Art, music, events and entertainment in Penang

Christmas bazaars, Christmas Concerts, Christmas Comedy - and much more, happening in Penang this month!

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FILM - KNIVES OUT, Hikayat, 226 Beach St, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday December 15th, 16th & 17th 6pm

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. An homage to Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.
 
Winner, Best Feature, Philadelphia Film Festival
Nominated, Best Original Screenplay, Academy Awards

Screening and refreshments RM15.

Booking here essential.

CHILDREN'S WORKSHOPS - GARDEN ADVENTURE, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Wednesday & Thursday 16th & 17th December, 9.30am-1.30pm

A morning of garden adventures, crafts & play for children aged 6-10 years old. Maximum 10 per day. RM 40 per person for Spice Family members (non-SF: RM600). To register click here and scroll down the page.

TALK- MAJOR SURGERY AT ISLAND HOSPITAL, Online, Wednesday December 16th 3pm

Consultant General & Paediatric Surgeon Prof Mr Wong Twee Juat talks about the major surgeries and procedures that take place behind the doors of our operating theatres at Island Hospital. Join free of charge on Facebook live here.

COMEDY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, 54JCT, 54 Jalan Chow Thye, Wednesday December 16th 8.30pm

Garu and Tommes brewing up some Yule on stage together ... Beer RM 10. Glass of Wine or bottle or ... bring some friends have some fun - who knows when they will close us down again. All SOPs are taken care of. Get off your couch !!! Have a laugh. Support the comedians.

COOKING WORKSHOP - BEEF RENDANG & NASI LEMAK, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Friday 18th December, 10am-1pm

Learn how to make Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang & Jemput-jemput. RM 136 per person for Spice Family members (non-SF: RM170). To register click here and scroll down the page.

PUPPET THEATRE - A MEETING WITH POTEHI, Online, Friday-Sunday December 18th-20th 2pm

Lean more about Penang Potehi by watching this locally produced film screening live on the Show Penang Facebook page here.

SUPER STYLISH CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUES, Muntri Mews, Muntri Street, Friday 18th December 4pm-7pm & Saturday 19th December 12pm-4pm

A socially-distanced Christmas Shopping event with pop-up boutiques for  vendors from Penang, KL & elsewhere.
Admission free - everyone welcome - credit cards accepted.

MUSIC - FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT, penangpac, Friday & Saturday December 18th & 19th 8pm

The Actors Studio Chorus & Orchestra perform Christmas carols and other well known Christmas tunes, and Santa will make a socially-distanced appearance this year too. Tickets RM 45 (RM 35 concessions) can be purchased at the penangpac box office or online here.

A VERY SPICY CHRISTMAS BAZAAR, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Saturday 19th December, 9am-1pm

A morning of festive cheer under the trees of Tropical Spice Garden, featuring a cosy little jungle bazaar with lovely gifts, live music and good coffee. Normal entrance fee applies (RM20 adults / RM15 seniors and students / RM15 children / RM50 family of 4) and small additional charges for some activities. For more information and to register click here and scroll down the page.

LIVE MUSIC - THE MANIC STREET TEACHERS ROCK CHRISTMAS, D’Loovi’s, 24 Lebuh Melayu, Saturday 19th December, 8pm-9.30pm

High school teachers let their hair down once a month, and this time they rock it out for a Christmas Show,
only on our stage! Preferred genre, Classic Rock, with a dash of heavy metal madness thrown in! Expect covers of songs from Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Metallica. Free of charge. More information here.

GUIDED WALK - JUNIOR RAINFOREST EXPLORATION, Penang Hill, Sunday 20th December, 9am-12pm

Introduce children to nature, and let the young explore the magic of the Rainforest. Suitable for ages 5-15 years.

RM 50 per person, meet at the Dataran, Penang Hill. Register 016-4201189. More information on Facebook here.

COOKING WORKSHOP - HAND MADE PAN MEE, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Sunday 20th December, 10am-1pm

Learn how to make Dry Pan Mee with Fishball & Clam Soup and Chilli Condiment. RM 136 per person for Spice Family members (non-SF: RM170). To register click here and scroll down the page.

