Suite Chic's Picks for May

If you'd like to indulge in some music and art, catch Japanese artist Yukinko Akira as he paints to music. Yes, to music! I saw something like this in Edinburgh, a few artists painting to live music, and it was awesome and inspiring at the same time. To be able to watch art in progress is a privilege. Although Mr Akira will not be painting to live music, but to recorded music, I believe the process is the same. Don't miss it! Happening at the Esplanade Concourse venue on 21 May 2009, Thursday - 24 May 2009, Sunday at 7.15 – 7.45pm and 9 – 9.30pm each day. Details here.

For some fusion gamelan music, join RiB or Rhythm in Bronze, a group from Malaysia at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre on 22 May 2009 Friday – 24 May 2009 Sunday. Their first set starts at 7.30pm. Details here.

My friend Darius Tan will be singing at the Outdoor Theatre next week 27th May 2009 Wednesday and 28th May 2009 Thursday at 7.15pm and 9 pm, with another actress Celine Rosa Tan. She has amazing vocals so do come down and watch these two as they fight/sing/play on stage. Details here.

Mekar Bhuana

Mekar Bhuana is a Sanur-based organisation founded by legong dancer Putu Evie Suyadnyani and her New Zealand husband, ethnomusicologist Wayan Pon Smara (Vaughan Hatch) to preserve the performing arts heritage of Bali.

They are coming down to Singapore to perform at the Esplanade Waterfront on the 2nd and 3rd of May, 2 sets a night. Admission is free!

The group will present five performances of rare seven-tone semara pagulingan repertoire (from Banjar Pagan Kelod, Denpasar, Kamasan, Klungkung and Gianyar) and pelegongan repertoire (from Teges Kanginan, Ubud and Banjar Tegal, Kuta). Vaughan Hatch will present a talk on this rare music and the ensembles during the festival.

Details here.

This weekend...

Pesta Raya: Kua Etnikaa

At Pesta Raya 2007, a local fusion gamelan group called GammaRays played at the Esplanade Recital studio. This year, for Pesta Raya 2008, Esplanade has programmed Kua Etnika, an Indonesian fusion gamelan ensemble. Which leads one to thinking whether fusion gamelan has become the gamelan du jour for these kinds of festivals.

Whatever that may be, Kua Etnika is a must see. Using the Balinese, and Javanese gamelan as well as jazz, reggae and many other influences in their music, one can expect much to see and hear in their concert. Hope to see you there!

Details are:

24-25 October 2008 (Fri and Sat)
7:30pm
Esplanade Recital Studio

Tickets are at $30 (concessions available at SISTIC)

SMV

I'll be there when it happens. When three bass greats take the stage at Esplanade in the form of Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller.

Date: 19 Sep
Time: 8pm
Venue: Esplanade Theatre

Book your tickets now! Here...

Swap!

With all the recent swap events that have been organised, we thought we'd have one too! Email an RSVP to suitestuff@gmail.com.

Gamelan Shiok-maker

The suite chic was present on both nights of Gamelan Shokbreaker, reveling in the loungy sounds of the Sundanese ensemble mixed with electronica beats, western flute and the trumpet.

The highlight of both evenings were the virtuostic drumming displays, as well as the effortless vocals and dancing by Euris. And not forgetting, the refreshing gong solo on the second night of the performance. One feels however, that the electronica was overdoing it a bit...after a while, all those bass beats lull you to sleep. But no one's complaining...however, could someone tell the suite chic what the trumpet was doing?! There didn't seem like there was any clear melodic direction, almost as if he was wiffling his way through. Argh. Help.

Oh well, Gamelan Shokbreaker was still a shiok-maker for this suite chic. Just next time, do her a favour..no trumpets-that-don't-make-no-sound please.