Singapore Ballet’s Ballet Illuminations 2024 Brings Magic to KLPAC

This December, Kuala Lumpur will be treated to a spellbinding ballet experience as Singapore Ballet, the city-state’s premier professional ballet company, returns for Ballet Illuminations 2024. Taking place from 29 November to 1 December at Pentas 1, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), this exciting performance will showcase excerpts from two beloved ballet classics: Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

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Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 Sandra Lim Unveils ‘Princess Walinong Sari’ National Costume

Sandra Lim, Miss Universe Malaysia 2024, has officially revealed her breathtaking national costume, ‘Princess Walinong Sari,’ inspired by the legendary warrior princess from Pahang folklore. At a recent press conference held at MYEG Tower Auditorium in Petaling Jaya, Sandra presented the elaborate costume that will represent Malaysia at the upcoming 73rd MISS UNIVERSE® competition in Mexico City on 16 November 2024 (17 November Malaysian time).

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Award-Winning Musical The Working Dead Returns for a Good Cause

The award-winning Malaysian musical The Working Dead is making a much-anticipated return from November 8-10, 2024, at Stage 1, PJPAC, One Utama. First staged in 2019, this dark comedy explores the pressures of modern work culture with a unique twist—Edwin, a hardworking office worker, dies on the job, only to be brought back to life by his boss to finish his tasks. Featuring catchy songs and touching moments, the musical resonates with anyone who has felt the grind of a “dead-end” job.

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“Music makes me alive”

Lakshna and her love for music has given her life.

At just 18, Laxshna Raj is a passionate singer-songwriter from Kuala Lumpur, navigating her journey through music. From picking up a guitar at 14 to performing at the Short+Sweet Festival, Laxshna pours her heart into songs like “Love from My Life,” reflecting on love, loss, and self-acceptance. Embracing her uniqueness, shaped by her experience with vitiligo, she inspires others to celebrate their individuality. Through her art, Laxshna not only shares her story but also encourages everyone to pursue their dreams and be true to themselves.

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VI Marching Band Story

VI Marching Band Story
“Last year, together with 81 of my students, we as Malaysia won 2nd place at the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) World Championship held in Taiwan.
It was the proudest moment of my life, as the Band Director for the Victoria Institution’s Cadet Corps Band (VICCB), which is the first marching band in Malaysia that started in 1909 – and the oldest in the whole of Southeast Asia.
I am proud of the team. We spent 6 months in preparation, training them to perform at their best. During band camp we spend 8 to 10 hours training, even during Ramadan (fasting month) we would practice after terawih until sahur.
Yes, after sembahyang terawih, from 10pm onwards we would practice until 5am in the morning.
The competition in Taiwan last year was held one month after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, so we didn’t have any time to bond. We had to practice, practice, practice. And they only had 2 weeks off for Raya holiday.
And I actually work full time as a software engineer, so as the band director I had to go and practice with them every weekend to make sure we are ready to compete on an international level.
To motivate them, I told them to do their best, to bring out their ‘A game’, and to not feel regret because we have already practiced and worked together as a team.
‘Don’t let down your teammate’, I would say. And managing 80 different boys from ages 13 to 17 with different behaviours and attitudes to work closely together is not an easy feat!
And in that competition, we broke our record, achieving a score of 91.63 (out of 100), considering that we had 9 judges from the US, Canada, the Netherlands, to name a few. We didn’t think we were able to get that score, and we did, Alhamdulillah.
And even though Taiwan won 1st place, many of our students cried, because we lost by 0.6 points! But I told them that they have done what they have been trained for, they have done all they can.
My dream is to always bring the best out of VI. And as the oldest marching band in Southeast Asia, there are a lot of traditions and standard to uphold so there’s a big shoe to fill.
It all started when I saw my older sister played the trumpet at Sekolah Sri Putri. Afterwards, when I joined Victoria’s Institution, I watched the band perform at Pesta Flora Dataran Merdeka, and was really fascinated. When I got the opportunity to get involved with the marching band during my student days – I picked up the trumpet.
Tapi, I think there’s a negative perception by Malaysians that marching bands aren’t exactly a ‘cool’ thing to do. It is also seen as a ‘Western thing’. And it takes a lot of time to practice.
We don’t just sit for a few hours and then perform. We invest a lot of hours in it, especially with us training outside under the hot sun, and many people don’t want to ‘berhitam’ their skin.
Right now, we’re struggling to get new members to join the band, as student enrolments are also down. And once the Form 5 students graduate, we have to start from scratch, looking for new students to train all over again. New year, new members, new problems. We have to start from 0, it’s quite a struggle for us.
I think you (students) should join a marching band; it is a very athletic activity, you need to have good coordination, memorization of the music notes, and have good body posture so as to march, drum, and to play the flag. Also each musical equipment requires a different skill set, and you should be trained for a minimum of 2 years.
Sometimes disciplining the students can be tough, and cash is lacking, as the instruments are very expensive – the tuba costs from RM20,000 to RM30,000. No sponsors, no band, and maintenance can be expensive as no matter how much we teach the students, the instruments will be damaged and unusable within 3-5 years.
As long as you are passionate about it you will always find time to do so. And the more you get involved, the more you perform, plus with the music and teamwork – the more you will be drawn to it.
And remember, the World Association of Marching Show Bands is the highest competition in the world. You, students, will have stories to tell, as you make the country proud.
If you have the opportunity to do something out of your comfort zone you should totally do it. Don’t be afraid to try everything.
And as long as my service is required by the school, I will continue as long as I can – continuing the tradition and the standards of Victoria Institution’s Cadet Corps Band is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

