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This Week at The AIA Great European Carnival

Say Goodbye this week to The AIA Great European Carnival and Hello to the Year of the Goat!

There’s an action packed final week of fun and fireworks at The AIA Great European Carnival which will be open until 2am on New Year’s Eve Wednesday 18^th February, with tickets only available at the gate.

Choi Sun will be making daily appearances at the Cherry Blossom Tree from Wednesday to Sunday, so be sure to bring some good luck for the year and get a photo of yourself with the God of Wealth.

There will Lion Dances daily from the 19^th to the 22^nd February. Times are 5pm on Thursday, 4pm on Friday, and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Smurfs will be meeting their fans live on the main stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

And of course the carnival is one of the best vantage points in Hong Kong from which to watch the fireworks at 8pm on Friday evening.

So come on down, see out the old year, welcome in the new year, and say goodbye to the carnival until next winter!

This Week at The AIA Great European Carnival

Come down to the AIA Great European Carnival and see Ryan Higa in person, interviewed by Dom Lau from Asia Pop 40, at 4pm this Friday 13th February, on the main stage!

Community Programs are Winners at The AIA Great European Carnival

The AIA Great European Carnival will continue to thrill and entertain people all walks of life within the Hong Kong community up until February 22.

A range of community outreach programs have been taking place on weekdays which have enabled participation from a range of local and international schools, underprivileged children and charitable organisations in Hong Kong. These groups not only had the opportunity to enjoy the fun of the Carnival, but were offered a range of unique educational experiences and behind the scenes tours.

Several prominent Hong Kong-based charities – including the Mother’s Choice, Project WeCan, ShelterBox, Po Leung Kuk and the Nesbitt Centre – have held special events and open days for their clients, volunteers and supporters. During these days guests were given special one-on-one time with the Carnival’s colourful array of street performers. Others used the Live Stage for public dance and drama performances.

As title sponsor of the AIA Great European Carnival, AIA also facilitated days on which their Hong Kong staff accompanied students from Po Leung Kuk schools on daytime visits to the Carnival.

As part of the Carnival’s community programs, school groups have been invited to visit the Carnival and choose from a range of packaged excursions specially designed for Primary and Secondary school students.

“We established the schools programs as we discovered there was a lot to learn from all the different components of the Carnival and thought that it would enable unique experiences for younger students and provide interesting case studies especially for older students,” said Alex Gibbs, Director of Community Programs. “Our ‘Business Behind the Carnival’ tours and the ‘Physics, Design and Engineering of Rides’ have been very popular and we will develop these programs even more in the future.”

Led by some of the carnival’s colourful array of street performers, Primary students choose between activities involving arts and crafts such as make their own juggling balls, or learning the art of balloon twisting, juggling or African drumming.

For the Secondary students, specific assignments are given including a physics program, where pupils work out the mechanics of some of the Carnival’s thrill-making rides, guided by some of the Carnival’s chief engineers. Another choice revolves around business studies, where students get behind- the- scenes tours of the Carnival and explore the wide range of components, people, skills and coordination required to run an event of this magnitude.

“There is an enormous range of interesting facts and figures that are certain to excite young minds, and it’s not all hard work. Following the completion of their assignments, students are given some free time to go on a ride and play skill games and sample the refreshments which are also available,” added Alex Gibbs. “The AIA Great European Carnival has been described by so many visitors as an awesome experience, and sponsors and organisers have been absolutely thrilled with the enthusiastic support received from Hong Kong residents and visitors alike”.

This Week at The AIA Great European Carnival

The VS Music Indie Festival will take place at the AIA Great European Carnival on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February from 4pm until late. Sponsored by VS Music, the Indie music festival will feature up and coming performers from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Included in the line-up is Hey Rachel, Merry Go Round, Tri-dueces, Jabin Law, and Gravity Altestra.

A number of charitable organisations have enjoyed the carnival in recent weeks. Mother’s Choice, Po Leung Kuk and Shelterbox have held days inviting their members to enjoy the different experiences at the Carnival. The ShelterBox held a concert last Saturday featuring bands from Hong Kong such as Shepherds the Weak and Shotgun Politics as well as New Zealand group The Bollands.

