For Discussion WCDC CLSC Paper No. 9/2015

Annual Plan on District Free Entertainment Programmes by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in District in 2015/16

Purpose

This paper aims to submit the annual plan on district free entertainment programmes to be organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in Wan Chai District from April 2015 to March 2016 for Members’ consideration and endorsement of the funding application.

Background

2. To support the District Councils’ enhanced role in the implementation of the community involvement programmes at the district level, the LCSD has been allocating provision since 1 January 2008 for organising regular district free entertainment programmes to the District Councils so that they could make use of the provision according to their needs. In view of the demand for entertainment programmes in the district, the LCSD proposes to continue to assist in organising monthly district free entertainment programmes in parks, playgrounds, housing estates, community centres and open spaces in Wan Chai District so as to provide entertainment programmes to all walks of life in the district and promote culture and performing arts to the general public.

Report on District Free Entertainment Programmes in 2014/15

3. In 2014/15, the LCSD organised a total of 22 free entertainment programmes in Wan Chai District and 12 of them were jointly presented with district organisations. The estimated total attendance and estimated total expenditure are 4,900 and $387,000 respectively. The report and proposals on regular free entertainment programmes organised for the period from November 2014 to March 2015 in Wan Chai District are detailed in Annex (I).

Proposed Plan for District Free Entertainment Programmes to be Organised in 2015/16

4. The LCSD proposes that the delivery mode of district free entertainment programmes in Wan Chai District should remain unchanged. A total of 22 regular free entertainment programmes will be provided for the period from April 2015 to March 2016 (i.e. one or two programmes every month), including Chinese opera, music, dance, magic shows, children’s variety shows as well as other Chinese traditional performances. The estimated total attendance and estimated total expenditure are 5,000 and $390,000 respectively. The expenditure covers the costs for engaging arts groups, provision and construction of stages, technical support for sound and lighting, publicity such as production of webpages, posters and banners, as well as other related license fees and miscellaneous expenses. The proposed outline of the district free entertainment programmes to be organised in 2015/16 and the arrangement of the programmes from April to May 2015 are set out in Annex (II) and Annex (III) respectively for Members’ perusal. Regarding promotional materials, it is suggested that the current billing “The programme is jointly presented by Wan Chai District

1 Council and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department” should continue to be used. For joint presentations of programmes with district organisations, “The Programme is jointly presented by Wan Chai District Council, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and (Name of Organisation)” will be used instead.

5. Besides, to tie in with the accounting date and cut-off arrangement of the financial year, the programme expenditure for March 2015 has to be settled in the 2015/16 financial year. Details of the funding application for the organisation of free entertainment programmes from April 2015 to March 2016 are as follows:

(a) Programme expenditure for March 2015 is $30,000 (already endorsed by the Funding and Finance Committee in the 2014/15 financial year);

(b) Estimated total expenditure for the programmes from April 2015 to March 2016 is $390,000. The breakdown is as follows:

(i) Estimated total expenditure for the programmes from April 2015 to February 2016 is $358,000 (to be settled in the 2015/16 financial year);

(ii) Estimated expenditure for the programmes in March 2016 is $32,000 (to be settled in the 2016/17 financial year).

6. As the current term of office of the District Council (DC) expires on 31 December 2015 and four programmes under the Annual Plan will be held between January and March 2016 during the next DC term, information on the respective programmes will be re-submitted in early 2016 for perusal by Members of the next term. The estimated number of participants and amount of funding involved in these four programmes are 580 and $63,000 respectively.

7. The LCSD will submit papers to Members on the progress of the planned programmes and the attendance figures of past programmes on a regular basis.

Publicity Arrangements on District Free Entertainment Programmes

8. To enhance the promotion of arts and culture in the district, the LCSD has stepped up publicity on free entertainment programmes since September 2014 by producing electronic posters, monocolour posters and leaflets for individual programmes, as well as posting additional banners. The LCSD also strengthened collaboration with district organisations so as to motivate community participation in arts activities. Besides, a monthly poster will be produced separately for Wan Chai District from April 2015 to further promote the programmes in the district and increase their appeal to local residents. The LCSD plans to review the implementation and effectiveness of the various publicity initiatives in mid-to-late 2015.

Paper Submission

9. Members are invited to consider the proposed plan set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 for Wan Chai district free entertainment programmes to be organised from April 2015 to March 2016 and endorse the funding application.

Leisure and Cultural Services Department 31 December 2014

2 Annex (I)

District Free Entertainment Programmes Arranged in Wan Chai District from November 2014 to March 2015

Programmes Date/Time (Note(1)) Venue (Note(1)) Attendance Remarks (Arts Group) 1. 22 November 2014 Chinese Instrumental Moreton Terrace 180 - Jointly presented with 4pm Concert Temporary Wanchai District ( Arts Playground Women’s Association. Performing Ensemble) Volleyball Court 2. 29 November 2014 Band Concert Underneath the 120 - Jointly presented with 2:30pm (Hot Bird Music Flyover of Canal New Youth Cadet in Centre) Road West association with Wan Chai District Office.

