Cover The Shang Sisters (Photo: Instagram @theshangsisters)
The Shang Sisters (Photo: Instagram @theshangsisters)
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The Unesco World Heritage Site is set to crackle with artistic energy with the return of the George Town Festival 2022 in physical format
If you're an arts lover and want to witness this historical city come truly alive, there's no better time to plan a trip to Penang than from July 9-24 when the George Town Festival (GTF) is in full swing. Now in its 13th year, the festival has become one of the main highlights on the global arts calendar, and is back in physical format, albeit scaled back, after going virtual during lockdown.
Using the city's core heritage zone as one giant venue, the 16-day festival makes full use of its historical charm to create a truly unique experience.
See also: The Zhongshan Building and Its Vibrant, Diverse Creatives
To give you a peek at what's in store, here are seven highlights.
Dance
Serenity: A Glimpse Through the Traditional Lenses
Marrow Collective's artist Kar Kah Chan collaborates with cinematographer Joie Koo, dancers Ker Yee Teng and Winnie Tay Yi Xuan, Malaysian composer Yii Kah Hoe, and visual artist Sim Hoi Ling on a multi-disciplinary showcase inspired by two classical tragic female characters in kabuki and Chinese opera, Sagi Musume (Heron Maiden) and Lady Yang Gui Fei.
Through a 15-minute performance, a digital work of still images and subtle movements created in Rimbun Dahan, and a workshop, this contemporary dance piece aims to uncover the common thread between kabuki and Chinese opera.
Date: July 19 & 20
Time: 8pm
Venue: Hin Bus Depot
Tickets: Free
See also: Ballet Theatre Malaysia is Bringing the Dramatic Story of Carmen to Life
Music
Above The Shang Sisters
The Shang Sisters
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The Shang Sisters: Pesta Irama Bersama-Sama
The Shang Sisters are Janet Lee, Winnie Ho and Mian Tan and they will entertain audiences with their melodic brand of old Shanghai jazz. Accompanied by the award-winning WVC Jazz ensemble, the trio will belt Chinese and Malay songs as well as tunes from the Great American Songbook, all delivered in Malaysian and Nanyang style.
Date: July 9 & 10
Time: 8pm
Venue: Majestic Theatre
Tickets: RM80, RM256 (Group of 4)
Above Habitat Penang Hill
Habitat Penang Hill
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The Senses
Alena Murang, FAZZ, and Jumero will be performing at the Habitat Penang Hill, an ancient rainforest designated as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, specifically at Curtis Crest, which offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of Penang Island.
Date: July 17, 2022
Time: 4.30pm - 7pm
Venue: Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk @ The Habitat Penang Hill
Tickets: RM120, RM384 (Group of 4) **Inclusive of fast lane funicular train passes & entrance fee
Macallum Rooftop Concert
Head to the rooftop of this residential flat to enjoy an evening of music inspired by Penang and mingle with the residents—honestly, you can't get any more local than this. Performers include Penang-born singer and actress Chelsia Ng and Culture Shot a.k.a. La La Li La Tam Pong that performs with an eclectic combination of musical instruments including er-hu, rebana and Chinese cymbals.
Date: July 13
Time: 8-10pm
Venue: Rooftop, Kompleks Pulau Mutiara, Gat Lebuh Macallum
Tickets: Free
See also: Explore The Godown, an Urban Arts Centre Inspired by Downtown Kuala Lumpur
Theatre
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Ibu
A puppet theatre for adults, it showcases the unique talent of renowned Teochew iron-rod master puppeteer Ling Goh. Bridging a traditional Teochew art form and Southeast Asian folklore, the story revolves around a young man who escapes from his impoverished hometown and marries a foreign princess.
Date & Time:
21 July 2022 | 8.30pm
22 July 2022 | 8.30pm
23 July 2022 | 3.00pm
23 July 2022 | 8.30pm
Venue: Loft 29
Ticket Prices: RM80, RM256 (Group of 4)
See also: This Malaysian Calligrapher is Breaking the Rules of a 2,000-Year-Old Art Form
Metaverse
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Cahaya XR: First Edition
We couldn't say it better than the tagline itself: "Rediscover Penang stories in the metaverse". The physical and virtual exhibition features the works of Penang artists White Bones, Kabilan Murali Dharan, and Ysabel Loh who reimagine Penang stories through virtual, augmented and mixed reality.
If you can't make it in person, the exhibition will be available virtually 24/7 from July 13-24.
Date: July 13-17
Time: 2pm-9pm
Venue: The Whiteaways Arcade
Tickets: Free
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Above Photo: Anelale Nájera/Unsplash
Photo: Anelale Nájera/Unsplash
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George Town Discovery Walk
Discover George Town's historical architecture and buildings as well as the city's many street art on this 5km walk that takes you from Beach Street to Lebuh Carnavon. Among the sites on the itinerary are India House, Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower and Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion.
Date: July 7
Time: 7am
Venue: Beach Street, George Town
Registration: RM35
For the full list of programmes and more information, visit GTF 2022's official website.
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
