ENG-2002 — Page 467

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

Through the 'Artists-in-residence' Scheme, local arts groups may use one of these 11 venues for a designated period to develop and promote their creative works and educational programmes among the district communities.

With the aim of providing opportunities for the arts community to be involved in organising programmes, and to fully utilise the facilities at the department's venues, a Programme Partnership Pilot Scheme for the Yuen Long Theatre and the North District Town Hall was launched in 2002-03. Under this scheme, facilities and resources were provided to selected arts groups so they could organise audience- building programmes and create new works. The scheme will be extended to the Sheung Wan Civic Centre and the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre in 2003-04.

Indoor Stadia

The Hong Kong Coliseum and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium are two of the largest multi-purpose indoor stadia in Hong Kong. The 12 500-seat coliseum is a leading venue for pop concerts, musicals, entertainment spectaculars, international sporting events, cultural programmes, large-scale celebrations and conventions. The 3 600- seat stadium is suitable for holding sports events, cultural and entertainment performances, school ceremonies, conferences and variety shows.

In 2002, 411 performances were staged in the two indoor stadia, attracting over 1 896 455 people.

URBTIX

Computerised Ticketing System

URBTIX, launched in 1984, has become the most popular ticketing system through which members of the public may purchase tickets at any of the 31 outlets as well as through its telephone reservation and Internet ticketing services. In 2002, some 3.7 million tickets for over 6 449 performances were sold, with a total sales value of $490 million.

A project is in hand to outsource the back-end ticketing system, i.e. hardware and software with enhanced features, to the private sector for development of an advanced ticketing system targeted to be completed by the end of 2004. The LCSD will maintain the operation of ticket outlets and services for venue hirers.

Cultural Presentations

LCSD Cultural Presentations

During the year, the LCSD presented 1 811 performances, covering a rich variety of performing arts programmes given by local and visiting artists. These attracted a total audience of some 814 000 people.

Musical highlights included concerts by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Lorin Maazel; the 'Midsummer Classics' by the Budapest Concert Orchestra; The Music of the Dragons Concert to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR; a newly commissioned production of the Italian opera Madama Butterfly, as well as a Russian opera, Eugene Onegin, and an Italian opera, Nabucco, by the Latvian National Opera. The LCSD also presented thematic programmes including the 'Encore Series', the 'Music Rendezvous City Hall Concert Hall Series', the 'Jazz Up Series' and 'The Rhythm & The Beat Percussion Series'.

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