Dr Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin, Wendy Rogers and Mumtaz Begum will conduct a symposium on contemporary dance.
Date: 30 October 2003
Time: 9.30 am to 12.00 nn
Venue:
Balai Bersiban, School Of Arts, USM, Penang
For further information, contact School Of Arts, USM at 04-653 3621 or 04-653 3415.
Admission is free
Sutra Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of Siddharta, an inter-spiritual and inter-lingual contemporary dance drama based on the novel by Hermann Hesse.
Created by the members of Teater Cahaya with artists from Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia, it was conceived, developed and produced by Alex Dea and Richard Emmert in association with Sutra Dance Theatre.
Dea is an avant-garde composer and gamelan-trained musician based in Central Java while Emmert is a Japanese noh theatre performer based in Tokyo. Other collaborators include internationally acclaimed noh actor Akira Matsui, Balinese-trained topeng dancer Tetsuro Koyano from Japan, multi-talented dancer and choreographer Didik Nini Thowok, Balinese arja performer Cok Pring, Balinese shadow-play master and dancer I Nyoman Sumandhi, Javanese gamelan expert Saptono, and Chinese-modern dancer Liangga from Indonesia.
Malaysian artists include makyong primadonna Mek Nab, and well known Malaysian contemporary dancers with strong traditional dance background – Guna, Syed Mustapha Syed Yasin, Zaridah Malik, January Low and Sri Mas Dewi.
Date/Time: 16 – 19 October 2003 @ 8.30pm
Venue: Auditorium Tunku Abdul Rahman
Malaysia Tourism Centre
Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
16, 17 & 18 Oct – Public performance
Tickets available through AXCESS:
Hotline: 03-7491 9999
Online at: www.axcess.com.my
All authorized AXCESS outlets
19 Oct – Charity Performance
Presented by World Chinese Women Association
Admission by invitation only
For information, call 03-7957 1333 (Catherine)
Sutra Dance Theatre: 03-4022 9669 (10am – 5pm weekdays only)
Address: Sutra Dance Theatre
12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, 53200 KL
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Siddhartha
A new collaborative dance-drama piece by Teater Cahaya
Based on the classic of 20th century literature by German novelist Hermann Hesse, ‘Siddhartha’ chronicles the spiritual evolution of a man living in India at the time of the Buddha. The novel is a spiritual journey that has inspired generations of readers of all religious persuasions. The present production based on the novel, is an inter-spiritual and inter-lingual contemporary dance drama featuring traditional performers from Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia who make up the company of Teater Cahaya.
Presented in KL by Sutra Dance Theatre, Teater Cahaya is a cross-national and cross-cultural theatre collective founded in 2001. Its members are traditional performers in their respective countries performing such traditional art forms as arja, topeng, bedoyo and gamelan from Indonesia, noh and shomyo from Japan, and bharata natyam and makyong from Malaysia.
Collaborations of contemporary performance artists throughout Asia have been increasing steadily over the last decade. Teater Cahaya is unique in that it brings together traditionally trained artists to work cooperatively without a director. By each taking turns directing, and each contributing to the overall process of scene-building, the performers have discovered and developed new intuitions and techniques. After five intense workshop-rehearsal sessions, Teater Cahaya’s performers have learned to maintain their own traditional approaches in their use of the body, the voice and the music, while bringing out the nuances and subtleness of emotive and theatrical interactions required by the play. The result is a combination of elements that is uniquely Asian-contemporary.
One of the featured artists of Teater Cahaya and of this world premiere of ‘Siddhartha’ is the well-known KL dancer and choreographer, Ramli Ibrahim. As a teacher and performer of the Indian classical dance forms of bharata natyam and odissi, Ramli has become synonymous with the elevated status of Indian classical dance in Malaysia. His sense of both the contemporary and the traditional as well as his experience in collaborative productions with a cross-section of Malaysian and Asian artists has been an important influence in establishing the style of Teater Cahaya.
Teater Cahaya and this production of ‘Siddhartha’ were conceived and developed by Alex Dea and Richard Emmert. Dea is the music director of the production while Emmert is co-director. Both perform in the production as well. They invited fellow Asian artists to gatherings in Yogya and Bali in February 200l for the first workshops. Since then, three other workshops have insured that through intense collaboration the performers are aware of each other’s traditions and excited by the contemporary echoes these traditions create when joined together.
