VIBErations Podcast

VIBErations Episode 47 - David Bellis

VIBErations podcast Ep 47 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 10th April, 2024 Interview with David Bellis https://gwulo.com/

https://www.eventbrite.hk/d/hong-kong...

Writing about history was never the plan – David left school with a firm dislike of both English and History, he studied Computer Science then worked as a Software Engineer. But in 1992 a move to Hong Kong meant having to find a new job in a hurry and forced a switch from programming to sales. That lead to writing newsletters to keep customers updated, and as he found it was surprisingly satisfying, he also started writing a blog as a hobby. A new baby caused the next upheaval.

David quit the sales job to spend less time traveling, expanded the blog into a website, and narrowed its focus to Hong Kong’s history. He still wrote newsletters though and found that sharing an old photo from his collection and inviting readers to explore its hidden details helped make the history easier to digest. The newsletters’ photos and stories meant he had enough material to start giving talks, and as the talks were well received, he used them as the foundation for a book.

David has since published five books in the ‘Old Hong Kong Photos and The Tales They Tell’ series. Meanwhile the website, Gwulo.com, continues to grow. It now hosts over 50,000 pages about old Hong Kong, including over 35,000 photos.

David’s work on the site was recognised by a Heritage. Preservation Award from the SCMP, one of their ‘The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards’.

David gave an excellent talk at VIBE recently, on some of the historic Hong Kong photos appearing in volume 5.

This talk can be viewed on our YouTube channel at ‘Live at VIBE HK’.

10 Questions

1. Favourite book or authors? Mapping Hong Kong' by Hal Empson

2. Favourite musical artists? U2 and Smashing Pumpkins

3. Favourite films? Groundhog Day, Jerry McGuire

4. Preferred drink? London Pride

5. Life motto? 'It's a funny old life'

6. Favourite HK walk? Yung Shue Wan on Lamma to Sok Kwu Wan

7. Favourite HK restaurant? The Globe, Branto's Vegetarian Indian restaurant

8. Best advice you were given? You can't please all the people all the time 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I was on route to Australia and HK was a stop over and wanted to live here

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Tai Long Wan, Beach north of Sai Kung

VIBErations Episode 46 - Anna Robb

VIBErations podcast Ep 46 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 22nd August, 2023

Interview with Anna Robb

TheatreArtLife.com

https://olc.live/

Anna is the Executive Director for Our Legacy Creations, a Global Live Entertainment Company launched this year (2023). Prior to starting this new venture, Anna was the COO of Dragone known for its iconic theatre shows such as "The House of Dancing Water" in Macau, “La Perle” in Dubai, "Le Reve" in Las Vegas and Celine Dion's "A New Day" residency show.

Originally from Australia, Anna's 23-year career in live entertainment has taken her around the world. She has created shows in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and in many countries across Asia. Anna has worked on concerts, arena events, corporate shows, trade shows, musical theatre, plays, dance, circus, outdoor festivals and mega shows.

Always behind the scenes, Anna has been involved in the execution of some of the largest show creations in the world, including “The Beatles: LOVE” by Cirque du Soleil, and “The House of Dancing Water” by Dragone. She has not only worked through the process of research and development, training and formation and creation but has also run the operations of these shows, 2 shows per day, 5 days a week, year after year, dealing with all the trials and tribulations of running multi-million dollar theatrical shows for millions of spectators to enjoy.

Anna holds a (BA) Honours degree in Design for Theatre and Television and is also the Co-Founder and Managing Director for TheatreArtLife.com, an online platform for entertainment industry professionals.

10 Questions….

1. Favourite book or authors? No favourites but Murder mystery books and informational books

2. Favourite musical artists? Country Music - Australian & US

3. Favourite films? Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun 2

4. Preferred drink? Whiskey, Red wine

5. Life motto? Quote by American Writer James A Michener

6. Favourite HK walk? Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak. DB headland

7. Favourite HK restaurant? Mui Wo restaurants

8. Best advice you were given? It doesn’t matter how high you get, still be ready to sweep the stage

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Affordable childcare and HK is still relatively safe

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lantau. Sheung Wan

VIBErations Episode 45 - Mark Rawson

VIBErations podcast Ep 45 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 20th March, 2023

Interview with Mark Rawson

Facebook ‘What the folk HK’

https://www.motherschoice.org/en/

BIO

Mark retired from a career in Wealth Management with a plan to travel only to time that with the arrival of covid … the last few years have given time to reflect and reassess the things he felt were important and reconnect with passions and practice being open to saying ‘yes’.

