Past Events
-
The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera
26.01.2021 to 23.02.2021, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming
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 -
Dance on Screen: Dance Films and Videos
27.01.2021
Renowned dance video director Maurice Lai shares his experience of creating works for the screen. Exploring the relationship between video and dance, he looks at what we understand by screendance, and how a work of screendance can be appreciated
Past event -
The Craft of Cantonese Musical: Composition and Lyrics
07.01.2021 to 21.01.2021
In this talk series, musicologist Hedy Law explores elements of Cantonese musicals through the work of influential local musical theatre composer/lyricist duo Leon Ko and Chris Shum
Past event -
Paper Doll Workshop: Cantonese Opera Roles and Costumes
17.01.2021, Atrium, Xiqu Centre
Paper Doll Workshop: Cantonese Opera Roles and Costumes due to take place on 17 Jan 2021 (Sunday) has been cancelled
Past event -
Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery – Resin Stone Brooch
16.01.2021, Studio, Xiqu Centre
Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery – Resin Stone Brooch due to take place on 16 Jan 2021 (Saturday) has been cancelled
Past event -
09.01.2021
In this talk, Prof Li 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 this traditional performing art form
Past event -
How to Innovate a Traditional Art Form
06.01.2021
In this online lecture, superstar countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo discuss how he help move a traditional art form (opera) into uncharted territory
Past event -
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
Past event -
Traditional Music Notation in Kunqu and Cantonese Opera
01.12.2020 to 08.12.2020
Please note that Cantonese Musical Notation and Tuning Systems on 8 December 2020 (Tuesday) will now take place online and not in the Xiqu Centre. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk soon
Past event -
The Power of Objects: New Ways of Engaging Students in Museums
28.11.2020
This free online class will equip you with effective teaching tools and innovative object-based learning methods that can be applied in a wide variety of educational settings, from the museum and classroom to online platforms and home
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event -
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”
Past event -
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
Past event -
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
Past event
