HONG KONG: Brazilian percussion, Latin dance, a marching band, a piano recital, hip-hop and a lavish fireworks display will help bring in the New Year for an estimated 70,000 excited revelers at this year's New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival in Shat Tin Park, Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza, and City Arts Square.

The theme of this year's countdown carnival is C.H.E.E.R.: classic, hysteric, exotic, energetic and rhythmic. It's all about high energy and good fun.

"The theme this year is based on Hong Kong's environment," said Anthony Ma, senior manager of the Entertainment Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

New Year's Eve celebrants will have five venues at the carnival site from which to choose to ring in the New Year: the Fever Stage, Hurray Plaza, Fun Playground, Miracle Garden and Dancing in the Art.

Fever Stage, as the name implies, is the high energy, high impact venue, with enough variety to appeal to many different groups of people, including the rarely heard "tones" of saw music. It's such a rare musical form that only about 20 musicians in Hong Kong know how to get music out of a saw. The classical piano recital will be given by pianist Phoebus Chan. The compelling Latin rhythms are being introduced to Countdown Carnival to give the celebrations an extra high-energy charge.

"Brazilian music makes people happy," said Issac, a Brazilian drum player, adding, "It gives people joy."

There will also be a performance of modern dance, choreographed around a series of elegant sculptures created by artists from around the world, at Dancing in the Art, in the City Art Square. The Miracle Garden presents more eye-catching possibilities in the form of richly colored traditional lanterns. Inside those lanterns, party goers will be able to find, good wishes and blessings for the coming year.

There's also a new feature for this year's countdown carnival: interactive participation. Revelers will be able to share their festive sentiments with the whole crowd by writing out messages which will then be displayed on the TV Wall located by the staircases of the Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza.

The New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival 2009 will roll out December 31 from 8.30 pm to 12.15 am. Admission is free.

(HK Edition 12/19/2009 page1)