them onto a wishing tree, to the spectacular fireworks on the harbour… there’s loads going on for the Lunar New Year, so check out our fab guide here!

When: Until 16 February
Where: Throughout Hong Kong
How much: Mostly free!

Run for miles
The Hong Kong Marathon is back! The largest outdoor participatory sporting event in the 852 will see thousands of runners making the trek – either for health, charity or fun (if that’s your thing!)… and even if you’re not running, then pop along to support all those who are! That 42.195km will be a challenge – time to sweat it out!

When: 16 February, various times (see the here for further details)
Where: The full marathon starts on Nathan Road and ends at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay
How much: Free to view along the route

Hips don’t lie
A week of salsa dancing awaits you at the Hong Kong Salsa Festival 2014! With seventy workshops on offer, seventy different artists participating and seven parties to join in for over seven days, plus the World Salsa Championships themselves, this is the perfect place to test out your dancing skills, enjoy the carnival atmosphere and have some fun. Don’t miss the lively street party on the Avenue of Stars… get moving and grooving!

When: 17-23 February (see full schedule here)
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Individual passes $200-350, all-day passes $650-1050, party tickets $250-500, full four-day passes $3420 advance, $3800 on the door. Buy tickets here

Art-astic
It’s back! The much-loved Hong Kong Arts Festival returns for the 42^nd time – and it’s sure to live up to expectations. Theatre, music, dance, opera… there’s something for everyone! Boasting international artists and ensembles, this year’s theme is Heroes; a few highlights this year include a puppet version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream staged by Tony award-winning ‘War Horse’ director Tom Morris, the Scottish Ballet’s Highland Fling and a concert from jazz chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux. Snap those tickets up quick culture vultures, as some dates are sold out already!

When: 18 Feb-22 March (see here for full schedule)
Where: Various venues around Hong Kong, see here for details
How much: Tickets available via www.urbtix.hk and www.hkticketing.com; more info available here

South-African Theatre perfection
Adapted from Strindberg’s 1888 drama, this new version of Mies Julie gives the story a new lease of life, interlacing the struggles of post-apartheid South Africa into the classic story of love, lust and class divide. This passionate performance with a menacing twist is guaranteed to set the stage on fire. Presented by The Baxter Theatre Centre at the University of Cape Town in association with the South African State Theatre, this is definitely one for you theatre buffs.

When: 18-27 February, 7.45pm and weekend matinees 3pm
Where: Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $220, $360, $480; tickets available via www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Miaow
P.S. Your Cat is Dead is a hilarious dark comedy written by Tony award-winner James Kirkwood that is guaranteed to bring in the laughs! The play focuses on the character Jimmy Zoole, who’s run out of luck in all areas of his life… so when he returns home on New Year’s Eve to find a burglar in his house, he ties him to the kitchen table in rage. Laced with adult humour, this one is sure to give you the giggles.

When: 19-22 February, 8pm, 22-23 February matinee at 3pm
Where: McAulay Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $220, tickets available via URBTIX, 2111 5999

Just dance
Trisha Brown is renowned for her amazing dance choreography and her inventive approach to the art form. In this production, iconic works from her career will be performed, illustrating her constant ingenious, original vision for post-modern dance.

When: 21-22 February, 8pm
Where: Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $150, $240, $320, $400; tickets available via www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Jumping into the new year…
This year, the Hong Kong Masters is set to deliver all the show-jumping action, excitement and thrills that everyone enjoys! Three days of intense show-jumping competition will culminate in the final day, with the winner gets to take home over half a million US dollars! With 30 of the best riders in the world participating and a specially designed course, this is a great opportunity to (quite literally!) celebrate the Year of the Horse.

When: 21-23 February
Where: AsiaWorld Expo, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: $330-980; tickets available via www.cityline.com, 2111 5333

Brit banter
Mike Leigh’s award-winning play, Abigail’s Party, is being staged by the Hong Kong Players. The British comedy, set in the 1970s, focuses around an awkward gathering of the emerging British middle-class at Essex girl Beverly’s house, and guarantees some cringe-worthy moments along with plenty of laughs! Bring on the pineapple and cheese on cocktail sticks!

