Chase those pesky Monday blues away – preferably with a cold beer, and even better, the knowledge that you’ll be doing good while drinking said cold beer(s). If you’re the type to need a reason to drink, you’re in luck: In the spirit of solidarity, Brian Gomez’s Merdekarya – the shindig du jour for independent live music, art, dan lain-lain – is holding a fundraiser for port of punk music Rumah Api tonight.
ICYMI, a fire broke out at Rumah Api on the morning of Jul 19 last week. According to Man Beranak, a co-operator and -owner of Rumah Api and member of hardcore thrash band Sarjan Hassan, the fire ‘destroyed the entire building electrical system’. The cost of re-installing and re-wiring will add up to approximately RM5,000.
Rumah Api hasn’t seen the best of days in recent times. The Star recently reported Tan Sri Noh Omar, the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister as stating that the proposed Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) highway will go on as planned, despite months of complaints and protests. The Star also reported that development of the highway, which will cut through Pekan Ampang – where Rumah Api is located – will mark the closure of the local independent punk venue, along with over 40 pre-war premises in Pekan Ampang, built during the British era and some over a hundred years old.
Come through tonight, there will be beers, music (on the lineup are instrumental rock act Skits, folk musician Hameer Zawawi, and singer-songwriter Brendan de Cruz, among others) and a lot of conversation. All you need to do is show up, have fun, and buy lots of drinks; 50 percent of profits will go towards Rumah Api’s rebuilding. There will be donation boxes, too.
Jul 25, doors open 7pm. Learn more about Merdekarya and Rumah Api. If you’d like to reach out to help Rumah Api, you can contact the guys at rumah_api@riseup.net or donate to their Maybank account (162049046957; Yazman Bin Yahya).