Art, music, events and entertainment in Penang

This week, enjoy a New Year market at the Malaysian-German Society, cooking classes and craft workshops at the Tropical Spice Gardens, guided walks, movies and more. Plus get your tickets for upcoming jazz and chamber music concerts later in the month.

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New Year, New skill! Come learn how to speak, write and understand German easily at MGS, or if you have plans to further study in Germany. Our January 2021 intake is open and will start on 12-January-2021! Our courses are conducted by highly qualified teachers. Online learning as well as Classrooms are available. Visit our website or email us at glc@mgs.org.my or call 04-229 6853 to know more.

FILM - MONSOON, Hikayat, 226 Beach St, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday January 5th-7th 6pm

Kit, a British Vietnamese man, returns to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time since he was six years old when his family fled the country. Struggling to make sense of himself in a city he’s no longer familiar with, he embarks on a personal journey across the country that opens up the possibility for friendship, love and happiness.
 
Winner, Global Filmmaking Award, Sundance Film Festival
Nominee, Best Picture, Athens International Film Festival

Screening and refreshments RM15.

Booking here essential.

TALK & COFFEE MORNING - MAKING KEFIR, IWA Clubhouse, 6 Lorong Lembah Permai 5, Wednesday January 6th 10.30am

Learn how to make kefir while having coffee with members of the International Women’s Association. More information by whatsapp 016 580 2780 or email. 

FILM - THE SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA, The Screenery, 81 Lebuh China, Wednesday 6th & Sunday 10th January 7pm-10pm

A 1993 Vietnamese-language film directed by Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung, which won the Caméra d'Or prize at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the 1993 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Scent of Green Papaya is Tran Anh Hung's first feature film and stars his wife, Tran Nu Yên-Khê.

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

COOKING WORKSHOP - MALAY DISHES, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Friday January 8th 10am-1pm

Learn how to make Malaysian Nasi Lemak with Chicken Rendang (Coconut rice served with rendang and traditional condiments) & Jemput-Jemput (Fried Banana Balls). Spice Family members: RM136 | non-SF: RM170

Booking and pre-payment are required. To do so, kindly contact Pinky at 012-4827797 (WhatsApp) or email here.

For more information, look at the TSG Spice Family website here.

FILM - GOUPI MAINS ROUGES, Alliance Française, Jalan Phua Hin Leong, Friday January 8th 8pm

A delightful French acidic comedy from 1943. A medley of crime, love, and deceit mixed with an ambiguously satirical look at society represented by a rural family and a would-be Parisian upstart. Funny and moving at the same time and driven by scintillating dialogues.  Guaranteed to lift your spirits! 

Suitable for adults over 15, English subtitles. Limited to 15 people. No latecomers will be allowed in. Doors will be opened at 7.15pm for a glass of wine and genteel conversation! Registration essential by email here.

COOKING WORKSHOP - NYONYA DISHES, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Saturday January 9th 10am-1pm

Learn how to make Chicken Lobak (Nyonya Marinated chicken in Chinese five-spice powder wrapped with bean curd skin), Kerabu Bihun (Rice Vermicelli Herb Salad). Spice Family members: RM136 | non-SF: RM170

Booking and pre-payment are required. To do so, kindly contact Pinky at 012-4827797 (WhatsApp) or email here.

For more information, look at the TSG Spice Family website here.

WORKSHOPS - CRAFT & CREATIVITY, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Saturday January 9th 10am-2pm

Beautiful craft stations will be set up in the Pavilion for you to create a New Year time capsule. Reflect on the year past and cast a creative vision for the year ahead. Write a note, make a keepsake, and bring something special, to be kept in your own handmade secret time capsule to bring home. Paint and plant a pot and outdoor play to be included also. Picnic with the team at the Red Grove Deck with some in-house pizzas. Participants are also welcome to bring their own picnic lunch from home.

RM 50 (Spice Family members) Numbers limited, register spot here. For more information, look at the TSG Spice Family website here.

