Make the Shortest Month of the Year Count with February Fun for All

February 4th 2014 Alas, both New Years have now been and gone and February is upon us. The birds are chirping, the chill is gone and there are simply no more excuses. It’s time to come out of hibernation (and holiday mode) and hit the year head on. From career enhancing courses to fitness fixes, boozy fun, cultural delights and spiritual cleanses, we’ve got everything to help you make the most of the month. Get Smart There’s no time like the present to step up your skillset and better secure your future. Localiiz favourites General Assembly are launching two great programmes this month, sure to propel you to the next level in your career. Get up to speed in the fast paced digital age and become an instant Google guru with their 12-week Web Development Immersive Programme, starting February 17th. Is a career in marketing more up your alley? Then sign up for the 10-week Digital Marketing Course, beginning February 18th. And if you’re not sure whether or not to take the plunge, attend the free Info Session on February 6th and see if it’s the right fit for you.

Are you a US expat living in Hong Kong? Whether you’re on the island for just a short stint or a lifetime, it’s likely that the ever-confusing world of the US tax system will catch up with you sooner or later. Find out all you need to know at Azure Tax’s US Tax Issues for Expats seminar at the Lippo Centre, Admiralty, on February 18th.

Boozy Fun The weather at this time of year is as close to perfect as Hong Kong weather gets, so take advantage of the warmer climes and lack of humidity and pre-empt junk season with an educational day out on the high seas. Join Hong Kong Yachting for their popular Container Port Tour on February 8th. Sip a glass of wine or enjoy a beer out on deck while you get up close and personal with the massive container ships in the third-busiest port in the world. All drinks plus a BBQ lunch are included for HKD$680. To book a spot, call +852-2526-0151. Are you a dab hand at homebrewing? Join AmeriCraft at the 2nd Annual Hong Kong Homebrewing Competition, taking place at The Globe in Graham Street, Central, on February 15th. The deadline to submit your fermented fun stuff was February 1st, so if you’re not already in the race, just go along for a taste. For additional details, email Chris Wong. Looking for a naughty but nice party fix? For the sweetest event of the year, head to Localiiz favourite lounge Boujis for their Lip-gloss & Lollipops party on February 20th. Wear your sexiest candy coloured outfit to stand a chance of winning a bottle of bubbly. This sugar-coated party is sure to be an indulgent treat you won’t want to pass up! Thirsty for more? Improve your palette this month by making the most of the many wine tasting events offered by super sommeliers etc wine shops. On February 10th, join Jeremy Seysses, owner and winemaker of Domaine Dujac, to sample seven of their best for HKD$690.

etc wine shops are also bringing back their popular Grand Cru Tasting Series, beginning with Petrus Vertical on February 13th, where you’ll be able to sample seven vintages from Chateau Petrus, the creator of one of the world’s finest red wines. The next Grand Cru tasting event is on February 20th, when head sommelier Matthieu Pouchan will guide you through an unforgettable night of outstanding vintage Champagne. For more wine tasting events from etc wine shops, check out the happenings section of their website.

Boost the Body After the holiday season (plus all the above), perhaps it’s time to take a step back from the decadence and refocus on your health and wellbeing. Looking for a hard-hitting way to burn off those pesky pounds? Win prizes for slimming down with Elite Personal Training’s 40-Day Challenge, starting February 10th. Consisting of personal training, running classes, stretching classes, nutrition classes as more, the programme sees the determined participants commit to exercise and healthy eating for six days a week with one rest day. Those taking part are eligible for more than HKD$10,000 worth of cash and prizes, so sign up now for a competitive and rewarding way to lose weight and get healthy. If dancing is more your forte, My Musical Studio is launching an all-new After Six programme for adults, starting February 10th. Choose from classes in cardio dance, hip-hop, jazz, jazz-funk and Zumba, and take advantage of the new package offers of four classes for HKD$800, eight classes for HKD$1,200 or HKD$2,500 for an unlimited monthly pass. Lose yourself to dance and party your body into shape!

