“The Bund”, probably one of the most famous Cantonese songs ever written, is on the set list, of course, as is the theme song she sang for Unfinished Business, a 2023 microfilm in which she also stars.
Gratitude Frances Yip 55th anniversary concert Hong Kong 2024, Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena, 8.15pm, Aug 3-4.
2. Kingsley Ng: Listen to the Sound of the Earth Spinning
Kingsley Ng, a Hong Kong artist, loved his late cat Whisky, a Scottish Fold, so much he saved all the hairs he brushed off his pet and made them into a perfectly round ball just a bit smaller than a basketball as a memorial.
Kingsley Ng: Listen to the Sound of the Earth Spinning, Centre for Heritage Arts and Textile, 2/F The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan. 11am-7pm, closed on Tuesday. Aug 3 – Nov 10.
3. Thelonious
A multimedia show for all ages about the genius of jazz great Thelonious Monk sees the Belgian jazz trio De Beren Gieren perform on stage while channelling Monk’s quirky and seductive musical style.
A video backdrop with animations and footage of Monk’s unorthodox performances will bring the audience even closer to the world of the late pianist and composer. Part of International Arts Carnival 2024.
Thelonious, Zonzo Compagnie, Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Aug 3, 2pm, 4.30pm, Aug 4, 2pm.
4. The Other Side of Beethoven
How did Beethoven get over the diagnosis of his deafness and continued to compose some of the most beautiful music ever written? Conductor and presenter Jason Lai will look for hints in the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 3, which will be performed by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Hong Kong pianist Colleen Lee, and in excerpts from his symphonies and other piano concertos.
Also part of the International Arts Carnival, this is also a perfect introduction to Beethoven for those new to classical music.
The Other Side of Beethoven, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Tuen Mun Town Hall Auditorium, Aug 3, 7.30pm, Aug 4, 3pm
5. Mass Transit Railway: Sing Jantzen Tse Solo Exhibition
Artist Sing Jantzen Tse has transformed the front of independent art space Current Plans into an MTR carriage in which visitors can sit. The rumbling of the seats and the sound of a subway train speeding through tunnels under Hong Kong that they hear are highly realistic.
This is not just a fun ride, though. Mass Transit Railway is full of multimedia prompts that make you wonder how we coexist in this congested city, and how to define our home when it is full of contradictions.
Mass Transit Railway: Sing Jantzen Tse Solo Exhibition, Current Plans, 3/F, Remex Centre, 42 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Wong Chuk Hang. Tues-Sat, 1pm-7pm. Until Sept 8.