Transcultural Lullabies: Rohingya and Malay folksongs
Rohingya poet Mayyu Ali and Malaysian artist Sharon Chin collaborate in this meaningful project that looks at Rohingya and Malay lullabies and folksongs. The pairings of songs, which are narrated and sung orally, are further unified with a patterned artwork…
Weekly Southeast Asia Radar: Hallyu love and cementing disaster
ArtsEquator’s Southeast Asia Radar features articles and posts about arts and culture in Southeast Asia, drawn from local and regional websites and publications – aggregated content from outside sources – so we are exposed to a multitude of voices in…
Discovering and Re-discovering Kluang: The INXO International Residency Programme
By Akanksha Raja (1,493 words, 6-minute read) It’s almost 4pm as the KTM train I’m travelling on trudges to a slow halt at the railway station in Kluang, Johor. The first thing that catches my eye is Kluang Rail Coffee,…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (29 Apr – 5 May 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Pesta Playlet, at KongsiKL, 3–4 May This non-profit and artist-run festival offers two days of workshops, forums, performances, found object exhibition and more. For the second day, events…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (22-28 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Kandang, at klpac, 25–28 Apr This award-winning Malay language theatre adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm returns to the stage. This production is directed by Omar Ali, who also…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (15-21 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. WHEN WE WERE, at Lot’ng Arts Space, 18–21 Apr Fresh from Theatresauce’s second season of Emerging Directors Lab, When We Were presents a quadruple bill of short plays exploring conversations…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (8-14 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Soun(d)ance 22, at RAW Art Space, 8 Apr, 8:30pm This monthly series combines improvised dance and music performances. In this edition, dancers Paula Castañón (Spain) and Lim Pei…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (1-7 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. MAP Fest 2019, at Publika, 30 Mar – 14 Apr This 9th annual arts and cultural festival takes place over 3 weekends in Publika, with a variety of…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (25–31 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. TJIS Vol. 26: The Pre-Poetry Month Party, at InTun Nation, 28 Mar, 8pm The Jack-It Series ramps up events for the coming poetry month with a pre-celebration. The featured…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (18–24 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. New Crack! The Doctor’s Hour, at Crackhouse Comedy Club KL, 18–19 Mar, 9–11pm A series for comedy veterans to test out their new material. This week, Dr…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (11–17 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Finding Cik Siti Wan Kembang, at The Zhongshan Building, 14 Mar, 8–10pm In the legend of Kelantan, there are two warrior queens by the name of Cik Siti…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (4–10 Mar 2019)
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…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (25 Feb – 3 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Kami Pun Ada Hak Bersekolah: Wanita Orang Asli Bersuara book launch, at University of Malaya Art Gallery (Level 5), 26 Feb, 2–4pm The launch of Kami Pun Ada…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (18–24 Feb 2019)
#WomensMarchMY Festival, at Ruang by ThinkCity, 24 Feb, 11am–6pm This festival provides a series of events to deepen collective understand for this year’s five #WomensMarchMY demands, and the diverse experience of women and marginalised groups. Programme includes a plenary discussion…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (11–17 Feb 2019)
Jazz It Up For Charity, at ALOFT KL Sentral, 16 Feb, 7pm A night of entertainment, with singers Elvira Arul, Sean Ghazi, Datuk Yusni Hamid, and Malaysian beauty pageant queen Sanjna Suri. This fundraiser is for two vital spaces run by…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (4–10 Feb 2019)
Puja Pantai Festival 2019, at Mah Meri Cultural Village, 9 Feb, 10am–3pm Puja Pantai is an ancient Mah Meri ritual, and members of the public are invited to witness it. The ritual is believed to appease sea spirits and honour…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (28 Jan –3 Feb 2019)
CounterCartographies Reading — Escobar’s Encountering Development, at Malaysia Design Archive, An initiative to understand visual culture in relation to the politics of space, this monthly group tackles Chapter 2 of Arturo Escobar’s ‘Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (21–27 Jan 2019)
Improvised music night, at RAW Art Space, 22 Jan, 8:30pm A night of improvised music with performers from Germany, Japan, Denmark and Malaysia. Music merchandise will also be available for purchase. Admission by suggested donation RM20 (students RM15). More info…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (14–20 Jan 2019)
Nadir, at No Black Tie, 17 Jan, 9pm Nadir is a band with a diverse lineup, and their music is a big, fun sound that loosely blends rock, jazz and world music with a wide range of local influences. They…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (7–13 Jan 2019)
Merdekarya 6th Anniversary, at Merdekarya, 12 Jan, doors open 6pm This institution for indie music is celebrating its six anniversary with a whole host of performances, no cover charge, and free tuak mixes (until 8pm). Come for the party,…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (31 Dec 2018–6 Jan 2019)
Malam Sayu Berpuisi: #NewYearNewMe, at klpac, 31 Dec, 8:30pm A night of poetry beneath the banyan tree. No sound systems available, and the performance takes place outdoors, so be prepared for the weather (umbrella, sensible shoes, mosquito repellant, excellent hearing)….
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (24–30 Dec 2018)
Tales of Apocalypse Exhibition by Latif Maulan, at Galeri Titikmerah, 22–31 Dec An exhibition of recent artworks by contemporary self-taught artist Latif Maulan, in the artist-run space Galeri Titikmerah in Publika. A selection of 9 paintings of drenched portrait subjects….
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (17–23 Dec 2018)
Mishaps & Mistletoe, at Intunnation, 18 Dec, 8pm Time for some poetry and music with open mic series Jack It, featuring Singaporean spoken word performer Stephanie Dogfoot, and queer band Tingtongketz. Jack It invites all for a premature Christmas celebration…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (10–16 Dec 2018)
Paranormal, at RAW Art Space, 11 Dec, 8:30pm Award-winning musician Ng Chor Guan performs with Paranormal String Quartet from Germany. The night will showcase repertoire pieces by Paranormal String Quartet, which explores unique soundscapes of classic, jazz and contemporary; and…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (3–9 Dec 2018)
The Edge, at Lot’ng, 8–23 Dec This is a beautiful locally produced musical that explores the relationships and past of a man standing on the edge. Absolutely worth the watch, this award-winning show is now in its tenth anniversary and…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (26 Nov – 2 Dec 2018)
Symposium – How Easily Modernism Could Be Disturbed, at ILHAM Gallery, 1 Dec, 10am–6:30pm A symposium in conjunction with the Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago (1960–1969) exhibition in the gallery. The entire programme looks interesting — conversations included discussions between writer Pauline…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (19–25 Nov 2018)
KLEX 2018: Translucence, at various locations, 22–25 Nov An independent artist-run grassroots international festival of experimental film, video art and music. It’s a good introduction to contemporary experimental cinema and regional creative works. Admission is free for the lectures, and…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (12–18 Nov 2018)
Bisikan Monsoon — Open Rehearsal, at Selangor & KL Kwang Tung Association, 13 Nov, 5:30pm An invitation to view the rehearsals for Kwang Tung Dance Company’s Bisikan Monsoon (the show is travelling to China later in the month). This opportunity…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (5– 11 Nov 2018)
IF WALLS COULD TALK vol.55, at The Gaslight Cafe, 8 Nov, 8pm The ever-popular Walls returns with its open mic for spoken word, and featured acts. This chapter features fresh indie band Senja, and writer Zedeck Siew with artist…
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (29 Oct – 4 Nov 2018)
Man Bai, at No Black Tie, 30 Oct, 9pm The award-winning singer songwriter Man Bai is best known for his hit single and karaoke staple, Kau Ilhamku. He also has three solo albums. Man Bai will be doing a one…