Sketching Ghost Festival Chiu Chau Opera in Yau Tong 油塘盂蘭勝會

I watched quite a bit of the opera but I didn't understand a bit of it as it was sung in the Chiu Chau dialect. Obviously it was a tragedy as the music had a strong sadness and the last scene was set in the underworld. It's difficult to capture a particular scene there but since there were many interesting items around so I decided to put together a collage of the site. 

Ghost Festival in Orthodox Chinese Culture (A tradition well-preserved in Hong Kong)

It's believed that on the 1st of July of the Lunar Calendar, the gate of the underworld opens and for one whole month, ghosts wander on the face of the earth. During this month, people burn offerings and place food on streets so that hungry ghosts can be fed. Different village associations also construct temporary temples and street theatres which host special Chiu Chau Opera performances both for the public and and for the ghosts as well.

速寫帶我第一次睇潮州神功戲。聽唔明但演員同現場音樂充滿悲傷，最後以地府一幕完結。想畫嘅東西好多，但又難捕捉一景，於是就畫一張拼合速寫。

盂蘭勝會

盂蘭勝會中的“盂蘭”由梵文「Ullambana」譯來的，意為“救倒懸”，即救度亡魂倒懸之苦，是來自民間《目蓮救母》的故事；“勝會”是指一大群人舉行活動的意思，在香港亦稱為盂蘭節、中元節或鬼節。相傳陰司地府在七月初一大開鬼門關，直到七月三十日才再次關閉，七月十五日佛教定為「盂蘭盆會」，而道教則稱為「中元普渡」。

(華文資料來自維基百科）

Hong Kong Trams, a Part of the Hong Kong Identity 電車乃香港身份一環

Trams grew up with us, are an integral part of the identity of Hong Kong. Apart from being a very affordable and effective transport system, it also marks the original coastline of the Hong Kong Island. It's a heritage that belongs to every Hongkonger and it's a living monument that belongs to many of our generations to come. The ridiculous proposal to take the trams down just shocked everyone. It's senseless and unreasonable, obviously it is aiming to destroy the Hong Kong identity, bit by bit, to erase the soul of Hong Kong! 

電車見証香港成長，全線標誌香港島最初嘅海岸線，係構成香港城邦身份嘅一環。拆毀電車就係消滅香港嘅其中一個手段，目的係將本土歷史，本土身份斬草除根，令香港人喪失身份，令香港喪失性格，方便統治。

Yue Man Square under Redevelopment! 重建中的裕民坊

I was here two years ago sketching the vacant tenement buildings. Now the district which originally covers several streets has become a huge construction site for a mega residential and commercial development.

兩年前係裕民坊畫空置唐樓，今日再路經裕民坊時，唐樓群已變成大型建築地盤。

At Sai Kung Ali Oli Cafe 西貢Ali Oli茶座

A lazy afternoon at Ali Oli Cafe.
西貢Ali Oli茶座的悠閒下午。

Sai Kung Ng Kei Fruit and Vegtables 西貢吳記

A Quick Sketch at the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences 半小時速畫香港醫學博物館

Bonham Road Historic Wall Trees Chopped Down 斬殺般咸道石牆樹

After a tree fell down during a rainstorm recently in Bonham Road, a row of historic wall trees nearby were chopped down by the government for fear they will fall as well. The incident sparked a public outcry as these wall trees have been around for more than a hundred years. As tree experts later confirmed, the trees were in good health as there are no decay on the stumps. 

After sketching the stumps on location, I was told by a tree expert that new shoots will grow from around the stumps, however they are unlikely to grow into healthy strong trunks again unless an experienced practitioner comes in and help choose a few better shoots to train up and at the same time eliminate the other competing shoots. 

政府以般咸道石牆樹有機會倒塌為由，夜斬四棵均過百歲嘅細葉榕石牆樹，全港嘩然！及後樹木專家到場，指細葉榕樹腳切口並無病患蟲蛀，健康良好，無必要將之斬下。 

下午以畫記事，並請教一位樹木專家朋友榕樹會否再生，他說新芽會係樹頭周圍長出，互相競爭，很難長得穩固，辦法係待新芽長出後，選擇保留小數好芽，剪去其他新芽，加以時日照顧，待新芽木質化，慢慢長為樹幹。

Forbes Street Wall Trees 科士街石牆樹

One of the wall trees in Forbes Street, Kennedy Town

科士街尾其中一棵細葉榕石牆樹

Lo Baan Temple 魯斑先師廟

Lo Baan is the patron saint of architects, engineers and construction workers in the orthodox Chinese culture.

魯班是春秋末葉著名工匠，被後世尊為中國工匠師祖。

St. Lawrence's Church, Macau 澳門風順堂街聖老楞佐堂

The Precious Tung Tak Pawn Shop Building 同德大押

Another historic building to be torn down in the name of redevelopment!  These buildings should be preserved for their historic and cultural values.   They are the precious things of Hong Kong, resources for our sons and daughters, the future generations of Hong Kong!  It is a shame that those big players are just caring about making money!

又一新發展，又拆一舊樓！好多舊建築見証香港發展，其中好多本身嘅外型設計亦甚有文化價值，佢地係香港嘅瑰寶，係留比香港下一代子孫最真實嘅歷史教材，亦係香港我城身份構成嘅一部份。拆之，就係拆毀香港！

East Meets West in Hebe Haven 華洋雜處白沙灣

The arch of the bar nicely framed the Cantonese Opera Street Theatre across the street.  Truly east meets west!

酒吧西式拱門同馬路對面嘅天后誕大戲棚構成好有趣嘅畫面，非畫不可。

Fisheye Sketch of Hebe Haven Pier 魚眼畫白沙灣