Rainforest World Music Festival 2014 (Day 1 Night Concert)

These are some photos I took during Day 1 Night Concert at RWMF 2014. I also added a short video of the concert at the end of this article. More photos can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/hybridayak/media_set?set=a.10203240969317852.1073741854.1017558774&type=3

BORNEO WORLD MUSIC EXPO 2014 AN IDEAL PLATFORM FOR BUDDING MUSICIANS

KUCHING, Sunday – The second edition of Borneo World Music Expo will be held from June 16-18, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak. Borneo World Music Expo will feature conferences, workshops, meetings, a trade fair and music showcases. The Expo is open to all delegates who have registered whilst the public is welcome at the evening showcases. Artists scheduled this year come from Sarawak, West Malaysia, Kalimantan, India, Java, Myanmar, and Thailand.

According to Gerald Seligman, the consultant of the Expo, “We’re using the same concept this year, but concentrating even more on acoustic and traditional music. The conference sessions will be mostly practical, with advice on how to enter local and international markets, how to professionalize, and with information on what Malaysia is doing to support the arts”.

There will be three days of concerts and two full days of conferences. Programmers from all over the world will be present at the second edition of Borneo World Music Expo, which will once again serve as a platform to expose South East Asia’s ethnic musicians to the international market.

Dato’ Rashid Khan, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board, organisers of the festival commented, “Last year the ten groups showcased made a great impact and five were offered international concert dates or tours. One of the five, Lan E Tuyang, an ethnic Orang Ulu band went on a month long tour in Germany early this year. A sixth, Madeeh, an ethnic Bidayuh band presented at the Rainforest World Music Festival, also picked up a European agent and has an international career launched. That is a success rate we are proud of and one that we hope to match, even better, this time around”.

The event is open for all professionals within the music field who want to increase their contacts, pick up new skills and exchange ideas in dynamic conference sessions. The expo also welcomes those who would like to present their wares, product or music.

Programmers from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, India, Korea and Cambodia will be at the Expo. For more information and to register as a delegate please log on to www.borneomusicexpo.com.   

KLIA2

Goodbye LCCT!

KLIA2 has been the talk of the town (or perhaps the whole country) for some days either on the mainstream medias or social networks. Airasia had finally closed down its operations at LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) on the 8th of May 2014 and resumed their business at the new KLIA2 the next day. I was lucky enough to go on a short trip to KL with family members on the 10th of May, so I got to explore and experience the new airport. Of course we did not purposely plan to travel on the date mentioned but it was just a coincidence we had bought our tickets prior to the announcement that Airasia would move to KLIA2 on a certain date. 

So, in this blog post I will put up some photos I had taken from the moment I landed on the 10th until I departed from KLIA2 on the 13th of May 2014. I really like the new airport for the reason that it is spacious. You will not feel it is that huge due to its interior design. It is designed in such a way that you feel as if you are going on a shopping spree in a mega mall. There are a lot of places for you to relax, eat and shop while waiting for boarding. KLIA2 is very convenient and you will not have problem finding a place to sit, nothing like the overcrowded LCCT. There are lots of washrooms along the way and clean too. For those who are afraid of getting lost inside the massive airport, you can always ask for direction from volunteers with the sign "ASK ME / ?". I have seen some complaints on Facebook about the lack of signage. Well, it was not difficult for us to find our way in and way out of the airport honestly. Those signs are pretty clear about which direction you are heading. Besides, there are all kinds of transportation services offered at KLIA2. You can get to other destinations by bus, train or taxi. Lastly, for those who want to overnight at the airport you might want to consider staying at Tune Hotels KLIA2 (http://www.tunehotels.com/my/en/our-hotels/klia2/). It just a stone's throw away from the airport. It is right in front of the exit and a walking distance. 

You won't want to sit in front of this huge air-conditioner!