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THE GEORGE TOWN FESTIVAL
PENANG 8 June to 7 July 2013
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FINALLY!
Published on Sep 17, 2013
A summary of George Town Festival 2013 (7 June – 7 July)
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George Town Festival @GT_Festival
I posted 10 photos on Facebook in the album “Intriguing Instruments (29-6-13)”
Intriguing Instruments (29-6-13)
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Roughcut
The best brains and talents in film making will converge at Tropfest South East Asia’s first public activity in Penang, Roughcut. Tropfest SEA, which is part of the world’s largest film festival, will present this film symposium together with industry partners and professionals in a series of film conversations, focused specifically on the craft and production of storytelling. This full-day event aims to cultivate outstanding storytelling on-screen and to foster a culture of dynamic and creative filmmakers.
For more info:
Tropfest SEA
http://www.tropfest.com/sea
Admission: RM30 (exclusive of RM3 ticket processing charges)
The awesome Chris Doyle at Roughcut
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Published on Jun 12, 2013
Chang Yi
In 1987, acclaimed Taiwanese film director Chang Yi and artist Loretta H.Yang pursued the art of contemporary LIULI. Together they established LIULIGONGFANG, Asia’s first LIULI arts workshop, and forged a future for traditional Chinese art and craft. The New York Times has dubbed Chang “Father of the Asia Studio Glass Movement”.
Emphasizing the merger of contemporary LIULI art with traditional craft art, his keen powers of observation and point of view tells the story of people, life and culture. Not only does Chang Yi’s work draw attention to the fundamental concepts of contemporary art, it incorporates a strong traditional slant toward ancient Chinese ethical theory and views of the universe; his work is rich with cultural emotion. In the name of art and culture, LIULIGONGFANG has established itself as the leader and pioneer of contemporary Asian LIULI art.
Loretta H.Yang
A prominent actress in 1970s Taiwan, Loretta H.Yang drawing from her experiences as a performance artist, turned her focus to contemporary LIULI art in 1987 and founded LIULIGONGFANG. Using the pate-de-verre technique. Yang draws on the rich humanity and philosophy of the technique to bring a once forgotten Chinese art back into international spotlight. She is widely considered the pioneer of contemporary Chinese LIULI art. In 2010, she became the first female Asian glass artist to lead a class at the Corning Museum of Art in New York.
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George Town Festival Launch….8th June 2013
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Stilt Walker Workshop
‘People without Words’, a stilts performance and workshop is proudly presented and facilitated by The Jumping JellyBeans Sdn Bhd (JJB). Catch their live showcase on 8 June at the George Town Festival 2013 opening ceremony held at the Esplanade. If you like what you see, join in the fun by signing up for a stilts workshop on 15 & 16 June conducted by Ms Shanthini Venugopal, Director of JJB.
Participants will work on their own after the two day workshop to gain more confidence in being a stilts walker. They will have to attend a one week training session from 23 – 28 June with JJB facilitators Rita Superbi and Shanthini Venugopal which will then culminate to a public performance on 29 June. This performance is part of the Victoria Street Project (VSP), an exciting one-day only street event.
Participants will receive a complimentary set of customized stilts.
Registration
Date: 8 June 2013
Time: 3 – 7pm
Venue: Esplanade, Jalan Padang Kota, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Registration Fee: RM50 (Payment to be made upon registration)
Limited to 20 participants only
Workshop
Date: 15 & 16 June
Time: 10am – 3pm
Date: 23 – 28 June
Time: 2 – 7pm (Tentative)
Venue: Center Stage of New World Park, Lorong Swatow, Penang
Performance
Date: 29 June
Time: 8 – 9pm
Venue: Along Victoria Street (Near China House)
For more information on VSP, please follow the links below:
http://georgetownfestival.com/victoria-street-project/ (VSP Page)
https://www.facebook.com/victoriastreetproject (VSP Facebook)
For enquiries, please contact:
Evareesa at 04 261 6308 or evareesa@georgetownfestival.com
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MEX Gallery at George Town Festival 2013.
Exhibition starts on 7th June – 7th July 2013.
