The 39 Steps is a high-energy theatrical adventure combining mystery, espionage, and humour. Adapted from John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, it follows the dashing Richard Hannay, whose ordinary life is upended when a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy is murdered in his flat. Now on the run from a shadowy organisation called “The 39 Steps,” Hannay navigates a whirlwind of intrigue across London and the Scottish Highlands. With over 80 characters brought to life by a talented cast, this comedy blends Hitchcockian suspense with Monty Python-esque slapstick. Presented by Limelight Theatre, we find out more from the show's creators and cast members, Joe Wyatt and Nikki Brown. 

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Ballet Manila's Greatest Hits in Malaysia, presented by DanceLink, is a dance production featuring Ballet Manila, one of Southeast Asia’s premier ballet companies. Led by Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, the first non-Russian artist in the prestigious Kirov Ballet, the show opens with Lisa’s rendition of the opera-ballet "La Traviata" and continues with a diverse program of classical, modern, neoclassical, and contemporary pieces. Featuring soprano Anna Migallos, baritone Roby Malubay, and tenor Nohmer Nival, the event also celebrates cultural ties by showcasing Malaysian artists, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Malaysia. Artistic Director Lisa joins us to share what's in store. 

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Joseph Haydn's oratorio "The Creation," depicts the biblical creation story from the Book of Genesis, and is set to be performed in Malaysia for the first time since 2013. The one-night-only event, conducted by Prof. Dr. William Weinert from the Eastman School of Music, will feature the Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra, and three soloists. We discuss what's in store with Prof. Dr. David Chin, the Founder and Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia, the Director of the Bach Collegium and Music Professor at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a Senior Fellow of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany.

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The Taalam Percussion and Solkattu Academy Malaysia (TAPAS Malaysia) are set to launch this Sunday, and will be the first ghatam school in Malaysia, serving Southeast Asia. The launch includes a morning rhythm workshop, and also free evening performances for the public by leading Malaysian Carnatic music practitioners. We discuss ghatam music, and the upcoming events with Karthik Krishnasamy, the Director of  TAPAS Malaysia. 

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Under the direction of Cheryl Mah and guest conductor Damrih Banawitayakit from Thailand's Silpakorn University, An Uncommon Journey III is both a concert and outreach project, spearheaded by The klpac Symphonic Band. At the concert, we’re promised Malaysia’s brightest young wind, brass, and percussion musicians perform with the Outreach Band and saxophone soloist Mohd Shahrizal Kamal, the 2023 Malaysian Wind Music Prize winner. The concert features 61 musicians aged 16 to 22 from across Malaysia, and will feature new compositions as well. We speak to  Cheryl Mah, the Music Director & Resident Conductor of the klpac Symphonic Band, and Dr. Low Chee Meng, the Project Manager of the show, to discuss what's in store.

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Noted With Thanks is a new stand up show that captures the unexpected twists of life during and after the global lockdown. While many experienced love, loss, self-discovery, and even new pets, Malaysian comedian Kuah Jenhan took a different path by landing his first "real" job at 34, after a 15-year career in stand-up comedy. Adapting to office life, Jenhan finds himself trading the lively atmosphere of performance workshops for the more mundane corporate brainstorming sessions. "Noted With Thanks"  humorously explores how to pursue your dreams by seemingly giving them up, presenting a fish-out-of-water, printer-out-of-paper tale that promises to entertain in a completely safe-for-work manner. We speak to Jenhan to find out more.

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After five years, The klpac Orchestra are back with its unique East meets West concert, Tunes from the East II. This upcoming concert will feature a 70-strong orchestra under the direction of Maestro Lee Kok Leong, showcasing some of Malaysia's most talented Chinese instrumentalists. Featuring a mix of renowned pieces  and also the premiere of local compositions we find out what's in store from the conductor Kok Leong, and composer Yong Tan, whose piece "Dots" will be performed at the show.

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Gone are the days of princesses waiting helplessly to be rescued by knights in shining armour. Twisted reinvents well-known fairy tale characters, intertwining them into a new plot with a contemporary twist, showcasing strong, independent, and realistic leads that serve as empowering role models for both girls and boys. As times change, our fairy tales must evolve to - and Twisted hopes to reflect this modern perspective. We find out what's in store from Fa Abdul, the director and producer of the show, from Big Nose Productions. 