Sharki Dance Studio & Dancesteps Studio present three new Middle Eastern Belly Dance Workshops by Saliha.
Introduction to Bellydance Workshop (Beginners 1)
Either: Saturdays @ 3.00pm – 4.30pm (4, 18 & 25 October)
Or: Sundays @ 2.00pm – 3.30pm (5, 19 & 26 October)
Foundations of Bellydance (Beginners 2)
Sundays @ 12.30pm – 2.00pm (5, 19 & 26 October)
Exploration of Bellydance (Beginners 3)
Sundays @ 11.00am – 12:30pm (5, 19 & 26 October)
All classes: limited to 18 pax
Cost: RM135 for 3 workshops and get 1 Tabla Drum Choreography Class for only 15RM!
Registration
Registration can be made through mail or at Dancesteps Studio
RM10 late registration fee will be charged for registration after 1 October 2003
For inquiries and reservations, contact:
Dancestep Studio (03-2300 2505), Datin Kim (012-210 5998), Sherlyn (012-311 2277) or email: sharkidance@fastmail.fm
Venue: Dancesteps Studio, 11-2 (2nd lever), Jln 26/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL
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Saliha, 28, is a teacher with the well-reputed Desert Rhythm in Singapore. Having trained with a variety of teachers including Eva and Shaheena of Australia, Raqia Hassan of Egypt (ex-Reda Troupe), Hossam and Serena Ramzy and Suhaila Salimpour in San Francisco, Saliha has graduated to be a versatile and captivating performer as well as patient teacher.
The second MyDance Festival (MDF 2003) Diversity in Motion took place from 23 to 28 September 2003.
The festival entailed three nights of performances at The Actors Studio Bangsar, seven workshops in collaboration with Akademi Seni Kebangsaan, and a six-speaker seminar sponsored by University Malaya. Although many participants were from Kuala Lumpur, there were also a few from interstate and a Malaysian based abroad. In keeping with the theme, the festival reflected the diversity of dance in Malaysia in terms of culture, genre and perspective.
The aim was to feature the diversity of dance in Malaysia, from Contemporary to Ballet, from Traditional to Jazz. We believe that dance, which has no language barrier, is the best means to represent the harmonious diversity that exists in Malaysia. Many well-known local figures from the different genres of dance agreed to be part of the selection panel that viewed all submissions and determined the final lineup.
A number of the works featured in the festival were nominated for the 2nd BOH Cameronian Arts Awards (2003)
Of special note was the fact it was an independent (non-government supported) festival funded by corporate sponsorship, advertising and ticket sales. Overall the festival was well received and income sufficient to cover costs. Organisation of the festival was based on the active engagement of four MyDance – WDA Networks headed by the following people, and the Publications/Media officer: Creation & Presentation (Mew Chang Tsing and Dayang Mariana); Education & Training (Gan Chih Pei); Research & Documentation (Prof. Anis); Management & Promotion (Wong
Siew Lyn and Mew Chang Tsing); and Website (Rogayah Shahariman). In all it was a fruitful experience, bringing the committee together with everyone contributing selflessly.
Coinciding with MDF 2003, MyDance Alliance and Tasema Productions organised the Annual General Meeting of World Dance Alliance Asia–Pacific. In attendance were delegates from Australia, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Belgium and Malaysia. An important part of the meeting was the election of a new Executive Board. MyDance Alliance is honoured to have its National Advisor, Professor Mohd Anis Md Nor, and President, Mew Chang Tsing, voted in as the new President and Treasurer of WDA AP respectively.
Kakiseni and Resorts World have organised a short workshop on how you can bring your show abroad, including to the Edinburgh Arts Festival.
The workshop will be conducted by Toby Gough, artistic director of Lady Salsa, a Cuban musical currently on in Genting. He is also someone with several Awards related to theatre and an extensive network of contacts around the world.
He will discuss topics such as who to contact, how to find outside funding, a producer for your show…
Date: 9 October 2003
Time: 4.00-6.00pm (followed by drinks and light food)
Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar
Cost: FREE!
Contact: Jenny Daneels (Editor of www.kakiseni.com) at 012-238 1512
AWAS! by Akademi Seni Kebangsaan will end its successful tour of the country with performances in Kuala Lumpur. An added attraction will be newly commissioned music by Saidah Rastam.
Dates/Time: 29&30 September 2003 @ 8.30pm
Venue: Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, MTC, Kuala Lumpur
Admission: FREE!
