The Year of the Dragon is a big inspiration for the new musical 'Sang Kancil And The Dragon King', which is opening at PJPAC tonight. Photo: Liver And Lung
PERFORMING ARTS: 'SANG KANCIL AND THE DRAGON KING'
Venue: PJPAC, 1 Utama
Date: Feb 29 to March 3
The Year of the Dragon is a big inspiration for the new musical Sang Kancil And The Dragon King, which is opening at PJPAC tonight.
The children’s musical, presented by theatre company Liver And Lung, tells the story of schoolboy Ben, who is transformed into Sang Kancil. He must win over the Dragon King using his wit in order to transform back to a human.
Directed by Shafeeq Shajahan, the musical stars Joshua Anthony Gui, Putrina Rafie and Phraveen Arikiah.
“Sang Kancil And The Dragon King is more than just a musical. It’s a vibrant celebration of cultural stories, coming together to create a narrative that is as educational as it is entertaining,” says Shafeeq, Liver And Lung co-founder, who also wrote the musical production.
The 70-minute musical features original music and lyrics, developed in collaboration with singer-songwriter Irena Taib (from indie group The Impatient Sisters) and Ji Yong.
More info here.
PERFORMING ARTS: STORYTELLING SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO & JULIET
Venue: Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPac), Empire Damansara
Date: March 3, 1pm and 3pm
The KL Shakespeare Players are staging their interactive, family-friendly performance of Romeo & Juliet this weekend at the Damansara Children Arts Festival. The 60-minute play will be performed in English in a garden-like setting, with actors Lim Soon Heng, Nurul Sofia and Nave VJ bringing the Bard's iconic story to life.
The audience can expect to become part of the play as the tale’s feuding families – the Montagues and the Capulets – taunt each other across the stage. You’ll also be encouraged to stand up and dance from your seat, respond to open-ended questions about what to do and weigh-in on the punishment to be meted out.
At some point, the audience will even help make a special potion for Juliet.
This fun-filled production is one of the many highlights of the Damansara Children Arts Festival (Feb 29 to March 3). Apart from storytelling sessions, craft workshops, gaming zone and an arts camp, other theatre performances to check out include the Bottle Man Magic Troupe from Taiwan, music from renowned pianist Dr Esther Shin, the well-loved Johor Baru Children’s Arts Society, and movement sessions from the Dance Space academy.
There will also be a children’s market. Just look up the festival programme, to pick out a fun arts activity!
More info here.
BADAN WARISAN MALAYSIA COLLECTIBLE FAIR 2024
Venue: Badan Warisan Heritage Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Date: March 2, 10am-5pm
Treasure hunters gather! This Saturday, Badan Warisan Malaysia (The Heritage of Malaysia Trust) is rolling out its fundraising Collectible Fair 2024.
If you are an avid collector, come join the fun at this event to find hidden gems, while supporting Badan Warisan Malaysia's cause. There will be various collectible items, including pre-loved antiques, artworks (originals and prints), china/porcelain, brassware, furniture, oriental rugs, and vintage books.
All items are on an “as is where is” basis and will be sold on a “first come, first served” basis. No refunds, no exchanges.
Beyond the cultural exploration, the event is distinguished by its fundraising purpose, with proceeds dedicated to supporting initiatives that contribute to the preservation and promotion of our shared heritage.
Free admission event.
More info here.
A visitor hugs Xeem Noor's artwork titled ‘Articulation’ (knitted variegated yarn and papier-mache beads, 2024) at the 'Consent' show at Temu House. Photo: The Star/William Gary
EXHIBITION: 'CONSENT'
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends March 3
Consent might bring to mind a negative reaction given the subject matter, but this exhibition in the cozy space of Temu House is actually a creative playground where visitors have the opportunity to touch, grab and play with most of the artworks.
There are 11 artists that make up this exhibition, including Australians David Blumenstein, Linda Brescia, Lada Dedic, Giselle Stanborough, and Garry Trinh, while the Malaysians are Joanne Loo, Nadia Nizamuddin, Xeem Noor, Trina Teoh, Umar Sharif and Tep York.
Each of their pieces, a playful mix of mediums, opens a dialogue about "consent".
Curated by Dedic and Sharmin Parameswaran, the works focus on the relationship between curator, artist, and the audience.
