This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on December 8, 2017

5 bazaars for the best weekend

Options’ Balance Sheet Bazaar

Options at The Edge are hosting their very own charity bazaar. Show up and check out the booths of various local charities, social enterprises and non-governmental organisations — among them, Helping Hands Penan, Picha Project, Recyclothes, and World Vision Malaysia. Engage in a series of entertaining activities for the family, including a storytelling session, a clown appearance, and balloon art, or if you’re looking for a furry friend, you could check out the SPCA’s adoption booth. There will also be giveaways by L’Oreal Malaysia, The Body Shop, Tealive and many more throughout the event. All proceeds from the bazaar will be channelled to charities to bring joy to the underprivileged this festive season. Bring your friends and family to Plaza Arcadia, Jalan Intisari, Desa Parkcity, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday from 11am to 6pm. For more information, visit www.optionstheedge.com.

Big Bad Wolf Book Fair 2017

The Big Bad Wolf is back for another year with his popular annual book fair. This time round, the fair boasts a whopping 4.5 million books, offered at discounts ranging from 75% to 95%. You’ll be spoiled for choice with the wide selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, with titles in English, Malay, and Chinese. When you need a break from the excitement of book-hunting, indulge in the sweet treats offered at the stall by After You, a dessert cafe from Bangkok making their Malaysian debut. The fair begins at 7am today, and is open around the clock until Dec 18, in MIECC, The Mines, Jalan Dulang, Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan, Selangor. For more information, visit www.bigbadwolfbooks.com.

TSQ Marketplace

The inaugural bazaar at Tamarind Square takes place this weekend. The Tamarind Square Marketplace, or the TSQ Marketplace, features an array of booths selling clothing, accessories, bath and body products, and homeware. There will also be a number of live performances, as well as a community yoga class open to the public for free. Among the newest concept retail destinations in town, the scenic nature-embracing architectural design of Tamarind Square offers a shopping experience like no other. The TSQ Marketplace begins at noon tomorrow and runs until 8pm. Tamarind Square is located on Persiaran Multimedia, Cyber 11, Cyberjaya, Selangor. For enquiries, call (03) 7728 0300 or visit www.tamarindsq.com.

The Last Jedi celebration

The force compels all Star Wars fans to visit The School this weekend. Browse through more than 50 booths of Star Wars collectible merchandise, carrying posters, Stormtrooper helmets, figurines and much more. You can look forward to exciting performances and a lightsaber corner, and don’t miss out on posing for a photo with the 16ft Walker model. The troops from the Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club takes The School by storm tomorrow and on Sunday, from 11am to 6pm, at The School @ Jaya One, Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. For more information, call (03)7957 4933.

Harvest Market

Head over to Commune for their first ever Harvest Market, a two-day lifestyle bazaar. Expect to see fresh organic produce, homemade food, artisan crafts, beauty products and much more, and you might just be able to get some Christmas shopping off the list. If you’re in the mood to try something new, learn how to make mango jam yourself with Mangolicious, or participate in Claire Organics’ homemade soap workshop, which are just a couple of the many activities offered at the event. The Harvest Market will take place tomorrow and on Sunday, from noon to 8pm. Admission to the event is free, although some workshops may require advance registration. Commune is located on Level 5 of Sunway Velocity Mall, on Lingkaran SV, Sunway Velocity, Kuala Lumpur. For further details, check out the event page listed under Commune’s Facebook page at CommuneAtSunwayVelocity.

2 christmassy blessings

Christmas at Nook

The most Malaysian way to get in the mood for a festival is with the food of the season. Satisfy this weekend’s Christmas cravings at Nook, with their impressive Christmas buffet spread that would put a smile on even the Grinch himself. For just RM118 per person, you can indulge yourself in the festive favourites of roast turkey, Yule log, Christmas pudding, and so much more. The buffet dinner is available daily until Dec 30. Nook is located in Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, on Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral. For bookings or more information, visit www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

While nothing could beat a snowy vacation, a day’s outing to The Gardens Mall comes close enough if all you desire this year is a white Christmas. Enjoy the string of activities laid out for the festivities, including a daily snow show, an appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs Claus, brass performances, and even a Christmas musical titled The Enchanted Gardens. There’s more cause to shop too, as the first 200 customers to spend RM800 in a single receipt at any specialty store get to redeem either a champagne glass or a glass fruit bowl. The celebrations continue right up until Christmas day, at the ground floor of The Gardens Mall, on Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur. Visit www.thegardensmall.com.my for more details.

3 events for arts and culture lovers

Elixir of Youth

The Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) celebrates youth in their weekend concert Elixir of Youth. The show kicks off with local prodigy Tengku Irfan on the piano, delivering the global premiere of his new composition What Does it Take to Dance?, later followed by Samuel Barber’s Essay No 2. Thirteen-year-old violinist Low Zi Yang takes the stage with Maurice Ravel’s rhapsody Tzigane, after which the MYPO rounds off the show with Antonin Dvorak’s famous New World Symphony. Catch these brilliant youths at 3pm on Sunday, at Dewan Fhilharmonik Petronas, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced at RM100 and RM60, to book or for more information, visit www.mpo.com.my.

Material, Order and Chance

Zulkifli Lee presents his work in his solo exhibition Material, Order and Chance. The year-long Rimbun Dahan resident artist explores the mesmerising qualities of texture and pattern, drawing inspiration from his natural and manmade surroundings in his choices of colour and geometric design. The exhibition draws to an end on Sunday, so don’t forget to drop by Rimbun Dahan at Km 27 Jalan Kuang, Kuang, Selangor. For more information, visit www.rimbundahan.org.

ArtTech KL

Engage in modern art at ArtTech KL, organised by local Japanese creative unit Nollyz. The art event serves to promote the growth of new media arts in Malaysia, showcasing the works of local and international artists in a mini exhibition that encompasses interactive installations and projection mapping. Members of the public may also explore further into this innovative artistic venture through talks, conferences, and workshops at the one-day event. ArtTech KL takes place on Sunday from 1pm to 6pm, at Slate @ The Row on Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. Admission is priced at RM30. For more information, call (03) 2181 0608.