District Council Cultural and Leisure Services Committee For information Paper No. 51/2015 (Revised)

Report on District Free Entertainment Programmes and Other Arts and Cultural Activities Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in Wan Chai District

Purpose

This paper aims to report to Members on the district free entertainment programmes organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in Wan Chai District from May to November 2015 and other arts and cultural activities organised by the LCSD from May to September 2015 in the district.

Background

2. To support the District Councils’ enhanced role in the implementation of the community involvement programmes at the district level, the LCSD has since 1 January 2008 allocated the financial provision for organising the district free entertainment programmes in each financial year to the District Councils to suit their own needs. In 2015-16, the LCSD obtained a total of HK$390,000 from the Wan Chai District Council for organising 22 district free entertainment programmes from April 2015 to March 2016.

3. The LCSD will continue to organise other arts and cultural programmes/activities at various outdoor and indoor venues in Wan Chai District, so as to promote the development of arts and culture in the district and enrich the cultural life of local residents. To keep Members informed of the services provided by the LCSD, papers will be submitted to Members on a regular basis to report on the arts and cultural activities organised by the LCSD in Wan Chai District.

District Free Entertainment Programmes Funded by the District Council

4. The report/list of proposals for the district free entertainment programmes organised in Wan Chai District for the period from May to November 2015 is at Annex I. The LCSD has received four applications for joint presentation of programmes for the same period, the details of which are set out in items 13 and 14 of Annex I. The other two items are: i) The Buddhist Association Children & Youth Centre applies for joint presentation of Magic Show at 4pm on 12 December 2015 at Hong Kong Central Library, 1/F, Podium; and ii) Wan Chai Federation of Building Owners applies for joint presentation of Cantonese Operatic Songs Concert at 7pm on 18 December 2015 at Leighton Hill Community Hall.

5. For joint presentation of programmes, while the LCSD will provide programme and technical support (including the production of posters and banners, as well as the setting up of websites for the programmes), the co-presenter(s) will be responsible for the provision of venues and admission arrangements and for assisting in the publicity work in the district, etc. Members are invited to endorse the above applications for joint presentation of programmes.

1

Publicity Arrangements on District Free Entertainment Programmes

6. The LCSD has put forward a number of proposals to the Cultural and Leisure Services Committee in July 2014 for enhancing the publicity of district free entertainment programmes and strengthening collaboration with district organisations. New arrangements have been implemented by phases and relevant information is set out in Annex II for Members’ reference.

Other Arts and Cultural Activities Funded by the LCSD

7. The LCSD strives to enhance the public’s interest in and appreciation of arts and culture by organising a wide variety of arts and cultural activities. Details of other arts and cultural activities organised by the LCSD in Wan Chai District for the period from May to September 2015 are listed at Annex III. The LCSD also provides the venues and facilities of its district civic centres to district arts and cultural groups free of charge on a regular basis to encourage and facilitate presentation of arts and cultural activities. From the date of the last meeting to 29 June 2015, the LCSD has received one application from Wan Chai District Arts, Cultural, Recreational & Sports Association Limited for venue sponsorship. Details are set out in Annex IV.

Advice Sought

8. Members are invited to comment on the district free entertainment programme schedule and publicity arrangements as set out in Annex I and Annex II.

Leisure and Cultural Services Department 30 June 2015

2 Annex I

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

Programmes Venue Date/Time (Note(1)) Attendance Remarks (Arts Group) (Note(1)) 1 24 May 2015 Saxophone Concert 1/F Hysan 380 - Jointly presented with 2pm (La Sax) Place Women Gather Association.

2. 25 May 2015 Chinese Traditional Southorn 120 - 3pm Stage Art Show Playground (The Hong Kong Rap Talk & Arts Group)

3. 13 June 2015 Cantonese Opera Leighton Hill 350 - Jointly presented with 2:30pm (Sound Cantonese Community Wanchai Eco Health Action. Opera) Hall

4. 21 June 2015 Pop Concert Underneath the 110 - Jointly presented with 2:30pm (Hot Bird Music Centre) Flyover of New Youth Cadet. Canal Road West

5. 1 July 2015 Choral Concert Leighton Hill To be - Jointly presented with 2:30pm (Hong Kong Art Chorus) Community confirmed Community Building Hall Committee, Cultural and Leisure Services Committee of Wan Chai District Council and Wan Chai Community Association; In association with Wan Chai District Office. - Note (2).