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"Jungle Jungle" is an exhibition by Taiwanese artist Zhang Xu Zhan, which delves into the shared and diverse cultural narratives across regions, highlighting how music's meaning and folk tales evolve locally. Inspired by the folktale "Sang Kancil and the Crocodiles" encountered during an artist residency in Indonesia, Zhang interweaves similar stories like Taiwan's "The Mouse and the Buffalo" and China's "The Rabbit and the Crab." Through the lens of a fly's compound eye, the exhibition portrays these interchanging animal tales, using metaphors like mirrors and shadows to reflect cultural flows and human-animal connections. We speak to Rahel Joseph, the Gallery Director of Ilham Gallery who are hosting this exhibition, to discover more about the artist, his works and his unique approach to storytelling.

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"If There is An Afterlife, I Hope It’s Your Version Instead of Mine” is a semi-devised play by Asyraf Syahir Najib that delves into themes of death, faith, and emotional struggle. The story follows Sofia, as she is forced to reexamine her beliefs and confront her nihilistic views while caring for her religious, cancer-stricken mother. The story unfolds three years after her mother's death, as Sofia processes her experience and supports her childhood friends, facing a similar situation with their own mother. Presented by EJKLS Seni, we find out what's in store from writer Asyraf, who is also the Founder and Artistic Director of EJKLS Seni, and cast member Myrra Baity, who plays the lead character Sofia. 

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Figures of History and the Grounds of Intelligence begins by questioning what happens when an image transitions from a state archive, into the feedback loops of an artificial neural network. This lecture performance explores the intertwined histories of state planning, global networks, and cybernetics, tracing back to the Cold War, and leading to the current surge in generative artificial intelligence. A new work by artist and writer Ho Rui An, he joins us to share more about this work  which is making its debut right here in Kuala Lumpur, including how he will be employing generative AI live during the lecture performance. This project was co-commissioned by the Centre Pompidou, Paris, and Kadist, San Francisco and Paris and supported by Five Arts Centre and The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur.

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The klpac String Orchestra, led by Resident Conductor and Music Director Andrea Sim, are set to present a vibrant program showcasing the Romantic period, in the concert titled The Age of Romance, with works by renowned composers from Europe, Russia, and South America. Be transported to Shakespeare's magical world with Felix Mendelssohn’s Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Tchaikovsky’s Themes from Romeo and Juliet. The concert also features Dvorak’s Carnival Overture, selections from Bizet’s Carmen, and rising viola soloist Glaris Tan performing Max Bruch’s Romance for Viola and String Orchestra. We find out what's in store from both Andrea and Glaris.

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 A Reason for Falling is a contemporary dance performance by Malaysian artist Hwa Wei-An that invites the audience to reconsider the concept of falling as more than just a loss of balance, but as a moment filled with possibility. Inspired by the thrill of freeriding, Wei-An began developing this work in 2018 during a choreographic residency with Dance Nucleus, aiming to translate the experience of navigating uncharted mountain paths into the flat, open space of a dance floor. Over seven years, the piece evolved through various iterations, including a 2021 video installation and a 2022 live work-in-progress presentation, culminating in this thought-provoking exploration of gravity, surrender, and movement. Wei-An joins us to share more.

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Solace of Papan is Malaysia’s first opera in English, which takes its inspiration from Sybil Kathigasu's novel No Dram of Mercy. With a libretto by Chin San Sooi and music composed by Lam Siu Chong, the opera is set against the backdrop of World War II-era Malaya, and tells the story of Sybil Kathigasu's courage in defying her Japanese interrogators during the Japanese Occupation. San Sooi and Siu Chong join us to discuss this monumental undertaking, and the challenges and triumphs of bringing Sybil Kathigasu's story to life.

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We're promised back-to-back jazz music by 17 performers across four stages, at the Royal Selangor Jazz Festival, which will feature local legends such as Junji Delfino, David Gomes, Janet Lee, The Frankie Sixes, FAZZ, WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble, just to mention a few. Aside from music, there will be an array of other activities including jazz jam sessions, jazz film screenings, food, fun and so much more. One of the festival's headliners, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and producer Tay Cher Siang, who is also the festival's curator, joins us to share more about what's in store.