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GTF OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY “TAKING OFF” 8th June @ Esplanade
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151603778162850.1073741833.592037849&type=1
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Star
Flying start
George Town Fest gets a loud and colourful start with drums and kites
Kites, drums and stilt walkers mark the opening of George Town Festival 2013 at the Esplanade with visitors enjoying a host of activities. IT was a fascinating fusion of heritage featuring drums and kites, including the traditional wau bulan from Kelantan that marked the opening of the George Town Festival 2013 at the Esplanade in Penang.
Flying high: Kites of all shapes and sizes floating in the air above the Esplanade field in George Town and (inset) a huge fish-shaped kite ready for liftoff as visitors marvel at the size of the kite.The month-long feast of the arts, music, culture, film and dance kicked off with a splendid 10-minute drum session led by a six-member music group, together with two conductors clad in striking orange T-shirts.
Despite the sweltering heat, the enthusiastic crowd did not hesitate to join and play the instruments provided, which included kompang and drums.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was also present to join the crowd.
The opening ceremony on Saturday continued as Lim accompanied Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas onto the field to fly the official state kite.
The traditional wau bulan took to the skies after several attempts.
Some five minutes later, the crowd gathered once again to witness the flying of a giant yellow-coloured wau resembling an octopus.
The giant attraction together with other colourful kites in all shapes and sizes dotted the clear blue sky, delighting the crowd.
Curious locals and tourists were drawn to the Esplanade for the display of kites, themed ‘Taking Off’, where more than 20 mega kites in various shapes and designs joined many smaller kites in the sky.
The mega kites were brought in from Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Children were awed by the designs of the array of kites, including one depicting a dragon named Zulu, which was brought in from Indonesia.
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There was also a Kite Making Workshop for visitors who had registered earlier.
They were taught the basic steps and procedures of making kites and were given a chance to write any message they wanted on their kite.
One participant, 11-year-old Wong Chin In wrote a Father’s Day wish on her kite, dedicating it to her father Wong Cheng Soon, 45.
“I did not expect her to write a Father’s Day wish for me and I am certainly very touched by my daughter’s gesture,” said Cheng Soon before taking her daughter to launch the kite at the field.
The fun did not end with the kites as there were also a stilt walking performance and a drum circle learning where visitors were taught how to play some percussion instruments.
The month-long festival is on until July 7.
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Timeline Photos
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蓝天白云数格子
蓝蓝的天空，白白的云朵，晴朗的天空，写点点滴滴，与大家分享
好快的一年一度Georgetown Penang Festival 又来了，换句话说槟城乔治市庆祝入世界文化遗产古迹区第五年了。恭喜！可以看到槟城在旅游业用心策划了一连串的活动迎接这个节日。你们准备好了吗？
George Town Festival 2013
George Town Festival 2013从6月7日开始到7月7日。6月8日的Taking Off (风筝齐飞）活动在旧关仔角是2013年乔治市艺术节的开幕活动。你们有兴趣参与今年的George Town Festival 2013吗？
George Town Festival 2013
马来西亚 2013年6月8日 星期六
George Town Festival 2013
我和权雄吃了午餐之后，路上看着朵朵白云，蓝天白云好天气，你叫我们怎么能待在家里生文？呵呵！允许我又偷懒啦，赶紧收拾器材出门去，我们要去参与George Town Penanf Festival 之一 Taking Off 风筝齐飞。
George Town Festival 2013
For more photos and the rest of the report, click on
http://mylovelybluesky.com/2013/06/george-town-festival-2013-taking-off/
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Ready to bring it to the sky tomorrow. See you at Taking Off!
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George Town Festival (GTF) is a month-long celebration of art, music, theatre, dance, opera and film to commemorate George Town’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage listing on 7 July, 2008. Each year since 2010, GTF transforms George Town into an exciting and unique platform for the arts, heritage and culture.
The unique appeal of the festival lies in its well-balanced blend of local cultural performance and events with cutting edge international performances. For centuries, Penang was renowned as an international commercial gateway. GTF was created to put George Town and Penang back on the world stage as an international boutique destination for art and culture. International media giants such as The New York Times, CNNgo, Wall Street Journal have already covered the festival and the buzz for this year’s festival is stronger than ever.
ABOUT | George Town Festival
http://georgetownfestival.com/about/
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The online program is available here:
http://issuu.com/georgetownfestival/docs/gtf2013-booklet-web?mode=window&pageNumber=1
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THE LATEST POSTINGS BEGIN HERE.
