The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) is set to wrap up 2024 with an extraordinary two-day event that promises to be both a celebration of arts and a heartwarming fundraiser.
From 14 to 15 December 2024, Pentas 1 of klpac will transform into a vibrant stage of comedy, music, and dance, all in support of Malaysia’s beloved performing arts centre.
At the heart of the event is comedy legend Harith Iskander, the Godfather of Stand-up Comedy in Malaysia, who brings a nostalgic touch to the performance. “I got my start doing stand-up comedy every single month for about five years at The Actors Studio’s first theatre underneath Dataran Merdeka,” Harith reminisced. “My hats off to Joe and Faridah for walking the talk and sustaining multiple spaces almost single-handedly for the past 30 years.”
The evening promises a kaleidoscope of performances that will delight audiences. The YCA Chorus, conducted by Susanna Saw, will fill the air with festive cheer through a selection of beloved Christmas carols. Audiences will be mesmerized by a spellbinding Balinese dance, Janger, featuring Zhafir Muzani with the Young KL Singers (YKLS) under the baton of Mak Chi Hoe.
Rising star Clinton Jerome Chua will bring his remarkable vocal range to the stage. Already recognized as AUGUSTMAN’s 2020 A-Lister, Chua has an impressive background that includes singing for Ariana Grande, being mentored by Yuna, and sharing stages with artists like Shila Amzah.
The lineup also includes rising stars from TUTAS Conservatory, who will present a surprise musical feature under Christopher Ling’s direction, and an entertaining dance number by Dancesteps Studio, led by Shirena Hamzah and Clara Lim.
Co-Founder and Executive Producer Dato’ Dr. Faridah Mericon captures the essence of the event: “It is heart-warming to see almost 80 artistes and arts workers coming together for this fundraiser. Looking at recent world events, it is not enough to voice your support but people need to turn it into positive action.”
The fundraiser is critically important, as klpac has seen a 40% drop in sponsorship since the pandemic. However, the centre has shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back to host 130 shows in 2023 and welcoming 80,000 visitors with an average occupancy of 80%. They’ve created nearly 5,000 job opportunities and welcomed over 250 schools and 4,000 students from across Malaysia.
100% of the proceeds will directly support klpac as part of its 20th-anniversary celebrations. Tickets range from RM80 to RM500 and can be purchased online via cloudjoi.com.
For those wanting to make an even deeper impact, the “Save Your Seat” initiative allows the public to adopt a seat in exchange for recognition.
klpac is also running another fundraising initiative called “Save Your Seat” where the public can adopt a seat in exchange for recognition. Seats can also be adopted via cloudjoi.com.
This isn’t just a performance – it’s a celebration of Malaysian artistic talent, a critical fundraiser, and a testament to the resilience of the performing arts. As Harith himself is excited about his return to Pentas 1 after 10 years, audiences can expect an evening that promises to laugh, love, and give back to the arts.