Around 80 Hong Kong Arts Practitioners Participate in the Performing Arts Market in Seoul

For its first time, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) will lead local arts groups and artists to take part in the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) from 5 to 9 October 2015. A variety of performances and an exhibition will be held, showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of Hong Kong performing arts to overseas arts organisations and agents.

To mark this important occasion, a press conference announcing details has been held today (16 September) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre with the presence of HKADC’s Chairman Dr Wong Ying-wai, Wilfred; Vice Chairman Ms Yan Hau-yee, Lina; Ms Chung Siu-mui, Ribble, Chairman of the HKADC’s Arts Promotion Committee; and Chief Executive Ms Winsome Chow.

Also joining the occasion are artists who are going to perform in PAMS. They include Ng Cheuk-yin, Music Director of SIU2, Lawrence Tsui, drummer of SIU2; Yuri Ng, Artistic Director of Yat Po Singers and Raoul Chan, Sam Lau, Ronald Tsang and Keith Wong, members of Yat Po Singers; and choreographers Justyne Li, Wong Tan-ki, Victor Fung, Li De, Rebecca Wong and Mayson Tong. During the press conference, Yat Po Singers has performed Horse Race while Justyne Li and Wong Tan-ki have presented an excerpt from Galatea X.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Wong Ying-wai, Wilfred said the HKADC endeavours to explore overseas opportunities as well as providing support and favourable environment for arts development. By taking part in PAMS, the HKADC hopes local arts practitioners and arts groups can expose themselves to the oversea arts market and connect with international arts presenters, festival directors and their peer practitioners in the region.

A delegation of around 80 members, including 19 small-and-medium-sized arts groups’ representatives and individual arts practitioners funded by the HKADC, together with HKADC’s Council members, representatives of the nine major performing arts groups, Hong Kong Arts Festival and West Kowloon Cultural District Authority will take part in PAMS 2015. It is hoped to establish global network with overseas arts institutions and explore performing opportunities abroad as well as accumulating experience in external promotion.

Major participations of HKADC in PAMS 2015 include:

1. PAMS International Showcase – HK Performance

Local choreographer Victor Fung is invited to perform his work From The Top. The witty dance work explores the power relations between performers and dance makers, demonstrating the uniqueness and diversity of dance in Hong Kong.

Date: Time: Venue:	6 October 2015 (Tuesday) 5:15pm Studio Theater, Dongsoong Arts Center

 2. PAMS Night - HK

Participants from different regions are invited to attend the cocktail with an aim to establish networks between local artists and overseas arts organisations and agents. During the occasion, local sound artist Samson Young will perform Nocturne, recreating the sound of war and the sound effects will be broadcast onsite to the audience with handheld radios. Yat Po Singers is going to perform Rock Hard (excerpt), an a cappella choral theatre capturing the history and folklore of Hong Kong from a refreshing perspective. Fusion band SIU 2 will perform Sonic Travelogue using Chinese and Western musical instruments, bringing audiences to a musical tapestry flows seamlessly between the East and West, the past and the present. PAMS Night – HK is supported by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) of the HKSAR Government.

Date: Time: Venue:	6 October 2015 (Tuesday) 10pm Café Moonshine

 3. Extension Participation in PAMS Link

The 6^th Busan International Dance Market (BIDAM) Local choreographers Rebecca Wong and Mayson Tong will perform their works Women.Body and The Great Wall of Memories respectively.

Date: Time: Venue:	4 October 2015 (Sunday) 6pm Busan Dance Theater Shin

The 18^th Seoul International Dance Festival (SiDance) Several local choreographers are invited to perform their works. Justyne Li and Wong Tan-ki are going to perform Galatea X. The dance is a powerful representation of dynamics between an artist (the sculptor) and a product (the sculpture). Choreographer Li De will perform Here Is It, showcasing youth and freedom on the stage.

Date: Time: Venue:	8 October 2015 (Thursday) 8pm Mary Hall, Sogang University

Choreographer Wayson Poon has joined an Artist-in-Residence programme in Seoul. He is going to perform with dancers from all over the world in the dance festival’s 〈Asia Superposition Showcase〉session.

Date: Time: Venue:	7 & 8 October 2015 (Wednesday & Thursday) 8pm Theatre Hangang, Dongsoong Arts Center

4. Booth exhibition

A booth will be set up by the HKADC to promote Hong Kong performing arts. Local Performing Arts Directory will be distributed to introduce the artistic and cultural characteristics and the works of local performing arts groups and artists.

Date: Time: Venue:	6 & 7 October 2015 (Tuesday & Wednesday) 10am to 2pm JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

About PAMS (Performing Arts Markets in Seoul) 2015
Since 2005, PAMS has been held annually in Seoul, Korea during October as an important arts expo for contemporary performing arts in Asia. It attracts more than 1,500 performing arts professionals and arts agencies from all over the world every year. Organised by Korea Arts Management Service, PAMS strives to provide a platform for networking and exchange of artistic visions, the latest trends of performing arts between arts practitioners from Korea and abroad. It also facilitates creations and productions of performing artworks and their promotion abroad. Apart from performances, symposiums, talks and networking activities, a series of extension arts events will also be held during PAMS. They include Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Seoul International Dance Festival, MU:CON, Busan International Film Festival, Busan International Dance Market and Gwangju Biennale.

More information of PAMS 2015 is available at the website http://pams.or.kr.