The Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2023 will feature more than 350 acts and activities - over 70 of them are new work, premiering for the first time at KLPac on Aug 19 and 20. Photo: KLPac
It's been five years since the last Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF), so it’s no surprise that one of Malaysia’s biggest arts festival has pulled out all the stops to ensure that its comeback is one to remember.
This Aug 19 and 20, the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah is set to welcome thousands of arts lovers, with a YSDAF programme featuring over 350 arts activities and events to enjoy.
From the contemporary to the traditional, and mainstream to the experimental, expect to feast on something different at every turn and corner ... be it live performances (music, theatre, dance), arts workshops, drum circles, art installations, film screenings, experimental shows and more.
The festival is set to gather a wide array of live performances, from the big stage vibe to the relaxed outdoor setting. Photo: KLPac
Festival co-director Ian Chow, shares that YSDAF 2023 is special to everyone who has been involved in making the event happen, as they have all been working around the clock for a grand return.
Shuttle buses have also been prepared to ferry visitors to the festival grounds, with the YSDAF organisers recommending public transport to KLPac.
“Nowhere else will you be able to sample more than 350 free arts activities in 48 hours – many come for both days. There is something for everyone, from big name bands like Masdo and monoloQue to kids activities like giant puppetry and baby theatre for babies, as well as dance battles and traditional showcases,” says Chow.
“YSDAF 2023 is also premiering some 70 new works across different genres and languages – even in Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) – plus six specially-commissioned art installations, so come and enjoy the fun!”
To keep festivalgoers tuned up for the day-long (11am to 8pm) activities, there will, of course, be actual food to feast on at “Lorong Makan”, the outdoor dining area set up at the front of the KLPac entrance.
Visitors are strongly recommended to bring your own containers or BYOC – this includes food containers, cutlery, drinking containers and carriers – to support the reduction of single-use waste generated at the event, as the food and beverage vendors have been encouraged to embrace zero packaging.
Visitors to the festival can start off with the mid-morning 'True Love Waits: Radiohead Tribute' this weekend. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
Attendees who BYOC get to enjoy discounts at all the vendors, while a charge of RM3 for single-use paper packaging will be applied per piece.
For those who forget to BYOC, the organisers have enlisted the help of sustainability partner OPACK, which will offer “rent-and-return” foodware – just rent it, use it and return it when you’re done.
The festival organisers also aim to reduce the event’s carbon footprint by encouraging guests to use public transport or ehailing services to get to the venue.
“Sustainable practices in Malaysia’s large-scale events industry are few to none. With YSDAF 2023, it’s our hope to showcase the different ways that we can all be mindful when it comes to organising and attending events,” says Evangeline Lim, fellow YSDAF 2023 co-director.
“To really make a change, everyone has to take responsibility and do their part, from arts practitioners and vendors to the festival attendees themselves. Once awareness has increased about sustainable alternatives and solutions, so will the demand and options,” she adds.
With such a wide variety of things to see and do, it can be mind-boggling to figure out which ones to go for, so here are our picks from the YSDAF 2023 line-up. Best of all, everything is free!
LET’S GET INTO THE ARTS
True Love Waits: Tribute to Radiohead
Aug 19 and 20, 11am, Pentas 2
YSDAFis starting early with its experimental shows. This tribute choral show takes you through a multi-sensorial experience of Radiohead’s catalogue over 30 years, from the alt-rock single Creep to the fan favourite True Love Waits.
Led by Chow and Mak Chi Hoe (directors and music directors), as well as co-director and choreographer Kenny Shim, the concert features the Young KL Singers, dancers and choreography by the Kenny Shim Dance Collective and multimedia visuals and LED installation by Wee Jia Foong.
For a fully immersive experience, the concert is free-standing – expect the performers to move around you and pull you into the performance.
There’s something for all music lovers at the festival, from drum circles and classical performances to opera and rock performances. Photo: KLPac
Tau Sar Piah Biscuit Baker x Contemporary Dance
Aug 19 and 20, all day, Indicine
Beyond Moving with Artisans (BMoA) won YSDAF 2023’s Pitch Start grant for a new mixed medium work that best exemplifies this year’s theme, “Shout It Out: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”.
BMoA, an interdisciplinary art project, combines traditional Malaysian crafts with dance to create a unique and unforgettable experience for the audience.
BMoA is shining a light on the art of making tau sar piah (mung bean biscuits), melding it together with contemporary dance and technology, while promoting inclusivity by involving underrepresented communities like including refugees and artists with disabilities.
The experience includes lecture performances, a tau sar piah augmented reality workshop, a live biscuit-making session and dance performances with mixed reality.
Life Sdn Bhd: What It Means To Be Malaysian?
Aug 19 and 20, 3pm, Pentas 2
Just in time for Merdeka, the longstanding Life Sdn Bhd series returns to the topic of What It Means To Be Malaysian? with a mix of storytellers offering differing viewpoints and personal stories on this heartfelt issue.
The show is directed by Datuk Faridah Merican and performed by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat, featuring Anne James, Mark Beau de Silva, Raqib Karim, Reza Zainal Abidin, Shamaine Othman, Tan Li Yang and Tin Raman.
The festival is packing in a bumper two-day programme for arts lovers at KLPac, with showcases, exhibitions, workshops and more throughout the weekend. Photo: KLPac
YSDAF Gala Night: Unforgettable: Lagenda Malaysia
Aug 19 and 20, 8.30pm, Pentas 1
This is the only ticketed event of the festival, and pays homage to legendary Malaysian artistes such as Sudirman, P. Ramlee, Sheila Majid, Alleycats, Search, Wings, and many more.
