NEW FS-1 CLASS AT DBIS
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is launching a new FS-1 class at its Early Years Foundation Stage campus, starting February 2024. The class offers a unique 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. For more information about DBIS, visit www.dbis.edu.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.]
FERRY PIER REVAMP
The long-awaited renovations to DB Ferry Pier are nearing completion. The waiting area is already more attractive and more comfortable with extra seating, a wonderful skylight and plenty of potted plants. There’s a 7-Eleven, and Uncle Russ Coffee is scheduled to open this month. [PHOTO BY Nicole Innocenti.]
BECOME A DB FAMILY FARMER
With the goal to bring the community closer to nature, CM is again offering residents the chance to take part in DB Family Farm projects at Community Green Square and Central Park. There’s the opportunity to plant seedlings, nurture growing plants and harvest your own crops. To find out more and enrol to farm in 2024, call 2238 3601 or email [email protected].
FIT AND FABULOUS AT REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL
Looking to hit the reset button to recharge after all the Xmas celebrations? You can enjoy 50% off a 55-minute Swedish Massage at OM SPA at Regal Airport Hotel (discounted price HK$490, original price HK$980), and 25% off all other spa treatments. Alternatively, you can sign up for gym membership at a discounted HK$500/ month (original price HK$1,200/ month). Gym membership includes access to the hotel’s wellequipped and spacious gym room, heated indoor pool, sauna room and yoga-and-dance room. To find out more and take advantage of these limited-time offers, call 2286 6266, or visit www.regalhotel.com/en/regalairport-hotel/Promotions. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Regal Airport Hotel.]
BUTTERFLY ORCHID FLORAL WORKSHOP
Learn how to create a beautiful arrangement of butterfly orchids at Community Green Square on January 20 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Known for their showy flowers and honey-like fragrance, butterfly orchids are also resilient and can flower indoors for up to 10 years. Use a soilless potting medium, place in bright, indirect sunlight and water little and often. To enrol in the workshop for HK$480, call 2238 3601.
JOIN DB YOUTH ORCHESTRA
DB resident of 27 years Tim Chen, the music/ orchestral director of Asiartic Camerata, founded DB Youth Orchestra in November last year, working with teachers at Discovery Bay International School and S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School. The orchestra is open to children aged five to 16 years old with rehearsals taking place at DB North Community Centre on Monday afternoons. Anyone who can read music and has learnt the basics of playing their instrument can join. To find out more and enrol, WhatsApp 9494 9119. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Tim Chen.]
SOUND PRACTITIONER AT SHAKTI
DB residents Pervin and Stephen Clasper have a new recruit at Shakti Healing Circle in Central: Certified Crystal Healing and Sound Therapy Practitioner Vanessa Hui. Vanessa, who is passionate about empowering others on their wellness journey, is offering regular group crystal bowls evenings, as well as individual sound healing sessions. To find out more, visit www.shaktihealingcircle.com.
DB FANTASY AUTHOR
Anna Sze, an 11-year-old DB resident with a budding passion for storytelling, has published The Lore of the Foe, her first fantasy novel, available on Amazon and Kindle. A former Discovery College student, now boarding at Harrow International School Hong Kong, Anna is working on her second book. You can follow Anna on Instagram and Twitter @A.B.Sze, and find out more by turning to page 20. [PHOTO BY Richard Gordon – www.richardgordonphotography.com.]
OWS’ SPRING COURSES
One World Spirit Association is providing a series of spring courses from mid-January through February to help ring in Chinese New Year. There’s a Putonghua Course focused on conversational skills, a Chinese Calligraphy Class, where you can learn the basic brushstrokes and make your own CNY Couplets, and a Classical and Modern Chinese Dance Course, which comes with performance opportunities. To find out more and enrol, WhatsApp 6219 3817, or email [email protected].
WINE PAIRING DINNER AT PEONY
There are seven courses on offer at the Cesari Wine Pairing Dinner at Peony on January 26, plus five wines and a welcome glass of Prosecco. Highlights include Shallow-fried Tilefish paired with Cesari JEMA Carvina 2016, Slow-cooked Angus Beef Rib with Cesari Amarone Valpolicella CI DOCG 2018, and Roasted Pipa Duck with Cesari della Amarone Il Bosco 2016. To know more and make a booking, call 2215 0833.
NEW CHEF AT IL BEL PAESE GROUP
New at Il Bel Paese Group, chef Massimo Santovito came on board in DB in December with a mission to create new dishes and recipes, and supervise and train staff. His influence is already being felt at Il Bel Paese, The Rink and European Touch. As a highly business-oriented chef, Massimo has over 30 years’ experience directing food and beverage services for restaurants, and as a private chef and cookery tutor. Born in Apulia, Italy he specialises in Italian and European cuisine. [PHOTO BY Sarin Ale.]
TURNING PASSION INTO PERFORMANCE
Island Dance teaches Freestyle Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet and Acro at 13+ locations across Hong Kong including DB. You can see students perform a full dance showcase at the AIA Carnival on January 27 at Central Harbourfront. Managing Director Madhu Kashyap is also excited to announce that the school’s elite dancers will be performing at the world-renowned Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui. They will be dancing with Ocean Park’s troupe of professional dancers, and you can catch them live on February 10 on TVB. Moving further into 2024, plans are already underway for the Island Dance annual show – Dancing Through the Decades – which will be performed on June 18 and 19 at the Y-Theatre, Chai Wan.
The Island Dance motto is “turning passion into performance,” and in 2023, Island Dance students performed at multiple events across Hong Kong including the DB Dragon Boat Gala, Youth Arts Festival’s Arts in the Park and Hong Kong Football Club’s Christmas fair, Party on the Pitch. To find out more or enrol for a class, visit www.islanddance.com.hk. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Island Dance.]