Introducing Warrior®️ Operation Transformation 8.0, now with the globally recommended online nutrition coaching program, Precision Nutrition. Starting Jan 16, 2021, so don’t waste any time but call us now to learn more and get early sign-up discounts.
For more details WhatsApp 012 459 4728 or 018 282 7567 or drop us an email.

HORSE RACING, Penang Turf Club, Sunday 20th December, 1pm onwards

Enjoy the racing in person in the air-conditioned viewing terrace of the grandstand. Dress code smart-casual. Betting optional! More details on the turf club’s website here. RM 26 per person.

FILM - RAISING ARIZONA, The Screenery, 81 Lebuh China, Tuesday 22nd & Saturday 26th December 7pm-10pm

1987 American crime comedy film by Joel and Ethan Coen starring Nicolas Cage as H.I. "Hi" McDunnough, an ex-convict, and Holly Hunter as Edwina "Ed" McDunnough, a former police officer and Hi's wife. Other members of the cast include Trey Wilson, William Forsythe, John Goodman, Frances McDormand, Sam McMurray, and Randall "Tex" Cobb.The Coen brothers set out to work on the film with the intention of making a film as different from their previous film as possible, with a lighter sense of humor and a faster pace.

Join the private Facebook group here for more information. For the present all film screenings are free of charge.

A JAZZY CHRISTMAS SOIREE, Farquhar’s Bar, Tuesday 22nd December 8pm

Enjoy a relaxed evening of Jazzy Christmas favourites as played by the sultry sax of Robert Fedorak - with Christmas canapés, mince pies and a glass or two of mulled - or not mulled - wine!
Come with a friend - or come by yourself... and get in the Christmas mood. Boob by email here.
RM130 per person

THEATRE - TWISTED penangpac, Friday & Saturday December 25th & 26th 8pm, Saturday & Sunday 3pm

An unusual Christmas story in which well-known characters from different fairy tales are intertwined into a new plot, giving the stories and the characters a contemporary twist. Tickets RM 35 can be purchased at the penangpac box office or online here.

MUSIC - CHRISTMAS CLASSICS & FESTIVE FAVOURITES, The E&O Hotel, Sunday December 27th 5pm-7pm

Member of the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra present a soirée of chamber music with a Christmas and New Year theme. Premium tickets are SOLD OUT  but limited numbers of standard tickets at RM 53 per person can be purchased online here. Stay after the concert and enjoy a 35% discount in all the E&O F&B outlets.

ART EXHIBITIONS

BOXED IN, Online & Hin Bus Depot, 31 a Jalan Gurdwara, Until December 31st

A group exhibition curated by Ivan Gabriel, originally scheduled to begin just as CMCO was announced. BOXED IN (one foot at a time) pulls in a group of Penang based visual artists from various backgrounds and art practices. Each participating artist was given two 12’ x 12’ wooden boxes and set off to let their creative imaginations run wild. The only catch was for them to “think outside the box” whilst having the artworks within the box itself.

The exhibition will proceed in stages; kicking off with an online exhibition that will take place in the whole month of December 2020, and the physical exhibition at Hin Bus Depot will begin on December 12th, open daily 12pm-7pm. You can view the exhibition online here.

WATERCOLOUR ART AUCTION, Online, First & Third Week of the Month

An online exhibition venue For the paintings of the members of the Penang Water Colour Society. All are welcome to join the Facebook group here to view and purchase artworks, and participate in the twice monthly online auction.

STILL BY SHARON KOW, G Art Gallery, G Hotel, Until December 21st

Renowned local self-taught pencil artist Sharon Kow Siew Suan presents Still, a series of artworks that depict a state of mental quietude. Sharon believes that “Stillness speaks”, as we take time to be still and to quiet the mind, we can achieve a clear introspection of our thoughts and emotions. Her artworks are intricately illustrated using just colour pencils.

Free of charge, open 24 hours (G Hotel mezzanine floor)

THE THREAD OF LIFE, EXHIBITION BY DAYANG ArtSpace, ChinaHouse, Beach St, Until December 31st

Old pictures tend to trigger nostalgia. The pictures used for the thread of life exhibition are negatives taken in 1936 in various places in Asia and the Middle East. Dayang has enriched these black and white images to combine these stories of the past with her perception of life. Experiences  ‘gathered’ are like dots and life is the line that connects them. Dayang has added colourful threads as her vision of how the past intertwines with the present.

