Arts and Cultural Management: A Series of Three Talks

29.10.2019 to 26.11.2019, VTC Tower

In this series of three talks, practitioners from a range of local cultural industries share the requirements and unique functions of their areas of expertise, present case studies on successful execution of projects, and explore and compare Hong Kong’s current landscape with the international art scene

Past event

Dramaturgy and Beyond

12.10.2019 to 31.10.2019

The second year of our three-year “Dramaturgy and Beyond” programme and explores the role of dramaturgy in curating and festival making through a series of public seminars and professional workshops

Past event

SHOWTIME! West Kowloon’s Artistic Strategy for Performing Arts

15.10.2019, Jockey Club Innovation Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Alison M Friedman, West Kowloon’s Acting Executive Director and Artistic Director, Performing Arts shares the artistic vision and strategies for our two major performing arts venues – the Xiqu Centre, a contemporary gateway to the ancient art form of Chinese traditional theatre, and Freespace, Hong Kong’s new centre for contemporary performance

Past event

Screendance School Programme

The Screendance School Programme connects artists and secondary school students to explore the synergy of dance and cinematography through talks and interactive workshops

Past event

Creation for Freespace: Dramaturgy and Beyond

Through a range of public round-table discussions, small group practicum sessions and workshops, “Dramaturgy and Beyond” will delve into the discourse in and around the practice of dramaturgy and the tools that are useful to the creation of dance and theatre within the contemporary context

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Chinese Culture – A series of four talks

21.10.2018 to 18.12.2018

What is the relationship between modern society and these time-honoured art forms? In this series of talks, speakers from specialist fields will take you on a journey of discovery that reveals the beauty and history behind specific arts for your appreciation

Past event

Arts and Cultural Management – A series of five talks

09.10.2018 to 11.12.2018

In this series of talks, local practitioners offer insight into the different areas of work involved in running cultural organisations and explore the qualifications and passion required for a career in the arts and culture field

Past event

The Stories Behind the Xiqu Centre

24.11.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu offers insight into the design and venue positioning of the Xiqu Centre, looking at the venue’s unusual use of space and its relationship with local Cantonese opera communities

Past event

The Music of Cantonese Opera

20.11.2018, H6 CONET

This talk explores the wide range of musical elements used in Cantonese opera, looking at the different vocal styles used for male and female roles, and the use of percussive instruments and rhythmic melodies to enhance mood and narrative

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Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

13.11.2018, D2 Place ONE

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

Past event

The Design of the Tea House Theatre

08.11.2018, CityU SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Head of Xiqu, Naomi Chung, offers insight into the positioning and operation of the Tea House Theatre, looking at how the venue offers visitors an intimate experience with the productions and how programmes are curated with first-time audiences in mind

Past event

SHOWTIME! Launching West Kowloon’s Artistic Strategy for Performing Arts

27.10.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this free talk, Alison M Friedman, West Kowloon’s Artistic Director, Performing Arts shares the vision and plans for the district’s upcoming performing arts venues, the Xiqu Centre, Freespace and the Art Park, and looks at some of the projects lined up for the future

Past event

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

23.10.2018, CityU SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre

This talk looks at how acting, martial arts and dance are combined in Cantonese opera stage movement to create patterns of formulaic gesture that help define character and contribute to the unfolding of plot

Past event

Behind the Design of the Xiqu Centre

18.10.2018, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu offers insight into the design and venue positioning of the Xiqu Centre, looking at the venue’s unusual use of space and its relationship with local Cantonese opera communities

Past event

Dialogue | Cantonese Opera

18.09.2018, Campfire – Wong Chuk Hang

Cantonese opera plays an important role in the lives of people in Hong Kong. This talk explores its transition from the use of Mandarin to the Cantonese vernacular, demonstrating vocal styles and techniques and offering a deeper understanding of the aesthetic features of the art form

Past event

Dialogue | Gender Fluidity in Traditional Indonesian Dance

06.09.2018, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Looking at gender fluidity in traditional Indonesian dance forms and the recognition of multiple genders in Indonesian cultural practices, dance artist Rianto, shares how his training and cultural background have helped him develop a unique dance vocabulary that embodies gender fluidity

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“What Is Stage” Public Seminar Two: Jan Pappelbaum’s Aesthetics of Scenography

10.08.2018, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre

To wrap up this year’s “What Is Stage: From Text To Space” series on the work of Jan Pappelbaum, Head of Stage Design at the Schaubühne Berlin, we are delighted to welcome Pappelbaum to join us in Hong Kong to share his experience in an in-depth public seminar

