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Summer is the time for the International Arts Carnival.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual arts festival, from July 4 to August 12, will feature around 400 events for family enjoyment.
It is also one of the celebration programmes which marks the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
This year, there will be 14 performing groups from Mainland China, Singapore, India, Australia, France , Japan, the Netherlands, Italy and the United States along with 36 local groups that will give performances such as acrobatic ballet, music, drama, puppetry, interactive theatre and a marching band parade.
Launching this year's International Arts Carnival is an acrobatic ballet "Swan Lake" performed by Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe of China and produced by Shanghai City Dance Company Limited. Featuring outstanding acrobatic pointe work together with spectacular stage art and costume designs, it is a re-interpretation of the renowned Russian ballet classic written by Tchaikovsky.¡¡
The carnival has three main series: "ABC, Come and See", "HeARTS Linked" and "New Generation Series".
The "ABC, Come and See" series has three interesting shows especially for young children and toddlers. It will feature "Little Donkey" by Theater Terra from the Netherlands, "The Green Sheep" by Windmill Performing Arts from Australia and "A World of Paper ¡ª Hello Maru-Chan" by Kazenoko Theatre Company Kansai from Japan.
The "HeARTS Linked" series will feature a number of fun and creative shows. They are "Children Cheering Carpet ¡ª The Japanese Garden" by Teatro di Piazza o d'Occasione from Italy, "Four Play" by the Flying Karamazov Brothers from the United States, "The Cat in Red Boots" by Wind Mill Grass Theatre, "Harry Goh Goh's Mad House Party", "La Luna" by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Chung Ying Theatre, "HKS McDull Music Project 2" by Hong Kong Sinfonietta, "2007 Hong Kong Youth Music Camp Concerts" and "Vermont Youth Orchestra (USA) and Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra Joint Concert", "Al Simmons" from Canada, and the International Children's Film Carnival 2007.
"The New Generation" series for teenagers will continue, setting the stage for youngsters to show their potential and creativity in performing arts. They are "Othello ¡ª The Rock Show" by Hong Kong 3 Arts Musical Institute, "All-time Classic - The Merchant of Venice" by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, IDEA 2007 6th World Congress of International Drama/Theatre and Education Association's "Crossing" and "Chinese Lions and Lion Dancing Youth Workshop".
Apart from performances, there will be workshops, school tours, exhibitions, cultural tours, Children's Fun Week,library and museum activities.
Tickets priced from $40 to $300 are available at URBTIX outlets from tomorrow (May 18). Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Package discounts of up to 15% are available for full-price performing arts programmes/films.
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 19) on 2734 9009.
Ends/Thursday, May 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:16
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