PIF2015_Press Kit_ENG - Pangkor Island Festival

 Press Kit Content 1. Program Overview 2. Press Release 3. PIF 2015 Highlights and Artist Introduction Opening: Pangkorian Theatre 4. Music Performance (a) Music Night (b) Moonlight Feast 5. Outdoor Activities (a) Parade (b) Fun Run 6. Culture & Exhibition (a) Pekuab lun Kelabit | Songs to Remember (b) Foo Cherch Kang, Dr. Francis Lin Chia Hui | ExhiVision (c) Cikgu Wee | Folk Games & Folk Songs, Story Telling (d) Wang Tao | Book Launching (e) Kim Teoh | I’m Pangkor Lang (f) Cultural Tour -­‐ A Walk in Pangkor 7. Workshops (a) Echizen Washi Paper-­‐making Workshop (b) Cooking Workshop (c) Parent & Child Creative Workshop 8. Outdoor Movie Screening -­‐ Cape No.7 9. Others Contest #1: Photography Contest Contest #2: Life Art Contest Contest #3: Children Colouring Contest Arts Bazaar Food Bazaar 1. Program Overview Press Release Pangkor Island Festival 2015 Pangkor, Perak, 3 September 2015 -­‐ Spanning over 4 days; from 24th -­‐ 27th September, Pangkor Island Festival is back ! Pangkor Island Festival (PIF) is a pioneering island-­‐based festival where community, culture and art come to play. The event platform is much more than encouraging interaction amongst Pangkorians, but also fosters new interaction between locals and artists by inviting international artistes to the festival; thus adding a new dimension to the livelihood of Pangkor communities. The festival this year focuses on reminiscing the roots of the island -­‐ to reunite the islanders, recall the memories, and to indulge in the beauty of old Pangkor traditions. PIF aspires to integrate community culture, history and folklore with local tourism, highlight the best of Pangkor’s unique local delicacies as well as its touristic and scenic attractions. It will be a grand celebration where both Pangkorians and visitors are welcome to join in the fun! The festival will commence with the grand opening ceremony which features a unique drama production brought to you by none other than Pangkorians themselves. The public can also look forward to a series of art exhibitions, theatre performances, music events, movie screenings, art market, food market, fun run and various interesting workshops with lots of learnings. With these events lined up, PIF 2015 hopes to bridge connections between artists from various backgrounds and locals by encouraging conversations through events and activities to promote and improve the sense of community culture. Third consecutive year in its running, this year’s event will see various new highlights; which include : • Pangkorian Theatre • MISATO HAYASHI -­‐ Marimbist from Japan • Japanese Echizen Washi Paper Making Workshop • Pekuab Lun Kelabit • Fun Run “Pangkor Island is renowned for its scenic beaches and vibrant sun shines. For some, it is a simple little fishing village tucked in a rural island in Perak. However, the tourism industry has not been able to engage enough visitors and a lot of young people are leaving the island to seek opportunities elsewhere. With the Pangkor Island Festival, there was a huge surge in the number of visitors and had provoked much nostalgic sentiments amongst Pangkorians who had left their hometowns. Therefore, other than the annual festive seasons, we hope that PIF would serve as another reason for travellers to visit and for Pangkorians to travel back to their hometown, not only to visit friends and family, but also to enjoy the artistic and community spirit that PIF hopes to evoke. We will end the festival with a pop-­‐up art and food market as locals and visitors alike can come together to enjoy the amazing delicacies that Pangkor has to offer, the variety of art works exhibited and the numerous cultural workshops held throughout the festival.” Eric Ch’ng, Festival Director of PIF2015. Pangkor Island Festival is jointly organised by Oriental Art and Cultural Association Kuala Lumpur, Co-­‐organised by Pangkor 18 Chinese Associations, sponsored by ELKEN Foundation, supported by Majlis Perbandaran Manjung, Discover Perak Malaysia, Visit Malaysia 2015 and youbeli.com, Sin Chew Daily as official media partner. For further information, please visit our official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pangkorislandfestival or contact (012) 349 0467. 