“Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day it’s Cinderelly, make the fire, fix the breakfast…”

Okay, was anyone else obsessed with Cinderella as a child? I may have had a slight obsession with this Disney princess, to the point where I forced my whole family to act it out as the film was playing. This happened every few days. Obsessed. So of course when I saw that Le French May was bringing a neo-classic ballet version to HK, my inner five-year old, which I’ll admit isn’t that inner, was excited. The production, by Malandain Ballet Biarritz, presents a fresh, contemporary version of this classic tale. This stripped back, beautiful performance showcases the skill of the dancers – a must-see if you’re looking for a dose of culture.

Tickets from $120 – $480 available here, for 1 & 2 June 2016, 7.30pm. 

The ultimate impressionist painter, Claude Monet, is being featured at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum throughout May and all the way into July in honour of Le French May. Stop by and marvel at the masterpieces that capture the beauty of Monet’s Japanese Water Garden… you might even catch a sight of his famous water lilies. You’ll find 17 of Monet’s paintings, pastels and tapestries on show at this exhibition – ‘The Spirit of a Place’ – so if you’re a fan of the painter or just want to see a real life master’s work up close, then don’t miss this once in a lifetime exhibition in Asia.

Tickets available for $20 per person at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong (Bus routes to the museum: A41, E42, 72A, 80M, 86, 89, 282. MTR: A 5-minute walk from Che Kung Temple Station or a 15-minute walk from Sha Tin or Tai Wai Station).

Food, glorious food. We know that Sassy Girls are massive foodies, so of course we had to mention Le French Gourmay, the French Food Festival that coincides with this cultural event. Featuring some of our fave restos, Le French Gourmay includes a number of innovative and exclusive menus and promotions around town. This year the focus is the region of Alsace, so expect hearty, flavour-packed dishes with a German influence. We’ve eyeing up the three-course discovery menu at Cocotte for only $390 per person, and the the wine pairing four-course meal at Le Bistro Winebeast for only $558 per person. We’re also looking forward to stopping by the French Traditional Food and Wine Market at Stanley on the Saturday, 14 & Sunday 15 May to pick up some authentic French goodies.

With 110 restaurants, 80 shops, 12 workshops and 58 importers getting involved, you’re bound to come across something that will whet your appetite. Bon appétit!

www.frenchgourmay.com

Fans of the Happy Valley Races will be pleased to hear that Le French May will be popping up at our favourite Wednesday night activity too! On the Wednesday, 4, 11 and 18 May, the races will be taken over with French music, acrobatics and dance, adding a certain je ne sais quoi to the evening. Le French May in the Valley will first feature a French brass band and three talented acrobats, the second Wednesday sees ‘The Electrogène Fanfare Club’ perform and the last Wednesday will host the ‘Revolution Company’, who will perform a mix of hip-hop and academic dance techniques. Sip on a beer or two, make a cheeky bet on your favourite horse and take in the French atmosphere! As if we needed anymore reason to go to the races…

Wednesday, 4, 11 & 18 May at Hong Kong Jockey Club, Happy Valley Racecourse Beer Garden, Happy Valley, Hong Kong

Who doesn’t love a good rooftop shindig? We’re big fans of outdoor and rooftop events, so ‘Serie Serie‘, a weekly screening of original French TV creations at the Rooftop Garden of D2 Place is on our list to try this month. Head over any Saturday night in May to watch one of four French TV shows: ‘Dix pour cent’, ‘Trepalium’, ‘Paris’ or my personal fave, ‘Versailles’. Sit back and relax as you snack on French nibbles and drinks – for each screening, the first 80 people to show up will receive a free set of popcorn and beer. Sounds like a great evening to us!
Free to attend! Register here on Eventbrite. Rooftop Garden, D2 Place ONE, 9 Cheung Yee Street Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong