Tea, local artisinal produce, art take centre stage at GMBB’s Teagerrific New Year celebration

MALAYSIA'S creative community mall, GMBB, is roaring into the Year of the Tiger with A Teagerrific New Year celebration. Held over two weekends, it features a series of pop-ups and workshops, driving the cultural and artistic appreciation for all things about tea. Local artisanal food products by winners of the recent BAIKSelangor cottage industry competition will also be available for purchase.

Recognising the universal acceptance of tea across all cultures, Lim Ying Xian, Curator of GMBB, explained, “Since we opened our doors, GMBB has always been a fervent supporter of local arts and culture, and A Teagerrific New Year is our ode to the diversity of Malaysia’s cultural identity. Together with our long term partners, Kiddoz Place, we have handpicked 17 vendors offering a myriad of tea products ranging from oolong and masala chai to kombucha and matcha desserts. Throughout our journey, we have discovered so many local startups and artisans who are creating quality and unique goods, and we hope to be able to provide a platform that allows them to showcase their passion and enterprising efforts.”

“Having worked with many artists and artisans, we’re always in awe at the sense of fulfilment they get from their works, and their drive to make a meaningful living out of their crafts. The cultural and creative arts industry in Malaysia really deserves more appreciation. Inspired by their passion, GMBB aspires to bring the community together to grow and do #MoreTogether. Through the workshops and events that we host, we seek to bridge the gap between local artisans and the public, serving as a space where likeminded people can come together to share, experience, learn, and discover,” Lim added.

Visitors of A Teagerrific New Year are invited to participate in a total of 12 tea-related workshops led by experts and spend time to visit 17 specially curated tea vendors. In addition to tea-tastings and a workshop to brew your own masala chai, you can also sign up to make floral tea soaps, handbuild ceramic teacups, and create pu-erh tea-infused lotions.

Also part of the event is 11 BAIKSelangor pop-up booths, where there are local artisanal products, which were shortlisted in the 2021/2022 BAIKSelangor competition that was aimed at promoting the cottage industry. These products – homemade marmite sauce, stingless bee honey and more – are available in creatively crafted gift sets.

A Teagerrific New Year will be held at GMBB located in Bukit Bintang and is open to the public on January 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 11am to 6pm. It is organised by GMBB in collaboration with children educational centre, Kiddoz Place.

Other activities that will also be happening at GMBB includes Pingmin Chinese New Year Market, weekly inline-skating classes by The Blade School, and Fusion Wayang Kulit puppet-making biweekly workshops that gives the public an opportunity in creating their own wayang kulit. – The Vibes, January 14, 2022