Shirley Tse: Stakeholders, Hong Kong in Venice

11.05.2019 to 19.11.2019, Venice, Italy

The Venice exhibition is a culmination of Tse’s career-long interest in plasticity and in the various meanings and possible interpretations of materials and things

Past event

Five Artists: Sites Encountered

07.06.2019 to 20.10.2019, M+ Pavilion, Art Park

Five Artists: Sites Encountered brings together an international group of artists whose varied approaches offer ways to rethink ideas of site and place

Past event

M+ / Design Trust Research Fellowship

The M+ / Design Trust Research Fellowship programme supports original research projects investigating issues relating to design and architecture in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Asia through a transnational lens

Past event

Chinese Fan Painting and Movement Workshop

16.06.2019, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

In this free family workshop, Cantonese opera artist Xie Xiaoyu, and facilitator Vivian Ng and Ava Yau, show you how to decorate a flat fan with an image of a Chinese opera character and demonstrate how fans are used by performers in dan (female) roles

Past event

Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery Workshop – Imitation Kingfisher Feather Brooch

15.06.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Join a hands-on workshop and learn how to process and use ribbon to imitate the effect of kingfisher feathers, and design and create your own individual brooch

Past event

From a True Story – Christian Rizzo

14.06.2019 to 15.06.2019, The Box, Freespace

Incorporating eight male dancers and two live drummers, French choreographer Christian Rizzo’s acclaimed dance work From a True Story blends folkloric gesture and contemporary movement with repetitive tribal rhythms, creating a work that strikes at the core of human experience. Hong Kong debut

Past event

Choreographic Landscapes

07.06.2019 to 12.06.2019, The Room, Freespace

French choreographer Christian Rizzo joins us to lead a five-day professional workshop for dancers and visual artists on choreographic compositions and the relationship between movement, performance and space. The collaboration opens with a public discussion on his work and the importance of emptiness as a space for imagination

Past event

The Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

04.06.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu 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

ExecLab: Executive Short Courses 2019 – University of the Arts London

31.05.2019 to 02.06.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Presented in collaboration with the University of the Arts London Short Courses, this three-day professional course offers insight into the skills required for managing arts and cultural events and developing sustainable creative business

Past event

The Hidden Pulse at Vivid LIVE 2019

29.05.2019 to 02.06.2019, Sydney Opera House, Australia

From 29 May to 2 June, M+ and the Sydney Opera House co-present The Hidden Pulse as part of Vivid LIVE. This is a five-day programme of artists’ videos and films that explores the capacity of music and performance

Past event

Shanghai Pingtan Troupe "Gao Bowen performs Blossoms"

23.05.2019 to 02.06.2019, Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This four-part adaptation of an award-winning novel brings to life an intricate tale and showcases the unique charm of the narrative Pingtan tradition. Each part is performed on consecutive evenings, with two complete four-night runs over the programme period

Past event

The Music of Cantonese Opera

01.06.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Professor Yu Siu-wah examines the concepts and characteristics of Cantonese opera music, offers insight into basic structures and arrangements, and discusses some of the transformations that have taken place over the centuries

Past event

Ming Furniture

29.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this illustrated talk, renowned local Ming furniture expert Dr Yip Shing-yiu offers insight into the artistry, style and development of some of the finest Chinese furniture design

Past event

Reading Cantonese Music Notation

28.05.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, members of the arts group The Gong Strikes One demonstrate how to read traditional gongche music sheets and perform live on the zheng (Chinese zither) and dongxiao (bamboo flute)

Past event

The Musicality of Kunqu

25.05.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Dr Chan Chun-miu offers audiences insight into the distinctive sounds and melodies of the Kunqu art form, exploring the relationship between the use of dialects and the evolution of the art form, and the way that music and language is used to highlight different roles and characters

Past event

Indie Music – An International Perspective

21.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Using examples from the US and Britain, Stella Lau, former Programme Director in Performing Arts at HKU SPACE, explores the musical, social and economic relationships that underpin independent music labels, and whether independent artists who become popular in the mainstream can still be labelled “indie”

Past event

Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery Workshop – Hairpin with Imitation Kingfisher Feather

19.05.2019, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

In this fun, free workshop, local artists Kong Hoi-kan and Ng Sze-yu demonstrate how to use ribbons to imitate the effect of kingfisher feathers and help you discover fun facts about the symbolic role of garments and head pieces in xiqu performances

