Inside Hong Kong’s new 5-day performing arts extravaganza, with local and visiting artists

The full spectrum of performing arts is front and centre this month with the debut of the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX). Taking place from October 14 to 18 and organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the event promises an array of performances, workshops and collaborative projects all in the name of inspiring creativity and fostering artistic partnerships.

Designed for both arts enthusiasts and industry insiders, the expo packs an eclectic mix of musical theatre, dance, comedy and more into a five-day programme. Headlining acts include 1014 – Nanyin x Jazz, a musical theatre production that blends jazz with nanyin, a classical Chinese singing style, to explore humanity’s hopes and uncertainties about the future; Time in a Bottle, a collaboration between composer Leon Ko Sai-tseung and set designer Hiroko Matsuo that integrates music and scent in a theatrical presentation; and Journey of Discovery, an alliance of young musicians from South Africa and Hong Kong that merges diverse cultural backgrounds and musical styles under the guidance of music director Ng Cheuk-yin.

HKPAX has also curated 15 international showcases from more than 300 submissions, encompassing a variety of art forms including drama, dance, musical theatre and Chinese opera. Not to be missed is Benched, a production by Denmark’s Uppercut Dance Theatre that explores human relationships through contemporary dance; and Perhaps, Perhaps … Quizás, by Mexican performing artist Gabriela Muñoz, which delves into themes of loneliness through clowning.

HKPAX will also host pitch sessions designed to connect performers with potential funding opportunities and partnerships. Forums and leadership talks aim to initiate discussions about global cultural trends, while martial arts and Chinese dance workshops are sure to have you sweating it out.

For more details, go to hkpax.org.hk