3. Programme Highlight & Artist Write Up Opening Ceremony: Pangkorian Theatre by Pangkorian, trained by a team of professionals Director: Amelia Tan｜Co-­‐director: Eugene Ng Dance: Tan Bee Hung, James Kan｜Percussion: Tan Chun Ket, Zac Tan Music: Lem Siaw Kiat｜Lighting: Amelia Tan Stage Designer: Even Chen Artistic Director: Low Khay Hooi, Wong Siew Jiuan (from Art Baiduren) SYNOPSIS: Named after the beautiful beach, Pangkor Island is inhabited by fisherman of many generations. Raised in an ordinary family of net maker, Ying and his younger brother decides to go to sea with the fisherman for better living. Fighting with the waves and currents everyday and counting their blessings at every sunsets, what is waiting for this brothers beyond the horizon? | Director: Amelia Tan | Amelia has been part of Pangkor Island Festival since year 2014 as the <Pangkorian Theatre> Traditional Dance choreographer. This year, Amelia is back not only as Director cum Script Writer, but also as Lighting Designer. Amelia is a full-­‐time theatre practitioner, drama and dance instructor, and a graduate of Malaysian Institute of Art. She is also a graduate from "Theatre Training and Research 3 year Program" (TTRP) in Singapore. Her personal expertise includes lighting design, stage makeup, actor training, physical training, voice training and acting. Currently, she works as an Acting Instructor of Drama & Visual Department in New Era College. She had also been involved in training actors for local TV stations. | Co-­‐Director: Eugene Ng | Eugene Ng, the Founder and Artistic Director of Eutopia Theater. Actively involved in acting, theatrical education, directing and costume designing. Currently a part time lecturer in Dasein Academy of Arts, freelance theatre educator and costume designer. Eugene are to join PIF2015 Pangkorian Theatre as Co-­‐
director and working closely with Amelia on Script writing. Eugene also has 12 years experience in theatre educating, and frequently invited to direct and instruct for musical drama in Pesta Tanglung by Universiti Malaya. | Choreography: Tan Bee Hung | Bee Hung had been choreographed for Pangkorian Theatre since PIF2014 and again join us this year. A law graduate, Bee Hung was predominantly trained in contemporary dance. She has worked with many top-­‐
notch artists including Amy Len, Steve Goh, Lee Swee Keong, Judimar Hernandez, James Lee, Jack Kek, TeckVoon Ng, Loh Kok Man, Jay Jen Loo, Albert Tiong, Kathyn Tan, Brigel Gjoka, Ben J Riepe, and others. She has performed locally and internationally, in Singapore, China and Germany. In 2013, she was selected to participate in the International Young Choreographers Program held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Bee Hung is currently a full time dance instructor and dancer. | Choreography: James Kan | As his first year of joining Pangkorian Theatre, James had won a full scholarship by Korean government and pursue his study in Korea National University of Arts. Graduated from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) in 2008 with a Diploma in Dance, majoring in Choreography, and awarded a scholarship to pursue dance at the Taipei National University of the Arts at the same year. James had been touring around cities, and nominated the Best Featured Performer award for his 70mins solo full-­‐length performance “Fragment” for the 11th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in Malaysia, and the Best Choreographer for ASWARA Dance Company’s “Utopia”. | Percussion: Chin Chun Ket | Born in Sabah, Sandakan, Ket learned to play drums in his early teens. At the ages of 13, he followed Bernard Goh by joining 24-­‐Festive Drum to pursue his drumming passion. Graduated from University of Wolverhampton with a Degree of Illustration in 2007, Ket joined Hands Percussions Team in 2008. During his period with Hands Percussion, he gets to explore percussions, composition and also Gamelan -­‐ a Malay traditional instrument, from famous Gamelan compositor Susan Sarah John. Ket left Hands Percussion in 2014 and began his journey teaching and performing drum all over Malaysia. Since then, he formed a drum team <Souls Impact> with his current partner Zac Tan. | Percussion: Zac Tan | Joined 24-­‐Festive Drums Team at the age of 13. He starts learning drum and had experience in drumming for more than 8 years. In 2011, Zac's passion became his part time job as a Jazz drum teacher and 24 festive drum coach. In 2014, he officially pursue his career as a full time 24-­‐Festive Drum coach. Later in year 2015, Zac expanded his talent by forming a drum team <Souls Project> with his current partner Chun Ket, which makes him a full-­‐
