MUSIC enthusiasts, this is your opportunity to tick off some great acts on your wishlist. From now to Sept 23, Johor comes alive with the sights and sounds of the 15th Johor Arts Festival. Brought to you by The Johor Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA), this year’s festival boasts a grand line up of local and international musicians.
From Mozart to Totoro by MPO
The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra will return to Johor Bahru for a special one-night performance on Sept 3. Immerse yourself in a wealth of soundscapes beginning with Mozart’s celebrated Marriage of Figaro Overture and Symphony No. 40, followed by the lively Mercu Kegemilangan by local composer Vivian Chua. You will also have the chance to journey into the fantastic worlds of Hayao Miyazaki with music from Castle in the Sky and My Neighbour Totoro.
Drum Circle Workshop
No notes, no rules, just drums! On Sept 7, drum to your heart’s content with the Joyous Community Drum Circle by Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club. The drum circle facilitators will be the club’s music teacher Magdalena Liew and Haiqal Hermanshah Rahman, a drum circle facilitator with “The Colors of Sounds”. For drum circle newbies, all you really need to do is show up! If you have a drum and want to bring it along, you can do that too. No drum? Bring a can, bring a box or just tap and clap during this fun-filled workshop. Admission is free.
TARAKUCHA! feat Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana
The dashing Sean Ghazi together with Ida Mariana of Kebaya Jazz fame will lead the main vocals for Tarakucha!, a 10-piece Big Band celebrating Malaysia’s musical heritage with style, a touch of romance and a lot of fun! On Sept 9, relive the dizzying Golden Era of P. Ramlee and Saloma with original compositions, contemporary hits and all time favourites. Presented in English but sung in multiple languages, Sean, Ida and company will have you swooning over their velvet vocals served with charm, humour and heart guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles before the night is over.
WVC presents Seketika Sebelum Merdeka
Take a step back in time, on Sept 12, with WVC and songstress Janet Lee as they present a unique arrangement of pre-independent Malayan songs such as Hatiku Rindu, Bulan Ditutup Awan, Hitam Manis, and Lenggang Mak Limah. The show will also feature stories and anecdotes by historian, poet and Pusaka founder Eddin Khoo.
Listen Differently: Germany’s vision string quartet
Described as “amazingly vivacious, vivid and electrifying”, this Berlin-based vision string quartet will be playing at the Puteri Pacific Johor Bharu on Sept 21. Established as one of the finest young string quartets of its generation, catch this up-and-coming dashing group of maestros live in Johor Bahru for one night only!
Get your tickets, right here, right now: https://jspa.peatix.com/
