Welcome, 2015! After one heavy holiday period, we’re all back at work re-energised and raring to go. Well, some of us are, anyway! If December was hectic, January’s equally busy with live international acts and performers gracing our respective stages all over the 852. From the queen of sass herself, Lily Allen, to the swoon-worthy tones of Bublé and The 1975, we can’t wait to check out some art and culture this month!
Bastille
BRIT Award winners and rockers Bastille return to 852 after their amazing performance at Clockenflap in 2012. Their headline show will feature their soaring hits such as Pompeii, Flaws and Of The Night. The band is one of the hottest on the music scene in the UK right now, and this is one live act you don’t want to miss!
When: 7 January, 7.30pm
Where: Star Hall, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets bought before 5pm on 7 January are $680, after that they are $720; available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
Poetry OutLoud
In the mood for poetry? Check out January’s edition of a poetry night out at the Fringe Club. OutLoud is a mix of original poetry, classics, lesser-known works and music. Make sure you check it out for something a bit different, and you may even be able to take part if you’ve got a way with words…
When: 7 January, 8pm
Where: Colette’s, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free admission
Shrew
A twist on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, Shrew features a solo performance from a young woman. She questions what it means to be someone, what it means to be a woman and more in this gripping performance.
When: Tuesday, 6 January & Wednesday, 7 January, 7.30pm
Where: Fringe Underground, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $100 for Fringe Club members or $120 for non-members, available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
Julian Casablancas+The Voidz
In support of their album Tyranny, Julian Casablancas is touring with his side project The Voidz. Some of you may know him from a little band called The Strokes (a Sassy favourite!). Check out their progressive rock tunes and catchy hooks this month!
When: 12 January, 8pm
Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Asia World Summit, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $480 and $680 and available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
Asian Art Exhibition by Crossroads Foundation
I spent many hours in secondary school lifting and moving furniture and heavy items at Crossroads Foundation, and here the non-profit organisation are again hosting an art exhibition. The art pieces were donated by two large international banks and are on display at Culture Club Art Gallery. They’re also up for sale with the proceeds going straight to Crossroads Foundation.
When: 13 January-9 February
Where: Culture Club Art Gallery, 15 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
Avenged Sevenfold
Everyone’s favourite metal band (okay, maybe just my fave, much to the surprise of all the girls in the office!) is performing for the first time in the 852. In support of their latest release Hail To The King, Avenged Sevenfold will be rocking out and likely busting some speakers with their ear-splitting guitar riffs. See you there!
When: 14 January, 8pm
Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Asia World Summit, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $788 and available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying)
This much-loved musical hits the stage in the 852 courtesy of the Hong Kong Singers. Check out the story of Finch, who works his way up the corporate ladder after reading a self-help book. He catches the eye of Rosemary, a young secretary, and it all explodes from there…
When: 14-17 January, 7.30pm
Where: City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $300 available from Urbtix
The Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival
This year, the International Chamber Music Festival celebrates all things Beethoven. A whole host of musicians will be performing across five concerts. If classical music is something you’re interested in, this is definitely an annual event you need to check out!
When: 14-21 January
Where: Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets start from $100 and are available here.
The 3 Singing Bitches
We’re suckers for a good old sing song in the shower, and that’s why we love the idea of this theatre performance. The 3 Singing Bitches will do just that: sing. Sing in musicals, sing backing vocals and more. Join them as they go on a musical journey.
When: 15-17 January, 8pm
Where: Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $180 for Fringe Club members or $200 for non-members, available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
Eugene Lemay-Faded Memories
In the mood for art? Contemporary by Angela Li is hosting American artist Eugene Lemay’s collection Faded Memories. The artist, who is now based in Israel, has a collection that tells a personal story. The large paintings depict gleaming landscapes, conveying Lemay’s emotions.
