*******************************************************
Summer is the time for the International Arts Carnival.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual arts festival running from July 11 to August 17, will feature more than 380 events for family enjoyment.
This year, 15 performing groups from Romania, USA, Spain, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, UK, Czech Republic along with 28 local groups will take part in the carnival to perform in physical theatre, music, black light theatre, dance, musical, drama, juggling, puppetry and mask theatre.
To coincide with the Beijing Olympics, this year's carnival will feature a special series called "Sporting Fantasia", whose opening performance "AEROS" combines gymnastics, art and aesthetics to showcase the physical virtuosity of the most outstanding gymnasts from Romania, some of whom are world and European champions.
The Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong will also present a physical theatre "Park and Art" to complete the series.
In addition to the special series, the other three main series of the carnival are: "ABC, Come and See", "HeARTS Linked" and "New Generation Series".
The "ABC, Come and See" series, which is especially designed for young children and toddlers, comprises three interesting shows. They are: a concert for children "The Magic Jungle" by City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, modern dance "Nada ... Nada" by Aracaladanza from Spain, puppet theatre "Amoeba Papa" by Make Friends With Puppet.
The "HeARTS Linked" series will showcase a host of unique performances that should not be missed. They are: black light theatre "Fantasy Travellers" by National Black Light Theatre of Prague from Czech Republic, "Hawaiian Family Festival: From ALOHA to LOHAS" by Pop Culture Creations, multimedia theatre "iVi sa vie" by Compagnie Mdiane from France, "the bicycle" by Puppet Theater Hitomi-za from Japan, mask theatre "Les Masques!!!" by Groupe D
mons et Merveilles from France, "A Little Nightmare Music" by Aleksey Igudesman (Germany) and Richard Hyung-ki Joo (UK), percussion concert "ScrapArtsMusic" from Canada, choral concert "The All-American Boys Chorus", magic theatre "The Magic Nation" by Jumbo Kids Theatre, juggling ¡°The Gizmo Guys¡± from USA, International Children¡¯s Film Carnival, Chinese music "The Legend of Mulan" by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Chung Ying Theatre Company and Hong Kong Youth Music Camp Concerts.
"The New Generation" series setting the stage for youngsters to show their potential and creativity in performing arts in the musical "Once On This Island" by Hong Kong 3 Arts Musical Institute, drama "All-time Classic - Thunderstorm" by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, drama "Yesterday Once More" by TrinityTheatre, multimedia workshop and exhibition "Dream World" by All Theatre Art Association.
Apart from performances, a series of non-stop extension activities, such Summer Fun Party, school and outreach tours, workshops, foyer demonstration, exhibitions and guided tours will be held throughout the carnival period.
Tickets priced from $40 to $320 are available at URBTIX outlets from tomorrow (May 23). Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Package discounts of up to 15% are available for full-price performing arts/films programmes.
Programme guides are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.hkiac.gov.hk
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999 and telephone reservations (from May 24) on 2734 9009.
Ends/Thursday, May 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:00
NNNN
