Ed. Just added a 3rd event, check it out below!
1. Kuala Lumpur International Literary Festival 2007
You can find all you want to know about the Kuala Lumpur International Literary Festival 2007 here, at the Silverfish Books site.
In short, though (from the Silverfish Books website):
The Kuala Lumpur International Literary Festival 2007 is held this year in conjunction with our 50th year of Merdeka. The Festival proper will be on the 28th, 29th and 30th of March 2007. The theme for the event is “The nation at 50.”
Events will include, book launches, discussions, meetings with writers, exhibitions and workshops — for adults and children.
The list of writers, poets, journalists and other featured panelists include Randa Abdel Fatah, Benjamin Zephaniah, Camilla Gibb, Eda Kriseova, Holger Warnk, Goenawan Mohammad, Lakshmi Pamuntjak, Tash Aw, Salleh ben Joned, Cecil Rajendra, Wong Phui Nam, Dina Zaman, Elizabeth Smither, Sumithra Rahubaddhe and Conor O’Cleary.
This will be a dynamic page, where I update as the events unfurl, listing the various reports as they come in, mostly by our local LitBloggers. So check out this page again as the days pass!
Elsewhere:
- Bibliobibuli: Your one-stop-station for all LitNews. The best coverage of KLILF in town.
- Dina Zaman: One of the featured writers, and the author of recently released I Am Muslim.
- Lydia Teh has attended several of the KLILF workshops and talks; read about her experience and writing tips she picked up here.
- Tarlia writes about her trip to KLILF from Kuching: Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3.
2. The First Cross-Causeway Poetry Slam
“Readings” (KL) and Word Forward (Singapore) proudly present The First Cross-Causeway Poetry Slam™ featuring:
Malaysian Poets:
- Tshiung Han See
- Jasmine Low
- Fynn Jamal
- Nur Sheena Baharudin
- Dato Shanmugalingam
- Peter Brown
- Sharanya Manivannan
Singaporean Poets:
- Chris Mooney-Singh
- Marc Nair
- Pooja Nansi
- Bani Haykkal
Poetry Slam™ is the competitive art of writing and performing poetry.
Rules: Contestants should bring 3 original poems to perform, each up to 3 minutes in length. No props, costumes or musical instruments are used during the slam.
Admission: Free!! So do come and experience the magic of live poetry. You don’t have to enter the contest to attend, but if you are keen to showcase your poems, all the better! For more information visit the Word Forward website or contact Sharon Bakar: sbakar (at) streamyx (dot) com and 012–6848835.
Please pass on this information to anyone or any group you think may be interested. You have full permission to distribute my poster as you see fit; I believe Sharon may even print it in full-size. See you guys there! 
3. Four Voices @ No Black Tie
A last minute addition; from a request from Sharanya, I’ve designed this poster in a jiffy — the Japanese flag-influences come directly from the menu that night:
- Crab Salad with Mango
- Gindara Kimchee Soup
- Nigiri Moriawase (assorted Nigiri Sushi) or Tuna Yaki Roll (seared tuna roll)
- Green Tea Ice-Cream with Crunchy Hazelnut & Dark Chocolate
This, naturally, isn’t covered by the cover charge: the dinner set is RM108+
(but includes show). Hey, wait a minute, am I advertising the poetry reading or the restaurant’s cuisine? More events coming up…
kenny,
can i ‘steal’ your “The First Cross-Causeway Poetry Slam” post to my blog or izzit copyrighted already? i no time *cough* malas *cough* to write la..;o)
Don’t lah say “steal” — just grab the whole thing and copy/paste. I took most of it from Silverfish Books and Sharon’s blog anyway, with minor additions of my own, and some reductions, ahem.
This is one them promo blogs so feel free to continue the trend and pass it on!
hahah…okie okie…i’ll just copy/paste then. thanks! =D
p/s: yawnnn..~~
Me too, except just had a glass of kopi ais. In BBM Carfé now in SS2. Just finished meeting with Marina on our project together. Have to lessen my involvement to only design and marketing. More realistic given my workload lah…
i’m in the office and ur in BBM Carfé(?)… alot of difference ler. half an hour more to go…=( remember the ‘whack me if i’m doing too much things?’ sentence..? =P
Yes, so-called due its automobile theme. A change from my usual Coffee Bean SS2, though they are right next door to each other. Ada MTV some more.
Don’t whack, don’t whack! I’m actually super-productive today (for me, anyway). Kau tim a lot of office stuff, bought electronic equipment, finalised design for name cards and sent off to printers, meetings, etc.
Wah, if every day like this, life will be most excellent, man…
P.S. Though at the rate we are commenting back and forth, it’s a wonder that either of us gets any work done at all!
aiyor..the baristas over at coffee bean must be missing you..hehe..
hahaha..k lar, won’t whack you la. =P wahhhh… really productive la u today. amazing!! so now can relax a bit? everyday so productive, life excellent? can die la(for me, that is).. hahaha…
Trust me, I’m not missing them — the sweet young thing left di, remember?
