Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars: Kowloon Park. Chinese comics characters & cartoon statues. Off to Tokyo for TV!
A quickie announcement… La Carmina & The Pirates are in Tokyo, from mid-February to mid-March! We’re working on a show, and can’t tell you much about it yet… but suffice it to say, you’ll be seeing more of my Goth beehive on your TV screen soon.
On that note: I’m currently in the Oddities TV show trailer, airing on Science & Discovery Channel. (That’s me, pushing the cart at 0:13.) The new Oddities season begins February 9th; I’ll let you know when my episode airs, so please check back.
Since we’re on the topic of Asia, let me share my photos of Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars. Last September, this exhibit of statues opened in Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Rememeber the Doraemon 100th birthday exhibition? Seems like cute statues are big in HK.
The HK Avenue of Comic Stars celebrates Chinese characters from the 1960s to today.
Here, you’ll see citizens posing with sad pandas…
… and McMug the pig (麥嘜).
Do you recognize these comic book and cartoon characters? Likely not.
Unlike Japan’s manga and anime heroes (Pikachu, Sailor Moon), Hong Kong’s comic and cartoon figures are largely unknown outside of China.
These characters are, however, as cute and beloved…
… and fun to pose with!
The exhibit aims to “recognize the achievements of Hong Kong comic artists and promote the local comic industry.” It complements the traditional “Avenue of Stars,” dominated by the Bruce Lee statue (as featured in my Hong Kong food video).
When I was young(er), I read Old Master Q (老夫子) comics. He’s the funny old man on the left.
The exhibit also showcases the comic book production process, such as the tools and in-progress sketches.
Have you heard of any of these characters? What do you think of the designs? If you visit Hong Kong, which I highly encourage, don’t miss the Avenue of Comic Book Stars.
There’s more pop culture coverage in my China travel category. Also add Discover Hong Kong on Facebook; the page’s full of travel tips and inspiration from the tourism board.
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Downtown Phoenix Roosevelt Row: art galleries, murals, Arizona cultural arts district. Little white Miffy dress!
I’m not the tanning type, but it’s nice to be able to wear a little Miffy white dress in the depths of winter! No wonder Phoenix, Arizona is a popular travel destination for Canadians.
White dress with pink bunny: Miffy fashion collaboration, from TwoPercent Hong Kong
Fuzzy ankle boots: Liz Lisa, from Hong Kong
Bone bead hair clip: gifted by SassyNPunk
Eyes faux fur purse: Hyoma by Izzue, Hong Kong
For the second half of my press trip, I stayed in the ultra-mod Westin Downtown Phoenix hotel. Big fan of their courtyard and South American Province restaurant, which served me six types of ice cream and sorbet!
At Civic Square Park, I met up a Downtown Phoenix Ambassador. These orange-jacketed friendlies act as concierges and tour guides.
We started with almond milk lattes at Fair Trade Cafe. The coffeeshop’s dedicated to humanitarian causes, and has vegan and vegetarian snacks on the menu.
We continued with a tour of the Roosevelt Row Arts District (RoRo). Every First Friday of the month, the galleries open up to art-walkers.
New works are constantly beautifying the district. This “Peritoneum” ASU installation was recently moved to the unused lot on Roosevelt & Second Street.
Outside: functional benches. Inside: waves of color.
The “Ro2 Lot: Neighborhood Mural Project” turns temporarily vacant spaces into public art installations. Locals gathered to plant gardens and paint walls together.
Phoenix’s big walls are ideal canvases for artists. At 3rd St and Roosevelt, Lauren Lee painted “Three Birds.”
Day of the Dead is a popular theme. Lalo Cota’s mural brightens Golden Rule Tattoo, at 2nd and Roosevelt.
Scenes from the Cats musical celebrate the Valley Youth Theater on 3rd.
Lalo Cota and Breeze painted this lady on Angels Trumpet Ale House, a gastropub committed to craft beer.
Across the street is FilmBar, a chill space to have drinks, listen to music and watch artsy films.
Back to the Westin Phoenix Hotel, to soak in my free-standing tub overlooking the city. In the evening, I Gothed up with my friends… wait til you see where we nightcrawled.
Do you like to gallery-hop? Did you expect Phoenix to have so much vibrant, public art? Tons more Arizona travel blogs are on the way.
PS: Thank you to Phliss for interviewing me about JGoth, dark fashion and TV hosting — for Vampire Freaks and Alteria Motives.
LA CARMINA
