Charity

The Penang Animal Welfare Society, a no-kill dog shelter, is hosting Paw-a-thon 2015, a charity run that allows you to run with your pet dog. This marathon aims to raise awareness on the importance of the spaying/neutering of pets. Expect a T-shirt, goodie bags, a lucky draw and a pendant for your dog. Do take note that this marathon is exclusively for dogs, so leave your kitty cat and hamsters at home.

• Date: July 5 • Time: 8am
• Venue: Straits Quay
• Admission: RM60

• Register at: event.howei.com/event/4paws-pawathon-2015

Charity

Bone to Run 2015 is a fun-themed charity run in aid of the Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital’s Needy Cancer Patients Fund. This event also aims to raise awareness of bone cancer.

Don’t miss out on this fun run that entitles you to an attractive T-shirt and also a special limited edition finisher medal. All participants are encouraged to run with a given yellow helium balloon tied to their wrists, in conjunction with the International Bone Cancer Awareness Month – yellow being the official colour of bone cancer awareness. Be part of Penang's biggest fight against bone cancer. Join now!

• Date: July 26
• Flag-off time: 7am (present yourself at least an hour before the flag-off time)
• Venue: Straits Quay • Distance: 5.5km (Friendly Run), 3km (Family Run)
• Entry fee: RM50 (Friendly Run/Family Run), exclusive of an RM2 administrative fee
• Contact: +604 892 3999 • Website: www.mountmiriam.com
• Register at: event.howei.com/event/bonetorun

Art

Ernest Zacharevic, the artist who revolutionised street art in Penang with his murals, is presenting a new exhibition of multidisciplinary work by both national and international artists. Ayam What Ayam showcases a myriad of ideas initiated and developed by affiliated artists over the past year. Participating artists are Zacharevic, Fauzan Fuad, Jojo Yusof and many more.

• Date: May 30-July 27
• Venue: Ernest Zacharevic x E&O, Eastern & Oriental Hotel
• Contact: +6019 451 4149
• Website: www.ernestzacharevic.com

Festival

Bon Odori is a traditional and merry Japanese festival that is celebrated with dance and lively drum performances to welcome the homecoming ofancestral spirits. The Penang Bon Odori Festival is a Japanese-Buddhist observance that honours the spirits of ancestors that return once a year to visit their families. Expect stalls selling a variety of local and Japanese food, fireworks displays, Japanese souvenirs, lively performances and games.

• Date: July 25 • Time: 6pm-11pm
• Venues: Esplanade
• Contact: +604 650 5136/+604 261 9012
• Website: www.visitpenang.gov.my

Music

Did you know that the bayan is the Russian version of the accordion? Since 2014, two young Poles, Lukasz Mirek and Aleksander Jakubów, set up a band called the Bayan Brothers with the idea to cross the boundaries between genres and show that the accordion is an instrument on which one can play classical, modern, pop and folk music, as well as club vibes. The Bayan Brothers is set to folk-rock Penang this July.

• Date: July 4 • Time: 8.30pm
• Venue: Penangpac • Price: RM35, RM25 (concession)
• Contact: +604 899 1722/2722
• Website: www.penangpac.org

Theatre

The Sea tells three stories of emotional losses: a family during a flood, the break-up of a gay couple and a monologue of a woman in the memory of her deceased grandmother. These stories are worth the tissues, so be prepared to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster journey.

• Date: July 9-12 • Time: 7.30pm
• Venue: Penangpac • Price: RM13
• Contact: +604 899 1722/2722
• Website: www.penangpac.org

Dance

The Belly Dance Wonderland showcases Munique, a famous master teacher from Spain who is renowned for her unique Egyptian dance style that will enchant and mesmerise participants. Malaysia’s most captivating belly dancers will also be making an appearance with their inspiring performances, making this an event not to be missed.

• Date: July 18 • Time: 8pm
• Venue: Penangpac • Price: RM50
• Contact: +604 899 1722/2722
• Website: www.penangpac.org