"HKDance Art Space"

Celebrating the Opening of "HKDance Art Space" in Quarry Bay, a novel brick-and-mortar space for Dance, Mind and Soul

Generously Supported by Community Education Partner Henderson Land

Hong Kong, August 23, 2024 - Hong Kong Dance Company is delighted to announce the grand opening of "HKDance Art Space" in Quarry Bay, unveiling a new art space in the community that advocates a hub for elevation of dance, mind and soul. The new brick-and-mortar space, generously supported by Henderson Land Group (Henderson Land), aims to highlight the inclusivity of dance art. In addition to quality art education and outreach work, diverse dance experiences such as workshops, experiential short courses, and periodic classes to enhance physical and mental well-being will be offered, ushering in a new era of boundless possibilities in connecting with dance enthusiasts locally. Through interactive, educational, and community-relevant activities, HKDance weaves a close-knit tapestry of quality teaching with the community through the art of dance.

Grand Opening Ceremony Regales with Vibrancy

To mark the unveiling of the new art space, the opening ceremony took place in the afternoon of August 20, 2024. The event, in line with the art space's advocacy of the "dance, mind, and soul" artistic backbone, featured contemporary dance artist Wayson Poon leading guests in a "bodily awareness" dance exploration, connecting internal and external awareness through the interactive process of breathing and movement. Ten young dancers from HKDC Children's and Youth Troupes regale esteemed guests with gratifying vitality in their performances of "May We All be Blessed with Longevity" and "Spring Night, Delighting in Rain". The ceremony also included the presentation of certificates for the "H．Dance Community Education Fund," symbolizing the collaboration between HKDance and Community Education Partner Henderson Land to expand new artistic horizons, aiming to nurture artistic talent and steer the course of community education towards sustainability. 

'We thank Henderson Land for their unwavering support in joining us to promote dance arts education in Hong Kong. In the future, this ground-level space will witness HKDance further engages with the community  and hones a contemporary dance language of peculiar Hong Kong Characteristics.', quoting Ms. Meggy Cheng, Executive Director of HKDance in her welcoming speech. Other distinguished guests in attendance included Ms. Cynthia Leung, General Manager of Corporate Communications Department at Henderson Land; Mr. Tsang Kee-kung, MH, Board Chairman of HKDance; Mr. Yang Yuntao, Artistic Director of HKDance. Media representatives, industry veterans, and community enthusiasts amassed in the celebratory event, experiencing the allure of dance education firsthand and witnessing the cultural and artistic innovation that HKDance brings to the community.

Ms. Cynthia Leung, General Manager of Corporate Communications Department at Henderson Land, remarked: "For years, Henderson Land Group has been a staunch supporter of local arts and youth development. We are thrilled to be the Community Education Partner of HKDance. Together, we aim to extend arts outreach into the community and provide more young people with opportunities to explore the art of dance, ignite their creativity and potential, and pass on the artistic heritage to the next generation."

Henderson Land supports the establishment of "H．Dance Community Education Fund"

HKDance sincerely thanks Henderson Land for their steadfast support and commitment to dance art. Highly anticipated for the 2023/24 season is HKDance’s Fun Ride with Big Beard – Dancing Poems 2.0, title-sponsored by Henderson Land, which was staged for two consecutive weeks, from 9 to 11 August at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and from 16 to 18 August at Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. The highlight family-friendly poetic dance theatre features nearly 300 students from HKDC Children's and Youth Troupes, alongside professional dancers from HKDance. Over a hundred community members invited by Henderson Land participated in a pre-show tour, experiencing dance in a loving and playful interactive way. 

HKDC Children's and Youth Troupes have achieved remarkable results in education, nurturing the next generation of home-grown talent and enriching creative energy whilst prolonging its teaching vision and its unique, innovative educational model. In support of these efforts, Henderson Land has established the 'H．Dance Community Education Fund.' This Fund annually supports twenty young dancers with artistic talent and ambition from underprivileged families, providing them with professional dance training and performance opportunities at the Troupes for a period of three years. The recruitment for the first year has been successfully completed, and the Fund will significantly strengthen the educational work of the HKDC Children's and Youth Troupes to break through creative boundaries.
 

A Humble Vantage Point within Community Radar

With the opening of HKDance Art Space, HKDance makes significant cultural rapports through dance, a universal language, by integrating cultural and artistic experiences into daily community life. The space design of the new venue, led by Hong Kong creative team UNVEIL LIMITED, aligns with HKDance’s artistic positioning rooted in Chinese culture. The cadre of the novel space’s design concept originates from the idea of "bamboo," incorporating elements of bamboo grove lines on the walls, reflecting the aesthetic appeal of "bamboo" in traditional Chinese culture - as bamboo stems are hollow, traditionally symbolizing humility. The modern streamlined design complements the quaint space with cement finishes, adding a contemporary strait while retaining the height and breadth of the space. 

The new art space is made possible with full support from Henderson Land, also the space is powered by audio equipment sponsor Ease Listening Solutions and LED screens sponsor from Contex. Thanks to various sponsors from the community, the new art space, like bamboo sways gracefully, will anchor deep in the community, distilling nutrition from around to shape dance art that enhances not just physical but mental health, social integration, and furtherance of Chinese cultural heritage. Mr. Yang Yuntao, Artistic Director of HKDance, presented a delicate potted bamboo plant to Ms. Cynthia Leung, General Manager of Corporate Communications Department at Henderson Land as a totem of good will - symbolizing budding dancers’ journey of learning in the art space to emulate the resilience, integrity, and humility represented by bamboo in Chinese traditional culture, fostering needed momentum, as well as, innovation and fermenting enduring freshness for the furtherance of dance art.

Acknowledgment

HKDance Art Space is fully supported by Community Education Partner Henderson Land 

Interior Design: UNVEIL LIMITED 
Audio Powered by: Ease Listening Solutions 
LED Screens Powered by: Contex 

For Press Materials

Promotional videos and photos available for circulation, with the acknowledgment: "Event Highlights of the Grand Opening Event of HKDance Art Space' in Quarry Bay"

Photo credit: "Hong Kong Dance Company."