When: 26 February-1 March, 2.30pm & 8pm performances
Where: McAulay Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $280; tickets available via URBTIX, 2111 5999

Paper trail
Artsy folk, you’ll be pleased to know that super cool artist Li Hongbo will have some pieces showing at Contemporary by Angela Li! Who’s that you say?! This amazing artist produces incredible art works using honeycomb paper, creating huge sculptures that fold out and are made up of hundreds of delicate layers. Definitely worth checking out!

When: On show now!
Where: Contemporary by Angela Li, G/F, 248 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: Free to check them out (but it’s different story if you want to buy!)

Violin for the win
Hyeyoon Park is one of the most successful and talented classical stars of the moment. At only 21, she has taken the stage by storm with her moving renditions of classic violin sonatas by Johann Sebastian Bach and Cesar Franck. This young star is an amazing soloist with a big personality and, together with German pianist Florian Uhlig, is sure to deliver an exciting concert.

When: 28 February, 8.15pm
Where: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $210, $280, $320; tickets available via www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

Grand hotel
The Asia Hotel Art Fair is back, and presents a number of different artworks by various artists in the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. This unconventional way of displaying work (including in an around the Harbour City mall!) allows visitors to imagine what the work would look like in their own homes, putting it into context. This is a great opportunity to check out Hong Kong’s growing art scene in a more relaxed environment (… plus you get to sneak around some fancy hotel rooms!).

When: 28 February-2 March
Where: Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, 3 Canton Road, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: TBA

Black Box festival
Theatre lovers, you’ll love the brand new International Black Box Festival that showcases a range of performers from Hong Kong and around the world. This series of performances, workshops and seminars promises to explore different types of theatre under the theme of Body and Performance – A Beautiful Connection, and bring different types of theatre experience to Hong Kong.

When: Until 30 March
Where: HKRep Black Box, 8/F Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Hong Kong
How much: Varying prices depending on performance; tickets available via URBTIX, 2111 5999
Dress to impress
Fancy a trip to the end of the purple line? Dress Code is a funky fashion exhibition out in Tseung Kwan O featuring cool clothing from a host of Belgian fashion designers, including Raf Simons (of Dior), Maison Martin Margiela and Haider Ackermann. Meanwhile, the Design In Motion exhibition showcases fascinating design, product and installation art from renowned architect Charles Kaisin, all on the themes of motion and recycling. Get a taste for Belgian fashion, design and architecture… it’s not all just Belgian chocolates you know!

When: Dress Code until 31 March, Design In Motion until 13 February; 10am-8pm daily
Where: d-mart, HKDI and IVE (Lee Wai Lee), 3 King Ling Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong (Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station, Exit A2)
How much: Free entry

Simplicity
Contemporary artist Sergej Jensen has a beautiful, minimalist exhibition showing at the White Cube. Hailing from Denmark, Jensen has exhibited at some of the top international art fairs and galleries, and although his art can be quite difficult to read, his use of different textures and materials really question what “painting” actually is. He’s also known for altering the space that he’s exhibiting in, making the room a part of the ‘picture frame’… check out the full carpet he’s had installed in the White Cube Hong Kong!

When: Until 22 March; closed Mondays
Where: White Cube, 50 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free

I’m talking ‘bout a whole lotta history…
Hong Kong lovers, newbies and history buffs, this is the perfect exhibition for you! Images Through: Time Photos of Old Hong Kong at the Hong Kong History Museum offers a rare insight into our wonderful city’s colourful past; these incredible old photographs reveal street and everyday life, and leisure and historical scenes that will give you a completely different perspective on our home. Travel back in time and definitely check it out if you’ve got visitors in town! P.S. There’s also a very cool cheongsam exhibition in the lobby of the museum – one for the fashionistas!

When: Until 21 April (cheongsam exhibition until 3 March)
Where: Hong Kong Museum of History, 100 Chatham Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $20 (only $10 on Wednesdays!), concessions apply

Wishing everyone a happy Year of the Horse!