The International Arts Carnival (IAC) is a highly popular arts festival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) every summer. This year from July 5 to August 11, a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups will be offered for people of all ages to spend a joyful summer. Tickets will be on sale from tomorrow (May 10).
This year, participating overseas artists come from Italy, Sweden, Canada, Belgium and Spain. Together with their Mainland and local counterparts, they are set to present a wide variety of performing arts programmes covering acrobatics, magic, dance, music, theatre, puppetry and more, alongside a fine selection of films from around the world under the "Summer Family Cine Fest" by the Film Programmes Office.
This year's IAC features 14 stage programmes, including:
Opening programme "Me and My Youth"
The China National Acrobatic Troupe is the largest and only national-level group of its kind in Mainland China with countless accolades to its name. Much acclaimed for merging superb traditional skills and innovative technology, the troupe will launch the festival with "Me and My Youth", offering audiences an amazing showcase of highly challenging classic acts such as trick cycling, sway pole stunts and plate spinning. "Me and My Youth" is also one of the programmes of the inaugural Chinese Culture Festival.
"Magic-go-round"
The first magic theatre production by well-known local magician Louis Yan, which blends famous fairy tales with magic tricks not seen before. World-renowned illusionist and "America's Got Talent" contestant Hiroki Hara will appear as a guest artist.
"+Erba – A Forest in the City"
An immersive and interactive dance theatre production that fuses art, frolic and learning by Compagnia TPO from Italy. The stage will be transformed into a white cube and children are invited to use their bodies as paintbrushes to create an ideal city. With every movement of the participants, their imagination comes alive as vivid projections on the screen, becoming unique works of art.
"Fields of Tender"
Award-winning Swedish choreographer Dalija Acin Thelander is an expert on neurodiversity studies. A one-of-a-kind dance installation production, "Fields of Tender" crafts an intimate and inclusive space in a creative mix of dance, music, toys and images. Infants aged three to 18 months of all abilities are welcome to freely explore the imaginary space filled with furry decorations.
"Animal Gacha"
The animal world has many members. Rice Journey Production invites children and adults alike to become zoologists to unlock the mysteries behind animals sealed inside gachas. Once released by the audience, these creatures will twist their bodies and start dancing to act out the complex relationship chart of the diverse animal world.
"The Rainbow Fish"
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia from Canada is adept at reinterpreting children's books. This blacklight puppet theatre production, complete with extraordinary scenic effects and original music, is an adaptation of Marcus Pfister's best-selling picture book series of the same title. As the pages are turned along with images and sounds, the glittering rainbow fish is brought on stage to spread messages of sharing, friendship and mutual help.
"Dǎ Ji�n Ninja: Finding Dreams"
A catastrophe has stolen everyone's ability to dream. Percussionist Anna Fan and percussion group dǎ ji�n offer an interactive music theatre production that melds live music and original songs with drama and dance. Audiences are invited to join the "dǎ ji�n ninjas" on a sea adventure to try out different kinds of percussion instruments and learn more about the profound cultures of Chinese and Western music.
"THELONIOUS"
Called an "enigma" by Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, Thelonious Monk, an "oddball" in jazz music history, is best known for his stunning creativity, dramatic playing style and distinctive looks. In this multimedia show, Zonzo Compagnie from Belgium will recollect the life stories of the musical giant, and the jazz trio De Beren Gieren will perform the master's works in his signature quirky persona.
Other IAC attractions include:
* "DEMO, Elegy of the Moment" (Asian Premiere), a cross-disciplinary work by La Buena Compañía from Spain;
* "Short-cut to Classical Music: The Instruments of an Orchestra" by Hong Kong Sinfonietta;
* "The Other Side of Beethoven" by Hong Kong Sinfonietta;
* "Monster", a children's literary theatre production by POP Theatre;
* "Sliding into Heart" by City Contemporary Dance Company;
* 2024 Hong Kong Youth Music Camp Concerts "Summer Music Viva" by the Music Office; and
* "Summer Family Cine Fest 2024" by the Film Programmes Office.
In addition to stage performances, the IAC also offers online programmes, parent-child workshops and an exhibition. Venue partners and libraries of the LCSD will also hold plenty of related activities and programmes during the festival period.
Tickets for the IAC will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from tomorrow (May 10). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit its website at www.hkiac.gov.hk.
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