Front Row

The Choir of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor (or The Phil as they are affectionately known) caps off its 65th Anniversary celebration with a Christmas concert called Songs for the Season . The theme for this year’s production is ‘A Gift of Music’ and true to form, the programme will showcase traditional and other seasonal favourites. The Phil’s volunteer-powered community choir will be accomp...

Symbiocene is described as an “ecopunk” tale of love, grief, and a wild re-imagination of a world where humans, plants, and animals live together symbiotically. We speak to Lim Sheng Hui (Writer, Director, Co-Producer) and Emma Martin (Production Manager and Stage Manager) to discover the inspiration behind this original work, and what we can expect in this three-act devised play. Image Credit: Sy...

For the first time, Hands Percussion's professional percussionists will be performing with current students from the Little Yellow Flower Foundation and the Hands Percussion Academy (HPA),  as well as former students who are now professional performers, DeafBeat. We're promised a showcase of the 24 Festive Drum in this year-end production called RhapsoD , which will explore the fluidity of rh...

Oliver! The Musical is an adaptation of the story of young orphan Oliver Twist, the highs and lows he experiences, and the colourful characters he meets along the way, including the Artful Dodger and the eccentric Fagin. Adapted for the Kuala Lumpur Children's Choir, we speak to Music Director Darrel Chan to find out what they've cooked up for us, in this production which also commemorates the Kua...

Hanyut, A Journey of Discovery is an exhibition that features artworks by Habsah Abang Saufi , Drewfunk and Joanne Loo . Through the exhibition, we're invited to explore the diverse worlds each artist has crafted, through their own unique narratives and perspectives. We catch up with all three to find out about the evolution of their respective artistic journeys, as they share their own "Hanyut" m...

Kalpana Dance Theatre is back with a new Odissi performance, Call Of The Flute , featuring choreographer and concert curator Leena Mohanty , with music by Dr. Dheeraj Kumar Mohapatra. Leena, a leading exponent of Odissi dance, and a disciple of Guru Deba Prasa Das, joins us together with Shobita Nagulendran, a dancer at Kalpana Dance Theatre, to share more about the show that not only delves into...

The "velvet-voiced duo" Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana are back, this time for a show full of music from the movies. Together with their Terrer-Menerrer Retro Glam Malaysian Big Band led by musical director Nish Tham, Cinema Tarakucha! promises a romantic, thrilling, magical and totally immersive experience. We catch up with Sean and Ida to find out more. Image Credit: Tarakucha Band See omnystudio.co...

Fault Lines is described as a play that deals with topics of homeland, the freedom to be, family and the never ending pursuit of unconditional love. A project ten years in the making, this is the debut full-length work of Adriana Nordin Manan, and was a semi-finalist in the International Scratchpad Series by The Playwrights Realm, New York City (2021). Adriana, together with Putrina Rafie, a perfo...

The Dance Box Series started off as a series of monthly dance events organised by MyDance Alliance and The Actors Studio, to showcase a diversity of dance, but has now evolved into a mixed bill performance presenting works in progress, experimental works by established artists, and new works by emerging artists. This Nov 2023 edition of Dancebox will feature works by Art Room Studio, Asia Ballet T...

In the exhibition " Endless Buffet ," we're invited to step into the world of Chadwick Moore 's recent artworks, where myth, nature, and the excesses of consumer culture converge in thought-provoking ways. Curated by Ivan Gabriel, the exhibition at The Godown Arts Centre is a showcase of Chad's sculptures and paintings, and the title is a satirical reference to modern consumerism, while reflecting...

Forkbeard: A Viking Musical Odyssey is the first Viking musical set to be staged in Kuala Lumpur, and is based on the massive naval ambush, “The Battle of Svolder”, a culmination of rivalry between Denmark’s infamous Viking leader Svend Tveskaeg (Forkbeard) and Olav Tryggvasson of Norway in late summer of 1000 AD. Presented by MYTH Productions and first staged in Penang, we find out what's in stor...

A multi-sensory work based on the Greek classic by Homer, Soul of Odyssey devises and reimagines the hero’s journey and his attempts to rise from the ashes of war, chaos, and battles with deities. It questions and explores how human beings react to forces perceived to be out of  their control. Or as in the proverbial question: “What happens to ants when elephants fight?” This is the second ch...

Wayang TEK-tek is a workshop series by Sekolah Main Wayang , which focuses on Orang Asli (OA) youths, and the program brings together Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and lo tech or DIY tech (tek) into a wayang-like performance. Following successful pilot programmes with Orang Asli youths in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur and Bota, Perak, Wayang TEKTek comes to Ilham Gallery with Wayang Apa? Wayang TE...