6. 12 July 2015 Variety Show Moreton To be - Note (2). 4pm (Pacific Ocean Terrace confirmed Promotion Company Temporary Limited) Playground Volleyball Court

7. 1 August 2015 Magic Show Moreton To be - Note (2). 5pm (Fantastic Art Production Terrace confirmed Limited) Temporary Playground Volleyball Court

8. 30 August 2015 Modern / Jazz Dance Southorn To be - Note (2). 4pm (The Original Dance Playground confirmed Zone)

1 Programmes Venue Date/Time (Note(1)) Attendance Remarks (Arts Group) (Note(1)) 9. 5 September 2015 Pop Concert Wan Chai Park To be - Note (2). 3pm (Far East Amusement & Football Pitch confirmed Movies Company)

10. 15 September 2015 Saxophone Concert Covered Piazza, To be - Jointly presented with Wan 1pm (La Sax) Times Square confirmed Chai District Arts, Cultural, Recreation & Sports Association Ltd. - Note (2).

11. 4 October 2015 Chinese Traditional Stage Leighton Hill To be - Jointly presented with 2:30pm Art Show Community confirmed Wan Chai Community (The Hong Kong Ching’s Hall Association; In association Magic & Acrobatic) with Wan Chai District Office. - Note (2).

12. 18 October 2015 Variety Show Wan Chai Park To be - Jointly presented with Hong 4pm (Variety Magic Football Pitch confirmed Kong Soong Ching Ling Company) Goldkey Training Foundation Limited. - Note (2).

13. 1 November 2015 Chinese Folk Songs and Southorn To be - Wanchai Community 4pm Dance Playground confirmed Activities Centre applies for (Hong Kong Ya Yue Yi joint presentation of the Shu Tuan) programme.

14. 21 November 2015 Chinese Instrumental Moreton To be - Wanchai District Women’s 4pm Concert Terrace confirmed Association applies for joint (Kwok Sing Chinese Temporary presentation of the Orchestra) Playground programme. Volleyball Court

Note (1): The event dates and time schedules of performances and 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.

2 Annex II

Publicity Arrangements on District Free Entertainment Programmes

Background

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) organises 22 district free entertainment programmes in Wan Chai District each year with funding from the District Council. These diverse monthly programmes held at both outdoor and indoor venues have been well received by members of the public over the years. To increase the attendance and maximise the impact of the programmes, the LCSD proposed to Members in July 2014 that publicity should be stepped up in addition to strengthened collaboration with district organisations so as to motivate community participation in arts activities. New initiatives include production of the following publicity materials:

(i) Electronic posters for dissemination via email by district organisations to widen the audience base;

(ii) Monocolour leaflets for distribution among local residents through district organisations to step up publicity in the district;

(iii) Additional banners for display at suitable locations through district organisations to boost publicity; and

(iv) Monthly poster for Wan Chai District separately for the promotion of programmes being held in the district to increase their appeal to local residents.

The above initiatives were implemented in phases after taking into account the availability of resources and the financial situation. Items (i) to (iii) were produced for programmes held from September 2014 onwards while Item (iv) was made since April 2015.

Implementation and Effectiveness of the New Arrangements

From September 2014 onwards, the LCSD has strengthened its communication with district organisations when co-organising the above programmes. Publicity arrangements and their implementation were also worked out accordingly. New arrangements were generally well-received and publicity plans were smoothly launched with the active support from district organisations which helped promoting the programmes at the community level by social networking. After several months of collaboration, the overall attendance of the 22 district free entertainment programmes for 2014-15 has increased by 18% as compared to 2013-14. Details are given as follows:

Average Attendance of Venue Number of Programmes Each Performance 2015-16 2015-16 (number of (number of 2013-14 2014-15 programmes 2013-14 2014-15 programmes held from April held from April to June 2015) to June 2015) Southorn Playground 5* 4 1 254* 317 120^ Wan Chai Park 3 3 1 133 143 340 Football Pitch Leighton Hill 4 5 1 253 212 350 Community Hall

1

Hong Kong Central 4 4 1 130 140 130 Library, 1/F., Podium Covered Piazza, 1 1 - 300 400 - Times Square Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground 4 3 - 115 116 - Volleyball Court 1/F, Hysan Place 1 1 1 350 600 380^ Underneath the Flyover of Canal Road 0 1 1 0 120 110 West

1 430 6 4 055 4 800 (238 on average)

Total: 22* 22 (estimated at (22 for the 193 218 5 000 for the whole year) on average on average whole year * One of the programmes was cancelled due to rain. ^ Number of attendance decreased over last year due to rain.

Separately, venues located at remote and less accessible areas away from main streets used to have lower attendance. However, after enhanced publicity and closer collaboration with district organisations since the second half of 2014, the attendance of programmes held in these venues saw an increase over last year. Programmes held at the following locations recorded significant increase in attendance:

Venue Date Attendance Date Attendance

Wan Chai Park Football Pitch August 2013 150 October 2014 210

Moreton Terrace Temporary September 2013 150 November 2014 180 Playground Volleyball Court

Hong Kong Central Library, May 2013 70 December 2014 140 1/F., Podium

In a nutshell, the overall attendance of district free entertainment programmes organised between the second half of 2014 and mid 2015 has increased due to enhanced publicity efforts and stronger cooperation with district organisations. It is believed that these arrangements can effectively promote arts and culture at the community level. The LCSD will keep in view of the publicity arrangement of and audience participation in these programmes. It will also consult and liaise closely with district organisations from time to time and review the arrangements in due course. It is hoped that as a result of the above efforts, the community’s interest and participation in entertainment programmes would be boosted substantially and arts and culture would be promoted effectively.

