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Happenings & Events: Stuff To Know In January!

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DOUBLE HAPPINESS 2025

Just 28 days after ringing in 2025, we are going to be celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year with the big day falling on January 29. The public holiday runs from January 29 to 31 (Wednesday to Friday) meaning many of us get a full five days off work: plenty of time to celebrate with friends and family. CNY is Hong Kong’s favourite holiday, packed with folklore and superstitions, food, flowers and lucky red packets – turn to page 30 to gen up on some of the fun, festive traditions.

According to Chinese astrology, each year is ruled by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac and for 2025, that’s the Snake. So what can we expect from a Snake Year? What does the Snake symbolise? For the Chinese, the Snake represents wisdom and evolution: he is not associated with evil or treachery as he is in many other cultures. What’s key is that the Snake is able to shed his skin and rejuvenate: we can therefore expect 2025 to be all about personal growth and renewal.

While the pace of change may be a lot slower than it was in 2024’s flashy and dynamic Year of the Dragon, don’t underestimate the transformative power of serpentine energy. The Snake is known for his grounded, deliberate approach to life. Stealthy and wise, the Snake wants you to move with purpose and precision, relinquishing what no longer ser ves you, so you can evolve. As you weave through the year, you have the oppor tunit y to methodically align with your true path. The key lies in trusting the process. Be inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Bob Dylan, J.K. Rowling and Taylor Swif t, all of whom were born in a Snake Year. Gong Hey Fat Choy!

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CWCC S1 ADMISSION

Tung Chung-based Caritas Wu Cheng-chung Secondary School (CWCC) is enrolling students for the 2025/26 school year: S1 admission runs from January 2 to 16. A renowned, governmentfunded secondary school (Grade 7 to 12), CWCC is multicultural and fully inclusive, with students and teachers from over 30 countries. The HKDSE curriculum is taught in English alongside a small Cantonese stream. To know more, visit www.cwcc.edu.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF CWCC.]

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NEW CLASS AT DBIS FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS

Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is delighted to announce a new FS-1 class at its Early Years Foundation Stage campus, starting January 6. The class offers an opportunity for children who have already turned three to join the DBIS community part way through the academic year and enjoy the school’s superb facilities for young learners. To apply for a place, go to dbis.hk/admissions. To know more about DBIS, visit www.dbis.edu.hk.

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ISLAND DANCE PERFORMANCE

Island Dance teaches Freestyle Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet and Acro at 10+ locations across Hong Kong including DB. Students performed at Arts in the Park in Causeway Bay on November 30, and you can catch them on stage at the AIA Carnival, Central Harbourfront on January 11 from 2pm to 3pm. To find out more or enrol for a class, WhatsApp 9159 0663 or visit www.islanddance.com.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Island Dance.]

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KIDSFEST!

Find KidsFest! 2025 Hong Kong, from January 22 to February 23, at the Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wanchai. Be sure to catch The Smeds and The Smoos, January 22 to 26; The Way Back Home, February 5 to 9; The Lion Inside, February 12 to 16; and The 13-Storey Treehouse, February 19 to 23. A keenly anticipated annual event, K id sFes t! deliver s world – clas s, f amily-f riendly productions that bring characters from well-loved books to life. To purchase tickets, head to www.cityline.com; to win tickets to see The Smeds and The Smoos on January 24, turn to page 13.

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NATURE EXPLORATION WORKSHOP

Enrol now to take part in a fun and informative Nature Exploration Workshop on January 13. The family-friendly, DB workshop runs from 10am to 12 noon, and is led by instructors from Nature Bathing HK. You can expect a treasure hunt, outdoor games and the opportunity to learn about DB’s biodiversity and indigenous plants. To find out more and register, call 5469 1748.

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LAI SEE PACKET RECYCLING

Make a positive impact over CNY by getting behind CM’s Lai See Packet Recycling Campaign running January 19 to February 27. You’ll find recycling boxes, where you can deposit as-new red packets, at the DB Office Centre, DB Pier ticket counter and local management offices. To find out more, visit Facebook @DynamicDBers.

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CNY BUTTERFLY ORCHID WORKSHOP

Set yourself up for CNY by attending a Butterfly Orchid Floral Workshop on January 18 from 2pm to 4pm at Community Green Square. The workshop is guided by expert florists, and participants get to learn how to select, plant and care for these beautiful blooms. There’s also the opportunity to mingle with fellow flower lovers in a relaxed setting. To find out more and enrol, visit Facebook @DynamicDBers.

