MAIN ZAPIN

(Three 'superstars' in the scene: Pic 1: Wong Kit Yaw; Pic2: Umesh Shetty; Pic3: Joseph Gonzales)

This performance of Zapin classics from across Malaysia rarely performed in Kuala Lumpur is the first for the Faculty of Dance, ASWARA. Encouraging young dancers who have learned these dances in their hometowns with traditional dance masters, ASWARA encourages the new generation to take ownership of the cultural forms. The performance gives them the opportunity and the freedom to restage the dances which are important to them. This keeps the forms relevant in today’s world. Interestingly, most of the dance choreographies and arrangements have retained their old-world charm. Witness Zapin Putar Alam, Pekajang, Sebat, Terengganu, Salor and many more danced by a cast of more than 100 dance majors with live music and singing! The performance will feature special appearances by Seth Hamzah, Umesh Shetty and Wong Kit Yaw as Faculty join students in a celebration of Zapin as Malaysian identity. ASWARA acknowledges the incredible work that has been done by the Johor Heritage Foundation and Prof. Dr. Mohd Anis in proliferation of the form thus far and sees its effort as complimentary to existing and on-going initiatives.
Date: 5-7 March 2010
Time: 8.30 p.m.
Venue: Experimental Theatre, ASWARA
Tickets: RM20.00 & RM5.00 (students)

In conjunction with the above performance, a dance talk entitled ‘Bual Zapin’ with panelists Prof. Dr. Mohd Anis Md Nor, Malaysia's leading dance scholar and Seth Hamzah, senior Zapin guru moderated by Aris Kadir, a highly regarded dancer-choreographer whose background is in Zapin, will take place as follows:
Date: 6 March 2010
Time: 10.00 a.m.
Venue: Main Lecture Hall, ASWARA
Tickets: FREE