When: 20 January-20 February; opening reception is on 20 January
Where: Contemporary by Angela Li, 248 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: Free to view
Michael Bublé Live in Hong Kong
We’ve had Michael Bublé‘s Christmas album on repeat over the past few weeks, so it’s no surprise that all of us in the office were swooning over the fact that he’s gracing the stage in Hong Kong! The perennial king of Christmas (and ballads), Bublé will serenade you with his classic and soulful tunes this month.
When: 21 January, 8.15pm
Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Asia World Summit, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets start from $480 and go up to $1,880; available from Cityline.
Wolfgang Muthspiel Trio
In the mood to get jazzy? One of the most exciting artists on the jazz scene is in Hong Kong for one night only. Award winning Austrian guitar legend, Wolfgang Muthspiel, will have you grooving along to some awesome tunes with his band. Enjoy!
When: 22 January, 8.15pm
Where: Shouson Theatre, Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $380 and $480 and available from Urbtix.
Double Take
Opera Gallery opens with Double Take, an exhibition featuring not one but two artists. Contemporary painters Gully and Paul Alexis work on canvas and recontextualise classic images from art history. The French artists have done a solid job at bringing classics into the modern world.
When: 22 January-12 February
Where: Opera Gallery, 52 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
V 4 ImproV
In the mood for a night of comedy? Because that’s always what improv entails! Check out V 4 ImproV for a night of improvisational theatre. There are no scripts, no dress rehearsals nor a teleprompter, just suggestions from the audience. Very ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’! There’s bound to be giggles as you watch the actors think on their feet!
When: 23 & 24 January, 8pm
Where: Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $120 for Fringe Club members or $150 for non-members, available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
Barreamped Intensive Weekend
Are you in full-on detox mode? This one’s for you then. Join Barre 2 Barre’s weekend workshops with fitness guru Suzanne Bowen. From master classes to boot camps as well as naturopaths on hand giving nutrition advice, this is one not to miss!
When: 23-25 January
Where: Barre 2 Barre Studio, 4/F Cheung Hing Commercial Building, 37 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $1,600 for a full weekend pass, $800 for a one-day pass, $280 for a community class with Suzanne Bowen on 25 January. Tickets are available here.
Your Mum Presents: The 1975
Another Clockenflap fave returns to perform in Hong Kong. The chart-topping British rockers The 1975 will grace the stage at The Vine Centre and play out hits including Chocolate and The City. If you’re in the mood for some synth pop-rock, this band is definitely one to check out!
When: 27 January, 7.30pm
Where: The Vine Centre, 29 Burrows Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $590 available from www.ticketflap.com
All That Swing
If you’re in the mood for a little swing – we don’t mean that kind – check out All That Swing at the Fringe Club this month. A group of 20 rocking band musicians comprise the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra and will have you bopping the night away.
When: 31 January, 9.30pm
Where: Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $130 in advance and for Fringe Club members or $150 on the day; available from the Fringe Club.
Home Sweet Home
We love a bit of cabaret at Sassy HQ (actually, a lot of us are theatre buffs!), so Home Sweet Home is right up our alley. American-born Chinese Marsha Yuan is looking for an apartment in the 852 – and let’s face it, we’ve all been in that difficult situation. On her journey to find a suitable apartment, she questions her ability to settle down. This fun performance, which is a mix between a musical, dance and comedy will have you giggling throughout and you’ll completely identify with the loveable Marsha…. (see our take on The Great Apartment Hunt here!).
When: 29 January – 31 January, 8pm
Where: Fringe Underground, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $200 for Fringe Club members or $250 for non-members, available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.
Lily Allen Live in Hong Kong
Lily Allen sang one of the greatest breakup songs of all time – Smile – that we’re sure resonated with you Sassy bunch at some point or another! She hits the stage in Hong Kong in support of her latest release Sheezus (yep, the name is a rip-off of Kanye’s Yeezus, but they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, no?). The OG Sassy queen is back after her hiatus and we can’t wait!
When: 31 January, 8pm
Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Asia World Summit, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $788 and available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.