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Sheila On 7 to rock Bukit Jalil in epic Malaysian comeback for Latihan Pestapora on July 26

Sheila On 7 to rock Bukit Jalil in epic Malaysian comeback for Latihan Pestapora on July 26

Malay Mail2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Indonesian rock icons Sheila On 7 is set to make a highly anticipated return to Malaysia with a major performance at Latihan Pestapora Malaysia, now slated to take place at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on July 26.
Originally planned for Sunway Lagoon, the venue upgrade to Malaysia's largest stadium allows even more fans to join what's expected to be a massive and unforgettable celebration of the band's comeback.
'With the national stadium as the new venue, we're ready to etch this event into the history books of 'live' music festivals in Malaysia,' said Rohit Rampal, CEO and Founder of Hitman Group.
Following an explosive response to the initial line-up announcement in May, the festival is turning up the volume for its debut Malaysian edition with the reveal of its Phase 2 line-up — now featuring crowd favourites Sheila On 7, Nadin Amizah, and ALVN.
Festival Director and Boss Creator Co-Founder Rizky Aulia — better known as Kiki Ucup — said, 'With Sheila On 7, Nadin Amizah, and ALVN joining the line-up, we hope to bring both nations together in one vibrant, love-filled, music-powered experience.'
Launched in September 2022 with a three-day event at Jakarta's Gambir Expo, Pestapora was created by Rizky to revive the local music scene after Covid-19 lockdowns and spotlight Indonesian talent across all genres.
Phase 2 tickets will go on sale starting June 9, 2025, at 12pm (GMT+8) via www.latihanpestaporamalaysia.com.
This follows the successful sell-out of Phase 1 tickets, which saw thousands of fans securing their spots even before the full line-up was revealed.

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Indulgent cakes and tarts rule at Foo Foo Desserts
Indulgent cakes and tarts rule at Foo Foo Desserts

Free Malaysia Today

time32 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Indulgent cakes and tarts rule at Foo Foo Desserts

The British toffee date cake with masala chai ice cream is a must-try. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) KUALA LUMPUR : You've had a great dinner, and now want dessert. You flip through the menu and it's the same old brownie and a sad scoop of vanilla ice cream. But not at Foo Foo Desserts. This charming evening café specialises in plated desserts that look as good as they taste. Established in 2016 by co-owners Chong Kin Foo and Jack Lua, Foo Foo has become a firm favourite among those in the know. Foo and Lua first met on the badminton court. At the time, Lua was an architect, while Foo had been working in kitchens since the age of 14. When they realised they shared the dream of opening a café, Foo Foo desserts was born. Chong Kin Foo (left) and Jack Lua have run this café since 2016. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Lua, the more extroverted of the duo, shared: 'I realised that the desserts which Foo makes are nothing that we have seen in the café scene. Usually, desserts come last on the menu. We thought, why not make that the main menu?' ADVERTISEMENT VIDCRUNCH Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Quality Auto 144p Back 360p 240p 144p Auto 144p Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 00:00 / 01:20 Originally called Foo Foo Fine Desserts, they dropped the 'Fine' after six years to better reflect what the café really stands for: traditional, rustic plates of dessert. The space itself had a calming atmosphere. If you're with a date, grab a table by the indoor terrace, where sunlight streams through slanted windows. 'With every dessert we serve, you can finish everything. There's nothing on the plate you can't eat, and you will feel full,' said Lua. That, FMT Lifestyle can attest to. The portions are generous, and no, you won't find any dry ice, edible flowers, or splats of sauce here. Despite graduating from one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world, Foo lets his creations speak for themselves – his certificate sits quietly in a corner of the café. The strawberry tart has been on the menu since day one. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) FMT Lifestyle sampled four desserts from the menu, inspired by various countries, and each was a standout. The strawberry tart with balsamic vinegar ice cream has been on the menu since day one and is Lua's personal favourite. The French shortcrust pastry, crème patissière, red berries compote and slices of fresh strawberries were magical on the plate – light, buttery, and packed with flavour. 'Some people may find the flavour of the ice cream very odd, but when you eat it together with the strawberries, the pairing is really interesting,' Lua explained. Another standout was the white chocolate panna cotta with stewed pear and peanut praline. The Italian panna cotta was soft and jiggly, the pear warm and tender, and the peanuts added just the right crunch – a full texture sensation in every bite. Foo's banana cream cheese loaf with baked chocolate slab was rich and comforting. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Hard to pick a favourite, but the British toffee date cake with masala chai ice cream was a strong contender. It came with a generous pour of toffee sauce, and the ice cream rested on a dollop of chocolate crémeux. Warm, cold, spiced, and sweet – perfect for a rainy evening. And for something a little more indulgent: the banana cream cheese loaf with baked chocolate slab, was well worth the 20-minute wait. The loaf is filled with cream cheese, topped with berry jam and rich baked ganache, finished with lemon Chantilly and crunchy cacao nibs. Slice into it and you'll see each component – and taste pure comfort. Oh, and before you wonder – no, surprisingly, nothing was overly sweet. Don't skip the drinks either – their specialty coffee blend is worth a try, and the peanut butter and bean iced coffee was a revelation. Sit by the indoor terrace for a calm evening. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Having been in the business for nearly a decade, Foo Foo refreshes its menu of nine dishes every few months. Most desserts are priced around RM30 – quite worth it, considering everything including ice cream is homemade using natural ingredients. Lua also cherishes the memories they've made along the way. 'We just recently had a proposal here, because the couple also had their first date at our café years ago.' Despite their popularity, Foo Foo has no plans to expand. 'We love interacting with our customers and having that human connection. Once we franchise it, we will lose that,' Lua shared. Follow Foo Foo Desserts on Instagram. Foo Foo Desserts 64A, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi Taman Tun Dr Ismail 60000 Kuala Lumpur Business Hours: 3.30pm-11.30pm (Closed on Wednesday)

