Past Events
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Our hands-on workshops are inspired by different elements of Chinese traditional theatre and regional cultural heritage, and offer interactive experiences for children, families and art lovers of all ages and abilities
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Freespace commissioned graphic designer Calvin Ho@AtomicAttack to create the first mural on our exterior wall, celebrating the union of movement, music, and creatures of all kinds. You are welcome to witness the creative process of the work online or onsite
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The Roles of Perfect Wives, Heartless Men and Abandoned Women in Cantonese Opera
31.10.2020 to 28.11.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre
In this series of four talks, Dr Cheung Ping-kuen looks at three character types commonly found in Cantonese opera, exploring the social and cultural significance of these roles and some of the iconic tales they have inspired
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Giant Steps – Jazz Rhythms for Kids
14.11.2020 to 22.11.2020, The Room, Freespace
In this 90-minute workshop, young participants work with local musicians to learn about simple jazz rhythms and improvisation through rhythm clapping, movement games and dance, and join an impromptu finale performance with tap dancers and the band
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“The Detective House of Agatha Christie” Series: Verdict
12.11.2020 to 22.11.2020, The Box, Freespace
“The Detective House of Agatha Christie” Series: Verdict is presented by Theatre Space Foundation Limited on 13-22 November 2020
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M+ Matters and M+ International: Archigram Cities
04.11.2020 to 21.11.2020
In collaboration with the Department of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong and the Power Station of Art in Shanghai, ‘Archigram Cities’ is a series of online and offline events in November 2020, introducing Archigram’s work to new audiences
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The Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera
17.11.2020, 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
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Blending Peking Opera, Street Dance and Rock
15.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming
The young artists of Contemporary Legend Theatre, Taiwan share insight on creating cross-genre Peking opera productions for contemporary audiences and discuss their internationally acclaimed production Wu Song – The Tiger Warrior
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Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery – Simple Sequin Brooch
15.11.2020, 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
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Experimental Chinese Opera Festival 2020
10.10.2020 to 15.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre
Highlighting new perspectives on contemporary Chinese opera, this year’s festival includes performances of the experimental Cantonese opera productions Wenguang Explores the Valley and Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation), as well as sharing sessions with four regional troupes
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14.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre
Make your own life-size paper model and learn fun facts about xiqu headdresses in a fun, hands-on workshop
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Experimental Cantonese Opera "Farewell My Concubine" (New Adaptation) – Xiqu Centre
06.11.2020 to 13.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre
Blending traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design, this groundbreaking production reinterprets the legendary story of the downfall of Xiang Yu, the self-proclaimed “Overlord of Western Chu”
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Chinese Dance and Martial Arts Workshop
08.11.2020, Atrium, Xiqu Centre
In a 45-minute workshop, dancers Ho Ho-fei and Liu Wai-yee from the Hong Kong Dance Company lead young participants to explore the connections between Chinese dance and martial arts. The workshop is presented alongside the HKDC performance Convergence
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Freespace Jazz Fest: Angelita Li Sings Billie Holiday – Feat. Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra
07.11.2020 to 08.11.2020, The Box, Freespace
Veteran singer Angelita Li teams up with award-winning musician Patrick Lui and his orchestra in a tribute to the legacy of iconic jazz legend Billie Holiday, with performances of classic Holiday songs and images and stories from her life
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Freespace Jazz Fest: Ted Lo and Eugene Pao
07.11.2020, The Box, Freespace
Freespace celebrates two of Hong Kong’s finest jazz musicians in a one-night-only master performance of fusion, classics and original compositions – with Pao and Lo joined by a line-up of top local artists
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Freespace Jazz Fest - Jazz Imaginarium
06.11.2020, The Box, Freespace
In this multi-sensory collaborative event, jazz musicians and media artists merge improvised and recorded music and digital imagery to create an immersive meditative experience
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Cantonese Opera – A Thorn Hairpin
04.11.2020 to 05.11.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre
This riveting drama of unwavering love through separation and reunion will be performed by on-and-off-screen couple Law Kar-ying and Liza Wang, alongside a star-studded cast of veteran Cantonese opera artists. This version preserves the poignant, dramatic tension of the script and recalls the indelible original production from 2003
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Using Confucian Texts and Ancient Classics in Cantonese Opera
27.10.2020 to 03.11.2020
The talk Using the Records of the Grand Historian in a Cantonese Opera on 3 November (Tuesday) will now take place online and not in the Xiqu Centre. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk soon
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Shirley Tse: Stakes and Holders
01.07.2020 to 01.11.2020, M+ Pavilion, Art Park
Shirley Tse: Stakes and Holders presents sculptural work and installations by the Los Angeles–based Hong Kong artist Shirley Tse. The exhibition responds to Shirley Tse: Stakeholders, Hong Kong in Venice, Hong Kong’s presence at the Venice Biennale in 2019
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A Woman’s Perspective, Past and Present
31.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming
The Shanghai Yue Opera House discuss their immersive avant-garde production Destiny of Rebirth – a contemporary reimagining of a classic lyrical poem that merges modern aesthetics and traditional Yue opera techniques to explore past and present perspectives on female identity
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Traditional Music Notation in Kunqu and Cantonese Opera
14.01.2020 to 28.10.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming
Talk 2 Literati Manuscripts due to take place on 28 October (Wednesday) has been cancelled
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Experimental Cantonese Opera "Wenguang Explores the Valley" – Xiqu Centre
22.10.2020 to 27.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre
