WestK FunFest

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Presented by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the inaugural WestK FunFest will take place from 16 March to 7 April 2024, presenting three weeks of family-oriented activities over the Easter holiday at various venues across the West Kowloon Cultural District, including Harbourside Lawn of the Art Park, Freespace and the Xiqu Centre. With the aim of engaging families and connecting communities, FunFest features locally and internationally renowned artists and presents more than 150 diverse art programmes, ranging from participatory performances, interactive experiences, multi-media performances to hands-on workshops, mega art installation, play zone, storytelling and dance parties.

Stunning line-up of world-class arts programmes, including award-winning immersive art installation Ephemeral at Harbourside Lawn

From 22 March, Sydney-based design studio Atelier Sisu will transform Harbourside Lawn East with Ephemeral, an immersive art installation that delves into the fleeting nature of beauty and life. Ephemeral has been exhibited worldwide in more than 40 regions, including London, Sydney, Singapore and Brussels. The installation has won numerous accolades worldwide including second prize of the International Architecture & Design Awards by Architecture and Design Community, plus four other awards in 2022. For the debut in Hong Kong, Ephemeral will feature “Colossal”, a site-specific new element specially designed for WestK FunFest set against the stunning backdrop of the District’s harbour panorama, with custom-designed lighting and audio effects. The installation will dynamically vary with the light, bringing audiences an extraordinary immersive art experience.

In collaboration with Polyglot Theatre from Australia, WestK FunFest will present the international premiere of Pram People (Hong Kong Edition) at Harbourside Lawn West during the Easter holidays from 29 March to 1 April. Following a successful debut in Melbourne in 2022, the creative team embarked on a journey to Hong Kong in September 2023, immersing themselves in local neighbourhoods to capture the vibrant tapestry of Hong Kong life, from which they crafted a brand-new bilingual programme. Participating adults will put on headphones to hear a captivating narrative and receive instructions with their babies in prams. Joined by performers, participants will create a playful spectacle together and a visual feast for spectators. The pram is redefined as an asset to public space and society, connecting and celebrating communities in an interactive and fun way.

Patch Theatre, a renowned Australian theatre group specialising in performances for children, will present the Asian premiere of award-winning interactive production ZOOOM at The Box, Freespace from 23 to 24 March. ZOOOM has previously been staged in Australia, the United States and Canada, receiving awards such as the Independent Arts Foundation Award for Innovation in the Adelaide Critics Circle Awards (2019) and the Ruby Award for Best Work, Event or Project for Young People (2021). Drawing inspiration from the classic children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon, which inspires kids to explore the world through art, ZOOOM takes children on an exciting adventure, sparking their curiosity and nurturing their creativity through delightful music, lasers and projections.

Experience Xiqu culture through family Cantonese Opera makeup and movement workshops and dedicated family-focused performances

Three Cantonese Opera family workshops will run at the Xiqu Centre over two weekends from 16 to 23 March, welcoming family units of different ages and backgrounds to learn about this traditional art form in an interactive way. Cantonese Opera Movement Workshops, scheduled for 16 March, will be hosted by actress Leung Fei-tung, who will introduce basic gestures such as hand and finger movements and give insights into the stylised use of props and costumes such as water sleeves and horse whips. Cantonese Opera Makeup Workshops, scheduled for 17 March and 23 March, will be led by renowned actress King Fa-lui, together with veteran performer and makeup artist Leong Yee-lin and her team, guiding participants through the intricacies of applying basic stage makeup.

The Xiqu Centre will also host two dedicated sessions of the Tea House Theatre Family Experience at the Tea House Theatre on 6 and 7 April, with each session featuring a 90-minute Cantonese opera showcase by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe along with an educational narration and interactive elements. Families will have the opportunity to drink tea and enjoy dim sum together while experiencing the wonders of the unique culture of Cantonese opera.

Over a hundred of free workshops and captivating performances connect families of all ages and unleash creativity, including:

• Crochet Together and Little Thai Forever will be showcased at the Xiqu Centre, presented by Carmen Wong Ka-man and Gabriella So Chi-ching, awardees of the Arts Impact Fellowship 2023, respectively. Launched by the Performing Arts Division of the WKCDA in 2019, the fellowship supports young artists, educators, researchers and arts administrators to develop pioneering research initiatives that inspire positive change, community engagement and audience-building in Hong Kong through the performing arts.
• Play and Seek, a dreamy ocean-themed indoor play zone, will be presented at The Room, Freespace. The play zone is designed with theatrical sound and interactive elements, encouraging kids to take part in a self-directed play.
• 120 sessions of 10-Minute Dance Parties will be staged at Harbourside Lawn, Australian artist Joseph O’Farrell (JOF) will lead a group of local teenagers to act as DJs to host these lively dance parties in the pop-up party venue. All are welcome to join in the fun – participants of any age, with no dance experience necessary.
• A wide range of pop-up performances by local art groups, including juggling, mime, a cappella singing, brass music, dance and double dutch, will take place at Harbourside Lawn and outside Freespace.