Live performances to brighten your day
Taking place every Monday and Wednesday afternoon, “Afternoon Series” invites emerging local artists to curate and develop mini-concerts, dance, theatre, comedy and multi-disciplinary performances for the unique environment at Tai Kwun. Sitting in the heart of Central, Tai Kwun is perfectly located to offer a brief reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the week. Come and relax with your co-workers, friends and families all the while being inspired by the innovative ideas of the artists.
Click to view the programme timetable
April to June 2019 Performances
MUSIC
RedBricks
Harmonica Music
Performances: 01.04 & 10.06.2019
Harmonica music is an emerging style in the local music scene. The 5 musicians from RedBricks will bring a rhythmic and vivid programme comprising classical music, pop songs from the 80’s, film and animation sound tracks re-arranged for a harmonica ensemble to freshen up your Monday!
01.04.2019 Concert I: Harmonica - Explore
10.06.2019 Concert II: Harmonica Rhapsody
Performed by Kelvin Leung Shing Hei (Chromatic Harmonica), Harry Choi Wai Hang (Chromatic Harmonica), Felix Ho Charm Yin (Guest Chromatic Harmonica), Nico Cheng Chi Yuen (Chord Harmonica) & Matthew Yip Tsz Chung (Double Bass Harmonica)
About the artists
The RedBricks is formed by five enthusiastic musicians from King’s College who are also frequent winners in the World Harmonica Festival in Germany. They have performed as members of the Hong Kong Harmonica Association in Shanghai Expo 2010, Singapore, Malaysia and Germany. In 2017, the RedBricks represented Hong Kong to perform in Bahrain, Middle East.
In October 2018, RedBricks was invited by the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau to join the 1st China International Import Expo in Shanghai, showcasing Hong Kong harmonica music in the National Exhibition Area. During the tour to Shanghai, RedBricks also performed in the Hong Kong Dinner hosted by the Chief Executive Mrs. Carrie Lam, demonstrating harmonica music as a valuable cultural asset of Hong Kong.
Other than that, Redbricks is actively performing in various commercial events such as the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
The RedBricks is always aiming to challenge the current limitations of harmonica music, exploring various genres of pieces.
MUSIC
Harp Triptych
Western Instrumental
Performances: 08.04, 06.05 & 03.06.2019
Harp takes the stage! Judy Ho (08.04 & 03.06) and Jennifer Ho (08.04 & 06.05) from the Symmetry Duo are featured in three concerts together with their music partners cellist Bernard Chan (08.04), violinist Mark Hui (06.05) and flutist Brian Chan (03.06). The first concert brings us the rarely heard harp duo pieces rearranged from well-loved classical works by French and Spanish composers such as Saint Sean’s Carnival of Animals. The second invites audience on a delightful journey with uplifting music from classical and romantic period, performed by violin and harp. The third is by flute and harp and offers lyrical images with works written by Schumann, Arvo Pärt and Toru Takemitsu.
08.04.2019 Concert I: Ode to Nature
Performed by The Symmetry Duo (Harp Duo) & Bernard Chan (Cello)
06.05.2019 Concert II: Delightful
Performed by Jennifer Ho (Harp) & Mark Hui (Violin)
03.06.2019 Concert III: Lyrical Images
Performed by Judy Ho (Harp) & Brian Chan (Flute)
About the artists
Two of the most active harpists of their generations, sister Judy Ho and Jennifer graduated respectively from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music in London with a master’s degree. They have been performing together since young and officially as Symmetry Duo in 2013 with a duo recital debut in London, followed by performances in harp festivals in Taiwan and Korea. In 2017, they premiered Paul Patterson’s new duo piece at the 13th World Harp Congress in Hong Kong.
They divide their time between solo, chamber and orchestral performances and have travelled, separately, for performances in Europe and Asia. For chamber music, since 2015 Jennifer has played regularly with violinist Mark Hui, a master graduate from the Manhattan School of Music and Resident Conductor of Hong Kong Festival Orchestra, dedicated to explored music for harp and violin. In 2014, Judy first played with flutist Brian Chan, who graduated from Royal Northern College of Music with distinction and a faculty member of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the collaboration continues, such as Hong Kong Odyssey, the well-acclaimed Hong Kong music programme in Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2017.