MARKET - Malaysian German Society, 250B Jalan Air Itam, Saturday January 9th 2pm-7pm

A New Year market with international food & drinks, home made high tea, a petting zoo, old clothes & shoes, a flea market, outdoor vendors, outdoor games and outdoor performances. Free of charge to enter.

More information on Facebook here.

GUIDED WALK - THE MONIOT TRAIL, Penang Hill, Sunday 10th January, 8am-11am

A 3km trail which runs between a forest reserve and private land. It is named after the man who surveyed the area, Jules M Moniot. A unique but largely forgotten trail where you can see the flora & fauna of the rainforest.

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

TALK - PURSUING PURPOSE & PASSION, Online, Monday 11th January, 9.30pm

Part 3 of the SHEer: Pursuing Purpose and Passion Series, introducing Lee Samantha, International Food Artist. Samantha is a mom who just wanted her two young daughters to eat well. She started turning food into fun and unique artworks to help her eldest daughter eat independently and healthily back. She started posting her creations on Instagram in 2011. Today Samantha has more then 600,000 followers! You will be inspired by her story.

Free of charge. To receive the zoom link please register here.

MANSIONS BY MOONLIGHT - TRISHAW RIDE & DINNER, George Town, Tuesday & Wednesday 12th & 13th January, 7pm

A moonlight trishaw ride around the mansions of George Town with delicious dinner in a mystery mansion, and a Special Guest to bring the scene to life. 1 person per trishaw.
RM160 per person - to include trishaw ride & dinner. Numbers limited. Email or WhatsApp +60164570221 to reserve your space

Warrior Fitness now offers coach-led training both outdoors and live online via Zoom from Mondays-Fridays. Our training system is designed and planned for all fitness levels. All are welcome. Imagine being fitter and healthier and while also feeling better than ever.
For more details on the schedule and how to join WhatsApp 012 459 4728 or 018 282 7567 or drop us an email.

COOKING WORKSHOP - ENGLISH ROAST, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Friday January 15th 10am-1pm

Learn how to make an English Chicken Roast with Yorkshire Pudding.

Spice Family members: RM136 | non-SF: RM170

Booking and pre-payment are required. To do so, kindly contact Pinky at 012-4827797 (WhatsApp) or email here.

For more information, look at the TSG Spice Family website here.

MUSIC - ROMANTIC JAZZ DATE NIGHT penangpac, Friday-Saturday January 15th-17th 8.30pm

A tribute to evergreen romantic jazz tunes enjoyed by music lovers for generations. With masterpieces such as “Sway”, “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Getaran Jiwa”, this will be a special night to relax and unwind to some of the greatest hits by best known talents in the industry. Led by Mr Jerome Quah from the Northern Jazz Unit and accompanied by the musicians of the Penang Jazz Society, the concert will feature Ms. Kirana Kay from Kuala Lumpur as the vocalist, jazz veteran Mr. Lee Chong Heen on the Vibraphone and Cikgu Zaki on bass.

Tickets at RM 45 can be purchased at the penangpac box office or online here.

GUIDED WALKS - SPICE GARDENS, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Saturday & Sunday January 16th-17th 10am, 11.30am & 2pm

Take a walk through the spice gardens with Joseph, a passionate naturalist and TSG's most senior training guide. Joseph's tours are highly informative on the medicinal benefits of herbs and spices, the pertinence of the spice trade to Penang and the Malay archipelago, jungle plant survival tips, wildlife and general planting/gardening trivia!

Spice Family members: Free | non-SF: RM30/adult, RM25/senior, RM20/child.

Pre-registration is required. Kindly secure your spot here. For more information, look at the TSG Spice Family website here.

TALKS - STRAITS CHINESE: KNOWING OUR PAST, CHARTING OUR FUTURE, Grand Ballroom, Prangin Mall, Saturday January 16th 1pm-6.30pm

A Colloquium to identify the unique aspects of the Penang Straits Chinese culture and heritage, stressing the importance of maintaining differentiation in order to retain a unique cultural identity differing from that of the other Peranakan Chinese communities. Speakers come from academia and elsewhere. Prior registration is compulsory.
RM 20 for SCPA members and RM25  for non-SCPA members. Contact 04-226 9560. More details on Facebook here.

