Orang Orang Drum Theatre will be rolling out its Lang4 X Lepak show in KL on Dec 30. Photo: Handout
MUSICAL THEATRE: LANG4 X LEPAK
Venue: Dominus Arts Venue, Fairview International School, KL
Date: Dec 30, 3pm and 8pm
After thrilling the George Town Festival audience earlier this year with its sold out its Lang4 X Lepak shows, the Orang Orang Drum Theatre (OODT) collective will be finally introducing this musical feast in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
To add colour to the percussion-inspired event, OODT is also teaming up with two local artistes – independent singer-songwriter/producer Anak Borneo, and Gideon Alu8khan Chen, a musician/composer.
As OODT blends exotic and rustic music directions, the audience can expect a lively and energetic theatre performance, featuring original compositions such as Tuyang Sit In The Corner, Roar and Bakar.
These tunes, some inspired by Bornean culture, will be carried by traditional instruments such as the shigu, didgeridoo, gendang, gong, jidor, kulintangan, sape, and others.
This programme is part of Yayasan Hasanah's Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS) series.
More info here.
Red Hongyi's latest site-specific exhibition 'Once Upon A Longtang', now showing at the National Art Gallery in KL. Photo: David Yeow Photography
ART: RED HONGYI'S 'ONCE UPON A LONGTANG'
Venue: National Art Gallery, KL
Date: ends March 2023
The National Art Gallery has gone all old world Shanghai with multi-disciplinary artist Red Hongyi's latest site-specific exhibition Once Upon A Longtang, which opened recently and has been attracting curious attention.
The installation features a series of artworks "painted" with burnt Chinese calligraphy paper, and features scenes inspired by old alleyway houses - or ‘Longtang’ houses in Shanghai.
"These houses are dear to me because my father and grandparents lived there, and I got to live there and reconnect with my roots in 2011-2013. These old houses are also quickly disappearing to make way for urban development," says Red Hongyi about the new installation.
"Bamboo scaffolding is used in these old quarters for renovation works. Fresh laundry can be seen hung all over in these narrow alleyways. To me, laundry is a sign of human life - it shows glimpses of the type of people who live there," she adds.
Free admission to the National Art Gallery.
More info here.
A scene from 'The Sound Of Music' show, which is playing at Istana Budaya in KL until Jan 15. Photo: Base Entertainment Asia
MUSICAL: THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Venue: Istana Budaya, KL
Date: ends Jan 15
The Sound Of Music, one of the world's best-loved musicals, returns to KL with a brand new international production.
This highly acclaimed original production tells the uplifting true story of Maria, the fun-loving governess who changed the lives of the widowed Captain von Trapp and his seven children by re-introducing them to music, and culminating the family's flight across the Austrian mountains as tensions rise prior to the outbreak of WWII.
Produced by Broadway International Group and presented by Base Entertainment Asia, The Sound Of Music international tour is directed by three-time Tony Award-winner and Broadway veteran Jack O'Brien, choreographed by Danny Mefford, features music supervision by Andy Einhorn and also includes an all-Broadway creative, design and production team.
In KL, the musical will also feature 17 talented local children for the roles of the von Trapp children to share the stage alongside extraordinary Broadway cast members – Jill Christine Wiley (Maria), Trevor Martin (Captain Von Trapp), and Lauren Kidwell (Mother Abbess).
More info here.
Ceramic artwork on display at the Purple Ling booth at the 'Five Elements - Senses' exhibition at GMBB. Photo: Handout
HANDICRAFT: FIVE ELEMENTS – SENSES
Venue: 3A Floor, GMBB, Jalan Robertson, KL
Date: ends Jan 3
This festive season handicraft fair has been a hit among visitors who want to take home more than a bag of gifts. Aside from visiting various displays featuring local artisans and enterprises with their handicrafts, Five Elements is also a space to help the curious masses experience, understand, and appreciate Malaysian heritage arts in deeper detail.
With an array of daily workshops on hand for visitors, there is plenty to learn and explore, including trying your hand at making a three legged mug, wheel pottery, paper cutting, book binding and hand pinched pottery.
This weekend features spring couplet stamping workshops to herald the start of Chinese New Year along with a rare dragon incense-making workshop. There will also be fluid art workshops and regular daily book binding sessions too.
Admission is RM20.
More info here.
Singer-songwriter Zee Avi is set to join bookstore Eslite Spectrum's late night talk series 'Rasa' on Dec 31. Photo: The Star/Filepic
RASA TALKS: ZEE AVI
Venue: Eslite Spectrum, The Starhill, KL
Date: Dec 31, 11pm
Taiwanese bookstore chain Eslite Spectrum is hosting another late night session this Saturday, and since it is New Year's eve, it has also added star appeal to its 'Rasa Talks' series.
Singer-songwriter Zee Avi, who is also an avid reader and no stranger to bookshops, will make an appearance at 11pm. Her session 'Zee's Music World' will see the Sarawak-born artiste share stories from her colourful music career, which has given her a global following, and also how she has embraced new projects and causes through the years.
You could probably prod her to reveal her favourite books this year, and also what read material is perfect to take on a tour.
More info here.
