The Orchestra

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

            Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is Malaysia’s first fully professional symphony orchestra. Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP) is the venue of choice for classical music as well as or local and international artists on pop, jazz and world music. It is popular with both performers and audiences due to its world-class facilities and atmospheres.

            MPO has become one of Asia’s premier orchestras and performs over 100 concerts annually. It has established in Aug 1998 and so as DFP. MPO has then revolved the performing arts’ scene in Malaysia. There is a regular series of chamber concert featuring small ensembles from within MPO as well as the informal happy hour concerts whereby the musicians perform outside their mainstream of classical music. The MPO went frequent visits to other states in Malaysia as well as international tours and also outreach activities organised under the MPO’s Education & Outreach Programme.

            There are six types of concerts within the MPO Concert Series and theses include Beethoven Solo Concerts and Legacy on the other hand which will bring together some of the world’s greatest and best-loved classical music performed by the MPO partnered with renowned conductors and artists. Besides, the Age of Elegance will journey across time to an age of beauty, romance and refinement.

            Discovery will be able to introduce some of the most famous orchestral music and promising young talents of today and to the ideal starting point to explore symphonic music. The fifth type will be the Pops. One could experience a world class orchestra playing popular music from the movies, musicals and light classics. Last but not least will be the Family Fun Play. It is a weekend series of fun which engaging classical music for the whole family.

            The season will be published as well as its concert calendar by the DFP. This coming May 2012, the schedule includes the following:-

Beethoven Solo Concertos:

5-6 May          : Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.2

MPO with Christian Arming as the Conductor and Foo Mei Yi as the pianist.

Pops:

12-13 May     : Swingin’ with the MPO

MPO with Richard Kaufman as the Conductor and Eileen Ivers will be doing the fiddle/vocals.

Age of Elegance:

19-20 May     : Tchaikovsky and His Idol

MPO with Paul McCreesh as the Conductor and Stephane Tetreault will be doing the cello.

Legacy:

26-27 May     : French Dreams

MPO with Stephane Deneve as the Conductor and Eric Le Sage as the pianist.

There will be a MPO – Jam Busters on 9 May 2012 and DFP spotlight will be doing Najwa on 21 May 2012. With Billie Holiday and Diana Ross as her role-models, Najwa offers up her special mix of R&B, hip hop and jazz, like a cooling breeze wafting through a hot day. Lastly, there will be also a Chamber Concert on 22 May 2012 with all MPO chamber players.

You may refer to their official website at www.mpo.com.my for further details such as the schedule timing and ticket pricing.

Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS

Personal Review:

            It will be a fantastic experience with one could not describe it with any words. Public is strongly recommended to watch how the MPO musicians perform in the world-class facilities. One’s mind will be relax and could really enjoy. If you are not sure whether you are a big fan of classical music, you may try out the MPO – Jam Busters first and it will serve a different concert going experience at a much cheaper and affordable price. You may join the various MPO musicians and their friends as they let their collective hair down in informal early-evening events where just about anything goes.

Written By: Tan Yee Thuan

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Replay Karaoke Kitchen and Bar

The reception desk.

Replay Karaoke Kitchen and Bar in Kuala Lumpur is a real local business or establishment located at Scott Garden Mall.

It is a family karaoke with awesome Japanese food. No tidbit charges, no extra taxes and no hidden fee. All prices are net. It includes free flow drinks all day long.

This is why I like to go here instead of others singing place.

Here is the best place to gather those who loves  to sing. It is a suitable and fine place for casual gatherings with families and friends. I used to organize gathering here with my classmates and colleagues. You may also try your luck if they could extend your singing hours and do not have any additional charges. 

The place is consider quite new as it is established not more than a year. The outlook design is interesting though the environment is often too dark. In general, the types of songs and the sound systems are moderate.

The waiting lounge. 

The walk way.

Open kitchen

There have provided with varieties of Japanese foods and is tasty. Let me introduce you some of the food:

Tori Nanban Set

Sushi Moriawase Set

Tempura Udon Set

Katsu Curry Set

For further enquiries or reservation, you may contact Replay Karaoke Kitchen and Bar at 03-79872888 or you can visit their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/replaykaraoke.

Terms and conditions apply.

Here is the location of Replay Karaoke Kitchen & Bar

Address: No. 2-46, the Scott Garden Mall, 289 Jalan Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur.

Operation hours: 11am to 2am daily

Written By: Tan Yee Thuan
Photos Taken By: Tan Yee Thuan

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An Outing to Dusun Ali King Paintball, Gombak

Yay!! Finally we arrived Dusun Ali King Paintball, Gombak.

