By ANN MARIE CHANDY

Musicians have not had the chance to play for a live audience in a long, long while. But thanks to Musicians for Musicians Malaysia’s livestream, MFM Centerstage, many of our local pub singers, buskers and indie musicians have the opportunity to perform online. Why not tune in to Facebook and support them? There are live shows six nights a week. The musicians take centrestage for 40 minutes from 9pm. Here is this week’s schedule, so you can save the date with your favourite performers:
July 7 (Tuesday): Tam (KL), and Julian Mokhtar (Selangor)
July 28 (Wednesday) Karen Nunis (KL) and Russell Curtis (KL)
July 29 (Thursday): Tommy Lee (Johor) and Badhisham (Selangor)
July 30 (Friday):  Mazlee Goldust (Selangor) and Zack & Lyia (KL)
July 31 July (Saturday): Wan (Kedah) and Sam & Lata (Selangor)
Aug 1 August (Sunday): Zaidi Sanwan & Friends (Sel), and Abang Anaz & Friends (Sabah)

If you prefer being serenaded by the sounds of yesteryear, let vocalist Hazra Dollah (above) wow you with her lilting voice and latest cover, P. Ramlee’s Dari Masa Hingga Masa, featuring Totoy on guitar. You can check out more of her tunes (including classics by Jamal Abdillah, Iyeth Bustami and Siti Nurhaliza) on the Youtube Channel Aluntradisi, and look out for BASKL’s feature on the one time Juara Bintang Asli Remaja Kebangsaan.

How can visual storytellers in an increasingly digital age continue their craft and cater to the voracious demands of today’s consumer? Want some tips on how to create compelling content? Cult Creative brings together three visual storytellers – Annatasha (@monkeydisease), Nicholas Chin (@travellchin) and Catherhea Potjanaporn (@catherhea) – to talk about the pressures of online storytelling, share insights into what makes for compelling content in the online sphere and how to find your authentic voice in a cluttered world. ⁣⁣⁣⁣Join them on July 30 (Friday) at 5.30pm via Zoom. Cult Creative members enjoy this for free while non-members pay only RM35. ⁣Register here. 

It’s not every day that you get the chance to chat with the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, Datuk Dr Faridah Merican. But klpac and The Actors Studio are now inviting you to do just that! On July 31, at 11am, you can “Jom Sembang with Faridah” and ask her anything! Do you know what she worked as before she began her illustrious career in theatre? Do you know how many pets she has? What her hobbies are? How she handles pressure? Join klpac and The Actors Studio in a virtual chit chat session on Zoom with Faridah in conjunction with International Friendship Day, and find out everything! All proceeds will be channeled to klpac & TAS’s Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Register here. Entry is by donation (RM10/RM50/RM100). 

Looking for something for the kids to do? Try Clay Art workshop at Kakiseni Junior. The workshop is an on-going programme which emphasizes fundamental skills and clay-making techniques in art learning. Through hands-on activities, children are able to improve hand-eye coordination, attention span, creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Teacher Alex Liong, founder of The Artless House, is an accomplished artist who teaches in private education centers. The workshop is suitable for those five and above, and will be held on Zoom on July 31 (starting at 10.30am). Fees are RM30.

By popular demand, The Temple of Fine Arts virtual platform presents an exclusive painting workshop for children (ages 9-14), during which artist Deepa Rajendra will take them through the basics of watercolor painting. Limited spots are available. To register for the three-day workshop from July 30 to Aug 1 (5.30pm to 6.30pm), click here. 

And for those of you who are missing physically going for an art exhibition, Artemis Art presents Intuitive Perceptions, why not try a virtual exhibition featuring three artists – Ajim Juxta, Dedy Sufriadi and Syahbandi Samat. Just let your fingers do the walking. While you’re at Artemis’ website you might also want to check out all the other artists represented – so much to see. Intuitive Perceptions in on until the end of the month. 

Tell us about your upcoming events. Send your emails to annmarie@cendana.com.my