time performer and also 24-­‐Festive Drum coach in school. | Artistic Director: Low Khay Hooi, Wong Siew Jiuan (from Art Baiduren) | Art Baiduren was established back in 1999, and this is their third time taking part in Pangkor Island Festival. Khay Hooi and Siew Jiuan had put in great effort to enhance the art education among local children. As the joint founder of Artland Junior Art Academy and Malaysian Junior Art Education Association with their colleague, they served as President of the association for two consecutive year. Besides education, they are actively participating in art and craft creation, as well as art exhibitions and community art event in both local and international such as “Petaling Street Community Art Project” and “Look, Port Weld”. Besides, Baiduren also took part in theatre stage production. One of the theatre “The Unicorn’s Travelogue” had won the Best Costume Design, Styling & Make Up at “The BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2015”. | Stage Designer: Eve Chen | Graduated from New Era College, Department of Drama and Visuals and Taipei National University of the Arts, Department of Theatrical Design and Technology, majoring in Stage Designing. Eve had taken up various positions in performing arts such as: stage designing, lighting design, costume design, stage manager, actor. She also participated in concerts and exhibitions related design. Stage designed by Eve are: <Disappearance of Grandma Dodo>, <Death and the Maiden>, <Next Ten Years> & <22> performance stage and lighting design in Macau, <My Dear, Breast>, <Happy Birthday>, <The Way Home>. | Music Director: Lem Siaw Kiat | Exposed to Chinese Orchestra music in 1991, and majored in Dulcimer and percussion. Completed Master Level of Conducting course organized by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Music Director Yan, Hui Chang and PCCO Music Director Chew, Hee Chiat. Repeatedly being invited to participate in various performances, Siaw Kiat also joined Nyoba Kan in performing percussion for a contemporary choreography entitled <The God of Wealth Arrives>. In the year of 2006, Siaw Kiat was invited to AIFM for an interview and live performance in June, and received the Best Conductor Award in the National Chinese Orchestra Competition. Received the Best Supporting Actress Award in 2007. 4. Music Performances (a) Music Night Line-­‐up | Daniel Lee | Malaysian Idol 2 | Malaysia Daniel Lee, as the Malaysian Idol of its Season-­‐2 in 2005, has became the winner with 1.2 million votes by the viewers. He had released three albums in his singing career and currently has upgraded himself as an ukulele instructor and has been touring around in Malaysia. For PIF2015, Daniel will be performing as a solo on ukulele for a 30minutes pocket show, whilst a full band performer and vocalist for mini concert stage. Besides performing, Daniel is expecting to interact with the crowd by introducing ukulele and lead them to sing along. Line-­‐up | Misato Hayashi | Marimbist | Japan MISATO HAYASHI was born in 1978 in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. She started playing marimba since 3 years old. For 4 years since 9 years old, she had joined a big band and played as drummer. Through the activity, she had won several music prizes. MISATO graduated from Tokyo College of Music, percussion in 2001 at the top of the list. After the graduation, she started studying under and also had many collaboration performances with Momoko Kamitani, who is known as a professional marimbist all over the world and has many excellent performance carriers over lots of countries. Misato also studied in Paris, France in 2002 and entered to Conservatoire Superieure de Paris -­‐C.N.R.-­‐, majoring in marimba. After returning to Japan in 2010, MISATO has worked on her own music theme besides original live-­‐performances, solo concerts, collaboration activities, and composing movie & TV-­‐commercial music. As her lifework, she produces the MIMI Method -­‐ a music education & therapy program for Japanese children. She also putts lots of efforts on the social working such as young musicians education, volunteer activities, and raising-­‐up-­‐children support activities. Line-­‐up | Bossa Nova Band | Malaysia This Bossa Nova band is formed specially for Pangkor Island Festival 2015. With its drummer James Wong, it will be a four-­‐piece band including keyboardist, bassist and vocalist performing songs in bossa nova genre. Audiences are sure to be amused and entertained with our local band’s talent. Line-­‐up | Pekuab lun Kelabit | Bario, Sarawak Malaysia Leaving their home for the first time, taking plane for the first time, presenting on the grand stage for first, and the first media interview…… These elders in their 60-­‐90’s, had flew across the sea to bring you their very own traditional oral recitation performance, and also to sing the songs of their history. (b) Moonlight Feast In conjunction the Mid-­‐Autumn Festival aka Mooncake Festival, PIF invites you to join us in this moonlight-­‐bathing party. There will be a lot of festive snacks, lanterns and riddles. You will be showered with songs and laugters from the very talented Pangkorians. 