THE tail end of the month will see Penang hosting a galore of festivals to mark the state’s standing as a heritage enclave with a rich culture and a hub for electrical and electronics.
The George Town Festival extravaganza kicks off today with the “Kingdom of Childhood” at the Armenian Street Park and the CORE Homegrown Concerts at the Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park.
The music performance, curated by Penang independent music label Uah Music Culture, aims to showcase the city’s soul. The showcase of cultural and world music shines a spotlight on the city’s multicultural fusion and the confluence of cultures that give it its characteristic charm.
The “Kingdom of Childhood” is a platform for adolescents to appreciate the Unesco World Heritage Site’s culture, arts, heritage, food, and communities.
This year’s event has about 70 programmes stretched over a period of 10 days.
Some 13km away, the annual Penang Hill Festival ends today with a signature music event, “East Meets West” at 3pm. The performers are the Penang Youth Orchestra; BhaavaNarthana Naatyalaya, a Penang-based classical Indian dance academy helmed by Guru Pavaani Thannimalai; Culture Shot, a homegrown ethnos fusion band; Wak Long Music & Art Centre, the only traditional Malay performing group in Penang; Sada Borneo, who aspires to create a new sound for Malaysian music; and Jimmy Fong, an award-winning singer-songwriter who mixes Latin, Chinese, blues, and Islander beats.
Fong, known as the “John Denver” of Penang, flew in from Melbourne, Australia, to perform in his hometown.
In George Town, government-linked agency Digital Penang is organising a Creative Week electrical and electronics showcase. Held at Level 3 in Wisma Yeap Chor Eee in China Street Ghaut, the event will bring together information communication tech and entrepreneurs. – July 21, 2024.
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