ENG-1998 — Page 436

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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Community Arts Centres

The Provisional Urban Council runs four community arts centres the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre and Ko Shan Theatre. More than 430 performances were staged in 1998 to promote the arts to the district communities. A major project is the 'Artist-in-Residence' Scheme, which offers arts groups use of the community arts centres as their home base for a designated period to develop and promote their creative works and educational programmes to the district communities.

Indoor Stadia

The Provisional Urban Council also 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 for pop concerts, entertainment spectaculars, international sporting events, large conventions and exhibitions. Highlights of the year included pop concerts by local singers Leon Lai, Ekin Cheng, Lam and Sally, the Wynners, Andy Hui, Aaron Kwok and Faye Wong. Events from abroad included the David Copperfield Magic Show and the Great Moscow Circus. The Coliseum also staged celebrations for the first anniversary of the establishment of the SAR on July 1. In September, it played host to the World Volleyball Grand Prix.

The 3 500-seat Queen Elizabeth Stadium is an important centre for staging major sporting events, and entertainment and cultural productions. Highlights of the year included XLI Festival of Sport Opening Ceremony, the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 1998, the World Professional Ballroom & Latin American Dance '98 and '98 Summer Youth Programme Opening Ceremony.

Computerised Ticketing

The Provisional Urban Council operates URBTIX, 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 booking, reservation by telephone and credit card phone order 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 Yuen Long. Two new theatres in Kwai Tsing and Yuen Long are under construction and will be completed within the next 12 months.

Provisional Urban Council Museums

Hong Kong Museum of Art

The Hong Kong Museum of Art has five galleries dedicated to contemporary Hong Kong Art, Chinese antiquities, historical pictures, Chinese fine art and the Xubaizhai collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy. In addition, it has two special galleries featuring changing exhibitions from overseas art organisations and local collectors.