Cultural feast awaits Penangites

Cultural feast awaits Penangites

CELEBRATED Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is set to present a brand new dance called Sutra during the upcoming George Town Festival 2013.

Festival director Joe Sidek promised it would be one interesting performance that should not be missed.

He said Sutra, inspired by the skills, strength and spirituality of Buddhist Shaolin monks, would feature 17 monks from the original Shaolin Temple in China.

“Cherkaoui has collaborated closely with Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley who has created a design comprising 21 wooden boxes.

“The boxes are repositioned to create a striking and ever-changing stage environment,” he said.

Joe also said the dance piece would include a beautiful new score for piano, percussion and strings by Polish composer Szymon Brzoska.

Sutra is among some 80 exciting programmes to be featured during the month-long festival from June 7 to July 7.

The dance will be presented on June 29 and 30 at Dewan Sri Pinang at 8.30pm on both days.

Other programmes recommen-ded by Joe include the ‘Secret Gardens of Earthly Designs’ held throughout the month and a performance by Italian chamber music group I Musici on the festival’s first day at Dewan Sri Pinang at 8.30pm.

‘Bridges and Kaki Lima’, a contemporary dance to be performed along Victoria Street on June 29 at 6.15pm, is also one that should be watched as its choreography is devised to celebrate cultural commonality.

“One of the choreographers is Aida Redza who is a Penangite herself,” said Joe.

“We also have the three-day heritage celebrations from July 5 to 7 to commemorate the inscription of George Town as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008.

“The living heritage of George Town will be demonstrated through traditional and multicultural arts and practices, food and events that highlight historical and cultural pride,” said Joe during a talk to some 100 people in Bayan Lepas.

He said the festival, in its fourth year, would be ‘Taking Off’ on June 8 at the Esplanade this year.

“‘Taking Off’ is our festival’s opening ceremony where we take to the skies with kites made by master kite makers around the region.

“Free kites will be distributed and kite enthusiasts and representatives from the Asean Kite Council will be taking part in the ceremony,” he said.

He said the festival’s secretariat was looking for volunteers to help in the event.

For more information or to volunteer and to purchase tickets, visit www.georgetownfestival.com.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Street market going strong

Street market going strong

THE Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) will be turning seven in July and it is showing no signs of slowing down.

Organiser James Lochhead said a recent survey showed that 60% of the market’s visitors were domestic and foreign tourists while the rest were Penangites.

“Generally, the visitors were pleased with the market.

“Considering the limited resources, it’s fantastic that the LPSM has gone on every month since its inception – clearly there’s a demand for it and it has huge potential to grow,” he said when met at the market on Sunday.

The LPSM was started to celebrate creativity and heritage, he said.

He added that going forward, the challenge was to publicise and develop the market.


Bargains galore: Visitors to the market checking out the many items on sale

“If we can get someone to do outreach work for the market and bring in new participants and talents, it will be great.

“Perhaps the state government can come up with a more coherent policy for the development of the arts, culture and festivals here so that event organisers who need more support will receive assistance,” he said.

Lochhead said future plans included having designated tents for schools to exhibit their projects and the public to show items related to the environment.

More activities for the kids are also in the pipeline.

More than 70 stalls sell a range of products at the LPSM from 10am to 5pm at Upper Penang Road in George Town every last Sunday of the month.

Asia Community Service (ACS) Stepping Stone centre supervisor Hasra Othman said its members had been selling their home-made snacks and handicraft like soap, bags and clothing at the market since day one.

The ACS booth sells over 50 items all made by people with disabilities.

“In the last three years or so, the market has become more commercialised in terms of the items sold.

“Perhaps we need to go back to the traditional craft items which are one-of-a-kind pieces to attract the crowd,” she said.

ACS member Rozihad Yahaya, who started as an apprentice, has been weaving craft items for over a decade and is now a trainer at the centre.

“Many kids who come to the market like to try their hand at weaving and I enjoy teaching them,” she said.

Artist and gallery assistant curator Jeff Jansen said the market draws an especially large crowd during long weekends.

“I’ve been here for about three years and I’ve seen traders move on as new ones come in, which is good for the market.

“For the visual arts display, we put up paintings by both locals and foreigners on display so that they are accessible to everyone including kids.

“Often, even adults feel too intimidated to visit art galleries.

“Here, anyone can just walk up and enjoy a painting – there are no walls and no doors,” he said.

