Tribute to Kinabalu quake victims during musical event

KOTA KINABALU: A tribute to victims of the Mount Kinabalu earthquake will be among the highlights of the two-day Rhythms of Kinabalu here this week.

The 18 victims of the June 5 disaster will be remembered during the musical event that will be held at the National Culture and Art Department (JKKN) Complex on Sept 18 and Sept 19.

JKKN Sabah director Mohamad Raizuli Mat Jusoh said the tribute, especially in memory of the four deceased mountain guides, was one of three main segments of the show.

He added that invited artistes and singers would render English songs paired with local and modern instruments.

Organised for the fourth year running, the event will feature local folk songs and traditional instruments such as the bamboo flute, sompoton and gongs.

“Our theme this year, ‘Light, Sound and Style’, will portray the rich diverse cultures of Sabah,” said Mohamad Raizuli yesterday.

He said the songs and tunes that would be played during the gig would not only showcase Sabahan talent, but would also promote traditional music and instruments to the world.

Visitors will get a chance to enjoy unique melodies from instruments such as flutes, saxophone, sompoton and another bamboo flute, bungkau.

There will also be a performance of gongs and the local kulintangan (a set of smaller gongs), gabang (wooden xylophone) and gambus (guitar), which will be paired with contemporary instruments like the guitar.

“We want people to appreciate the unique melodies the instruments make and how wonderful they sound when played together with modern music,” he said.

Local singers from Sabah and Sarawak such as Clarice John Matha, Janrywine Lusin, Jerry Kamit and Razali Kulintangan will entertain guests.

To purchase the tickets, call 088-237 051/2. The show starts at 8pm.