(D) Tribute to Kazou Ohno, Butoh Legend

On 1 June 2010, Kazuo OHNO, co-founder of Butoh passed away at the age of 103. His work has inspired several generations of artists and audience alike. After his passing the global Butoh community mourned wondering what to do, what was the future for Butoh. Many felt as though something should be done to honour his gift to this life. So, on 21 August 2010, Democrazy Theatre Studio, Butoh Co-Op presented a Kazuo OHNO Tribute performance and a workshop entitled “The Body in Time and Space” by international artists to honour their sensai.

The artists wereJoao Roberto de Souza(Brazil), Terry Hatfield (USA), and Ampinee Suwunsawet (Thailand). There will be another series in December featuring artists Michael Sakamoto (USA) and Rocio Fernandez Fraile (Spain).

"Every time we say goodbye
I die a little
Every time we say goodbye
I wonder why a little
Why the Gods above me
Who must be in the know
Think so little of me
They allow you to go..."
(Cole Porter)

Celebrating Malaysia Day with Wayang Kulit

A Wayang Kulit performance by the renowned Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Anak Baju Merah from Machang, Kelantan will be held in conjunction with the MALAYSIAKU: CELEBRATING MALAYSIA DAY festival.

Led by Kelantan’s most popular Dalang, Saupi bin Isa and drummer Abdul Rahman bin Dollah, this wayang troupe are heirs to the late, legendary Dalang Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollah Baju Merah).

This performance is also being held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passing of Dalang Dollah Baju Merah.

Details of the event:
Venue: Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar
Time: 9pm
Date: 16.09.2010

The MALAYSIAKU: CELEBRATING MALAYSIA DAY festival is organized by a group of Malaysia, who care deeply for the country and believe that this country is “My Malaysia” (Malaysiaku) for all Malaysians.

Through exhibitions, talks, discussions, performances, poetry reading, art, music, books, food, and other ways, the festival celebrates all that is unique and beautiful about this country.

(D) Final Showcase of SPROUTS 2010

Winner of SPROUTS 2009, Gianti Gadi

After a vigorous pre-selection process and Preliminary Round, 8 promising individuals will have yet another taste of the limelight for the Final Showcase held on 18 September 2010, 7.30pm at the University Cultural Centre Theatre.

The 8 final contestants - Phua Chiu Teng, Rebecca (26 years old),Chen Guohu, Max (26 years old), Cheiw Peishan (27 years old), Fan Yaohong, royston (33 years old), Basu Mallick Koustav (25 years old), Fong Huey Jun, Liz (27 years old), Tan Ting Feng, Kenneth (23 years old) and Tan Xian Lin, Seren (20 years old) are nothing short of talented individuals. All presented contemporary dance works, and one Chinese traditional folk dance.

The jury will also be graced by international talents like Bilqis Hijjas, a well-known Malaysian dance producer, Claire Sung, Senior Manager of International Programming for the Seoul Performing Arts Festival and Yang Mei Rong, a lecturer at Taipei National University of Arts. The jury is also made up of local industry leaders and creatives, such as Mr Janek Schergen, Artistic Director, Singapore Dance Theatre, Ms Norhayati Yusoff, Arts Programmer, Esplanade and Ms Gillian Tan, Dance Lecturer, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

Proudly organized by the National Arts Council (NAC) together with Frontier Danceland, SPROUTS provides a platform for debuting fresh and exciting choreographic works by budding choreographers.

Previous winner of SPROUTS 2009, Gianti Gadi, will also perform her new work during the Final Showcase of SPROUTS 2010.

An array of exciting opportunities and prizes await the winner of the “Most Promising Work”– a cash prize of $2000, along with an Arts Professional Development Grant of up to $3000 to pursue further training in dance choreography. The lucky individual will also get to perform a new or expanded work at the Finals of the next edition of SPROUTS.

Winner of “The Most Popular Work”, determined by audience votes, will stand to win a cash prize of S$1000, while “Best Dancer” will receive a cash prize of S$500.

In addition, 2 SPROUTS participants will be selected to receive scholarships to Contact 2010 – A Week of Dance, organized by T.H.E Dance Company in partnership with National Arts Council and co-presented by the National University of Singapore, and Centre for The Arts held at the University Cultural Centre.

Admission to the Final Showcase is open to public. Ticketing information and prices are available through SISTIC at $15 and $10. Schools may use the Tote Board Arts Grant in purchasing tickets. Limited 50%-subsidised Keppel Nights tickets are available. Visit http://www.keppelnights.com/ for more information.