Culture & Cool from Asia's most dynamic city
…o inquire if you’re interested. All of the rooms are good-sized, perhaps accommodating around twenty something people. They also match the vibe of the hotel which bills itself as a “celebration of the abstract and unreal.” [photopress:Galleri_magazine_party_Hong.jpg,full,pp_image] I spent about an hour and a half at the event bumping into friends and chit-chatting. It’s great to see Hong Kong’s art and creative community out celebrating itself aft…
…a few doors down from the escalator on Hollywood Road, just opposite the decommissioned police station. (I can still remember some early parties at Home Base where the police turned up and asked for the music to be lowered!) Entering the new Home Base, patrons walk down a flight of stairs and pass through a set of heavy curtains. At first glance the space is a mix between the old club combined with elements of Drop and Dragon-i. One major improvem…
…age] [photopress:night_market_hong_kong_HK.jpg,full,pp_image] I wouldn’t recommend the market for the claustrophobic, for very young children, or those in a rush. If you choose the wrong aisle you could easily be trapped in standstill traffic for 30 minutes, with strangers pressed up onto you. The place even proves popular after 1am in bad weather, so it’s difficult to suggest a time when it’s less hectic. If you navigate the different aisles care…
…anning the turntables at Insenses once again on Friday, May 4th. You could easily pay three times the price and hear boring mainstream music all night, OR you could try something new, support a rising talent, and actually have a fun time. Recommended! Eric Lau at The Getup! Also featuring DJ K-Melo, Mr. NRVS, and Rolec Friday, May 4th, 2012 Insenses Lower basement, 13 Lyndhurst Terrace Central, Hong Kong (look for a basement entrance near the old…
…ten there are intense breaks or choruses within his songs that dancers can easily pick up on. As the man behind some of the best new beats in club music, he gave a few “Hong Kong” shout-outs during his set, but kept the interaction to a minimum. To the delight of the crowd, Steve Aoki took the opposite approach. Like I’ve stated before, this guy has charisma when it comes to working the crowd. [photopress:Diplo_Aoki_Hong_Kong_tour.jpg,full,pp_imag…
…s of lesser skill on the walls. The lettering ranges from the abstract, to easily legible graffiti. Wildstyle lettering! While some are hard to decipher, others are easy to read I guess graffiti ISN’T dead! A few of the pieces also include interesting characters. Several of the pieces have a direct lineage to famous pieces from graffiti’s early days, while others are totally original in concept and style. Getting there: Take the Red (Tseun Wan) MT…
…bar is nearly four times the size, and can accommodate numerous customers easily. The decor has had a slight upgrade. The black-on-black color scheme retains the same grittiness as the previous spot, yet padded walls and other details give it a bit more class. There are currently three pool tables in the space, and a fourth may be added if necessary. In addition to billiards, two dart machines are set up in a corner, near the back side of the bar…
…as Art Basel. Starting at 11:59pm, the event went late. The highlight was easily the fiery Grime set by rappers Skepta and JME, who performed several of their underground hits. The audience response was impressive, with many in the crowd mouthing the words and dancing along. Have a look at our video to get a feel for the scene. Check out the excitement in London when Kanye brought surprise guests Skepta and JME on stage to perform. Thanks again t…
…quick-dry fabrics. Regular cotton shirts by contrast, will get damp and become uncomfortable on longer hikes. In Hong Kong you don’t need to spend much to get weather-appropriate clothing. Over the last three years, multiple outlet stores have sprung up in Prince Edward and Sham Shui Po that sell outdoor clothing at big discounts. The shops offer a full line of hiking clothing, from shirts, shorts, pants, and socks, to hats, light jackets and sho…
…pe.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:IFC_Mall_rooftop_side.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:IFC_roof_garden_grass_long.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:IFC_roof_garden_sculpture.jpg,full,pp_image] Although there are several restaurant / bars positioned on the rooftop, you can just as easily grab take-away from Triple-O (one of Hong Kong’s best burger joints located nearby,) or a snack from City Super and enjoy it up here with equal ambiance. The roof gar…