Symmetry Duo (Judy Ho & Jennifer Ho)
Bernard Chan (Cello)
Mark Hui (Violin)
Brian Chan (Flute)
MUSIC
Reedsonance
Reed Quintet
Performances: 15.04, 17.06.2019
Reedsonance has been actively exploring the timbre of five reed instruments and expanding the repertoire for this instrumentation. Their first concert in April, three of the members - Eric Fung (clarinet/bass clarinet), Tiffany Au (Bassoon) and Wong Tak Chiu (saxophone) will showcase some solo, duo and trio modern music. Audience will enjoy the versatile tone colours of the deconstructed ensemble. In the second concert in June, Reedsonance will present a programme ranging from arrangements to experimental music.
15.04.2019 Concert I: Reedsonance Deconstructed
Performed by Eric Fung (Clarinet/Bass Clarinet), Tiffany Au (Bassoon) & Wong Tak Chiu (Saxophone)
17.06.2019 Concert II: Splinter
Performed by Kwan Sheung Fung (Oboe), Stephenie Ng (Clarinet), Eric Fung (Bass Clarinet), Tiffany Au (Bassoon) & Wong Tak Chiu (Saxophone)
About the artists
The five members of Reedsonance met when they were all studying music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. After pursuing their musical paths in different parts of the world, they converged once again in their hometown and founded Reedsonance in May 2017. As the first reed quintet (oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone and bassoon) in Hong Kong, Reedsonance strives to push reed instruments to their limits, discovering the compelling reed timbre in a wide range of music, from Renaissance to modern and from classical to jazz. Reedsonance plays transcriptions of piano solo, chamber and orchestral works, presenting new, dynamic and colourful interpretations of the originals.
MUSIC
The Up:Strike Project
Contemporary Percussion
Performances: 22.04 & 13.05.2019
The Up:Strike Project is proud to present these works composed by world renowned composers from around the world. All of these composers play a prominent role in the contemporary music over the past fifty years. Up:Strike aims to embody the nature of the integral movement in percussion “up and strike,” through striking and standing out as the leader of the percussive arts. By bringing professional and emerging percussionists together to present and champion a diverse mix of the percussion music. Yet, pulling us and the audiences closer through utilizing innovative ways to promote percussion music.
22.04.2019 Concert V: Travel Diary
Performed by Bevis Ng & Eugene Kwong (Percussion Solo & Duo)
13.05.2019 Concert VI: New York Triptych
Performed by Matthew Lau, Karen Yu, Bevis Ng & Vonald Chow (Percussion Quartet)
About the artists
The Up:Strike Project aims to embody the nature of the integral movement in percussion: “up and strike.” Founded by two Hong Kong-based percussionists, Dr. Matthew Lau and Karen Yu, The Up:Strike Project is a diverse and flexible group, aiming to thread the community together by welcoming all levels of percussionists and musicians, and consistently engaging different young and emerging percussionists to work together.
Dr. Matthew Lau enjoys an international performing and teaching career. Hailed by the Aspen Times for his “soulful and technically impressive solo” at his vibraphone concerto debut at the Aspen Music Festival, percussionist Dr. Matthew Lau performs a wide range of repertoire with an absolute commitment to communicating the meaning and essence of percussion music to its audience. Matthew obtained his Doctor of Musical Arts in contemporary percussion performance from Stony Brook University under the guidance of Eduardo Leandro. Matthew is currently an adjunct faculty at Hong Kong Baptist University, and maintains a private teaching studio. Matthew is artist endorser of Marimba One, Black Swamp Percussion, and Elite Mallets.
As a percussionist, performing artist and interdisciplinary arts researcher, co-founder Karen Yu believes that music is beyond pleasure for our ears. Devoted to bringing changes to the percussion community by elevating the artistry, Up:Strike seeks to broaden the range of performed repertoire, and enlarging the audience circle through reducing the distance between the society and us.
Bevis Ng started learning percussion at a young age, under the tutelage of Margie Tong. With full support from the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund, He is currently in the Bachelor of Music (Hons.) at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, majoring with western percussion. Bevis has won various international and local music competitions. He is one of the winners of the concerto competition in the Academy with "Concerto for Marimba and Strings" by Séjourné in 2018.
Vonald Chow obtained his Master of Music in Performance and graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. He studied with David Corkhill (Principal Percussion of London Philharmonia Orchestra) and Tony Bedewi (Co-Principal Timpani of London Symphony Orchestra) on timpani; Sam Walton (Co-Principal Percussion of London Symphony Orchestra). Prior to his graduate studies, he graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Music with first class honours and first in class, under the tutelage of Dr. Lung Heung Wing. He obtained LTCL in Percussion Recital in 2010. He was awarded the Dr. Daniel Tse Music Scholarship in 2013.
