As part of the month-long series of artistic events to celebrate the launch of the new ArtisTree on 8 June, Swire Properties will offer aspiring performers a rare opportunity to be coached by an award-winning dance choreographer during ArtisTree’s opening season. Culture aficionados will also get ‘front-row seats’ to experience the creative process and gain a deeper understanding of how live performing arts productions are brought to life.
The new ArtisTree hopes to foster the emergence of new art forms and host a diverse range of original works by mid-career, young talent and artists, as well as to present original and creative productions that have never been staged in Asia or Hong Kong.
The masterclasses are available on a complimentary basis for both performers and audiences. Reservations can be made online at Ticketflap (www.ticketflap.com) starting from 26 May.
Contemporary Dance Masterclass with Caroline Finn – 26 June (12:30 pm)
This masterclass by the award-winning Artistic Director of the National Dance Company Wales will focus on key warm up and contemporary technique work, as well as the company’s unique dance style. Dancers 1 will learn an excerpt from Finn’s distinctive work Folk, one of the four hand-picked programmes during ArtisTree’s opening season. Audiences can also watch the renowned choreographer in action.
Finn is an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer professionally trained at New York’s Juilliard School. She is the winner of the Matthew Bourne New Adventures Choreographer Award 2014, and is known for her quirky and highly-engaging choreography.
Happy Hour with Award-winning Opera Director Nic Muni – 16 June (12:30 pm & 6:30 pm)
Young and talented professional singers can expect to be put through their paces during two ‘live audience’ sessions. Muni will offer instruction and critique performances, and share his experiences with these aspiring opera vocalists. Award-winning pianist Wei-En Hsu will provide musical accompaniment.
Opera-buffs and music connoisseurs can witness this award-winning opera director at work, and be inspired by these young talents while enjoying their lunch or a beer.
Nic Muni, recipient of six National Opera Association Awards, has directed opera productions around the world for more than 30 years, and has worked with countless famous companies including the
New York City Opera, Melbourne’s Victoria State Opera and the Prague National Theatre.
The New ArtisTree – Month-long Opening-Season Programme
In celebration of the new ArtisTree’s official reopening on 8 June, audiences can enjoy four intriguing productions by local and international artists.
All complimentary tickets were snapped up in just five days, reflecting the city’s growing demand for sophisticated arts events, and Taikoo Place’s position as a hub for arts and culture.
ContempoLion
• A fresh interpretation of Hong Kong’s long-standing Lion Dance tradition;
• Commissioned by Swire Properties, created by Hong Kong choreographer Daniel Yeung;
• A multimedia production that showcases a wide array of artistic forms, including: contemporary dance, live and recorded sounds, musical arrangements, creative lighting, aerial performers, and even parkour.
La Traviata
• A 90-minute adaptation of the Italian opera classic with the plot carefully condensed into critical scenes;
• A dynamic production offering a new perspective on opera, with singers performing right in front of audiences, rather than onstage;
• By non-profit, Hong Kong-based opera company – More than Musical, directed by award- winning Artistic Director Nic Muni and starring soprano Lei Xu.
Folk (Asia debut at ArtisTree)
• A contemporary dance piece offering an engaging mix of surreal and familiar scenes to portray a dark, yet fantastical interpretation of characters and communities inspired from old artwork scenes;
• Created and choreographed by Artistic Director Caroline Finn / National Dance Company Wales.
Animatorium (Asia debut at ArtisTree)
• A comic piece with dark undertones, featuring a central character that animates and manipulates a troupe of dancers;
• Also by National Dance Company Wales.
For more information on Taikoo Place and ArtisTree, visit www.taikooplace.com. Follow Taikoo Place at www.facebook.com/taikooplacehk.