Past event

Xiqu Paper Headdress Workshop

18.05.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Make your own life-size paper model and learn fun facts about xiqu headdresses in a fun, hands-on workshop

Past event

Dialogue | Cantonese Opera

07.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

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

Four Dreams in the Camellia Hall by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: The Peony Pavilion

05.05.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

After dreaming of an encounter with a handsome stranger, the lovesick young Du Liniang is so bewitched that she dies of longing. Later, when the scholar Liu Mengmei discovers a portrait of Liniang, he is filled with a sense of romantic déjà vu…

Past event

Cantonese Opera and Modernity

04.05.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

This talk looks at Cantonese opera in the social context of modern Hong Kong, and examines how elements of western-modern music, literature and film culture have been adapted for use in the traditional performing art form

Past event

Four Dreams in the Camellia Hall by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: A Dream Under the Southern Bough

04.05.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

In a depressed and drunken slumber, recently demoted Tang dynasty general Chun Yufen dreams he visits a strange land where he is presented with riches and power. When his fortune is squandered through greed and corruption, he wakes full of remorse

Past event

Four Dreams in the Camellia Hall by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: A Pair of Purple Hairpins

03.05.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

After pledging his love to Xiaoyu, the beautiful daughter of Prince Huo, the handsome young Li Yi suddenly disappears. Broken hearted, Xiaoyu assumes she has been deserted, until the arrival of a knight in yellow robes reveals the truth…

Past event

Four Dreams in the Camellia Hall by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: The Tale of Handan

02.05.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

At a small inn in the city of Handan, a scholar named Lu encounters a Taoist immortal who lends him a magical porcelain pillow. The same night, Lu has a vivid dream that changes the course of his life

Past event

The Literature in Kunqu

30.04.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Chinese opera scholar Chan Chun-miu looks at some of the literary texts used in Kunqu, and shares insight into Kunqu influence on xiqu songs and performance

Past event

Between Cantonese Opera and Film: Connie Chan and Female Cross-dressing

27.04.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio, Xiqu Centre

Since the post-war years, the convention of nüwenwusheng – female performers playing civil and military male roles – in Cantonese opera has been a popular practice in Hong Kong. In this talk, Prof Li Siu-leung looks at the recent history of female cross-dressing in Hong Kong Cantonese opera and film, with special reference to Connie Chan Po-chu

Past event

Chinese Culture Talk Series II

27.02.2019 to 24.04.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this series of three talks, local experts share their understanding of poetry, calligraphy and the ancient Chinese divination text the I Ching, and explore the relevance of traditional literary arts in a contemporary society

Past event

Noguchi for Danh Vo: Counterpoint

16.11.2018 to 22.04.2019, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

The exhibition presents art and design works by the celebrated modern sculptor Isamu Noguchi in dialogue with newly created work by Danh Vo, one of the most critically acclaimed conceptual artists active today

Past event

Egg-painting Workshop

21.04.2019, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

This Easter, join us at the Xiqu Centre Atrium for a new spin on egg painting, and learn about the face-painting process used for female Cantonese opera roles at the same time

Past event

Stone-painting Workshop

20.04.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

During this 2-hour stone-painting workshop, Hong Kong’s first and only full-time stone painter Kam Shing-yan guides you through basic techniques, and helps you achieve a sense of focused calm that acts as a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city

Past event

M+ Screenings: In the World, Of the World

12.04.2019 to 14.04.2019, Broadway Cinematheque

This weekend-long screening programme explores artistic community in an alternately turbulent and exhilarating era defined by transnational mobility and displacement

Past event

The Stories Behind the Xiqu Centre

09.04.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

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 Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

06.04.2019, Seminar Hall & Studio 5, Xiqu 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

The Music of Cantonese Opera

02.04.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

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

Past event

M+ at Art Basel Hong Kong 2019

27.03.2019 to 31.03.2019, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

M+ presents its own human library at Art Basel Hong Kong 2019 to create dialogue and deepen understanding between M+ and the public

Past event

Standard Chartered Tea House Theatre Experience

Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Presented by our Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, this 90-minute narrated performance is specially designed to introduce new audiences to Chinese traditional theatre. To recreate the atmosphere of Hong Kong’s early 20th century tea houses, audiences are also served traditional tea and dim sum during the show

