A publicity image of photographer Jeffrey Lim's installation #KhemahKamera, an ultra large format camera experimental project. It will be a part of his instant portraits pop-up at the independent #CubaDengarDulu festival at KongsiKL on Sept 16. Photo: Handout
#CUBADENGARDULU FESTIVAL 2022
Venue: KongsiKL, Gudang Yee Seng 2, Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur
Date: Sept 16, 2pm onwards
Do you have any plans for Malaysia Day? If you don’t, then head on over to KongsiKL – an arts warehouse space – for the independent #CubaDengarDulu festival. #CubaDengarDulu is a youth-driven initiative to share bold, vibrant, and enigmatic stories which reflect the colourful fabric of our community.
Live performances, exhibitions, a traditional crafts bazaar and a film screening are part of the arts and activism programme. The festival also includes collaborations with Projek Dialog and Article 19.
Projek Dialog is an online project geared up to foster intercultural conversations, while Article 19’s work includes advocating for the reform of laws which restrict free expression in Malaysia, among others.
A site-specific arts performance called Tuai, inspired by the Kaamataan and Gawai festivals, is one of the festival highlights. Throughout the day, a list of dance and performing arts showcases have been planned.
Gerimis Art Project will be hosting a book talk session and also presenting an Orang Asli crafts pop-up stall.
On stage, the line-up includes singer-songwriter/composer Santosh Logandran, roots-based group Meruked, while Munjiy presents a stereotype-busting deejay set. If you need a photo print for memories, photographer/artist Jeffrey Lim will be installing his Khemah Kamera project at the venue. A portion of the “instant portraits” here will benefit Illuminate, a school for refugees. Free admission to this festival.
More info here.
A series of cardboard creations made by children featuring KL’s cityscape – past, present, and future – is part of the ‘Cardboard City’ exhibition at GMBB in KL, starting Sept 16. Photo: Kiddoz Place
LET'S SUSTAIN MALAYSIAKU!
Venue: GMBB, Jalan Robertson, KL
Date: Sept 16-18
The long Malaysia Day weekend is a good time to expose the curious young ones at home to timely issues such as climate change and the environment.
Let’s Sustain MalaysiaKu! is a three-day event, starting tomorrow, that is all about sustainability and how people can be kinder to Mother Earth through our daily efforts.
The free admission event, which will take place at GMBB’s Grey Box, main entrance and first floor, proudly goes back to the environmental slogan “think global, act local” that urges us to consider our planet while taking action within our own communities.
Let’s Sustain MalaysiaKu! will be hosting a 30-booth strong “Little Boss Cardboard Market” and an exhibition featuring Kuala Lumpur built out of cardboard to a specially curated programme called “Eat Play Love Mangroves” celebrating ... mangroves. It will also have unique 3R pop-ups and upcycling workshops.
More info here.
TRADITIONAL ARTS: MALAM PUSAKA DI RUANG KOTA
Venue: RexKL, Jalan Sultan, KL
Date: Sept 17, 8.30pm
Cultural organisation Pusaka is set to make Malaysia Day in the heart of Kuala Lumpur extra special this year with not one but two traditional arts performances at RexKL, a former cinema building converted into an arts venue.
The traditional art performances lined-up are Seni Reog from Johor and Manora from Kelantan.
The upcoming showcase at RexKL features Kumpulan Sri Wahyuni from Batu Pahat, Johor and Kumpulan Manora Cit Manit from Bukit Yong, Kelantan.
"Performances of Reog and Manora take place occasionally in their respective communities. In parts of Johor, Reog groups are sometimes invited to do short performances at weddings and or to welcome VIPs. In Kelantan, Manora performances traditionally take place on festive occasions such as Songkran or Loy Krathong, and Manora groups used to be invited to towns and villages perform for entertainment," says Pauline Fan, Pusaka's creative director.
These traditions are both rooted in myths and feature anthropomorphic elements. Reog has its origins in East Java, and is practised by communities of Javanese descent in Johor. The centrepiece of the performance is the majestic Singa Barong (lion). The Manora is a traditional folk dance, which is practised by Thai communities in Kelantan, Kedah and Penang.
Malam Pusaka Di Ruang Kota featuring Reog and Manora is a free admission, walk-in event.
More info here.
The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat’s young cast for the new play 'You, Me And The Big C', which opens on Sept 17 at KLPac. Photo: Dev Lee
THEATRE: YOU, ME AND THE BIG C
Venue: Pentas 2, KLPac
Date: opens Sept 17
The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat’s latest production You, Me And The Big C is set to open this Saturday at KLPac.
This poignant theatre show is inspired by the real life experiences of the late Dr Aini Hamid, a breast cancer patient.
The script, co-written by the late Aini and Terence Toh, is filled with hope, love and humour.
This brand-new play also has theatre veteran Joe Hasham in the director’s chair, handling a young cast.
On stage, theatregoers will see how young mum Amy’s life suddenly change when she discovers a lump in her breast.
How will she cope? Will her dreams of becoming a ballroom dancing champion be taken away?
Mia, her spunky teenage daughter, isn’t going to let her face her problems alone. Together, Amy and Mia face everything life throws at them with dignity and grace, and discover not even cancer can destroy the special bond they have.
Show dates are Sept 17 and 18, Sept 20-25.
More info here.
An artwork from Esther Geh's 'Of Limited Palette' botanical art series, which is part of the 'TU7OH' group exhibition at Temu House in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Handout
ART EXHIBITION: TU7OH
Venue: Temu House, Section 16, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends Oct 2
The idea of a touring exhibition is a welcome one. Group exhibition TU7OH, which features a line-up of Penang-based artists, was first shown at the George Town Festival in July.
It is now showing at the Temu House in Petaling Jaya, offering a different experience with similar threads.
With some artists extending the works in their series and others creating new forms of artwork, TU7OH acts as another chapter of the same book – a continuation of their story.
The artist line-up includes Mandy Maung, White Bones, bibichun, ERYN, Aboud Fares, Maizul Affendy and Esther Geh.
The show’s curator Ivan Gabriel has put together a series of works spanning abstract works, botanical art, paper cutouts, paintings and sculpture pieces.
Exhibition is open for walk-ins on the weekends. For weekdays, book an appointment.
More info here.
