    A man who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.     Heung Kam-chee, aged 70, went missing after he left his residence in On Yam Estate on November 27 night. His family made a report to Police on the same day.     The man was… read more
　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s “Tan Dun WE-Festival” will conclude in December with “Tan Dun: BACH Rock & Hanggai – When BACH meets GENGHIS KHAN”, a presentation in the artistic form of “symphonic rock”, as a finale. Tan Dun, Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion (ACP) and internationally renowned composer and conductor, together with renowned Mongolian rock band Hanggai and the Changsha Symphony Orchestra, will merge the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, dubbed “the father of classical music”, with Mongolian rock music, along with digital animation and multimedia technology, with a view to connecting East and West, past and future, as well as technology and nature ecology. It will give audiences an auditory feast in Hong Kong, an international arena for cultural and arts exchanges, that transcends the boundaries of ethnicity and time.
　　Under the baton of Tan, the concert will begin with Tan’s “Prelude & Fugue – Cosmos” and followed by his latest composition, “Prelude – When Bach Meets Genghis Khan”, which will take the musical idioms that audiences are familiar with to lay out the dialogue between the cultures of the East and the West. “Symphonic Poem on 4 Notes: B-A-C-H-” will be presented with improvisations and variations on the four notes of Bach’s name B-A-C-H, while a number of adaptations of Hanggai’s works, such as “The Transistor Made in Hong Kong” and “Samsara”, will be performed to realise a dialogue that interweaving time and space between classical and rock music.
　　At the concert, Hanggai will also perform its familiar music pieces such as “The Rising Sun”, “Horse of Colours”, “Invention – Four Seasons”, “Grassland My Beautiful Home”, “Drinking Song”, “Xiger Xiger” and “Swan Geese” that possess an embodied connection to the landscapes of sunshine, grassland, mountain and river to deliver the message of protecting nature to the theatre-goers. In addition, Tan will guide the audience to participate in the performance of his work “Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds” through mobile phones, allowing them to experience the interweaving of the nature and music technology.
　　The concert will also feature singer-songwriter Tan Weiwei, who will perform the “Four Pieces for Female Voice”, based on the folk music of different regions of China, namely the “Old Song”, “Crying Song”, “Water Song” and “Qin Song”, in a Western instrumental music setting with rustic traditional oriental vocal style. Her performance will make an interesting contrast to the macho rock band Hanggai.
　　Tan is an internationally renowned Chinese composer, musician and conductor, and was appointed by the UNESCO as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2013. He is currently Dean of the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York and an honorary artistic director of the China National Symphony Orchestra. Tan has been promoting the messages of peace and green environment throughout the years. His music has made an indelible mark on the world’s music scene, which earned him many prestigious honours, including the Grammy Awards, the Academy Awards and the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale. He has led some of the world’s most esteemed orchestras, and composed more than 100 musical works over the years. His famous works includes the film scores of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Hero” as well as the award ceremony music for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. In 2021, Tan was presented with an honorary doctorate by the Education University of Hong Kong. Tan has been serving as the ACP since January 1 this year for a period of five years.
　　The Hanggai Rock Band was founded in 2004, with members coming from Inner Mongolia, Qinghai and other places. It has given more than 500 performances in over 60 countries or regions. The band’s sound finds its roots in Mongolian folk music but reaches out to contemporary rock, incorporating traditional instruments like the tobshuur and morin khuur with Western drums and electric guitars, to create a highly distinctive form of world music with ethnic characteristics.
　　The Changsha Symphony Orchestra is the only major professional symphony orchestra in Hunan Province. While constantly refining its interpretations of Western classical music, the Orchestra also encourages new compositions for Chinese symphonic music and is keen to promote them. It also aims to develop symphonic music in Hunan in a bid to incorporate Chinese music with mainstream symphonic music. Since 2019, the Orchestra has been hosting the “Changsha City Symphony Orchestra Summit”, an annual event that has become an essential platform for international collaboration and exchange in symphonic music.
　　Tan Weiwei is a renowned vocalist singing in the indigenous style. She graduated from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. In 2006, she won the Chengdu regional championship of the Super Girl singing competition, followed by the national runner-up title. In 2009, her song “Encounter” made her receive the Best Original Film Song award at the Golden Horse Awards. She was named the Best Mandarin Female Singer at the Chinese Music Media Awards in 2011.
　　”Tan Dun WE-Festival”: Tan Dun: BACH Rock & Hanggai – When BACH meets GENGHIS KHAN will be held at 7.30pm on December 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200, $260, $320, $380 and $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Package discounts will be available for standard ticket purchase with another “Tan Dun WE-Festival” programme “Opera and Dance Theatre”. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1638.html.
　　“Tan Dun WE-Festival” offers an extension programme “World Premiere & Symposium” (conducted in English and Putonghua), which will be held at 2pm on December 10 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Artistic Director Tan will engage in discussion with Hong Kong young composer Kam Shing-hei, Shanghai young composer Liu Junhao, Associate Director (Artist Management) of Harrison Parrott Federico Hernandez and Director of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Gillian Choa. There will be a live performance session, with Kam and Liu together with the New York Bard Percussion Ensemble. They will perform their world premieres of WE-commissioned works “A Dream in Tsim Sha Tsui” and “Time Shadows” respectively. The Ensemble will also present music pieces of the renowned composer John Cage, and Tan will provide introduction to his works “H2O Tempo” and “WE (West & East)” that are created with Metaverse technology. Interested audience can reserve their seats by registering online (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1643.html#tab_2_0) with the reference number stated on the programme ticket of “Opera and Dance Theatre” or “Tan Dun: BACH Rock & Hanggai – When BACH Meets GENGHIS KHAN”. Admission for the extension programme is free. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis with free seating.
　　”Tan Dun WE-Festival” is curated by Tan Dun, Hong Kong’s ACP, also artistic director of the festival. Featuring musicians, dancers and ensembles from the Mainland, Hong Kong and around the world, this West-East artistic feast will reveal brand-new approaches to music, dance and visual arts, turning the city into an international stage for cultural and arts exchanges. The Festival will also attract people from both East and West to gather in the city, showcasing the essence of Hong Kong’s East-meets-West cultural DNA. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1635.html.
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more
Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (November 29). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race
1. Road closure
Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.
2. Traffic diversions
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.
B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting
1. Road closure
The following roads will be closed from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.
In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.
2. Traffic diversions
The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.
C. Learner drivers prohibition
Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:
– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.
D. Suspension of parking spaces
Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.
Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.
Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site. read more
The Transport Department (TD) today (November 29) announced that auction of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on December 16 (Saturday) at Meeting Room N101, L1, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
“A total of 240 approved PVRMs will be put up for public auction. A list of the marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
The reserve price of each of these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following points:
(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the purchaser is a body corporate); and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed. Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.
(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.
(3) A PVRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
(4) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.
(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.
(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
“Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.
For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRM, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html. read more