FESTIVAL DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Don’t you love a good story? I think most Malaysians do! I also think that we’ve grown to be pretty awesome story tellers. When we gather at a mamak, we don’t just relate an experience, we animate the conversation with excited tones, use gestures to keep our friends interested and sometimes even throw in a punch line or a plot twist in the end. Here we are, heading into the 15th year of the Johor Arts Festival - and whether that’s a punch line or a plot twist, I’m not even sure myself. It’s been an exhilarating journey full of ups and downs, splashed with blood, sweat, and tears (and diesel – but that’s a tale for another time), friendships gained and lost, nervous breakdowns and steady hands, soaring highs but also many unrealised plans. This year, allow us to tell you some amazing Stories at 15JohorAF. Join us, as we unfold the full picture with our theme Stories through music, theatre, comedy, song, poetry, dance, photography and even food! Are you ready? Cause we sure are! Come live the arts with us! Suzie Yap Festival Director
The Johor Arts Festival (JohorAF) is not only one of the longest running festivals in the country but also one of the most highly anticipated arts and cultural events in the state. Since its birth in 2004, JohorAF has featured more than 15,000 local and international artists, organised over 2,000 programs and attracted millions of visitors. How did we do it? It all boils down to diversity. From classical music to jazz, spoken word to graphic arts, photography to forums, comedy to fashion, basically, if you think its artsy, we probably have featured it or will feature it in the future. We also believe in taking it a step further. Despite the obvious entertainment factor, we believe that JohorAF and all our other events have the ability to educate, engage and empower the community – something we always keep in mind when putting together our cool line-ups.
ABOUT JohorAF
THEME The Story Behind Our Warrior He is blue. He cannot be defined by the colour of his skin. He is masked. He cannot be recognised by his features. He respects tradition. He wears an indigenous headdress, traditional cloth and tribal bangles. He however refuses to be put in a box. He pulls up his socks, coloured vibrant red and white, and wears sneakers while swaying to loud / tribal / soothing / trance/classical/jazz/techno music? That’s the beauty of our warrior. He can be anything you want him to be. You create the story. Our warrior, the image of 15JohorAF, is the creation of multiple award-winning artist and designer Mulo. Putting together the character with our theme “Stories” in mind, Mulo, who is known for merging vivid colours and intricate manga-styled illustrations, created this beautiful image to represent us. An art community that is not afraid to stand out, not afraid to be creative, not afraid to embrace tradition and not afraid to bring it to the next level.
ABOUT US JSPA The Johor Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA) was born because a bunch of creative minds got bored. Unsexy as it sounds, yes, that’s how it came to be! Way back in 1998, Johor Bahru wasn’t exactly known for excitement and stimulation. In an attempt to stir something up, the above mentioned bunch of creative minds started getting together to produce short sketches and performances (that were often wildly hilarious and inappropriate) – and eventually the movement got so much traction that they decided to officially register The Johor Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA) in the year 2000. (Yeay! We were born!) JSPA, which is a non-commercial organisation, has since made it our life mission to encourage, develop, support, advance, create awareness, and instill an appreciation for the arts in Johor through cool and relevant projects across a spectrum of artistic disciplines and genres. Apart from the annual Johor Arts Festival (JohorAF), we also organise Jazz Festivals, Film Festivals, Indigenous Festivals, Classical Music Festivals, Piano Festivals, Writers & Readers Festivals and countless stand alone events. To keep up with our happenings, follow us on Facebook or log on to www.jspa.com.my.
BORDER/LESS
Photography Exhibition, Sharing Session & Film Screening
An honest look into the lives of jb`s migrants. Step into the lives of some of Johor Bahru’s most under-represented communities with Border/Less – a 6-part photography exhibition that examines the daily routines of the city’s foreign labourers. Through the perspectives of local students from Southern University College, the exhibition aims to shine a spotlight on these familiar strangers, who live amongst us under the gaze of Malaysian societal norms – bringing us an inside look at the joys and sorrows of their daily lives.
SELAT JOHOR : A VISUAL COLLECTION Photography Exhibition by Zulkiflie Maarof (Cabi)
In its often-overlooked narrow waterways, beautiful everyday stories unfold. Take a fresh look at Selat Johor through a beautiful visual collection by renowned local photographer Zulkiflie Maarof or better known as Cabi.