3. 12 December 2014 Cantonese Operatic Leighton Hill 60 - Jointly presented with 7pm Songs Community Hall Wan Chai Federation of (Mei Chuen Cantonese Building Owners. Opera Society) - Lower attendance due to cold weather.

4. 13 December 2014 Magic Show Hong Kong 140 - Jointly presented with 4pm (Starlight Magic Central Library, The Hong Kong Buddhist Production Company 1/F., Podium Association Children & Ltd.) Youth Centre.

5. 31 January 2015 Children’s Theatre Hong Kong To be - Note (2). 3pm (Ming Ri Institute for Central Library, confirmed Arts Education Ltd.) 1/F., Podium

6. 7 February 2015 Saxophone Concert Wan Chai Park To be - Note (2). 3pm (La Sax) Football Pitch confirmed

7. 15 March 2015 Children’s Variety Hong Kong To be - Note (2). 3pm Show Central Library, confirmed (Treasury Company) 1/F., Podium

8. 21 March 2015 Variety Show Southorn To be - Note (2). 3pm (Success Entertainment Playground confirmed Production Company)

Note (1): The performance date and time as well as venue arrangements are subject to change depending on whether the venues are available for booking, closed for maintenance or any other factors. Note (2): The programme was endorsed by Members in the previous CLSC meeting.

3 Annex (II)

Proposed Outline of District Free Entertainment Programmes to be Organised in Wan Chai District in 2015/16

(I) Types of Programmes and Distribution of Performances

In 2015/16, the LCSD will continue to arrange 22 district free entertainment programmes, i.e. one or two programmes every month. The proposed distribution of performances and expected attendance are as follows:

2014/15 2015/16 2015/16 2014/15 Expected Expected Proposed Types of Programmes Number of Attendance Attendance Number of Performances Per Per Performances Performance Performance

1. Western Orchestral Concert 1 200 1 160

2. Chinese Instrumental Concert 1 180 1 180

3. Cantonese Opera 2 295 1 320

4. Chinese Traditional Stage Arts Show 1 300 2 300

5. Chinese Folk Songs and Dance 1 200 1 200

6. Cantonese Operatic Songs 1 60Note(1) 1 160

7. Choral Concert 1 350 2 460

8. Chinese Traditional Puppet Show 0 - 1 180

9. Eastern Dance Performance 1 120 0 -

10. Western Dance Performance 2 475 1 460

11. Western Music Ensemble 1 150 2 280

12. Jazz/Folk/Pop Concert 3 276 2 140

13. Variety Show 2 205 2 180

14. Magic Show 2 95Note(2) 2 140

15. Children’s Theatre 2 125 2 120

16. Children’s Variety Show 1 120 1 100

Total 22 4 900 22 5 000

Note(1)：Lower attendance due to cold weather. Note(2)：Lower attendance due to rainy weather.

4 (II) Performance Venues

When choosing the performance venues, basic factors such as public access to the venue, pedestrian flow, availability of vehicular access for transporting large equipment and electricity supply will be taken into consideration. There are 8 suitable performance venues in Wan Chai District. The proposed distribution of performances is shown as follows:

2015/16 2014/15 Proposed Performance Venues (Note(1)) Number of Number of Performances Performances 1. Southorn Playground 4 4

2. Wan Chai Park Football Pitch 3 4

3. Leighton Hill Community Hall (Note(2)) 5 4

4. Hong Kong Central Library, 1/F., Podium 4 4

5. Covered Piazza, Times Square (Note(2)) 1 1 Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground 6. 3 3 Volleyball Court 7. 1/F Hysan Place 1 1

8. Underneath the Flyover of Canal Road West 1 1

Note(1)︰Venues may be changed subject to the availability of venues for hire, maintenance of venues or any other factors. Note(2)︰Only applicable to jointly presented programmes.

(III) Applications for Joint Presentation of Programmes by District Organisations

It is proposed that the current practice of accepting applications from district organisations for joint presentation of district free entertainment programmes be continued. While the LCSD will provide programme and technical support, the district organisations will be responsible for, among other things, the provision of venue, admission arrangement and assistance in programme publicity in the district. The application should comply with the LCSD’s guidelines (see Annex (IV) for details). The LCSD will also provide reports to Members via the papers submitted to the Committee on a regular basis. Previous applications for joint presentation were received from the Community Building Committee, the Cultural and Leisure Services Committee of Wan Chai District Council, Wan Chai Community Association, Wanchai Eco Health Action, Wan Chai Community Activities Centre, Wan Chai District Arts, Cultural, Recreational & Sports Association Ltd., New Youth Cadet, Wanchai District Women’s Association Limited, Women Gather Association, Wan Chai Federation of Building Owners, The Hong Kong Buddhist Association Children & Youth Centre and Hong Kong Soong Ching Ling Goldkey Training Foundation Limited.

