Tobacco’s been consumed in China, mostly in pipes, since the 16th century. During the Qing dynasty though, possessing or smoking tobacco was punishable by death. But for those who still craved nicotine, snuff, or powdered tobacco, claimed to be a remedy for various illnesses, was available. Like other medicines, it was carried in small bottles: “snuff bottles”. There were often decorated, and that is a unique art form that continues to inspire some contemporary artists. This month, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is presenting programmes produced by their students from the School of Dance and School of Drama. One of the drama productions taking place this week is “A Midsummer Night’s Drunk,” a Cantonese adaptation of Shakespeare's somewhat similarly named classic. Rachel Sutton is a singer-songwriter and actor from London. Her debut album in 2020, “A Million Conversations”, consisted of original compositions and covers. Her second is already in the pipeline. This week she’s in Hong Kong to showcase her original work, some classics from the American songbook, and new songs from her upcoming album. And she’s here to give us a sneak peak.

A few weeks ago, we mentioned on the show that 2024 has been celebrated as the year of Czech music. It’s been celebrated by an array of concerts and events, featuring not only classical music but other musical genres. Later in today’s programme, we’re joining in by featuring two Czech musicians who visited Hong Kong at the end of last month. But before heading to the Czech Republic, we’re focusing on a natural material that is quintessentially Asian. In Hong Kong, you’ll most commonly see bamboo used for scaffolding around buildings, for making furniture, or even for steaming dim sum. It can also be a versatile material for artists. Gustav Mahler was born in eastern Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. On the relationship of Czechs to music, Mahler oncesaid, “Where else can you find a nation that has such a rich musical tradition as the Czechs?” That’s a tradition being celebrated in 2024, in the year of Czech Music, a festival organised once every decade that this year is highlighting the work of Bedřich Smetana, the “father of Czech music”, born exactly two centuries ago. Celebrations in the country, particularly in Prague, have been in full swing throughout the year. Some have even made their way to Hong Kong. In late October, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong invited two Czech musicians, harpist Kateřina Englichová and oboist Vilém Veverka, to join them in playing some Czech classics.

For more than two decades, the Asia Art Archive has been building, collecting, creating and sharing materials on the recent history of art in Asia. Many of its resources are free for public access. One of its recent projects introduced the archival concept and process to local students.     On show at the Pao Galleries of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Hong Kong International Photo Festival's “Mega Family - Imagining Home” showcases 15 local photographers of different generations whose works reflected the idea of home and family in our society after the Covid pandemic. The piano is the instrument said to pretty much cover the range of the orchestra, the cello has been hailed as closest to the range of the human voice. Put them together WITH a human voice, specifically a soprano, and you may be in for a treat. Musical pieces by Bach, Schumann, Glazunov, Dvorak, Liszt and Bellini are among the works you can hear at a concert this week by Natalia Tokar, Marko López de Vicuña  & Li Yang. They‘re with us right now to tell us more.

Japanese Zen monk Kanho Yakushiji is known for taking Zen-inspired music to a worldwide audience. His music videos have earned over 50 million views. He was in Hong Kong for a one-night concert late last month as part of an Asia tour. We went to speak to him. Sherine Wong once competed in track and field events at the Asian Junior Games. She’s been the winner of the Ms Malaysia Universe competition and has also worked as a model, but she says her true passion is music, particularly jazz. Two years ago, she joined us to introduce her duo concept album “Two For the Road”. Her new album is “3 & More”, and she’s here with three and more of her musician friends to tell us more.

Tang Kwong-san was born in Guangzhou in 1992. His father brought him to live in Hong Kong when he was five years old. Five years later, his mother joined them. Today that childhood separation from his mother and the experience of uprootedness and dislocation still influences much of his art. Born in 1987 in Chongqing, visual artist Tao Hui is now based in Beijing. He was awarded his Bachelor’s degree in oil painting at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2010. His video and installation works are cinematic, often bringing together traditional folklore and popular culture to examine contemporary society. On show at Tai Kwun Contemporary until 2nd February 2025, "In the Land Beyond Living" is Tao’s perspective on human conditions in contemporary China. Reggie Yip was previously the lead vocalist of the now disbanded indie band and beat-making group R.I.D.D.E.M. In her new incarnation as a solo singer she goes by the name, “Reggie the Leaf”. She’s with us right now to tell us more.

