Track to the Future: What We’re Excited About in 2015

We kick off the new year listing the events, happenings and openings we’re looking forward to 2015.

Tech Trends at CES Las Vegas

(Photo credit: CES)

Kicking off today, the annual Computer Electronics Show is the ultimate trend bellwether. We’re anticipating the latest on wearables, drones, robots, audio gadgets, Oculus Rift technology and 3D printing.

A Mad Dash to the Movies

(Photo credit: PA Images/ Chris Pizzello/AP)

January marks the release of the Oscar-bait heavyweights. The strong contenders include The Theory of Everything, Birdman, Into the Woods, Wild, Inherent Vice,  Still Alice, Unbroken, Foxcatcher, and Selma.

Benjamin Millepied at the Paris Opera Ballet

The French-born former dancer and <i>Black Swan</i> choreographer will be putting his best foot forward at this venerable institution with the announcement of his new program in February. Coming off the heels of his choreography of the L.A. Dance Project, his craftsmanship and artistry will be on display in this much-anticipated new line-up.

(Photo credit: Art Central)

Coinciding with Art Basel’s Hong Kong edition, this new art fair (Mar 14-16) situated in a tent in Central’s harbourfront “will showcase the next generation of talent alongside some of the most established contemporary galleries and art spaces from across the globe.” With the month already crowded with a flurry of brand launches, parties and stunts, this latest addition will only intensify the madness in March.

The Royal Baby

The April arrival of second heir apparent will have us gushing in pink or blue.

Milan World Expo 

(Photo credit: Milan World Expo)

Italy + Food = Say no more. Starting in May until October, Milan will play host to World Expo with the theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. Pavilions and exhibitions will explore the future of food through technology, art, design, culture and traditions. Expect a delicious smorgasbord of multisensory experiences.

The Met Costume Gala: “Chinese Whispers”

(Photo credit: Nick Knight, Nick Knight / Trunk Archive)

We were excited to learn that the theme of May’s fashion and art Gala is “Chinese Whispers: Tales of the East in Art, Film, and Fashion.” But when we heard that Wong Kar Wai would art direct the event and fashion mogul Silas Chou would host, expectations were raised. Jennifer Lawrence, Gong Li, Marissa Mayer, Wendi Murdoch, and Anna Wintour have signed on as co-chairs. Expect to see a bevy of Chinese luminaries and artists, Anna Wintour (and Beyonce?) possibly donning cheong sams (designed by whom is everyone’s guess!), and the red carpet ablaze in every shade of red. Drawing on over 100 couture and avant-garde samplings from designers as varied as Alexander McQueen and Laurence Xu, exhibition will feature painting, decorative arts, and filmic representations of China.

Launch of Apple Watch 

(Photo credit: Apple)

Pegged for an ‘early’ 2015 launch, the much-anticipated smart watch has pundits guessing sales ranging from 10 million to 60 million. Several useful features – including a fitness tracker, wireless payment functionality, and inductive charging— lie beneath the sleek 1.5 inch sapphire crystal touchscreen display and are likely to keep the naysayers at bay.

The Opening of the new Whitney Museum 

(Photo credit: Timothy Schenck)

Scheduled to open to the public on May 1 in its new location situated between the High Line and the Hudson River, the Renzo Piano-designed building will vastly increase the Whitney’s exhibition and programming space. The angular, tiered structure boasts the largest column-free gallery in New York,several levels of outdoor exhibition space, theatre rooms, an education centre, and a conservation laboratory.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(Photo credit: Star Wars)

There was a wrinkle in the space-time continuum when the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuted on November 28, 2014. Director J.J. Abrams has reunited many of the original Star Wars cast for this latest installment – including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill – to ensure the Force will be heard around the world when it opens on December 18th, marking a fitting end to 2015.

Catherine Feliciano-Chon