KLPAC, Sentul West, 18/1/2009

Opening its doors to the public in 2005, the second KLPAC Open Day was held today and I am just so glad that I did not miss this opportunity to go visit and also help out (abit) with the art installation part. I went to pick up Darren, Gordon, Daphne and Ben from college before heading for Sentul West where KLPAC was located. We left at around 9 and reached about 935. Not back due to NO TRAFFIC JAMS TO THE CITY ON SUNDAYS! YAY! We reached on time and got to linger around and get a few freebies like a KLPAC notepad and the itinenary for the day's event. So first off, after meeting up with Sherman and Li Qun, we walked around and snapping a few photos of the surrounding's happenings. Then we hurried to the sounds of drums and cymbals which signals the start of the lion dance. A very Traditional Chinese way of an opening ceremony and also to scare away evil and bring in luck and fortune to the place.

Surprisingly, for the first time in my life, the troupe who were doing the lion dance were not Chinese but surprisingly, the whole troupe consists of one Malay guy and the rest are Indians. Cool huh? NO, I am not kidding. Its so true. Just look at the pictures below. It is so interesting to watch Malaysians actually getting to practice other races' culture. This is so truly a Malaysian thing.

The drummer and the cymbals player were right next to me...


My poor ears.


Just a joke I decided to do. Actually, this lion is peeling the fruits (mandarin oranges and a pomelo) on the floor which signifies, I am not sure, fortune? Someone confirm for me please.


And while one is doing the peeling, the other was watching and when it was bored, it decided to play with the little children watching the event. It was so cute to see the little children backing away when the lion went nearer and nearer to them.



See, even the dancer is Indian.


Cute right? The way it sits. HAHA.


Here is a short video of the lion dance.

There were many events but I only managed to take some because I could not be at multiple places at the same time. So after the Lion dance, the Young KL singers performed a short jazzy song for the crowd to enjoy.

Here are some of the scenes of the Young KL singers





Interesting stuff.

Then right outside, at the boardwalk, the Indian Cultural Drum Group of Sentul were performing their talents on the drums.

It was loud,


And happening....


Photographers with big DSLRs were everywhere covering each event.


DUM DUM DUM DUm... My poor ear drums suffered today.. But it was all worth it.

While walking around the flea market, we found this rather interesting photographer who told us he worked and stayed in the rainforest in Sarawak and Sabah. He was selling some of his works ther. Kind of expensive though but I must say, his works are very interesting indeed.

After the little chat, we decided to go on out own photography tour of the place. Looking for different things to capture and shared. The old part of KLPAC was just the thing. It used to be a train manufacturing plant. SO that dates back to more than 100 years ago during the colonization times. Now, what we see is the remnants and the aesthetics of the brick work.

And I just love this...


A tree was growing on the building walls. Its just so beautiful.

1130 A.M., rushed to Pentas 1 to catch the dance showcase by the Datin Paduka Seri Endon Award winner, Aris Kadir. It lasted about an hour and since it was dark, and we were asked not to take flash photography since it will interupt the show, I could not take any photos. Thankfully, I could film short footages of it. SO please. Enjoy the one hour show cut to become a 2 minute video instead.

Pentas 1 is the one withthe colourful chairs. Just if you are wondering.

The one in black is Aris Kadir. Super Talented guy. I enjoyed his dance showcase.

Back at the flea market, Wai Sie spotted cupcakes, cute cupcakes to be exact and was hesitating to get one. Then she decided not to. HAHA.. Or maybe later...

Rm2 for one cupcake...

While we were minding our own business, a guy suddenly approached us and asked us whether he could have a moment of out time. We said :"Errr. Sure." and he just waved his hands to signal the cameraman and the Newscaster to come to interview some of us. While some of us were shying away, ben was the first to be asked to be interviewed. Basic questions in mandarin like: "How do you feel bout the event?", "What was you favorite? and so on but before he was let go, she asked: "Valentines is near. Do you have a Girlfriend? If you do, what is the message you want to tell her?"

Ben being interviewed.

So, Ben said he did not have one and yadidadida. Next was Darren and since he is a pro crapper and pro in cantonese, the newscaster interviewed him in canton. Same Questions and same answers. Darren was a natural.

Having fun being interviewed.

Well, Darren waas a good sport. Having fun in front of the camera. Even doing the facial expression the newscaster asked him to do. Smile dude, YOU ARE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION!

Cameraman with his weapon for the day..

Well, Wai Sie was also interviewed since she was the only girl near the newscater at the time. Daphne managed to sneak away. Don't have any nice pictures of Wai Sie because she was not really enjoying the attention. Anyway, let us all congratulate Wai Sie for speaking the her best mandarin of all time. HAHA.... *CLAP CLAP CLAP*

Nahhh... Its okay.. We all had our fun. Thanks for interviewing us Taylorians. HAHA.

After all that, we decided to go back to Pentas 1 for the backstage tour before heading out for lunch. And boy were we surprised when we saw he *hem hem* I mean him walking down the stairs. Out of no where, this white man wearing a white wedding gown the wrong way, holding a plant with a white butterfly and red furry balls and two barbie dolls sitting on his red wig, walking down the stairs all stiff and emotionless. He did not blink, his steps steady and back straight, he walked down the stairs in an awkward manner, with an assistant right beside him all the way.

Super creepy...

Sending chills down my spine....

I had to miss his performance because I did not want to be late for the tour. After detouring to some mini studio with dance lessons and games, we started our backstage tour at one with a guide introducing us the different places backstage and the equipments used for a successive show. Technical stuff but it is so interesting.

The tour ended quite fast so before leaving for lunch, decided to take a few more pictures inside and outside of the building and of all the events.

NO, I am not! YAY!


Loving the wall.

Outside...

Kids were encoureaged to bang the drums and make noise in the Drun Circle: Nomad Adventure.


Beautifully crafter paper bird, hanging on a tree.


And yes, another one of the art installation designed by one of the seniors.

And before we left, yes, Wai Sie decided to get a cupcake.

Went for Dim Sum for lunch around the Sentul area. We were planning to return for the KLPAC idol but ater decided that we were just too tired to continue on. So while some of us went home (Including myself). CW, Wai Sie and Sherman decided to go back to have a listen.

I really did enjoy myself. Lots of pictures. Lots of fun. Love the atmosphere and YES! I would like to go again next year. Good Job KLPAC. Thanks for the wonderful day.

Signing off,
Aaron C