Currently his yes list is;

⁃ playing music with a number of bands - Naggin Eejits, Black Velvet Collective, The 852…

⁃ Creating music, writing, recording and composing

⁃ Running musical showcases under the banner What The Folk

⁃ Developing a ‘self help’ group for original artists and working to raise awareness of local talent through radio, media and general introductions

⁃ Currently planning for a World Music and Dance festival plus a St Patrick’s festival 2024

⁃ He Owns with his daughter an Embody Pilates and yoga studio

⁃ Foster parenting with Mothers Choice

⁃ Drop in support for a number of disadvantaged communities

⁃ Mentoring a number of businesses

⁃ Assisting on experiential learning camps with students

⁃ Helping his wife with her passion for the craft of Indonesian Batik ⁃ Operating a small private kitchen focused on regional Indonesian cuisine (planning a podcast for this 😂)

⁃ Getting ready for a number of expedition ‘races’

⁃ Developing a number of concepts around ‘project Do’…

10 Questions….

1. Favourite book or authors? Tends to read books inspired by current interests...

2. Favourite musical artists? Ska music and Genesis early influences and any music that makes you want to do something

3. Favourite films? Godfather 1 & 2, The Lord of The Rings

4. Preferred drink? Tea. Real Ale

5. Life motto? Life, adventures and successes begin with the word 'can'

6. Favourite HK walk? Daily walk is Brick Hill near home in Aberdeen

7. Favourite HK restaurant? Bace Turkish Restaurant in Mui Wo - now closed and my wife’s kitchen!

8. Best advice you were given? Don't be worried, be concerned, but don't worry…

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Where else can an old man like me do so many things, so easily!?

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? My roof!

Tails of Jack and Milly - Episode 2 - ’What’s in a name?’

Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 3 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 2 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 1 year old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Shakeshaft-Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'The dog and his reflection'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the first in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

Tails of Jack and Milly - Episode 1 - ’The Tortoise & the Hare’

Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say?

Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family… Jack is a 3 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 2 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 1 year old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Shakeshaft-Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'The Tortoise and the Hare'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity. For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau These stories of which this is the first in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

VIBErations Episode 44 - Patricia O’Sullivan

VIBErations podcast Ep 44 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 26th January, 2023 Interview with British Author Patricia O'Sullivan

BIO

Patricia O’Sullivan is a writer and researcher on the lesser known aspects of Hong Kong's history prior to 1941. Stumbling over an article concerning the death of her great-uncle in 1918 when an inspector in the Hong Kong Police, She quickly became immersed in the social history of colonial Hong Kong.

As a specialist recorder teacher, in a career spanning three decades and more, She has had the joy both of introducing thousands of young children to music and developing the skills and musicianship of senior students to diploma level and beyond.

Now she writes full-time, while keeping some teaching and playing to keep herself sane. Pre-covid times she spent many months in Hong Kong – and is currently back here. Patricia’s second book, on women the wrong side of the law, was finished during the first lock-down and came out in December 2020.

Since then she has been working on the next book project - Hong Kong during World War One and the policemen who fought in that war. Alongside that, she continues to contribute articles on other aspects of Hong Kong's social history, all of which can be found on the 'Insight' page of her website at https://www.socialhistoryhk.com/

Questions….

1. Favourite book or author? – P. G. Wodehouse

2. Favourite musical artist? - Andreas Scholl

3. Preferred drink? - Milk/Champagne/Tea

4. Life motto? - Always look for the good in something

5. Best advice you were given? If you want a job done well, but can’t do it yourself - empower someone to do all of it not just bits of it...

VIBErations Episode 43 - Uther Charlton Stevens

VIBErations podcast Ep 43 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 9th November, 2022 Interview with Historian and Author Uther Charlton-Stevens

BIO

Uther Charlton-Stevens is an author, historian and fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Uther spent his childhood in Hong Kong, where he attended ESF schools - specifically Peak School and Island School. After this Uther earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Oxford, and his master's degree in between from the London School of Economics.

His first book, ‘Anglo-Indians and Minority Politics in South Asia’, was Published by Routledge for the Royal Asiatic Society Books series in 2018 (released on paperback in 2020). His Latest book ‘Anglo-India and the End of Empire’ was Published in London in September of this year by Hurst and will soon be Published in North America by Oxford University Press USA. The South Asian rights have been sold to Harper Collins India.

Uther's research and writing draws inspiration from his own 'mixed-race' family, including the stories he heard during childhood summer holidays from his Anglo-Indian grandmother of her service as an officer in the Women's Auxiliary Corps (India) during the Second World War, her life and upbringing in colonial South India, and her trip to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Uther's Anglo-Indian father was born in an Army station in Ferozepore, and spent his childhood in Bangalore before migrating to the UK with his two elder siblings and widowed mother.

10 Questions….

1. Favourite book or author? - 'Lord of the Rings' JRR Tolkien / Herman Wouk - 'Winds of War & War & Remembrance'
2. Favourite musical artist? - Lana Del Rey / Anoushka Shankar / Jazz / Blues
3. Favourite film(s) ? - The Last Emperor / Mississippi Burning / Some Like it Hot / Elizabeth
4. Preferred drink? - Tea - Green, dark - Fresh Juice & Whiskeys
5. Life motto? - Everything will be interesting
6. Favourite HK walk? Sai Kung - Pak Tam au / Peak Walk
7. Favourite HK restaurant? Chaat in The Rosewood, Sichuan food , Korean BBQ
8. Best advice you were given? N/A
9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I grew up here and returned a year ago and hold it very dear in my memories
10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? N/A

VIBErations Episode 42 - Asha Sridhar

VIBErations podcast Ep 42 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 3rd October, 2022 Interview with Entrepreneur Asha Sridhar

BIO

Asha, in Sanskrit means ‘hope’. She moved to Hong Kong in 2006 with her family – husband, Sridhar and daughter, Meghna. They’ve enjoyed making Hong Kong their home. They love every facet of this wonderful city – the fast-paced life on the one hand and the beautiful country parks, hiking trails and beaches on the other.