Matthew Lau
Vonald Chow
Karen Yu
Bevis Ng
MUSIC & DANCE
Flamenco Trio
Spanish Flamenco Music & Dance
Performances: 24.04, 01.05 & 15.05.2019
Flamenco is an art form based on various folkloric music traditions of Andalusia in southern Spain, in 2010 UNESCO declared "flamenco" as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Flamenco includes three main elements: cante (singing), toque (guitar playing) and baile (dancing). The performances feature musical and dance pieces well selected by the three local artists dedicated to flamenco, with an aim of showing the interaction of these three elements in a Spanish flamenco live music setting. Audience can experience different flamenco styles, classified by criteria such as rhythmic pattern, mode, chord and geographic origin, and appreciate this exotic and unique art form up close.
24.04.2019 Performance I: "Alarde Flamenco" I
01.05.2019 Performance II: "Alarde Flamenco" II
15.05.2019 Performance III: "Alarde Flamenco" III
Performed by Kelleigh Poon de Rubio (singer), Ashley Chan (guitarist) & Betty Wong (choreographer & dancer)
About the artists
With her competence in Spanish language, also extensive training in flamenco singing and flamenco dance, Kelleigh Poon de Rubio is a flamenco singer who has performed as a soloist and as accompanist for dancers in various flamenco shows. Since early 2015 she has studied flamenco singing under Karina Feal Silva, a professional flamenco singer from Sevilla (Spain), and goes to Spain regularly for intensive practice of flamenco singing technique. In Spain she has participated by singing in “tertulias flamencas” (flamenco jam sessions) at various peñas.
Ashley Chan studied flamenco guitar under Penny Wong, Carl Marin, Gerardo Alcala; and classical guitar under Su Long Ming. In 2012, he gave a solo performance and provided live accompaniment for flamenco dance performance at Y Studio, Chai Wan. Since 2014, Ashley has provided live guitar accompaniment for various flamenco workshops conducted by overseas flamenco artists such as Manuel Liñán, Omayra Amaya, Olga Pericet. In 2015, Ashley acted as the arranger, soloist and accompanist for Betty Wong's flamenco performance Alma y Raices.
Betty Wong graduated from The School of Dance of Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2002, with a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts (Hons). In 2012 she was awarded with a two-year scholarship by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund, sponsoring her study of flamenco in Spain. She graduated from the flamenco school of Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco in 2014. Betty has collaborated in a performance "FLAMENCHINO" with Mueso del Flamenco in Spain.
MUSIC
From Tango to Everything Possible
Western Instrumental
Performances: 29.04 & 20.05.2019
Harmonica was very popular among the public in Hong Kong in 1950s to 1960s. Thanks to a number of talented harmonica players, we now hear the instrument more. On Apr 29 and May 20, Kelvin Leung (Harmonica), Fernando Rezk (Bandoneón), Janice Tsui (Piano) and Aaron Lui (Guitar) will play a wide range of repertoires which displays how harmonica can be a professional instrument. Join us and discover how well bandoneón blends together with harmonica in passionate tango music on Apr 29. On May 20, enjoy a refreshing programme of French and contemporary music when harmonica plays together with piano and guitar plus a short harmonica duo piece by Kelvin Leung and Mickey Wong.
29.4.2019 Concert I: Takes Two to Tango
Performed by Kelvin Leung (Harmonica) & Fernando Rezk (Bandoneón)
20.5.2019 Concert II: Unlimited
Performed by Kelvin Leung (Harmonica), Janice Tsui (Piano) & Aaron Lui (Guitar)
About the artists
Hugo Diaz’s tango music brought Kelvin Leung, Hong Kong harmonica player, and Fernando Rezk, bandoneònist and composer from Argentina together in 2018. They have been working together for the performance at Festivalito de Tango en Hong Kong 2019. Kelvin Leung won the Chromatic Harmonica Solo (Adult) in World Harmonica Festival 2013, Germany, among other international awards, when he was only a student. Kelvin was also the youngest jury members of the Seoul International Harmonica Festival 2016 to 2018. In 2017, he was selected by RTHK Radio 4 as one of the Young Music Makers. Fernando Rezk studied bandoneon, harmony and composition at the The Conservatory of Music of the Argentinian Musicians' Union. A former member of important tango orchestras and ensemble, Fernando teaches and performs in Asia regularly since 2010.