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THE BRIDGE LAUNCH

Rachel Humphreys is launching The Bridge, a small independent learning centre for students who learn differently, in DB North Plaza on January 6. Small class sizes (4:1) and a flexible curriculum will enable Bridge educators to create bespoke, highly personalised learning experiences, supporting students, aged 12 to 18 years, to grow in confidence, gain qualifications and have a positive direction for the future. To find out more, email Rachel, the former principal at DMPS, at [email protected].

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NEW PHOTO STUDIO IN DB NORTH

YogaUP, the multi-purpose space in DB North Plaza, specialising in a wide range of activities and events in the areas of wellness (yoga, ice bath), education and creativity (workshops and training), has launched SnapUP, a new creative haven for visual storytelling. The photo studio rental is modern and spacious with high ceilings and an open-plan layout. The space is flooded with natural light and fully equipped with an array of backdrops and props, and versatile lighting setups. In addition, the studio boasts a lounge area and a large terrace with a 180˚ sea view, where clients can relax and brainstorm.

SnapUP is a space well-suited for business portraits, family photos, fashion photoshoots and product photography, and it caters to both seasoned professionals and budding photographers alike. You can bring your own photographer, be your own photographer, or hire one of the DB photographers in the SnapUp portfolio.

Whether you are capturing the perfect editorial spread, embarking on a personal project or simply need new business headshots or product photos for your website, SnapUP promises to be a sanctuary for creativity, where every click of the shutter tells a story.

SnapUp photography studio is a YogaUP collaboration run by DB residents Chaukei Ngai and Nick Alder, and DB resident actor and entrepreneur Philippe Joly. DB-based photographer Anthony Roussel helped launch SnapUp in November with a highend fashion shoot. To find out more and get involved, call 6805 4996 or visit yogaup.com.hk. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Philippe Joly.]

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HOLIDAY FUN AT TREASURE ISLAND

Treasure Island is lighting up for Lunar New Year with the beach club open for festive dining over the long holiday weekend, January 29 to February 2. You can also expect a live band and DJ sessions on the terrace. Should you want to extend your visit into a beach staycation, there are plenty of options with cabanas, family-size tents and even a petfriendly, three-bedroom apartment available for rent. To find out more, call 5236 7013 or visit www.treasureislandhk.com.

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AIA CARNIVAL’S 10TH BIRTHDAY

The AIA Carnival is back in town through February 16, celebrating its 10th birthday with all-new rides, games, toys and photo moments. In addition to the fairground fun, there’s performance art, interactive sporting events, live music, local community acts and an international lineup of circus performers. To book tickets, head to www.aiacarnival.com; to win tickets, turn to page 13.

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AUBERGE CNY PROMOTIONS

Auberge is ringing in the Year of the Snake with some exclusive discounts for DB residents. Through February 28, you can head to Café bord de Mer & Lounge to enjoy 30% off the Light Dinner Buffet (Monday to Thursday) and 30% off the Auberge Dinner Buffet (Friday to Sunday and public holidays). Make a booking for six to 12 people, and the discount goes up to 35% on all dinner buffets. Looking for the icing on the cake? Café bord de Mer & Lounge’s daily a la carte menu is also discounted by 30%. To book your table, call 2295 8288 or visit www.aubergediscoverybay.com.

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PUBLISHER’S REVIEW: IL TRITTICO

Opera lovers were in for a treat at Musica Viva’s presentation of Il Trittico in December, enjoying three one-act operas by Puccini in one evening. While a death occurs in each opera, the riveting, actionpacked production didn’t disappoint. Performers, both international and local, wowed the Hong Kong City Hall audience with their virtuosity and enthusiasm – for a full three hours.

The first opera Il Tabarro centres on a love triangle: Armenian tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan played Luigi, a deckhand on a Parisian barge, who is in love with Giorgetta, the barge owner’s wife, played by Hong Kong-born soprano Rianne Lau. When Giorgetta’s husband gets wind of the affair, tragedy inevitably ensues. The second opera Suor Angelica, said to be Puccini’s favourite, is set in an Italian convent. Italian soprano Greta Lirussi provided a moving performance as Sister Angelica who, on hearing of her illegitimate son’s death, commits suicide. As Sister Angelica dies, she prays for forgiveness and has a vision of her son greeting her in heaven.

The last opera Gianni Schicchi has been the most popular with audiences since Il Trittico premiered in New York in 1918. Comical in parts, it sees a greedy Florentine family tricked out of their rightful inheritance, and features Puccini’s best-loved aria O mio babbino caro. Italian baritone Enrico Marabelli who played Gianni Schicchi, the family’s devious “coconspirator”, got a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the performance. A great night was enjoyed by all!

Watch out for more from Musica Viva in 2025! If you’re new to opera, this is your way in: expect mesmerising stage craft, surtitles in both English and Cantonese, and even the opportunity to meet the cast.

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