Past event

What Is Stage: From Text to Space

10.06.2018 to 10.08.2018

Taking the theme “From Text to Space”, this year’s programme looks at the scenographic aesthetics of Jan Pappelbaum, head of Stage Design of Schaubühne Berlin. Register now

Past event

Cantonese Opera 101 - Music

17.07.2018, H6 CONET

This talk explores the musical elements of Cantonese opera, including vocal styles used by actors playing male and female roles, “melo-rhythmic” vocal forms and programmatic tunes, and more

Past event

101 Dialogue on Cantonese Opera

24.06.2018, Campfire – Wong Chuk Hang

In this talk, Pui Yan will share anecdotes and challenges in her career. In addition, she will introduce the costumes and make-up styles of sheng (male role) and dan, as well as singing styles and performing techniques used in Cantonese Opera. Participants may have the invaluable opportunities of trying on costumes

Past event

Arts and Cultural Management 101 - Managing Customers in Cultural Venues

13.06.2018, Campfire – Wong Chuk Hang

This talk invites practitioners to share their experience and to explore the qualities, passions and the skillsets required for a career in the arts and culture field

Past event

Kunqu 201

12.06.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk introduces the historical development of kunqu through music, videos, images and historical documents, exploring the literature, music and performing methods of the art form and offering a contemporary picture of its development

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101 Dialogue on Nanyin

09.06.2018, Campfire - Kennedy Town

In this talk, local musical group The Gong Strikes One guides audiences in appreciating the Nanyin recordings of Dou Wun and contemporary artistes, gives demonstrations of the art form and introduces some key musical terms to the participants. We hope that the participants gain holistic understanding of Nanyin, its lyrics and music

Past event

Producers’ Network Meeting & Forum 2018

18.05.2018 to 21.05.2018

PNMF brings together performing arts producers for four days of Closed-door Meeting and a public forum on promoting innovation in programme planning, venue operation, audience development and cross-disciplinary collaboration

Past event

Theatre 101: Applied Theatre – Connecting the Arts to Life and Society

28.04.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk introduces a range of applied theatre projects from Hong Kong and overseas, exploring the nature and purpose of applied theatre, the ways in which practitioners adopt contemporary aesthetic concepts, and how the relationship between performers and audience changes across practices

Past event

Creation for Freespace: Choreographer & Composer Lab

09.04.2018 to 24.04.2018, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

During a 2-week trial-out lab, participating artists work in assigned pairs of one independent composer and one choreographer from Hong Kong Ballet - Mike Yip and Yuh Egami, Olivier Cong and Ricky Hu Song-wei and Tsui Chin-hung and Li Jiabo. On April 24, an informal works-in-process was showcased at the Ballet PLUS+ Salon Series. The new works will be developed and staged in September as part of Hong Kong Ballet’s “Hong Kong Cool” production

Past event

Cantonese Opera 101

17.04.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk explores how Cantonese opera has transitioned from the use of Mandarin and traditional vocal techniques to the use of the Cantonese vernacular. Demonstrating vocal styles and techniques, the speaker offers a deeper understanding of the aesthetic features of Cantonese opera

Past event

Arts and Cultural Management 201 – Performing Arts at West Kowloon: Towards a Model of Learning and Audience Building

20.03.2018, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

This talk introduces the new venues of West Kowloon Cultural District, explores questions related audience building, and looks at the goals of the West Kowloon Learning and Participation team and the core public programmes being devised for the opening of these venues

Past event

Cantonese Opera and Hong Kong Culture 101

03.03.2018, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

This talk takes an in-depth look at the ways in which Cantonese opera and Cantonese operatic song have shaped Hong Kong culture, exploring their influence on the local vernacular, education and performing arts

Past event

Arts and Cultural Management 101

27.01.2018 to 27.02.2018

The talks invite local practitioners to share their experience and explore the qualities required for a career in the arts and culture field

Past event

Creation for Freespace: Dance in Alternative Space

22.01.2018 to 03.02.2018

Independent artist Xavier Le Roy from France and Hong Kong dance artist Scarlet Yu lead two professional workshops and a public talk exploring different aspects of dance work, contemporary performance and live action in public spaces

Past event

The Foundations of Performance

16.01.2018 to 03.02.2018, Ko Shan Theatre/BRICK LANE

Through a series of workshops and conversations, the Foundations of Performance designed to bring together artists from different fields to exchange experience and inspiration

