Upcoming Events & The Arts till 28th February

Look out for Zouk Fest 2005 in March at Genting Highlands. Click here for article on regular club nites worth checking out. Ghetto Heaven pres. DJ Fluke & Simon Sez @ Zouk 3 Feb & 10 Feb . Thursday . 9pm Playing at almost every nightclub across Australia, DJ Fluke has also pumped it up for Ja Rule, Naughty By Nature and The Black Eyed Peas. The maestro's indistinguishable sound, scratching style and remixes has got him hot on every club's DJ calendar. Pairing up with Simon Sez, a weekly resident at Melbourne's highest profile hip hop and r 'n' b joint, witness the duo on their return trip to Zouk. RM30 inc. 1 drink. Ladies free before 12mn. Sessions presents Terrence C & Suhaimie @ Velvet Underground 3 Feb . Thursday . 10pm RM 20 (incl 1 Drink) or Rm 30 (with crossover to Zouk for Ghetto Heaven) Avanti Restorante @ Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel 4 Feb . Friday . 10pm. Friday night jazz with Soundstream. Free Admission Ms Cheongsam - The Final @ Dragon Bar (formerly Bar Med) 4 Feb . Friday . 9pm. The final round of the Cheongsam Idol takes place. You have shortlisted a row of oriental beauties, now let's see who deserves to be crowned empress and rule the title until the next assembly of the contenders. RM20 inc. 1 drink Marco Bailey (Belgium), Live @ Zouk Mainroom 4 Feb . Friday Tickets: Rm 27 (incl. 1 drink) Marina Xavier and friends at Alexis Bistro Ampang 4 Feb . Friday & 5 Feb . Saturday, 10.30pm. Free Admission Sondaya at Alexis Ampang Feb 4 & 5, 2005 (10.30 pm) Sondaya, led by British saxophonist / composer Greg Lyons, is the first real exponent of Latin Jazz in Kuala Lumpur. Gerhana Ska Cinta @ Hard Rock Cafe 5 Feb . Saturday . 3pm Presenting Malaysia's very own ska band 'Gerhana Ska Cinta' featuring musics from their lates album 'The New Authentic' comprising elements of ska, reggae,dancehall, rocksteady and many more. Admission: RM25, includes 1 drink DJ Gregory @ Velvet Underground 5 Feb . Saturday . 10pm DJ Gregory has been everywhere. This DJ/Producer with multiple identities has shown enormous versatility, with his Headcore EP revealing his dark, strange and radically underground side. Besides being featured on the Parisian Source Lab 3 project, he has worked with Julien Jabre and on the Africanism initiative. Founding his own label, Faya Combo, its first release, 'Damelo', went on to become a club hit and has since been on the playlists of DJs around the world. Turn to the dark side. RM35 bef. 11pm, ladies RM40, men RM45 aft., inc. 1 drink. Inferno Drum n Bass Sessions @ Ice Bar (beside Modesto's Hartamas) 5 Feb . Saturday . 10pm Loops Collective releases DJ's Anowl, Jasmin, Cryme, Mac and more drum and bass soldiers as they retaliate against all odds and prepare to show off their skills, cool as ice, Malaysian style. A long awaited return since their stint at China Max, the crew snip the ribbon tonight. Fans of the genre are required to be present; it's a community reunion to support the new breed. FREE. Louder Than Love @ Zouk 6 Feb . Sunday . 3pm-3am 12 hours marathon in aid of the unfortunate Tsunami victims. Presented by Laguna Records and Unicef. Featuring.. Electronica Set: Ray Soo, Jungle Jerry, Victor G, DJ Blink, Groovedoctor, Syko G, Space Bar, Six & Fono Rock Set: Kamasutra II, The Official, Love Me Butch, Tempered Mental, Lied, Republic of Brickfields, Sever Collar T-shirt, Deja Voodoo, False Opus, Nervewreck, T.W.K.U.A, Pop Shuvit, OAG, Prana, Kluk Kluk Adventure Tribal Art: Members of Asian Percussion Unit, KKB Chant, Stickman, Percussive Poi, Firetwirling, Capoeira. Cover charge: RM 20 Strictly above 21 after 10pm onwards. James Holden @ Zouk, CNY Eve 8 Feb . Tuesday . 