Festival Highlights:
What Not To Miss At YSDAF 2023

Festival Highlights:
What Not To Miss
At YSDAF 2023

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) is about to transform into a haven of artistic celebration during the highly anticipated Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF) 2023 finale weekend on 19th and 20th August 2023.

With a free admission tag, come one, come all to enjoy a giant buffet of 350+ arts activities. From the contemporary to the traditional, mainstream to the experimental, expect to feast on something different at every turn and every corner be it shows, hands-on workshops, art installations, film screenings and more.

We’re also bringing different communities under one roof and exploring the various issues related to environment, health, disabled persons and traditional arts, amongst others. Building on past efforts towards diversity and inclusivity, we aspire to make the festival more inclusive and welcoming to all.

Key Details

Date: 19th & 20th August 2023 (Saturday & Sunday)

Time:

Day Festival: 11.00am – 8.00pm

Outdoor Bands Concert: 5.00pm till late

Indoor Gala Night Concert
(Unforgettable: Lagenda Malaysia): 8.30pm – 10.00pm

Venue: The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan (Off Jalan Ipoh), 51100 KL.

Admission: Free Entry (non-ticketed except Gala Night)

Highlights

Life Sdn Bhd: “What It Means to be Malaysian?” By The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat

Life Sdn Bhd is going back full circle to “What It Means to be Malaysian?” with a mix of personal stories on this heartfelt issue. Directed by Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican, featuring Afiq Durrani, Anne James, Mark Beau de Silva, Melor, Raqib Karim, Shamaine Othman, Li Yang, Tin Raman.

Dance the Scene

A one-of-a-kind dance competition where dancers are pitted against each other and battle it out based on the song and scene drawn. Watch 16 shortlisted dance groups battle it out live on the 19th August for a place in the finals 20th August. Audiences can vote for their favourite!

True Love Waits: Tribute to Radiohead By Young KL Singers and Kenny Shim Dance Collective

This tribute takes you through a multi-sensorial experience of Radiohead’s hits over 30 years. Led by directors and music directors Ian Chow and Mak Chi Hoe as well as co-director and choreographer Kenny Shim, it features The Young KL Singers with a multimedia and LED installation by Wee Jia Foong, movement by the Kenny Shim Dance Collective & other musicians. Freestanding concert (no seats).

Unforgettable: Lagenda Malaysia By klpac

YSDAF 2023 Gala Night pays homage to legendary Malaysian artistes such as Sudirman, P. Ramlee, Sheila Majid, Alleycats, Search, Wings, and many more. Enjoy well-known tunes such as One Thousand Million Smiles, Getaran Jiwa, Madu Tiga, Doa Buat Kekasih, Sinaran and Ikhlas Tapi Jauh. Directed by Ian Chow and Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican with Joe Hasham OAM as Co-Director, featuring six vocalists led by Fuad of Kyoto Protocol, The klpac Orchestra and a 4-piece band.

Pitch Start: Beyond Moving with Artisans By JinnD Productions

Beyond Moving with Artisans (BMoA) is an interdisciplinary art project that combines traditional Malaysian crafts (Tau Sar Piah baker) with contemporary dance and technology (augmented reality workshop) while promoting inclusivity by involving underrepresented communities.

P. Ramlee Film Screening with courtesy from The Shaw Organisation Pte Ltd.

Enjoy a selection of P. Ramlee classics such as Anak-Ku Sazali, Ibu Mertuaku, Madu Tiga and Antara Dua Darjat.

Visual Arts

Cloudscapes: A Journey of Hope By Cahaya Create

An immersive art installation that invites viewers to embark on a visual and sensory exploration of the ever-changing nature of clouds. The installation will transform Pentas 2 into a dreamlike environment with suspended clouds crafted from FSC paper materials, softly lit with LED lights to create an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere.

Travel Through Time By Expedio Design

Whether we like it or not, climate change is happening. “Travel Through Time” is an art installation that serves as a wake-up call in hope of driving people to take an active stance. The time tunnel takes viewers through three sections that depict climate change and its effects if we do not take action.

Mobility By Krithin Pereira

Krithin Paul Pereira, a talented illustrator, YSD Scholar and lover of Porsche cars who was born with Cerebral Palsy. His art pieces describe his passion for motion, mobility and movement – which he is denied due to his birth conditions. For Krithin, each of his paintings is a testament that there is perfection in everything imperfect.

Timeline (Rhythm and Reflection) By Malaysian Institute of Art

This installation serves primarily as a ‘facade’ for the event. Their design concept embodies the themes of rhythm and reflection, where the structure progresses from dense to loose.

Kaleidoscope By Malaysian Institute of Art

Inspired by the Kaleidoscope, the intention is to encourage people to pay attention to the small details that happen in our daily life, things that we often ignore. The different angles of those mirrors remind people to try to see things from other points of view.

Reimagining klpac By Malaysian Institute of Art

The Malaysian Institute of Art’s Interior Architecture students took on a challenge to reimagine an alternate use for klpac’s current set construction workshop. Fourteen bold and interesting concepts pushing the boundaries of imagination will be presented in a design exhibition ranging from a bookstore to an escape room, hidden bar to maze.

