RECREATION AND THE ARTS
Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre
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The Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre, which will be situated partially on reclaimed land at the tip of the Kowloon peninsula, is a project jointly funded by the government and the Urban Council. The Cultural Centre will comprise a 2 250-seat concert hall, a 1 860-seat lyric theatre, a 400-seat studio theatre, an arts library, two restaurants and a rest garden. Piling work has been completed, and the contract for the superstructure was let in November. The project is scheduled for completion in late 1987.
Town Halls
There are three civic centres in the New Territories under the management of the Cultural Services Department. They are the Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Lut Sau Hall in Yuen Long and the North District Town Hall located south of Sheung Shui. The facilities of these civic centres can be hired by the public at reasonable rates. Non-profit making organisations may hire them at reduced rates. The Tsuen Wan Town Hall is the first multi-purpose cultural complex to be provided in the New Territories and includes a 1 424-seat auditorium, an exhibition gallery and a cultural activities hall. A total of 371 presentations, joint presenta- tions and exhibitions were organised by the Cultural Services Department at the three town halls and attracted 267 854 people.
Aberdeen Cultural Centre
The Aberdeen Cultural Centre, located on the fifth floor of the Urban Council Aberdeen Complex, is the first district cultural facility established by the Urban Council. The centre comprises a 200-seat cultural activities hall, an exhibition hall/rehearsal room, a conference room, two music practice rooms and ancillary facilities which are suitable for a wide variety of small scale cultural performances and community activities.
Hong Kong Arts Centre
Since its opening in October 1977, the Arts Centre has become well established as a major arts venue, enjoying great public support and participation. In 1984, seven corporations sponsored the monthly programmes at the Arts Centre. The three auditoria at the centre were used for 7 120 hours and its art galleries held 94 exhibitions during the year. The two rehearsal rooms, art and crafts studios, music practice rooms and other areas were used for more than 6 615 separate sessions.
Main events of the year included the Children's Festival, a sponsored Music Series and two important exhibitions, on Sichuan painting and photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Another highlight was the return visit of the Flying Pickets singing group from the United Kingdom which gave five full-house performances in March. A film programme featuring noted film-makers and the Japanese Film Festival in August also attracted large audiences.
Ko Shan Theatre
The Ko Shan Theatre, the first purpose-built semi open air theatre in Hong Kong, is located in Ko Shan Road Park in Kowloon City. It has 3 000 seats, of which 1000 are under cover and 2 000 are in the open air on an upper level. During the year, about 133 000 people attended 170 performances in the theatre.
Council for the Performing Arts
The Council for the Performing Arts was established in 1981 to advise the government on the development and needs of the performing arts in Hong Kong. It has 14 unofficial and five official members.