A CULTURAL and artistic extravaganza is in store for everyone in Penang this weekend as the Penang Times Square plays host to the 1st Penang Culture, Art & Lifestyle Fair 2009.

Endorsed by the state government and jointly organised by the service teams of Padang Kota assemblyman Chow Kon Yeow, Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee under the banner of Tanjung Dynamic, the three-day fair is aimed at making the state one of the top shopping and heritage vacation destinations in the region.

It will also showcase the latest in lifestyle trends and celebrate the mall’s soft opening.

The organisers are expecting between 5,000 to 10,000 people to visit the fair each day. The fair is also intended to give visitors a chance to get to know the mall, which has several food and beverage outlets open for business already.

Ooi (right) and several committee members putting up a banner to publicise the upcoming event.

Ooi (right) and several committee members putting up a banner to publicise the upcoming event.

Carl Ooi, consultant for event manager Idea Event, said a host of exciting programmes and activities are in store for visitors. Tomorrow, there will be a glamorous runway show by Aspial Wedding which will be showcasing their latest bridal wear collections. This will be followed by musical performances by invited artistes.

On Saturday, there will be a catwalk performance and make-up competition. It is open to the public, so be sure to explore your creative skills and you might just win a prize.

After that, be mesmerised by the balancing skills of chingay performers, another of Penang’s unique cultural arts. You can then dance the night away as there will be musical performances from 7pm to 10pm.

The highlight of Sunday’s activities is the prize presentation ceremony for the recent Historical Ground Photography Competition. Held in early April, participants were required to shoot images of models with heritage sites as the backdrop.

“The city of George Town is unique with a history dating back several hundred years. The influence of its tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as its architecture and urban landscape, can match any city in southeast Asia.

“The historical core of the city has over a few thousand historic buildings, and with the protection granted following the listing as a Unesco World Heritage Site, we hope to promote this unique heritage to both local and foreign tourists alike,” Ooi said.

Before the announcement of winners, 65 shortlisted entries out of the several hundred received will be exhibited to the public, who are invited to try and guess which ones will be the judges’ top three choices. If your selections match the actual winners, you stand to win attractive prizes, which include a 32″ LCD TV, touch screen Neonode phone, bluetooth devices and meal vouchers.

Among the other exciting events scheduled for the fair include a Chinese 24-drum performance, dog shows, exciting bargain sales and promotional offers at individual exhibitors’ booths and a health talk by doctors from the Tanjung Medical Centre.

There will also be attractive door gifts for the first hundred shoppers each day, so be sure to come early and claim yourself a prize.

The 1st Penang Culture, Art & Lifestyle Fair 2009 will be held at the Penang Times Square from 11am to 10pm daily from tomorrow to Sunday.
Source: The Star, Thursday April 30, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/4/30/north/3792616&sec=North