This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 14, 2017

2 Fun Activities for the Family

Picha Raya Open House
If you are still strung on Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations and are craving for some mouthwatering food, join The Picha Project’s Raya Open House and you will find your cravings satisfied. Taking on a whole new meaning to the usual family gathering, you will be having your meal in the homes of some refugees in Malaysia. Be prepared for an entirely new experience as you enjoy a feast prepared by the families and listen to their brave stories. For enquiries, logon to www.pichaproject.com. 

pARTiii Bazaar
Have a family weekend at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) Arts Festival 2017: pARTiii Bazaar where Malaysian and Taiwanese culture collide. Discover the talent of creative artists and craft makers as you browse through original handcrafted goods and take exclusive workshops. Also watch the merging of the two nations unfold in the mini showcase themed A New Era. Admission is free and the bazaar starts from 1pm to 8.30pm today and noon to 8.30pm over the weekend. The event will be held at DPAC, Empire Damansara, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya. For more information, head over to their website at www.dpac.com.my or call (03) 4065 0001.

1 show to Laugh Out Loud

Comedy Central Stand-Up, Asia!
Roar with laughter with Asia’s hottest, funniest and boldest comedians. Back for their second season, there will be eight hilarious comedians lined up to ensure you are gripped with laughter. The show is strictly for those 18 and above and will be filmed by Comedy Central Asia for the telecast of the show. Catch the hysterical bunch live today at 8pm at the HGH Convention Centre on Jalan Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. You can get your tickets, priced at RM50 to RM250 from www.ticketpro.com.my.

2 Films to Watch

War for the Planet of the Apes
Catch the newly released War for the Planet of the Apes in your favourite GSC cinema for an action packed weekend. Follow Caesar and his apes as they are forced into war with an army of humans led by Colonel. After the apes suffer incredible losses, Caesar quests to avenge his kind. Witness the epic battle that will determine the fate of the two species and the future of the planet. Rated PG-13, it will be an exhilarating film you won’t want to miss. Download the GSC app on your mobile device or purchase your tickets online at www.gsc.com.my.

Wish Upon
From the director of Annabelle comes Wish Upon, a horror film that will send shivers down your spine. Wish upon tells a tale of a teenage girl’s discovery of a magic music box that promises to grant its owner seven wishes. Intrigued with its dark powers, Clare becomes enticed with the box as her life dramatically improves after each wish. That is until she realises the deadly price she has to pay for using them. Catch the rated PG-13 film in your nearby GSC cinema and be careful what you wish for. For show times, check out www.gsc.com.my.

1 New Gadget to Test Out

Honor 8 Pro
A new toy has surfaced for the tech geek at heart. Huawei has recently released the Honor 8 Pro, which has been engineered precisely to meet the performance needs of today’s power users and gamers. With an advanced processing power, a battery life that can last for two days, 5.7-inch Quad HD display and a dual-lens camera all encased in an incredibly slim 6.97mm body, the Honor 8 Pro stands as a serious competitor against many popular on market smartphones. Whether in navy blue or midnight black, the smartphone is sleek and stylish from any angle. For more information on Honor, visit www.hihonor.com/my.

1 must-see art exhibition

Public Forum: Meet the curators
Meet the Ilham Contemporary Forum Project Curators as they share their developing thoughts on the project and engage the audience with their observations and opinions on contemporary Malaysian art and culture. Ilham’s newly launched pilot project aims to explore the current happenings in the arts and culture of Malaysia. With a range of young professionals from various fields and positions, an exhibition of recent artworks and cultural projects are collaboratively curated where all forms of art were appreciated. Meet the curators that pieced the exhibition together tomorrow at 3pm at the Ilham Gallery located at Level 5, Menara Ilham, 8 Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur. Visit www.ilhamgallery.com for more details.

2 Musical Shows to Groove to

McBe
Born and raised in Borneo, Brian Joseph Pan also known as McBe will be serenading the Alexis crowd with his strong vocals and soulful renditions. Groove to the band as McBe sings songs from a diverse selection of musical genres. From R&B to pop to funk to rock and the classics, end the week with tunes that will make you swoon. Priced from RM10, join him and the band today and tomorrow from 10pm at Alexis Bistro Ampang, located at Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. For more information, call (03) 4260 2288 or logon to www.alexis.com.my.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Calling all Potter fans from every realm. For the first time in Malaysia, the Selangor Symphony Orchestra will perform a spellbinding set of music from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high-definition on a 40-ft screen while the orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. Fans will be able to relive the thrill of the films inspired by JK Rowling’s unforgettable novels. Priced at RM228, RM268, RM388 and RM488, the concert will be held over the weekend at the Plenary Hall at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, KLCC. Logon to www.ticketpro.com.my to get your tickets.

1 Modern Classic to Read

The Handmaid’s Tale 
The Handmaid’s Tale brings a chilling classic that takes place in the totalitarian society of Gilead. With a plummeting birth rate, and a desperate need to repopulate, the few remaining fertile women are deemed to only one function: To breed. Forced into sexual servitude, Offred has to suffer through the horrifying world she lives in and have her daughter taken away from her. Determined to find her daughter, Offred steps into an uncertain future as she becomes a dissenter. Produced into a series on Hulu, get your copy of The Handmaid’s Tale at RM86 or RM77 for members at www.malaysia.kinokuniya.com.

1 Theatre Performance to Watch

Fame
They say that college is the best time of your life, but is it as glamourous as it seems? Fame follows the lives of a group of college students as they come to terms with their future, relationships and their perceived need to strive for excellence. The cast lays it bare on the stage to portray the pressures of college life, from girls wanting to stay skinny, boys wanting to keep their pride and others for being too ambitious too soon. Fame will be running from today to July 22 at Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced at RM53. Logon to www.klpac.org for more information about the production.