The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018
Joyfully Celebrated its 10th Anniversary
Another Successful Festive Fundraiser for Hong Kong Ballet
[Hong Kong – 9 December 2018] On Sunday 9 December 2018, The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018 hosted nearly 400 guests at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. A beloved yearly tradition and The Hong Kong Ballet Guild’s 10th annual holiday fundraising event, the Benefit was a memorable, joyful occasion for families as they enjoyed incredible entertainment, a delicious meal and fun Christmas-themed activities for all ages. As always, the afternoon’s highlight was an enchanting Nutcracker ballet performance by a group of children aged 1.5-13.
Among the honoured guests were Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Mrs Connie Wei Yang and Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Co-Chairs of The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018; Ms Daisy Ho, Hong Kong Ballet’s Board of Governors Chairman; Ms Linda Fung, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Mrs Anne Wang Liu and Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Hong Kong Ballet’s Board of Governors members; Mrs Janice Chan-Choy, Hong Kong Ballet’s Audience Development Committee member. Other guests included Mrs Cissy Pao-Watari BBS, Mrs Emily Lam Ho, Mr Kent Ho, Ms Maya Lin, Mrs Joanna Hotung, Mr Will Lam, Ms Wendy Law, Mr Stanley Sun, Mrs Jacqueline Sun, Mr Ryan Sun, Mrs Sandee Sun, Ms Sarah Zhuang, Ms Fiona Zhuang, and many more.
Hong Kong Ballet prioritises its dedicated, hard-working dancers as its number one asset. Therefore, part of the Benefit proceeds will directly go to the Company’s Dancers’ Sponsorship Fund, which provides the dancers with regular physiotherapy sessions, new pointe shoes and artistic exchanges both locally and abroad to further their education, experience and training.
Benefit Co-Chair Mrs Colleen Yu Fung expressed her gratitude to the Benefit’s generous sponsors, “We extend a very special thanks to our amazing Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors, to Prestique Limited for Event PR and to our Media Partner Hong Kong Tatler. Without your dedicated support, this magical holiday event would not be possible.”
The much-anticipated children’s performance featured 47 of the Committee members’ children in bespoke sparkling costumes that were miniature versions of the originals in The Nutcracker. Co-Chair Mrs Connie Wei Yang warmly recognised the creative team, “A huge thank you to Deirdre Fu Tcheng, one of our incredible Board of Governors members, a founding member of The Hong Kong Ballet Guild, and the outstanding Creative Director of today’s production; and to Linda Fung, our wonderful Board of Governors member and one of the Choreographers who worked closely with the children.”
Co-Chair Mrs Liana Yung Yeung added, “Through your generous support and donations today, you make it possible for Hong Kong Ballet to promote the inspiring art form of ballet to those who may otherwise never experience it. We also thank our fabulous Organising Committee for all their hard work and effort.”
The Benefit featured three significant fundraising activities: a silent auction, a live auction and a “Make a Pledge” campaign. The highlights were three special lots – an onstage role for one child in a 2019 Hong Kong Ballet production, a tailor-made child’s costume from Peter Pan, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake or The Sleeping Beauty created by the Company’s wardrobe team and a 45-minute private ballet lesson with former American Ballet Theater Principal and international guest artist Marcelo Gomes. “Make a Pledge” successfully raised funds for a variety of programmes, including the Company’s School Performing Arts in Practice Scheme (SPAPS), special ballet performances for the hearing impaired, physiotherapy apparatus and sessions for 47 dancers and half-priced Hong Kong Ballet tickets for local students.
Throughout the afternoon, guests were treated to a delicious festive brunch, a lucky draw, arts and crafts workshops, an interactive photo booth and a special photo with Santa Claus himself!
The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018
Co-Chairs:
Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Mrs Connie Wei Yang and Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
Organising Committee:
Mrs Virginia Mak Auyang, Mrs Jee Eun Chao, Ms Jennifer Cheung, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Michelle Miller Erb, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Mrs Sabrina Pang Fung, Mrs Emily Lam Ho, Ms Joanna Hotung, Mrs Alma Hung, Mrs Sena Husband, Mrs Alina Huo Knothe, Ms Elaine C Kwok, Mrs Joan Kwok, Mrs Alison Chan Lam, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Ms Esther Ma, Ms Jean Ma, Mrs Yvonne Cheung Ma, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Katerina Prentice, Mrs Tyhoa Kobler Sitabkhan, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor, Mrs Jennifer Chan Tsang, Mrs Ayase Watari, Ms Wendy Wing, Mrs Alice Tong Wong, Ms Vicky Xu, Peggy Pei Chee Yeoh and Ms LeighAnne Zhu
Platinum Sponsor
DERMAGRAM INSTITUT
Gold Sponsors
Baker & Bloom Education Center
CHA LING L'Esprit du Thé
Perrier-Jouët Champagne
Roger Lee Production Ltd.