PARENTING WORKSHOP - INTRODUCTORY SESSION, Online, Saturday 16th January 3pm-4pm

Learn about parenting 8 to 12 year olds more effectively. Free of charge introductory session to a skill-based parenting workshop with Coach Mee Kuan Ben. For more details and the Zoom link register here

MOVIE & MUSIC - A LIFE ON OUR PLANET, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang, Saturday January 16th 6pm-11pm

An evening of live music and a film in nature. Box meals are available upon pre-order, drinks and popcorn are available for purchase. Bring your own cushions and blanket! Listen to live music while you eat then watch David Attenborough’s A Life On Our Planet

Spice Family members free, non-Spice Family RM10 per person. Pre-packed dinner available at RM10/box

Pre-registration is required.Kindly register your spot here. For more information, look at the TSG Spice Family website here.

MUSIC - AFTERNOON TEA CONCERT, Suffolk House, Sunday January 31st 2.30pm

Listen to a concert of chamber music while enjoying afternoon tea  in the elegance of the Marble Hall at Suffolk House. Chamber music by Mozart, Haydn and Telemann will be performed by the Mostly Mozart Quartet and the Totally Telemann Trio.

Afternoon Tea & Concert: RM 80 including tea, sandwiches, scones and cakes, and prime seating in the Marble Hall

Basic Tea & Concert: RM 50 including tea, a slice of cake, and seating with slightly restricted view

SOPs observed and seating limited.
Buy tickets online here.

ART EXHIBITIONS

I PAINT MUSIC, G Art Gallery, G Hotel, Until March 31st

Penang-based international artist Madeleine Ekeblad, known for her black, red and white paintings of cellos, pianos & violins, displays 22 of her latest works. More details about the artist at her website here.

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

MIXED HANGING, Hin Bus Depot, 31a Jalan Gurdwara, Until January 31st

There is a mixed hanging of artwork from Hin Store and a few local artists in the space for the month of January. All works are for sale, art market style (meaning cash-and-carry, though credit cards are accepted too). More information on Facebook 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.

EVERY WEEK IN PENANG

FOREST BATHING - The Habitat, Penang Hill, Thursdays-Mondays 10am

Leave the worries and stresses behind and rejuvenate with the healing power of the forest. Forest bathing or eco-therapy has gained traction the world over for its scientifically proven benefits for health. Find out more about the Forest Bathing experience at The Habitat Penang Hill.

The instructor will first explain what is forest bathing, how forest bathing can help to rejuvenate. The session included breathing exercises, meditation, aromatherapy, slow walk in the trail, and a tea tasting & sharing session. The whole process will take up to 2.5 hours.

Price :RM108 per person or RM176 for 2 people.

For more details:visit the website or email here. Prebooking is required.

GUIDED TOUR - PENANG HOUSE OF MUSIC, Level 4 Komtar via ICT Mall, Wednesdays & Fridays 11.30am & 2.30pm

Tour this unique curation of Penang's popular music heritage with faithful depictions of the era. Strictly by appointment (maximum 10 per tour), call 012 416 1550.

RM 20 (Malaysians), RM 30 (non-Malaysians). 

BEGINNERS’ NYONYA DANCE CLASS, IWA Clubhouse, 6 Lorong Lembah Permai 5, Wednesdays 3.30-5pm

Learn simple Joget and other local dance steps: a new gentle hobby with an activity to keep you moving, but not physically overstretch you. Suitable for ALL ages.

Please register as places are limited and social distancing must be maintained. SMS or Whatsapp : ‪016 850 2780.

IWA (International Women’s Association) ‬Members RM5.00, Non-Members RM10.

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.

PENANG WEEKLY WRITES, Luma, 37 Jalan Kampung Jawa Lama, Mondays 2.30pm-10.30pm

Love to write? Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, join MYWritersPenang at their weekly write-ins when writers gather in one place to write. Feel free to drop in at any time during our opening hours. You can work on anything you like--flash fiction, short stories, poetry, novels, and blog posts, across all genres. Free of charge. More details on Facebook here.

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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