ENG-1997 — Page 436

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

336

Berlin, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, and pianists Lazar Berman and Peter Donohoe. In all, 723 events were held, attracting 323 818 people.

Community Arts Programmes

the

Since January 1996, programme planning for the four community arts centres Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre and Ko Shan Theatre has come under the central Community Arts Co-ordinating Office. During 1997, more than 370 performances were staged to promote the arts to the district communities. Major new projects co-ordinated by the office included the 'Artist-in-Residence' Scheme, which allows arts groups to use one of the community arts centres as a home base for a designated period to develop and promote their creative works and educational programmes to the district communities. Arts education activities in 1996-97 have also been enhanced at the community arts

centres.

Indoor Stadia

The Provisional Urban Council manages the Hong Kong Coliseum and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, which are two of the best-equipped, multi-purpose indoor stadia in Asia. The 12 500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum is a popular venue not only for performances by local and international artists, but also for world-class spectator events including sports competitions and conventions. Highlights of the year included concerts by local pop stars Leslie Cheung, Alan Tam, Jacky Cheung, Kelly Chan, Cass Phang, Liza Wang, Emil Chau, Sammi Cheng, and Leon Lai TBC and by overseas artists including Air Supply, Bread and Boyzone. Major international sports events included the Women's World Volleyball Grand Prix and the 13th World Taekwondo Championships & the 6th Women's World Taekwondo Championship. The Asian Pacific Life Insurance Congress attracted thousands of overseas delegates. The Coliseum is also used as a major venue for staging celebratory extravaganzas, such as a series of July Handover celebration programmes attended by Foreign Minister Qian Qichen on July 1. The Coliseum was selected for staging the National Day celebrations on October 1 for the past three years.

The 3 500-seat Queen Elizabeth Stadium plays host to numerous local and overseas productions, such as sports events, pop concerts and cultural programmes, as well as conventions. Highlights in 1997 included pop singers Suede and Chris de Burgh, World Professional Ballroom and Latin American Dance performances and major celebration programmes for the Handover in July and National Day on October 1.

Computerised Ticketing

The Provisional Urban Council operates URBTIX (Urban Ticketing System), a computerised system providing a full range of ticketing services primarily in support of cultural and entertainment events in Hong Kong through its network of 25 outlets. URBTIX services include counter bookings, reservation by telephone and credit card phone orders from registered patrons. In all, 3.9 million tickets were sold through URBTIX during the year.

Provisional Regional Council Venues

The Provisional Regional Council manages three major civic centres in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun and three smaller ones in North District, Tai Po and,