They moved to Lantau Island in 2013 and made Tung Chung their home. Last year in November, they moved to the lovely little village of Tai Tei Tong in Mui Wo, so they could enjoy the serenity, beauty, and slower pace of rural Hong Kong. They also wanted to indulge in their love for gardening and happy to say they have a beautiful terrace garden in their apartment. They have now hiked many of the HK and Lantau trails. Asha completed the 25km Green Power Hike on multiple occasions. Asha lives her life by the motto “live in the present. The past is gone and cannot be changed, and the future is yet to be made”. She is known for her optimism, “never say never” attitude. She also stands by her friends – no matter what. Professionally, she runs a consulting business named Active Communication. They specialize in organizational, leadership and talent development. Asha is a certified NLP Trainer and Master Coach, aside from having certifications in executive coaching.

Website: www.activecommunication.net

10 Questions

1. Favourite book or author? Enid Blyton/Agatha Christie/PD James/Daniel Silva/Jane Austin

2. Favourite musical artist? Indian music - 50's/60s Mohammad Rafi/Queen/Springsteen

3. Preferred drink? Water/Rose Wine or Red wine

4. Life motto? Live in the Present - not the future or past

5. Favourite HK walk? The Lantau Peak 6. Favourite HK restaurant? Vegetarian in TST

7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? Move to the side and be respectful let it go about its business

8. Best advice you were given? My mum said never ever give up your freedom of choice to someone

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… It’s the best place to be - safest place in world

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Mui Wo! Tai Tei Tong

VIBErations Episode 41 - Philippe Reynaud

VIBErations podcast Ep 41 at Studio 114 for VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 4th May, 2022

Interview with Psychic Counsellor Philippe Raynaud

BIO

Gifted with a natural psychic ability for 25 years, Philippe assists his clients with issues ranging from life decisions, emotional difficulties, relationship issues, career/money/business concerns, spiritual growth, personal growth, exploring and changing gold beliefs, metaphysical challenges, higher consciousness choices, goals creation and much, much more...

Contact Philippe via email at Raynaud.philippe@gmail.com

10 Questions

1. Favourite book or author? 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

2. Favourite musical artist? Mick Jagger

3. Preferred drink? G&T also Rose wine

4. Life motto? Live in the Present - not the future or past

5. Favourite HK walk? Any walk that’s by the sea

6. Favourite HK restaurant? The Ocean Rock, Murray House, Stanley

7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? I'd avoid it

8. Best advice you were given? Live in the present same as motto

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… after 21 years its now home

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Central and Lantau

VIBErations Episode 40 - Martin Lever

VIBErations podcast Ep 40 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 22nd March, 2022

www.artbymartinlever.com

BIO

Award-winning Hong Kong Artist Martin Lever - Chinese name Li Wah - has lived, studied and worked in Hong Kong on and off for nearly 40 years. One of the biggest inspirations in his life is this unique city he calls home. His contemporary artwork has been exhibited in a number of solo shows in Hong Kong, the UK and the Middle East. His work adorns the walls of private collectors, and commissioned pieces hang in corporate lobbies from Wheelock & Wharf to the McKinsey corporation to Patton Boggs Law.

His approach to painting is refreshingly simple: he closes his eyes, then paints what he sees. Using striking contrasts of colour and light-hearted observational touches, he creates powerful abstract and pop-art impressionist images that celebrate the world around us through a new lens.

Beyond art, his creative work has been recognised around the world with countless advertising industry awards. And his acclaimed series of children’s books – The BogeyBugz – is helping fuel young imaginations.

His awards incl.

Grand Prix, Golds, Silvers and Bronzes at a range of local, regional and international creativity festivals and shows…including HK Kam Fan – Best in Show 2017 Cannes Festival of Creativity New York Festivals London International Awards D&AD Awards

10 Questions….

1. Favourite book or author? - John Grisham, The Jam by Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler, Paul French, Carl Hiaasen. 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle

2. Favourite musical artist? - Beatles, Joy Division, Smiths. Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jam - The Specials 1st album

3. Preferred drink? - JD & Coke

4. Life motto? – ‘La Fiesta no es para los fayos’ - The Party is not for the ugly one's - Che Guevara

5. Favourite HK walk? - Urban walking - from Canton Rd, TST to Prince Edward via Temple St

6. Favourite HK restaurant? - Tai Ping Koon - local Shanghainese Off Hysan Av. in Causeway Bay

7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Retreat at pace!

8. Best advice you were given? - Gift of diversity from parents and to always say please and thank you

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Parents moved here when 9yrs old but since then because I love it!

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Various incl. Shek O and Lantau