Image Credit: Royal Selangor Jazz Festival

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A decade after the iconic Palate Palette (PP) Restaurant and Bar closed its doors, its spirit lives on through the Palate Palette Pop-Up event, a one-day extravaganza that wants to celebrate Palate Palette's enduring legacy of community, creativity, and inclusivity. Featuring a curated mix of food, music, art, and workshops, the event honours the past, revels in the present, and looks forward to a future of shared experiences, making it a must-attend celebration for all. We catch up with Su-Ann Wong, the Founder of Palate Palette, for a walk down memory lane, while discussing highlights from the upcoming event.

Image Credit: Palate Palette Pop, Instagram

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Perhiasan Kaca is a Malay adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ beloved classic The Glass Menagerie. With translation into Bahasa Malaysia by Marlenny Deenerwan, the play, which is a semi-autobiographical piece centred on the dynamics of a family of three, is set to be presented as part of the Kembali Ke Pangkuan series, curated and helmed by The Actors Studio’s new Associate Artistic Director Christopher Ling. Christopher, who is directing the piece, fills us in on what to expect from this production.

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ABBA fans, you're in for a treat - Abborn, an award-winning ABBA tribute act are here in Malaysia, and will be performing in Kuching and Kuala Lumpur. Known for their stunning vocals, costumes, and meticulously crafted performances, ABBORN has captivated audiences worldwide, from Russia to Singapore. We find more about these two concerts - Abba Aborn at Zepp KL and also Dancing Queen Concert – A Tribute to Queen and ABBA in Kuching - from Dato' Nicholas Pinder, the Director of Homme Productions, and Zaid Zaini, the Organising Chairman of Front Row Entertainment, who are producing the show in Kuching. Both are charity concerts, with a portion of proceeds from the KL concert being channelled towards Yayasan Tunku Naquiyuddin (YTN), and a portion of proceeds from the Kuching concert being donated to the Sarawak Heart Foundation.

Image Credit: Megatix

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Watercolour artist and educator Lee Wee Xian has made a name for himself in the world of watercolour painting, and is set to present his first solo exhibition titled Overture, that will feature over 25 watercolour paintings that capture the forgotten, vanishing scenes and landmarks of Melaka. Known for his skillful use of light, shadow, water, and pigments, his work captures the beauty of everyday moments and reflects his deep connection to his hometown. He joins us to share more about his blooming visual arts career, and his upcoming solo exhibition.

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The MJPF Music Festival has been uniting music enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds for over a decade now. The aim of the festival is to curate an unforgettable musical experience for the audience, while also showcasing rising music talents in Malaysia, and to provide them with the support and encouragement of music industry professionals. We speak to Michael Veerapen, renowned jazz pianist, composer, producer, record studio head, educator and also the Principal Founder of the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival, to find out what's in store at this year's festival - MJPF 11 - the eleventh in the series.

Image Credit: Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival, Instagram

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My Video Making Practice is a unique mashup event by Gan Siong King, one of Malaysia’s most original contemporary artists. This event combines an artist talk, a screening, and a dialogue with invited guests. Through My Video Making Practice, Gan seeks to expand his distinctive, research-driven approach by remixing seven selected videos of Malaysian artists at work, created over the past decade. In doing so, he turns the lens and editing machine onto his own video-making process, blending personal materials and memories with his previous works. This approach allows him to critically and humorously reflect on the pleasures and pressures of making art in Malaysia and growing up in the 1990s. The event is a collaboration with Five Arts Centre, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, and we find out all about it from Gan, and also Five Art Centre’s Mark Teh, who is the producer of the event.

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When the conservative Ethan relocates to a dilapidated apartment in a rough part of London, he meets its quirky and captivating residents—Ms. Wong, the straightforward landlady; Afternoon, the eccentric hippy; Cat, the moody graduate student; and Lord Vallen, the peculiar thespian. These new acquaintances ensure that Ethan's flat is always bustling with activity and drama. However, he quickly realises that his greatest challenge is dealing with Horace, his talkative, philosophical, and homicidal couch. This is the premise of Pop Up Theatre's latest production, Horace The Killer Couch, written and directed by Scott McQuaid. We speak to cast members Firdaus Sufiyan and Alexandria Kay, to find out more.

