Category: Entertainment

IPOH – Datuk M. Nasir, a renowned music maestro, is set to hold a special concert in Ipoh, in celebration of the city’s recent inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the music category.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, The Chairman of the Music Copyright Protection Agency (MACP) announced, as reported by Bernama and Malaysia Gazette, that the concert is scheduled for mid-2024 at a suitable location within the city. This event is part of a series of artistic activities planned to support the Ipoh City Council (MBI) in its endeavors as a creative city of music.

MACP is also organizing a ‘Cipta Ekspres’ program in Ipoh, where songwriters will collaborate to create new songs over several days. M. Nasir highlighted Ipoh’s potential, noting the city’s long-standing appeal to rock music fans since the 1980s and the growing interest in various other music genres in the suburbs.

He observed that the Ipoh music scene has always been dynamic, with a current increase in fans of genres beyond rock music, particularly in the city’s outskirts. The plan is to attract these enthusiasts through diverse art activities, including extended concerts and festivals, potentially leading to an ‘Art Month’ in Ipoh.

M. Nasir expressed optimism about realizing these plans with the proactive and consistent support of MBI and other agencies. This initiative follows UNESCO’s announcement on November 1, as reported by Bernama, declaring Ipoh as one of the 55 new cities joining the UCCN on World Cities Day. In 2022, Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin had proposed the city for nomination to the UCCN, specializing in music, as part of a strategy for sustainable urban development and making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR – The Traditional Orchestra of Malaysia (OTM) Outreach Programme: Sounds of Malaysia (SOM) 2023 will conclude with a celebratory concert at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam on November 10. The event, set to feature prominent local artists, marks the culmination of a significant cultural initiative.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the SOM concert represents a collaborative effort between OTM and the Music Conservatory, College of Creative Arts Studies, UiTM Shah Alam. The primary aim of the concert is to acquaint the younger generation, particularly students at public universities, with traditional Malaysian music. Scheduled performers for the concert include renowned singers Dayang Nurfaizah, Haziq Rosebi, and Dhiya Suhaili.

The public, particularly campus residents, are invited to attend and enliven the event, which will start at 8.45 pm at the Seri Budiman Concert Hall, UiTM, Shah Alam. Tickets priced at RM 55 are available for purchase exclusively through the portal https://www.excitix.com.my/.

In addition to the concert, Istana Budaya announced that a mentor-mentee programme involving workshops on gamelan and caklempong is scheduled for November 9. Furthermore, a masterclass session focusing on instrumentation and performance artistry will be conducted on November 10.

The SOM concert and the associated educational activities are part of the outreach programme by Istana Budaya, under the Gerak campaign. This campaign is dedicated to showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of OTM, blending various music styles from ethnic groups in Malaysia. The outreach aims to engage especially with budding musicians in public and private universities, promoting an appreciation of Malaysia’s rich musical heritage.

KUALA LUMPUR – The National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) has announced the successful registration of 43 Inspitari dance works with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO). The Inspitari concept, a blend of ‘Inspirasi’ and ‘Tarian’, signifies a unique fusion of inspiration and dance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Karya Inspitari Certificates of Recognition for works created from 2010 to 2018 were presented during the 2023 Inspitari ceremony. This event took place at the Malaysian Tourism Centre (MaTiC) Kuala Lumpur on November 4 and 5.

JKKN Director Mohd Amran Mohd Haris explained that the Inspitari ceremony, a biennial event organized by JKKN, offers choreographers from across the country an opportunity to showcase new dance productions. He emphasized that the initiative is part of efforts to foster the creation of dynamic and fresh works in the field of dance.

The ceremony also included the presentation of two awards: the 2023 Best Work Inspitari Award and the Tik Tok All-Time Best Inspitari Award. JKKN Johor emerged as the winner of the Best Tik Tok All-Time Award for their performance of ‘Ketam Bangkang’. Additionally, JKKN Johor’s ‘Tari Hulu Peta’ performance, choreographed by Hamly Shah Ramli, secured the 2023 Best Work Inspitari Award.

KUALA LUMPUR – Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, renowned for his dynamic performances in Indian cinema, is slated to return to Malaysia after eight years. He will be featured in the ‘Stars On Fire Kuala Lumpur Live in Concert’ scheduled for December 1 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Director of Heart Art Production and the organizer of the concert, the event promises a line-up of extraordinary artists. Roshan, known for his roles in films such as ‘Kaho Na Pyar’, ‘Agneepath’, ‘Krissh’, and others, is eagerly preparing to deliver an exceptional performance for his Malaysian fans.

Rana, during a press conference, shared that Hrithik Roshan is excited about his return to Malaysia. He aims to reciprocate the warm reception and love he previously received from his Malaysian audience through this concert.

Alongside Hrithik, the concert will feature other notable personalities, including choreographer and dancer Prabhu Deva, Bollywood actresses Vaani Kapoor, Malaika Arora, and Sanya Malhotra.

The event will kick off with an opening act by the celebrity duo Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa. Additionally, singing sensations Kanika Kapoor and Aastha Gill are set to perform, adding to the event’s allure.

For those interested in attending, a special discount of 11 percent is being offered on tickets purchased on November 11. Tickets can be acquired through the website https://yessbossticket.com/event/stars-on-fire-tour/.

Istana Budaya in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) will hold a ‘Gegar Kembara Muzik Tradisional’ concert on Oct 14 at the Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak, Bangi campus.

Istana Budaya in a statement said that the mega-scale concert will feature popular artistes including Shiha Zikir, Nadeera Zaini and Putera Muhammad who will perform the latest compositions of traditional orchestral music genres including Kembali Terang, Casablanca and Kalam.

According to the statement, also featured at the concert will be a traditional dance performance by Artistana Istana Budaya and enlivened by UKM’s Artisukma, dikir barat ensemble, choir group and Cak Lempung ensemble by UKM students.

Music Director Yazid Zakaria said the concert was a continuation of Istana Budaya’s strategic collaboration with public and private higher education institutions such as Management and Science University which took place on May 23 and 24 and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, on June 24.

“In order to raise traditional music to a higher level, we are trying to approach various sections of society, especially the young generation through performances and singing by up-and-coming artistes so that it continues to be popular, appreciated and not lost over time,” he said.

Campus residents and members of the public can get tickets to the concert which starts at 8 pm for as low as RM11.50 at the portal https://www.ticket2u.com.my/.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency