West Kowloon Cultural District Online Dance Films & Freespace “Watch Party”
The Government’s latest health measures require arts and entertainment facilities to be temporarily closed across Hong Kong. In light of this, all performing arts venues of West Kowloon Cultural District (“the District”) in the Xiqu Centre and Freespace remain closed until further notice.
Although the situation in Hong Kong seems to be under control, the District was still advised to remain cautious. The Art Park and some of the restaurants in the Art Park and the Xiqu Centre remain open. When members of the public decide to make a visit, for the safety of everyone, they are advised to wear a mask, maintain physical distance and limit the size of the gatherings. The District is in compliance with the Government’s latest measures and continues to review the situation and adjust the venues and programme arrangements accordingly.
Although Freespace remains closed, as part of the District’s efforts to reach out to people even at this time, a list of dance films was selected and made available on the District’s website for people to enjoy online. The films recommended by the District’s dance team were created as part of the New Works Forum: Screendance workshop in 2015 by West Kowloon and City Contemporary Dance Company. Some were commissioned for further development and premiered at the Jumping Frames International Dance Video Festival 2016/17. Click here for all the 19 artists’ works: http://tiny.cc/5dogmz
Freespace held a “Watch Party” of Tang Shu-wing’s powerful site-specific interpretation of the Greek tragedy Antigone from 1 to 8 May 2020 on YouTube. Antigone is an ancient play about the power struggle, within a ruling family and a woman who defies the authorities and risks her life to bury her rebel brother. It was first staged at West Kowloon in 2016. Originally performed outdoors by an all-women cast from the young Beijing-based Baiguang Theatre Studio and livestreamed for audiences in Hong Kong and around the world, the current rerun was available for on-demand streaming on the District’s YouTube channel.
Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Freespace hosted another “Watch Party” of an exclusive online re-run of choreographer Christian Rizzo’s From a True Story (d’après une histoire vraie) – a powerful work about the human experience. It was available on-demand on the West Kowloon YouTube channel from 16 May until 23 May. Initially staged in The Box in June 2019 – the opening performance for Freespace and the Hong Kong debut – From a True Story is rooted in the gestures of folk dance. Performed by an all-male troupe and two live drummers, it is also an earthy, thoughtful reflection on the connections between memory and tradition, camaraderie and competition, and how individuals come together to create community. Learn more about the 2019 performance: https://wk.org.hk/2Ljvjnx
Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
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