Join the French May Arts Festival in Celebrating French and Chinese Cultural Fusion On-stage This June: Jazz, Concerts, and Theatre Showcases

A Parisian rendezvous with Joyce Cheung and Sarah Lancman, a romp through French cinema with Erik Truffaz, a heartfelt cross-cultural concert with Jay Fung and Joyce Jonathan, and a moving theatre performance by duo Anthony Figueiredo and Claire Théault

HONG KONG, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong’s signature May mega event, the French May Arts Festival 2025 (French May) is pleased to present a vibrant lineup of four performing arts programmes spotlighting creative cultural collaborations between French and local talents. Jazz performances by the Paris Rendezvous – Jazz Female Duo and Erik Truffaz – Rollin’ & Clap! are taking place on 6 and 7 June respectively at the Hong Kong City Hall. Echoes of the Heart, a multi-lingual cross-cultural concert, is taking place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 14 June; the poignant dance and shadow play Souvenirs is taking place on 14-15 June at Sheung Wan Civic Centre. With a commitment to fostering artistic collaboration and cultural exchange, French May hopes to enrich and enliven audiences with the best of French culture and heritage, bolstering cultural ties between East and West.

Paris Rendezvous – Jazz Female Duo

From Paris, with love – an unparalleled Hong Kong-France female duo that tugs at the heartstrings on the piano and bewitches the audience with mesmerizing jazz music for the soul. Local accomplished jazz pianist Joyce Cheung meets celebrated French singer-pianist Sarah Lancman for a Paris Rendezvous, which marks the first-ever collaboration between the two phenomenal pianists, and Lancman’s first major concert in Hong Kong. Accompanied by Joyce Cheung String Quartet, they will bring the audience to their feet with a performance of many rearranged jazz standards and French hits.

Joyce Cheung is an accomplished jazz pianist, performer, arranger and composer based in Hong Kong. She maintains an active presence in Hong Kong’s jazz and pop music scene, and has had the pleasure of sharing her music with live audiences across the world. A veteran in the jazz scene, Joyce has showcased her talents in various notable performances. She headlined the Hong Kong Freespace Jazz Festival from 2022, where she made Latin arrangements of popular tunes and performed with a 11-piece band. Additionally, she was invited to share the stage with the acclaimed British soul jazz vocalist Poppy Ajudha in Tokyo Blue Note.

Born in 1989, Sarah Lancman is a French singer, pianist, and composer born and living in Paris. At the age of seven, she began studying classical piano at the Conservatoire du Centre in Paris. Many years later, while completing her Bachelor’s degree in composition, jazz piano, and vocals at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne (HEMU), she won the First Prize in the international Shure Jazz Voice Competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland) presided over that year by Quincy Jones in 2012.

Erik Truffaz – Rollin’ & Clap!

As one of the world’s leading jazz stars, trumpeter Erik Truffaz loves to travel the world in search of new sounds. He possesses an incredible ability to blend genres and converse between eras. With his last albums Rollin’ & Clap!, released in April and October 2023, he makes a 180° turn. Hitherto confined to playing pieces from his own repertoire, he now revisits major themes from French cinema. The project was prompted by a commission from the Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême to ‘foil’ film music. He then delved into his pantheon of soundtracks, celebrating the composers of the golden age of French cinema: Nino Rota, Michel Magne, Ennio Morricone and Philippe Sarde. With his long-time accomplice Marcello Giuliani and musicians Raphaël Chassin, Alexis Anérilles and Matthis Pascaud, he pays sensitive homage to these scores that still shine in the collective imagination.

Echoes of the Heart

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of music featuring the remarkable Cantopop star Jay Fung and the wonderful French singer Joyce Jonathan. As a rich cross-cultural presentation of musical styles, the evening will also inspire cultural connection and understanding. With performances in Chinese, English and French, Echoes of the Heart is sure to bring the joyous beat of music to the city.  

