We know that you’re all probably super excited for the Easter holidays coming up this weekend – but before you throw all your energy into Easter egg hunts and brunches, don’t forget that there’s a ton to do the rest of April too! Take a peek at our April Cultural Round-Up for our top pick of all the shows, concerts, exhibitions and events going on around town and start filling up those diaries!
Say it with pillows
Pillow fights aren’t just for girlie sleepovers! BYOP (bring your own pillow) and join in on Hong Kong’s International Pillow Fight Day for an afternoon of feathery fun; simply grab some friends (or frenemies!), wait for the signal and start whacking! Bonus points for crazy costumes – otherwise known as a great excuse to stay in your pyjamas all day.
When: 6 April, 4pm
Where: Chater Garden, Central (Central MTR Exit J2), Hong Kong
How much: Free
The antiques roadshow…
Want to spruce up your pad? The Authentiques is in town for a five-day pop-up showroom to showcase their hand-selected range of beautiful antique furniture (some date back to 1670!). With sixty different pieces on offer and twenty-five special pieces going up for auction on the last day (including desks, armchairs, chests of drawers, dining tables and much more), you’re bound to spot something with a lot more character and soul than your average Ikea find! So whether you’re a furniture fanatic or simply looking for some inspiration for decorating your own home, you’ll love checking out these timeless pieces.
When: Showroom open 6-9 April, 10am-7pm & 10 April, 10am-3pm. Auction starts 10 April, 5.30-7pm (attendees must register in advance to purchase a paddle)
Where: The Space, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry to showroom, register for auction here
Catch some waves
Hitting HK for its second year, come check out the Hong Kong-San Francisco Ocean Film Festival for a diverse range of international films themed around the sea, ocean conservation and other environmental issues – with a special closing show at Ocean Park, including a visit to the aquarium! Whilst you’re in a maritime mood, make sure you pop by the Ocean Appreciation Art Walk at the Stanley Waterfront, on show during the two weeks duration of the film festival. All proceeds will be donated to the Ocean Recovery Alliance, to fund the great work they do in protecting and improving our ocean ecosystems – so make sure you send some ripples through your community and show your support!
When: 10-17 April
Where: Screening across Hong Kong, see full schedule here
How much: Screenings range from free to $180; get more details here
Get schooled!
Looking for something to spark your mind and fire up those synapses? Then why not head to Intelligence Squared’s live debate on whether religion is good for us? Four international figures will be facing off on issues like whether faith is dangerous or inspiring, and if it’s a cause of peace or violence – and you’ll get your chance to weigh in on the discussion too. Jeremy Paxman, eat your heart out!
When: 11 April, 6.30-8.30pm (drinks reception in foyer starts at 5.30pm)
Where: Theatre 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $300, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288
Quill-tastic!
In this modern day where we’re so focused on the digital era, it’s refreshing to see something handcrafted and truly unique – and we’ve got something special for you in the shape of Russian illustrator Yulia Brodskaya’s first exhibition in Hong Kong at LCX in Harbour City. Specialising in beautiful colourful paper quilling art, you’ll be amazed at how these little strips of paper get turned into wonderful pieces of art, with each and every work created painstakingly by hand. You can even catch the lady herself at work with one of Yulia’s live art demos and workshops… you might even want to start paper-quilling yourself!
When: 12 April-13 May, 10am-10pm; opening night (with art demonstration by Yulia) 12 April, 7pm
Where: LCX Entrance, Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
Go gallery-hopping
Ever walk past art galleries wanting to step in, but too afraid to do so? If that’s the case, then ArtWalk is just the thing for you! Hong Kong’s biggest charity art event, this one-night extravaganza is a great chance to experience some of the best galleries throughout Soho, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai and the rest of HK Island – so go gallery-hopping, enjoy the huge variety of art on display, learn from art students, sip on complimentary wine or beer, and snack on finger food all night-long.
When: 18 April, 4.30-11.30pm
Where: Over 70 galleries throughout Hong Kong Island; see full list here
How much: $450; cash only, available from venues listed here
No one puts Baby in a corner
Get ready for the time of your life at Dirty Dancing! We know you all love the movie version (be honest… how many times have you re-watched that video?!), so now it’s time to see the action live with this stage musical, coming to HK for the first time ever. You’ll be singing along to all those iconic songs (‘hungrrrrry eyes’), thrilled by the sexy choreography (that lift!) and of course, entranced by the passionate romance between Baby and Johnny in no time. Watermelons optional!
When: 19 April-5 May; weekday & Sunday evenings 7.45pm, Saturday evenings 8.15pm, weekend matinees 3pm, no performances on Mondays
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 1 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $395-$995, www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999
Kissing frogs
We’ve all heard of the story of the frog prince…. But how about seeing it come to life on stage in this brand new Chinoiserie art piece by the Hong Kong Ballet? The Frog Prince – A Ballet Chinois is a creative reworking of the classic Grimm fairy tale with an Asian twist; hop on board this journey of the little green frog in this colourful ballet set in the ancient times of the Qing Dynasty… and get prepared for that one enchanting kiss!
When: 19-21 April, 8pm & 20-21 April, 3pm
Where: Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $250-500, www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999
Mid-Level madness!
Forever traipsing up and down those pesky escalators? Then this might well be the play of your life! The Learned Ladies of Mid-Levels is a special Hong Kong adaption of Moliere’s renowned farce about pedantry and power, Les Femmes Savantes, telling the story of a family whose youngest daughter’s love life is torn between following her own heart and the wishes of her controlling mother (*cough Tiger Mom cough*). With live music adapted from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, this is an outrageous comedy with a serious message for modern HK.
When: 24-27 April, 7.30pm; 27 April, 2pm
Where: Underground Theatre, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $150-$249, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288
Gone in a flash
Hip-hop fans, this is one you just won’t want to miss out on – GRAND MASTER FLASH is in town for one night only! As the first DJ ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, you know you’re in for an evening of awesome music and crazy dancing. Get your swag on!
When: 26 April, doors open 10.30pm
Where: NOVA, 2/F, Lyndhurst Tower, 11 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Advanced tickets $240 (available here), on the door $320; all tickets include one free standard drink
Feeling Hirst-y?
There are still a few months before Art Basel hits our city, but until then White Cube Hong Kong’s exhibition of new work by Damien Hirst will keep art lovers entranced. Featuring cabinets and paintings from his Entomology series, Hirst uses uncompromising materials to address questions about existence, as well as investigating such thematic dualities as life and death, desire and fear and beauty and horror. Sounds good to us!
When: Until 4 May
Where: White Cube Hong Kong, 50 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
Step back in time
For a little escape from the present, stop by the Hong Kong Museum of History’s latest exhibition on the Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia. The ancient Mesopotamian civilization contributed so much to our everyday lives – including the invention of writing and astrology! – so come check out over 170 amazing artefacts (on loan from The British Museum, no less) that are literally thousands of years old. Feeling extra scholarly? Book yourself in for one of the guided tours to learn even more!
When: Until 13 May (closed Tuesdays); see tour schedule here
Where: Hong Kong Museum of History, 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $10