AFTER a five-year hiatus, the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2023 (YSDAF), one of Kuala Lumpur's major arts festivals, has returned.
From now through August, the festival will include several satellite activities and events, such as dance, theatre, film screenings, seminars, and workshops, all of which will highlight Malaysian talent.
The fourth iteration of the event, presented by Yayasan Sime Darby and KLPAC, is titled 'Shout it Out: Yesterday, Now, and Future' and will take place on August 19-20.
“We have almost 350 showcases and activities planned in 19 pocket locations around KLPAC. It involves approximately 1,000 artistes and crew and is expected to attract at least 18,000 festival goers. Nowhere else will you be able to sample such a wide variety of what the local arts scene can offer,” says Datuk Faridah Merican, YSDAF's executive producer and co-founder of KLPAC.
As part of the festival finale highlights, the 'Unforgettable: Lagenda Malaysia' concert will be held, celebrating Malaysian music, featuring hit songs from the 1960s to 1990s by legendary artists such as Sudirman, Saloma, P. Ramlee, Ramli Sarip, M. Nasir, Dr. Sam, Alleycats, Search, Wings, and more.
Co-directed by Ian Chow and Faridah, the concert is set to feature seasoned vocalists and a 30-strong string orchestra led by Maestro Lee Kok Leong and a four-piece rhythm band led by Jacqueline Teng.
Young, emerging talents are encouraged to audition for the concert on April 13 and 14 at KLPAC. Auditionees must be Malaysian citizens 18 years of age and above with a good command of Bahasa Malaysia.
Eligible auditionees must also be prepared to perform two songs acapella (one verse and one chorus for both song choices) from the given list in Group A and B. Song choices in Group A are Sinaran by Sheila Majid; Menaruh Harapan by Zaiton Sameon; and Bila Larut Malam by Saloma. Songs in Group B are Chow Kit Road by Sudirman; Fantasia Bulan Madu by Search; and Ikhlas Tapi Jauh by Zainal Abidin. Audition is by appointment only and registrations can be made here.
The main event includes other micro-festivals, a Radiohead tribute concert (titled 'True Love Waits', with the Young Choral Academy Chorus) and a performing arts training programme for the disabled. – The Vibes, April 1, 2023
