The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) is wrapping up 2024 with a special two-day event titled “Laugh, Love, Give with Harith & Friends” from December 14th to 15th at Pentas 1 of klpac.
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I was fourteen when I knew. It wasn’t a casual thought or a fleeting idea; it was a decision—clear, deliberate, and full of hope. My family had encouraged me to explore classical music and dance from an early age, but that year, something clicked. I decided I wanted to train professionally and dedicate myself to ballet. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into a rigorous professional school, where I began full-time training.
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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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This holiday season, music lovers are in for a treat with two unique performances at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) that offer a perfect blend of nature’s wonders and festive cheer. Kicking off the celebrations will be A Dash of Nature: Earth, Sky, and the Life Within, presented by The klpac Symphonic Band on 16–17 November 2024, followed by A Christmas Playlist with The klpac String Orchestra from 13–15 December 2024.
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The world’s biggest little festival is back for its 17th season! SHORT+SWEET Malaysia 2024, under the direction of Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican, will take place from 21 September to 20 October at KLPAC.
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The Actors Studio Foundation is wrapping up its inaugural season with an exciting and thought-provoking triple bill, “Trilogi Bulan.” This captivating series will be performed from September 12 to 15, 2024, at indicine, klpac.
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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. 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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