The International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will present a one-of-a-kind dance installation performance, "Fields of Tender", from July 12 to 14. Designed by award-winning Swedish choreographer Dalija Acin Thelander for infants, toddlers and their parents, the programme blends dance, music and toys with images, and stimulates the audience's senses in fascinating ways. Infants aged 3 to 18 months are welcome to freely explore an imaginary wonderland filled with malleable decorations.
Thelander is a seasoned choreographer and stage designer with a special interest in neurodiversity studies and related performing arts practices. Her latest work, "Fields of Tender", with its unique stage design and soft lighting, crafts an intimate, welcoming and interactive space for the very young. Inside this caring, dreamy world are fluffy and cuddly decorations. The dancers open their arms to embrace every curious toddler, who can explore the surroundings as they wish, or just fall into a daze, feeling at ease in the peaceful environment.
Thelander's immersive sensory dance productions have been staged in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. She received commissions from the Royal Swedish Opera in 2017 and 2022 respectively, and won the ASSITEJ International Award for Artistic Excellence in 2021.
"Fields of Tender" will be held at 5.15pm on July 12, and 11am, 2.15pm and 4pm on July 13 and 14 at the Black Box Theatre of Kwai Tsing Theatre. Free-seating tickets priced at $320 (half-price discount for infants) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".
Children must be accompanied by parents or adults. Audience members may enter and exit the venue at any time. They will be seated on the floor and are requested to take off their shoes before entering the performance area.
As well, a free outreach dance performance will be held on July 7 (Sunday) from 2pm to 2.30pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer. Dancers will put on a flash mob specially designed for children of all abilities, followed by Thelander's sharing. The outreach performance is one of the programmes of the LCSD's Dance for All Community Care Inclusive Dance Scheme. With "Everybody can dance" as its slogan, the scheme serves as a platform for people of all abilities to dance together in an effort to promote social inclusion.
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.
This year's IAC will run from July 5 to August 11, featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists. In addition to acrobatics, magic, dance, music, theatre and puppetry, the IAC will also offer film screenings, online programmes, parent-child workshops and an exhibition.
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