10pm As the digital Producer par excellence, James Holden has been blazing a trail through unchartered territory and showing those who have followed in his wake how it should be done. At the helm of his own buzz label, Border Community, he has discovered like-minded souls to help turn his musical vision into reality by peddling something different to the record buying public. Underlying the three components of the James Holden recipe for success is an unerring belief in his own vision. Catch the work in progress as he carves out a niche of his own. RM30 bef. 11pm, ladies RM35, RM40 aft., inc. 1 drink. Glamourpuss Groove pres. Diva @ Dragon Bar 9 Feb . Wednesday . 10pm Ladies' Night turns from chic to chaotic as the divas storm onto the stage in lace, corsets, string colours and sheer underthings to do some swaying and shaking-the world outside is just too frustrating. You can look but you can't touch. Free for ladies. RM20 inc. 1 drink. Sessions presents Special K & Da Funkie Junkie @ Velvet Underground 10 Feb . Thursday . 10pm A nite of not so serious house. Fun! RM 20 (incl 1 Drink) or Rm 30 (with crossover to Zouk for Ghetto Heaven) Kid Loco @ Velvet Underground 11 Feb . Friday . 10pm An easy listening trip hopper with style comparisons to his countrymen, Air and Dimitri From Paris, Kid Loco has an even stronger kinship with the long tradition of French pop characterised by Serge Gainsbourg. His album, A Grand Love Story, earned praises from many in the indie rock and electronica community, and besides working with St. Etienne's Sarah Cracknell on Gershwin's 'The Man I Love', he has done remix work for Stereolab, Mogwai and Talvin Singh. With Kid Loco moving up to the majors with his 2001 album, Kill Your Darlings, you won't be disappointed. RM35 bef. 11pm, ladies RM40, men RM45 aft., inc. 1 drink. Eclectic Phunk featuring Tony Tay & DJ Blink 11 Feb . Friday . 10pm Breakbeat, Funk, Soul, Trip Hop, Electro. Rm25 (incl. 1 drink b4 11pm) Jazz with Suflan at Avanti Restorante, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel 11 Feb . Friday . 10pm . Free Admission Valentine's Party @ Dragon Bar 12 Feb . Saturday . 10pm It's pre-Valentine's for those with bosses who won't let you leave early on Monday eve. The theme: beds. The concept: erm, beds. It's a night of romping on beds. Expect lots of sheets and throw pillows, red wine and rose petals, all at the fiery red Dragon Bar. RM20 inc. 1 drink Adibah Noor & The Sunday Lollies @ Alexis Bistro Ampang 11 Feb . Friday & 12 Feb . Saturday 10.30pm. 2005 marks Adibah's 11th year in show business. Often hailed as "the most celebrated singer in Malaysia without an album Jaclyn Victor Valentine Affair @ Avanti Ristorante, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel 14 Feb . Monday . 7pm . Dinner is at RM320++ and RM400++. Reservations: 03-7492 8000 Sessions presents Mickey Mclean @ Velvet Underground 17 Feb . Thursday . 10pm A versatile DJ that has been a long stay of the KL Club scene. Fun! RM 20 (incl 1 Drink) or Rm 30 (with crossover to Zouk for Ghetto Heaven) Night Jazz with Greg Lyons @ Avanti Restorante, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel 18 Feb . Friday . 10pm . Free Admission Suflan and friends featuring Sharizan @ Alexis Bistro Ampang 18 Feb . Friday & 19 Feb . Saturday . 10.30pm . Free Admission Catch Sharizan in action belting great Jazz & Swing Hits!!! backed by 4 very talented and renowned musicians. Suflan - Piano; Razak Rahman - Saxaphone; David Yee (Wa) - Bass; Purnama Booty - Drums Passion pres. Deetron @ Atmosphere TwelveSI 18 Feb . Friday . 