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Don’t squander your talent, Penang youth exco tells artists

Soon Lip Chee tells performers to not leave their profession forever after looking at other careers during the pandemic

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 09 Aug 2021 6:30PM

Don’t squander your talent, Penang youth exco tells artists — Penang youth and sports exco Soon Lip Chee promotes the Youth with Rhythm event. – Vibes pic, August 9, 2021

by Rachel Yeoh

MANY musicians, performers and artists have moved on from showcasing their talents to the public to working on jobs that will generate income for their survival during the Covid-19 pandemic. But Penang youth and sports exco, Soon Lip Chee, is appealing for them to return to the professional stage once everything returns to normal.

“You will be able to overcome this season and return to the entertainment industry.

“You may be a part-time worker now, a food delivery rider, or maybe you have started a new business, but please don’t give up on your talent.

“We still need your talent to support our entertainment industry and we still need performers after this is over,” he said during the launch of 'Youth with Rhythm: Merdeka Talent Show 2021'.

Interested applicants can send in their video clips from August 10 to September 10. – Pic courtesy of Youth with Rhythm

“I know that when they lost all their performance bookings – their momentum and emotions are affected.

“Their aims and objectives in the role that used to play are gone, they can’t do anything during this pandemic, and their industry is badly affected.

“Please don’t give up,” he said.

To encourage the talented youth in Penang to not give performing arts a miss, the state along with Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) and DVOL Dance Studio has set up a competition and show specially for the Merdeka celebrations this year.

“The talent show is another step forward by the Penang state government in boosting our young talents whilst reviving the society from the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic. We want this platform to be a ray of hope for many.

“I believe that talents can be defined further than only music. There are people who can dance, draw, paint, do magic shows, even stand-up comedy. We want to unearth the talents here in Penang; therefore, we open this competition to all kinds of talents.”

Penang locals and residents aged 15 to 35 who are interested to take part in 'Youth with Rhythm: Merdeka Talent Show 2021' can complete the Google forms and send in their video clips from August 10 to September 10.

There will be 15 finalists, and the winner will be awarded RM1,000 and an iPad Air. – The Vibes, August 9, 2021