Listen and enjoy well-loved tunes that will bring on the local pop nostalgia. The concert is directed by Ian Chow and Faridah Merican, with Joe Hasham as co-director.
It features six vocalists led by Fuad Alhabshi of Kyoto Protocol, the KLPac Orchestra and a four-piece band.
POWER OF INCLUSIVITY
Deafhood
Aug 19 and 20, 3pm, Studio 5
Deafhood is set to give visitors an insight to what a deaf person experiences during different times of their life.
In this theatre piece, three main performers share how they live their daily lives as deaf people and how they cope in the hearing world, especially in their relationships, how they communicate and accessibility.
Audience members will get to learn BIM “sords” (sign words) from the deaf performers, as well as how to help build a more inclusive society. The show will end with a poem in BIM.
Visually Impaired Persons (VIPS) Handbell Ensemble
Aug 19 and 20, 11am, KLPac lobby
Dance to the rhythm from the ensemble of eight handbell players, a guitarist and a harmonica player.
After intensive training, the VIPS Ensemble, comprising visually-impaired musicians, will be making their debut at the festival with The Colours of Sound on djembe and various hand percussion.
Mobility by Krithin Paul Pereira
Aug 19 and 20, all day, Level 2 foyer
Krithin Paul Pereira is a YSD Scholar, illustrator and lover of Porsche cars who was born with cerebral palsy.
Through his art, he is able to express his passion for motion, mobility and movement.
With a special pop-up exhibitio, Krithin is all set to meet the masses at KLPac this weekend. The Star/Art Chen
For Krithin, each of his paintings is a testament that there is perfection in everything imperfect.
Visitors and car lovers are invited to discover this talented artist’s creative world.
BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL
Tuai x Bakul
Aug 19 and 20, 3pm, Pentas 1 foyer
In line with its theme, YSDAF 2023 remembers the past, celebrates the present and looks toward the future through multidisciplinary showcases that effortlessly meld the traditional with the contemporary.
In the Tuai x Bakul showcase, seven artists will weave together a site-specific experience by bringing to life the “harvest” through contemporary culture and traditional weaved baskets from Borneo.
Pairing an immersive dance together with artefacts, the performers will share their interpretation of culture by bringing adaptations of their ancestors’ stories and myths to life.
Chenloi
Aug 19 and 20, 1pm, lobby
Be entranced by the music of the Orang Asli and Orang Asal, performed by pensol (nose flute) player Bah Raman, dancer/choreographer Yeow Lai Chee and sape player Shawn Finian Wong.
Chenloi is an exploration between the three artistes, who are from different backgrounds and generations: Bah Rahman, who lives in the forest; Lai Chee, who lives in KL; and Shawn, a young musician from Sarawak.
Teochew Opera Showcase
Aug 19 and 20, multiple shows, Pentas 1 foyer
Witness the ancient art of Chinese opera and puppetry, performed by the Penang-based Teochew Puppet and Opera House.
There will be opera performances of Mui Guiying Gets Married, plus photo sessions, talks and a chance to try on their costumes and make-up.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEST
The KLPac grounds will offer a lot of running space for energetic children. For parents with young children, there are plenty of child-friendly activities for families to enjoy throughout the day. Be sure to head to the festival early, as activities start from 11am.
Crafty young ones can join a puppetry workshop and DIY cardboard toys workshop while aspiring performers can try out speech and drama workshops and more.
Some highlights include Malaysia's first baby theatre - Journey Of A Baby Butterfly; and the-first-of-a-kind live puppetry "Bird Call" involving a giant bird and 20 medium sized birds - all made from recycled materials.
There won’t be a dull moment for kids, as there are plenty of fun and engaging activities for them to try, such as Rimba Adventures, a storytelling and craft session with Anak Rimba Books. Photo: Anak Rimba Books
There will be storytelling sessions at the Kids Tent outdoors on the main lawn, run by Hongjiejie Work Station, Anak Rimba Books and Kakiseni.
Be sure to pop into the Film Tent next door to catch environmental documentaries Borneo Jungle Diaries, Borneo Ocean Diaries and Layar Liar.
YOUR ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS
There’s something for all music lovers at the festival, from drum circles and classical shows to opera and rock performances.
In the afternoon, chill out on the main lawn (don't forget to bring a picnic mat). It's mostly a relaxed acoustic vibe, curated by StageReSET, featuring sets from Anak Borneo x Kent Lee, Amrita Soon, Leaism and AP Didgeridoo.
During the day, you can also learn how to play the gamelan and didgeridoo or take part in the Dancing The Malaysian Dance workshop, a series of traditional dance workshops conducted by ASK Dance Company.
If you are into live bands, don’t miss the programme curated by Soundscape Records this weekend, which features bands such as Golden Mammoth, monoloQue, An Honest Mistake, Masdo and more. Photo: KLPac
Classic Tan Sri P. Ramlee films will also be screened at Pentas 1 from noon, including Anak-Ku Sazali, Tiga Abdul and Antara Dua Darjat.
Starting from 5pm, Soundscape Records will be taking over the stage with a line-up of alternative rock bands, including An Honest Mistake, which will be performing an exclusive set together with Amethyst String Quartet.
There will be a different headliner to close each night (starting at 9pm) with 1960s retro rock outfit Masdo on Saturday night and the experimental monoloQue the following night.