Silver Sponsors
Baumhaus HK Limited
Megan's Kitchen
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Song Saa Private Island
Bronze Sponsors
CHAVANA
Clé de Peau Beauté
Collegewise
Mrs Alma Hung
Kids’ Gallery
Li & Fung
Mrs Alice Tong Wong
ZEKKEI COLLECTION
Benefit Partners
Active Works Company Ltd.
ActiveKids Ltd.
Anastassia’s Art House
Anonymous
Aux Quatre Vents Inc.
Bo Innovation
Ms Elaine C Kwok and Mr Adrian Cheong
Ms Jennifer Cheung
Christian Louboutin
Classified Group
Complete Deelite
Hauser & Wirth
HK Headshots
Mr & Mrs Paul and Sena Husband
La Prairie Hong Kong Ltd.
La Rambla
Lai Sun Dining Limited
Midtown Shangri-La Hangzhou
Petit Bazaar
The Point - Pizza & Pasta
Mrs Katerina Prentice
Printer & Co.
Repetto
Rosa & Daniel Photography
Salvatore Ferragamo
SPRING Learning Limited
Suavislash Couture
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited
Tata Harper Skincare
TOD’S Hong Kong Limited
Trattoria del Pescatore Hong Kong
Wedgwood Hong Kong
The Westin Xian
Special Thanks
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (Hotel Partner)
Hong Kong Tatler (English Media Partner)
Ms Elaine C Kwok (Auctioneer)
Ms Esther Ma (MC)
Prestique Limited (Event PR)
DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS
[Click on the photo to download full image]
Photo 1: The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018 Organising Committee (back row, from left): Ms Joanna Hotung, Ms Wendy Wing, Mrs Alice Tong Wong, Mrs Jennifer Chan Tsang, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Ms Elaine C Kwok, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Anne Wang Liu (Member of Board of Governors and Benefit Committee), Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Ms LeighAnne Zhu, Mrs Yvonne Cheung Ma, Mrs Alison Chan Lam, Mrs Jee Eun Chao, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou (Member of Board of Governors and Benefit Committee), Mrs Katerina Prentice, Mrs Joan Kwok, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Tyhoa Kobler Sitabkhan, Ms Linda Fung (Member of Board of Governors); (front row, from left): Mrs Sena Husband, Ms Jennifer Cheung, Mrs Virginia Mak Auyang, Mrs Alina Huo Knothe, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Ms Jean Ma, Ms Vicky Xu, Mrs Ayase Watari, Mrs Michelle Miller Erb, Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng (Member of Board of Governors and Benefit Committee)
Photo 2: The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018 Organising Committee (back row, from left): Ms Joanna Hotung, Ms Wendy Wing, Mrs Alice Tong Wong, Mrs Jennifer Chan Tsang, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Ms Elaine C Kwok, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Anne Wang Liu (Member of Board of Governors and Benefit Committee), Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Ms LeighAnne Zhu, Mrs Yvonne Cheung Ma, Mrs Alison Chan Lam, Mrs Jee Eun Chao, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou (Member of Board of Governors and Benefit Committee), Mrs Katerina Prentice, Mrs Joan Kwok, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Tyhoa Kobler Sitabkhan, Ms Linda Fung (Member of Board of Governors); (front row, from left): Mr Paul Tam (Executive Director of Hong Kong Ballet), Mrs Sena Husband, Ms Jennifer Cheung, Mrs Virginia Mak Auyang, Mrs Alina Huo Knothe, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Ms Jean Ma, Ms Vicky Xu, Mrs Ayase Watari, Mrs Michelle Miller Erb, Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng (Member of Board of Governors and Benefit Committee), Mr Septime Webre (Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet)
Photo 3 (back row, from left): Mrs Katerina Prentice, Mrs Jennifer Chan Tsang, Mrs Alina Huo Knothe, Ms Wendy Wing, Ms LeighAnne Zhu, Ms Joanna Hotung, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Alice Tong Wong, Mrs Virgina Mak Auyang, Ms Jennifer Cheung, Mrs Sena Husband, Ms Vicky Xu, Mrs Yvonne Cheung Ma, Mrs Alison Chan Lam; (front row, from left): Mrs Emily Lam Ho, Mrs Joan Kwok, Mrs Ayase Watari, Mrs Sabrina Pang Fung, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Ms Elaine C Kwok, Ms Peggy Pei Chee Yeoh, Ms Daisy Ho, Ms Linda Fung, Ms Jean Ma, Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Mrs Michelle Miller Erb, Mrs Jee Eun Chao, Mrs Tyhoa Kobler Sitabkhan
