Get Your Culture Fix with our Top Picks of the 42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival

February 17th 2014 Hong Kong’s annual Arts Festival is back again to give us a concentrated dose of sophisticated fun over the course of a month. As one of Asia’s premiere cultural occasions, the festival carefully curates the world’s best art performances to bring top class talent to our doorstep. With various events taking place across the four categories of Opera, Music, Theatre and Dance between February 18th and March 23rd, the opportunities for expanding your artistic horizons are endless. To help you get started, here’s one not-to-be-missed act from each discipline. Opera The work of famous German composer Richard Wagner comes to Hong Kong with Lohengrin, courtesy of the acclaimed Savonlinna Opera Festival. Experience a beautiful and dramatic love story about the trials and tribulations between a young noblewoman named Elsa and Knight Lohengrin of the Holy Grail. This Savonlinna production was recreated for the 200th anniversary of Wagner’s birth, and certainly lives up to his calibre. Performed in German with English and Chinese subtitles, this opera is one of Wagner’s most awe-inspiring compositions and our pick of the category.

What: Savonlinna Opera Festival presents Lohengrin by Richard Wagner When: March 21st 2014 at 7:00pm and March 23rd 2014 at 3:00pm Where: Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre Tickets: Standard Tickets starting from HK$480, student tickets starting from HK$240. Purchase via URBTIX

Music Winner of Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 56th Grammy Awards, Gregory Porter brings his sultry soulful tunes to the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Referred to as “the next big vocal jazz star”, “the brilliant new voice of jazz” and even “the new king of jazz”, Porter is the man for those who like their music jazzy fresh. With an enchanting voice sure to put a swing in your step and a smile on your face, Gregory Porter is set to become a legend in the music world and a hot ticket at this year’s Arts Festival. What: Gregory Porter When: February 28th 2014 at 8:00pm and March 1st 2014 at 8:00pm Where: Concert Hall, HK Cultural Centre Tickets: Standard Tickets starting from HK$100, student tickets starting from HK$50. Purchase via URBTIX

Looking for more concerts to go to? Check out these Hong Kong Music Groups for their upcoming events!

Theatre The 108 Heroes theatre troupe, comprising of talent from Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taiwan, raised the roof at the 2011 Hong Kong Arts Festival with their unique and contemporary take on traditional Chinese theatre. Combining rock melodies, hip-hop rhythms, hipster outfits and Kung Fu fighting, they return with 108 Heroes III,, the final hurrah of Beijing opera bravura. The action-packed musical performance, described as “a perfect combination between tradition and contemporary” by the Financial Times, promises to keep you on the edge of your seat as the 108 Heroes discover their fate!

What: 108 Heroes III When: March 14th – 17th 2014 at 8:00pm Where: Lyric Theatre, HKAPA Tickets: Standard tickets starting from HK$140, student tickets starting from HK$70. Purchase via URBTIX and HK Ticketing.

Dance A contemporary dance treat filled with surprises, novelty and unlimited bounds of creativity, Nordic Waves brings Hong Kongers two talented female choreographers for the price of one. Elina Pirinen, voted the dance artist of Finland in 2010, will talk, sing and dance to the music of Schubert and her own compilations in her solo performance ‘Lover of the Pianist’. Parents beware of bringing your tots to this performance, as some nudity is promised! As part of the same programme, celebrated Swedish choreographer and film maker Gunilla Heilborn presents her signature piece, ‘This is not a love story’, touted for its understated intelligence. Inspired by road movies, this piece tells the story of two reluctant heroes Kowalski and Vera, who talk and dance their way through a journey in search of answers. Miles removed from your typical Hong Kong dance performance, Nordic Waves is a solid choice for those feeling a little bit adventurous. What: Nordic Waves When: March 18th 2014 at 8:00pm Where: Studio Theatre, HK Cultural Centre Tickets: Standard tickets starting from HK$180, student tickets at HK$90. Purchase via URBTIX Want to learn how to dance like that? Sign up for these funky dance classes in Hong Kong

For the full list of events, visit the Hong Kong Arts Festival website.

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