On stage, Drum Up JB! offers a mixed percussion spectacle, combining drumming, physical movements, and other theatrical elements. Photo: Drum Up JB!
Percussion-based arts ensemble Drum Up JB! is ending an eventful year at the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House in Johor Baru with its final show (of a bi-monthly programme) on Dec 30.
Having entertained more than 6,000 people in 16 shows at the arts venue since January, it will be ending the season with a fond farewell on home ground.
On stage, Drum Up JB! offers a mixed percussion spectacle, combining drumming, physical movements, and other theatrical elements to create an artistic visual and auditory sensory experience.
It is led by two cultural groups in Johor Baru – 'JB Drums' and Orang-Orang Drum Theatre (OODT).
The 90-minute performance at Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House features two themes 24 Festive Drums and LaguKu – both showcasing Johor Baru's creative energy and cultural diversity.
The project is one of 39 partners of Yayasan Hasanah's Arts For All Seasons (ArtsFAS) 2023, a grant programme to preserve and celebrate arts, culture and heritage.
According to OODT tour manager Damien Leow, 35, the first section will bring the audiences along the trail of 24 Festive Drums history through the classic works from different eras, to allow them to witness the creation of this intangible cultural heritage of Malaysia.
"In the second section, we will use drumming and choral music to showcase the fresh fusion of percussion instruments belonging to the various ethnic groups of Malaysia, hoping that the direct nature of the 'drum' and the simple appeal of the 'song' will draw in the audience," says Leow.
The creative team behind Drum Up JB! (from left) Lim Yi Kai, Lee Sheah Liang and Damien Leow. Photo: Bernama
"The audience will also get to enjoy the combination of music with various instruments like Chinese Shigu, Malay gendang and the kompang jidor, the indigenous instruments of Sabah, like the kuling tangan and the gong, as well as the sape from Sarawak," he adds.
"We are not only highlighting the three main ethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia, but also our friends from Sabah and Sarawak."
Highlights of the performance also include The Memories, inspired by the history of Chinese migrants to Malaya. The piece was featured at the France International Folklore Dance and Music Festival in 2017.
Besides The Memories, Drum Up JB! also includes Drunken Drums, a famous piece of the 24 Festive Drums curated back in 1999 and Ikan Kekek, a well-known Malaysian nursery rhyme.
Drum Up JB! co-producer Lee Sheah Liang, 34, the group’s former drummer, says that few people are aware that the 24 Festive Drums performance originated from Johor Baru and was created by two Malaysian poets and musicians, Tan Chai Puan and Tan Hooi Song, in 1988.
"Many thought that it was from China but actually no. In 2009, this art form was recognised as Malaysia's intangible cultural heritage and has since gained recognition worldwide," says Lee.
Few people are aware that the '24 Festive' Drums performance originated from Johor Baru and was created by two Malaysians, says Lee. Photo: Drum Up JB!
"While many have witnessed the 24 Festival Drums performance during various opening ceremonies or entertainment shows, there hasn't been a specific event that delves deeper into this art form, which showcases our cultural heritage and its development over the past 35 years in Johor Baru," he adds.
Lee, who is also an entrepreneur, hopes that one day Johor Baru will be recognised as the hub for cultural heritage, attracting other collaboration and exchanges of culture from other states.
"With our participation as part of the ArtsFAS 2023, we hope to preserve and promote our 24 Festive Drums culture as Malaysia's national intangible cultural heritage," says Lee.
"Since its inception in 2006, JB Drums has enlisted professional coaches to work with various primary and secondary schools and associations, promoting education and guiding more than 20 drum teams of different age groups.
"Additionally, they have showcased their performances in five continents – Asia, Europe, America, Oceania (Australia) and Africa which have left the footprints of 24 Festive Drums," he adds, pointing out that the group also established two drum troupes in Africa in April 2022.
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