For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet.
Hari Kraf Kebangsaan 2019, at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, 28 Feb – 11 Mar, 10am–10pm
The annual national craft festival returns this year, with a wide selection of goods. Sections include woven goods (vast selection from Borneo), knives, textiles, batik, sculptures, metalwork and more. There will also be some live performances, and some stalls have artisans demonstrating their weaving skills.
Parking is limited (although available in the hotel next door), and a free shuttle is available from Ampang Park LRT station (the Jalan Binjai exit). Admission is free. More info here.
Folklore Vol:02 (Puisi Dan Lagu), at RAW Art Space, 2 Mar, 3pm onwards
An event of poetry and folk music, featuring performers from the Nusantara region. The line-up features international singer-songwriters Oscar Lolang (Indonesia), accompanied on violin by Estu Hning; Art Fazil (Singapore). From Malaysia, we have singer-songwriters Azmyl Yunor, Amrita Soon and Heidimoru, and Sounds of Kites.
Admission is RM40 (RM30 for students), and you should also budget for new albums by some of the acts. More info here.
WVC Live: Give Thy Ear, at Lit Books, 6 Mar, 8–10pm
The award-winning WVC Malaysian jazz ensemble translate the beauty of William Shakespeare’s poetry into jazz. Guest performers are singer Aaron Teoh (vocalist) and Lim Soon Heng of KL Shakespeare Players (narrator). This intimate session will feature original compositions, improvisation, and a unique rendition of Duke Ellington’s Such Sweet Thunder, a piece written based on a line from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Tickets are RM 50.88 (including processing fees). More info here.
Bakudapan at Ruang Kongsi: Sharing & Workshop, at Ruang Kongsi, 6 Mar, 6:30–10pm
A study group that discusses ideas about food. Bakudupan will share their practice, and also conduct a kitchen mapping workshop, Projek Makan Kita of USM will share an art project about food, and there will also be a group dinner.
More info here.
Oral Fixation feat. Mulv Jones, at InTun Nation, 7 Mar, 8–11pm
This monthly event is a space to discover the works of more than ten spoken word poets who fill up the open mic list. The featured performer for this edition is Mulv Jones, a writer influenced by the Rocky Mountains of his hometown in Colorado, US. Walk-in registrations for open mic are also accepted.
RM20 cover charge. More info here.
Women’s Day Fundraiser, at Merdekarya, 8 March, 9pm–2am
A fundraiser night for Empower, an NGO that works on women’s political equality. There will be performances by singer-songwriters Beverly Matujal and Kirsten Long; Galuh Kusuma, frontwoman of alternative post-grunge band Geelanagig; rock band Putrabumi; and spoken word by Arisha Akhir and Sheena Baharuddin.
Admission is RM20. More info here.
.IRL Exhibition, at Zhongshan Building, 8–12 Mar
A collaborative collage exhibition between young artists Valery Koh and Xia Yi Ang, created in conjunction of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) 2018. This exhibition is an expansion of twelve collage artworks curated for an ‘In Real Life’ experience, and also celebrates Malaysian fashion.
There are some events tied to the exhibition; the opening night takes place 8 Mar (Fri). There is no guest list, and the night is sponsored by a beer brand — it’ll begin at 8pm and likely end late. More info here.
Women in Music, at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, 8–9 Mar, 8:30pm
In conjunction with International Women’s Day, the MPO and conductor Jessica Cottis bring us the compositions of Borisova-Ollas, Kats-Chernin, and Pejačević.
Tickets begin at RM56. More info here.
#WomensMarchMy 2019, in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, 9 March
As part of International Women’s Day celebrations, this rally has been growing in support since 2017, and is open to all. For Kuala Lumpur participants, the march begins in front of Sogo shopping mall. Bring placards, wear comfortable shoes, familiarise yourself with the five demands this year. Listen to speakers who are invested in a diverse range of issues impacting society.
Route info here. Main website here.
The POMPuan Show, at LOL Events, 8–9 Mar, 8:30pm
Five women band together for a night of stories and laughter in this night where all content relate to womanhood. The show is directed by comedians Joanne Kam and Shamaine Othman, and feature standup comedian Filzah Azmi, singer-songwriter Chelsia Ng and musical theatre performer Nadia Aqilah. Performances in English and Malay.
Remaining tickets begin at RM60, and some proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to MERCY Malaysia. More info here.
Push to Play Vol 20, at Live Fact, 9 Mar, 8pm
The Push To Play series is handy for helping audiences and bands discover each other. Post-grunge band Geelanagig, mathrockers Cha.koy, post-rock band Times New Omen, and Nelayan, which blends electronic music with various influences.
Admission is RM25. More info here.
Lindy Hop Live ft. The Bona Sixes, at The Bee, 9 Mar, 8pm–12am
A Lindy Hop event with music by The Bona Sixes, a combination of local swing jazz bands The Frankie Sixes and Bona Hop. The LindyKL dance community provides a space for newbies to learn the basic lead and follow roles of lindy dance (all genders are welcome in either role) in an easy-to-follow free taster class. If you choose to stay on dancing after the taster, tickets are RM60 at the door.
More info here.
ASEF Unplugged-Kuala Lumpur, at KOTAK Five Arts Centre, 9 Mar, 3:30–5:30pm
A sharing session where managers of grants and initiatives from the private sector and cultural institutions introduce their initiatives, followed by a moderated session to help participants improve success rates with their proposals.
Admission is free, registration with fiveartscentre@gmail.com is required before 8 March. More info here.
Note: All information is correct at the time of publication. Please confirm directly with the organisers/event websites. ArtsEquator is not responsible for any changes to the schedule of events. If you have an event you’d like us to highlight, please email events[at]artsequator.com.