Cultural treats lined up
A scheme has been launched to promote local performing arts and enhance people's interest in culture.
At the forefront of the Provisional Urban Council's campaign is an Artist-in-Residence Scheme which provides free use of venues in community arts centres and financial support for local bona fide non-profit making art groups.
Eleven local arts groups have been selected by the council to take part in this year's scheme.
The groups will stage activities at the council's civic centres in Sai Wan Ho, Sheung Wan and Ngau Chi Wan, as well as the Ko Shan Theatre from next month until March 1998.
The Society of the Little Arts Ambassadors of Hong Kong will be holding its Art is Fun project at the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre.
According to Chan Kwai-yung and Lee Kin-chun, both programme directors with the Society of the Little Arts Ambassadors of Hong Kong, the group will offer art and music classes for children aged five to 10 between September and November.
Eight workshops in music and art will also be held between December and January. About 800 students from the district are expected to take part.
Two concerts are scheduled to be staged at the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on December 17 and 18.
A roving exhibition will be held in schools between February and March displaying artworks from young children who attended the art classes.
'Many children are talented, they can perform well only if we give them the chance to show their potential,' Ms Chan said.
Another group with a project in Sai Wan Ho is Prospects Theatre.
Prospects' artistic director Paul Poon Wai-sum said about 60 people from two youth centres in Sai Wan Ho will be invited to take part in workshops on script-writing and acting techniques in November.
After attending the workshop, participants will organise a fair in a nearby shopping mall and then give a theatre performance.
To arouse students' interest in drama, a training programme has been run by Prospects Theatre and the District Board since 1993.