For details on the market’s upcoming events, log on to www.littlepenang.com.my/wordpress/ or call 017-4290806.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Sweet music in the gardens

Sweet music in the gardens


Lovely afternoon: Joggers and visitors enjoying the performance by the Heng Ee High School Wind Orchestra at the Penang Botanic Gardens.

THE Penang Botanic Gardens came alive with the sound of music by the Heng Ee High School Wind Orchestra.

Smartly clad in milky white bla-zers, shining black slacks with black bow ties, the band’s 90-members, aged 14 to 17, entertained the crowd with well-known songs. The weather was also welcoming with a clear blue sky.

Some of the spectators sitting under the shady trees joined in the fun, and were clapping their hands to the popular melodies.

More than 10 songs were played in the one-hour show, ranging from fast beat to sentimental songs such as ‘We Are The World, Heal The World, Can’t Take My Eyes off You, Copacabana and Rong Shu Xia.’

The school band instructor Yeoh Chee Woi, 31, said this was the first time that the students had performed outdoors.

“It’s good for them to get ex-posure and experience, while they interact directly with the audience.

“The Penang Botanic Gardens is a nice location to hold a performance because it is spacious and surrounded by greenery,” he said during the event on Sunday.

He revealed that the band members took about a month to master a song.

In a wind orchestra, a variety of musical instruments are used as the number of band members are usually bigger, he said.

The event was organised by Penang Global Tourism, and it was aimed at promoting local culture and enhancing the state as a top tourist destination.

The concert is held every last Sunday of the month from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

It is participated by different musical groups. The next performance is on June 30.

~News courtesy of The Star~

George Town Festival 2013

http://georgetownfestival.com/

A buffet in the afternoon

A buffet in the afternoon

THE array of scrumptious Western and Asian delights served in G Hotel’s Saturday High Tea is ideal for laid-back weekend gatherings in the company of friends and family.

Whether it is a late lunch after a half day’s work, or a tummy-filler before dinner, the meal consisting of light and fresh bites sets the stage for convivial chatter.

The buffet, served between 1pm and 4pm at the hotel’s lobby level G Café, is reasonably priced at RM45++ per adult, and RM22.50++ per child aged six to 12. Kids below six eat free.

The lineup, crafted by hotel sous chef Hamizi Hamid and his team, starts with a variety of freshly tossed salads with choices of dressings, and local equivalents like rojak and pasembur.

There are also hearty soups to warm diners up.

The main dish section features a combination of staples like fried rice, cheese gratin, and grilled chicken, as well as finger foods like quiche, pizzas and spring rolls.

There are also action stations dishing up the popular local favourite, char koay teow, along with roti canai and murtabak, ala minute.

Alternatively, guests can help themselves to bite-sized dim sum or toss their own bowl of noodles.

Highlight of the buffet is the dedicated sandwich counter where guests can pick their own ingredients and watch chefs craft their unique combinations on the spot.

Bread options include soft rolls, sandwich loaf, rye bread or croissants, to be stuffed with tuna, egg, sardines, tomato and onion salsa, ham, salami, smoked salmon, smoked duck or beef bacon. The options are endless.

Remember to leave some space for dessert, as pastry chef Tan Kwee Lian’s irresistible sweet treats should not be missed.

Each week, the award-winning chef features eight unique cakes.

Possibilities include the Chocolate Banana Cake with Coconut Gianduja, and Chocolate Entrapment, among others.

One bite, and the exquisite flavours and combinations of these creations are apparent.

The buffet is completed with four flavours of Baskin Robbins ice- cream, and local drinks like teh tarik, chrysanthemum tea, sugarcane juice or air bandung.

On Sunday, enjoy a fun-filled gastronomic adventure with the whole family as the G Café serves the Sunday Funday Family Brunch from noon to 2.30pm.

It features a mini buffet and special play corner for the little ones, and is priced at RM78++ per person.

Kids between six and 12 enjoy a 50% discount, while those under six eat free.

For dinner, the hotel currently offers the Mongolian BBQ Buffet on Mondays, the Creole and Cajun Cuisine Buffet on Wednesdays, Seafood BBQ Buffet on Fridays and Surf and Turf Buffet on Saturdays, all priced at RM99++ per person.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings, there is the International Semi Buffet, priced between RM68++ and RM98++, depending on the main course selected.

Treat your parents to lavish spreads and fun activities with the upcoming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Sunday Brunch on May 12 and June 16 respectively.

Both are priced at RM128++ per person including free flow of beer, or RM88++ per person and RM44++ per child, for food only.

For reservations, call 04-2380000 or email to food.beverage@ghotel.com.my.

～News courtesy of The Star～