The Xiqu Centre’s second experimental Cantonese opera production, this adaptation of an ancient tale of the legendary Yang generals combines traditional and contemporary theatre practices, and presents Wenguang’s contemplation of his family legacy as a metaphor for the preservation and innovation of Cantonese opera in the modern era
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26.10.2020, Competition Pavilion, Nursery Park
Join artist and Himalayan singing bowl player Tsang Man-tung in a meditative dawn performance workshop in the Nursery Park and let the soothing bell-like vibrations of the singing bowls awaken the senses neglected in your everyday life
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HKDC in Residence 2020: Convergence
18.10.2020 to 24.10.2020
Presented as an online screening, Convergence is the culminating work of an inter-disciplinary study on Chinese martial arts and dance that captures the transient state between stillness and exuberance and offers new perspectives on dance, movement and the fluidity of expression
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08.09.2020 to 20.10.2020
In a series of four online talks, Henry and Roger Chung – The Chung Brothers – look at the origins and development of jazz in the US, some of the key styles and figures that have shaped its history, and the influence of jazz on music in Hong Kong
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Make Your Own Xiqu-inspired Pencil Case
18.10.2020, Atrium, Xiqu Centre
Join a hands-on workshop and make your own wooden pencil case inspired by the wooden storage trunks used by xiqu troupes and learn more about life backstage at a Cantonese opera performance
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17.10.2020 to 18.10.2020, Harbourside Lawn, Art Park
'Music at the Art Park' is a new series presented by West Kowloon to support Hong Kong’s musicians, many of whom have been unable to perform in recent months due to restrictions on venues. Come down and show your support for live music
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Gaojia Opera’s Comic Tales of Human Lives
17.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming
Artists from the Jin Liansheng Gaojia Opera Troupe of Xiamen City introduce their production Sister A Da – a morality tale about a well-meaning but hapless protagonist – and discuss how traditional comic techniques can be merged with contemporary elements to tell stories that resonate with audiences today
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Paper Puppet Making Workshop: Lion Dance Head
17.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre
Join our hands-on handicraft workshop and create your own paper puppet lion dance head and learn more about this unique cultural tradition
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11.10.2020 to 17.10.2020
Internationally acclaimed choreographer and multidisciplinary avant-garde artist Hiroaki Umeda joins us live from Tokyo for a specially curated online exploration of his work, featuring real-time and screened performances, talk and sharing session
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11.10.2020, Harbourside Lawn, Art Park
‘Sunday Jazz at the Art Park’ is a new series presented by West Kowloon to support Hong Kong’s musicians, many of whom have been unable to perform in recent months due to restrictions on venues. Come down and show your support for live music
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From Theatre of the Absurd to Kunqu
10.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming
The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe discuss their acclaimed production The Chairs – a Kunqu adaptation of Eugène Ionesco’s 1952 classic absurdist play Les Chaises – a minimalist production that incorporates traditional Kunqu techniques to offer a new perspective on the absurdity and loneliness of human existence
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Musical Theatre Appreciation Series
21.08.2020 to 30.09.2020
All talks of the Musical Theatre Appreciation Series due to take place on 21 August (Friday), 26 August and 30 September 2020 (Wednesday) will be held online instead from 12:30pm to 2:00pm on the same dates
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How Did You Two Meet? — Online Talks
28.05.2020 to 24.09.2020
In this series, curators draw connections between uncommon pairings of works of art, design, and architecture from the M+ Collections to spark new stories. Join the conversation on Microsoft Teams and get as stimulated and agitated as we are
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West Kowloon Young Fellows Scheme (Performing Arts) 2019: Awardee Sharing Session
19.09.2020
In this online session, Dorothy Ngan So-yan, 2019 awardee, talks about the practice and findings of her fellowship project “Research on Accessible Theatre in Hong Kong – Overcoming Visual Barriers”
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The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera
02.09.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre
The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera due to take place on 2 September 2020 (Wednesday) has been cancelled
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18.07.2020 to 23.08.2020, Freespace
Freespace Open House programmes due to take place on 18-19 July, 25-26 July, 1-2 August, 8-9 August, 15-16 August and 22-23 August 2020 have been cancelled
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M+ Online Hackathon—City of Objects
01.08.2020 to 15.08.2020
M+ Online Hackathon—City of Objects invites students, designers, artists, technologists, and cultural enthusiasts to embark on a journey that explores the concept of objects through different lenses—everyday life, personal and cultural identities, and virtuality
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Children's Workshop: Musical Storytelling with Uncle Hung
25.07.2020 to 15.08.2020, The Studio, Freespace
Children's Workshop: Musical Storytelling with Uncle Hung due to take place on 25 July and 1, 8, and 15 August 2020 (Saturday) have been rescheduled. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk shortly
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Park Tour and Workshop (July 2020)
18.07.2020 to 25.07.2020, Art Park
Park Tour and Workshop due to take place 18 and 25 July 2020 (Saturday) has been cancelled
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30.06.2020, 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
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On & On Theatre Workshop – The Phenomenon of Man: REVOLVER 2021
26.06.2020 to 29.06.2020, The Box, Freespace
Part fact, part fantasy, The Phenomenon of Man: REVOLVER is a sombre, lyrical, contemplative work about collective connectivity, the here and now, the future and the universe. This newly adapted rerun consists of two experiential parts: a five-part online radio play and a theatrical performance on stage
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Choreographer and Composer Lab 2020: Works-in-Development Showcase
18.06.2020, The Box, Freespace
This year, Freespace’s collaborative platform for artistic research and experimentation brings together two independent contemporary dance choreographers and three independent composers, and includes a public works-in-development showcase and sharing session
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