Discovering the Beauty in Shakespeare’s Brutality: A Bold New Take on “Titus Andronicus”

lowercase laboratories is excited to unveil its debut text adaptation with a fresh, innovative interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus.” Directed by Low Yee Choy, this 90-minute production promises to push theatrical boundaries and redefine audience expectations with its unique use of real flowers to symbolize violence and an immersive staging format.

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A Slice of Past & Present Borneo at klpac

Ahead of Gawai and Kaamatan festivities, The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat presents KonTra : Borneo. Celebrating the culture, the people and the stories of the world’s third largest island, the dance show will take place from 4th until 7th May 2023 at Pentas 2, klpac. 

A land of unparalleled beauty and ancient rainforests, there is a wealth of culture and traditions there which serves as the source of inspiration for Zhafir Muzani’s third installment of this experimental dance series. Growing up in the small port town of Lahad Datu, Zhafir dreamt of showcasing a slice of Borneo through a fusion of contemporary dance. 

KonTra : Borneo is not your typical traditional cultural showcase. It will be presenting six new dance works, bridging our past and future, by a contingent of five talented choreographers from East Malaysia along with one more from Peninsular Malaysia. 

Stories have been a powerful tool to pass down cultural values and beliefs in Borneo and to connect its people to the land as a reminder to respect the environment. 

One will be able to experience this in Yunnus Enn’s “RUAI” which refers to the great argus, a species of pheasant celebrated by the Iban of Sarawak as well as Andrew Igai Jamu “Dataika Dinihari” (Till Dawn) which draws on the intricate hand and body movements of female bards ‘lemambang sabak’ in the Dayak-Iban dirge called ‘sabak bebuah’. Meanwhile Fauzi Amirudin’s “TOMBIRUO” was inspired by Ramlee Awang

Mursyid’s novel which is set in the forests of Keningau and a young man believed to be the caretaker of the forest. 

Borneo traditional dance is known for its expressive and flowing movements. Hafzal Aziz’s “Penopeng ” incorporates ‘nopeng’ or ‘tandak’, one of the main aspects of bergendang, traditional performing arts of Melayu Sarawak, which is performed in pairs. Sabah dances like Magunatip and Sumazau are known for its bounce-like motion and you will see some of this motion in Jabar Laura’s “Selasih di kanan”, which explores the narrative of young people’s souls who are often rebellious, and Ethel Deidre’s “Don’t Slam The Door”, which highlights the stateless community in Sabah. 