Later on this week’s show, a trip to the Baltic region for a sample of “Polish Impressions”. Taking us on that musical journey is the Baltic Neopolis Orchestra founded in Szczecin, Poland in 2008. But before venturing to Central Europe, we’re heading somewhere much closer to home, to the north eastern New Territories of Hong Kong. The three-century old Hakka village of Kuk Po is currently the centre stage for an ongoing community cultural project. "House Warming” is the inaugural exhibition of YA! YOUNG ART after launching its new art space in Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau. Carrying a dual meaning of its title, it celebrates the opening of this fresh creative venue with a metaphorical "housewarming" to invite guests, while also examining how contemporary art can redefine our understanding and experience of modern living spaces and the concept of "home".

We have art for the eyes in painting and sculpture, we have art for the ears in music, but unless you are a master perfumier, you are not likely to be particularly aware of the complexities or potentials of art for the nose. In an ongoing exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, fragrance, particularly its history in Chinese culture, is placed front and centre. And, unsurprisingly, given that Hong Kong itself is sometimes referred to in English as “Fragrant Harbour” due perhaps to its former position as a producer and trader of agarwood oil, resin, and incense, the exhibition also features contemporary local artists who still like to work in the art of the odour. Walking through the contrasting dark and light rooms in Blindspot Gallery, you move through a world of duality created by New York-based artist Jen Liu for her debut Hong Kong exhibition: "I Am Cloud". Singer-songwriter Orange Leung says he wrote his first two songs during a period of depression and anxiety and in the hope of transforming despair through music. He also writes music for films, and he’s with us right now to tell us a little about his musical journey.

The imaginative world of Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei, known for dressing the rich and famous, royalty and the political elite. On show at M+ is a collection of garments designed by her that embody both Chinese and Western influences. You may even recognise some of the iconic dresses on display. On show for the first time in Hong Kong at Rossi & Rossi gallery, is an exhibition of works by the Nepali artist Lain Singh Bangdel. He’s often described as the “father of modern art in Nepal”. He was also a novelist, scholar and preservationist. KASA is a Japanese-Filipino singer-songwriter who was born and raised in Hong Kong. He’s also a teacher at a local secondary school, and the lead vocalist of local bands “Seasons for Change” and “Soul of Ears”. Late last month, he released his first EP, “My Pocket Dimension”. He’s with us right now.

Chow Chun-fai is recognised by many for his works that combine movie references and scenes and events from Hong Kong life. His latest exhibition at Tang Contemporary Art draws on a collection of photographic images that he’s collected over the past two decades. "Yeh Shih-Chiang in Ink: Constructing Eternity" features around 20 of the artist’s ink paintings. Yeh, who was born in Guangdong in 1926 and died in Taipei in 2012, studied in the last class of students at the Guangzhou Municipal Junior Art College under the ink painter Gao Jianfu. Yeh’s life took an unexpected turn in 1949 when he and a few classmates planned an art expedition to Dunhuang that was diverted to Taiwan due to the ongoing civil war. He spent the rest of his life there. Hanjin Tan previously appeared on The Works in 2009 when he released his own jazz album, Raw Jaz. On that occasion he sang Antônio Carlos Jobim’s “Wave” for us. Since then, in addition to being a singer and songwriter, he’s also occupied himself as a record producer, arranger, mixer, actor, and advocate for Web3 and blockchain. Fifteen years later, we’re welcoming Hanjin back for a reunion and the chance to chat about his upcoming concert to celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Raw Jazz”. And today he’s bringing us another Jobim classic.

At 32, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer Grace Kelly has released 15 acclaimed albums, performed at the Hollywood Bowl, appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a member of the house band, and had headlined sold-out concerts before reaching her mid-twenties. Two years ago, she became the youngest member of the Berklee College of Music’s Board of Trustees. On Wednesday this week, as part of the “Jazz Signature” concert series in the Xiqu Centre, Grace Kelly appeared with her quartet to play in a one-night only concert. And we’re delighted to have her with us right now. After receiving much of his artistic training in the Royal Academy of Antwerp and the Royal College of Art in London, Santiago Evans Canales lives and works mostly in Mexico, the country of his birth, and in Belgium. His latest exhibition “Preciously Profane Possessions” is on show at Double Q Gallery until October 12th.