Echoes of the Heart is a First Initiative Foundation (FIF) ‘DARE with Flair’ charitable outreach initiative. Co-presented by French May, the concert showcases the power of music for global cultural connection. FIF works proactively in support of the arts, music, education and mentorship to uplift Hong Kong locally and on the world stage.

Covering diverse subject matters and musical styles, Jay Fung’s Cantopop music blends US/European elements, while his fluent and spontaneous interpretations and delicate emotional interpretations have established his signature musical style based on powerful vocals. Whether it’s a sweet love ballad or an emotional song, songs by Jay Fung have the powerful ability to touch the hearts of his audiences.

Joyce Jonathan is a French singer-songwriter who has enchanted audiences with her heartfelt melodies and poignant lyrics. She is celebrated for her soulful contributions to the chanson and French pop genres, seamlessly blending emotional storytelling with melodic pop sensibilities. With a career that began in her teens, she quickly stood out, garnering acclaim for her unique voice and introspective songwriting.

Souvenirs

Witness the mesmerizing balancing act between Anthony Figueiredo and Claire Théault on stage in a moving dance and shadow theatre about their fond memories in life, co-produced by Alliance Française de Hong Kong. A man, sitting alone on a long chair, reminiscing about the past. He thought about her, recalled the first day they met, with a lot of baggage in their own lives. Anthony carries the burden of his childhood and the pain of witnessing his father’s gradual decline over the years, while the shadows of his past haunt him relentlessly. Claire has to live with her own sensitivity. Her relationship with him and the surroundings affects her so deeply that she cannot enjoy the moment.

Anthony Figueiredo has loved cinema, silent cinema in particular, and physical comedy from a very young age. He trained in performing arts, theatre and improvisation, and over the years developed a sense of humour and outstanding observation skills. His collaboration with The Walt Disney Company has enriched his vision of the stage and refined his writing to adapt to different productions. He is the co-creator and co-author of the duo Les Vice Versa with Indiaye Zami. They created two shows including Imagine, a humorous, visual and poetic show, in which they travelled and covered the French and Francophone scene. Today, as he turns a new page in his artistic career, his goal is to create a universe where body meets emotion, and comedy marries poetry in nourishing the imagination of audience. 

For Claire Théault, dance is her first love, it thrills her more than anything. Trained in modern and street jazz, she is passionate about all styles of dance, but her favourite is hip-hop. Performing on stage for over 10 years now, she has danced for many French and international artists, including Nekfeu, Shy’m, Nawell Madani, Rihanna; and has participated in numerous television shows, such as Dancing with the Stars, NRJ Music Awards, and Brit Awards. She also gained experience in several musical shows like Ohlala at the Folies Bergères, and trained in comedy as she loves telling stories. She draws her emotions from her connections, observations and interactions with people. Her taste for cinema, musicals and poetry gives her a broad palette to create and take audiences on a ride.

Audiences can enjoy group booking discounts for these four performing arts programmes at 10% off for the purchase of 4-6 standard tickets; or 20% off for the purchase of 7-40 standard tickets.  

More detailed information for individual programmes is available on the website www.frenchmay.com. Tickets and other membership discounts are available now at URBTIX www.urbtix.hk.

About the French May Arts Festival

Established in 1993, French May is one of the largest cultural events in Asia. With about 100 programmes presented across two months, we showcase the most diversified art forms – from heritage and contemporary art, paintings and design to classical music and hip-hop dance, cinema and circus. It has become an iconic part of Hong Kong’s cultural scene, reaching over 200,000 visitors each year.

French May brings the arts to everyone, not only in cultural venues, but also in public spaces, shopping malls and more, inviting everyone across Hong Kong to enjoy art in their daily lives.

With the aim of promoting accessible arts for all, French May places a strong emphasis on education through outreach programmes, guided tours, workshops, masterclasses and free performances. The festival strives to reach the widest possible audience and contribute to education of the young and less-privileged, working closely with over 50 local institutions and organisations to establish barrier-free access to the arts.