Who wants to join us for a trip to the theatre?

There are a couple of shows coming to Hong Kong in the next few months which some Members have expressed a wish to go to, so I am writing to you all to see if anyone else would like to join them!

The first one is Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo “The Trocks”
“The multi-award winning international dance phenomenon Les Ballets Trockadero de Mont Carlo returns to Hong Kong in May 2012.  Known affectionately by their worldwide fanbase as The Trocks, the all-male company of 14 perform classical ballet excerpts – both male and female roles – to dazzling and hilarious effect.  Celebrating both the beauty and the essential absurdity of classical ballet, The Trocks’ combination of pure comedy, extraordinary technical prowess and genuine love of ballet has made them a global phenomenon since they formed in New York in 1974.  For more than three decades Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo have been taking the world by storm, performing at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and arts festivals, in 30 countries and over 500 cities.  They return to Hong Kong with a fabulous new programme – including Swan Lake Act II and Raymonda’s Wedding- a truck load of costume changes and lashings of diva attitude. Dancing a fine line between high art and high camp, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo will be performing an exclusive one week season at the Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, from 15 to 20 May 2012.

“This is the funniest night you’ll ever have at the ballet” – Sunday Times, UK New York’s Sensational All-Male Comic Ballet Company”

The dates are 15/5 – 20/5, tickets range from $350-$850 (we usually settle for the $350 as the theatre isn’t that big that we don’t get a good view!)

The other show is Annie
“From its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical, this heart-warming rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s adventures, from the hard-knock New York orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks, is a tale that has been told all over the world for decades and won numerous major awards.

Direct from a UK tour, this production features a spectacular cast of colourful characters including Su Pollard as the dastardly gin-soaked Miss Hannigan, and David McAlister as the kindly Daddy Warbucks and everyone’s favourite little red-headed orphan, Annie.

With a memorable score featuring such hits as It’s A Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and the legendary Tomorrow, fantastically visual choreography, a side-splittingly funny script and of course the adorable dog Sandy, it really is no surprise that ANNIE has become one of the best loved family musicals of all time.”
If anyone would like to go as part of a social outing with HKLC, pls let Karen (hklcsocial@gmail.com) know 
a) the show/s you would like to go to, and
b) your preferred dates, and I will book the majority date.

Upcoming February Social Event

RSVP to our Social Co-Ordinator, hklcsocial@gmail.com if you are interested in coming along to either of these events.

Kowloon Walled City with Jason Wordie

An adventurous group of Ladies Circlers woke early Saturday morning to head over to Kowloon for a walking tour with local historian Jason Wordie.

Starting at Lok Fu MTR we were shown the evolution of public high rise housing pioneered in Hong Kong before heading to Hau Wong Temple to learn about its relationship with the original Kowloon Walled City and Mandarin scholars. We got to see the last navigation marker for the old Kai Tak airport approach – a fading checkerboard painted onto the face of a cliff.

From there we explored the beautiful park that has now replaced the once ambiguous and seedy shanty town that was the walled city (and one of the largest Heroin producing drug dens in the world) in the 1980′s. Jason stopped at various locations to give us a fascinating history into the evolution and change to occur in the walled city and what it would have been like in times past.

One of the only parts of the original walled city to be preserved was the yamen (magistracy compound) fortunate enough to survive all incarnations of the walled city as it was never built over, respected as a legacy to China. Other interesting artifacts such as cannons and the south gate stones were also on display here. Sadly all the original walls were removed using prisoner of war labour during the Japanese occupation to be used for reclamation to expand Kai Tak airport.

We walked through the Chinese Thai district of Hong Kong which used to be flown over every 2 minutes by modern jets such as the 747 until the airport was relocated to Lantau.

Finally we ended the walk at Sung Wong Toi – one of the most important chinese artifacts in Hong Kong. It too had a fascinating history as to how it ended up where it now stands.

Most of the ladies circlers stayed for lunch at a Thai restaurant where we were spoiled with an abundance of food – Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Fish cakes, pork neck, green curry chicken and an array of other dishes.