Past event

M+ Live Art: Miraculous Trajectories

29.03.2019, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Co-presented with Art Basel Hong Kong, M+ Live Art: Miraculous Trajectories is a live cinema event featuring a seventy-minute film written and directed by artist Cheng Ran, with an original soundtrack composed and performed by electronic musician Shao Yanpeng

Past event

Open Up Tuen Mun @ West Kowloon

24.03.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

Join us and experience the transformation and vitality of Tuen Mun District! A community engagement event to present the local characteristics, art and culture of Tuen Mun from the perspective of past, present and future

Past event

Hong Kong Flower Show 2019 – West Kowloon Cultural District

15.03.2019 to 24.03.2019, Victoria Park, Hong Kong

West Kowloon is staging a landscaped garden at this year’s Hong Kong Flower Show, taking inspiration from the Chinese hibiscus – the theme flower of this year’s event – and our upcoming venue, Freespace, in the West Kowloon Art Park. Join us at Victoria Park to explore a picture-perfect floral display

Past event

Xiqu Film Screenings (March)

09.03.2019 to 24.03.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Accompanying the China Theatre Association Plum Blossom Award Troupe performances, this screening series showcases the work of award-winning artists and the regional characteristics of different xiqu genres, and offers an exciting opportunity for audiences to catch some rare examples of fine xiqu cinema

Past event

Eastern Ethos Express @ West Kowloon

17.03.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

Come and get a taste of the characteristics of Eastern District and West Kowloon! A community engagement event to share the precious community memory and invite general public to explore the uniqueness of the districts

Past event

Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery – Simple Sequin Brooch

17.03.2019, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

In this fun, free workshop, local artists Kong Hoi-kan and Ng Sze-yu show you how to make a simple xiqu-inspired brooch using colourful sequins and share insight into the symbolic role of garments and head pieces in xiqu performances

Past event

M+ Hackathon

16.03.2019 to 17.03.2019, Eaton House

During this two-day event, we invite designers, artists, technologists, and cultural enthusiasts to use M+ Collections open data as raw material for creative and artistic projects

Past event

ExecLab: Executive Short Courses 2019 – RADA Business

15.03.2019 to 17.03.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Working closely with RADA Business, the commercial arm of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the world-class learning programme builds on dramatic arts, helping people at work to become brilliant communicators

Past event

A Master Selection of Mixed Xiqu Excerpts

16.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This mixed excerpt performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience highlights from some of the less familiar regional xiqu variations, including a Gannan tea-picking opera from Jiangxi and an archaic Ouju piece from Zhejiang

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery – Resin Stone Brooch

16.03.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

In this fun creative workshop, local artists Kong Hoi-kan and Ng Sze-yu show you how to make a xiqu-inspired costume brooch using coloured resin stones and share insight into the symbolic role of garments and head pieces in xiqu performances

Past event

A Master Selection of Kunqu Excerpts

15.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Showcasing highlights from the oldest form of xiqu still performed today, this selection demonstrates the nuance, grace and regional characteristics of Kunqu acting and singing and the talents of the specialist performers

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Freespace Happening (9–10.3.2019)

09.03.2019 to 10.03.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

To wrap up the last weekend of this season’s Freespace Happening in style, our music stage offers a great mix of sounds from round the globe: Indonesian duo Senyawa, French avant-garde band Las Aves, US ensemble Mik Nawooj with Hong Kong’s MC Yan and musicians and much, much more!

Past event

Art+Feminism: Wikipedia Edit-a-thon on Women in Art in Asia

09.03.2019, Asia Art Archive A Space

Want to help improve representation of women artists and makers on Wikipedia? Join our Wikipedia edit-a-thon on Saturday 9 March—the day after International Women’s Day

Past event

The Application of Nanyin in Cantonese Opera

05.03.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Looking at popular nanyin excerpts, this talk explores the history and evolution of nanyin, a form of Cantonese narrative singing, as one of the delivery styles used in Cantonese opera

Past event

2018 M+ / Design Trust Research Fellowship Public Talks

02.03.2019, Hotel Stage

In these public talks, the 2018 M+ / Design Trust Research Fellows, Hugh Davies and the team of Fan Lok Yi and Sampson Wong, present their research

Past event

Lady Spring Fragrance

28.02.2019 to 01.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Adapted from a Korean folk tale, this original new play is set in imperial China and recounts the forbidden love between a coutesan’s daughter and the son of a magistrate. Will their commitment prove stronger than the challenges that face them, or will fate tear them apart?