10pm Zurich-born Deetron has decided to transport his playlist of stomping electronic beats to our shores. Helming a residency at Trax and doing remixes for the likes of Samuel L Session, Ben Sims and Damon Wild, among others, his energetic DJ sets has exploded in clubs in Europe, England and Australia. With remixes for Green Velvet, Gary Martin and Mark Broom currently keeping him busy, he takes a breather from production duties to drop his bombs in KL. Take cover! RM40 inc. 1 drink. Umek @ Zouk 18 Feb . Friday . 10pm Umek will be doing a feat of playing on 4 decks simultaneously. Seeing is believing. RM30 inc. 1 drink before 11pm. Wings @ Planet Hollywood 20 & 27 Feb . Sunday . 10.30pm Sunday Nite Live with Malaysia's famous rock group Wings. Admission: RM 35, includes 1 drink Judge Jules @ Atmosphere, TwelveSI 23 Feb . Wednesday . 10pm Not a stranger to the dance world, Judge Jules returns fully armed and prepared to hit the gravel with pounding trance anthems straight out of the courtroom. With his lethal ammunition pouncing on dancefloors since 1983, Jules has risen to meteoric heights by playing at some of the best clubs across the world including Cream, Godskitchen and MOS. This time, the Judge presides at Atmosphere; get ready to be blown away. RM30, 1st 300 KCC members bef. 1am RM15 inc. 1 drink. Sessions presents Funk.K & Spinz @ Velvet Underground 24 Feb . Thursday . 10pm A nite of tribal and techhouse. Fun! RM 20 (incl 1 Drink) or Rm 30 (with crossover to Zouk for Ghetto Heaven) MYNC Project @ Velvet Underground 25 Feb . Friday. 10pm Hailing from the Midlands, Mark Younghead and Nick Corelli have taken the house scene by storm as their bizarre 4-deck, 2-mixer and 2-EFX performances have wowed clubbers both at their residency at Passion, appearances at Ministry and Cream, and at Miami's Groovejet. They bring DJing into the realms of their musical creativity, twisting pre-recorded sounds into new and original dance potions. Spellbinding! RM35 bef. 11pm, ladies RM40, men RM45 aft., inc. 1 drink. Juwita Suwito and friends @ Alexis Bistro Ampang 25 Feb . Friday & 26 Feb . Saturday . 10.30pm . Free Admission. One Tribe Party @ Zouk 25 Feb . Friday. 10pm Bringing you back to the roots of ancestral civilisation, Zouk teleports you through the deep, hidden confines of Earth and defines the future of partying in the concrete jungle. Enveloping you will be the sounds of rushing water from the nearby waterfall, fireflies in the trees lighting the pathway into the forbidden and the soft glimmer of stars above. Raising temperatures to scorching levels will be Zouk Singapore's Aldrin churning out tribal on decks, Krishna and Justin of APU banging on the bongos, and capoeira dancers and flamethrowers dominating the dancefloor. Welcome to the jungle. By Invitation. John Askew @ Atmosphere, TwelveSI 25 Feb . Friday . 10pm John Askew is, without a doubt, one of the hottest tech-trance DJ/Producers in the UK, if not the world. Following the huge success of his singles, 'Vellum', 'The Door' and 'New Dimension', he has gone on to consistently deliver high quality club music through his own Discover and Kompressed labels, and via his many remix projects for prominent labels such as Duty Free, Ministry Of Sound and Paul van Dyk's legendary Vandit. Spinning at some of the coolest clubs around the globe, he arrives in Malaysia to rock the floor. 9pm. RM40 inc. 1 drink. Hitz.FM 8th Birthday Bash @ Sunway Lagoon Sat 26 Feb . 