98 Performers Are Ready To Perform for  SABAH FEST 2018 ‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’

Reports by: Fauzrina Bulka

KOTA KINABALU,  3 May (Malaysiaaktif) – A total of 98 performers are ready to take the stage for Sabah Fest 2018 ‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’ musical theatre, from the 4 – 6 May 2018, at the Auditorium of Kompleks Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara.

“Every year the Sabah Fest musical Showcases the diversity of Sabah’s cultural dances from selected districts. This year, we will feature the  traditional dance of ‘Tarian Botumban’ from Kiulu which will be performed live by students of SK Pekan Kiulu.

Chrissylvia and Ahmad Danial from SK Pekan Kiulu, Tuaran

This rarely seen cultural dance tells the story of local villagers and their camaraderie during paddy harvesting season,”said Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board cum advisor for Sabah Fest 2018.

Ten students of the Kelab Kebudayaan Koubasanan Tokou from SK Pekan Kiulu,
Tuaran will be performing the ‘Tarian Botumban’.

“I am new in performing for a musical theatre. I have been actively representing my school to perform in schools and public events.

Vivian Hong and Chaw Szing Jade from Kian Kok Middle School

Therefore, I am not really nervous. My parents will be coming to Sabah Fest to support me and I will do my best,” said
Chrissylvia Anak Titos, 12, from SK Pekan Kiulu, who has had two years of
dancing experience.

“We have been practicing the dance for the past three weeks and we are working really hard to showcase the ‘Tarian Botumban’ on stage,”said Ahmad Danial Aiman, 11, also from  SK Pekan Kiulu.

Apart from the ‘Tarian Botumban’, there will also be nine students from the ‘Feng Yun Dance Troupe’, of Kian Kok Middle School (KKMS) to perform a Chinese folklore dance.

Solungkoi and Robinson rehearsing

The ‘Feng Yun Dance Troupe’  will be performing the ‘Kai Men Hong’ a Chinese song that translates to “Open the Red Door”.

It is an auspicious song, meant to serve as a greeting of good fortune and good luck.
According to the students, this is one of most challenging dances.

Besides handling the art and movement of the Chinese fans, the dance also shows diverse moods and emotions, while portraying a rhythmic precision.

“We are thrilled to be able to perform in ‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’ musical
theatre for the first time.

It gives us a chance to increase our experiences and to overcome our fears on stage as we will be performing for about 500 audiences daily.

We will do our best during this three-day event”, said Chaw Szing Jade, 16, and Vivian Hong , 15, who started dancing since they were four years old; both from the KKMS Dance Troupe.

‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’ is inspired by a Tamparuli legend that tells a story about a beautiful young woman who fell in  love and later on became a human sacrifice to appease the Tamparuli river spirits.

The three-day Sabah Fest also offers a line-up of cultural activities as well as food trucks from 6:30pm onwards, at the Auditorium of Kompleks JKKN Sabah.

Admission to JKKN Sabah is free. Tickets for ‘Sabah Fest 2018 – Solungkoi’ are sold at RM50. Shows start at 8:00 pm. There is no admission fee for the  exhibitions.

-MRR