Tickets now on sale

Past event

From Plastic to Plasticity; Multiplicities to Negotiation

28.02.2019, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this talk, Tse discusses central concepts in her practice from the past twenty years. She is then joined in conversation by Christina Li, offering the audience a first glimpse of the Venice exhibition

Past event

The Legend of the White Snake

26.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Blending martial arts and romance, this new adaptation of a classic tale depicts the love between Madame White Snake and Xu Xian and their tragic separation by the powerful monk Fahai

Tickets now on sale

Past event

The Melodies of Nanyin

26.02.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, members of the arts group The Gong Strikes One illustrate with live demonstrations how the vocal and instrumental melodies of nanyin are created and developed based on the lyrics

Past event

Kowloon City Art Festival @ West Kowloon

23.02.2019 to 24.02.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

Join us to explore the vitality of Kowloon City District and West Kowloon! A community engagement event in the themes of creativity, education and sharing with a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. Learn more about the uniqueness of Kowloon City and West Kowloon

Past event

Xiqu Film Screenings (February)

09.02.2019 to 24.02.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Featuring seven Cantonese opera films produced in Hong Kong between 1948 and 1962, this screening series explores the complex relationship between on-stage and on-screen personas of some of the most renowned stage artists of the time. Also included is the award-winning contemporary documentary My Way, chronicling the struggle of two aspiring Cantonese opera actors

Tickets now on sale

Past event

The Butterfly and the Red Pear Blossoms

23.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

A talented scholar and a courtesan fall in love after years of exchanging letters and poetry. Although fate conspires to keep them apart, the pair are finally united after a series of tantalising twists and turns...

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

02.02.2019 to 23.02.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu 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

Forty Years of Cherished Love

22.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Based on the life of poet Lu You, this heart-wrenching play tells the story of his tragic separation from his first wife, and their accidental meeting, many years later, after both of them have remarried...

Tickets now on sale

Past event

The Peregrinations of Confucius

20.02.2019 to 21.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Based on texts from the Analects, this new play recounts the exploits of Confucius, one of the most influential philosophers in Chinese history, who spent 14 years travelling to preach his wisdom to the warlords of ancient China

Tickets now on sale

Past event

The Sounds of Battle

19.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This complex political love triangle tells the story of princess Cuibi, her lover general Xia, and their struggle with the powerful King of Qin, whose one goal is to make Cuibi his wife

Tickets now on sale

Past event

The Knight Errant's Adventure in the Palace

18.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

A belligerant war hero demands the hand of a beautiful princess. Discovering that she is in love with another he threatens the pair with an deadly ultimatum. Will the lovers manage to outwit this powerful and dangerous man?

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Goddess of the Ninth Heaven

17.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This romantic legend tells the tale of Ai and Yang. Separated by a raging fire set by a jealous prince, the young lovers jump to their death in the flames. Reunited in the afterlife, their love is blessed for eternity

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Paper Doll Workshop: Cantonese Opera Roles and Costumes

17.02.2019, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

Learn about the costumes, colours and accessories worn by different characters in Cantonese opera plays in a fun free workshop for participants of all ages

Past event

Paper Puppet Making Workshop: Lion Dance Head

16.02.2019, Studio, Xiqu Centre

For an auspicious start to the Lunar New Year, join our handicraft workshop and create a personalised paper puppet of a lion dance head and learn more about this unique cultural tradition!

Past event

The Curious Case of A Red Embroidered Shoe

16.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

In a tale of romantic intrigue and wrongdoing, a besotted court clerk murders his wife to elope with his lover. Although he carefully arranges the crime scene to make himself look innocent, there is one detail he overlooks...

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Contributing to an Open Society through Digitised Museum Collections

15.02.2019, Hotel Stage

In this talk, the speaker discusses efforts to embrace the digital era’s potential to improve access to museum collections for creative reuse and public engagement

Past event

Bound-foot Liu Jinding Battles at the Fort

10.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

After a heated duel, general Gao and Liu Jinding, the female chief of a mountain fortress, find themselves so drawn to each other that when Gao is captured by the enemy, Liu single-handedly comes to his rescue. An action-packed romantic drama offering a treat for martial arts fans

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Freespace Happening (10.2.2019)

10.02.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

Join us to celebrate the first weekend of the Year of the Pig with live music from GDJYB, tfvsjs, Milkmouth, DJ sets from Solar Sound System, indigenous dance from Taiwan, valentine bouquet and stone painting workshops, story-telling and drawing sessions about fish ponds and local birds, pet games and more

Past event

Life's Blessing to Shen and Meng

09.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

A Spring Festival staple, this entertaining comedy tells the story of a marital crisis involving a browbeaten scholar, a philandering father-in-law, false accusations and lies. But can there still be a happy ending?