Photo 4 (from left): Mr Paul Tam; Ms Linda Fung; Mrs Anne Wang Liu; Ms Daisy Ho, Hong Kong Ballet’s Chairman of Board of Governors; Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng; Mrs Leigh Tung Chou; Mrs Colleen Yu Fung; Mr Septime Webre
Photo 5 (from left): Co-Chairs of The Hong Kong Ballet Guild: Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
Photo 6 (from left): Co-Chairs of The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018: Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Mrs Colleen Yu Fung
Photo 7 (from left) Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Mrs Colleen Yu Fung
Photo 8 (from left): Mr Paul Tam, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Mr Septime Webre
Photo 9: Ms Daisy Ho
Photo 10 (from left): Mrs Valerie Hotton; Mrs Liana Yung Yeung; Mrs Connie Wei Yang; Ms Daisy Ho; Mrs Colleen Yu Fung; Mr Frantz Hotton, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong & Macau
Photo 11 (from left): Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Ms Daisy Ho, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Colleen Yu Fung
Photo 12 (from left): Mrs Colleen Yu Fung, Mrs Emily Lam Ho
Photo 13 (from left): Ms Linda Fung, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng
Photo 14: Mrs Janice Chan-Choy
Photo 15: Ms Ana R
Photo 16 (from left): Mr Ryan Sun, Mrs Sandee Sun
Photo 17 (from left): Mr Will Lam, Ms Wendy Law
Photo 18: Ms Joanna Hotung (middle) and guests
Photo 19 (from left): Ms Maya Lin, Mr Alex Pei
Photo 20 (from left): Ms Fiona Zhuang, Ms Sarah Zhuang
Photo 21 (from left): Mrs Jacqueline Sun, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mr Julian Liu, Mr Stanley Sun
Photo 22 (from left): Mr Frantz Hotton, Mrs Valerie Hotton
Photo 23 (from left): Mr Robert Cook, Ms Bonnie Tse
Photo 24 (from left): Mrs Ayase Watari, Mr Kenzo Watari
Photo 25: Mrs Alison Chan Lam, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong
Photo 26: Mrs Jolene Lin Chow (middle), Mrs Katerina Prentice (right) and guest
Photo 27 (from left): Mrs Jolene Lin Chow and Mrs Connie Wei Yang
Photo 28: Mrs Cissy Pao Watari BBS (left) and friends
Photo 29: Dancers (from top): Chen Zhiyao, Xia Jun
Photo 30: Dancers (from left): Chen Zhiyao, Xia Jun
Photo 31: Dancers (from left): Chen Zhiyao, Xia Jun
Photo 32: The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018 Venue Decor
Photo 33: The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2018 Venue Decor
About The Hong Kong Ballet Guild
The Hong Kong Ballet Guild was established in April 2008 by a group of Hong Kong’s most avid ballet enthusiasts. The objectives of the Guild are to promote Hong Kong Ballet, raise its public profile and preserve its heritage. By increasing awareness of and support for ballet among diverse sectors of society through extensive community engagement programmes, the Guild hopes to achieve its dual objects of developing a wider audience for Hong Kong Ballet and fostering a society that appreciates this art form, thus enabling Hong Kong to flourish as a global cultural hub.
About Hong Kong Ballet
An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a unique repertoire are the trademarks of Hong Kong Ballet, Asia’s premier ballet company. Internationally recognised and acclaimed for its creativity, talent and artistry, the Company is committed to providing captivating experiences that delight and inspire audiences from all walks of life, both at home and abroad. Mr Septime Webre, former Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, joined the Company as its new Artistic Director in July.
For further information, please contact:
Prestique Limited
Ali Hui
T: (852) 2541 9393
M: (852) 6430 0215
[email protected]
Hong Kong Ballet
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: 2105 9716 / M: 9728 1777
[email protected]
Eunice Ho
Assistant Marketing Manager
T: 2105 9757 / M: 9189 2235
[email protected]
