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EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) proudly presents the inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX). Taking place from 14 to 18 October 2024, the five-day expo institutes an important platform for new artistic connections, establishing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange among professional creative personnel from across the city, Mainland China and the world. Through wide-ranging performances, workshops and collaborations, HKPAX aims to foster an understanding of different cultures, further inspiring creativity and encouraging potential artistic partnerships.
Vibrant and dynamic, the event hosts a myriad of activities specially curated for the enjoyment of arts enthusiasts and industry insiders. Culture lovers are invited to experience a rich variety of musical theatre, dance, comedy and more among HKPAX Expo Programmes and International Showcases. The public is also warmly invited to support Hong Kong’s trailblazers at Ground Search—a free programme requiring prior registration, showcasing performances by small and medium-sized companies. For arts practitioners, academics and experts purchasing HKPAX passes, the event offers curated programmes and activities for participants from the global arts community to connect, including cultural offerings, networking opportunities, pitch sessions and talks.
HKPAX has collaborated with international arts organisations to co-create three exciting programmes highlighting local and international talent:
1014 – Nanyin x Jazz, co-created by HKPAX and China Performing Arts Agency
Local artists from Hong Kong and Mainland China come together to explore humanity’s hopes and uncertainties about the future in a unique musical theatre production that fuses jazz with Nanyin, a classical style of narrative Chinese singing.
Time in a Bottle co-created by HKPAX and Ishikawa Ongakudo
Hong Kong composer Leon Ko collaborates with Japanese set designer Hiroko Matsuo in a theatrical presentation integrating music, scent and perfume bottles. An oboe, a string quartet and a piano accompany the evocative visual journey.
Journey of Discovery co-created by HKPAX and National Arts Council of South Africa
Hong Kong-born music director Ng Cheuk-yin spearheads an alliance of young musicians from South Africa and Hong Kong. Blending contrasting cultural backgrounds and musical styles from both regions, the piece forges new musical horizons, inviting the audience on an exploratory sonic journey.
In addition, many local performing arts groups and organisations, including Chung Ying Theatre Company, City Contemporary Dance Company, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Xiqu Centre of WKCD, will showcase signature full-length productions at various theatres throughout the city.
International Showcases
From August 2023, more than 300 professional troupes from around the globe submitted projects in hopes of being included among HKPAX’s offerings. Of these 300+, 15 were selected, including five from Hong Kong and Mainland China. Set to converge in Hong Kong, the curated International Showcases include drama, dance, musical theatre, Chinese opera (xiqu) and diverse multidisciplinary arts—ranging from grand-scale productions to intimate solo performances.
HKPAX International Showcases include BENCHED by Denmark’s Uppercut Dance Theatre, a dance show oriented around shifting benches that marries contemporary dance, breakdance, capoeira and street dance to explore the complexities of human relationships; LauZone from Hong Kongers Anna Lo and Rick Lau, a cabaret show employing original music and irreverent humour to honour the city’s rich melting pot of culture; and Perhaps, Perhaps… Quizas by Gabriela Muñoz, who creates a clown character delving into loneliness, anticipation and yearning in an emotive routine.
Ground Search
This pitching series, highlighting Hong Kong’s unique ability to marry Chinese heritage with Western culture, showcases local, small- and medium-sized performing arts groups as well as individual arts practitioners, connecting them with HKPAX’s international participants. This event is open free to the public, requiring prior registration.
Pitch Sessions
Whether it’s an original creative project requiring additional funds or a groundbreaking experiment looking for a venue or presenter, exciting new ideas emerge in these sessions. Connecting practitioners to a whole world of business opportunities and potential partners, these short, consolidated performances represent the beginning of many incredible artistic journeys to come.
Conversations
In addition to inviting attendees to experience innovative presentations from the world’s up-and-comers, HKPAX also brings guests into the worldwide discussion examining dynamic arts scenes and global cultural trends. The Expo incubates important and productive dialogues through numerous conversation-focused programmes such as Forums, Leadership Talks and Sharing Sessions from artists, arts leaders and producers.
West Kowloon Art Park Exhibition
Under the marquee on the beautiful lawn of West Kowloon’s Art Park, exhibitors gather to display playfully spirited ideas promoting arts practitioners, venues and festivals. This is the place where performing arts professionals introduce exciting productions and pitch new projects to potential supporters and audiences.
HKPAX offers an optional tour of Shenzhen and Guangzhou—two hotbeds of performing arts culture in the region—to underscore the Expo’s aim of fostering cultural exchange and immersion. HKPAX arranges all transportation, accommodation, scheduling and meetings with local artists and administrators during the trip. Highlights in the schedule include a luncheon in Shenzhen with performing arts practitioners, visits to the cultural facilities in Shenzhen’s Guangming district, cutting edge arts tech enterprises, the late Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhou Opera House and Xinghai Concert Hall.
Cultural Offerings
HKPAX’s cultural offerings provide participants rare opportunities to immerse themselves in first-hand experiences that nurture both body and soul. Featuring martial arts and Chinese dance workshops, singing-bowl sonic journeys, neighbourhood walking tours and cooking classes, locals and visitors alike can soak up the city’s unique Asian cultural ambience and traditions.
HKPAX partners with multiple venues across Hong Kong to facilitate these programmes. Most scheduled events are hosted at the West Kowloon Cultural District, a burgeoning arts hub with performance venues, museums, green spaces and dining establishments—along with a waterfront promenade to enjoy the sea breeze. Other venues include the city’s prestigious theatres and exhibition sites, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tai Kwun, Asia Society Hong Kong and Hong Kong Arts Centre.
