Singer Denise Ho’s sold out concert at the Hong Kong Arts Center will not go ahead after the organization revoked the pro-democracy artist’s approved venue booking,
The move is seen as the latest sign of politics rocking the city’s arts and entertainment scene.
In a statement, Ho wrote: “We regret to announce that the Hong Kong Arts Center (HKAC) has informed us about the abrupt cancelation of our approved booking for Denise Ho’s performance ‘Hocc Shouson Live 2021.'”
1/7 Thread
【Important Announcement】We regret to announce that the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) has informed us about the abrupt cancellation of our approved booking for Denise Ho’s performance “Hocc Shouson Live 2021”, at the Shouson Theatre from 8th to 12th September 2021. pic.twitter.com/XhppUjzLyH
— Denise Ho (@hoccgoomusic) September 1, 2021
The arts center accused the singer and her team of breaching a public order and safety clause, the statement continued, but did not provide a specific explanation.
“We have thoroughly examined our released materials and show contents, but could not see where or how this performance or hiring has the possibility to endanger, or will endanger, public order and safety at all.”
Ho is well known as an icon in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, and has been banned from the mainland Chinese market due to her political stance.
Read more: China slams pop star Denise Ho as ‘delusional’ after speech to UN rights council
During the height of the 2019 protests, she was attacked with paint in Taiwan by a presumed pro-Beijing supporter.
Her multi-day concert was scheduled to take place on Sept. 6 to Sept. 12.
According to ticket booking site KKTIX, all seven days of her concert have been sold out.
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