Tickets now on sale

Past event

Visitors Making Meaning – Constructivist Learning in Museums

31.01.2019, Hotel Stage

In this session, the speaker introduces the idea of constructivist pedagogy and how it can be applied in museums to the creation of all kinds of interpretation materials

Past event

The Reincarnation of Red Plum

21.01.2019 to 30.01.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

For our Grand Opening, and the 60th anniversary of its premiere, we present legendary dramatist Tong Tik-sang’s The Reincarnation of Red Plum. Under the artistic direction of legendary veteran Pak Suet Sin, the production celebrates the living tradition of Cantonese opera, showcasing three generations of talented performers and offering a new perspective on an enduring classic

All tickets are sold out. Thank you for your support

Past event

Xiqu Film Screenings (January)

26.01.2019 to 27.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Accompanying our Grand Opening performance The Reincarnation of Red Plum – an acclaimed production by Hong Kong’s legendary stars Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin – this screening series presents three comic Cantonese opera films showing the magical Yam-Pak chemistry on screen

Tickets now on sale

Past event

West Kowloon at Hong Kong Trade Development Council Education and Careers Expo

24.01.2019 to 27.01.2019, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Visit our booth to find out more about our latest developments and career opportunities. We will also be conducting on-site interviews during the fair. Register now

Past event

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

26.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu 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

The “Analects” in Cantonese Opera

24.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this talk, Cantonese opera playwright Woo Kwok-yin shares insight into the creative process behind his work The Peregrinations of Confucius, and explores how xiqu as a multidisciplinary art form can breathe new life and relevancy into classic texts

Past event

Freespace Happening (13.1.2019)

13.01.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

Join us to welcome the new year with live music, dance and fun workshops! The eclectic line-up includes Cris Derksen Trio from Canada, David Boring, Dusty Bottle, Winter Bagels and Mo-Men-T x Experimental Vocal Ensemble from Hong Kong. Learn fun facts about food at the “Open Picnic: Eat Well” and more

Past event

Cantonese Opera and Cinema

06.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Between 1940 and 1970, a large number of stars from the Cantonese opera stage entered the film industry in Hong Kong. This talk looks at the impact of this phenomenon, and the importance of Cantonese opera films as historical records of performances from that era

Past event

Handicraft Workshops

01.01.2019 to 06.01.2019, Studio 5, Xiqu Centre

Join us during the Xiqu Centre Pre-opening Gala week for free workshops offering a hands-on introduction to three of Hong Kong’s most recognisable heritage arts: lion dances, Cantonese opera and paper cutting

Past event

West Kowloon 101 Foyer Talks

31.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, 2/F Foyer, Xiqu Centre

During the Xiqu Centre Pre-opening Gala, experienced professional performers share their experience and insight on various aspects of Cantonese opera in free and informal lunchtime and evening talks

Past event

Pre-opening Gala Film Screenings

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

To complement our Grand Theatre performances we present five Cantonese opera films produced between 1957 and 2011 and featuring some of the legends of the golden age of Cantonese opera film

Past event

Pre-opening Gala Guided Tours

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Xiqu Centre

Explore our new facilities and discover fun facts about the rich art of xiqu on our 60-minute guided tours

Past event

Presentations by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Our special narrated programme offers visitors an introduction to Cantonese opera through a selection of short excerpts demonstrating a range of vocal and music styles

Past event

Stage Dedication and Open Day Cantonese Opera performances

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Featuring two specially selected set pieces and a series of excerpt performances, this auspicious programme is presented by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and features some of the city’s most talented performers

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

Past event

Cantonese Opera in the Hong Kong Religious Context

05.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Professor Chan Sau-yan, expert on the musical structure, performance practice, ethnographic and historical aspects of Cantonese opera, looks at the tradition of religious operas in Hong Kong, and the challenges of preserving an ancient art form in a market-oriented economy

