The Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong

The Red Stripes will perform at the FCC on March 25.

‘Hong Kong Remembers’, the FCC’s extravaganza on March 25, will bring together some of the best of Hong Kong’s home grown musical talent with proceeds from the event going to our chosen charity, the China Coast Community.

Among the acts performing will be The Red Stripes, the acclaimed ska and soul band whose brass section is sure to raise the roof of the Main Dining Room. Down in Bert’s, Miriam Ma and Hippogroove will continue their run of getting the crowd on their feet with their energetic R&B sounds. Complementing these live acts will be DJ’s including local favourites Crimes Against Pop whose only instructions have been to ‘get the place dancing’.

Tickets for the event, which include buffet food and drinks, are available at the FCC priced HK$880 for members and HK$1100 for guests.

How can you support this year’s charity? Come to the party on March 25 and bring your friends and some cash for raffle tickets for the chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Miriam Ma and Hippogroove will perform in Bert’s during the charity party.

We have some terrific auction items – make sure you get your bids in! You can continue to bid on items at the event. All money raised will go to pay for the services of an occupational therapist.

If you would like to donate funds to “Buy-a-Bed” at HK$18,000 each, you will be acknowledged with a small donation plaque on the bed. Contact Joanne at [email protected] to pledge your donation.

As the China Coast Community is a registered charity under the IRO Section 88, any donation would qualify for tax relief, in which case cheques should be made payable directly to China Coast Community Limited and can be sent to the FCC, c/o Joanne Cheung who will then process them with CCC.

Allen Youngblood performs at Bert’s. Photo: carstenschael.com

Last week, Tatler joined a throng of other publications in listing Bert’s bar as one of the best jazz venues in Hong Kong.

Previously, Lifestyle Asia and Hong Kong’s Localiiz websites had rated the club’s basement in their lists of the best places to listen to jazz in the city.

Today, we take it one further. Here are five reasons why Bert’s is the best jazz venue in Hong Kong.

Allen Youngblood

To describe the FCC’s music director as a legend is in no way understating it: Allen Youngblood is known throughout the city as among the best of Hong Kong’s jazz talent. A pianist and composer, he originally came from America to Asia in the early 1990s with a band playing at the Grand Hyatt’s now defunct JJ’s nightclub. Allen has performed alongside a host of stars, including Martha Reeves and the Vandellas; Carter Jefferson; James Moody; and Cash McCall. As well as performing at Bert’s himself, he is responsible for booking everybody else who does.

2. Ambience

We’re not the only ones who love the combination of relaxed atmosphere in the basement. According to HK Music Guide, “…Bert’s is a very chilled-out venue — perfect for those looking to unwind after a hard days work. Other than great Jazz, there is a pool table, pub menu and wide selection of alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages.”

3. Great guest performers

Over the years many notable names have dropped in to Bert’s to play, including, since the recent reopening, former James Brown drummer, Erik Hargrove. It also attracts high-profile local artists whose appearances regularly sell out, including The Red Stripes; blues harmonica virtuoso Henry Chung; guitarist Eugene Pao; and singer, bassist, bandleader and FCC member Elaine Liu.

4. A magnet for Hong Kong’s hottest new jazz acts

Miriam Ma & Hippogroove; Orlando and Yanice Bonzi; Denise Jannah; and saxophonist Jaren Walker are among the new generation of jazz talent in Hong Kong to perform at Bert’s.

5. Fine dining

With a menu that includes cuisines from around the world, plus an astounding collection of beer, wines and spirits, there really is every reason to love Bert’s. Throw in exemplary waiting staff and a comfortable bar atmosphere and you have to ask yourself, where else in Hong Kong do you have such luxuries in one place?

The Red Stripes and Miriam Ma set to raise the roof at the all-new FCC charity extravaganza

5 reasons why Bert’s is Hong Kong’s best jazz venue