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The good people from Musicians Linkage return, this time promising a night of beautiful music from movies and upcoming musicals in the performance titled: Cinematic Souls. Featuring singers Nixon Tan and Insyirah Azlan, the show will also mark the premiere of Artistic Director Dr Goh Chia-Chien's first original piece for string orchestra, performed by the Philomusica String Orchestra (PCO). Dr Goh joins us to share what's in store in this fundraising initiative by the Philomusica Society.

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The Barehands Residency (BR) was established by Malaysian artist Juhari Said in 2010, and is a dedicated space for artists to collaborate and exchange ideas. Located in Hulu Langat on a four-acre property called Akal di Ulu, the residency has welcomed artists from around the world, creating an environment that encourages creativity and cultural dialogue. Following a successful 2023 residency in partnership with AP Art Gallery, BR continues to grow, and the upcoming residency aims to further strengthen these connections and contribute to the broader art community. We find out more from Nazura Rahime, the Project Manager of the Barehands Residency, and Kazutaka Shioi, the resident artist for this year's residency.

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It's time for our yearly fix of all things French, as this year's instalment of the Le French Festival kicks off from the 29th of May until the 14th of July 2024. Back for its 22nd edition, the festival promises a mix of French-themed movie screenings, visual arts exhibitions, theatre performances, family and kids activities, workshops, gastronomy discoveries and so much more. Co-organised by the Alliances Françaises de Malaisie and the Embassy of France in Malaysia, we find out what's in store from Emmanuelle Marchand, the Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, from the Embassy of France in Malaysia.

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In June, Malaysia's Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra are set to be the first ensemble from Southeast Asia to be invited to perform in the most prestigious and important Bach landmarks in Germany: St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Bach Church in Arnstadt, as well as St. George's Church in Eisenach. The grand concert tour commences with two fundraising concerts right here in Kuala Lumpur. We catch up with Dr David Chin, the Founder and Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia, who is also the Director of the Bach Collegium and Music Professor at Augustana University in Sioux (SOO) Falls, South Dakota, and a Senior Fellow of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany, to find out more about the programme in these fundraising concerts.

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The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) continues its mission to broaden public appreciation for music beyond Western classical traditions, through the upcoming concert, Celestial Serenade. The concert celebrates Chinese classical music, highlighting the suona, a significant woodwind instrument in Chinese culture. Led by Jebat Arjuna Kee, the MPO collaborates with renowned suona performer Liu Wenwen to present Gong Guotai’s Hundred Birds Worshipping the Phoenix and Ode to Kylin by Kong Zhixuan, alongside Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto featuring cellist Dylan Lee and other compositions such as Li Minxiong’s Flying Dragon Leaping Tiger and Zhu Jianer’s Sketches in the Mountains of Guizhou. We speak to cello soloist Dylan Lee, to find out more.

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Cinderella, A Musical Comedy is not the Cinderella everyone knows; it is packed with live music, topical jokes, audience interaction, and just a touch of K-Pop flavour too. Telling the story of the supremacy of love, empathy and kindness over cunningness, selfishness, bullying and greed; the musical is loaded with humour and a touch of magic. We find out what's in store from director Joanna Bessey, and cast member Amsalan Doraisingam.

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12tone Ensemble are set to present their second ever concert, “Dream Tryst,” featuring rarely performed choral compositions, right here in Malaysia. Highlights include John Corigliano's "Fern Hill," based on Dylan Thomas' poem, and Benjamin Britten's "Rejoice in the Lamb," set to Christopher Smart's text, among others. Founded in 2023 by Music Director Caeleb Tee, the ensemble comprises experienced choristers from Klang Valley, with Steinway Artist Zhang Chi on piano as a special guest for this concert. Caeleb joins us to discuss what's in store in this exploration of choral literature and poetry.

