This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 19, 2018

Your quick guide to rest and relaxation.

4 mellifluous events

Russian Rhapsody @ MPO

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini borrows some elements of Paganini’s Violin Caprice No. 24 in a mellifluous homage to Russia’s musical history. This weekend, The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) presents Russian Rhapsody. Award-winning conductor Mark Wigglesworth and acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough are returning to Kuala Lumpur to deliver an unforgettable performance with the MPO. Catch the show this weekend, either tomorrow at 8.30pm or Sunday at 3pm. It takes place at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Tower Two, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced between RM56 and RM141. Visit www.mpo.com.my to learn more.

intim sessions #10

Singer-songwriters Steff Fleur and Leaism are coming together to present a 90-minute-long acoustic gig. The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s (klpac) websites dub this event a “low-key, stripped down music series which takes place once every two months in a little studio at the klpac that has been steadily building fiercely loyal fans, thanks to its impressive line-up which has included Aina Abdul, Bil Musa, Pastel Lite and Juno & Hanna”. Don’t miss this month’s show, which takes place tomorrow at 8.30pm, at indicine, klpac, Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Lumpur. Entry requires a minimum donation of RM15.

Atilia Haron & Lokman Aslam

This week, Atalia Haron & Lokman Aslam — two renowned local artistes — are coming together to deliver a performance at Alexis Bistro. Atalia launched her debut album Sangkar in 2007, and has since been showcased her talent at numerous popular performance spaces. Joining her on stage is singer-songwriter Lokman, a Malaysian contemporary jazz icon who has amassed over a million YouTube views. The performance takes place tonight and tomorrow night at 10 at Alexis Bistro Ampang, Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Admission fee is RM25. Call (03) 4260 2288 for more information.

Kai Chalmers & Friends – 21st Century Musicals

Kai Chalmers is a singer-songwriter with impressive experience under his belt, and this weekend he is set to perform at the popular restaurant-performance space in Kuala Lumpur. Having performed in multiple West End theatres and original productions at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he is bringing his talent to the Bobo KL stage with songs from contemporary musicals. Joining him on stage are Brian Chan, Abi Manyu, Melissa Ong and Dennis Law. Catch the performance tonight or tomorrow night with an admission fee of RM60. It begins at 9.30pm at Bobo KL, Jalan Bangkung, Taman Bandaraya, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Call (03) 2092 5002.

1 good reason to head to penang

Hikayat: The Art of Poetry

Tomorrow, there is an opportunity for children and young adults to craft haikus, limericks and poetry inspired by the street art of George Town. Renie Leng, literature teacher, published poet and winner of the Fay Khoo Award for Food and Drink Writing, and Shireen Zainudin, photographer, writer, columnist, will guide budding poets. The workshop is open to young poets aged nine to 15, from 9.30am to 4.30pm, at Hikayat @ 226, Beach Street, George Town, Penang. Register by emailing [email protected], for RM288.

3 reasons to take a good look

Higher Order Love – Chapter 3, Scab: Lucky Draw

Malaysian artist Hasanul Isyraf Idris’ latest solo exhibition is the third chapter of his Higher Order Love series, and is titled Chapter 3, Scab: Lucky Draw. The series is said to “uncover a universe which renders memories and snippets of the artist’s life into visual interpretations through various elements in drawing”. Chapter 3 uses formal properties of drawing to evoke a sense of nostalgia that may be felt in the event of estrangement or mourning. The exhibition continues until Nov 2, and takes place at Richard Koh Fine Art, 229, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur. The gallery is open between noon and 6pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Visit www.rkfineart.com.

The Further You Stand, the Clearer You See

This fall, Wei-Ling Gallery presents The Further You Stand, the Clearer You See — a solo exhibition by artist Yim Yen Sum. Linking her artwork to memories of architecture, this exhibition marks the creator’s first in Malaysia. Yim’s work for this exhibit is inspired by her intrigue towards historical buildings in Malaysia, as well as her distress at their rapid disappearance. Catch a viewing of the exhibition at Wei-Ling Contemporary, 6th Floor, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur. It goes on until Nov 21, and is open for viewing from 11am to 7pm on Tuesdays to Sundays. Call (03) 2282 8323 to learn more.

Ambiguity

A solo exhibition by local artist Datuk Tajuddin Ismail, Ambiguity is organised by Segaris Art Center and TJ Fine Art. It showcases 29 recent works by the senior artist. Taking inspiration from elements of nature, architecture and music, Tajuddin states he prefers to leave the meaning of his works undefined and open to the interpretation of its viewers. The exhibition goes on until Nov 8 at Segaris Art Centre, Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. The gallery is open between 10am and 7pm from Tuesdays to Sundays. Call (03) 6211 9440 to learn more.

2 ways to be at one with the universe

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

One of the worlds most beloved astrophysicists, Neil deGrasse Tyson, has added getting to know the universe to our already busy schedule. “What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? Today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.” (RM77.31, Kinokuniya)

Stephen Hawking: Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Everybody who knows anything about the universe owes Stephen Hawking a thank you. The blurb of his latest book reads as follows. “Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. But even as his theoretical work on black holes, imaginary time and multiple histories took his mind to the furthest reaches of space, Hawking always believed that science could also be used to fix the problems on our planet.” (RM63.81, available for pre-order from Kinokuniya)

1 disastrous tale, comically told

The Tragicomedy of Errors

The Tragicomedy of Errors is about two plays that are being rehearsed simultaneously on the same stage. Delivered in three different languages and adapted from the renowned Taiwanese play titled Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land, the story of this double-booked rehearsal venue is unfolded with equal parts tragedy and comedy — just as one would expect. The Tragicomedy of Errors is being staged at 8.30pm tonight and tomorrow, as well as at 3pm tomorrow and on Sunday, at Pentas 1, klpac, Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced between RM63 and RM203. Visit www.klpac.org or call (03) 4047 9000 to learn more.