Walking Each Other Home By Flawer Studio

An interactive art installation outdoors where visitors can engage with the environment, immerse themselves in sensory experiences and participate in the creation of art within a bamboo structure-based pavilion.

Music

From drum circles to classical instrumental performances and opera, traditional Malaysian music to bands, there is something for every music lover.

Acoustic Performances Curated by StageReSET

StageReSET has curated a host of singer-songwriters and acoustic acts from 11.30am to 5.00pm at the outdoor stage with a different line-up for each day. Artistes featured include Leaism, Amrita Soon, Buddha Beat, AP Didgeridoo, Jay Jay Sea, Anak Borneo, Kent Lee and more.

Band Performances Curated by Soundscape Records

Soundscape Records has curated an exciting line-up bands from 5pm until late at the outdoor stage with a different line up for each day. A highlight will be An Honest Mistake’s collaboration with Amethyst String Quartet. The headliners – Masdo (19th Aug) and MonoloQue (20th Aug) will take to the stage at 9.00pm.

Traditional

Teochew Opera Showcase, Photo-Session, Talk & more By Teochew Puppet and Opera House

Catch 300-year-old Chinese opera art and puppetry by the Penang-based Teochew Puppet and Opera House. There will be opera performances titled “Mui Guiying Gets Married,” photo sessions, talks and the chance to try on their costume and makeup.

Tuai x Bakul Showcase + Exhibition

7 artists will weave together a site-specific experience by bringing to life the "Harvest" through our contemporary culture and traditional weaved baskets from Borneo.

When East Meets West By Eastward Groove Collective

Offers a unique blend of sounds combining Chinese instruments with hip hop music, creating an immersive cultural experience. Audiences can learn about traditional Chinese music while enjoying a modern twist.

Chenloi

“Chenloi” is a new work premiering at YSDAF 2023, the result of an exciting collaboration between three different artistes – Pensol (nose flute) player Bah Raman, dancer / choreographer Yeow Lai Chee of Soubi Sha and sape’ player Shawn Finian Wong.

Ying Yang

“Ying and Yang” is the meeting of a musician and a dancer, the interaction of a drummer and a mover. Featuring director/ performer Lee Swee Keong and musician Zac Tan.

稻神纪 The Huminodun’s Sacrifice

A new short play in Mandarin based on a mythical character in Dusun legend called Huminodun who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine and ensured a bountiful harvest for the tribe.

Families & Kids

Though most of the festival activities are family-friendly, children activities are concentrated at the Kids Tent (lawn, outdoor) and workshops in the studios with classes ranging from Speech and Drama, Gamelan and even Baby Theatre.

Bird Call By KL Shakespeare Players & SIAPA Theatre

A celebration of live puppetry and interactive theatre featuring a giant bird puppet and other smaller puppets telling an inspiring story on environment conservation. A separate bird-making workshop will be conducted in the studio.

Hikayat Series Storytelling & Workshop By Kakiseni

Step into the 'Shadows', a book inspired by wayang kulit. Join author and storyteller, Maya Zaharudin as she takes you on some fun thrills! There is also a crafty session after.

Teepee Painting & Recycled Seashell Vase By Joy Story Art & Craft

Try out tepee painting, make a recycled seashell vase or simply take up their invitation to play.

*Photo Credit: Robin Wong

Borneo Jungle Diaries & Borneo Ocean Diaries By Scubazoo Images

Go on a mission with young scientists, to safeguard wildlife and unravel the mysteries of the jungle as well as the wonders of the ocean.

Layar Liar By Nuvista Media

A documentary series in Bahasa Malaysia about Malaysia’s wildlife, its natural locations and the people working in these environments to save them.

Causes

Visually Impaired Persons (VIPS) Handbell Ensemble By The Colours of Sound

After intensive training, VIPS Ensemble comprising 8 handbell players with 1 guitarist and 1 harmonica player who are visually-impaired will be making their debut at YSDAF Festival Finale with The Colours of Sound on djembe and various hand percussion.

Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s (19th Aug) / Dance for Parkinson’s (20th Aug) By Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association

Do you have aging loved ones at home and want to help improve their wellness? These workshops are an opportunity for the wider community to participate in an actual Dance for Parkinson's class. Suitable for a diverse group of individuals who love dancing seated or standing.

Mari Main (Arts & Sensory Playgroup for NeuroDiverse Children) By Ho Lee Ching

Mari Main encourage social interaction through shared playful embodied experiences and inspire exploration and expression of creativity and self through movement, play, and art-making. Play is everyone’s first language but as we grow up, we forget how to play.

Deafhood By Kikazaru

This is about Deaf people’s experience in different times, their daily life and how they cope in the hearing world. The audience will learn some BIM sords (sign words) from the deaf performers as well as learn how to build a more inclusive society. The theatre will end with a unique and beautiful poem in BIM.

So there you have it! From music, to arts, theatre, dance, workshops, exhibitions and more, we hope you get a good idea of how exciting the festival will be! Don't forget to mark your calendar for the festival finale on the 19th and 20th August 2023.

View full Festival Lineup here, Festival Schedule here and Festival Guide here.
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