Caramella Scarpa picks out the best things to see and do at George Town Festival in Penang
What started out as an ode to George Town gaining its UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2010 has become one of Asia’s most thrilling arts festivals. Festival director Joe Sidek had a vision of gathering the finest and funkiest artists, dancers, thespians, musicians and visionaries to an island that has always been a melting pot of cultures and history. Against the fascinating backdrop that is George Town, this year’s festival promises to be the most riveting yet – and these are our top picks.
Aug 13 & 14
The festival fun doesn’t only happen on the island. The Butterworth Fringe Festival offers a host of quirky events including interesting street acts – think a unicycle-riding chainsaw juggler and giant puppets – and it’s all free! There’s also live music, dance performances and JinnyBoy of JinnyBoy TV fame hosting a presentation and Q&A session.
Jln Jeti Lama, Butterworth
Aug 15-27
Celebrating everything to do with photography from Asia and around the world, this festival encompasses specially curated exhibitions, workshops and talks that will be held all over George Town. This is visual art at its most arresting, with more than 180 photographers showcasing their works.
Various locations
Aug 19 & 20
Flamenco comes to George Town in the form of Chekara, one of the most famous groups who combine the beautiful dance with Andalusian music – a combination of Christian, Moorish and gypsy influences. The group brings Tan Cerca, Tan Lejos (So Near, So Far), their latest production that honours Enrique Morente, a famous flamenco singer who was known for modernising the traditional genre.
Penang Municipal Town Hall
Aug 20 & 21
Celebrated director, choreographer and dancer Akram Khan collaborates with sculptor Anish Kapoor and composer Nitin Sawhney to bring this breathtaking production, which combines karthak, the Indian classical dance form, and contemporary dance. This is the first time Kaash will be performed in South-East Asia, after critically acclaimed shows across the world.
Dewan Sri Pinang
Aug 26 & 26
The words used to describe this unmissable Canadian act revolve around ‘magical’ ‘mesmerising’ and ‘magnificent’, and these seven performers bring decades of dance, acrobatic and circus experience to the stage with their distinctive show.
Dewan Sri Pinang
Aug 27 & 28
Rice takes its place of pride in this experiential multi-disciplinary performance led by Aida Redza, Malaysia’s foremost choreographer and dancer. The rituals, celebrations and the way life revolves around rice harvesting cycles – even the backdrop for the performance is a paddy field grown specifically for this in the heart of George Town.
Macallum St
Until Aug 28
Veer away from the performing arts and take a moment to contemplate the wire art of this French sculptor, whose specialty is creating sculptures that morph into different objects depending on which angle you look at them. George Town is also famed for its own wire art courtesy of the Sculpture At Work collective, which can be found all over the heritage zone.
Dewan Sri Pinang
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