With its colourful costumes and diverse dance styles, KonTra : Borneo is an opportunity to get to know the people of Borneo, its culture as well as their past and present stories better. 

Tickets are priced at RM50. Students can enjoy a 40% discount (limited offer only) while Eslite Malaysia White Card Members, Tiffin at The Yard & Yamatatsu customers can enjoy 5% off and Eslite Malaysia Gold/ Black Card Members can enjoy 10% off. Purchase tickets online via https://bit.ly/kontraborneo. Visit www.klpac.org, or WhatsApp +6018 227 7212 for more information. 

Zhafir Muzani will also be running free trial classes – Jom Menari: Malay Traditional Dance (3pm – 3.45pm, 8 – 15 year olds) and Contemporary Dance (4pm – 4.45pm, 16 years old & above) on 30 April ahead of the actual classes. 

 

SHOW DETAILS 

Title: KonTra : Borneo 

Presenter: Presented by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat Supporters: The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre 

Synopsis: KonTra : Borneo showcases a contingent of five talented choreographers from East Malaysia along with one more from Peninsular Malaysia. Drawing inspiration from the people of East Malaysia, their culture and their way of life, the choreographers weave this rich tapestry of cultures and stories into six contemporary dance works. 

Come experience a slice of Borneo through this experimental dance showcase, a unique way to usher in the Kaamatan and Gawai festivities and celebrate Bornean culture. 

KonTra is an ongoing experimental dance series helmed by choreographer Zhafir Muzani which honours our traditions while forging a new way forward through contemporary dance. 

Creative Team: Executive Producer | Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican 

Artistic Director | Joe Hasham OAM 

Director | Zhafir Muzani 

Lighting Designer & Operator | Yusman Mokhtar 

Sound Operator | Helmi 

Production Stage Manager | Yeo 

Backstage Crew | Halim Ashari 

Choreographers | Andrew Igai Jamu, Ethel Deidre, Fauzi Amirudin, Hafzal Aziz, Jabar Laura, Yunnus Enn 

Date & Time: 4 May (Thu), 8pm (Preview night) 

5 & 6 May (Fri & Sat), 8pm 

7 May (Sun), 3pm 

Venue: Pentas 2, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan, 51100 Kuala Lumpur 

Tickets: RM40 (Preview Night – 4 May @ 8pm) 

RM50 (Normal Shows – 5 & 6 May @ 8pm, 7 May @ 3pm)

Promotions: Student Discount # 

RM30 

# Concessions: WhatsApp us at +6018 227 7212 the name & contact details (name, designation, school’s name, phone and e-mail) to get a promo code. 

Eslite Malaysia White Card Members / Tiffin at The Yard & Yamatatsu 

Customers ** 

5% off normal-priced tickets (not applicable with other promotions) 

Eslite Malaysia Gold/ Black Card Members**: 

10% off normal-priced tickets (not applicable with other promotions) 

**WhatsApp us at +6018 227 7212 with a screenshot of your eslite member card to get a promo code. 

Buy Tickets: Buy Online via https://bit.ly/kontraborneo 

No phone sales and over-the-counter sales. E-tickets only. 

Enquiry: WhatsApp +6018 227 7212 

Website: www.klpac.org

“While others were becoming doctors, engineers, chefs, or administrators, I chose to be an arts practitioner instead.”

While others were becoming doctors, engineers, chefs, or administrators, I chose to be an arts practitioner instead. Because – why not? The Performing arts can be a career choice; contrary to what many believe, and it CAN put food on the table.

I started as an alternative-folk singer-songwriter and sang for the choir ensemble ‘Young KL Singers’. 21 years later, I was promoted to Group Theatre Manager of the KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) and The Actors Studio, and now I’m the Group General Manager.

It’s been a long journey through the arts.

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