Relaxed? Productive? I guess I had a great evening last night…
hahah…so typical of men..! =P
great evening at the gym huh or supper afterwards?
Great evening overall. No details, not on this blog anyway! Hahaha…
hahahha…okay..Spiffy zips up(no more asking)!
poerty slam sounds interesting. will try to be there.
and your previous entry’s title is really naughty. i think there was something like that before.
I’m all about naughty, bro! Sure beats all the people saying I’m so nice. Trust me, I’m not! Swear!
Marina just told me over drinks that the poster looks bad. As in good sorta bad. Which is good. Cos many people have this idea poetry readings are boring. Not this. It’s a Poetry SLAM! Yeah.
Some very cute chat going on here. Honestly, your comments section is better than soap opera.
hey! FAB poster. Really liked it.
Looking forward to all the write ups.
Haha — the man protesteth about being nice…I empathise, people like to pat me on the head (and risk losing a finger I might add).
Maybe getting in the sturm und drang writing will stop them.
Soap opera? Is this what it has come down to? Soap OpErA? (Ceh, drama le ni…)
Glad you like the poster, thanks muchly. Will do a write-up soon on Dina Zaman’s book launch; I’m two weeks behind all the events I’ve been attending, it seems!
people like to pat me on the head (and risk losing a finger I might add)
Hahah, that line killed me! Und ja, genau — sturm und drang. Ach so, sprichst du Deutsch, Msiagirl?
No, no Deutsch, but thought you might like the ref!
yeah sounds like Spiffy should be whacking you to stop you doing too much
or maybe the whip if you’ve been so Bad.
Sounds like some good progress if the name cards are at the printers, though.
Someone should watch this space for the next Malaysian sitcom (oklah I’ll upgrade it), it’ll make millions!
Yes, I’ve been bad and should be punished. *laughs*
Malaysian sitcom? My blog has been accused of being depressing, self-absorbed, and yes, even *gasps* informative before, but funny? That’s a first, even for me.
Just exchanged emails with your cousin and she mentioned you. I guess it’s true what they say about lovely people being related to each other. I have to settle for the next best thing and make friends with them…
The sitcom bit probably refers to what goes on behind all our blogs, our malaysian KPC habits when we comment to each other and when we attend events
There’s probably room in this international Malaysian Blogging Community to become like extended family to each other and keep us all writing! Been great to find it.
(my last comment lost in cyberspace! delete it if you have it.)
The sitcom would be behind the scenes of the blog, the commentary from all over the world, all of us KPC malaysians sticking our two sen in and the drama of attending events. Seinfeld!
Can you see it now: Voiceover reading KM’s Blog entry for the day. Fade…into events going on behind the blog and its contents (the funny bit) Voiceover again wrapping up with insightful sentence. 40 minute segments, series one. Any screenwriters up for it?
Being part of this community and meeting people like you mean a lot to me!
Omigosh! Now you’re making wish I had a videocam so I could make YouTube blogs…
It’s actually my pleasure knowing such an enthusiastic person such as you in the blogosphere.
Bloggers may be liars, but we sure are fun!
wish i could be there.……
No worries, there are other LitEvents that aren’t held during working hours, just check Bibliobibuli’s posts.
Also, if you can’t make any, there’s always the reports. Promise to make as many as I can manage…
Kecemburuan saya terhadap saudara mencanak tingginya
Di UK, kan lebih ramai penyajak dan karyawan? Lebih banyak majlis sastera sampai tiap-tiap minggu tak habis-habis.
Moga-moga satu hari nanti I berpeluang menghadiri bacaan novel oleh penulis seperti Hanif Kureishi dan A.S.Byatt. Budak ni masih mimpikan ni…
Suasana sangat berbeza, Kenny. There’s more familiarity on your own territory. But it’s worth going to the Book Festivals if you have the time and money.
But then again, we always want what’s on the other side of the fence, don’t we?
Something like that. I guess I’m just miffed as I missed the Edinburgh Festival some years back when I was still in Europe.
Now, logistically it’s less convenient, to say the least. But you’re right — I am more than happy to have what we have here.
Kenny, I await your reviews. I signed up and Chet collected my goody bag for me but unfortunately I cannot attend due to work commitments. Next time, organisers, please have at least ONE night session!
Not just you, Eliza — I too won’t be able to make all the day sessions. I’m actually going for all the night/weekend events that’s on the fringe of the KL LitFest. Go to Sharon’s page — she’s listed many of the alternatives. I’ll be making Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry reading at Central Market Annexe on Friday night as well as the Poetry Slam on Saturday afternoon.
Zewt,
it’ll be splendid to see you there! =D *padahal, i also dunno going anot..hehe*
Msiagirl,
actually if i were to really whack Kenny, i’ll havta do it when he least expects it..tahu-tahu aje la, since he’s so tall..i wudn be able to catch up with him if he runs. hahahah…;o)
It’d be another Bloggers reunion!