A group of our college mates went for an outing to the Dusun Ali King Paintball activities so called “war game” located at Gombak. We gathered at the SEGi College Kuala Lumpur main building at 12.00 pm sharp on that day itself. Most of us wore sport attire with a T-shirt and track bottom but few of them wore jeans.

Once we arrived at Gombak, we still need to walk 100 meters along the trail to Dusun Ali King recreational park. Along the walking distance, we get a lot of mosquitos’ bites. Once we reached there, the person in-charged asked us to register and we were divided into four groups - Group A, B, C and D. Each group consists of 7 to 8 members. It was not our turn yet to play the game. While we were waiting, we watched how other players played as this was our first time in this paintball activity. We enjoyed watching their match. 

We were registering and divided into groups.

We still need to walk 100 meters along the trail.

After the previous group players came out, the person-in-charge briefed us on how the games work and about the rules and conditions for the paintball game. He said we had to wear paintball safety face mask at the shooting range, in or near the playing field. We should not take them off for any reason until we were in the Neutral Area and never shoot a person who was not wearing proper protection.

WARNING!

This is the actual war game field.

Such a colorful pellets.

Moreover, we were not allowed to shoot at a player showing a neutrality symbol or any referee. Before the game, paintball markers or guns should be kept on safe keeping together with the barrel sock on and pointing to the ground. Barrel socks were to remain in the paintball markers with safety pin kept on at all times until referee commands for the start of the game. When the game was over, immediately insert the barrel sock and safety pin on then walk to the exit door and surrender the paintball markers to the awaiting crew. If we were eliminated from the play, we had to give signal immediately to the referee and raise hands above our head and move quickly out of the field or back to the base.

The person-in-charge is guiding us on how to wear the safety measures.

According to the person-in-charge, we had five matches which was group A verses group B, group C verses group D, group A verses group C, group B verses group D and the final match group AB verses group CD. To win the game, we had to grab the flag located at the base of the opponent team. We chose to have unlimited life which meant whenever we got shot then we had to go back to the starting point until we run out of pellets then only we were considered dead. Anything happened; we had to rise up our hands to prevent getting shot. For the first and second match, each and everyone get 200 pellets and 100 pellets in the final match. He told us not to shoot when the person is around 5 meters. We could only ask them to surrender.

While waiting for our turn, say "Peace"~ 

Discussing the strategies.

We are ready! Are you ready for the war?!

After the briefing, the war began! Through observations, our group members noticed that getting on the higher part has the advantage compared with the lower part as in the higher part can easily get down and see the opponent clearly. When it was my turn, our opponent team really played like in a real war game but still they were strong from the start and end up with run out of pellets. In the game, I got shots even when I rose up my hands. It was painful and not as the person-in-charge said it was just a little bit of pain but was really painful. But yet, I got shots at the same place twice. It was extremely painful as I never thought of.

The final match was quite harsh as it was too crowded and we only have 100 pellets.  Perhaps the temperatures went down and our safety face mask became blurry and we cannot see the environment clearly. About 6pm, we stopped the game without win and lose. Then, we went to clean up and leave because it was time to take our leave and the bus driver was waiting for us.  Once we got into the bus, it started to rain. Almost all of us felt extremely exhausted after a long day.

If you are interested to participate in this paintball game, kindly contact the person-in-charge, Azlie at 016-6896762 or Azrai at 012-6950044 for further enquiries or bookings. You may also visit to the website: http://dusunaliking.multiply.com/journal/item/42/ for more information.

Author’s Review:

I think it was a unique experience that I ever had. A game of paintball was a perfect outing into the open. These games got everyone together as a team through planning, motivation, strategy and leadership skills and of course enjoyment. All we need was to be keen and prepared to hunt or be hunted to shoot or to be shot. It was cool and fun. Even though it was painful and I got wounds immediately but it was a nice outing with our college mates. Based on this experience, whenever I want to come for the second time, for sure I will wear loose jeans, old clothes and good running shoes.

The way we played this game, I learnt to play a better defense and offense and I have to adapt to my surroundings. Moreover, I can learn a sense of teamwork and also a better sense of control, if I fire my gun and I do not have a good shot then I will give away my position and it could expose my position in this game.  This showed how important being as a team.

My souvenir of the day - Bruises on my arm.

My souvenir of the day - Bruises on my thigh.

Written By: Tan Yee Thuan

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