PENANG is heading into this month with a combination of “laughter and scares” as the state welcomes comedians and tourism-driven Halloween horror shows to its shores.
After a sold-out show earlier this year here, Singaporean Kumarason Chinnadurai, popularly known as simply Kumar, is making a comeback to Penang with two shows this weekend.
Despite holding the show in the state’s biggest arena at the Spice Setia Conference Centre near the state’s biggest hotel, the Amari Spice Hotel, tickets were selling out rapidly.
Sensing that Kumar is trending heavily in Penang, Amari also decided to become the official hotel for the show, as it wants to be part of the celebration of humour.
An organising spokesperson said that Kumar was only supposed to perform for a day, but it was extended another night due to the high demand.
The Kumarsutra Greatest Hits show will see Kumar perform his classic jokes that have left fans in stitches.
“I would like to say thank you to my Malaysian fans who have been very supportive of dear old me,” the 55-year-old comedian said in a statement.
“I’m happy to make you laugh, and you make me happy with your continuous encouragement and support.
“I’ve been coming to Malaysia for more than 20 years for shows and I will always bring my best,” said Kumar in a statement.
Kumar’s brash humour has resonated with many Malaysians and Singaporeans.
Next month, Joanne Kam will also return to the state she has fond regards for, since she studied at the now closed Convent Light Street school here.
Malaysian Association of Hotels vice-president Khoo Boo Lim welcomes efforts to bring entertainment acts including gastronomic events to Penang.
“It will boost tourism and Penang as a big destination for leisure travel.”
Every day’s Halloween at The Top
Penang’s tallest tourism attraction, The Top, is now banking on the American commercial-driven Halloween day to promote tourism and great Penang food.
It has decided to hold a Halloween-themed night every day until the end of the month, with all of its food and beverage outlets as well as its attractions adorned with the Halloween theme.
Its newly appointed general manager Grace Teoh said that this year, there is an added dimension with food served designed to have some interesting Halloween “gory meals” such as eyeballs and severed hands.
“It is just to create healthy fun and a good scare. But in the end, it’s tourism…we want to help promote here,” said Teoh, a veteran travel trade member.
Teoh hopes that families can come and sample the Halloween attractions here.
Recognising inflation’s impact on food, The Top is offering a promotion at RM9.90 nett to all state civil servants, especially those who are on duty in the adjoining Komtar state offices.
Meanwhile, the Mercure Tanjung Bungah Hotel has become the first hotel to bring Penang’s street delicacy of Lok Lok to its property here.
On every Saturday until further notice, the hotel in a statement has incorporated the Lok Lok snack food into the buffet dinner spread at its Ombak cafe here.
Lok Lok is a Hokkien traditional street food delicacy, which started off as a snack for supper, but it has since grown in popularity, to the point where it is also sold for lunch and tea besides dinner in the food-crazed state.
Mercure plans to make it a common feature, as the response has been warm. – The Vibes, October 10, 2023