THURS 6 JUNE
Star
Thursday, June 06, 2013 
A sight to behold: The Theatre of Ships, a structure made of bamboo, is expected to be a highlight of the George Town Fest which starts tomorrow
Thursday June 6, 2013
Say ahoy to the festival!
By OH CHIN ENG
chineng@thestar.com.my Photos by CHARLES MARIASOOSAY and OH CHIN ENG
THE Theatre of Ships, an astounding ship-like structure made of bamboos, is set to be a jaw-dropping sight at the Esplanade in George Town, Penang, when it is officially unveiled tomorrow.
The installation, which resembles the bows of ships, is expected to be the most photographed art piece of the George Town Festival (GTF) 2013 after Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic and his mural paintings for the festival last year.
Situated in front of the Esplanade field, the 15m-tall and 22m-wide installation, with its pointed tips, is flanked by the century-old Town Hall and City Hall.
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The creator of the masterpiece, Indonesian sculptor Joko Dwi Avianto said the 3,000 pieces of bamboos used in building the structure were shipped from West Java.
He said he and 14 other people, including five fellow Indonesians, began building the structure on May 5 and completed it at the end of last month.
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Have you ever dreamed of being a drummer ? This might be a good start !! Registration at : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tepfobYCD2A2mqqzhWcyS1I50m2ObDOnq5exY0PgLTs/edit
Everbody bring your own kite and fly it on the 8th of June at Esplanade and also come make some noise with the drum circle! See you there…
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Star
Thursday June 6, 2013
Cat and mouse draw attention
By JOSEPHINE JALLEH
josephine@thestar.com.my
Say cheese: A tourist posing beside the image of the mouse painted not far from the giant cat in Armenian Street. GEORGE TOWN: It’s a “cat and mouse” game in the art world with an image of a black mouse, seemingly hiding in the dark, surfacing not far from a newly-painted bright feline mural in Armenian Street here.
Murals had lately become a fad in the inner city areas, with many wall paintings emerging across the landscape of the heritage township.
The black mouse, a creation of an unidentified artist, was painted over a white wall not far from the cat, which is part of a series of 3D street art murals by artist Tang Yeok Khang from Bukit Mertajam and two friends.
He and fellow artists Natthaton Muangkliang from Thailand and Louise Low from Kuala Lumpur are set to complete 12 street murals by June 29, in conjunction with the George Town Festival 2013.
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Introducing our photographers for the festival! A few familiar faces but mostly new. Briefing time…
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Building a garden secretly in a corner of Georgetown.
Shhhh…..
Try if you know where is this place
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Star
It’s raining cats and dogs
The inner city will be swarming with animal murals carrying a message opposing cruelty to strays as the countdown starts for the month-long George Town Festival 2013.
The murals are expected to wash off in one to two years’ time. Street art is not meant to be permanent. — TANG YEOK KHANG
AGROUP of creative talents are hoping to inspire the public to stop animal cruelty through a series of 3D street art murals. Artists Tang Yeok Khang, 38, from Bukit Mertajam, Natthaton Muangkliang from Thailand and Louise Low from Kuala Lumpur are working hard to complete the 12 murals in conjunction with the George Town Festival (GT Fest) 2013.
The month-long festival will be held from June 7 to July 7.
Tang said with cats as the main subject matter of the 3D paintings, the theme of their work was the protection of animals, especially strays.
“We’ve almost completed the painting of a giant orange cat in Armenian Street.
“Natthaton, who handles the welding and 3D sculptures, will install ‘stray kittens’ walking on a clothesline towards the cat later.
“We are worried that if we put them up early, the ‘kittens’ made from wire mesh and cotton will be stolen,” he said.
Among the other creative paintings and 3D installations are the image of a dog hidden in a pattern of dots similar to a colour blind tester, kittens taking shelter under an umbrella, a painting of a cat surrounded by stylised fortune cats and Bruce Lee kicking a cat.
“The painting of the cat surrounded by decorative fortune cats is to get people to love stray felines.
“The idea behind the Bruce Lee mural, is to grab people’s attention and make them think – would this famous martial arts exponent ever do such a cruel act?” he said.
The art pieces will be completed by June 29 when an online competition is launched.