Past event

Cantonese Opera Face Painting and Costumes 101

16.01.2018, HKU SPACE - Admiralty Learning Centre

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

Past event

Freespace Tech Lab 2017

12.11.2017 to 26.11.2017, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

“Freespace Tech Lab”, a newly launched 3-year collaboration project between Zuni Icosahedron and West Kowloon, explores state-of-the-art stage technologies and looks at some of the many possibilities of black box theatre through showcases, exchange and training

Past event

Arts and Cultural Management 101 (September to October 2017)

26.09.2017 to 21.10.2017

With the development of arts and culture in Hong Kong there is an increased need for talent in the areas of cultural management and art administration. Arts and Cultural Management 101 invites local practitioners to share their experience and explore the qualities required for a career in the arts and culture field

Past event

What Is Stage: Dynamics of Seeing

The language of the stage is more than just the script and plot. The structure of a theatrical space, the props and set design, the costumes and lighting, all add to the theatrical imagery, transcending the text and creating a rich aesthetic experience for the audience

Past event

Cantonese Opera 101 – Xiaoqu (folk music)

26.07.2017, HKU SPACE International College - United Learning Centre

In this talk, the speaker Paris Wong looks at different types of xiaoqu to show the flexibility of Cantonese opera and how the art form incorporates elements of pop songs from different eras and theme songs from Hong Kong movies

Past event

Seminar on Theatertreffen 2017

21.07.2017 to 22.07.2017, Hong Kong Arts Centre

The seminar is a presentation of the productions chosen for the Theatertreffen based on film clips. In July, West Kowloon collaborates with Goethe-Institut Hong Kong to host Seminar on Theatertreffen 2017

Past event

Public Forum: Sensory Art

05.07.2017, Spring Workshop

Award-winning experimental sound designer and composer Darrin Verhagen shares his understanding of how sound interacts with other senses, and how composers and sound designers play a manipulative role in shaping perceptual and emotional responses to multisensory artworks

Past event

Hong Kong Production Ecology: “Simon Says” – A Case Study

03.06.2017, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In this talk, Louis Yu and Anna CY Chan (Performing Arts, West Kowloon), Ong Yong Lock (Unlock Dancing Plaza), Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh (Le Phare, National Choreographic Center of Le Havre Normandy), editor and critic Daisy Chu, and professionals from the local performing arts scene share their thoughts on producing high quality new dance work

Past event

Producers’ Network Meeting & Forum 2017

12.05.2017 to 15.05.2017

The Producers’ Network Meeting and Forum brings together producers, mainly from the Chinese speaking region, to explore the effects on the arts ecosystem, the change and development in the role of producers, and the continued development of artistic content and audiences

Past event

WE Dance Finale

12.02.2017, Nursery Park, West Kowloon

Join us in the Big Circle as we wrap up our monthly WE Dance programme with a thrilling four-hour Finale party featuring non-stop showcases by local dance troupes, an interactive dance workshop, a dance hall for those who have got the moves to shine on stage and an open dance floor that you’re invited to joinNursery Park

Past event

WE Dance (2016-17)

11.09.2016 to 12.02.2017, Nursery Park, West Kowloon

Every month from September 2016 to February 2017 WE Dance takes place at Freespace Happening, bringing exciting participatory dance experiences. Join us there for an afternoon of dance and movement – and enjoy the fresh smell of grass and the beautiful harbour front skyline at the same timeNursery Park

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Autoteatro

14.11.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Join Ant for a public lecture on ‘autotheatre workshop’, where he will share how his works embrace and incorporate an untrained public, and his experience of presenting works in cities around the world

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshopping Automatic Workshop

09.11.2015 to 13.11.2015, Plato

In this workshop, Hampton and Meierhans will collaborate with young theatre makers on the development of an 'Automatic Workshop' – one led entirely by automatic text, recorded audio and visual media

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Real Time Performance

07.11.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Jan Fabre is well known internationally as one of the most innovative and versatile artists of the day. Over the past 30 years, he has produced works as a theatre maker, author and visual artist

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Real Time Performance

02.11.2015 to 06.11.2015, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

In the workshop led by Ivana Jozic and Kasper Vandenberghe, two experienced performers of his teaching group, participants' body becomes an instrument that examines the transition from act to acting

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Theatre of the Senses

31.10.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hear from Enrique Vargas, a Colombian dramaturgist and anthropologist and Artistic director of Teatro de los Sentidos as he shares his knowledge on the research and creation of sensorial theatre

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Writing Movement, Text & Dance

31.10.2015, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

International touring company Winter Guests are renowned for telling contemporary stories with words, video, music and movement. Their works are often based on real life experiences and use original text, transcribed recordings and improvisations

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Theatre of the Senses

26.10.2015 to 31.10.2015, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

For the past 20 years, Barcelona based theatre ensemble, Teatro de los Sentidos (“Theatre of Senses”), have been creating innovative works that open the boundaries between theatre and audience using experimental methods of corporeal and sensorial communication

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Writing Movement, Text & Dance

26.10.2015 to 30.10.2015, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing

Join Alan Lucien Øyen, writer, choreographer, director and founder of Winter Guests from Norway, for a 5-day workshop that explores different ways of working with stories that both originate from the real world, as well as creating fictional stories in direct dialogue with surrounding realities.