Kelvin Leung is equally comfortable in classical and popular music which took him to various musicians, such as pianist Janice Tsui and guitarist Aaron Lui. Currently a music student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong under the tutelage of Julie Kuok, Janice is a prize-winner of Antonio Vivaldi International Competition Vienna in 2018. She is the pianist of Opera Hong Kong Children Chorus. Aaron’s musical journey started with violin and learn changed to guitar which he currently learns from Christopher Wong. His love of music has driven me to minor music during his undergraduate studies at The University of Hong Kong.
Kelvin Leung (Harmonica)
Fernando Rezk (Bandoneòn)
Janise Tsui (Piano)
Aaron Lui (Guitar)
MUSIC
A Musical Gathering
Chinese Instrumental
Performances: 27.05 & 24.06.2019
Natural scenery continues to be composers’ muses across cultures. In Chinese music, lake, moonlight, waterfall and mountains are common objects of depictions. In the two concerts, young musicians Yue Kin Long (Sheng), Grammy Yeung (Guzheng), Nancy Wang (Flute) and Charles Tam (Piano) explore the soundscape Chinese and Western instrument can create by breaking through the conventional instrumentation. On May 27, we have duo recital by sheng and guzheng, two traditional Chinese instruments that do not often perform together. On June 24, sheng, flute and piano take a bold voyage of East and West and it is the world premiere of When the Last Leaf Falls by Hong Kong young composer Chu Kai Yeung.
27.5.2019 Concert I: Sheng and Zheng Duo
Performed by Yue Kin Long (Sheng) and Grammy Yeung (Guzheng)
24.6.2019 Concert II: The Contemporary Voice of Sheng
Performed by Yue Kin Long (Sheng), Nancy Wong (Flute) and Charles Tam (Piano)
About the artists
Young musicians Yue Kin Long and Grammy Yeung performed together from time to time since they met at Hong Kong Youth Chinse Orchestra. Sheng players Yue Kin Long is currently head of orchestra with the Gaudeamus Dunhuang ensemble, and Sheng Musician-in-Resident of West Kowloon Tea House Rising Stars Troupe. Yue studied sheng under Loo Sze Wang since the age of eight. Since 2013 he has been a student at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), and studied Chinese music under renowned sheng master Cheng Tak Wai. One of the most active guzheng players of her generation, Grammy Yeung is now a year 4 music student of The University of Hong Kong. She started her Guzheng training under Chin King since 2004, and is currently under the guidance of Xu Lingzi of HKAPA.
The interest to explore the possibilities of Chinese and Western wind instruments bring Yue Kin Long, Nancy Wang and Charles Tam together. Flutist Nancy Wang graduated with a master’s degree from the Melbourne Conservatory of Music in 2014 and is a member of the Encore Trio with whom she toured to Singapore and mainland China. Charles Tam is currently a visiting student at HKAPA under the tutelage of Gabriel Kwok. Highlights of his recent achievement is winning the 3rd prize in Sebria’s International Competition Isidor Bajic Piano Memorial 2018.
Yue Kin Long (Sheng)
Grammy Yeung (Guzheng)
Nancy Wong (Flute)
Charles Tam (Piano)
|
Date |
Time |
Performing Group |
Music / Performance Genre |
Location |
|
01.04.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
RedBrick |
Harmonica Music |
Laundry Steps |
|
08.04.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Harp Triptych |
Western Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
15.04.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Reedsonance |
Reed Quintet |
Laundry Steps |
|
22.04.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
The Up:Strike Project |
Contemporary Percussion |
Laundry Steps |
|
24.04.2019 (Wed) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Flamenco Trio |
Spanish Flamenco Music & Dance |
Laundry Steps |
|
29.04.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
From Tango to Everything Possible |
Western Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
01.05.2019 (Wed) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Flamenco Trio |
Spanish Flamenco Music & Dance |
Laundry Steps |
|
06.05.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Harp Triptych |
Western Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
13.05.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
The Up:Strike Project |
Contemporary Percussion |
Laundry Steps |
|
15.05.2019 (Wed) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Flamenco Trio |
Spanish Flamenco Music & Dance |
Laundry Steps |
|
20.05.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
From Tango to Everything Possible |
Western Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
27.05.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
A Musical Gathering |
Chinese Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
03.06.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Harp Triptych |
Western Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
10.06.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
RedBrick |
Harmonica Music |
Laundry Steps |
|
17.06.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
Reedsonance |
Western Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
|
24.06.2019 (Mon) |
12:45pm-1:45pm |
A Musical Gathering |
Chinese Instrumental |
Laundry Steps |
