Latest news with #Marsha
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Cricket club hosts capping ceremony for NAS cricket tourney
Randfontein Cricket Club recently hosted a capping ceremony to officially kick off the New Africa Sport (NAS) Tournament, formerly known as the Black Widow Tournament. Club spokesperson Marsha Coetzer stated they celebrated the proud moment of the U11, U13 and U15 teams on July 25. 'The ceremony marked the start of an exciting journey for these young cricketers as they prepare to compete in one of the region's most prestigious youth tournaments. The club used this opportunity as preparation for the club season, which will commence soon. We also used this platform for the U11 and U13 players who did not play in tournaments during the main season,' said Marsha. She noted club officials and parents all gathered to encourage the players, recognising the opportunity the tournament offers them to showcase their skills. 'This tournament is about more than just cricket. It's a chance for our players to measure themselves against the best, gain valuable experience and build the spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship,' Marsha added. 'We wish the players all the best. We are proud of each player wearing the club's badge. We believe this tournament will not only test their skills, but also shape them into stronger athletes and individuals.'
CBC
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
What happens if the Giller Prize shuts down?
Social Sharing The executive director of the Giller Prize says that Canada's most prestigious literary award will be forced to shut down if the organization doesn't receive $5 million from the federal government. This comes after the Giller Prize cut ties with its former lead sponsor, Scotiabank, because of its subsidiary's investment in Israeli arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems. Today on Commotion, guest host Eli Glasner speaks with Globe and Mail columnist Marsha Lederman about the future of the Giller Prize and the impact on Canadian literature if it closes down. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Eli: Why does the Giller Prize matter, in the big picture? We're talking about the future of this, so talk to me about the difference it has made and its impact. Marsha: The Giller Prize is, I would argue, the most prestigious literary prize in this country. And it's not just about perception. There have been studies that have shown concrete increases in book sales as a result of a Giller nomination, and especially a win. It's marketing gold. And it's not just the prize, there's a book tour, there's a book club, there's a scholarship for young BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, People of Colour] writers. And all of this is important, and it's a celebration — or it was — of Canadian literature, which is a very good thing. So it would be a real loss to the ecosystem, I believe. Eli: And going back to the pressure campaign, Scotiabank's investments in the Israeli arms manufacturer, that was very successful. This is now just the Giller, not the Scotiabank Giller. But from your perspective, was it worth it, if it means the end of this prize? Marsha: The easy answer is: even if it's a shame that we lose this prize, it's nothing compared to what's going on in Gaza, which, of course, is true. But was bringing down this prize the right move? Like, is it going to change anything in Gaza? Even if the Scotiabank subsidiary has decreased its investment in Elbit Systems, does that really make a difference? I think probably not. But I also understand authors with strong convictions do what they can with their voice in a horrible situation. They wanted to voice their opposition to this war, fair enough, this is how they chose to do it. But I do think if we lose the Giller, it is a tremendous loss for Canadian culture. Eli: Do you see a way forward that Ottawa would directly fund this prize? Marsha: Personally, I do not. The federal government is currently asking for spending cuts, pretty much across the board. Even if $5 million is a drop in the bucket, the optics are not great when you're asking for cuts everywhere — and that will probably include, I presume, the Canada Council for the Arts, which [provides] grants [to] artists and cultural organizations and funds the Governor General's Literary Awards. So I don't see a scenario where the government hands money over to this organization, especially when so many arts organizations are struggling. The Vancouver Art Gallery just cut 30 per cent of its staff in programming. The Regina Folk Festival is closed. The Kingston WritersFest is struggling. I don't know how the federal government gives money to this glitzy prize in light of all that.