Past event

Perfect Wives in Cantonese Operas

04.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Cantonese operas are often based on stories of love and married life. The wives in these tales may be meek and loving or powerful and cunning. This talk looks at some of the Xiqu Centre opening performances to explore what makes a “perfect wife” on the Cantonese opera stage

Past event

The Functions and Practice of Xiaoqu (short tunes) in Cantonese Opera

03.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Melodic and song-like, xiaoqu can incorporate traditional instrumental melodies, folk songs, contemporary pop songs and even theme tunes from films and TV shows. This talk explores the origins and development of xiaoqu and its unique function in Cantonese opera

Past event

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

M+ Screenings: The Film Life of Ann Hui

08.12.2018 to 16.12.2018, KITEC & Broadway Cinematheque

M+ Screenings: The Film Life of Ann Huiaddresses the work of the acclaimed director, who has been quietly contributing to Hong Kong cinema for four decades

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

Freespace Happening (8-9.12.2018)

08.12.2018 to 09.12.2018, Art Park, West Kowloon

Enjoy a fun-packed weekend of live music, movie screenings, art-making and more. For our first-ever screening on the facade of our new Freespace venue, we present two films that arts enthusiasts are sure to adore: ‘Faces Places’ and ‘The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble’

Past event

Building Louvre Abu Dhabi

07.12.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this M+ Matters | Keynote talk, Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi and a key figure in the development of the project, discusses this twenty-first-century encyclopedic museum as ‘a museum of experimentation, and a museum of meeting points’

Past event

Negotiating Access and Preservation in the Contemporary Museum

06.12.2018, Hotel Stage

In this talk, the speaker examines the relationship between the notions of access and preservation in museums

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

Wikipedia Asian Month: Edit-a-thon on Exhibition Histories

24.11.2018, Asia Art Archive A Space

The event brings together participants to discuss, create, share, and improve articles and information about exhibition history in and about Asia on Wikipedia. Register now

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

Past event

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

Freespace Happening (11.11.2018)

11.11.2018, Art Park, West Kowloon

Whether you are into music, dance, crafts, books or pets, autumn is the perfect time of year to enjoy whatever you love outdoors. On stage, as part of Taiwan Arts Festival, we present Constant & Change and Shallow Levée with their blend of post-rock, emo and Taiwanese folk…

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

“Five Easy Pieces” by Milo Rau / International Institute of Political Murder / CAMPO (Switzerland/ Germany/ Belgium)

31.10.2018 to 03.11.2018, Hong Kong Arts Centre Shouson Theatre

Using performers aged between 10 and 13, and the biography of Belgium’s most notorious child killer Marc Dutroux, this provocative performance probes the limits of what children know, feel, and do, blending realism, brutality and black humour to reflect on the (re)presentation of human feelings on stage

Past event

Hong Kong International Black Box Festival

11.10.2018 to 03.11.2018

Co-presented with HKREP, the four-week festival showcases unconventional theatre forms that blur the lines between representations of fiction and reality. Each production invites the audience to become aware of our agency, allowing us to experience theatre in energising ways. Tickets available at URBTIX now

Past event

“Oedipus Schmoedipus” by post / HKRep (Australia/ Hong Kong)

26.10.2018 to 29.10.2018, HKRep Black Box

Engaging in multiple murders and suicides, the provocative Australian collective resurrect classic death scenes into an accessible, fun-filled spectacle with plenty of blood and gore. For each mammoth bloodbath, the artists enlist a cast of 25 volunteers to join the comic lament and slaughter. Don’t miss your chance to die

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

Haunting Images: Live Cinema by Lim Giong

26.10.2018 to 27.10.2018, MOViE MOViE Cityplaza

Lim Giong performs in a live cinema event that rethinks the relationship between sound and image, featuring live scoring along with the projection of moving image

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

Pink Dot HK

21.10.2018, Art Park, West Kowloon

Come and join the fun at Hong Kong’s largest LGBTI event

Past event

“MDLSX” by Motus (Italy)

17.10.2018 to 21.10.2018, HKRep Black Box

When definitions of identity and gender are stripped away, who do you see? In this partly autobiographical 80-minute monologue, Premio Ubu-winner Silvia Calderoni peels away layers of scientific and historical convention and throws down a wild, breathtaking challenge to the audience to re-imagine identity beyond the definitions of binary gender

