Dancers reveal what’s in store
Kota Kinabalu: Eyes turned as the annual Sabah International Folklore Festival Street Parade proved to be the most visible feature with city folks as hundreds stopped work and lined up to watch troupes clad in exotic costumes danced and sang their way down Jalan Tugu (Memorial Street) Monday afternoon.
Boisterous, showy and drum beating Ghanians led the way, while Egyptian trumpets rang the city air as their female dancers took to their feet, followed by a slew of catchy internal troupes such as Korea, Russia, certainly Kazakhstan, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, a surprise Sarawak, interspered with a slew of young school folk groups from across Sabah and also a good number from Peninsula Malaysia.
The Street Parade ended in Lintasan Deasoka and all troupes performed a medly of pocket shows encirled by spectators.
“It’s a very interesting performance especially those from the various international participants, which I think is very good for not only our city but also for Sabah,” an inspired Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Abidin Madingkir said afterwards.
On why he think it is good, Madingkir said: “I noticed many tourists, both international and I think also domestic tourists watching the pocket shows.”
“So I should commend the Sabah Cultural Board for bringing these troupes from other countries who proved to be very interesting and certainly unique to me because some of the performances they showed here I have never seen before,” Madingkir asserted.
But should there be more international troupes, Madingkir said: “It’s about balance, we prefer international groups as well as local groups, because local groups can learn from the international groups how they present themselves,” the mayor opined.
Meanwhile, the international troupes will perform three shows between June 12-14 at the Tun Raffae Auditorium, Menara Tun Mustapha, starting 7pm nightly.
The June 12 Premier show will be attended by Guest of honour and Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
The June 13-14 shows are folkdance competitions where the troupes usually unleash their best.
Contact Irene at 088-268836 or Jason Blasius at 0138501579 or Chief Liaison officer, Sabah Culture Board, Tel 088-259547 or 0918218718 or email borneosiff@gmail.com Tickets are also on sale at the show venue.
Meanwhile, June 10-11 will feature local folkdance competitions among local troupes from across Sabah and Peninsula Malaysia, at the same venue.
Source: Daily Express
