Apart from all the feasting that most will soon be doing, get in touch with some Chinese culture at Huayi 2019 at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

Running from February 15 to 24, the 17th edition of Huayi has a full schedule of free and ticketed programmes over two weekends open to all to enjoy, regardless of language and background. English surtitles are also available for all theatre performances!

Throughout the 10-day festival, there are more than 100 free performances and activities from dance, puppetry, instrumental and choral music to craft workshops, talks and music performances.

Here are some of the free programmes to check out:
 

Time for indie folk

shallow levée

Enjoy the mellow sounds of Taiwanese indie folk band 淺堤 shallow levée at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre as they sing about the environment and industrialisation of Kaohsiung city. The four-member band comprises — singer-songwriter Elaine Tsai, lead guitarist Chu Chih-Hong who is an electric guitar player from Kid King, bassist Fang Bo-Sheng from Grey Youth and drummer Pan Yung-Ting.

Saturday, Feb 16 | Esplanade Outdoor Theatre

6.45pm-7.30pm | 8pm-8.45pm | 9.30pm-10.15pm
 

Pulling strings

Watch a story play out in front of your eyes through the delicate movements of puppets at a traditional puppetry performance by the Quanzhou Marionette Art & Quanzhou Marionette Troupe from China at the Esplanade Waterfront Canopy. The troupe is known for its unique marionette techniques, puppet head carving and sculpting, and has produced popular shows such as Flaming Mountain and Thousands of Peach Rock.

Friday, Feb 22 | Esplanade Waterfront Canopy

6.30pm-7.15pm | 8pm-8.45pm | 9.15pm-10pm

Saturday, Feb 23 | Esplanade Waterfront Canopy

6.30pm-7.15pm | 8pm-8.45pm | 9.15pm-10pm

Sunday, Feb 24 | Esplanade Waterfront Canopy

6.30pm-7.15pm | 8pm-8.45pm
 

New frontiers

It’s east meets west in a harmonious symphony as young Hong Kong musicians CY Leo and Chan Pik Sum render the evening with the western harmonica and oriental erhu in a performance titled Beyond Times, Beyond Boundaries at the Esplanade Concourse. Leo is also a two-time champion at the World Harmonica Festival in 2009 and 2013. The pair will perform pieces such as Mission Impossible, Fantasy Impromptu and Moonlight.

Thursday, Feb 21 | Esplanade Concourse

7.15pm-7.45pm | 8.15pm-8.45pm | 9.15pm-9.45pm
 

Sleep tight with TCM

Shao Yung Hsin

Find out how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help give one a good night’s rest at a talk by physician Shao Yung Hsin at the library@esplanade. She will share insights on how TCM can help treat insomnia with methods such as wellness recipes, acupuncture and massage points. She will also share some tips on exercise therapy, techniques that you can practice at home.

Saturday, Feb 23 | library@esplanade

2.30pm-4pm
 

Local darlings

Take the chance to catch your favourite local singer-songwriters at We Are Singer-Songwriters. These talented musicians — Sarah Cheng de Winne, Chloe Low, Celeste Syn, Mingren, Becka and Nat Wu — will perform their original compositions in 45-minute sets at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre and Concourse areas.

Sunday, Feb 17

Esplanade Outdoor Theatre

6.45pm-7.30pm: Sarah Cheng de Winne | 8.15pm-9pm: Nelson Tan | 9.30pm-10.15pm: Celeste Syn

Esplanade Concourse

7.15pm-8pm: Chloe Low | 8.30pm-9.15pm: Chai Mingren | 9.45pm-10.30pm: Nat Wu

There are also a whole host of exciting ticketed shows ranging from theatre and dance to multi-disciplinary music performances and pop concerts by artistes such as Khalil Fong, as well as celebrity acts from Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.

Visit Huayi for more details.