It’s that time of the year again! The George Town Festival (GTF) 2012 runs from June 15 to July 15, mark it in your smartphone. More information is available at www.georgetownfestival.com
"Blinded Mind".
BLINDED MIND
This contemporary dance performance is choreographed by one of Finland’s most talented choreographers, Susanna Leinonen.
“Blinded Mind” was well received by the audience at the International Art Festival of San Francisco; its powerful visual elements and sound-world tell the story of one individual’s bravery to swim against the stream and the unavoidable consequences that follow.
SILAT – OUR HERITAGE FOR THE WORLD
The gala opening of the festival features the world premier of “Silat – Our Heritage For The World”, a new hybrid theatre performance infused with traditional music, visuals and martial arts.
Directed by award-winning producer/director Saw Teong Hin, “Silat” is produced and nurtured by the GTF, and may even reach New York stages one day. Watch this space!
"The Manganiyar Seduction".
THE MANGANIYAR SEDUCTION
Fresh from The Melbourne Art Festival 2011, “The Manganiyar Seduction” is a musical performance featuring traditional Sufi Manganiyar music with an amazing stage set.
"Rasa Sayang".
This dance theatre is a new interdisciplinary performance work that is part of a series of productions developed by collaborators director/dancer Tony Yap (Melbourne), musicians/composers Tim Humphrey and Madeleine Flynn, visual artist Naomi Ota and creative collaborator Ben Rogan.
“Rasa Sayang” brings together traditional spiritual themes from East and West in a contemporary visual architecture.
"Mirrors George Town".
MIRRORS GEORGE TOWN
A major highlight of the visual arts during the GTF 2012 is “Mirrors George Town”, a cutting-edge street art project by Ernest Zacharevic. The project consists of multiple murals painted onto the walls of buildings within the George Town World Heritage Site.
The paintings will depict portraits of various inhabitants of the city celebrating George Town’s multiculturalism and diversity, turning the city’s streets into a free open air gallery.
From July 6-8, the public can watch the artist in action along Armenian street!
RESCUBE
One entity – six sides.
“ResCube” is a rites de passage statement by six young artists, marking the arrival of a new generation of Malaysian artists. The site-specific exhibition will be staged in a breathtaking and mysterious historic warehouse along Beach Street, George Town.
The launch of “ResCube” will be marked by ZAP party. A warehouse party in Penang? This is not to be missed!
DESERT ROSE
Widely regarded as one of the leading composers and performers of the Arabic World Music in South Africa, Desert Rose will perform in Penang for the first time. It combines indigenous Sufi melodies with classical elements that were brought to the shores of South Africa by Malay ancestors from Java and the Malayan peninsular during the 1600s.
"Mak Yong".
UNESCO ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
One of the main features of the month-long celebration of culture and heritage is the Unesco Anniversary Celebration themed “LIVE HERITAGE”. It will be held on July 6, 7 and 8 in the George Town World Heritage Site.
“LIVE HERITAGE” will showcase endangered performing arts from the region including Chinese Puppet Theatre, Mak Yong, Main Puteri, Wayang Kulit Kelantan, Sri Lankan Traditional Dance, Khmer Shadow Puppet, Angklung and Cakgalung.