APA CERITA?
2-Day Photography Workshop by Sidekick Projext
We use the camera to capture memories, record history, and document our daily lives. But what actually makes a good photo? Join Apa Cerita? and learn how to use frozen moments in time to communicate long-lasting messages. Day 1: Indoor Photography Day 2: Outdoor Photography
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KULIT ON THE GO
Written and Performed by Erwin Shah Ismail Directed by Baba Richard Tan
Making do with less, happily. From farm to fashion, Kulit On The Go reveals the heart and art in leather crafting. In a materialistic world pre-occupied with consumerism, this artisan stays afloat in business travelling to his customers to produce custom-made orders. Despite his attempts to redefine luxury goods, society has other plans for him. This traveling one-man act is performed in English, Malay, Mandarin, and Hokkien with music accompaniment on the ukulele.
FROM MOZART TO TOTORO The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
in jb for one night only! Immerse yourself in a wealth of soundscapes beginning with Mozart’s celebrated Marriage of Figaro Overture and Symphony No. 40, followed by Mercu Kegemilangan by local composer Vivian Chua – then journey with us into the fantastic worlds of Hayao Miyazaki with music from Castle in the Sky and My Neighbour Totoro!
MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCE (M.A.A.D) Suvarna Fine Arts
Explore the grandeur of bharatanatyam
Explore the beauty and grandeur of Bharatanatyam with internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Ajith Bhaskar, together with the Suvarna Company dancers! Bharatanatyam is one of the most fluid artforms that has the comprehensiveness to explore any idea or theme. More than just a repertoire, it is a universal language that translates thoughts and emotions through movement, melody, mime and words. The program will also include a pre-show lecture conducted in English.
THE JOHOR BAHRU PIANO FESTIVAL
part of the Malaysian Piano Competition The Johor Bahru Piano Festival is back – this time as part of the Malaysian National Competition! In 2017, the Johor Bahru Piano Festival was established with the main purpose of providing a platform for young musicians to expose themselves to international standards of music competition and to encourage the next generation of aspiring musicians to learn from one another and push each other to the next level. With even more participants this year, The Johor Bahru Piano Festival 2018 is set to be an exciting day with lots of music in the air!
TARAKUCHA!
Featuring Sean Ghazi & Ida Mariana
"the Terrer-Menerrer Big Band Baru with a Malay twist!"
Created by and starring Malaysian singer and actor Sean Ghazi, TARAKUCHA! is led by Musical Director Nish Tham, with Ida Mariana of Kebaya Jazz fame on co-lead vocals with Sean fronting a 10-piece Big Band all celebrating Malaysia’s musical heritage with style, a touch of romance and a lot of fun! 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 WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble with Janet Lee and Eddin Khoo
Malayan Classics re-imagined! Take a step back in time with WVC and songstress Janet Lee as they present unique arrangements of pre-independent Malayan songs, including Hatiku Rindu, Bulan Ditutup Awan, Hitam Manis, Lenggang Mak Limah, Ibu, and many more - together with stories and anecdotes by historian, poet, and Pusaka founder Eddin Khoo.
FUSION WAYANG KULIT: Workshop, Exhibition and Free Wayang Kulit Performance
The force is strong with this wayang kulit show! Wayang Kulit Puppet Workshop, Puzzle Game, Exhibition, Talk and free Peperangan Bintang Fusion Wayang Kulit Performance. Peperangan Bintang is a must-see performance for audiences to witness the perfect fusion between traditional art and modern science fiction, through a retelling of the iconic 1977 film Star Wars – this time, with beautifully crafted puppets in a Wayang Kulit (traditional Kelantanese shadow puppetry) adaptation. Also, don`t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to take a selfie with Tun M and Ed Sheeran!
JOANNE KAM: LA LA LIAN
Malaysia's Sambalious Queen of Comedy
FIERCE. FUNNY. FABULOUS.” Joanne Kam Poh Poh gives you more than LEMAK in your NASI in her new One Woman Comedy Special – Joanne Kam: La La Lian Nationwide Tour. With BRAND NEW MATERIAL in a 90-minute show, Joanne showcases her complexity in writing and wit - taking audiences on a whirlwind journey of an animated child who grew up to be Malaysia's longest running stand-up comedian.
