“You Are the Apple of My Eye” over the New Year’s weekend became Hong Kong’s highest-grossing Chinese-language film, breaking a record previously held by “Kung Fu Hustle.”
The name Chow Tai Fook is synonymous with all that glitters in China. This week, we looked into the jewelry giant, which went public last month, and its 86-year-old founder Cheng Yu-Tung, who escaped a war-torn China in 1940 for Macau. There he started working as an apprentice at a gold shop before turning it, years later, to the world’s biggest jeweler.
Asia kept pulling corks and draining their glasses in 2011 as the continent continued its growing love affair with wine. Check out Scene Asia’s top 5 posts on wine in 2011.
In China, not all movie projects have Hollywood endings.
Four months ago, a Hong Kong construction firm unveiled plans to invest $220.5 million in a new Hollywood-China joint venture that was supposed to develop a slate of big-budget pictures, including an epic about the Great Wall. But on Friday, the deal was off.
What: After all the partying of New Year’s Eve, start 2012 with some orchestral pop: The New York Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor David Bernard, will play a range of works, including pieces by Strauss, Tchaikovsky as well as works by Chinese composers Mao Yuan (茅沅) and Lu Qiming (吕其明).
When: Sunday, Jan. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Beijing Concert Hall (1, North Xinhua Street, Xicheng District, Beijing)
More: sales@theatrebeijing.com, +86 138 0106 7568
What: Party far above the crowds for the best views of the New Year’s Eve fireworks at 1-Altitude, the city’s tallest rooftop bar. Located on the 63rd floor of the 1 Raffles Place, the Countdown party will feature DJ Warburton spinning top 40 hits. But remember, it’s the vistas, not the music, which is the attraction.
When: 31 December, 10pm until late.
Where: Level 63, 1 Raffles Place (former OUB Center), Singapore.
More: Admission starts at 180 Singapore dollars per person (not including taxes and service charges) for an all-you-can-drink package. Call +65 6438 0410 or visit www.1-altitude.com
What: Get out early on New Year’s Eve to scope the best midnight vantage point for the fireworks over the harbor. On New Year’s Day, head to the traditional Chinese dragon dance parade featuring 88 dragons and 50 lions performing.
When: Fireworks start Sunday at midnight, with smaller pyrotechnic displays beginning at 11 p.m. Saturday. The dragon and lion-dance parade runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Victoria Harbour for fireworks; the parade begins at Chater Road and continues along Hennessy Road, finishing at Southorn Playground in Wan Chai.
Scene Asia is The Wall Street Journal’s guide to food, wine, fashion, design, entertainment and the arts in Asia. It delivers a behind-the-scenes look at the region’s dynamic culture, including Q&As with filmmakers, artists and chefs, news on arts and entertainment, and a spotlight on the most striking homes from Goa to the Gold Coast. Write to us at scene@wsj.com or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
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