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Dramaturgy — Masterclass on Contemporary Theatre

25.10.2015, Videotage

In this four-hour intensive workshop, participants will engage in discussion and exercises in relation to a theme suggested by dramaturg Professor Christoph Lepschy, and bring along one idea and related materials to work on a proposal within the Hong Kong context

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Creating a Critical Dialogue with Society

24.10.2015, California Tower

How does theatre work reads and unveils social reality? Hear from Indonesian director Yudi Ahmad Tajudin the latest trends in the Indonesian theatre scene and his approach of dealing with social reality in theatre

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Creating a Critical Dialogue with Society

19.10.2015 to 23.10.2015, Alice Theatre Laboratory

Known for their adventurous spirit and groundbreaking works in stimulating performing arts in South East Asia, Indonesian performance collective Teater Garasi and Garasi Performance Institute have been working for more than a decade with a belief in performing arts as a way to process and produce knowledge and to dialectically involve with the social political environment

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Dramaturgy — Masterclass on Contemporary Theatre

22.10.2015, On & On Cattle Depot Theatre

With examples from contemporary European theatres and theatrical forms familiar to the Hong Kong audience, Professor Christoph Lepschy will share his experience on dramaturgical practices

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Playwright - Jon Fosse

10.10.2015, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building

Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse is one of the most important contemporary playwrights of our times. Considered as a universe unto himself that stretches from his home, the Norwegian Vestlandet to embrace Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and other corners of the world

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Playwright - Jon Fosse

05.10.2015 to 10.10.2015, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building

In this 6-day workshop led by Norwegian dramaturg Hege Randi Torrensen, participants will embark on a journey to the Fosse's world, read behind the text and explore the relationship between reality and illusion

Past event

Dance Video Lab - Short Film Selections from ‘New Work Forum: Screendance’ and ‘Experimental Film Virginia’

13.08.2015, Hong Kong Film Archive

In order to explore how dance and body movements are transformed from the scene to the screen, City Contemporary Dance Company and West Kowloon Cultural District Authority co-present the ‘New Works Forum: Screendance’ Workshop in July 2015, inviting artists from the Mainland, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore to join the two-week Workshop for shooting dance video clips

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Workshop on Documentary Theatre

07.08.2015 to 08.08.2015, Videotage

Join Stefan Kaegi, director of Rimini Protokoll for a workshop that explores theatre projects with non-professional actors in the real world. Using research, public auditions and conceptual processes, leading European avant-garde theatre collective Rimini Protokoll has brought its ‘theatre of expert’ to the stage, giving voice to ‘experts’ who are not trained actors but have something to tell

Past event

International Workshop Festival of Theatre: Public Lecture on Documentary Theatre

06.08.2015, Hong Kong Arts Centre

As part of the International Workshop Festival of Theatre, West Kowloon is teaming with leading performing arts groups from Hong Kong and overseas to deliver a series of lectures for the public to learn about contemporary performances and their creative process

Past event

Introductory Screendance Workshop

02.08.2015, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Project Site Office

Designed for artists from various disciplines, participants in this workshop will experience movement for and with the camera, as Healey shares her experience in creating the transformative and illuminating theatrical language that transcends performance space, revealing subtle layers of movement and perception on screen through exercise, discussion, sharing and practice DETAIL   APPLY

Past event

2013 Cultural Leadership Summit

27.05.2013 to 29.05.2013, Multiple Venues

Co-presented by WKCDA and HKAAA, the Summit invites international, regional & local cultural leaders to come together & examine how the concept of entrepreneurship can be applied in successful organisations.

Past event

Capacity Building for Inclusive Arts Programmes

26.03.2013 to 28.03.2013, WKCDA Office

A talk and workshop co-presented by WKCDA , British Council and HKAAA, Ms Jo Verrent shares her experience in capacity building for inclusive arts programmes

Past event

2012 Cultural Leadership Summit

30.05.2012 to 01.06.2012, Multiple Venues

Co-presented by WKCDA and HKAAA, the 2012 Cultural Leadership Summit focuses on various aspects to successful creative organisations.

Past event