This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 28, 2017 - August 3, 2017

5 creative ways to give back

TAKE home a pretty handmade Penan basket when you pay a visit to the Helping Hands Penan’s booth at Fuyoh Art Bazaar. With the mission to empower Penan women themselves and their family, the non-governmental organisation buys and sells the craft made by the women folk, channelling funding back into the community. The bags, baskets and mats created using traditional weaving skills not only make for practical day-to-day use but also excellent gifts. The sale is happening all this weekend at The Boulevard Publika at Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur, from 10am to 10pm. Visit www.facebook.com/HHPenan or email [email protected] for more.

CONTRIBUTE to Hospis Malaysia when you purchase Lazare Diamonds® in all DeGem boutiques nationwide from now until the end of September. The charitable organisation provides professional, community palliative care to those with life-limiting illnesses, by bringing comfort, dignity and the best quality of life to them and their families. The Lazare® Wing of Hope charity campaign is organised by Lazare Kaplan International in partnership with DeGem to raise awareness of palliative care. DeGem pledges to donate RM50 to Hospis Malaysia for every RM5,000 purchase of Lazare Diamonds® in all its boutiques nationwide. Contributions will be used to support Hospis Malaysia’s ongoing initiative in providing evidence-based palliative care through education and training, patient services and advocacy. A limited-edition Wing of Hope pendant that symbolises the jeweller’s hope for humanity is also available. Set in 18k white gold with three Lazare Diamonds®, the pendant is priced at RM43,800. 

THIS year marks the 4th edition of the fundraising concert of Universiti Teknologi Petronas that is Tapestry of Colours 2017. Featuring guest artist Dayang Nurfaizah, the concert is part of a wider effort by Yayasan UTP and will showcase talents of over 200 multinational UTP students. It is also in conjunction with the university’s 20th anniversary and the funds collected will be used for the formation of UTP Student Centre. The concert will take place tomorrow at Level Two of Tower Two, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets priced at RM106 and RM212 for the 3pm show, and RM128, RM234 and RM446 for the 8.30pm show are available for purchase via www.tickets.mpo.com.my. Log on to mpo.com.my or call (03) 2331 7008 (general line) or (03) 2331 7007 (ticket booking) for more.

AGAPE Vision, a charitable non-profit that serves at-risk and underprivileged youth by offering healthy outlets for expression and community-centric activities presents its latest endeavour, Theatre of Dreams. The show of song, dance and drama was developed to offer youth an opportunity to heal through the performing arts and will involve teens from Rumah Hope, Shelter Home for Children, Ti-Ratana, and Rumah Juara. The production that will take place at Theatre KuAsh Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1, TTDI, Kuala Lumpur, is the result of a 12-week programme aimed to help youth find their voice. All proceeds of the show will go to back to the costs of putting on the show and future programmes. Tickets for the 8.30pm show tomorrow and the 3pm show on Sunday priced at RM60 and RM100 (VIP) can be purchased via www.ticketing.events. Visit www.facebook.com/Agape-Vision-158540470870098 for more information.

TAKE a stand with Tiger Beer in fighting illegal tiger trade at Publika, Kuala Lumpur, tomorrow. The iconic tiger in the logo was removed from the can all this month — leading up to World Tiger Day tomorrow — posing the question — “Can you imagine a world without tigers?” The brand’s A Creative Showcase Of #3890Tigers campaign references the estimated 3,890 tigers left in the wild today and follows its recent announcement that it would donate US$1 million (RM4.28 million) to tiger conservation efforts. Visitors can expect to view works of art from international artists that will be on display alongside 250 individual tiger art pieces designed by local artists, symbolising the estimated number of Malayan Tigers left in the wild. Also, the first 100 to bring along three friends will get rewarded with a bucket of Tiger for taking a stand, so make your way to The Square at Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur, between 10am and 10pm tomorrow. Visit www.facebook.com/TigerBeerMY/ to learn more.

3 after-dinner performances

HEAD to Alexis Ampang for dinner and stay to catch local songstress Evelyn Feroza’s performance. Her wide repertoire ranging from jazz standards to pop promises something for everyone’s musical palate. Groove to the 10pm show today and tomorrow at Alexis Bistro Ampang, Great Eastern Mall 303 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Visit www.alexis.com.my or call (03) 4260 2288 for reservations, dress code and more.

THE trio that make up Nafas — Tommee Balukea, Aminah Dastan and Salim Dastan — will be at BoboKL en route to world music festivals around Southeast Asia. The collaboration began by chance on the island of Langkawi in 2013 during the Kita Kitar festival on Pantai Cenang. Balukea’s enchanting lap-harp playing, versatile guitar lines and powerful vocals draw a melodic contrast to Aminah’s freestyle improvisations, while Salim adds interest with his bass-culture influences and dub-style arrangements all played from a live controller platform. Catch Nafas at 65-1 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, for their 9.30pm shows today and tomorrow. There will be a cover charge of RM50 (or RM35 for Bobo diners). Visit www.facebook.com/pg/nafasproject for more information.

EXPECT the very talented budding pianist John Dip Silas and friends to bring a fresh take on jazz, spread across the grand piano at No Black Tie. Happening at 10pm today and tomorrow, the John Dip Silas Trio will be featuring Amelia Ong — who decided to move back to her homeland Indonesia in 2013 after making her mark as a young, fresh, and upcoming jazz-soul artist in Australia. There will be a cover charge of RM53 for the show or RM183.30 for the concert menu, and tickets can be purchased via the venue’s website. No Black Tie is located at 17 Jalan Mesui, Off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur. Visit www.noblacktie.com.my or call (03) 2142 3737 for more details.

1 fun activity for feline lover

THIS is your chance to see a photo of your cat in full colour at Masjid Jamek LRT station. Think City and Pet Adoption Network Malaysia are looking for 668 cat portraits to fill up the Arts On The Move wall for its KucingTa Mu campaign. To sponsor a space, submit your pictures to [email protected] with the requisite details: the size plus proof of transaction (payments are to be made to BSN Bank Account No 1418041000041154, ARC Rhinowrites Productions Sdn Bhd), a hi-resolution picture of your cat, name of cat, name of owner and contact number. You may opt for the A4 (RM30), A3 (RM50) or A2 (RM100) or full height of the wall (RM5,000). The deadline for submissions is Aug 31 and the exhibition will be up from October to December.

1 new book to pick up

IF you’re looking for a new read, pick up a copy of House Of Spies by Daniel Silva — the newest addition to The New York Times Best Sellers list. It follows the story of Gabriel Allon, an Israeli art restorer and spy, now the head of Israel’s secret intelligence service as he pursues an Islamic State mastermind. House of Spies is priced at RM152.18 and available on www.malaysia.kinokuniya.com.