The SeaShorts Film Festival returns for its seventh edition, and is an annual celebration of Southeast Asian short films, comprising screenings, forums, workshops, exhibitions, and other creative endeavours from guests across the region. We speak to Elyna Shukri, the Chairperson of the SeaShorts Film Society , to find out what we can expect from this year's festival which is themed, Tanam Padi. Im...

“ Bapaku Pulang : Growing Up with Art - Selected works from the collections of Nazura Rahime & Sharmin Parameswaran” is an exhibition that features artworks by 39 Malaysian modern and contemporary artists. Curated by Sarah Abu Bakar, the show brings together selected artworks collected by Nazura and Sharmin’s late fathers - Rahime Harun (1954–2008) and Dato’ N. Parameswaran (1948–2022). B...

Hijauan is a performance that transports audiences to a realm where nature’s grandeur meets cultural diversity. Presented by contemporary dance company Dua Space Dance Theatre , the founder of the company, Anthony Meh, personally choreographed "Hijauan" as a heartfelt ode to Malaysia, and celebrates the rich diversity of Malaysia through a blend of traditional elements into contemporary dance styl...

The Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia (PWM) are embarking on their next project, a concert titled ‘Expedition’ . This music journey is set to take us from Antarctica, to the legendary realm of Chingis Khan, through a program that includes “Expedition” by Oscar Navarro, “Land of a Great Promise Chingis Khan” by Eiji Suzuki, and “Pink Trumpet Tree” by Yeo Chow Shern. We find out more from Philharmonic...

Panggung PUSAKA: Senandung Kota is a cultural festival celebrating Malaysia's living traditions, featuring masters of traditional arts from diverse communities across Malaysia including Main Puteri of Kelantan, Kuda Kepang of Johor, Dondang Sayang of Melaka, Mah Meri indigenous performers, Sumazau dancers of Sabah, Urumee Melum drummers, and Silat Jawi practitioners. Performances aside, there will...

Malaysian audiences are set to get a taste of Adele, as British singer Natalie Black brings the renowned " Adele Tribute Hometown Glory " show to Kuala Lumpur. Promising hits like 'Hello,' 'A Million Years Ago,' and 'When We Were Young,' the show is not only a treat for the senses, but will also raise funds for SportExcel , the foundation for Malaysian sporting excellence which has been instrument...

Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO) is set to present one of the most beloved of all operas by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, The Elixir of Love . The comic opera in two acts will feature an orchestra ensemble of over 25 players, led by conductor Kevin Field, and stage directed by Christopher Ling. We catch up with both Kevin and Christopher to discuss the upcoming production. See omnystudio.com/l...

The Malaysian Craft Council (MCC) are organising the Kuala Lumpur Exchange 2023 , which is described as a one-of-a-kind event that champions local artisans, with an emphasis on the preservation of Malaysia’s dying heritage crafts. Themed "The Silver Lining Experience" we find out all about it from Nik Faiz Nik Amin (Founding President, Malaysian Craft Council) and Arja Lee (Vice-President, Malaysi...

Arising from last year's award-winning Anggota – Anggota 2: Re-Member is a new dance performance  in which dancer/ choreographer Lee Ren Xin works with 'voice' as a significant element – voice from the voice box, as well as the voice of the body - so what the body feels, needs, desires, its agencies and capacities to decide. Presented by Five Arts Centre , we discuss this new piece with Ren X...

The Exposure+ Photo 2023 festival will feature a multi-venue set of exhibitions, happening all across the city centre of Kuala Lumpur. The series of events planned aims to expand the depth and exposure of Malaysia-based photographers, along with bringing a varied and fresh international program of project-based photography to local audiences. The second edition of the festival is themed "A Differe...

Rahmat Bahgia is a visual arts exhibition and series of events by the A.P Art Gallery , that explores, celebrates and reflects upon all the things that make us truly Malaysian. Through a range of events in September - set during and around Malaysia Day celebrations - Rahmat Bahgia wants us to experience everyday life as a Malaysian, and at the exhibition itself, we will be treated to quintessentia...

Get On Your Feet is a charity musical featuring renowned choreographer Farah Sulaiman, to raise funds for Cancer Research Malaysia. Showcasing popular songs from 18 different musicals, we're promised music from the likes of Wicked, Mamma Mia, Chicago, South Pacific, and so much more. Paired with Farah Sulaiman's unique performing style, Get On Your Feet promises to be an entertaining song and danc...