…s in the epicenter of Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong’s main nightlife area. Such common, easily discoverable locations in a city crowded with charismatic alleys and off-beat snack stands, was a surprise to me. Perhaps the difficulty of location shooting and the threat of extortion during filming necessitated the locale. Here’s Wong Kar Wai talking about Faye Wong’s performance… It includes some deleted scenes shot in Midnight Express as well. This is a…
…s who rsvp’d – the exact opposite of standard procedure. The situation was compounded by a lack of decision making and common sense at the reception desk. Past the checkpoint, guests proceeded to the large hangar-like structure where the fashion show would take place. Utilizing the central corridor as the runway, the lengthy catwalk was sandwiched on either side by five-tier bleachers. Just after the arrival of fashion icon and actress Maggie Cheu…
…floor of the Hard Rock Hotel in the City of Dreams complex, the space can easily accommodate medium-sized concerts, or function as a ‘super club’ for big name international d.j.s.. The gigantic main room features extremely high ceilings, a large stage, two sprawling bars, and scores of booths for party-goers. The booths are a smart feature of the club, and cater to Hong Kong tastes. (Booths offer a convenient place to gather a group of friends fo…
…brand takes its direction from a mixture of sources with heavy inspiration coming from Hip Hop culture. The designers seem to pick and choose at liberty from different eras, taking 1950’s iconography here, an 80’s style leather jacket there, and a 90’s trend in another item. The collection is graphic design heavy and includes remixes of common sports logos, but done well, with good color choices. The aesthetic is a continuation of a trend that’s b…
…don’t believe ever seriously enforced the ban, Central’s clubs seem to be complying. Even late at Volar on Friday night I witnessed a security guard walk up to a VIP table and tell a model to put out her illicit smoke – she complied. Newer venues have been opening with the ban in mind and have found spaces with outdoor areas strategically attached. Two immediate hassles for clubs are going to be the extra flow of people at entry and exit points a…
…] The designer, and brand namesake, Tory Burch, posed with party-goers for easily thirty minutes after the show. This kind of personal attention goes a long way in creating a bond with consumers, especially in today’s Weibo and Facebook social-networked climate. For a look at the finale of the presentation, check out the video here: Tory Burch store Shop 2065, IFC Shopping Mall Central, Hong Kong [photopress:tory_birch_hong_kong_store_address.jpg,…
…ce, the location in an industrial area also means less likelihood of noise complaints. The possibility to hold events at the store is a major plus. Brands are constantly looking for venues, and having a retail outlet double as a party location is a great bonus. The outdoor area of Memory Lane is impressive, perhaps larger than a full-sized basketball court. The space easily fit the crowd along with food and drink stalls, plus the sound system. DJ…
…r Joakim. The guest list was kept to a minimum though the space could have easily accommodated a larger turnout. The second level of the three-story parking structure had been miraculously converted into a Chanel party space. Featuring a huge video screen on one end, a long bar, ample seating, a VIP area, and two d.j. booths, the design was ready for a big bash. [photopress:Chanel_mobile_art_party_eve.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:Channel_mobile_…
…t Kowloon arts district will take a similar approach and create an equally comfortable and engaging environment for visitors. How to get to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park? One of the reasons why the park is currently deserted is that it’s not easily accessible by mass transit. Located on a man-made peninsula that juts out into the harbor (the former runway,) there is nothing else around. To get there, you can take the MTR to Kowloon Bay station…
…tei neighborhood of Kowloon. The night market is a must for tourists. It’s easily accessible by taking the MTR to Jordan station and walking a few blocks west on Jordan Road until it intersects with Temple Street. The market consists of several blocks with stalls forming a corridor in the center of the street. You walk through the narrow space between stalls and check out the merchandise. For sale you can find souvenirs, weird gadgets, action figu…
…ments set up. When the place began to get packed, and the bands came on, I realized that this wasn’t going to be a quiet Sunday night! One major flaw of Hong Kong is the lack of a live music scene. There are very few venues for live music, and many of the places that exist just feature cover bands. This is an unhealthy environment to grow new talent, and the band scene is very small. The bands Daniel chose to play the show reflected the best of H….