Image Credit: Dream Tryst

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The film Living Bach by German filmmaker Anna Schmidt embarks on a journey across six continents, delving into the lives of musicians and singers, who are in one or many ways, profoundly connected to Johann Sebastian Bach's music. All across the globe, individuals of diverse cultures, religions, and backgrounds unite under the spell of Bach's compositions. Through striking visuals and the enchanting sounds of Bach's music, the film reveals the extraordinary relationships these enthusiasts have with his timeless work, showcasing how Bach's music brings joy, comfort, hope, and understanding to people worldwide. This tapestry of diverse voices in the film also celebrates the strength of diversity and the enduring magic of Bach's music that resonates across the globe. The film recently won Best Documentary at the Madrid Film Festival, and is set to be screened right here in Kuala Lumpur, at the end of this month. We find out more about the film from Anna, and also two Malaysian musicians and Bach enthusiasts Lee Hai Lin (Violinist, Founding Member, Wicked Music People) and Dr. David Chin (Founder and Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia, Director of the Bach Collegium and Music Professor at Augustana University in Sioux (SOO) Falls, South Dakota, Senior Fellow of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany) who were also featured in the film.

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We're invited to step into the world of passion, betrayal, and tragedy with the KL Shakespeare Players (KLSP), who are proudly presenting William Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, Othello. Presented in their one-of-a-kind Shakespeare Demystified format, and renowned for their dedication to bringing classical works to life with a contemporary twist, the KLSP team promise us an unforgettable journey through the intricate webs of love and deceit woven within this gripping tale. We find out what's in store from Nurul Sofia (Performing Artist), Lim Kien Lee (Co-Founder & Artistic Director, KL Shakespeare Players) and Lim Soon Heng (Performer, Producer and Executive Director, KL Shakespeare Players).

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We're invited to journey into the enchanting realm of nature's melodies with "Echoes of Seasons," a concert featuring cello soloist Elizabeth Tan's captivating rendition of Haydn's sublime Cello Concerto in D major, and subsequently, under the guidance of Artistic Director Ergys Koni, the stage transforms into a vibrant canvas, as Vivaldi's timeless masterpiece, "The Four Seasons," unfolds. Presented by Kamerata KL in collaboration with the UCSI Institute of Music, we're set to experience the expressive richness of the cello with Haydn's signature wit and charm, and then Vivaldi's lively rebirth of "Spring" to the poignant chill of "Winter,". Elizabeth and Ergys join us to share more.

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Forged by Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary is an exhibition of 15 art pieces, crafted from a variety of materials, including scrap metal, recycled and upcycled items, and found objects sourced from Georgetown. Each piece narrates its own unique story, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist Ono Kang's life and experiences, and celebrating the beauty of objects often overlooked or dismissed as junk. This solo exhibition is a partnership between Ono Kang and ArtisFair, an initiative spearheaded by renowned Malaysian designer, Dato' Sri Bernard Chandran. Both Ono and Bernard join us to share more about this partnership and solo exhibition.

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Unquiet Thoughts is an art song recital that focuses on poetry that explores the myriad of emotions entangled in the realm of love - matters that keep us awake at night, so to speak. This art song recital showcases a rich selection of poetry spanning millennia and continents, exploring the complexities of human connection and desire. The program includes art songs in English, Mandarin, German, Italian, and French, each carefully curated to offer a diverse and immersive experience. We find out more about this upcoming  art song recital by The Poetics Collective from Scott Woo (Director, Tenor, VerSeS Music Ensembles) and YS Tang (classical guitarist).

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The Poetics Collective, under the banner of VerSeS Music Ensembles, will be performing the romantic and expressive works of Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann and Clara Schumann. Featuring Robert Schumann's  Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), Clara Schumann's Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Opus 22, and Johannes Brahms's Liebeslieder Waltzes, Opus 52, this program delves into the richness of German Romantic music, featuring both instrumental works and a variety of lieder (songs). These lieders will demonstrate the composers’ skill in setting text to music for solo voice or instrument. We speak to pianists Darrel Chan and Iau Jo Yee from The Poetics Collective, to find out what's in store.

