Magical and City Hall (This week's Photo Hunt themes)

What do the three photos above have in common and to do with this week's themes for  Sandi's and Gattina's Photo Hunts?  Really, truly, the answer does involve City Hall and the magical!  (But, yes, I think this requires some explanation.  So please read on...)

Before anything else, here's pointing out that Hong Kong does indeed have a City Hall (along with several town halls -- the latter in New Territories locales like Tsuen Wan, Shatin and Tuen Mun).  Also that between 1869 and 1933, there existed a City Hall building which looked very impressive indeed  But first in 1933 and then again 1947, sections of it were demolished to make way for bank buildings.  

The "new" Hong Kong City Hall buildings (that consist of the unimaginatively named High Block and Low Block) that came into being in 1962 were built in the International Style that I frankly don't find all that appealing.  Indeed, so physically unappealing do I find the exterior of the current Hong Kong City Hall that I've taken very few photos in which it is the subject in focus.

At the same time, their central location means that the City Hall buildings do almost invariably appear in many of the photos I've taken of the impressive -- and often magical looking even? -- northern Hong Kong Island skyline from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area down at the southern edge of the Kowloon Peninsula or a Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour.  

And while I'm not a fan of Hong Kong City Hall's exterior, I must say that I do go to that facility quite often to take in performing arts productions and -- during the Hong Kong International Film Festival -- film screenings.  Among the more magical performances I've been treated to at City Hall over the years have been a City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong concert with the amazing percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, as the featured soloist, a Hong Kong Sinfonietta concert headlined by the incredible violinist Ning Feng, and a super energetic and energizing performance by South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (complete with their trademark kicking moves!).  Oh, and yes, the Big Band Fests that the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra (pictured above) have performed at have been pretty fun affairs too! :b

*N.B. I've linked to Youtube video clips of Evelyn Glennie and Ning Feng performances.  Especially if you're a music fan, do please check them out! :)