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This summer, the International Arts Carnival (IAC) will offer a splendid array of inspirational and enjoyable programmes to all. Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual summer arts festival will run from July 10 to August 16 and will feature more than 400 events for family entertainment.
In this year's carnival, performing groups from the Mainland, Australia, France, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with local groups, will present different programmes. These will include acrobatics, music, multimedia theatre, puppetry, interactive theatre for infants, magic theatre and musical theatre. Films from around the world will also be screened.
The award-winning Shaanxi Acrobatic Troupe will open the festival with the production "Legend of the Silk Road", showcasing an exquisite fusion of music and dance, gorgeous costumes and dazzling stage designs in an epic Silk Road adventure. Combining more than 20 eye-opening acrobatic feats such as aerial silks, meteors and the Russian bar, the production will draw the audience along the ancient Silk Road, taking in the perilous Loulan desert, the awe-inspiring Dunhuang and the mesmerising Persia before reaching the Roman Empire.
The Troupe was the recipient of the Gold Medal in the 2005 International Circus Festival at Latina in Italy and the Gold Lion Prize in the 6th All China Acrobatics Competition.
More than 110 promising young musicians from the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America will team up with virtuoso conductor Charles Dutoit and acclaimed pianist YUNDI to perform timeless classics by Beethoven and Berlioz as well as a new commissioned work by Tan Dun.
In "How High the Sky" by the pioneering Polyglot Theatre from Australia, babies surrounded by soft lighting, streamers, floating balloons and a living, breathing soundscape of their own will take parents and other theatre-goers into an infant world.
Other attractive programmes will include:
* "Swamp Juice" by Bunk Puppets (Australia)
* "Too Many Penguins?" by Frozen Charlotte (UK)
* "Ninja Academy" by the Radiant Theatre
* "Franz and Friends' Voyage Undersea" by Image in Motion Theater of Taiwan
* "The Forest of Grimm" by La Maquiné (Spain)
* "My Moon Story" by Harry Wong
* "Drumblebee" by the Quatuor Beat (France)
* "The Sorrows of Young Yat Sum" by Ricochet Ensemble
* "Super Mama Market" by Wind Mill Grass Theatre
* 2015 Hong Kong Youth Music Camp Concerts by the Music Office
* "Shaolin" by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Chung Ying Theatre Company
* "The Magic Flute Playground" by Zuni Icosahedron
* International Children's Film Carnival 2015 by the Film Programmes Office
Outreach touring programmes will include "Hands of the Mermaid" by iStage, "The Breakthrough of Charlie" by the Theatre Wonderland, "This Is Grandpa's Store!" by Little Smudges Theatre, and Prime Production's "2047". The summer fun party "Cute EliSHARKbeth Aquarium", talks for parents, workshops, a cultural tour and exhibitions are also part of the extension activities.
Tickets priced from $40 to $580 will be available at URBTIX from tomorrow (May 15) onwards. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and their minders, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Booking discounts of up to 20 per cent 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. Telephone credit card bookings can be made on 2111 5999.
Ends/Thursday, May 14, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:07
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