This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 5, 2017

4 Music Gigs to Groove to

Bartok Piano Concerto  

Catch young piano sensation Tengku Irfan take on the challenging work of Romanian composer Bela Bartok this weekend at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). He will be performing once more with the MPO and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, led by conductor Harish Shankar. Other works on the programme are Kodaly’s evocative Hary Janos Suite, and Respighi’s descriptive Pines of Rome. The performance will be on today and tomorrow at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at RM60, RM90, RM120, RM150. The MPO is located at the Petronas Twin Towers, Suria Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Find out more information by visiting www.mpo.com.my.

A Leaf on the Wind

Join musical theatre graduate Michelle Tan as she explores the questions and realities of life with the show A Leaf on the Wind at Theatre Lounge Cafe this weekend. The performance explores relationships and whether or not they work out through her selection of songs from musicals ranging from the contemporary (Closer than Ever, Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Beauty & the Beast) to the classics (On the Town, Evita, Bells are Ringing). A Leaf on the Wind is on tomorrow and on Sunday at 9pm. There will be a cover charge of RM65. Theatre Lounge Cafe is located at B1-3A, Plaza Damas 3, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. Find out more details by visiting www.theatreloungecafe.com.

The Asian Jazz Kolektive

Catch the Asian Jazz Kolektive perform today at Bobo KL. This merry band of young Asian musicians consists of Pawim Limkangvanmongkol (piano), Yuri Kishimoto (alto sax), Bass G (tenor sax), Rit Xu (flute), Haniff Mohamed (bass), AKZ (percussion) and Iklil J on vocals. The group bonded after touring together in The Asian Youth Jazz Orchestra and under the leadership of percussionist AKZ. The group will be performing a mixture of songs from Chucho Valdez, Astor Piazolla, The Beatles and a few originals in the mix. There will be a cover charge of RM50 per person. The performance will be on today at tomorrow at 9.30pm. Bobo KL is located at 65-1 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. For more information call (03) 2092 5002.

Heineken Live Your Music 2017 featuring W&W

Watch Dutch EDM duo Willem van Hangem and Ward van der Harst perform tonight at KL Live. Known for hits such as Bigfoot, Rave after Rave, The One and Arcade, expect a night of explosive beats and an insane amount of energy. W&W will be supported by Maurice West and Justin Oh. Celebrated local DJs such as DJ Chukiess and Whackboi and Hypeembeats will be opening the show. Tickets are priced at RM110, RM130 and RM150. KL Live is located at 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Log on to www.heineken.com/my to find out more details.

1 Theatre Project to Catch

D’Next Artist Project Season Five

Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) presents the latest season of its annual artist development project. This year, the mentorship programme will see seven new creations as well as the return of professional dancer Rachel Chew Zi Xin. Other participants are Khairi Anwar from emerging theatre company Anomalist Production, freshly graduated contemporary Kenny Shim, playwrights Putrina Mohamed Rafie and Haris Hazizan, actors Nik Waheeda and Timmy Ong, and a media arts team Raining Cassava. Collectively, they will showcase their creations, which range from original plays and dance choreography to lighting technology art. Catch it from today to Sunday at 3pm and 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at RM40. It will be held at Black Box, DPAC, Empire Damansara, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya. Buy your tickets online www.dpac.com.my.

1 great new cinema to watch movies at

Take the family to the newly opened MBO cinemas at Damansara Uptown’s Starling Mall this weekend. The cinema features three new viewing concepts — MBO Kecil, MBO Big Screen and MBO Premier. The MBO Kecil caters specifically to parents and their children of all ages. It features fun elements such as sofa beds, bean bags and a playground inside the cinema that allows kids to run freely and play without parents having to worry about their children.

The MBO Big Screen is equipped with state-of-the-art technology with a flagship laser RGB projector which is the first of its kind in Malaysia and is the biggest one in the country. The cinema is equipped with Dolby Atmos’s rich, realistic sound system. For a luxurious setting, the MBO Premier is slickly decorated with reclining sofa leather chairs and a movable table facing a wall to wall screen.

The new cinema also introduces its new Cafecito, a coffee house themed concession stand serving fancy beverages and snacks. Find out what is showing at www.mbocinemas.com.

2 Weekend Markets to Discover

Art for Grabs ‘ReVisit Kuala Lumpur Year 2017’ at Urbanscapes

Soak in the Kuala Lumpur scene at the latest Art for Grabs bazaar this weekend. The market will feature curated art and craft booths, activist campaigns, critical discussions and music performances. Known as bazaar that does more than champion shopping, Art For Grabs has become the market that champions creativity, human rights and alternative ideas. The bazaar is held in collaboration with Urbanscapes 10th Anniversary celebrations. The bazaar will be open tomorrow and Sunday. Art For Grabs will be held at Urbanscape House, 2 Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur. Visit www.facebook.com/artforgrabs for the full bazaar schedule.

Food for Good Market

Tuck in to some classic Malaysian food at this market that brings together home-cooked food, secondhand books and charity. The market will feature a wide variety of home-cooked food ranging from Malay, Chinese, Nyonya, Indian and western dishes. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a book of their own and swap with titles with each other. The market will also be partnering with several charity organisations to discuss food related awareness. Entry is free. The Food for Good Market will be held at Slate at The Row, 46-48 Jalan Doraisamy, Kuala Lumpur. Visit www.facebook.com/Dinezin.official/ to find out more information.

1 Festival to Attend

Discover Malaysia’s vibrant coffee culture with this festival which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) this weekend. Meet top-class baristas and talented local artisan roasters who will be demonstrating what they are good at to the public. The weekend long event will include a barista competition, latte art competition, coffee clinic workshop, food truck fiesta, Instagram contest and lucky draw. The Malaysia Coffee fest will be held at Hall 5, KLCC. Visit www.coffeefest.com.my to find out more details.