8pm Hitz.FM celebrates its 8th birthday and launches its first Malaysian English Top 10 Awards with a lot of skin and water. The most listened to radio station cruises to Sunway Lagoon where everyone can make believe that KL is by the sea after all. Hosted by your favourite Hitz.FM DJs, get watered down with performances from Jaclyn Victor, VE, Disagree, and special appearances by the nominees. By invite only. For info, log onto http://www.hitz.fm/oap/04/hitz_bdaybash05/macrosite/. Invitation to be audience of HO Live Show at ASTRO Sunday 27 February You are invited to be with Halim Othman at Astro for the new show called HO Live! At Studio 2, Astro on Sunday 27 February. SMS your name and IC Number to 016-6833306 to register. other bits and Pieces we received from Atmosphere so far. Atmosphere presents UNI-SX featuring DJ Romy & DJ Iman - February 11. Delicious presents Electric Circus with Excessive Records featuring DJBurger & Callen @ atmosphere - February 12 (see flyer below) Valentine's Dinner & Dance @ atmosphere - Monday, Feb 14. Bollywood night - date has been changed to 17th February (thursday) Passion presents Deetron @ atmosphere - 18 Feb (see above) Atmosphere presents Judge Jules @ atmosphere - 23 Feb (see above) Passion presents John Askew @ atmosphere - 25 Feb (see above) More updates soon. Arts & Theatre Stuff contributed by Kakiseni Alarippu to Moksha 2005 Jan 21 - 23, 2005 (8.30 pm); Jan 28 & 29, 2005 (8.30 pm) Sutra Dance Theatre presents the ever-evolving experience of the dancer. Artistically directed by Ramli Ibrahim, Shangita Namashivayam and Guna, Alarippu.. Spirit of the Wood and Other Treasures Feb 3 – 28, 2005. Gallerie Taksu. Presenting the keris works of the late Master Carver Nik Rashiddin Nik Hussein, scourer of artitic traditions and believer of the Langkasuka Empire. Also: paintings and photographs by Ahmad Fuad Osman, Ahmad Shukri Mohamed, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Bernice Chauly, Jalaini Abu Hassan and Noor Mahnum Mohamed, with their contemporary interpretations of traditional Malay culture. Hamlet Feb 3 – 6, 2005. The Actors Studio. Faridah Merican presents everybody’s favourite Bahasa-speaking Danish prince, played by everybody’s favourite American-accented Malaysian actor. Yes, Gavin Yap is the angsty Hamlet, while cute Sepet star Sharifah Amani plays his angsty girlfriend, and the ubiquitous Patrick Teoh as her voyeuristic father. To peep or not to peep? Aiyah, peep lah! The Lady Esplanade by Pete Teo 01 / 02 / 2005 Pete Teo swoons into the arms of Singapore’s sexy arts facility, but returns home to the love of local groupies... MPO Chamber Concert - Lindgren, Ravel, Wieniawski, Brahms Feb 1, 2005 (6 pm) The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Players play: Poulenc's Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon; Maurice Ravel's Sonata for Violin & Cello; Henryk... Sting - Live in Kuala Lumpur - Sacred Love World Tour Feb 2, 2005 (8.30 pm) Sting’s Sacred Love Tour continues in 2005 with performances in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Australia and New Zealand, among... Voices Of Hope - In Aid of Tsunami Victims Feb 2, 2005 (8 pm) The predicament of 80 families in Permatang Damar Laut, a fishing village in Penang, has come to light. In aid... Hidup Rakyat! by Fahmi Fadzil Festival Kesenian Rakyat Malaysia 03 / 02 / 2005 Memasyarakatkan seni dan budaya melalui tarian asli dan permainan galah panjang... Harry Connick, Jr. with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra - Sold Out Feb 3 - 5, 2005 (8.30 pm) Harry Connick, Jr. was a WW2 bomber tail-gunner in Memphis Belle (1990), a serial killer in Copycat (1995), and the... Cool Stuff 1 by The Special Bunch Arts happenings worldwide 04 / 02 / 2005 Hardcore soft toys, Webcomics evangelism, Arts fest junkies... Anting+Anting & Matahati Jan 26 -Feb 28 Political