5. Outdoor Activities (a) Community | Parade Claimed to be the most happening event during PIF2013, PIF Parade comes back this year with the theme of the Ocean. The colourful parade which takes place in one windy afternoon, is made up of floats and big heads construction built by local artistes and the local communities. After the 4km walk to SJK(C) Hwa Lian 1, you will be welcomed by songs and dances on the field. (b) Sport | PIF Fun Run A morning jog along the west coast line of Pangkor, PIF Fun Run offers you a wonderful running experience with hilly paths, sea breeze, monkeys, and hornbills sighting as well as the FUN factor of multiple obstacles. 6. Exhibitions & Activities (a) Pekuab lun Kelabit | Songs to Remember The oral tradition of the Kelabit of Bario, Sarawak, are presenting a unique cultural journey into Bario, a course of oral history recitations, music and dance. Bario, located in the remote northeastern highlands of Sarawak is the heartland of the Kelabit people. Hidden away from the rest of the world, this community of farmers, hunters, and gatherers has only in recent past moved beyond its boundaries. Now, numbering less than 5,000, they are rapidly assimilating, making great leaps into wider society and in the process embracing new habits and ways of life. In conjunction of PIF2015, the Kelabit group will be holding an exhibition throughout the festival, a live oral history recitation and also performing at our music night on 26th September 2015. (b) Foo Cherch Kang , Dr. Francis Lin Chia Hui | ExhiVision PIF2015 is showcasing the Homecoming.SPK once again! The characteristic of historical building has been depicted and observed with the cultural history of SPK in this community project. It evokes collective memories of the residents in SPK. (c) Cikgu Wee | Folk Games & Folk Songs Exhibition, Story Telling Cikgu Wee wants us to put down our modern gadgets, re-­‐
discover the beauty of folk games and folk songs. All the toys are hand-­‐crafted by Cikgu Wee, with the recycle material provided by the local community. Cikgu Wee will also share the stories and tales of Pangkor while making the toys. (d) Wang Tao | Book Launching On Pangkor Island of 8 square kilometers, of a 25,000 population, born in a ordinary fisherman family an outstanding poet, Wang Tao. He went through storms, sustaining through ups and downs in his life, in his emotions, casting a journey which is typically defeated yet courageously brave. And all these reborn as encouraging lyrics from pain……” – by world-­‐widely renown poet Wu An. The collection “The sea wakes up after you (Awakening)” demonstrates a sophisticated poetic context focused on Pangkor Island surrounding the motif of ocean and island. (e) Kim Teoh | I’m Pangkor Lang PIF re-­‐exhibits “I am Pangkor Lang”, a photographic series created by renown photographer Kim Teoh. Through the portraits, this exhibition offers an intimate glimpses into the lives of the Pangkorians. (f) Cultural Tour -­‐ A Walk in Pangkor What could be a better way to discover Pangkor than a stroll through the villages in the company of Pangkorians? Join us for a walk paved with tales & histories of the island. The wind of laughers and tears will carry us. 7. Workshop (a) Echizen Washi Paper-­‐making | Japan “Long time ago, a beautiful princess descended upon a village on the Okamoto River and taught the people how to make paper. The princess, Kawakami-­‐gozen, turned out to be the goddess of paper, and with her visit, she founded Echizen’s Washi industry. People built Okamoto shrine in dedication to her and the possession has been passed on. -­‐ Folk story. The name of Echizen Washi founded in Shosoin’s (a treasure repository built in 9th century) documents of Nara Period when Chinese paper-­‐making was introduced to Japan. When paper began to be widely used by the warrior class, high quality papers such as Echizen Hosho were demanded and produced in large amount using developed technique. During the Meiji period Dajyokan Kinsatsu, Japan’s first currency notes were manufactured in Echizen. In late-­‐century, many artiste including the famous painter -­‐ Taikan Yokoyama, has favoured Echizen paper. Featuring a delicate texture and a wide variety, the paper made in Echizen is extraordinary among the varieties of paper produced in Japan. In PIF2015, craftsmen of Echizen Washi will conduct a workshop on the traditional way of paper making, and people will be able to get involved with their hands on experience. (b) Cooking