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The klpac Orchestra are kicking off their 2024 season with a special program showcasing the renowned compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven. More than two centuries ago, Beethoven debuted two of his most significant works during a single concert, a moment that also marked his final public appearance before succumbing to complete deafness in the ensuing years. Among these works, Symphony No. 5 stands as a pinnacle of musical achievement, its iconic four-note opening motif resonating across classical circles and permeating popular culture. In addition to Symphony No. 5, audiences will be treated to the tender melodies of Piano Concerto No. 4, featuring Dr. Poom Prommachart, and rounding out the program is Beethoven's Egmont Overture, a rare gem among his compositions originally crafted for a theatrical production of the same name. We find out all about this upcoming concert titled Beethoven: His Romance and Fire from conductor Lee Kok Leong, and concertmaster, Lee Hai Lin.

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Tabula Rasa 2024, Choreography: Reset, Reflect, Reimagine is a mixed-bill production featuring new contemporary works by five artists - Chai Vivan, Raziman Sarbini, Zulkarnain Zuber, Nadhirah Rahmat, and Indian Manipur guest Surjit Nongmeikapam. With Creative Production by Imran Syafiq and presented by ASK Dance Company, Tabula Rasa or “blank slate,” begins with the premise that all humans are born with the ability to realise a multitude of possibilities in creativity. This production aspires to challenge preconceived ideas about dance, and we find out what's in store from the Artistic Director of both the company and the production, Prof. Dr. Joseph Gonzales.

Image Credit: ASK Dance Company (ADC)

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Past Lives and Distant Voices is a photography exhibition that explores the concept of anemoia —longing for a time one has never experienced firsthand. Through the lens of photographer Nirmala Karuppiah, one journeys through moments that blur the lines between past and present, reality and memory. We speak to Nirmala, to find out more.

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Titik Garis Bentuk: Drawing as Practice is an exhibition featuring works by 27 contemporary Malaysian artists, who use drawing as a centre in their practice. While traditionally, drawing was seen as part of an artist’s preparatory work for a painting or sculpture, it is now regarded as a medium in its own right. The exhibition examines how artists are redefining the medium by blurring the boundaries between drawing and other art forms including installation, animation, and performance. We speak to Rahel Joseph, the Gallery Director of Ilham Gallery, and co-curator of the Titik Garis Bentuk exhibition, to find out more about how the wide range of works in the exhibition are being used by artists to expand conventional definitions of drawing as mark-making, on a two-dimensional surface.

Image credits courtesy of Ilham Gallery: (Right) CCKua, To Wear Or Not To Wear. (Left) Jalaini Abu Hassan, Bomoh Hujan

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Classical Kung Fu! is described as a cross cultural celebration of music and martial arts. This fundraising concert promises an exciting dive into the mix of classical music and martial arts movie music, and features performances by the Philomusica String Orchestra, and the Philomusica Youth String Orchestra, led by Dr Goh Chia-Chien, the Artistic Director of the Musicians Linkage group of ensembles. We speak to Chien to find out more about this upcoming performance, and also to chat about his own global musical journey, and why he came back to Malaysia to help aspiring musicians address and overcome the common barriers faced by musicians in the classical music industry through Musicians Linkage. 

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Aiwei Foo’s first solo exhibition, “Forever Gone But Always Exists” features six recent works on paper by the artist, as well as a piece of performance art. The exhibition and performance are described as the artist’s avenue in challenging the conventional ideas of time and permanence, and through it she explores the nuances of memory, life, and the eternal imprint that transitory things leave behind on the axis of time. We speak to Aiwei to find out more about her eclectic career as an multidisciplinary artist, and what to expect from this first solo exhibition, which is happening at Suma Orientalis Fine Art.

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Kalpana Dance Theatre (KDT) will be presenting a weekend of two solo Bharatanatyam recitals - 'Kaivalyam - a journey to liberation' by Danya Rubinee Lim, and 'Tvameva - to You, I Surrender' by Shobita Nagulendran. Accompanied by a live orchestra, the aim of these double bill solo presentations is to pay obeisance to the roots of Bharatanatyam, which initially started as a solo performing art and was only later popularised as group performances. The dancers featured are both senior dancers of Kalpana Dance Theatre, and both performances will feature entirely new and original choreographies of Bharatanatyam exponent, Shri PT Narendran. We find out what's in store from Artistic Director Shangita Namasivayam, Choreographer Shri PT Narendran, and dancers Danya Rubinee Lim and Shobita Nagulendran. 