From anime and film scores to heritage music: How the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is winning over new audiences
From anime and film scores to heritage music: How the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is winning over new audiences

Malay Mail

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  • Malay Mail

From anime and film scores to heritage music: How the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is winning over new audiences

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — When orchestras worldwide returned to perform after the Covid-19 pandemic, their once-brimming concert halls found little enthusiasm – and revenue – with an ageing and dwindling audience. Instead of playing its swan song, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) bounced back stronger when it began moving away from its primarily classical roots starting from 2021, to embrace pop culture, local heritage, and film scores like those from the Harry Potter franchise and Avatar: The Last Airbender. And this month, the MPO will be playing the cult classic mafia film The Godfather. 'The MPO and DFP are living, evolving cultural forces, not just a place for classical music but a home for diverse artistic experiences. 'The MPO is a versatile orchestra; its artistry transcends all genres,' the MPO and Dewan Filharmonik Petronas' chief executive officer Hassina Begam Abdul Gani told Malay Mail. While sharing on how the orchestra curates its concert calendar, Hassina said the rebranding has certainly been rewarding and has struck a note with a broader and younger audience. MPO and DFP chief executive officer Hassina Begam Abdul Gani said planning for the concert season begins 18 to 24 months in advance. — Picture courtesy of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra In the first half of 2025, she said the MPO sold out several big concerts: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets In Concert (January 6-9) Vivaldi's Four Seasons (March 8 & 9) Symphony of Memories: Nostalgic Hong Kong Classics (March 22) La La Land In Concert (May 4 and May 9-12) The second half of the year looks promising too; as of May, the sold-out concerts are: John Williams vs Hans Zimmer (August 21-24) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba In Concert (September 20) How does MPO curate its concert calendar? Behind the scenes, the planning starts months ahead. Hassina explained that curating each season takes 18 to 24 months – factoring in performer bookings, tour schedules, logistics, and marketing. Each year is built around a unifying theme. For 2025, it's 'Where Every Beat Tells A Story', a nod to music's role in narrating human experiences. The calendar is then segmented into sub-themes to give each quarter its own character and rhythm. January kicks off with celebratory concerts to ring in the new year, followed by romantic serenades to mark Valentine's Day in February. Some seasons include Hari Raya Aidilfitri collaborations with local artistes in the second quarter. By mid-year when National Day and Malaysia Day roll around, the MPO shifts gears to highlight the nation's rich cultural heritage. From joget to Chopin This July 5, Simfoni Budaya II brings a symphonic spin to traditional joget, asli, and zapin songs. On August 9, Mistik Pura Masyrik dives into East Coast folklore, featuring legends like Cik Siti Wan Kembang and Ulik Mayang, brought to life by Artistana Istana Budaya and Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia. On September 6, the Temple of Fine Arts takes the stage with Ragas and Mudras, a showcase of Indian classical music and dance. Special classical concerts also take place in August to commemorate the orchestra's founding anniversary, which made its debut concert on August 17, 1998. This year, a two-part Chopin Festival will take place on August 16 and October 11, celebrating the works of Polish maestro Frédéric Chopin. Led by music director Junichi Hirokami, MPO will perform some of Chopin's renowned concertos with pianists Melody Quah and Martin Garcia Garcia. Pop culture meets philharmonic While the classics remain, it's the blockbuster soundtracks and pop culture tie-ins that have broadened the MPO's appeal. From August 21 to 24, the MPO will feature the iconic movie scores of two Oscar-winning composers at the John Williams vs Hans Zimmer concert. In September, the MPO will reimagine the pulse-pounding score of shonen anime hit series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The year ends with a two-weekend Ballet Festival in December, pairing Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and The Nutcracker with Russia's Ballet Stars of Moscow. The 2025 concert season will conclude with a two-weekend Ballet Festival, featuring 'Swan Lake' and 'The Nutcracker' respectively. — Picture courtesy of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Coming up in 2026 Though the 2026 calendar remains under wraps, Hassina hinted at more blockbuster productions, landmark symphonic tributes, and genre-crossing experiments. The year will also coincide with major musical anniversaries: the 270th birthday of Mozart, the 50th death anniversary of Benjamin Britten, and Steve Reich's 90th. Asked if fan-favourites like The Shang Sisters might headline a solo concert, Hassina was open-ended but optimistic. 'The MPO is open to all possibilities,' she said. The female jazz trio first performed with MPO and the WVC jazz band on April 26; and if current trends hold, they may not be the last to bridge the old with the new.

Sharwita shines at Cannes: Malaysian model champions sustainable fashion and global artistry
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Sharwita shines at Cannes: Malaysian model champions sustainable fashion and global artistry

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