Workshop | Pangkor, Malaysia The cooking workshop will be conducted by the fellow Pangkorians. You will get to learn on how to prepare the local dishes, in a very unique Pangkor style! (c) Parent & Child Creative Workshop | Taiwan Through varieties of activities, Professor Hsia Xue Li will lead the parents and kids to bond in creative way. ＊ More information to be release in the near future 8. Outdoor Movie Screening Cape No.7 | Production of Wei De Sheng | Taiwan Outdoor movie screening has always been one of the most awaiting section during Pangkor Island Festival. The venue for this activity is located at the old cinema since 2013. This open-­‐air cinema will definitely evokes nostalgic memories of a bygone era, though the old cinema had been demolished. “Cape No.7” is the story about Aga, a struggling young rock band singer who leaves Taipei to return to his hometown -­‐ Hengchun. There, his step-­‐father, assigned him as a postman. At the same time, he met and fell in love with Tomoko, an Mandarin-­‐speaking Japanese fashion model who had been allocated to Hengchun to organize a beach concert. What makes a deeper impression is the geographical location of Hengchun is almost similar as Pangkor Island. Moreover, the aim of PIF2015 is to encourage islanders who study, work or stays far away from Pangkor to return to their beloved hometown just like what Aga did. Meanwhile, as a singer of rock band, Aga took part in the beach concert to strive for his music dream, this is similar with the concept of PIF which is to promote performance art among islander. The most important is, we must have faith in ourselves, with confidence and talent, we can shine in everywhere. 9. Others Contest #1: Photography Contest What comes to your mind when you first heard of Pangkor Island? Home to fishermen, vacation or a tourist spot? How do you define it in your own unique way? Pangkor Island Festival set to showcase the diversity of cultural and historical characteristic of Pangkor as well as to promote the appreciation of art in this beautiful island. With the aim of creating more and more photographic records of Pangkor, PIF2015 calls for all the photographers to discover and show the Pangkor in your eyes to everyone! Contest #2: Life Art Contest In collaboration with Everyone can Paint, Paint from Our Heart by Phillip Wong, organised by OACA KL, Life Art contest creates an opportunity for everyone to express through art, and encourage everyone to go around in Pangkor, search for your favorite location and create your master pieces. Let’s join us to express the beauty of Pangkor through your perspective. Contest #3: Children Colouring Contest Jointly organized by Global Art Think Creative, Alumni Association of Hwa Lian Pangkor and Parent Teacher Association of Hwa Lian 2, this contest intend to discover the potential and talent in children. Arts Bazaar PIF Arts Bazaar is set to provide a platform for local cultural and creative products, organic and environmental-­‐friendly goods and such to present their creativity, which also offers opportunity to local arts performers to promote their upcoming show and to raise awareness of Malaysian arts culture. Unlike ordinary creative market, the arts bazaar include not only handmade crafts and sewing arts product; public can also find food market, sketching, illustration work, and performing arts group contributes as a part in the bazaar. Each group has the chance to exchange ideas, direct interaction and share the concept of works with the public. Food Bazaar In conjunction with the highlighted program “Concert on the grassland” and “Moonlight Feast”, food bazaar is set to invite food lovers & talented chef of the island to cherish and promote the delicious and unique island foods together. Due to the good response of previous PIF, we have upgraded the scale as an individual bazaar. It would be a platform for the local to showcase their food culture, and aim to promote their unique dishes in Pangkor style. About Pangkor Island Festival Pangkor Island Festival (PIF) is a pioneering island-­‐based festival where community, culture and arts come to play. By inviting artists into the island, It not only encourages interaction amongst Pangkorians, but also fosters new interaction between locals and artists, thus adding a new dimension to the livelihood of Pangkor communities. Pangkor Island Festival aspires to integrate community culture, history and folklore with local tourism, highlight the best of Pangkor’s unique local delicacies as well as its touristic and scenic attractions. It will be a grand celebration where both Pangkorians and visitors are welcome to join in the fun!