4-days of jazz music flash performances at Causeway Bay's Bustling Streets from 29 September
Soulful jazz warm up audiences for the annual flagship Freespace Jazz Fest in October
The Fifth WestK Presents: Freespace Jazz Fest (the Festival), the flagship annual music event of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA or the Authority), returns on an unprecedented scale from 3 to 8 October and 26 October 2023. Echoing the festival's vision to promote jazz music to local audiences, the well-received "Jazz Fest Pop Up Truck", launched for the first time last year, will return with a brand new design this autumn. Four groups of top-notch local jazz musicians will perform on the truck as it pops up in bustling areas in Hong Kong, starting from 29 September, bringing a 4-day great live jazz music to the city.
The schedule and details of the "Jazz Fest Pop Up Truck" are as follows:
The "Jazz Fest Pop Up Truck" which was initially launched last year, brought live jazz music performances to the public which were greatly appreciated. The "Jazz Fest Pop Up Truck" is proud to return, adding new elements. It will be located at Causeway Bay starting from 29 September and present 4 days of incredibly spectacular flash jazz performances, the public can also capture memories at the photo booth at the "Jazz Fest Pop Up Truck". Moreover, from 6 to 8 October, festival-goers can redeem a pair of special edition eco-friendly paper shades with each Festival admission ticket, or purchase a range of special edition merchandise, including raincoats and paper shades, while capturing precious moments from this unforgettable music festival experience at the photo booth of the "Jazz Fest Pop Up Truck" located at the Freespace, West Kowloon.
The festival features an all-star lineup of more than 500 jazz musicians from 11 countries and regions who will present over 100 outstanding performances together. This year's jazz extravaganza promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers, transcending cultures, styles, and genres. In addition to the previously announced lineup of performances, the festival offers a series of vibrant free programs.
A series of conversations and learning programmes hosted to understand jazz with Daniel Chu and Fountain de Chopin, respectively
- Multi-talented local pianist Daniel Chu will curate and host, "Talkin' Jazz", a sharing session at the Lau Bak Livehouse from 3 to 5 October (Tuesday to Thursday), where he will chat about jazz with musicians from different fields and genres as guest speakers, featuring Ng Cheuk-yin, Nancy Loo, Terry Chan, Harris Ho, Anthony Lun, Margaret Cheung and more.
- Local jazz group Fountain de Chopin will host a tailor-made, unconventional and approachable series of free jazz introductory workshops at The Room, Freespace, from 6 to 8 October (Friday to Sunday). Targeting jazz beginners, these workshops will cover different aspects of jazz, including culture, knowledge, creation, and performance. "Jazz History" will take participants through the hundred-year development of jazz; Dr Roger Li from the Department of Philosophy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong will discuss jazz from a philosophical perspective; Y2K Cantopop Big Band will perform rearranged Cantopop songs in jazzy version and deconstruct the arrangement techniques and their characteristics.
Jazz Bands from Asia to take music lovers on an avant-garde adventure at Harbourside Lawn West during weekend
- A vibrant variety of free performances by a multitude of jazz bands from around the world, including Pakshee (India), Senyawa (Indonesia), SINNOI (Korea), RS5pb (Japan), T-Bone (Thailand) and more, will be staged at Harbourside Lawn West during the weekend (7 and 8 October).
The Art Park Great Lawn transformed into an outdoor festival, featuring free music performances, a crafts market, and delicious food and drinks.
- Multiple musicians and bands will take the stage at the Art Park Great Lawn from 6 to 8 October. Highlights include the performance by mainland Chinese DJ group JazzInFuse, guest performers including Olivia Dawn Mok, Daniel Chu and Geoff King Luk. There are showcases by local and overseas music groups on Saturday and Sunday for families to enjoy a leisurely afternoon.
- The Art Park Great Lawn will stage a crafts market featuring creative products such as fashionable leather goods, pet supplies and clothing, handcrafted ceramic tableware, calligraphy pieces, camping supplies, and more, allowing the public to enjoy the musical and cultural arts weekend fully.
- Meanwhile, the Art Park Great Lawn will gather a range of festival foods and drinks, featuring specialty beers presented by Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Goose Island, savouring delicacies by ADD+, bringing together delicacies by Jin Ya Ju Noodle Bar from Shanghai and tea drinks by DONT YELL AT ME. From 6 to 8 October, festival-goers who purchase every three Stella Artois beers on the same day will entitled to the limited personalised glass engraving service on a first-come, first-served basis.
Information on Ticketing and Other Programmes
For the latest programme and ticketing details, please refer to the District website: https://www.westkowloon.hk/en/jazzfest
Tickets holders of The Fifth WestK Presents: Freespace Jazz Fest can enjoy dining discounts at multiple venues within the West Kowloon Cultural District, including Art Park, Freespace, M+, Xiqu Centre, and Hong Kong Palace Museum, as well as food trucks located next to Art Park while enjoying course and merchandise discounts at Xiqu Centre. In the event of any disputes, WKCDA reserves the final right of judgment.
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