2 Annex III

Arts and Cultural Activities Organised by LCSD in Wan Chai District (May to September 2015)

Date/Time Programmes Venue Attendance Remarks

A. District Outreach Music Activities 1. 1 June 2015 International Society for Lecture Theatre, 85 - Free admission. 10am, 2pm Contemporary Music – Hong Kong (2 perfs.) Musicarama 2015 Central Library Composers’ Forum

2. 6 July 2015 “Music for the Millions” To be - Free admission for 9am Government confirmed students of participating Primary AM school. School

3. 6 July 2015 “Music for the Millions” Po Leung Kuk To be - Free admission for 10:35am Gold & Silver confirmed students of participating Exchange Society school. Pershing Tsang School

4. 30 – 31 July & 3, Summer Music Workshops Lecture Theatre, To be - Admission by 6 – 7 August “First Music Lessons” Hong Kong confirmed enrolment, course fee 2015 Central Library (2 classes) $220. 9:30 am & - 2 classes with each 11:15am comprised of 5 workshops. - Sponsored by Tom Lee Music.

5. 1 August 2015 Summer Reading Month – Exhibition Gallery, To be - Free admission. 3pm Western Wind Music Hong Kong confirmed Mini-Concert Central Library

6. 2 August 2015 Summer Reading Month – Exhibition Gallery, To be - Free admission. 3pm Chinese Music Hong Kong confirmed Mini-Concert Central Library

7. 29 August 2015 Summer Music Workshops Hong Kong Music To be - Free admission for 10am, 11:30am “First Music Lessons” – Centre confirmed students who have & 2pm Wind Instrument (3 sessions) attended all workshops Demonstration of “First Music Lessons”.

1

Date/Time Programmes Venue Attendance Remarks

B. Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme 1. 24 May 2015 Windpipe Chinese Committee Room, 60 - Free admission by 4pm Music Ensemble Queen Elizabeth ticket. “Tales of Hongkongers” Stadium ‧Lecture

‧Community Concert 28 June 2015 Auditorium, The Boys’ 270 - Free admission by

4pm & Girls’ Clubs ticket. Association of Hong Kong

2. 5 June 2015 Pants Theatre Activity Room, 21 - Admission by 8pm Production Wan Chai Activities enrolment, course fee 12 & 26 June “Taking Root” Centre $96. 2015 ‧Defying Language: 7:15pm Devised Theatre Workshop

22 August 2015 ‧Play Reading of A 9/F Forum , eslite To be - Free admission by 3pm Contemporary Indian Store confirmed enrolment. Masterpiece Boiled Beans on Toast

3. 25 June, Whole Theatre Function Room, To be - Admission by 2, 9, 16, 23 & “Traditional Cultural Hong Kong Central confirmed enrolment, course fee 30 July 2015 Journey – Our New Library $144. 6:45pm Born Baby” ‧“Hello Baby, Hello Buddy!” Puppet Making Workshop

4. 2, 9, 16 & 30 Theatre Space Activity Room, To be - Admission by July 2015 “Scraps of Life – Hong Hong Kong Central confirmed enrolment, course fee 6,13, 20 & 27 Kong Stories” Library $192. August 2015 ‧Lyrics Creating 7pm Workshop

5. 21 August 2015 The Hong Kong Youth Leighton Hill To be - Free admission by 2:30pm of Chinese Opera Community Hall confirmed ticket. College “The Li School of Peking Opera” ‧Demonstration Performance cum Exhibition of “Master of Jingju – Li Dou Kui”

 50% discount available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients, people with disabilities and the minder.

2 Annex IV

Venue Sponsorship to Arts and Cultural Organisations in Wan Chai District for Staging Arts and Cultural Activities at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre as Provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)

Name of Applicant: Wan Chai District Arts, Cultural, Recreational and Sports Association Limited

Venue: Theatre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre

Information on Previous Ticket LCSD’s Application for Venue Proposed Activity Date/Time Price Recommendation Sponsorship from the LCSD 2015 Wan Chai 18 October 2015, Free To sponsor free Event: Children’s Choir 3pm venue Wan Chai Children’s Choir Talent Show Annual Concert 2014

Content: Date: Performed by Wan 1 November 2014 Chai Children’s Choir under Wan Chai Venue: District Arts, Cultural, Theatre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Recreational & Sports Centre Association Limited Attendance: 238 (51%)

1