The highly-anticipated Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2018 returns this weekend! Malaysia’s biggest free-for-all arts festival, brought to you by Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), will be held on Aug 18 and 19 with almost 350 arts activities and performances.
Held at the sprawling klpac, families with children can look forward to a host of activities and
events at this year’s YSDAF, themed ‘You, Me + The Arts‘.
Here’s a low down of what to expect:
1. Storytelling followed by hands-on workshop by Anak Rimba Books
Anak Rimba Books was created by Abyan Junus-Nishizawa and Farah Landemaine who both have a shared interest in promoting creative content which focuses on endangered animals in Asia. They are also self-published authors of their first book, Why Don’t I Look Like You. At YSDAF, Abyan and Farah will be conducting an art workshop with the lovely characters from Why Don’t I Look Like You. Participants (and their parents) will create a beautiful forest of Anak Rimba animals and friends. There will also be a storytelling session with Abyan and Farah as they tell the tale of Timo and Tapir.
2. Shadow puppet performance called Hoong Siamang Hooong by Hongjiejie Work Station
Watch a Temuan legend come to life in this educational shadow puppet performance. Audiences can see the projection being manipulated from the front as the story of a brave and spirited couple setting off on an adventurous journey unfold. They journey through dense rainforest in search of a legendary mountain with fruit-laden trees. Along the way, they stumble upon a gargantuan ape, the Guardian of the Mountain.
This delightful interplay of light and shadow by Hongjiejie Work Station based on the Kenneth See’s book “Temuan” brings out the amazing relationship between Man and Nature. With some 20 children’s plays under their belt, Hongjiejie Work Station won the Kwik Cut Best Children’s Theatre Award at the 11th ADA Drama Award.
3. Mini exhibition of traditional games followed by a traditional games workshop By GohKaki Childhood Museum
Forget computer and video games! Come over to GohKaki Childhood Museum’s booth and experience traditional games such as Lala Lila Tampong, One Two Tali Shom, Marbles, Seven Stones and so many more.
Learn to create your own toys such as a grasshopper from coconut leaves and a bamboo helicopter from ice cream sticks. GohKaki Childhood Museum’s mission is to preserve traditional games by raising public awareness and providing memorable experience through these events.
4. Performances by the Kuala Lumpur Children’s Choir
Formed in April 2003 by Malaysian choral conductor and pedagogue Susanna Saw, who remains its Artistic Director, The Kuala Lumpur Children’s Choir course is Malaysia’s first comprehensive choral singing programme for children aged between 6 –14 years. From its home at the Young Choral Academy (YCA), Malaysia’s first academy for the training of choirs and a leading hub for choral education, the primary philosophy of the course is to introduce choral singing as a healthy activity for children in a fun and relaxed environment based on the Kodaly Method of teaching. The choir has won many prizes and awards and made successful tours to Australia, Austria, China and Germany, among others. They have also collaborated and shared the stage with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO), and several other international ensembles.
5. Workshops all day long
From doodling, batik painting, macramé-making to drum and drama workshops, there’s something to do for kids of every age. One such workshop is by current facilitator for the preschool drama programme at The Actors Studio Academy. Kimmy Chew will run a basic drama programme catered to kids aged three to six years old. Students will learn basic theatre activities and games that will help them develop listening skills and focus. Another is hip hop dance, where routine will be based on current pop songs.
Art, art, art and more art!
The festival will feature a 500-strong contingent of Malaysian artistes and arts workers. Nowhere else will you be able to enjoy such a wide sampling of the arts at one go. This will include dance, music, comedy, theatre, visual arts and children’s theatre in the form of performances, hands-on workshops, forums, screenings and exhibits.
One unique exhibition would be Subject Y by Chin Wen Yen, the winner of YSDAF2018’s Pitch Start grant. A multi-sensory experience catered to the visually and hearing-impaired, Subject Y is an alternative to a traditional museum that plays up the different senses. There will also be six outdoor installations under the banner Deria by INTI Centre of Art and Design (ICAD). There will also be two exhibits focusing on the plight of the disabled called Barrier and Seeing Through My Songs.
For the Appreciation of Music and Film
Music fans must not miss an exciting line up of bands curated by Soundscape Records which comprises indie rock legends Bittersweet, experimental act Pastel Lite and Azmyl Yunor & Orkes Padu. Other highlights include a traditional segment called Sounds & Sights of Orang Ulu by The Tuyang Initiative, and award-winning films such as Redha and Adiwiraku. There will also be crowd favourites like AIIA, Drum Simfoni, Lee Wushu Arts Theatre, Balletbase and the Kwangtung Dance Company.
The biennial festival offers a highly engaging, interactive and feel-good festival experience for children through to adults. The festival finale weekend kickstarts with a contingent of drummers (only) on Saturday, 18 August. It will end at 8pm before turning over to Adam! The Musical Gala Performance at 8.30pm. On Sunday 19 August, the festival begins at 11am. Visit www.ysdartsfestival.com.my for details and updates!
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