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

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

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

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

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

Cultural Leadership Summit 2018

08.11.2018 to 09.11.2018, The Hong Kong Academy For Performing Arts

Join cultural heavyweights from Hong Kong and beyond in a series of keynote speeches, debates, discussions and workshops to rethink the opportunities and challenges presented by cultural tourism, and the relationship between arts and cities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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