City guide (June 25 - August 11)

Hong Kong

Italian melodies

The Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong brings talented Sicilian pianist Rosario Pavone to the city with a free concert. Born in Catania, Pavone studied piano under Maria Zappala and has won more than 50 national and international piano competitions. Currently teaching piano at the Fausto Torrefranca Conservatory in Vibo Valentia, he was nominated by the Accademico ad Honorem for artistic merit by the World Academy of Culture in Rome.

8 pm, June 26. Theater, Sai Wan Ho Civic Center, G/F 111 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho. Registration: bit.ly/10R6E9J

Just for laughs

Smile, chuckle and roll around laughing at the antics of Live Comedy Club Taipei as they bring their act to Hong Kong for two nights at Stand Up Party 2013 - Taiwan Stand Up Comedy for Real. Known in Taiwan as "talk show", be prepared for an evening of skits, singing and interactive repartee with the audience, all in Mandarin. Members of the club will also give a pre-performance talk at Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Center at 8 pm on June 26.

8 pm, June 28 and 29. Upstairs Theater, Hong Kong Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. 852-2521-7251

Macao

Paper dreams

Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, Tanabata is an ancient romance between a princess and a cow herder who could only meet once a year on the lunar calendar's seventh day of the seventh month. In honor of Tanabata, Hotel Okura Macao will host events such as origami classes, Soran Bushi performances and a Yamazato noodle promotion.

June 29-July 7. Various locations, Hotel Okura Macao, Galaxy Macao, Avenida Marginal Flor de Lotus, Cotai. 853-8883-8883