Fest aiming for the high notes

Fest aiming for the high notes

THE Plenitude World Music Festival 2012 (PWMF) is set to break new ground on its return after a three-year hiatus.

Highlight of this year’s extravaganza will be the Orang Temuan troupe who will be out to promote their cultural songs and dances using traditional handmade instruments.

Hailing from Negri Sembilan, the group known as Rentak Balai is one of the five Malay-sian groups that will be performing at the Quarry Recreational Park, Botanic Gardens, from March 30.

The other groups are Aseana Percussions Unit, Geng Wak Long, Didit Dinai, and Penang Dhol Blasters.

Also look out for Mongolian folk rock band Altan Urag who will perform traditional tunes infused with contemporary influences.

Their music has been featured in Mongolian movies such as ‘Khadak’ in 2006 and ‘Mongol’ in 2007.

They will be out to serenade the crowd with their traditional instruments such as the morin khuur (horse head fiddle), ikh khuur (grand horse head fiddle), bishguur (traditional horn) and yoochin (a type of hammered dulcimer).

The band will also give music lovers a basic idea of what khoomii (throat) singing is all about.

The other bands that will also be performing at the festival are Beoga (Ireland), Grace Nono and Bob Aves Group (Philippines), Kalja Riddim Clan (Vanuatu), Will Crummers & The Rarotonga (New Zealand), Tor Ensemble (South Korea), Gus Teja World Music (Indonesia), Griff Trio (Belgium), Phong Nguyen Ensemble (Vietnam), Loyko (Russia) and Beoga (Ireland).

Tickets to the festival are now available online at www.ticketxpress.com.my and at both the Penang State Tourism Development and Culture and the Discovery Overland Holidays offices nationwide.

The one-day tickets cost RM90 (adults) and RM45 (children five to 12) while three-day passes are RM220 (adults) and RM120 (children five to 12).

There will also be a daily musical workshop from 2pm to 5pm and the Kidzworld workshop from 5pm to 6pm. The night concert will kick off at 7pm with six bands taking to the stage each night.

Two previews will be held, the first at Hard Rock Hotel on March 28 and the second at Straits Quay on March 29, both at 8pm.

Some 12,000 people are expected to attend the PWMF from March 30 to April 1.

~News courtesy of The Star~