This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 11, 2016.

3 Musical Acts to groove to

Alexis Bistro presents Russell Curtis

Russell Curtis is a recording artiste who has entertained thousands at music festivals, album tours and private events all over the world including Singapore, Manila, London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. In 2014, he received a double AIM nomination for Best New Artist and Best Song in the English category for his debut album, Russell Curtis Project. Just recently, Russell produced and recorded a completely revamped version of the Malaysian classic Kau Ilhamku in New York that featured Yuna, Siti Nurhaliza, Jaclyn Victor, Joe Flizzow, SonaOne, Afgan. Catch Russell Curtis live at Alexis Bistro tonight at tomorrow night at 10pm. A dress code of no shorts and slippers applies. For reservations, call (03) 4260 2288. Alexis Bistro is located at Great Eastern Mall, 303 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Ratatouille in Concert

Relive the culinary adventures of Remy the rat at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) tonight and tomorrow night at 8.30pm with Ratatouille in Concert. Enjoy a complete screening of the Disney Pixar hit enhanced by Michael Giacchino’s exhilarating encore, performed by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets are priced at RM90, RM130, RM170 and RM200, purchase online at www.mpo.com.my or by calling (03) 2332 7007. The DFP is located at level 2, Tower 2, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

Lushouse presents DJ Vandai

With an uncontrollable passion for music and a keen interest in the violin, it is no surprise that the 21-one year old Vandai is emerging as a huge talent in the electronic music scene. Recently signed to Wolfrage Recordings, this Iranian DJ/Producer is quickly proving that he has the potential to reach unprecedented heights. Alongside an outstanding talent for transforming existing songs into uplifting, light-hearted remixes, Vandai is a producer who creates his own distinctive material with ease and is determined to put the heart back into electronic dance music. Head over to twenty one kitchen+bar at 10pm tonight to catch DJ Vandai live. For reservations, call (03) 2142 0021. Twenty one kitchen+bar is located at 20-1, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

2 Good Reads to Kick Back with

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On follows two women, Nichole and Leanne, both of whom have left their husbands after finding out that they were being cheated on. Nichole finds herself juggling her son, a new job and volunteer work where she meets Rocco, who is the opposite of her ex-husband Jack. Jack, on the other hand, is wagering everything on winning Nichole back. Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine while volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language. Resolved to avoid the heartache of complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne suddenly experiences a tragedy that tests the fabric of her commitments. A Girl’s Guide to Moving On can be purchased from Kinokuniya Kuala Lumpur City Centre and retails at RM39.31.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

At the age of 36, on the verge of completing a decade’s worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi’s transformation from a naive medical student “possessed,” as he wrote, “by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life” into a neurosurgeon in Stanford working on the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and a new father confronting his own mortality. When Breath Becomes Air can be purchased from Kinokuniya Kuala Lumpur City Centre and retails at RM87.90.

1 Incredible dance showcase

KL Dance Works’ Classical Showcase

KL Dance Works will present their classical showcase at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) from today until Sunday. This will be the first Showcase of KL Dance Works (KLDW) featuring the works by the academy students, scholars and guest artistes. This showcase is more than a ballet school concert, as it will introduce the unique and different teaching methodologies of the Vaganova-based style. The first half of the showcase will present seven specifically choreographed academic works by Rosemarie Starke and Choong Wan Chin for KLDW Academy students, accompanied by music from Bach, Schubert, Minkus and Prokofiev. Following these pieces will be excerpts from well-known ballets such as Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty. The second half highlights partnering works such as Dance of The Reed Flutes, Peasant pas de deux, Ocean and Pearls pas de deux and La Fille Mal Gardee grand pas de deux. The dancers from this segment comprise students and guest artistes. Tickets are priced at RM68 and RM108 and can be purchased from www.dpac.com.my or by calling (03) 4065 0001. DPAC is located at Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya.

2 interesting events in the city

Ikal Mayang Festival

Festival Ikal Mayang Turun Padang 2016 is an initiative under Women:Girls to celebrate International Women’s Day 2016 in the traditional spirit of community volunteerism and engagement. It kicked off on March 8 with a two-day gotong-royong to welcome the new festival site and a three-day weekend festival of workshops and wayang pacak (open-air cinema) from today until Sunday. Six new short films made under the title Ikal Mayang Adat will feature film-makers telling their own stories about adat, the Bahasa Malaysia word for tradition, and will be shown over the weekend. The Ikal Mayang Turun Padang will take place at Kawasan Perumahan Awam Sri Tioman 1, Taman Melawati, Setapak. Entrance is free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/womengirlsinspire.

Matta Fair

This the fair that needs no introduction — the Matta Fair is back again at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). Visit the fair to get a taste of the newest in ground-breaking travel innovations and technological advancement and get the best deals on airfare, tours and more. The Matta Fair contest will also be running concurrently — stand a chance to win an iPhone 6s to accompany you on your next holiday. All you have to do is complete the slogan “I love Matta Fair … ”! Visit contest.mattafair.org.my to participate. The fair will be running from today until Sunday at PWTC, Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur. For more information, visit www.mattafair.org.my.

2 Fun films to enjoy

Kung Fu Panda 3    

The beloved animated blockbuster returns, and Po (voiced by Jack Black) is no longer the only Panda in Kung Fu Panda 3. The third instalment of the Oscar-nominated franchise is more than just a fan-service sequel, instead it continues the journey of the Dragon Warrior as he comes full circle in his evolution from dumpling-loving Panda to a kung fu hero, albeit still clumsy. Po also comes to terms with his identity when his long-lost father suddenly reappears. The duo then travels to a secret paradise on a mountain where Po meets the colourful characters of his clan, only for villain Kai to come and threaten their peace.  The message of finding oneself and being the best version of who you are is delivered in a funny, heart-warming, and very much entertaining animation. Boasting a star-studded voice cast such as Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, and Lucy Liu, along with new characters voiced by Bryan Cranston and Rebel Wilson, Kung Fu Panda 3 is a feel-good delight. Kung Fu Panda 3 is now playing in major theatres nationwide. For movie listings, visit www.gsc.com.my or www.tgv.com.my.

London Has Fallen

If you enjoyed Olympus Has Fallen, be sure to head to the cinema to watch this explosive sequel, London Has Fallen. The movie begins in the British capital, where the Prime Minister has passed away under mysterious circumstances. His funeral is a must-attend event for all leaders of the western world. But what starts out as the most protected event on earth turns into a deadly invasion plot to kill all the world’s most powerful leaders, to devastate every known landmarks in the British capital by synchronise bombings and ground assault, and unleash a terrifying apocalyptic vision of the future. Only three people have any hope of stopping it: the President of the United States, his formidable secret service head (Gerard Butler) who is an ex-Special Forces member, and an English MI-6 agent who, rightly enough, trusts no one. London Has Fallen is now playing in major theatres nationwide. For movie listings, visit www.gsc.com.my or www.tgv.com.my.