Carnival organisers, along with title sponsor AIA have made the community programs and accessibility to underprivileged a feature of their event. “It’s recognised that not all members of the Hong Kong community can access the carnival so easily, so we have created unique and bespoke programs to enable both those less fortunate and those in need, to enjoy a great day out,” said Alex Gibbs, Director of Community Programs. On Tuesday, the Nesbitt Centre will have a day at the carnival and will also perform on the Live Stage at around 2pm.

If you are interested in having your school or charity participate in one of the programs please email Alex at [email protected].

The Bollands @ Shelter Skelter – The Great European Carnival, 31 January 2015

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The Bollands were out on a Saturday afternoon at The Great European carnival to support Shelter Box in one of their final appearances in Hong Kong before they set off on a massive US Tour. With Joyce on drums, the gig was great fun. I’d love for Joyce and Christian to be recording their gigs and releasing them online. The CD’s are great, but the live shows are fun and The Bollands will be missed when they head to the US.
Click on the photos to see more. My apologies for the video quality, the sound is fine.

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Saturday Night @ The Great European Carnival

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The rides are working, the games are open, the midways are full, it’s time to have fun!
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This Week @ The AIA Great European Carnival

Star Performances, Live Entertainment and Community Events

The AIA Great European Carnival have announced an exciting schedule of entertainment, community engagement activities, and special guest performances that will take place over the coming weeks until the Carnival closes on February 22. The Carnival’s Live Stage will be the venue for many of the appearances which will range from professional, to youth group and school performances.

“Our aim has been to make the carnival and the Live Stage venue accessible to the entire Hong Kong Community, and in partnership with our Title Sponsor AIA, we are proud to provide an additional element of fun and entertainment to our event,” said Michael Denmark, CEO of The Great European Carnival.

“Many different groups have been given the opportunity to showcase their talents and we will witness a wide variety of entertainment from theatrical to dance and drama, Rock, Jazz and Folk. We want to see both seasoned performers as well as the stars of tomorrow. With performances in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, there is something for everyone in the Hong Kong public to enjoy,” added Mr Denmark.

A preview of some of the Performances:

Puss In Boots – Presented by The Hong Kong Players
The Hong Kong Players perform a traditional Christmas pantomime every year and have done so in Hong Kong for more than 50 years. Last year’s pantomime was Puss in Boots. The show’s setting is London: The once great city is in a sorry state: the bumbling Mayor Boris can’t keep control and the evil Queen of the Rats and her vermin followers are taking control. The only hope comes from an ancient prophesy says that when London is at it’s lowest ebb, an innocent stranger will arrive in town and save the day. His arrival will be signalled by the tolling of the bells. It’s up to our hero Puss in Boots to find this stranger and save London. Puss is joined in the fight to save the city by the very beautiful Alice, and the unstoppable great Dame, Sherry Trifle. Will Puss and Alice find the new mayor in time? Will Dame Trifle’s soufflé rise? Will the good guys triumph over the evil rats?

Puss in Boots
When: 2pm, 31 January, 2015; 4pm, 6pm, 1 February, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

Shelter Skelter – Presented by Shelterbox Charity
Taking place on January 31 from 4pm onwards, the Shelter Skelter is a line-up of some of Hong Kong’s best rock bands, brought together by ShelterBox, a Hong Kong Based charity that provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to support communities around the world overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis. Bands include The Bollands, Thinking Outloud, Shotgun Politics, LOGO, Sheperds the Weak, and the After Party. The aim of the day is to enjoy some of the best local music Hong Kong has to offer and raise awareness for this wonderful charity.

Shelter Skelter
When: 4pm, 31 January, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

VS Music Indie Festival
The VS Music Indie Festival will take place on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February from 4pm until late. Sponsored by VS Music, the Indie music festival will feature up and coming performers from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Included in the line-up is Hey Rachel, Merry Go Round, Tri-dueces, Jabin Law, and Gravity Altestra.