LISTEN DIFFERENTLY vision string quartet
"...amazingly vivacious, vivid , and electrifying.”
“...amazingly vivacious, vivid and electrifying...the hot blooded guys from the vision string quartet seem to be completely fearless.” - Der Tagesspiegel Founded in 2012 and based in Berlin, the vision string quartet has already established itself as one of the finest young string quartets of its generation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to catch this exciting, up-and-coming, and dashing group of maestros live in Johor Bahru for one night only!
PERSPECTIVE; THE RUNWAY
johor`s biggest fashion event!
Are you ready for the hottest fashion event in Johor? Perspective; The Runway will host six fabulous designers including two with international fame this year. Featuring exclusive collections by Tom Abang Saufi, Fashion Club by Limkokwing and Lagenda from Malaysia. Guest designers include Sorn from Thailand and Ritesh Kumar from India. Also premiering with his first ever runway collection is the winner of Perspective; The Project, the talented Wawal Ali!
POETIC VIBES
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Poetic Vibes returns to the d his friends as they explore the strange, unknown magical 15JohorAF with an amazing Join Toby wat and jam-packed line-up. of Johor. Meet notable Malaysian writer and art activist Fazleena Hishamuddin, join a special zine workshop and enjoy other activities by the JB Poet Society.
DRUM CIRCLE
No notes, no rules, just drums! Join the circle and 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”.
AFTER HOURS 2.0: FOOD FETISH
endly theatrical production Singapore! A discussion from on heritage food and its place in today`s world
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Join specially invited panellists Tony Boey from Johor Kaki the Straits soffriends as they explore thestrange, magical water blog, unknown Datin Kalsom Taib who co-wrote Johor Palate: Tanjung Puteri Recipes and other guests as they chat away about heritage food, food culture and other yummy topics.
JAM SESSION WITH NAS & FRIENDS Lepak with Nas of Plague of Happiness
Join Nas as he gathers a few friends for a simple, stripped down jam session. No big stage, no bright lights, no thundering speakers – just a few guys having some fun with their guitars (sambil bersembang dan makan kuih-muih)!
YASMIN I LUP CHEW
Screening of Sepet & Gubra Yasmin I Lup Chew book launch by Datin Orked
who live in
Pic by Evan Hwong
the Straits
say hi to orked on screen and off screen
Did you know that the character Orked from Yasmin Ahmad's beloved films are named after her sister Datin Orked? If you're curious about the person behind the name, come and meet Orked herself as 15JohorAF commemorates the life and work of Yasmin Ahmad.
FUN WITH SEKOLAH SENI MALAYSIA JOHOR Unleash your creativity in a special wood painting workshop by Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor and enjoy the Gema Traditional concert featuring the sounds of the gendang, gendang silat, gazal and other traditional Malaysian instruments.
TOBY`S JOURNEY
A fun sensory-friendly production about the importance of keeping our oceans clean! Toby is a tortoise who lives in Johor Bahru. Toby wants to visit some friends who live in Singapore so Toby sets off on an adventure across the Causeway. Join Toby and his friends as they explore the strange, unknown magical waters of the Straits of Johor.
PARAMPARA
The Temple of Fine Arts
Listen to the enchanting sounds of the sitar in a special concert by Ustad Usman Khan, Dean of Music of The Temple of Fine Arts International. The specially put together performance is part of a series of concerts which will also feature a segment by sitar students from TFA JB.
SPONSORS We would like to thank the following Partners and Sponsors for making 15JohorAF possible: PRESENTED BY
MAJOR PARTNER
STRATEGIC PARTNER
ENDORSED BY
OFFICIAL ACCOMMODATION & VENUE PARTNER
OFFICIAL SOUND & LIGHTING PARTNER
OFFICIAL MUSIC EDUCATION PARTNER
VISION
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
We would also like to thank YB Cik Liow Cai Tung, Johor Women Development and Tourism Committee Chairman and YB Tuan Mohd Khuzzan bin Abu Bakar, Johor Youth, Sports, and Culture Committee Chairman for their support. | www.jspa.org.my | www.facebook.com/johorperformingarts |