June is already here with plenty of music festivals and performances, as well as the first-ever Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival, Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival and Elements of Freestyle festival.

Our Editor’s Picks will help you shake your body and open your ears!

EVENTS IN FOCUS

ASIAN AVANT-GARDE FILM FESTIVAL
#cinema #festival

This four-day programme will showcase independent art and filmmaking in Asia, celebrating these robust communities, original visual languages and cross-cultural dialogues. The Festival will host screenings, exhibitions, performances, talks and workshops with artists and filmmakers from across Asia and key works from the M+ Collections.

30 May – 2 June – M+ – More details here

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
#theatre #festival

Debuting in Hong Kong this year, the Festival brings the renowned European Shakespeare Festivals to Asia, offering a sensational new experience to local audiences. Promoting international cultural exchange and collaboration, the Festival showcases performances by troupes from all around the world, including artists based in Hong Kong, Romania, Italy, South Korea, UK and Australia.

5 – 16 June – Freespace, WKCD – More details here

GABY DESLYS: THE FABULOUS DESTINY OF THE FIRST STAR OF THE MUSIC HALL
#music

Part of the French May Arts Festival, the performance recounts the destiny of French singer, dancer and actress Gaby Deslys who illuminated Parisian venues like the Folies Bergère and the Moulin Rouge, as well as London, Vienna and New York, at the beginning of the 20th century. She paved the way for Mae West, Mistinguett, Josephine Baker or Lady Gaga.

13 & 14 June – Sheung Wan Civic Centre – More details here

MAKE MUSIC, HONG KONG! 2024
#music #festival

Inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique celebrated every 21st of June in more than 120 countries to celebrate the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and encouraging musicians, professionals and amateurs to take the streets, the seventh edition of the Festival in Hong Kong will bring music performances by local bands and European artists.

21 & 22 June – The Fringe club and The Wanch – More details here

ONE LOVE ASIA FESTIVAL HONG KONG 2024
#music #festival

For the first time in Hong Kong, the Festival will showcase an exceptional lineup of both local and international artists, featuring talents such as SICA and WINWIN, 831, WeiBird, Hebe Tien, Hins Cheung, Janice Yan, Lala Hsu, NICKTHEREAL, Power Station, Stefanie Sun, Eve Ai, AGA, RubberBand, Show Lo, and the four members of Hong Kong’s MIRROR: Keung To, Anson Lo, Jer Lau, and Jeremy Lee.

21 – 23 June – Central Harbourfront Event Space – More details here

FAREWELL TO OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR
#music

In his final concerts as Music Director, Jaap van Zweden will treat the audience with all-time favourite orchestral works: symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich, alongside Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube and the electrifying “Ride of the Valkyries” by Wagner. The concerts will begin with a celebratory fanfare composed for this special occasion by OZNO (James Boznos, HK Phil Principal Timpani).

25 & 26 June – Hong Kong Cultural Centre – More details here

ELEMENTS OF FREESTYLE
#dance #festival

Presented as part of Freespace’s fifth anniversary celebrations, the Festival is a bold, high-energy spectacle that blends the tricks and physicality of breakdance, in-line skating, skateboarding, freestyle basketball, BMX and freerunning with the discipline of theatre. Featuring an original musical score and live electronic and orchestral strings, it transforms the ecstasy and freedom of the street into an eye-opening and exquisitely choreographed form of urban dance.

28 – 30 June – The Box, Freespace, Art Park, WKCD – More details here

NEXT WAVE BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024
#music

This year’s line-up of performers will include Hong Kong rapper Tyson Yoshi, Cantopop girl band Lolly Talk, and indie group RubberBand. Other artists who will take the stage during the festival include local trio P1X3L, singer Nancy Kwai, rock band KOLOR, and rapper Billy Choi.

29 & 30 June – Tai Pak Beach, Discovery Bay – More details here