“Each artist gives different access to their art. Some are open (to touching the artwork) while others are more hesitant and protective, understandably,” says Sharmin.
“It’s been fascinating to see not only the artist's presentation of their ideas, but also how different audiences react to being given or denied consent to interacting with the artworks,” adds Dedic.
You can view a diverse range of artworks, including digital media, illustrations, installations, textile and interactive art. You can even draw some art on the spot (there is a stack of pens provided) and have it kept in the exhibition.
Admission is free.
More info here.
Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose is set to merge the worlds of keroncong and ghazal with orchestral music this weekend. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
MUSIC: SIMFONI BUDAYA: KERONCONG & GHAZAL
Venue: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur
Date: March 2, 8:30pm
How about orchestral weekend treat? Add some familiar local tunes to the equation.
Traditional music genres keroncong and ghazal will be lifted by orchestral arrangements this Saturday at the Dewan Fillharmonik Petronas. The Simfoni Budaya: Keroncong & Ghazal show, led by music conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, will feature a setlist of over 20 songs, including a handful of crowd-pleasing medleys.
For the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, this is a show to celebrate the classic Malaysian songbook and more.
Sit back and be whisked away by a line-up swoonsome keroncong classics such as ‘Di Bawah Sinar Bulan Purnama’, ‘Tinggallah Mustika Hati’ and ‘Sayang Di Sayang’, while the poetic ghazal numbers include ‘Sayang Musalmah’, ‘Musalmah Manis’ and ‘Payung Mahkota’.
With two beloved traditional music genres involved, the show will be carried by three vocalists – Datuk Yusni Hamid, Asmidar and Haziq Rosebi. Yusni, who sings in several languages, is also set to surprise the audience with a version of Mandarin classic 'The Moon Represents My Heart', done in keroncong style.
More info here.
At Daud Rahim's new exhibition 'Sharpening The Imagination', there is no shortage of intriguing pencil installations to delight viewers. Photo: The Star/William Gary
EXHIBITION: DAUD RAHIM'S 'SHARPENING THE IMAGINATION'
Venue: HOM Art Trans, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends March 10
In Sharpening The Imagination, Perak-based artist-sculptor Daud Rahim takes inspiration from the most ordinary and yet, most vital tool on the path to learning which is known to every child and adult alike, the pencil.
And these literally "larger than life" wooden sculptures, which now adorn the HOM Trans Art gallery in Ampang, will naturally evoke a sense of nostalgia and recognition to the visitor. These colourful and wonderfully shaped pencil sculptures are borne out of Daud’s own recollection and artistic endeavour, not to mention his skill as a woodcarver that will leave one simply impressed.
In this new show, he takes the pencil and assigns it to certain figures like his father (Ayahku Seorang Tukang Yang Jitu), his teacher (My English Teacher) and himself even (My Pencil) but adds a living organic dimension to the sculptors by making the lead tip curl and spiral like the sculpture titled Biomorphic Pencil.
He also takes it a step further by morphing a pencil into a banana (Belajar Jadi Orang) and bends them into a semi circle or take curious chevron like shapes.
What the imagination armed with a pencil can potentially create, Daud has created imagination out of the pencil.
More info here.
Laura Porter's 'Vision For The Future I (study)' (hand-cut reclaimed clothing and steel, 2024). Photo: The Back Room
EXHIBITION: 'FOLDED LINES'
Venue: The Back Room, Zhongshan building, KL
Date: ends March 10
The Back Room's new group exhibition Folded Lines brings together the works of Gabriela Giroletti, Laura Porter, Lee Mok Yee, and Mark Tan, with the gallery showing 3D and 2D works including sculptures, reliefs, drawings, paintings, and prints.
The body of work explores personal and universal interactions with urban environments, man-made materials, and architectural spaces through a process-driven approach to making. All four artists transform shape and form through simple gestures, exploring in-between spaces that feel both static and alive, organic and inanimate.
Folded Lines also focuses on the transformation of materials and forms, and the hand-made processes that are at the root of the artist’s explorations. Against the backdrop of an urbanised, digitised culture, these artists choose a physical, slow approach to making, pushing the boundaries of their mediums and the traditions of their craft.
More info here.