Contact: 2164 9180 ext 242
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First choreographed by Joseph Gonzales in 1999, excerpts of it have been performed all over the world – India, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. In December, excerpts will be presented in Bangkok and Tokyo.
AWAS! is a full-length production of abstract contemporary Malaysian dance theatre, inspired by life and everyday events. It is a response to, and reflection of, our society and environment.
In terms of structure and vocabulary, it explores movement from traditional dances such as Makyong, Terinai and Zapin, infused with Western dance technique and a touch of Bollywood.
AWAS! seeks to break new boundaries and is a further step towards establishing a Malaysian contemporary dance vocabulary.
AWAS! Production Team
Choreographer / Artistic Director: Joseph Gonzales
Production Manager: Norhafilah Khawari
Music: Saidah Rastam with Rozario Ghulam Rasul and others
Lighting Design: Godzilla Tan Keam Beng
Set Design: Tan Keam Beng / Joseph Gonzales
Costume Design: Rosman Ishak
Producer: Akademi Seni Kebangsaan
Dancers: Mohd. Kamaludin Mohd. Daud, Azizi Sulaiman, Shafirul Azmi Suhaimi, Hoi Cheng Sim, Elynn Chew, A. Aris A. Kadir, Firdaus Mustapha Kamal, Liew Kar Ann, Rozilah Abd. Rahman
Cheryl Stock, Associate Professor and Head of Dance at the Creative Industries Department of the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, will be giving an hour-long presentation on the dance programme available.
24 September 2003 @ 7.00pm
(just before a Silat Workshop by Suhaimi Magi)
Akademi Seni Kebangsaan
(32nd fl, Empire Tower, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur)
Admission: FREE!
Contact: 012-390 3242 / 016-285 9027
Sharki Dance Studio has organised a series of workshops by Rusni / Faryha from Australia. Although Malaysia–born, Rusni has been teaching belly dancing in Australia for the last 10 years under the name of Faryha Raqs Sharqy Middle Eastern Dance Art. Born into a family of dancers, she learnt belly dancing from her mother and grand parents from the age of 10. Her cultural heritage includes Indo/Malay and Yemeni.
Workshop A – Veil (Women only)
17 September (Wednesday), 8pm to 10.30pm
Workshop B – Cane Stick & Tabla Rhythm
(For beginners, male & female)
19 September (Friday), 8pm to 10.30pm
Workshop C – Choreography (For Men & Women)
23 September (Tuesday), 8pm to 10.30pm
Venue: Sharki Dance Studio
(59-3A, Jln SS23/15, Taman Sea, 40470 PJ)
Fee: RM85 per workshop (2 1/2 hours)
10% discount for 3 workshops
Payment: by cash or cheque payable to Koh Seok Leng
Deadline for registration: 15 September 2003
Places limited to 15 participants only!
For registration, contact Sherlyn (012-3112277) or Kim (012-2105998)
Email: sharkidance@fastmail.fm
Visit: www.sharkidance.com
A collaboration between the Japanese company, Pappa Tarahumara and Malaysia’s own Five Arts Center, Spring in Kuala Lumpur talks about love, relationships, fate, memory, sex, life and death. Every element on stage is intimated. What will you find in this chaos?
Directed by Hiroshi Koike, the work will feature Anne James, Elaine Pedley, Foo May Lyn, Jerrica Lai, Kiea Kuan Nam, Lee Swee Keong, Michael Xavier Voon, Shafirul Azmi Suhaimi, Sharip Zainal and Wei Jun from Malaysia, and Makoto Matsushima, Mao Arata and Makie Sekiguchi from Japan.
17-20 September 2003 @ 8.30pm
21 September 2003 @ 3.00pm
Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar
Tickets: RM35 (Adults) / RM15 (Students and members of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur)
Contact: 03-20941400/0400
Sutra Academy offers classes in the Indian classical dances of Bharata Natyam and Odissi with new classes commencing in September 2003.
Odissi classes
Wednesdays @ 8.00pm – 9.30pm
(Adult – Minimum age: 12 years)
Bharata Natyam classes
Saturdays @ 5.30pm – 7.00pm
(Children: 6 – 12 years)
Student intake is limited so enrol now!
Venue:
Sutra Dance Theatre
12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3
53200 Kuala Lumpur
Enquiries:
Tel: 03-40211092 (Weekdays 10.30am – 5.30pm)