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Converging on Unesco Heritage Site

SOME of Penang’s best-known musical talents will be cele-brating George Town’s suc-cessful Unesco world heritage site listing on July 26 at the Esplanade.

From popular 1970s heartthrob Hail Amir and Alleycats’ front man David Arumugam to sultry songbird Syafinaz, the culturally inspired con-cert is set to be a night to remember.

Local art impresario and organi-sing committee member Joe Sidek said the event would celebrate some of the state’s most famous names in music.

“We also hope to have actress Vanida Imran, comedian Zaibo, soprano Tan Soo Suan from the famed Dama Orchestra and Nancy Yeoh – probably one of the oldest active performers around, on stage.

“This will be a musical tribute to our local talents complete with boria, ronggeng and joget perfor-mances,” he said during a two-hour meeting on Thursday.

Besides a tribute to P. Ramlee, there will also be a performance by the Temple of Fine Arts.

The night will end with fireworks lighting up the promenade.

Penang Municipal Council presi-dent and event chairman Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said most of the performances and activities were sponsored by cultural bodies and associations as well as the corporate sector.

“However, we estimate the three-day do to cost about RM300,000 - it is a reasonable amount. I want to say a big thank you to all those who have agreed to sponsor their time and money to make this celebration one to remember,” he said, adding that the international media would also be invited.

“We expect a crowd of about 20,000 for the whole event,” he said.

The three-day celebration will start on July 25 with a “Jom George Town” assembly at City Hall. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will officiate the event.

Thanksgiving prayers at various places of worship including the God-dess of Mercy Temple, Masjid Kapi-tan Keling, St George Church and Sri Mahamariamman temple will also be held. Students will take part in a flower mural painting on the road along Jalan Padang Kota Lama (8.30am).

Only July 26, cultural activities including a traditional Malay exhibi-tion (2pm to 8pm at the Heritage Centre), heritage trail celebration (5pm at the inner city), lion dance and karaoke oldies performances (5pm to 8pm at the Yap Kongsi), Hokkien glove puppet opera (5pm to 7.30pm at Hock Teik Cheng Shin), Chung Ling classical music perfor-mance (5pm to 8pm at the Khoo Kongsi), Indian music and dance performances (6pm to 8pm at the Sri Mahamariamman temple), Teow-chew traditional games, opera and puppet show (5pm to 8pm at the Teowchew Association) and a chingay procession (8pm to 9pm on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) will be held.

Tourists and locals will also get to enjoy trishaw rides in the inner city for RM5 and free traditional motif T-shirt printing (from 9am to 8pm at 19, Cannon Street).

The day's events will culminate in a free concert at the Esplanade (8.30pm).

On the final day, another cultural show featuring ghazal and dondang sayang performances will be held at the Upper Penang Road flea market from 10am to 6pm.

Source : The Star Saturday July 19, 2008

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