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Marsha passionate about amplifying indigenous Borneo sound
SHE may not have been the top winner of a reality talent show, but Marsha Milan Londoh has established herself as one of Borneo's pop queens of the 2000s and beyond. While she excels in both singing and acting, and most recently tasted victory when her hit ballad 'Hening Rindu' topped the Anugerah Juara Lagu 39 in February, the Tamparuli-born beauty loves traditional Kadazan-Dusun popular music from her home state most. HEART For that reason, 40-year-old Marsha has just come up with a six-track album that pays tribute to the music that is close to her heart, titled 'Misompuru'. At a recent listening session of the album, which also saw Marsha share the stage with some of her collaborators and perform all six songs, the Akademi Fantasia 3 graduate said: "Misompuru originates from the Kadazan-Dusun language word that means 'gathering'. "This album is a love letter from me to my motherland, Borneo and it aims to be a work that will always be listened to by the people of Borneo, no matter where they are." Marsha added: "It is inspired by the rhythms, styles and colours of indigenous music from Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak, also known as East Malaysia. "And all of the songs in it feature elements of nostalgia, strength, resilience and longing for the homeland." COMPLETED Marsha began work on the album late last year and completed it around the same time as her participation in Anugerah Juara Lagu 39. She said: "Misompuru has been my ticket to go to the international music stage, and rightly so, as I sang for Malaysia at the Round Asean-Korea Music Festival 2025, with artistes from around Southeast Asia in June. "It was befittingly accompanied by my poster appearing on New York's Times Square billboard as part of the Equal campaign by Spotify in April." SIX SONGS Misompuru's six songs are 'Nalan Nalan' which features Sarawakian sape maestro Alena Murang, who also composed and wrote it; 'Lintah Darat' composed and written by Marsha's old friend from Akademi Fantasia 4 Velvet Aduk, who is the guest vocalist; and Pelangi Pasti, written and composed by Akademi Fantasia 9's Amir Jahari. There is also 'Santai Saja', written by Marsha and composed by Velvet's husband and fellow Akademi Fantasia 4 graduate Rich Gimbang of Estranged; 'Hey Aramai Ti', a duet with Sabahan composer and lyricist Datuk Francis Landong; and 'Sumandak Sabah', Marsha's and Velvet's catchy collaboration which they co-wrote and co-composed. USERS Marsha said: "The track 'Lintah Darat' was the most challenging song for me, as it is a subtle critique of users which is meant to be entertaining yet educational. "It's based on my real-life experiences, and that of Velvet's. I guess all of us have encountered such people in our lives, and they're people we must avoid at all costs." Marsha said that 'Nalan Nalan' was the song that best reflected her, as it was about being on the move, a metaphor for one's life journey and progress. "The song 'Nalan Nalan' precisely means a journey, and it's always a joy to have a duet with the magnificent sape, beautifully played by Alena, a world class musician of Borneo," she said. EMOTIONAL As for 'Pelangi Pasti', Marsha described it as the album's most emotional song, which often saw her shed tears while singing it. "It's my first collaboration with Amir, who is one of Akademi Fantasia's and Borneo's most prolific composers and lyricists. "It may have a rainbow in its title, but actually it contains a lot of sorrowful moments. After completing the entire song, I felt grateful for the many things, good and bad, which have happened in my life thus far." DECEMBER Marsha said that 'Nalan Nalan' and 'Lintah Darat' were the first two songs which she recorded, in November and December last year, while 'Santai Saja' was the last one. Marsha describes 'Misompuru' as her stepping-stone to promote her passion for indigenous music, and in future she would love to record more indigenous music, not just in Kadazan-Dusun but also in other languages of Borneo. KLANG VALLEY She admitted that songs in native Borneo languages were not easily received by mainstream audiences in the heart of the Klang Valley. "Nevertheless, Malaysians are fast becoming more open to diverse types of music. "More and more Malaysians are beginning to appreciate music that is sung in languages other than English and Malay," she said. HOPE She hopes that 'Misompuru' will encourage more of Borneo's indigenous pop singers to "go mainstream" and put the Borneo sound on the world music map. "This album is also my Kaamatan gift for fans and family. It combines both Malay and Kadazan-Dusun lyrics to make it accessible to Malaysians around the country." POSTERS While Misompuru's promotional posters speak of Marsha as the Queen of Borneo Music, she feels that there are many other iconic singers from Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan who are equally talented. "The title Queen Of Borneo does sound rather flattering, honestly. If there are people who truly deserve this title, they would be Borneo's pioneering female singers such as beloved 1970s legends Uji Rashid and Anita Sarawak," she said.