You can view more photos from the walk in our Facebook photo album here.

On behalf of Ladies Circle I would like to thank Jason for sharing his knowledge with us and presenting such a fascinating fact-filled walk.

A third walk with Jason is planned for March. If you are interested in coming along, please let us know as it is a great way to discover more about the history of Hong Kong off the beaten tourist track and catch up with other circlers along the way.

Social Lunch – Oolaa

Upcoming Event: Jason Wordie walk through the Walled City in Kowloon

Mark your diaries!

Our next JASON WORDIE walk will take place on the morning of SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY (am).

We’re going to explore the WALLED CITY in KOWLOON. $325 HKD / person.

Please let Jane know if you and your friends would like to join us!! Everyone is welcome.

December Drinks Drop-In

Our December drinks drop-in raised a very handy $800 for our Small Homes Charity. A wonderful way to end off the Hong Kong Ladies’ Circle year by raising a drink with friends.

A huge thanks for Lucy for hosting our final drinks of the year.

Flo’s Flower Arranging Demonstration 7th December

Yet again Ladies Circle had the pleasure of welcoming Lucy’s mum to demonstrate her amazing skill, sharp wit and jolly banter.

Around 20 ladies spent the morning with Flo, showing us 3  fantastic creations grow before our eyes while enthralling us with her tales of Westminster Abbey and the Queen, Lucy’s childhood secrets and much more aside. As well as a few extra arrangements she made earlier, including reusing a lampshade she made herself 50 years before!

Then her skills were really tested, as some real amateurs attempted and we are pleased to announce succeeded in arranging and taking home some wonderful creations from the mixed bunches of flowers they supplied. The flowers brought in ranged from huge bunches purchased from the flower market earlier in the week to last minute dashes that morning to the supermarket…with vases from all continents…including a cut down plastic bottle!

We raised $850 from raffling her creations. Brilliant.

What a blast we all had and we must say a special thank you to Flo. Looking forward to next year.

Sharing the fun with our families …

Our first Hong Kong Ladies’ Circle Christmas Party took place last Saturday with 26 kids joining in the fun at the Aberdeen Marina Club. The children got to take part in various activities including decorating a Christmas photo frame, making Christmas decorations, decorating festive cupcakes, getting their faces painted and acquiring a Christmas tattoo. The face painting was amazing with lots of fun and colourful designs.

The festive cheer continued with games like pass the parcel, Christmas dancing, Carol singing and a Christmas story. All the children had a wonderful time. Smiles beamed from everyone as they laughed and enjoyed the fun. There were prizes and goodie bags for every child.

After the fun and games the kids had loads of party food to enjoy. They were able to sit down, eat and meet new friends. It was a wonderful opportunity for our children to share in the experience we have with our Ladies’ Circle meetings.

A huge Thank You to Jane for organising and running the Christmas Party.

Riding the Hong Kong Party Tram …

It is with great sadness we farewell our Immediate Past President Jodie as she and her family relocate to Australia.

What better way to celebrate her friendship and service to Hong Kong Ladies Circle than with a tram party through the centre of Hong Kong Island!

A large group of members old and new jumped on the party tram to enjoy time with Jodie.  Champagne corks flew, and champagne flowed as everyone laughed and chatted, reminisced and enjoyed the scenery as it rattled past.

The tram left from Whitty Street Depot and slowly made its way through Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay where it turned around to come back. The tram rolled past the skyscrapers in Central as they performed their festival of lights with vibrant colour.

All up the trip took about two hours with plenty of drinks and nibblies to keep everyone happy.

Jodie, thank you for everything you have done and contributed in your time with Ladies’ Circle Hong Kong. Be well, travel safe, and keep in touch!

If you’d like to see more photos from the night, take a look at our Facebook page.

Christmas Drinks Drop In

Our final social event on the Christmas calendar takes place this week.

15th December – Christmas Drinks Drop In

Come along to Lucy’s home for a glass of mulled wine and lots of Christmas Cheer!
RSVP to our Social Coordinator and she will email you the address.

Look forward to seeing you there!