Ready to go all out and give your system a proper spring clean? Let Stanley Street’s Integrated Medicine Institute clear your body of all the nasties with their 10-day guided clinical detox, beginning February 26th. This is the perfect solution to help to get back on track to achieving a healthier lifestyle, remove toxins and improve your immunity. The group programme costs HKD$3,800, with a HKD$150 Early Bird discount if you register and pay by February 19th. A private programme is also available; just call +852-2523-7121 to arrange a consultation with pracitioner Tej Bg. And if that’s not enough for you, sign up for Yoga classes with Monica Proctor, beginning February 14th.

Spiritual Awakening But it’s not just our bodies that need to boost in the New Year. From February 7th to 9th, join Causeway Bay-based Kadampa Meditation Centre for a weekend-guided retreat on the yoga of Buddha Amitayus, led by instructor Gen Rabten. Cleanse your mind and your body set yourself on track for a successful year ahead. Feel like the little ones could use a bit of chill time too? Take them to Dharma for Kids from 10.30am-12 noon on February 9th. The session is suitable for children aged 6-12, and a donation of HK$50-100 is suggested. Looking for something new to nourish your body and soul at lunchtime? Avoid the afternoon slump with 45 minutes of meditation followed by a delicious vegetarian meal on February 12th, 19th and 27th. The session and the lunch cost just HK$108. Finally, give you mantra more meaning by learning how to Make Malas on February 15th for HK$100. If you need some help dealing with the stresses of Hong Kong life, the Integrated Medicine Institute will be the place for you this month. Learn how to banish unwanted negative thoughts at the Monday Mindfulness Practice Group for Beginners on February 10th, and start breathing optimally with a Buteyko Introductory Class on February 19th. Heard about Reiki healing but not sure what all the buzz is about? Shine Body and Soul Healing Centre is hosting two Reiki events this month to cater to both experienced practitioners and complete beginners. The Reiki Practice Day on February 8th is for those who already know the basics of the energy healing method and would like to take their skills to the next level. A participation fee of HK$200 can be paid on the door. Alternately, Reiki novices can earn their stripes at Usui Reiki Attunement Course is on February 22nd, running from 2pm to 7pm and priced at HKD$2,000. To register, email [email protected].

Harness the power of astrology with a Kundalini Yoga Full Moon in Leo workshop at Central’s Shakti Healing Circle on February 15th. The centre will also be holding a class on the Basics of Kundalini Yoga with Ying on February 20th from 2pm-6pm.

Culture Vulture Living in the melting pot that is Hong Kong, we’re never short of cultural events to dip our ever-refined toes into. Take your musical taste up a notch with the Hong Kong Philharmonic this month, as they team up with Korean operatic singer Sumi Jo on February 7th and 8th from 8pm. The Masterworks C programme, which includes masterpieces from Rossini, Handel and Verdi, will take place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets are available on URBTIX, so be sure to snag one before this unmissable event sells out. Continue your musical journey on February 15th with the HK Phil and Friends Fundraising Concert 2014, where huge list of talented individuals, including Filipino singer Lea Salonga, will take to the stage from 7:30pm. The aim of the concert is to raise money to fund HK Phil’s programmes and cultural services. Purchase your tickets and submit your donation here. Not enough vacation days to jet off to Italy this month? Experience ‘vita Italiano’ right here in Hong Kong with a series of Explore Italy events from the Dante Alighieri Society. Taste the food and learn about the architecture, lifestyle, art and more. Discover Northern Italy on February 8th, Central Italy on February 19th and Southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia on February 22nd. Valdivia and Castello del Vino are generously sponsoring all the mouthwatering Italian food of this series. The course costs HKD$900 or HKD$780 for Dante Alighieri members. To register, fill in the online form and email it back to [email protected]. Got a sweet tooth? Give the Cornettos the cold shoulder and learn how to make the perfect gelato. The Dante Alighieri Society have invited Paolo Predonzan from I-Scream to divulge the secrets behind this famous and delicious Italian delicacy. The free event takes place on February 28th from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Society’s home in Lockhart Road Wan Chai. Register for the event here.

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