National Day brings variety shows, concerts and a fun-packed week (with photos)

October 1 is National Day and that means spectacular celebrations and special performances will be taking place across the city.

Leading off is a star-studded extravaganza at the Hong Kong Coliseum, where an audience of more than 6,000 will be entertained under the themes "Hong Kong, Our Home" and "Release of Positive Energy by All".

The show includes music and cultural performances by the Military Band of Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison; Art Troupe of Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison; Guard of Honour of Army, Navy and Air Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison; the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra; and the Hong Kong Children and Juvenile Chinese Opera Troupe.

Organised by the Preparatory Committee of Compatriots in Hong Kong for Celebration of the 64th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, the "Variety Show for Celebration of the 64th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" will take place from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Popular local band Soler will be joined by singers Kandy Wong and Khloe Chu in performing "Sail On", the theme song of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign. Other performers include Francis Yip, Nancy Sit, Albert Au and Johnson Lee.

People can also enjoy the show from the comfort of their homes as it will be broadcast live on Cable Movie 2, now Hong Kong (channel 100) and Phoenix Hong Kong Channel from 7pm. ATV Home will broadcast it from 8.30pm, while TVB Jade will show it on October 2 at 00.15am.

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The National Day celebrations continue on October 2 when 3,200 Kwun Tong residents and visitors will enjoy the "Kwun Tong District Golden Songs Concert in Celebration of the 64th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" in the Star Hall, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Co-organised by the Kwun Tong District Office and the Kwun Tong District Council, the concert opens with a 25-minute video featuring China's recent achievements in economic development, sports, science and technology, and highlights of notable developments in Kwun Tong District.

Seven popular artistes and singers will then perform live for the audience, namely Nancy Sit, Chan Ho-tak, Lo Hoi-pang, Candy Li, Johnny Ip, Lee Loon-ki and Mimi Chu.

Artiste Nancy Sit will perform the first song, "Giant Dragon of the East" alongside a chorus and dance group of 18 students. Singer Lee Loon-ki will duet with Mimi Chu for the Canto-pop song "Many Pretty Girls in Hong Kong". The audience will enjoy more than 30 Cantonese and Mandarin golden songs during the evening.

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Stanley will echo to the sound of cheers on October 1 where the Southern District Tourism and Culture Festival Organising Committee and Stanley Plaza will co-host the Celebration of the 64th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China cum Stanley International Beer Carnival.

These events will take place at Stanley Plaza at 11am, with the National Day programmes including choral singing and orchestral and dance performances presented by Stanley community organisations, schools and kindergartens.

The opening ceremony for the Stanley International Beer Carnival will take place at 12.30pm, followed by the Beer Triathlon Challenge, which involves three different contests - beer carrying, beer drinking and beer can stacking.

The beer carnival will also take place on the following three Sundays - October 6, 13 and 20 - when beers from other parts of the world will be available for tasting.

To reduce waste, carnival-goers are encouraged to enjoy their beer in "Green Art Beer Mugs", which can be purchased at the carnival on a first-come, first served basis.

For more information, please visit the website: www.travelsouth.hk/en/news/international-beer-carnival.

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The Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars at Kowloon Park, which pays tribute to 24 of Hong Kong's favourite comic characters, has become a major attraction for locals and tourists since its opening in September 2012.

To mark its "birthday", the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation will hold the 1st Anniversary Fun Day of the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars on October 5, from 2pm to 6pm. A launch ceremony with stage performances will start at 2.30pm. This is a signature event of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign under the Hip Hong Kong theme.

A workshop will be held for visitors to watch comic illustrators demonstrate their skills, while artists will also sketch portraits for visitors free of charge.

In addition to prizes at game booths, souvenirs designed with the four "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign mascots will also be distributed to visitors.

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Two thousand keen swimmers will compete for coveted titles at the New World Harbour Race 2013 on October 6 from 8.30am to 10.30am.

The race is organised by the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association to promote the sport as well as to enhance Hong Kong's image as a sports events capital.

The race distance will be about 1.5 kilometres from the starting point at Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier to the finishing point across the harbour at Quarry Bay Park Public Pier, and the race is open to all aged over 12 who attended time trial sessions in July and August.

Two main groupings are involved - the Racing Groups for elite and experienced swimmers, and the Leisure Groups, a new addition this year, for general competitors.

The organiser has also added the International Category under the Racing Groups to enable more international swimmers to enjoy swimming across Victoria Harbour.

For each of the individual men's and women's groups in the international category, the champion, the first and second runners-up and the winners of the 4th to 8th places will each be awarded a trophy and a cash prize ranging from US$400 (HK$3,112) to US$2,000 (HK$15,560).

For the other categories, the champions and the first and second runners-up will each be awarded a trophy and a cash prize ranging from HK$2,000 to HK$5,000.

The Leisure Groups participants will receive a certificate for completion of the race within one hour and 15 minutes. For more information, please visit www.hkharbourrace.com/?lang=en. For enquiries, please call 2572 8594.

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About 300 local handicraft artists and designers will be joined by their counterparts from the Mainland, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Macau to promote their creative works at the Crafts Mart 2013.

Organised by Youth Square, the event will be held over two weekends - on October 5 and 6 at Y-Platform, 1/F, Youth Square, from noon to 6pm, and on October 12 and 13 at Y-Platform, 1/F, and Y-Studio, 2/F, at Youth Square, from noon to 6pm.

The Crafts Mart provides a platform for sharing and exchange of creative ideas among participating handicraft artists and designers. Unique artworks and original handmade accessories, leather goods, tote bags and many other products will be on display and available for sale.

Local and overseas handicraft artists and designers will be at the event to talk to visitors about their works. Admission is free.

For more information, please visit www.youthsquare.hk/eng/home/. For enquiries, please call 3721 8888.

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All these events support the "Hong Kong: Our Home" public participation campaign, which aims to inject positive energy into society, foster social cohesion and promote care, mutual help and solidarity in the community.

More than 220 Partner Organisations have so far pledged support for the Campaign.

Altogether, the Government and Partner Organisations are organising more than 1,000 events/activities under the four themes of the Campaign from the end of April to the end of December this year.

Full details of the Campaign can be found on the website www.hkourhome.gov.hk.

Sunday, September 29, 2013