mural-making art group from the Philippines with expensive painting-making art collective from Malaysia come together to sell works from RM400 onwards at Bangsar. Stepping Out! Feb 12 & 13 Under the charismatic leadership of Joseph Gonzales, the dance department of Akademi Seni Kebangsaan will once again launch the careers of “hopefully exciting” young choreographers. Jaclyn Victor Valentine Affair Feb 14 Well, you have wasted good SMS money on her. Why not make her work for it? Our Malaysian Idol will serenade your date and try to turn her/him gooey in time for desert. Which may not even be necessary – Valentine dates are pretty foolproof. Spellbound Feb 16 - 20 Forging an Odissi tradition with Malaysian characteristics, Spellbound will feature new works, in collaboration with Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, a guru of Ramli Ibrahim’s own guru. Accompanied by master musicians from Orissa, India, Ramli and the best of the Sutra Dance Theatre dancers will embark on this, their fourth Malaysian tour. Hamlet (Extension)* Feb 3 - 5, 2005 (8.30 pm); Feb 6, 2005 (3 pm) / Feb 18 (Fri) - 20 (Sun), 2005 (8.30 pm) Run extended: This is Faridah Merican's third attempt at staging Hamlet. So why does this Shakespearean play warrant so many re-stagings?... Bangsawan 12 Dayung Petani Feb 17 (Thu) - 19 (Sat), 2005 (8.30 pm) Kerana keperitan hidup maka 6 orang anak Melayu Petani yang diketuai oleh Syed Saaban dan Megat Sulung merentangi lautan samudera... Raya Terakhir Feb 20 (Sun), 2005 (8.30 pm) Pementasan Teater Raya Terakhir arahan Azmi Zainun (Amizai) dari Group Teater Anak Seni Warisan (ASWA) dengan kerjasama Jabatan Kebudayaan, Kesenian... Classrooms & S21 – the Khmer Rouge Killing Machine Feb 21 The first is a short meditation by Ho Yuhang on Cambodia’s ‘genocide museum’. The second is a full blown, unflinching documentary of the building, which used to be an interrogation centre during 1975-1979 when almost two million were put to death. The documentary, directed by Rithy Panh, won the Francois Chalais Award, Cannes Film Fest 2003. MPO Chamber Concert – Schnittke, Poulenc, Spohr Feb 22 Presenting Schnittke’s Epilogue for cello, piano and tape; Poulenc’s Sonata for horn, trumpet & trombone; and Spohr’s Nonet in F, Op 31. Schnittke is a moody late-20th Century Russian and Poulenc is an Orientalist early-20th Century French. Spohr, a six-feet-five German conductor of the century before, is inventor of the chin-rest. Mansor, Manhattan and Movies: Wed Feb 23 – Wed Mar 9, 2005, Alliance Francaise, KL Last year, Mansor Puteh released 57 books for the price of RM1957 per set. With titles like Awang ke Universiti Dunia Melayu, he hopes to “narrow the cultural and intellectual divide, and to balance the image deficit experienced by Muslims and the Malays.” Alliance Francaise, which bought the entire set, will exhibit his self-designed book covers as well as photos of Bali, which will “question people’s expectations in photography.” 33rd Hong Kong Arts Fest: Thu Feb 17 - Sun Mar 20, 2005, Hong Kong. As near as we can get to some stellar international acts: Blind Boys of Alabama, Musicians and Poets of Rajasthan, Lila Downs (who looks like Frida and sang on soundtrack of Frida), Spain’s Ballet Nacional de Espana, Italy’s Compagnia Aterballeto, and a festival commission, Little Prince Hamlet, bringing together Saint Exupery, Shakespeare and six Asian dancers. Also: a Dario Fo play, a Verdi opera, and a puppet play about a man born without arms and legs. Dance, The Colour Rouge 3 - Awakening Crows Feb 19, 2005 (8 pm) / Feb 20, 2005 (11 am, 3 pm, 8 pm) Ushering in 2005, the year of the Rooster, Batu Dance