This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 21, 2017
3 musicians to catch in action
Llewellyn Marsh
Award-winning music maestro Llewellyn Marsh returns to Alexis Bistro once again to perform a string of much-loved musical and movie favourites. He will be joined by Tria Aziz and Izen Kong, who will accompany him on duets, medleys, mash-ups and more. Marsh has conducted and worked on the arrangements for a slew of local productions including Aladdin and Broken Bridges. The performance will be on tonight and tomorrow at 10pm. There will be a minimum entry charge of RM10 per person. Alexis Bistro is located at Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. To make a reservation, call (03) 4260 2288.
Talitha Tan
Popular singer and guitarist Talitha Tan will be entertaining the crowd tonight at No Black Tie. Known for her hit Okay, Tan began her career posting song covers on Youtube and has gained a big following online. She will be performing a combination of her own songs and covers, bringing her own brand of pop, jazz and indie to the No Black Tie stage. There will be a cover charge of RM53. No Black Tie is located at 17 Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur. For more information, call (03) 2142 3737.
Melissa Indot
Go on a journey with Melissa Indot as she performs a soundtrack that takes us through the ups and downs of life. She will be performing a combination of original songs and covers. Audiences have the option of dining at Bobo KL before the performance. Bobo KL is located at 65-1 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. For enquiries and reservations, call (03) 2092 5002.
2 theatre performances not to miss out on
The Pillowman
This play by Martin McDonagh won the 2004 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the 2005 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play. The dark comedy presented by Theatrethreesixty questions the freedom of speech and thought by exploring the power of narratives and how important it can be in today’s world of fast-paced information. This “casually cruel” yet startlingly familiar play is directed by Nicola Ann-Thomas and features a diverse cast of local actors. The Pillowman is on tonight at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at RM33 and RM43. The play will be performed at Enfiniti Academy Black Box, Jalan PJU 5/20D, The Encorp Strand, Kota Damansara, PJU 5, Petaling Jaya. For more information, visit www.theatrethreesixty.com.
Kill Your Darlings
Jason Yap and Silver Yee collaborate for their choreographic debut in Kill Your Darlings, which revolves around “killing” as a metaphor and the relationships among humans. The choreography demonstrates how all is transient and dying, yet we remain completely oblivious because of the routine of life. Fresh from their dance education in Hong Kong and Taipei, both Jason and Silver present their acquired knowledge in the best way they know how. The performances will be on tomorrow and Sunday at 8.30pm and 3pm. Entry is by walk-in minimum donation of RM10. The performance will be at Indicine, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Lumpur. Call (03) 4047 9000 to find out more.
1 way to start celebrating the mid-autumn festival
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with Lai Po Heen’s abundance of mooncake flavours. Available from now until Oct 4, these halal certified mooncakes come in a pale purple extended box, making it ideal for family and friends. The mooncakes are provided in three categories — baked mooncakes, chocolate mooncakes and snowskin mooncakes. The baked mooncakes include the classic flavours such as lotus paste with single egg yolk, red bean with melon seed and pandan with single egg yolk. The chocolate mooncakes include gianduja hazelnut chocolate with oolong tea in gold dust, manjari dark chocolate with raspberry jelly and caramelised white chocolate, sea salt caramel, biscuit pearls and dulcey ganache. The snowskin mooncakes include yam and apricot, durian and mango and melon seed. Lai Po Heen is currently having an early bird purchase promotion until Aug 14 where customers will get 15% savings. Lai Po Heen is located at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur City Centre. To order, call (03) 2179 8885.
2 good ways to spend the weekend
Hit up the Bon Odori festival
Organised by The Japan Club Kuala Lumpur, the Bon Odori Festival is now in its 41st year. Experience the festival just like how it is celebrated in Japan with a Japanese cultural dance, wadaiko drum show and fireworks display. Attendees are encouraged to wear a yukata or light cotton kimono if they own one. The festival will also feature food stalls and games. All vendors at the festival only accept cash. The festival will be held tomorrow from 4.30pm onwards. It will be held at Kompleks Sukan Negara Shah Alam, Persiaran Perkilangan, Seksyen 21, Shah Alam. For more information, visit ww.jckl.org.my.
Read a good book
Read the 24th instalment of the bestselling Banks series. When a shocking mass murder occurs at a wedding in a small Dales church, a huge manhunt follows. The shooter is caught and things run its course. However, Banks is plagued with doubts with what exactly happened in church that day. When he decides to dig deeper into the murders, he uncovers forensic and psychological puzzles that provide the answers he is looking for. When he uncovers the truth, it is almost too late. The book is priced at RM64.51 and is available at Kinokuniya Malaysia.
2 movies to watch this weekend
Baby Driver
Baby is a talented getaway driver who relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. When he meets the girls of his dreams, he sees this as a chance to give up his life of crime and live honestly. He is however forced into working for his crime boss one last time where he takes on a job that threatens his life, love and freedom. Baby Driver stars Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. The film is now out in theatres. Log on to www.cinema.com.my to find out more about screening schedules and ticketing times.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Based on the ground-breaking French comic book series, Valerian is a visually spectacular adventure film by director Luc Besson. Set in the 28th century, this sci-fi film follows Valerian and Laureline who are a team of special operative tasked to help maintain order in the human territories. The two embark on a mission in the city of Alpha where a dark force threatens the peace of the City of a Thousand Planets. The two agents have to identify the menace and save Alpha for the future of the universe. Log on to www.cinema.com.my to find out more about screening schedules and ticketing times.