5 (IV) Programme Publicity

We will continue to adopt the following billing: “The programme is jointly presented by Wan Chai District Council and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department”. For joint presentations of programmes with district organisations, “The Programme is jointly presented by Wan Chai District Council, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and (Name of Organisation)” will be used instead.

(V) Progress Report

The LCSD will report to Members on the progress of the planned programmes and the attendance figures of past programmes via the papers submitted to the Committee on a regularly basis.

6 Annex (III)

District Free Entertainment Programmes Arranged in Wan Chai District from April to May 2015

Date/Time (Note(1)) Programmes Venue Attendance Remarks

1. 12 April 2015 Marching Band Concert Wan Chai Park Football To be confirmed - 4pm (Hong Kong Youth Pitch Marching Band)

2. 19 April 2015 Variety Show Moreton Terrace To be confirmed - 7:30pm (Pacific Ocean Promotion Temporary Playground Company Limited) Volleyball Court

3. 24 May 2015 Chinese Traditional Stage Southorn Playground To be confirmed - 3pm Art Show (The Hong Kong Rap Talk & Arts Group)

4. 31 May 2015 Children’s Theatre Hong Kong Central To be confirmed - 3pm (Ming Ri Institute for Library, 1/F., Podium Arts Education Ltd.)

Note(1): Performance date and time as well as venue arrangement are subject to change depending on whether the venues are available for booking or closed for maintenance or any other factors.

7 Annex (IV)

Guidelines on Application for Joint Presentation of Free Entertainment Programmes by District Organisations in Wan Chai District in 2015/16

(1) How to apply Applications for joint presentation of programmes should be made by the eligible district organisations to the Cultural Services Office (Hong Kong East) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) five months before staging of the proposed programme.

(2) Eligibility of Organisations (including co-organisers and supporting organisations) Non-profit-making district organisation may submit application to the Cultural Services Office (Hong Kong East). The co-organiser should submit the relevant registration certificate. The LCSD may check the eligibility of the district organisation with Wan Chai District Office if necessary. The application form should list, in addition to the name of the applicant district organisation, all other co-organisers/supporting organisations and/or sponsors (no sponsorship from tobacco or liquor companies shall be accepted). Prior written approval from the LCSD should be sought for any addition, deletion or changes of any information submitted. The LCSD will not consider the application from any organisation which fails to submit the relevant registration certificate. Applications for joint presentation will also be submitted to the Cultural and Leisure Services Committee of Wan Chai District Council for Members’ consideration and comment.

(3) Nature, Date and Venue of Programme Any district organisation may submit an application for presentation of regular free entertainment programmes to be held in Wan Chai District as stated in the proposed outline with details of the nature, date and venue of the programme.

(4) Programme-related Ceremony Any programme-related ceremony to be held by the co-organiser should start before the designated commencement time of the programme and last no longer than 15 minutes. The LCSD reserves the right to shorten or call off the ceremony depending on circumstances.

(5) Distribution of Work The LCSD is responsible for the engagement of performers/arts troupes and the provision of technical support (i.e. stage construction, sound and lighting equipment and general publicity), whereas the co-organiser will be responsible for venue booking (in addition to the time required for the performance, the co-organiser should reserve an additional five hours before the performance for stage construction, setting up of lighting/sound equipment and rehearsal; and one hour after the performance for dismantling and removal of equipment), admission arrangement, crowd control and publicity work in the district (including printing and distribution of admission tickets and/or programme notes). Prior consensus should be reached with the LCSD on matters relating to the design of the tickets as well as the way and location of distribution. The co-organiser should also reserve ten complimentary tickets for the LCSD and send them out to the Cultural Services Office (Hong Kong East) by mail or by hand seven working days before the programme.

(6) No Admission Fee or Any Other Charges All jointly presented programmes should be free of charge and open to the public. No co-organiser or supporting organisation is allowed to accept any admission fees or any other charges.

(7) Financial Arrangement No co-organiser, supporting organisation or sponsor is allowed to make any profit from the jointly presented programmes.

(8) Programme Publicity The co-organiser shall have the following billing printed clearly on all publicity materials: “The Programme is jointly presented by the Central and Western District Council, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and (name of the district organisation).” All publicity materials should be sent to the LCSD for prior approval before printing, display, publication or distribution.

(9) Enquiries Cultural Services Office (Hong Kong East), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Tel: 3184 5731 (office hours)

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