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

Freespace Happening (14.10.2018)

14.10.2018, Art Park, West Kowloon

October’s Freespace Happening brings you live music and dance with a taste of Korea! On stage, we have Korean singer-songwriter Gonne Choi presenting acoustic guitar songs fused with traditional Korean elements and Korean dance artist Hyeon Lee who shares Ganggangsullae, an ancient, traditional folk dance incorporating dancing and singing

Past event

“One Fine Day” by New Youth Group (Beijing)

11.10.2018 to 14.10.2018, HKRep Black Box

19 Hong Kong residents share personal tales of happiness and heartbreak in tightly choreographed simultaneous recitals about a ”one fine day” in their life. Through the cacophony of sounds and voices, intensely intimate stories emerge, coming together in a profound and confronting experience for audiences and performers alike

Past event

Roving Exhibition on the Xiqu Centre

West Kowloon is staging a roving exhibition on the Xiqu Centre in which the general public can gain a greater understanding on the construction progress of the venue which is scheduled for opening in late 2018, as well as its pre-opening programmes

Past event

In Search of Southeast Asia through the M+ Collections

22.06.2018 to 30.09.2018, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

Encompassing visual art, design and architecture, and moving image works from, and about, Southeast Asia, the exhibition highlights how M+ is developing a unique perspective on the region as a place that is defined by multiple narratives, histories, and identities

Past event

M+ Screenings: Southeast Asia Moving Image Mixtape

18.09.2018 to 23.09.2018, Tai Kwun & Broadway Cinematheque

M+ Screenings: Southeast Asia Moving Image Mixtape provides a composite, contemporary perspective on moving image works made around and about Southeast Asia in recent years

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

Freespace Happening (8–9.9.2018)

08.09.2018 to 09.09.2018, Art Park, West Kowloon

On 8 and 9 September, Freespace Happening, our free outdoor music and arts event, returns at its permanent site in the brand new West Kowloon Art Park

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

Past event

M+ Matters: Art and Design in the Digital Realm

01.09.2018, Tai Kwun

‘M+ Matters: Art and Design in the Digital Realm’ features a full day of artist talks, exploring how data collection, artificial intelligence, simulations, social media, and creative programming are all being leveraged by contemporary practitioners working online

Past event

M+ Data Design Hackathon

31.08.2018 to 01.09.2018, A Hall Studio, Tai Kwun

During this two-day ’M+ Data Design Hackathon’, participants are invited to examine how content from the M+ Collections might meaningfully add to open-source knowledge bases and be activated through new research and creative projects

Past event

Tanzmesse 2018 - Dance in Hong Kong

With the theme “Dance in Hong Kong”, West Kowloon and HKADC are collaborating to present a delegation of Hong Kong dance artists and contemporary dance works at Tanzmesse 2018 from 30 August to 1 September 2018. Before Tanzmesse, West Kowloon has organised workshop and sharing for local dance practitioners

Past event

ART AFTER HOURS: YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES PRESENTS ‘THE ARTIST TALK TO END ALL ARTIST TALKS — OR, THE STRUGGLE SESSION CONTINUES!’

31.08.2018, Tai Kwun

Don’t miss the FINAL-EVER public performance by the pioneering Seoul-based digital artist duo YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES. There will also be a discussion after the performance

Past event

M+ Summer Camp 2018: far out

12.08.2018 to 15.08.2018

With the theme of ‘far out’, M+ Summer camp 2018 invites practitioners in the fields of visual art, design, architecture, illustration, and moving image to inspire young people to use ordinary details as sources of creativity. Sign up now

Past event

“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

Envisioning the Museum in the Age of Participation

03.08.2018, Hotel Stage

The talk invites the audience to consider the roles a museum plays in society, as well as the forms of participation that can both emerge from and shape a contemporary museum of visual culture

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

Our Death Won't Hurt Anybody – Freely inspired by The Art of War by Sunzi (Part 1)

06.07.2018 to 08.07.2018, Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona

Freely inspired by ten major tactics outlined on Sunzi’s The Art of War, the work delves into the thinking behind these strategies, and reflects on their relevance to the battles we encounter with the people around us, to wars between nations, and our own internal struggles

Past event

Post-1949 Visual and Material Culture in China

05.07.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

The talk considers critical issues in the first decades of the socialist state in China through a multidisciplinary lens, examining design and visual art

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