AIIA Improv, featuring (from left), Iedil, Tung, Farah and Shamaine, will be rolling out its farewell show at the Palate Palette Pop-Up event at the Zhongshan building in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday. Photo: All Is Amazing
The Palate Palette, a much-loved creative space and arts cafe that closed its doors a decade ago in Kuala Lumpur, is making a "pop-up" return this Saturday (June 29) at the Zhongshan building in Kampung Attap in Kuala Lumpur.
This all-day event, which opens its doors at 11am, will rekindle the community spirit and nostalgia of the Palate Palette years with a mix of free and ticketed happenings.
Visitors can enjoy a programme that includes comedy, art workshops, music, weaving, eco activities, tattoo art, box-camera photography, food market, tabletop games and much more.
Snapshot of a special time
Opened in late 2006, the Palate Palette venue, an independent space in Jalan Mesui, KL, embraced an all-inclusive policy, hosting everything from live music events (reggae to indie and more), pop-up art exhibitions and Sunday sessions to eco film screenings, comedy, and deejay nights.
Four venues in and around the Zhongshan building will host the upcoming Palate Palette Pop-Up event. Photo: The Star/Filepic
After nearly a decade of alternative events and arts community gatherings, it closed its doors in mid-2014.
"The venue always exuded a non-mainstream spirit; we were eager to experiment with new ideas, and Kuala Lumpur was abuzz with an exciting community of creative minds at that time," said Wong Su-Ann, the founder and driving force behind the venue, with her husband Lim SiSiew by her side.
"Surrounded by amazing people, Palate Palette transformed from a mere restaurant and cafe into a lively creative hub and safe space. Back then, we just called it a 'hangout joint' – you catch my drift. It was a remarkable journey, and I feel deeply privileged to have created a place that meant so much to so many," she added.
Wong (right) and her husband Lim, the creative duo behind Palate Palette, felt that after a decade since the venue's closing, it was time to plan a reunion party. Photo: Handout
Recreating the exact vibe and ambiance of Palate Palette is challenging, but Wong explored how its can-do spirit could be adapted to fit the current times.
The festivities at the upcoming "Palate Palette Pop-Up" will spill across various venues in the Zhongshan building and its surrounding areas, including Tommy le Baker’s, Kantata, Triptyk, and Fono, making for a vibrant celebration.
"The Zhongshan was an ideal venue for this event because many of the creative individuals there were already familiar with or regulars at Palate Palette. They knew our story, now they are helping to share it. It is humbling to see the venues (at the Zhongshan building) warmly embracing this Palate Palette reunion," said Wong.
A chance to reconnect
This "Palate Palette Pop-Up" event promises a time for reunions, new discoveries, and farewells, featuring a line-up of closely linked participants and performers.
"Independent spaces like Palate are increasingly rare today. We organised this 'pop-up' event on a whim, but the support grew exponentially as old friends, collaborators, and new supporters stepped up to help bring this event to life," said Wong.
Kanta Studio, run by Jeffrey Lim, will be hosting a pop-up portrait booth at the event. Photo: Kanta Studio
In a bittersweet twist, AIIA Improv, the KL-based comedy troupe – featuring Tung Jit Yang, Farah Rani, Shamaine Othman, Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin, and Ashraf Modee Zain – that has been entertaining audiences since 2007, will be delivering its farewell show at this Palate Palette event.
It’s a fitting tribute, as Palate Palette was the venue for some of its earliest performances, bringing its journey full circle.
Artist Nini Marini, known for adding peacock colours to Palate Palette's walls, will be hosting a "dreamcatcher" workshop.
Kanta Studio, run by longtime Palate Palette friend Jeffrey Lim, will also be part of the event.
A community screening of environmental films at Palate Palette in Jalan Mesui in KL during the EcoFilm Fest 2009. Photo: Filepic/The Star
In the early days, Lim screened bicycling video essays and discussed his KL bicycle map series at the venue. This Saturday, he’ll set up a pop-up booth with his mobile portrait studio, specialising in traditional silverprint and box-camera photography.
With the close proximity of all the events and venues at the Zhongshan, there's plenty for the masses to explore.
"The Backlane" will welcome foot traffic early and all through the day, featuring an art installation, a community art wall, and diverse retail vendors like Gerai OA, Sunda Shelves, Snackfood, Merch 4 Palestine, and more.
On the music front, the LapSap deejay duo and roots soundsystem Budculture, mainstay deejays from Palate Palette's heyday, will headline the party, ensuring the event stretches deep into the night.
More info here.
