A veteran artist from Hong Kong, aged 79, recently hosted a unique dining and singing concert in a hotel in Foshan, Guangdong. The concert featured a format that allowed the audience to enjoy a meal while watching her perform. This innovative approach has generated significant attention and discussions among her fans and the general public alike.
On the evening of November 7, this beloved artist held her personal concert in a grand banquet hall located in Dali Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City. This event marked a departure from traditional concert settings usually held in large sports arenas. Instead, it embraced a more intimate setting that reflected warmth and a focus on accessibility for older audiences, quickly gaining popularity on social media platforms.
According to the hotel’s official account, the concert was designed without tiered seating; instead, spectators were seated around round tables while enjoying a traditional Cantonese banquet as they watched the performances. The tickets were sold by the table, accommodating ten guests per table, and structured with three pricing tiers based on proximity to the main stage. The ticket prices were set at VIP at 6988 yuan, first class at 6688 yuan, and second class at 6288 yuan.
What drew considerable attention was the sumptuous menu, which included ten mouth-watering main dishes such as crispy roasted pig, steamed live grouper, braised abalone, and caramel prawns. Additionally, there was a seasonal fruit platter and a dessert, making a total of twelve dishes. Guests calculated that the average cost per person was around 600 yuan, which they deemed a very reasonable price given the experience.
During the concert, the artist sang over ten classic hits, including “Endless Love,” “Night Blooming Jasmine,” and “Rose, Rose, I Love You,” engaging with fans by walking along an extended stage and shaking hands with audience members at their tables.
While neither the organizer nor the artist’s team disclosed specific figures regarding total ticket sales or the artist’s earnings from this concert, the pricing and venue size suggest that this business model resembles the traditional dinner show format prevalent in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau region. The core revenue seems to stem from premium seating fees and associated tourism and dining expenditure.
Reports from entertainment outlets indicated that the overall income from this event was closely tied to the number of banquet tables present. Considering that typical hotel banquet halls accommodate between 50 to 80 tables, the total revenue, including meals, was estimated to range between 300,000 to 550,000 yuan, categorizing this as a mid-scale performance.
In contrast to large-scale arena tours, the hotel banquet format significantly reduces production and promotion costs by eliminating high venue rentals, large-scale set constructions, and complex security expenses. Through this “concert plus luxury banquet” approach, it directly boosts the hotel’s dining and room booking revenue while also launching accompanying travel packages with local agencies to maximize tourism-related income.
The event sparked lively discussions on social media, with many commenting on the convenience of not having to endure outdoor conditions while enjoying a meal and interacting closely with their idol. Comments like “I don’t have to climb to the hills or get swept by the wind and rain; I can enjoy a meal and engage with my idol” and “Veteran artists truly understand how to cater to audience experiences” reflect the audience’s appreciation for the concert’s design, which is perfectly suited to the age group of her fans.
The artist has long been a staple in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, first stepping into the limelight in the 1960s after training with a well-known broadcasting company and eventually becoming a contract actress for TVB in the 1970s. In addition to her successful television career, she ventured into singing, becoming a top-tier singer who performed theme songs for many films and dramas, and continues to hold large concerts successfully. Alongside her husband, she also actively promotes the development of Cantonese opera, demonstrating her lasting impact on the cultural scene.
Despite her flourishing career, the artist has faced various health challenges in recent years, including two cancer diagnoses. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1985 after experiencing hoarseness, but fortunately, the cancer had not spread, and she recovered well following surgery. In 2002, she faced breast cancer, which was detected early, allowing for timely intervention and a swift return to the stage.
In a recent interview with a local media program, the artist shared her thoughts about retirement, stating that while she has begun planning for it, she does not intend to stop working immediately. She mentioned that in the near future, she would selectively take on projects that align with her capabilities and interests. Looking ahead, she envisions transforming her career into that of an influencer, intending to share insights and experiences drawn from her decades in the entertainment industry, offering her unique perspective as an artist.