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“At night, the yellow street lamps are not bright enough so it’s difficult to see the actual colour of the paint used,” he said.
http://mystar.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
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NST
17 May 2013| last updated at 10:22PM
George Town Festival aims for the sky
LOOKING UP: The annual affair to open with kites flying over the Esplanade
GEORGE TOWN: THE sky is the limit for this year’s George Town Festival. Taking off at the Esplanade at 3pm on June 8, the festival’s opening ceremony will be a colourful, breezy affair with the participation of master kite makers and kite flyers from the Asean Kite Council.
The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will be represented.
Festival director Joe Sidek said: “It will be a colourful and chill-out day of fun… with lots of free kites for everyone.”
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would be among the dignitaries flying kites to mark the opening ceremony.
Joe said this year’s programme was led by the keywords “community, interaction and space”.
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GTF Events
1 THE THEATRE OF SHIPS
The Theatre of Ships
7 June – 7 July
Venue: MPPP Town Hall
Time : All Hours
Admission : FREE
A main feature, The Theatre of Ships by Indonesian sculptural artist Joko Avianto, will be at the MPPP Town Hall on June 8.
2 I MUSICI
I Musici
7 June
Venue: Dewan Sri Pinang
Time : 8:30pm
Admission : RM60, RM80, RM100
I Musici is Italy’s oldest and most renowned chamber music group who will be presenting excerpts from classical compositions of Italian musicians. It will also feature an interpretation of the Four Seasons of Antonio Vivaldi.
3 A TOWN CALLED GEORGE
A Town Called George
7 June – 7 July
Venue: Victory Annexe Lobby, E&O Hotel
Time : Hotel Hours
Admission : FREE
4 SECRET GARDENS OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Secret Gardens of Earthly Delights
7 June – 7 July
Venue: George Town
Time :All Hours
Admission : FREE
Considered as a unique feature of the George Town Festival this year, the Secret Gardens of Earthly Delights feature 10 gardens, 10 sites, and 10 artists. This project captures and reflects the heritage of both George Town and Penang.
George Town Festival – Festival in Penang Malaysia
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OTHER EVENTS
Free Malaysia Today
Month-long celebration at George Town Festival
Some highlights/dates
Bambu at the MPPP Town Hall (June 7 to July 7)
The Joko Avianto installation will be unveiled on June 7, is expected to attract photography and arts enthusiasts from all over the world.
Taking Off at Esplanade (June 8)
To add colour to the opening ceremony of the Penang George Town festival is Taking Off where master kite flyers will be showing off their kites to onlookers. Expected participants are the representatives from the ASEAN Kite Council. Don’t miss to get one of the free kites to be distributed later in the evening.
Obscura at various venues (June 20-30)
Photography works of amateurs and professionals, including those of Maggie Steber and Ian Teh, will be publicly exhibited in Obscura. Talks and forums, workshops, as well as portfolio reviews, will also be held to enhance the skills of the participants.
Sutra at Dewan Sri Pinang (June 29-30)
A brand new dance work will be presented by Flemish/Moroccan choreographer, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Inspired by the strength, skill, and spirituality of the Buddhist Shaolin monks, the dance involves 21 wooden boxes on which the dancers display their moves.
Pro Musica Gala Concert at Dewan Sri Pinang (July 6)
Having performed during last year’s George Town Festival, Pro Musica features four international opera singers namely Julie Mossay, Ines Madeira, Enrico Casari, and Laurant Kubla.
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George Town set to become a culture, arts hub
The entire George Town will be the stage for the month-long George Town Festival (GTF) 2013, from June 7 to July 7.
The city’s old pre-war houses, shop lots, heritage buildings and even kaki lima (five-foot way) will host the festival’s numerous art exhibitions, talks, forums and performances.
While the art pieces and performances dazzle their audience, the venues — including those with old paint peeling off their walls and cracked floors — will give the people a rare chance to feel and experience the pulse, spirit and history of George Town.
GTF director Joe Sidek said the festival would be taking a rather unconventional approach by holding events at unlikely venues, instead of inside convention centres, halls or theatres.
With George Town, a Unesco World Heritage site, as the “backdrop” for the whole festival, he said the venues would be community and public spaces, where everyone could enjoy the events and interact with each other.
“Art should not be disconnected from the people … that is why we aim to bring art and culture to the people. There is a perception that people who appreciate art are those from privileged backgrounds. Some still think that going to see an art performance requires them to be in tuxedos … not in this George Town Festival,” he said in an interview.
George Town set to become a culture, arts hub
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