The first week of the most talked-about festival in Penang is over, but a grand finale week is expected to continue drawing crowds.
By Rachel Yeoh
As a proud, born-and-bred Penangite, I rarely allow an opportunity to invite people to this little state of mine slip. There is delicious food, beautiful scenery, rich heritage, a combination of sun, sand and sea, plus a fine mix of urban and rural areas. However, if there is an optimal season to visit, I often suggest planning a trip that coincides with the George Town Festival (GTF).
Once a year, the bustling UNESCO Heritage Site of George Town turns into a massive stage where various artistic performances that include dance, music, theatre, film, photography, and more bring the masses on a colourful, sensational, and soul-exhilarating ride.
GTF’s very first poster. Image from Arteri.
The genesis of GTF came about after Penang was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008—Joe Sidek organised a one-day celebration. In 2010, the Penang State Government asked if Joe could direct the first GTF, expected to span two weeks. He said yes and became the festival’s first director. He then steered GTF for the next seven years.
GTF’s fame grew with each passing year. Both international and local acts took the stage, the streets, the exhibition spaces, the fields, and the F&B outlets during the festival. By 2015, approximately 250,000 tourists thronged George Town when GTF was in full swing. In 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic, it grew to 300,000.
When Jack Wong took over GTF in 2019, it seemed like he would continue building the GTF momentum. Unfortunately, his task intensified when he had to manoeuvre the festival across rough terrain, that is, through the global lockdown.
For Wong, the show has to go on; whether online, offline, or both. Through 2020 and 2021, they rose above adversity to organise events that have attracted audiences across Malaysia.
GTF 2022 poster. Image from George Town Festival.
For GTF 2022, Wong is not holding back on the festival’s extravagance, squandering resources on ideas, originality, and quality. Wong told Penang Art District that they have commissioned a variety of new productions by local artists, with an emphasis on locally-produced programmes.
“The shows were selected not only because they are good, but because we wanted those that are related to our city.
“Besides, you’ll notice that we have blended arts into Penang’s niche venues and locations that are the hallmark of the state.
“You’ll find yourself enjoying a performance in a rainforest or a historic mansion. This is the uniqueness of the GTF; one that cannot be experienced anywhere else,” he said.
Now in its 14th year, GTF has also developed groundbreaking programmes that merge the old and new by using new technology such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to present some of their shows.
This year, GTF kicked off with Echoes, Shadows & Footprints: Sustainability, Mobility and Nationalism in Malaysian Performing Arts and Culture Symposium from June 30 to July 2. Organised by Penang House of Music in collaboration with Penang Institute and supported by GTF, the symposium consisted of roundtable discussions with performing arts professionals, government representatives, and scholars doing research and policy development for performing arts and culture in Malaysia.
George Town Discovery Walk 2022 participants walking past and appreciating the beauty of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Image by Rachel Yeoh.
However, the evident commencement of the GTF programme flagged off with some 2,000 participants heading to the streets as part of the George Town Discovery Walk 2022 on July 7. The five-kilometre fun walk brought people clad in pink jersey tees through the historic Beach Street, Light Street, Leith Street, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Carnarvon Street, and Prangin Road where street art and fine, culture-infused architecture are aplenty.
Eerie art created by Aboud Fares installed at Hin Bus Depot in conjunction with TU7OH. Image by Rachel Yeoh.
An art exhibition one must not miss during this GTF is TU7OH, an art exhibition featuring seven compelling works by seven Penang artists, curated by Ivan Alexander Francis Gabriel. The seven participating artists, namely Aboud Fares, bibichun, ERYN, Esther Geh, Mandy Maung, Maizul Affendy and White Bones, showcase seven works of art each. They range from shocking head imprints in what looks like black garbage bags, playful versions of Ultraman 7, ornate cutouts of a fairy tale, verisimilitude collection of plants painted using only seven colours, cheeky reflections of the state of affairs in the country, comic-based panels, and life reflection-inducing art using holographic materials.
Kathleen Rodrigues singing the oldies with her ukelele with band member, Boniface Michael Jeremiah. Image by Rachel Yeoh.
Audiences particularly enjoyed Down Memory Lane featuring Kathleen Rodrigues at Penang House of Music on July 10. Many older folk who attended the ticketed show were transported back to the good ole days as Kathleen Rodrigues serenaded them with golden oldies and reminisced about being in the industry for more than four decades.
The hype from music celebrations during GTF this year was the Macallum Rooftop Concert. It was held at the Pulau Mutiara Complex on July 13 at Macallum Street Ghaut, where the six-member multicultural group Culture Shot performed with singer-songwriter Chelsia Ng on vocals. A sea of people came to enjoy a night of good music and dancing under the stars, while residents living in flats around the venue opened their windows or stepped onto their balconies to enjoy the concert.
The festivities have not died down and will continue until July 24. There are still many free and ticketed programmes lined up.
An aria sung during Mozart at the Mansion. Image from George Town Festival
Want to thrill your senses? Get your hands on the tickets to Mozart at the Mansion, an opera performance set to stage at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as The Blue Mansion. Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO) will enthral audiences with the famous Austrian maestro’s most popular music taken from three of his most famous operas; “Le Nozze di Figaro” (The Marriage of Figaro), “Don Giovanni”, and “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute). The show runs on July 23 and 24 at 3PM and 6PM on both days. Tickets are priced at RM80.
Catch remaining free shows and exhibitions before GTF 2022 takes a final bow. The must-sees include “Cahaya XR: First Edition”, a unique immersive exhibition involving virtual, augmented, and mixed reality to reimagine Penang’s traditional stories and heritage. It tells Penang’s traditional stories using today’s technology. Though the physical show is over, online access is available until July 24.
Glove puppetry, also known as Potehi, originated in China’s Fujian province in the 17th century. It was brought into Penang by traders and early settlers. The art was slowly losing touch with the younger generation when it was picked up again by cultural preservers. Now given new life, this next generation of puppeteers is staging the story of the legendary Chinese princess who was betrothed to Sultan Mansur Shah, the Sultan of Malacca, in the early 15th century. Head over to Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi on July 23 and 24. The show starts at 8PM.
So, as a proud, born-and-bred Penangite, I implore you not to miss GTFs remaining lineup in the days to come. For the full list of programmes and more information, visit GTF 2022’s official website.
A concoction of oxymoronic attributes, Rachel Yeoh is a lazy overachiever. She writes for a living and runs a homemade granola company. Always planning for something to do while procrastinating on her bed, she sometimes finds herself performing a little something-something in front of an audience.