Dayang Salim is a Singaporean artist and designer who is residing in Kuala Lumpur. Her work has been exhibited in China, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Belgium and Hong Kong. Her works focus mainly on different cultures and experiences of living abroad.

The ArtSpace at ChinaHouse is open from 10am until 10pm daily.

EVERY WEEK IN PENANG

FITNESS - JANCING, Location varies within Timur Laut, Fridays 6pm

For people who hate jogging, love dancing and want to have fun while keeping fit. Free of charge. Numbers limited. What’sapp Lusy to register: 011 2430 8874 

BUDDHA BEAT YOGA, Soundmaker Studio, 18 Lebuh Bishop, Sundays, 10am-12pm and 4pm-6pm

Flow with light-repetitive sets yoga, serenaded by the meditative live rhythms of Buddha Beat. Book through Facebook Messaging or Whatsapp 017-4287327. Limited to 12 people per session.
Bring your own mat.
First session for free. Otherwise RM25 per session or RM80 per month  for 4 sessions).

CRAFT MARKET, Hin Bus Depot, Jalan Gurdwara, Every Sunday 11am-5pm

A market for entrepreneurs, small business owners, crafters, artisans, musicians, performers, and makers to showcase their products, crafts and talent. More information here.

SUNDAY SOUL SESSION, Online, Every Sunday 5pm-7pm

DJ Carl Hinds invites you every Sunday for a late afternoon dose of two hours of chilled soul music. The stream starts at 5pm through mixcloud here.

GUIDED TOUR OF CHEONG FATT TZE BLUE MANSION, Lebuh Leith, Daily 11am & 2pm

A 45-minute guided tour through the history of the spectacular UNESCO award-winning mansion, revealing stories of its original owner and extended family, and of the house’s design philosophy and stunning architecture.

RM 25 for adults, RM 12.50 for children. Tickets can be purchased online here.

HERITAGE TOURS AND WORKSHOPS, George Town, By Prior Arrangement

Learn more about George Town’s history and heritage with the Penang Heritage Trust’s walks and workshops. Email for more information and to arrange a date, minimum 3 working days in advance for walks and 1-2 weeks for workshops..

Walks: (3 hours, RM160/pax for 2 pax, RM130/pax for 3 pax & above)

Trail A: Street of Harmony & Clan Jetties

Trail B: Colonial District & Little India

Joss Stick making workshop (RM400/pax, including materials) - 3 hours, 6-8 pax,

Rattan weaving workshop (RM180/pax including materials) - 3 hours, 4 - 6 pax,

Beaded bracelet making workshop (RM100/pax for PHT members, RM130/pax for non-PHT members) - 2.5 hours, Min. 8 - 10 pax

SUNSET WALK, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Daily 5.30pm

The Habitat Penang Hill Sunset Walk is available during CMCO for group bookings only (maximum 10 people). Watch the sunset from Curtis Crest, the highest point in Penang, and enjoy a guided walk with a guide to point out the nocturnal jungle life to you, RM 95 per adult and RM 65 per child for a guided tour. email to book.

OPEN MIC & PRO JAM, D’Loovi’s, 24 Lebuh Melayu, Sundays 6pm-10pm

A rare opportunity to watch live music in person during the pandemic and for budding singers, musicians and indie artists to perform in public. Bring your own instrument if you wish to play. More information here.

FUN - PUB QUIZ, Healy Mac’s, Straits Quay, Every Monday 8pm-9.30pm

Weekly socially-distanced pub quiz, maximum 4 to a team, RM 5 per person. More details here

MEDITATION CLASSES, Online, By appointment

Learn to mediate for peace, calm and inner strength. Classes via zoom, at no cost. For more details and to sign up WhatsApp Helen 013 430 1229.

A community service of Brahma Kumaris Penang.

COMMUNITY Ongoing

Due to Covid-19 the meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous are temporarily suspended.  Instead, the Penang AA Group have scheduled several online meetings accessible via Zoom.  If you would like more information about the AA Penang online meetings, please call 011 512 31396.

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