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Summer is the time for the International Arts Carnival (IAC), and the IAC is for summer.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual summer arts festival will run from July 8 to August 14 and will feature over 390 events for family enjoyment.
In this year's carnival, 11 performing groups from Russia, France, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Australia, Denmark, Canada, Japan and the United States, along with 30 local groups, will take part in acrobatics on ice, mask theatre, magic theatre, marionette theatre, dance, visual theatre, physical comedy, music, multimedia puppetry, drama and film.
Opening the festival will be "Moscow Circus on Ice", showcasing a unique blend of scintillating ice-skating and traditional Russian circus artistry. Acrobatic artists donning skates, juggling and carrying out astonishing feats in the rink will amaze and delight the audience.
In addition to the opening programme, the other three main series of the carnival are "ABC, Come and See", "HeARTS Linked" and "New Generation Series".
Suitable for children as young as one year old, "ABC, Come and See" will offer a playful series of performances to inspire early interest in the arts. Harry Wong's creation "Ball Ball Show" is an interactive magic theatre curated for kids ages one and above. Other programmes such as mask theatre "Lulu Nuit Blanche" by Groupe Demons et Merveilles from France and "Circus" by Demmeni Marionette Theatre from Russia are suitable for children ages three and above.
The carnival's HeARTS Linked" series will host a variety of fun performances such as the dance programme "Parken & Nikolais Celebration" by Introdans Ensemble for Youth from the Netherlands; visual theatre "Les Ames Nocturnes" by Le Shlemil Theatre from France; physical comedies "Plastic Fantastic" by Mimirichi Clowns & Pantomime Theatre from Ukraine and "Michel Lauziere - Master of Unusual Comedy" from Canada; music programmes "Spaghetti Western Orchestra" from Australia and "Prodigies from Around the World" by City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong; multimedia puppet theatre "Genesis" by Meridiano Teatret from Denmark; educational concert "Stargazing by the Sea with McDull" by Hong Kong Sinfonietta; Hong Kong Youth Music Camp Concerts 2011; and International Children's Film Carnival 2011.
Exciting programmes for youth under the "New Generation Series" are youth theatre productions "Twelfth Night" by Hong Kong Theatre Works and "My Beautiful Life" by Trinity Theatre, and choral concert "2011 International Choral Jazz & Mass Participatory Musicking Festival" by Hong Kong Institute of Education and Hong Kong Association for Music Educators.
Apart from performances, there will be extension activities such as the outdoor carnival "A Kaleidoscope of Stories", the summer fun party "Midsummer's Dream Masquerade", workshops, outreach performances, exhibitions and cultural tours.
There will also be a new thematic lecture and workshop, "Breaking into a New World", hosted by the renowned local performing arts veteran Hoyingfung, for IAC this year. The programme is tailor-made for parents, teachers and social workers for sharing experience in guiding children and youngsters to appreciate the performing arts.
Tickets priced from $40 to $360 are available at URBTIX from tomorrow (May 13). Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Booking discounts of up to 20% are available for full-price performing arts/film programmes.
Programme brochures are available at URBTIX outlets or at the carnival website www.hkiac.gov.hk.
For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999.
Ends/Thursday, May 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:11
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