Entertain me Hong Kong?

[fm7]

I've found Time Out seriously depressing reading. I was hoping for some sort of revelation of what the city had to offer - especially after the supercilious editorial in the first edition. But the last few editions have left with a real "is that all there is" sinking feeling.

[keto1]

May I ask- are you Asian or Caucasian? If you are Caucasian, you might not appreciate some of the other things available, like concerts by Asians. For example, a popular (well used to be popular, depending on who u ask) Japanese singer called Ayumi is performing this weekend. There are many concerts held by HK and other Asian celebrities throughout the year. There are also HK comedians.

Obviously you'll miss out on these if you arent really fluent in some Asian language, or not interested in Asian entertainment scene, in which case it's not that HK doesnt have anything to do, it's that you arent able to participate in the things on offer.

Also it depends on you as a person. From my window, I can see people swimming, and also wakeboarding. There are many sports halls where you can play sports, like tennis or badminton. Restaurants abound.

Look, I'm not telling you anything you dont know. But if anyone's interests are limited, for any reason, then it doesnt matter if it's HK, Tokyo, or Geneva. After a few years i reckon people'll end up with the same 'ol same 'ol kinda feeling.

[Eddy Mundo]

There are also HK comedians.

I would love to catch some HK stand up comedy! are there any comedy clubs that features cantonese comics besides Take Out Comedy?

[jimbo]

A lot of the coolest stuff in only happening in Cantonese.

And whats stopping you from learning Cantonese thus gaining exposure to the coolest stuff?

[fm7]

And whats stopping you from learning Cantonese thus gaining exposure to the coolest stuff?

Not quite sure how to take that.

I'm fluent in three languages, can get by OK in another four (as well as read two ancients). I learnt some Hindi on my last posting, but struggled a bit. I've been here two years and trying to pick up some Cantonese, but focussing mostly on Mandarin, to help my daughter with her schoolwork.

So yeah, I deserve to be slammed for not trying hard enough to pick up languages and be cosmopolitan.

But, regardless of my biography, it's probably not fair to hang the "learn the language" banner on everyone who is here as an expat, especially if they are only going to be here for 2-4 years. Sure, one can learn a little in that time, enough to socialise (badly) but barring full immersion it's unlikely people will become fluent enough to get something out a seminar on modern architecture or philosophy, for example.

[thursday]

I have been living in Hong Kong for years on end and I have to say (as do many-a-folks that I have come across) that this is possibly one of the dullest cities when it comes to entertainment!.. Well, unless all you want to do is go do some shopping and then head to the pub. Heck, a three block town in the Irish countryside had more interest-clubs and other random community stuff to do.

So here's the question... besides shopping and drinking, is there much else to do here? Indoor and outdoor stuff?

Also, is there much fun to be had here without spending copious amounts of money? Besides trail-walking. lol

And don't get me wrong...I'm not bashing the city...I've been here for years and love(d) it here, but I'm getting a bit bored of the same old stuff.

If you can't work it out, it's time for you to leave, vertically or horizontally.

[keto1]

I would love to catch some HK stand up comedy! are there any comedy clubs that features cantonese comics besides Take Out Comedy?

Sorry dude, I'm not that knowledgable about the local scene. I've seen video stores in MK playing a comedian performance though, so I know you can buy some.

[Mr.Adamu]

A lot of the coolest stuff in only happening in Cantonese.

learn cantonese then if you move somewhere, it's quite common to learn their language right?

[Krad]

English theatre scene in HK is picking up again...if you're interested in live theatre, there's:

Dirty Blonde

Streetcar Named Desire

Beauty and the Beast

Pippin

Night, Mother

Old Times by Harold Pinter

all of which are going up in October / November.

[acreativenameeh]

hmm to be honest, im not all that impressed with the hk theatre scene... it's a bit overpriced for the quality of performances they put on...