VS Music Indie Festival
When: 7-8 February, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

Youth Performance Groups
Hong Kong youngsters are also given the opportunity to shine on the Carnival’s live stage with a number of song and dance performance groups treading the boards during the matinee shows (between 12noon-3pm) on the weekends. Confirmed already are

31 January – Twinkle Dance Company
1 February – Isla School of Dance
7 February – Island Dance
15 February – The Island Glee Club

The Welsh Male Voice Choir
The Welsh Male Voice choir will sing a selection of Valentine’s themed songs on Sunday the 15th of February at 6pm. The choir was started in 1978 by a small group of expatriates in Hong Kong and now includes some 70 members from a dozen different nations. Over the years they have performed on conventional and unconventional stages at home and overseas. An entirely amateur group, many of their performances are for charity.

The Welsh Male Voice Choir
When: 6pm, 15 February, 2015
Where: The Community Stage
How much: Free

This Week @ The AIA Great European Carnival

Hong Kong’s biggest outdoor carnival just got even bigger, with five more rides added to The AIA Great European Carnival this week, with more to come.

The AIA Great European Carnival takes on a new look this January as the Christmas wonderland theme makes way for its’ New Year incarnation – full of new attractions and some serious rides for the thrill-seekers amongst us. Included in the list of new additions are the No Limits (a maximum velocity spin and roll) and the Inversion XXL (another high-flying 360 degree ride). These join the Atmos Fear, Booster Max, and the Freak Out, which have already tested many of Hong Kong’s most bare-knuckled dare-devils.

We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Dodgem Cars, an all-time family favourite that came into operation this week. There are also several additional smaller rides for both children and the young at heart. There are six children’s rides for the 3 to 8 year old set, including the Gallopers (horse trail ride), Pony Express, and Kid Zone (Mini Miami – an introduction to a high flying ride for children). Plus there is a great variety of food and beverage outlets, all with their own European theme.

The 14 rides currently in action include
Mach 5 (Booster Maxx)
Atmos Fear
Oblivion (Freak Out)
Gallopers
Cups N’ Sauces (Tea Cups)
Crazy Cars (Race-O-Rama)
Circuit 2000 (Formula)
Pony Express (Pony Adventure)
KidZone (Mini Miami)
Dodgems (Top Gear)
No Limit
Mini Paratrooper
Inversion XXL
Stage Coach

In January, the Carnival will also see more entertainment on the Live Stage with bands, choirs, and a wide variety youth performances. In addition local and international schools will visit the Carnival on educational excursions, and Hong Kong-based charities will also get a chance for their beneficiaries and volunteers to enjoy a big day out.

Expect more changes ahead as the Carnival moves into February and we approach Chinese New Year and the venue evolves once again. The finale of this wonderful winter event will be on 22 February.

There is a ride for everyone at The AIA Great European Carnival, so grab your friends and family and come on down!

Content sponsored by The AIA Great European Carnival

This Week @ The AIA Great European Carnival

The largest Battle of the Bands competition Hong Kong has ever seen kicks off this week at The AIA Great European Carnival, with over 100 bands from the SAR entered. You can expect to see a wide variety of musical genres from folk, to indie, alternative, rock, punk and heavy metal. The bands will also play in a variety of languages, including Cantonese, Mandarin, English, French and more.

Bands will compete in the first rounds every Thursday and Friday evening at the Carnival’s Live Stage and are each given the opportunity to play two songs within an eight minute period. There are two categories including the Students (performing from 4-6pm) and Open (6pm-9pm). The Semi Finals will take place on 5th and 6th of February and the Final will take place on Friday the 13th of February.

Supported by The AIA Great European Carnival, the event is organised by The Underground and is also sponsored by Parson’s Music. Parson’s Music was established in 1986 and is one of the leading and most prestigious multinational musical companies in both Mainland China and Hong Kong. Parsons have their own production line for a wide range of cool musical instruments (pianos, guitars, percussion, string & wind instruments), a strong retail network and well-found music centres for educating music talents.

Prizes include an opportunity to perform in front of the music industry’s top agents, producers, and labels at Music Matters the leading global music industry conference, which is organised by Hong Kong based company Branded Asia. Other prizes include recording time with Sammy So (from the band Kolor) and Jon Lee (This Music Studio) as well as Parson’s coupons and trophies for the champion bands.

The event is one of the many entertainment activities taking place at the Carnival in amongst some thrilling death-defying rides, challenging games, and great food and beverage. For more information on this event and what else is happening at the Carnival visit www.tgec.asia.

Sponsored editorial: The AIA Great European Carnival