Cover The Rotary Club of Wan Chai hosted a fundraiser on May 11 (Photo: courtesy of the Rotary Club of Wan Chai)
The Rotary Club of Wan Chai hosted a fundraiser on May 11 (Photo: courtesy of the Rotary Club of Wan Chai)
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The city’s A-listers bid enthusiastically on Salvador Dali paintings and flight tickets to Seoul—all for the cause of charity at Rotary Club of Wan Chai’s fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Wan Chai united for Blue Moon over Hong Kong, the club’s 34th annual fundraiser, at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The dress code of the night was silver and blue. Once the guests were seated inside the ballroom, Greg Knowles, the Rotary Club’s president-elect, addressed the crowd: “A blue moon is the name given to the second full moon occurring within a calendar month,” he said. “It’s a special event that happens rarely. American songwriters Rodgers and Hart spoke of this in their classic 1934 jazz ballad Blue Moon—a timeless song about hope, about seizing the rare opportunity when it comes along, and through that, achieving happiness. This is the inspiration for our theme tonight.”
During dinner, dance performances enthralled the audience. The Welsh Male Voice Choir took to the stage to belt out classic tunes in English as well as Cantonese, including their rendition of Below the Lion Rock, a song made famous by the late Canto-pop legend Roman Tam. A special performance by the Tin Shui Wai Government Secondary School captivated the audience and an upbeat set by violinist Heidi Luk had everyone clapping and cheering.
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Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss at Rotary Club of Wan Chai’s fundraiser
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Later, a live auction conducted by rotarian Jonathan Macey saw unique pieces, like Salvador Dali’s Dante’s Divine Comedy L’Enfer, and coveted items, like business class tickets to Seoul, go under the hammer.
The Rotary has long been dedicated to seven causes: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies and looking after the environment. The evening’s fundraiser gala was a steadfast reminder of the good work done by members of the club, and though there is always more to be done, for one night, it was a pure, unbridled celebration of how far it has come.
Credits
Photography: Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Wan Chai
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