And what do you mean I’m so tall? Eh, I’m normal height, okay…
aiyo..Kenny, u say until like..i tempted to go ady. hahah… you are not the average chinese guy height okay? admit it..you are very tall. =P
From tall, now “very” tall? See, no one’s gonna believe you now.
eh eh…i said so tall..now said very tall.. same wht. blekk..!~
Well, let’s just all agree I ain’t short, aye?
hahaha…Thank God you’re not! =D
Don’t miss out the new event I’ve just added: more poetry reading! This time it’s Sharanya and gang @ No Black Tie.
aiyah, Kenny..entry fee rm15 only for the poetry izzit? food not compulsory? sorry.. sudah blur…
Yes, the RM15 is just for admission, like to watch a film at the cinema. The RM108 is for the dinner, as you might fork out for a box of popcorn similarly when you catch a film.
(Of course, this would be very expensive popcorn…)
hahaha..k la..this is one popcorn i’m willing to forgo..;o)
alamak…sunday at 9pm?? sighhh.….=(
Yes, I’m guessing it’ll be mostly folks from Klang Valley who’ll attend, but you never know. Going for the Poetry Slam though, ya?
yep, if i can get my *usual* SLK chauffeur? heheh…;o)
I believe that can be arranged, ma’am…
aww..shucks~~ let me rephrase that.. if i can get my *usual* suave leng chai to pick me up. =D
Oh, there’s another guy fetching you then? Suave, is he? Hmm…
p/s: i like the *last min* poster u made for Four Voices @ No Black Tie..the colours and the fonts..another marvellous work from you. =)
awwww…i think u knoe who he is dear.. wudn wanna mention it here..if not sure kena nicely. hahah.. *wink*
Thanks, it’s always a round-a-bout way of getting there: usually I’ll start with something really complex, keep adjusting and refining till it’s as simple as I can get it.
And that last comment? No comments from me. Heh.
i think i do things quite the opposite from u.. heheh..simple-complex-til i’m satisfied. haha.. ;o)
let’s leave it at that eh? ^_^
And amen.
I made it to Dina’s 2nd reading on Thursday evening. I thought I could take the afternoon off, but I couldn’t. Then I thought I’d be on time, since I would be at my second office for the day (nearer to Bangsar). Unfortunately, in the middle of the afternoon, I had to go back to the first office to get an email out (the remote version wasn’t as feature rich as the one on home ground). Anyways, good thing traffic was good and I made it there at about 10 to 6 or thereabouts. And yes, I got my special copy of IAM autographed. Dina offered to replace it but I said no. I love my special copy.
P/S I got to sit next to Antares, and later met Tash Aw, too.
benjamin zephaniah was fun!
do catch him at annexe.
Chet,
Thanks for your personal update! Sounds like you had fun alright. Today’s the last day of the KL LifFest, by the way, for anyone still hoping to catch some of their favourite writers/poets in action.
Pat,
With a recommendation like that, how could one miss it?
i had a sex maniac at my second reading yesterday. sigh. ask chet adn sharon what happened.
Oh dear, how did he slip in? Nevermind, I’ll ask Sharon when I meet her tonight at the poetry reading.
oooh, cant wait to meet sharon!
aiyah kenny, nexttime, aaah, use soft focus laaa.
Were you there at Benjamin Zephaniah’s performance, Kak Teh? Sharon came in halfway, but Grace and I had to leave by 10-ish for her to catch her last train back to Seremban so we didn’t mingle with the people present.
hah… guess i miss it. sorry… had to settles some hotel booking… for my wedding dinner next year… u know, it’s not easy to book a hotel nowadays
zewt, congrats in advance!!
Kenny, I’ve also blogged about it in my media gallery.
zewt — your wedding dinner must be at hotel?
Zewt,
Congratulations! Of course the wedding planning is more important; best of luck in all your preparations.
Lydia,
Oh goodie, will go check it out now.
Chet,
Feel like old man lah. Just got back from my friend’s function, and before that the Poetry Slam with you guys. Sat nite and I can’t wait for bed! Hahaha…
Zewt,
Congrats in advance!! i noe how much work it is to plan a wedding…my x-colleague planned hers last year for her wedding in july..=D
Kenny,
Sorry we had to leave half-way..i feel bad that u had to leave with me..=/ not only u, i felt so tired on sat that i cant wait to climb into bed and sleep..
spiffy,
No worries, we caught most of it — Jerome Kugan, Rahmat, Harun & Benjamin Zephaniah. Rest is good, though.
rest is definitely the best thing ever..haha
Ah. Yet another time I’m lumped with the M’sians. Sigh.
*grin*
spiffy,
Glad you agree. Hope you got some over the weekend too.
Sharanya,
Hey, don’t kill the messenger! I only took what I was given. You are borderless in my eyes, no worries…
kenny,
yep…i did alright..after coming back from prayers..had my lunch..changed and slept till dinner time..;o)
I’m back! Missed this. Reading blogs like yours has sparked my interest in literature!
wmw!
You’re back from your vacation! Whoopee, new updates on your blog! Food, glorious, food!
[…] was at Bangsar Village II, right at the tail-end of the KL International Literary Fest. Philip said he was going to catch Cecil Rajendra later that evening, and I nodded, having to rush […]