New Vision Arts Festival opens (with photos)
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     The biennial New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF) opened tonight (October 16) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Officiating at the opening ceremony was the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing.

     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the NVAF will run from today to November 16. Celebrating its seventh edition this year, the festival will present an array of innovative performances from top local and overseas arts groups and showcase the boundless creativity of cross-boundary collaboration.

     The festival opened with "Political Mother: New Vision Arts Festival Uncut", an innovative dance production with classical and rock music from Hofesh Shechter Company from the UK. Charged with combative power and emotional tension, the show sculpts its furious elements and ever-shifting sequences into a profound contemporary dance giving audiences an experience that is relentless, intense and explosive. New sections have been created for the Hong Kong performances featuring talented local musicians alongside Hofesh Shechter Company's dancers and band members.

     "Political Mother: New Vision Arts Festival Uncut" will also be held at 7.30pm tomorrow (October 17) and on October 18 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Tickets are priced at $480, $400, $300, $200 and $120.

     The festival will also feature:

* "RICE" by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
* "Hedda Gabler"
* "Ravens, We Shall Load Bullets" by Saitama Gold Theater (Japan)
* "4" and "5" by TAO Dance Theater
* "ArtSnap"
* "The Kitchen" by Can & Abel Theatres (India)
* "Black Monday" by O Theatre Workshop
* "Our Immortal Cantata" by Yat Po Singers
* "The Common Cold" by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
* "0餃2" by Zuni Icosahedron

     Apart from presenting performances, the festival will also offer extension activities including exhibitions, talks, masterclasses, a backstage tour, meet-the-artist sessions, sharing sessions, a Young Critic-in-Residence Scheme and the outdoor programme "Music Beyond Borders".

     Tickets for the NVAF are now available at URBTIX. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Other booking discounts of up to 20 per cent are available for full-price tickets of NVAF performing arts programmes. Furthermore, for each purchase of full-price tickets for "Political Mother: New Vision Arts Festival Uncut" and "RICE" together, there will be a 20 per cent discount.

     Programme brochures are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.

     For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk.

Ends/Thursday, October 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:00

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