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From the Cordillera Mountain Range, to hilly Chiang Mai, The Young KL Singers invites us on a mysterious journey, with a selection of choral songs on folklore and folktales from South East Asia. We find out what's in store in this upcoming music concert titled Spice, Magic & Mystique from Mak Chi Hoe (Music Director / Co-Director), and Kathleen Roshene (Vocalist and Section Leader).

Image Credit: The Young KL Singers and klpac

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Venunadham, A Carnatic Flute-Nadhaswaram Jugalbandhi is a one-night only performance, featuring Carnatic flautist Dr B. Vijaygopal, M. Karthikeyan on the nadhaswaram, mridangist Vijay Natesan and ghatam artiste Krishnaswamy Sankararaman, who are all visiting from India. We speak to Dr Sivabalan Shanmuga Sundram, the co-organiser of the concert from Thrive Talent Tank, to find out more about Carnatic music, what to expect at this concert, and how the show will also be incorporating Malaysian segments into the repertoire.

Image Credit: Thrive Talent Tank

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From their humble but delicious beginnings as BuburChaCha to what they are now known as, SIX2EIGHT, the acapella gang is back for their 30th anniversary show - 30 Years of Rockapella - featuring both the older and newer active members of the group. Promising hits like Only You, Blue Moon, It’s Now or Never and Stupid Cupid just to name a few, the concert will feature 30 songs in a two-hour acapella concert, and we catch up with Nicole Ann Thomas and James Wong, both members and vocalists from SIX2EIGHT, to find out more.

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The Sisters Soong is a new production by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat, weaving a dramatic tale that spans the personal and political spheres of three of the most influential women in 20th-century China. Written by Joe Hasham OAM and directed by Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican, this play blends history and fiction to explore the lives of the Soong sisters—Ai-ling, Ching-ling, and Mei-ling—who each played pivotal roles in shaping modern China. Set against a backdrop of political upheaval and familial loyalty, the play promises an engaging theatrical experience, enhanced by live music, intricate choreography, and stunning period costumes. We find out what's in store from two of the production's actors, Season Chee who is playing the character Charlie Soong, and Jane Tee, who is portraying Soong Mei-ling.

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The klpac Symphonic Band opens its 2024 season with a tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson in the concert titled, This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson. Whether with The Jackson 5 or as a solo artist, Michael Jackson gave us countless chart-topping hits, and in this upcoming concert conducted by Cheryl Mah, we get the chance to relive these very hits such as “Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”, “Smooth Criminal” and many more all-time favourites. We find out more about what's in store from Chew Sze Gee, a flautist and the Vice President of The klpac Symphonic Band, and Lydia Ong, the concertmistress of the This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson show.

Image credit: This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson

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The idea behind the "Can She Do It?" art exhibition was to challenge gender stereotypes and celebrate women's empowerment. Featuring a collection of artworks from various women artists, the exhibition promises to showcase an array of thought-provoking artworks that explore themes of resilience, courage, and determination. We speak to Nazura Rahime, the co-curator of the show and Gallery Owner of A.P. Art Gallery, and Nurul Fatma, also a co-curator of the show, to find out more. 

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In the upcoming performance "Late Love" renowned dancer Aman Yap, who is also the Founder & Artistic Director of  Dua Space Dance Theatre, explores his relationship with this passion - dance - after being in the business for 36 years. In the four pieces that make up Late Love, Aman reflects deeply on the profound changes in the dance scene through the years, expressing both awe for the evolving cultural scene, but also concern for the financial challenges faced by artists. He joins us to share how he has translated some of his innermost emotions into the dance pieces we'll be seeing on stage.

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Merdu Puisi is a performance by The Poetics Collective within the VerSeS Music Ensembles, that focuses on Malaysian poetry in the Malay language, set to music by Malaysian composers. The performance will feature the work of local poets, including that of the late Sasterawan Negara Usman Awang, and other living Malaysian poets. Aiming to promote the ‘art song’ genre among Malaysians, while also fostering the art of poetry-writing and appreciation of the Malay language, the concert will also feature a selection of 'lagu rakyat' or folk songs arranged in the classical music style. We speak to Scott Woo (Project Director) and Khairunnisa Diyana Md Noor (Soprano) from The Poetics Collective to find out more. 

Image credit: VerSeS Music Ensembles

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