Theatre’s Dance, the Color Rouge parties into its third year... The KL Writer's Club (Feb 2005) Feb 19, 2005 (11 am) The KL Writers' Club is a support group for local aspiring book authors, run by freelance writer Oon Yeoh in... Comedy Court All Stars Feb 21 (Mon) - 26 (Sat), 2005 (8.30 pm) Comedy Court presents Comedy Court All Stars, welcoming the New Year with new stories, new scenarios and some old stuff.... MPO Encounter - Operaholics: The Birth of Opera Feb 20, 2005 (11 am) Let MPO musician Joost Flach take you on a journey into the intricate world of opera. Back by popular demand,... Wings - Sunday Nite Live @ Hard Rock Cafe Feb 20 (Sun) & 27 (Sun), 2005 (10.30 pm) Perhaps Malaysia’s most popular rock group, the band Wings, including Awie himself, are back once again to indulge and bring... MPO Chamber Concert - Schnittke, Poulenc, Spohr Feb 22, 2005 (6 pm) The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Players play: Alfred Schnittke's Epilogue for cello, piano and tape; Poulenc's Sonata for horn, trumpet &... Denise Freeman @ Alexis Ampang Feb 24, 2005 (9.30 pm) Back in Malaysia to release her album, Denise Freeman’s world of music glides from folk and blues to soul and... Avanti Friday Nite Jazz - Groove Unction Feb 25, 2005 (10 pm) Smooth, funky jazz nights return for a third season at the Avanti Italian-American Ristorante at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, with... Classical Guitar Recital - Stefano Grondona Feb 25 & 26, 2005 (8 pm) In an interview of 1985, the maestro Andrés Segovia named Stefano Grondona as one of his favourite students (together with... Juwita Suwito & Friends @ Alexis Ampang Feb 25 (Fri) & 26 (Sat), 2005 (10.30 pm) You may recognise her name as the voice of Akademi Fantasia’s theme song, 'Menuju Puncak', or as vocal coach of... Bangsawan Megat Panji Alam Feb 25 (Fri) - 27 (Sun), 2005 (8.30 pm) A performance by 3rd year Akademi Seni Kebangsaan students, this popular bangsawan tale tells of the dilemma of Tun Teja... Aayilyamkavile Ponni Feb 26 (Sat), 2005 (8 pm) Malayalee playwright PT Chacko is prolific: he has written numerous plays, 300 songs, and a couple of albums in the... The End of a Love Affair Sat Feb 26 1919 Bistro, which tried to market itself as the hang out for sensitive souls pining for gentler times (and good tapas), has given up. Perhaps not enough sensitive souls (or good tapas) to go around. This Sat Feb 26, they present the last cabaret act. Llewellyn Marsh directs from the piano, with vocals from Cheong Whye Mun, Suzan Manen, and Michelle Nunis. 1919 Bistro, KL. Denise Freeman & Farid Ali @ Backyard Pub Feb 26 (Sat), 2005 (9 pm) The Backyard Pub plays host to a surprise one-night-only special guest in the form of Denise Freeman, who has cut... Evelyn Toh Solo Recital: Sat Feb 26, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, KL This Grand Champion in the Malaysia-Singapore Classical Singing Competition and the National Classical Singing Grand Final competition will present songs in German, French, Italian, and Chinese. M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2005: Sat Feb 26 - Sat Mar 12, 2005, Singapore. Even nearer than Hong Kong, but with a smaller (more realistic?) scope. The festival presents you examinations into themes of mass violence and peace, from the Holocaust to 9-11. Featuring: A reworking of Little Red Riding Hood, a play about Hitler and an art performance about French women who slept with German soldiers. Little Wings Feb 25 - Mar 20, 2005 (Tues - Fri: 10 am; Sat / Sun: 12 pm) From The Little Company that also brought you Rumpelstiltskin, Little Wings is a play for 2 to 6 year-olds. Written...