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Free listening session for Marsha Milan's new album 'Misompuru' on July 13
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabahan singer Marsha Milan Londoh is back with a brand new album that celebrates a blend of tradition and modernity. The album, titled Misompuru, which means "gathering" in Kadazan-Dusun, her mother tongue, features six songs and is now available on all major music streaming platforms. In a statement yesterday, Marsha announced that fans are invited to a free listening session of the album at 4pm on July 13. The free event, themed Misompuru: Borneo Album Listening Session, will take place at RXP in REX KL, Jalan Sultan, here. Marsha shared her enthusiasm, saying, "My latest album celebrates the beauty of Borneo's traditional music, and it comes from my deep love of my motherland." She added that her new album combines elements of nostalgia with a profound affection for tradition, family, and her roots. "In other words, it is my love letter to my homeland Sabah and Borneo," she explained. "Misompuru's sound is deeply rooted in the Borneo sound and resonates with everyone who loves their homeland and family." Misompuru also marks Marsha's first significant attempt to enter the global music market. She was recently invited to perform songs from the new album at the Round ASEAN-Korea Music Festival 2025. "My upcoming listening session promises to be an immersive and interactive musical experience," she said.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
In the spirit of Nusantara, Marsha Milan, the music queen of Borneo, celebrates her new album with a free listening party with fans
Malaysian music Queen of Borneo, Marsha Milan, wants to celebrate and invite all her fans for a free jamming session in Kuala Lumpur/ It will be an intimate celebration filled with the beauty of sound, culture, and art, Marsha will be performing with a special event, "Misompuru: Borneo Album Listening Session" on 13 July 2025 (Sunday), from 4 to 6 pm at RXP, REX KL. The singer who in February won the Anugerah Juara Lagu 2025 title for the song "Hening Rindu" has now notched up another success in her long glittering career with the launch of her new album "Misompuru". 'Misompuru' is a term derived from the Dusun language, meaning 'gathering' in English, or 'crowd' in Malay. Through this session, Marsha aims to translate that spirit by bringing together fans and media representatives to fully appreciate and enjoy the uniqueness of Borneo music. As a work born from a deep love for her homeland, "Misompuru" emerges as Marsha Milan's love letter to Borneo. It brings together elements of nostalgia, strength of spirit, and longing for her hometown, which makes this work close to the hearts of listeners, especially Borneo residents who always want to return to enjoy it. With a rhythm and musical style that reflects the unique taste of Sabah and Sarawak, which is different from the music of the Peninsular, "Misompuru" brings a fresh voice to a genre that is rarely featured in the mainstream music industry. Even more proud, "Misompuru" also paved the way for Marsha Milan to break into the international stage. After winning the AJL39 trophy, she was recently invited to the ROUND ASEAN-Korea Music Festival 2025, to bring songs from this album as representatives of Borneo's identity. This proves that Misompuru is not just an album, but a manifestation of heritage art that is now recognized globally, befitting the Queen of Borneo, Malaysia. "Misompuru: Borneo Album Listening Session" is not just about music; it is an immersive and interactive cultural experience, bringing together elements of Borneo music, art, and tradition in one space. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so make sure to register early for a live performance of all five songs from the Misompuru album, Cultural demonstrations and dances such as Magunatip, Sumpit and Sumazau, Traditional Borneo food and drink offerings and a stall offering exclusive Marsha Milan merchandise Marsha also encourages all fans coming to the show to come dressed in Borneo fashion, and she will herself present the best-dressed fans with special gifts. Listen to all the songs from the "Misompuru" album on all major digital streaming platforms. But if you want to truly experience the Borneo spirit from every verse, voice and performance by Marsha Milan said, "join me in the jamming session". For the latest updates on Alternate Records & Talents, visit the official Alternate Records & Talents social media accounts on Facebook, @ on Instagram, and @ on TikTok. Misompuru Album Tracklist: Nalan Nalan (Marsha Milan & Alena Murang); Lintah Darat (Marsha Milan & Velvet Aduk), Pelangi Pasti, Santai Saja, Hey Aramai Ti (Marsha Milan & Datuk Francis Landong)
