Playback & Preview: From Riversides to Shadow Puppets

ANN MARIE CHANDY | 2 October 2025

WHAT a month it has been for Kuala Lumpur. September brimmed with colour, creativity and community – from Malaysia Day festivities to riverside art and laughter-filled nights at klpac. If you were out and about in the city, chances are you stumbled across something inspiring, whether it was a performance, an exhibition, or even a casual sketching session under the sun.

Rentak Malaysiaku at GMBB

One of the biggest highlights was GMBB’s Rentak Malaysiaku, held from Sept 13–16 in conjunction with Malaysia Day. The four-day programme was a fabulous coming together of performances, talks, storytelling, workshops and exhibitions that celebrated Malaysia’s diverse cultural threads.

Among the most talked-about segments was the collaboration with Gerimis, the collective dedicated to amplifying Orang Asli voices and stories. The group’s installation, Tradition in Transition, became the stage for Tompoq Topoh, the Mah Meri weaving and dance collective from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Bumbun, Pulau Carey. Their Mayin Jo’oh dance enchanted audiences, while a bunga moyang weaving workshop introduced participants to the ancestral spirit flowers central to the Mah Meri’s annual Ancestors’ Day.

“We’re truly grateful to GMBB for consistently giving space to Tompoq Topoh to present their customs and culture,” said Gerimis founder Wen Di Sia. “The public’s smiles and joy say it all – it was a meaningful space for people to come together and connect with these traditions.”

Meanwhile, indigenous artist Leny Maknoh’s (pic above) jewellery stall was another crowd favourite. Using buah jelai seeds, she created necklaces, phone chains, bracelets and earrings – and even taught others how to craft their own. “It was great – I got quite a prime spot outside the grey box area, and I loved sharing my craft with new people,” she said.

The weekend also saw Cantonese Opera grandmaster Madam Kam Sin Kiew perform, a rare treat that held audiences transfixed.

Sketching the City with Gladys Simpson

For those who preferred a more hands-on creative experience, the KL Heritage Sketchwalk with Gladys Simpson was a hit. At the River of Life, participants combined art and history into one leisurely exploration.

“It was a beautiful day out indeed,” Simpson reflected. “We had awesome participants, including a few first timers who did brilliantly well. It’s always wonderful to see people slow down, sketch and really take in the city around them.”

This year Simpson has already done nine workshops at various venues around Kuala Lumpur and has another two coming up – check her instagram for updates.

Participant Mei Thong shared, “Sketchwalk with Gladys made me realise that even though we were all sketching the same view, our different perspectives and life experiences coloured our works, making each piece original. It was a valuable lesson on life during an enjoyable art session.” Experiences like these have helped heritage sketch walks carve out a unique place in KL’s cultural calendar – perfect for the curious, the creative and the culturally hungry.

Klang River Festival

The month closed with the Klang River Festival (which runs until Oct 5), transforming the Klang Riverside into a hub of art, performance and discussion. Apart from the events, visitors could also encounter “river acrobats” – architectural follies inspired by Bernard Tschumi’s Parc de la Villette – reimagined here as guardians of memory, each evoking the trades and communities that once thrived by the river.

It was less about passively observing, more about rediscovering the river as a space for gathering, reflecting and reimagining how public spaces can function in the city.

The Klang River Festival Team said the turnout this year has been deeply encouraging. “It shows us that many of us are ready to reconnect with the river and to see it not merely as a waterway, but as part of our shared heritage and future. Through the Klang River Festival, we hope audiences walk away with a renewed sense of belonging in remembering the river’s role in shaping our Valley.

“While we may be a small, grassroots initiative, let's imagine together how the riverside can once again be a living space for culture and community to thrive.”

Short+Sweet Malaysia Festival

And of course, no September would be complete without Short+Sweet Malaysia. Back for its 18th edition at klpac, the festival brought over 80 new works across six genres – Film, Stand-Up Comedy, Song, Dance, Musical and Theatre – each no more than 10 minutes long.

Festival Director Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican says: “As always, it promises a lot of fun and excitement both for the participants and for audiences who get to vote for their favourite piece.”

Warisan KL caught the Stand-Up Comedy and Song nights, and the atmosphere was electric. Contestants delivered with confidence and wit, keeping the audience laughing and nodding along. It was a reminder of just how much creative energy KL has to offer – and how important platforms like Short+Sweet are for nurturing it.

Still in store: Short+Sweet Dance from Oct 3 to 5; Short+Sweet Theatre running for two weeks from Oct 10 to 11 and Oct 17 to 19; before concluding with Short+Sweet Musical from Oct 24 to 26.

There’s also plenty more on the horizon, and it’s time to mark your calendars.

Wayang Women at REXKL

On Oct 17 & 18, REXKL will host Wayang Women, a groundbreaking contemporary wayang kulit performance led by a multinational, all-female troupe. Traditionally dominated by men, this reimagining of Kelantanese shadow puppetry shines a spotlight on female voices and stories, many inspired by ghost folklore from across South-East Asia.

The performance promises striking shadow visuals, live music that blends traditional instruments with electronic soundscapes, and original spoken word poetry. Through these legendary ghost figures, the show explores themes of grief, resilience, rage and laughter – offering a poignant commentary on women’s experiences in the region.

Artists include Illya Sumanto (Malaysia), Tigra Rose (Indonesia), Lynn Nandar Htoo (Cambodia-Myanmar), Ola (Nigeria-Thailand), Victoria Yam (Philippines- Malaysia), and Annabel Laura (Indonesia-Netherlands).

Producer Sarah Amer says: “Wayang women aims to reimagine and celebrate the shared folklores, traditional instruments and soundscape as part of our first foray of the venue of rxp the immersive digital artspace of RexKL in collaboration with interdisciplinary artist Fairuz Sulaiman. The show also features a blend of shared folklores, musical instruments and a blend of performances of which we premiered at Kalm Village as a part of Chiang Mai Design Week 2024.”

For tickets go to cloudjoi.

KL Park Festival 2025

Hot on its heels is the return of KL Park Festival 2025, launched by Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif (pic below) with much fanfare at the TRX rooftop canopy on Sept 29. Happening at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and satellite locations, the biennial festival is DBKL’s celebration of urban greenery and sustainability.

Expect garden showcases, interactive family activities, performances, and thought-provoking conversations on the role of parks as the city’s green lungs. Whether you’re an eco-warrior, a weekend stroller, or just someone looking for a scenic spot to makan your packed nasi lemak, the festival is a reminder that KL’s parks are not just recreational spaces – they’re essential to the city’s heartbeat.

The festival even includes highlights such as KL Genta 2025 – a Drum & Dance Festival on Oct 18, and the Asean Halal Food Festival 2025, alongside competitions that range from Zapin and Dikir Barat to sculpture and terrarium building.

September showed us KL’s creative heartbeat, pulsing across stages, riversides and gallery spaces. October, meanwhile, looks ready to turn that pulse into a full-on dance.

So hop on the MRT, Grab, or even a leisurely walk downtown, and dive into the city’s offerings. Whether grooving at REXKL, or enjoying a picnic under the trees at Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur is inviting you to explore, celebrate, and be part of its cultural story.

See you out there!

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