…party package for $1500 HKD per person. The dinner begins at 7pm. For latecomers, there’s a final option for $200 HKD that allows entrance after 1am and includes one drink. Recommended! Alive Not Dead New Year’s Eve 2009 Thursday, December 31st, 2009 Feat. DJ Becareful Lee, Miss Yellow, DJ Noodles, DJ Enso Zuma 6/F, The Landmark 15 Queens Road Central Central, Hong Kong * Party starts at 10pm * Dinner package starts at 7pm [photopress:Alive_Not_D…
…ance moves, and genuine good vibes from the former Canton Disco denizens. (UPDATE: In a recent article, the organizer has hinted that the music would be modern, and not retro… We’re not sure!) The influence of Canton Disco continues to be felt today as many alumni of the club have went on to shape the nightlife experience of both Hong Kong and Mainland China. You can read more about Canton Disco in our earlier post titled: “Famous Hong Kong Discos…
…or verbal dexterity that makes Hip Hop so appealing. 2017 may be the year that Hong Kong finally gets an act on the international scene. The right original beat along with a sophisticated video might just do the trick. We’ll keep you posted! Even the disco lights at XXX had a Christmas feel! 🙂 UPDATE: The second party in the “TRAP HOUSE” series is taking place on January 20th, with a major lineup of DJs! For more info, have a look at their new Fa…
…rains like crazy. It’s a good chance to catch up on movies, practice pool, update your blog, or go bowling! It’s a bad time of the year to plan boat trips. Hong Kong is said to have several different typhoon seasons, but the majority fall between May and November. Everyone who has a normal job secretly prays for a typhoon to pass through the city every now and then. It’s like getting a day off due to a blizzard – it rarely happens, but when it doe…
…l cast of DJs will join him on Saturday including Fun Key, Achun and XXX residents, Enso, Yao, and Kid Fresh. This is also the final event at the Sai Wan location of XXX, before it moves to a new address in Kowloon! Stay tuned for an update with information about their new digs. Recommended! Onra live set at XXX! Saturday, January 2nd, 2016 XXX Gallery Basement, 353 Des Voeux Road West Sai Wan, Hong Kong $150 HKD advance, $200 HKD at the door, or…
…ome to broadcast their message or music. Radio Dada is an open format, non-commercial Internet radio station. It seems modeled on community run stations like WBAI in New York. They offer numerous programs on a variety of niche subjects. Radio Dada also has special mix shows that normally wouldn’t have a home in Hong Kong’s dysfunctional radio spectrum. [photopress:MC_Yan_Hong_Kong_Hip.jpg,full,pp_image] Could that be the new Dusty X NSBQ polo shir…
…nearly make the trip to Hong Kong irrelevant. (This transformation may be complete once Lane Crawford Macau opens!) UPDATE: Lane Crawford is no longer planning a branch in Macau. I didn’t have much of a chance to look over the DFS mall itself. Just making my way to and from the venue, the place did have a significant grouping of luxury brands under one roof. Though smaller, the selections seemed somewhat comparable to Hong Kong’s Elements or IFC…
…magazines. White Noise is also a good place to acquire information about upcoming events in Hong Kong’s art and music scene. For a peek inside the shop and advice on how to find the slightly hidden entrance, continue here. Finding the shop! Starting from in front of the Times Square cinema, cross the street towards the Circle K convenience store. Walk past the Circle K, and take a sharp right at the corner. Now you’re on Canal Road East. Start wal…
…Js Ben Ku and Drafus played Friday night Recently, clubs in general have become somewhat less popular, even as the number of them has increased exponentially. One negative about nightclubs is that they tend to have only three big nights per week, with slower business the rest of the time. Having to pay Hong Kong’s high rents based off of just three nights a week is difficult. In fact, several of the city’s newest clubs have already shutdown, or ar…