Wednesday 31 December 2014

Toned down celebrations in Klang Valley a mark of respect

Lots to do: A group of workers setting up the stage for the New Year’s Eve flood relief aid concert at Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur. -Photo by ROHAIZAT MD DARUS
Lots to do: A group of workers setting up the stage for the New Year’s Eve flood relief aid concert at Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur. -Photo by ROHAIZAT MD DARUS
     
Several New Year countdown events in the Klang Valley have been called off while others have incorporated fundraising initiatives for flood victims to make the occasion more meaningful.

For the first time in 17 years, there will be no fireworks at Sunway Pyramid to greet the new year.

Its chief operating officer Kevin Tan said the cancellation was in line with calls to tone down the celebration.

“Although we have already spent a lot of money to organise the event, this is a small price compared to the suffering of those affected by the floods.

“On Dec 31, it will be business as usual and those who want to welcome the new year can do so at the restaurants and bars which are open till midnight,” said Tan.

Sunway Pyramid staff stacking items for the flood victims donated by the public at the mall’s collection centre, which was set up in collaboration with the Malaysian Red Crescent.
Sunway Pyramid staff stacking items for the flood victims donated by the public at the mall’s collection centre, which was set up in collaboration with the Malaysian Red Crescent.

The public can also leave their donated items at Sunway Pyramid’s collection centre, set up in collaboration with the Malaysian Red Crescent. It is situated at Lower Ground 2, Orange Atrium (in front of The Loaf).

Bangsar Shopping Centre’s “Rhythmic New Year Celebration”, comprising outdoor activities and fireworks, has also been cancelled in a show of solidarity with flood victims.

“This was going to be our first New Year’s Eve celebration,” said Bangsar Shopping Centre advertising and promotions manager Ryan Lim.

Desa Park City township is realigning its 2015 New Year Celebration to reflect the current situation. It is now called Flood Relief Aid Concert.

“Preparations for the event began in June and many people are expected to attend.

“We believe this would be a good time to rally public support and donations, “ said its group chief executive officer Lee Liam Chye.

The site for the New Year’s Eve celebration at Desa Parkcity.
The site for the New Year’s Eve celebration at Desa Parkcity.

The fundraising drive is in collaboration with St John Ambulance Malaysia.
“For every RM1 donated by the public, we will match the amount with an additional RM1,” said Lee.

Desa Park City’s New Year countdown celebration will start at 5pm and comprise a games carnival, street bazaar, stage performances by artistes such as Mad Sally and Gruvavenue, leading up to a fireworks extravaganza by the lakeside when the clock strikes 12.

Titled “MDCC Flood Relief Project”, the combined New Year’s Eve celebration by The Curve, e@Curve and IPC Shopping Centre (grouped as Mutiara Damansara Commercial Centre) will feature a charity concert and a fund run on Dec 31.
 
The event, held in collaboration with Mercy Malaysia and CIMB Foundation, will raise funds and be a collection point for goods from 6pm onwards.

The charity concert from 8pm, will feature local Malaysian acts namely electro-pop band Paperplane Pursuit, Kyoto Protocol, OJ Law, An Honest Mistake, , Narmi and The Big Band.

IPC Shopping Centre centre manager Evelyn Tan said the tagline had been changed from “A Celebration of Togetherness” to “Together We Care”.

eCurve centre manager Azizul Hisham Ahmad said there would be no fireworks display as a mark of respect.

Group Chief Exacutive Officer Desa Parkcity lee Liam Chye (left)  and Commander-in-Chief of St. John Ambulance Datuk Dr. Low Bin Tick with the join poster of Flood Relief Aid between Desa Parkcity and St. John Ambulance .Cancellation of New Year countdown party and fireworks display at Desa Parkcity, December 30,2014.ROHAIZAT MD DARUS/STAR
Lee (left) and St John Ambulance commander-inchief Datuk Dr Low Bin Tick showing a poster highlighting the Flood Relief Aid.

“We hope people will make the extra effort to join us so we can do our collective part for the flood victims and bring in the new year in a meaningful way,” he added.

Publika Shopping Centre’s New Year’s Eve celebration featuring performances by Astro Battleground 2014 champion, Fearless and USA’s Pure Energy Band will proceed as planned with an additional flood relief aid programme.

The traditional fireworks display and spectacular light show at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers will continue.

Organised by KLCC Holdings Sdn Bhd, the New Year’s Eve event will feature performances by Akademi Fantasia finalists Ewal, Stacey and violinist extraordinaire Dennis Lau from 11pm before the “Musical Fireworks”, a fireworks display choreographed and synchronised with music, at midnight in Esplanade, Suria KLCC park.

The first Balloon Safari playground at Tropicana City Mall will also host a celebration.

From 3pm to midnight there will be candy floss, sand art painting as well as performances by fire eaters, LED stilt walkers and local artiste Russell Curtis, leading up to fireworks accompanied by the drumbeats of No Noise Percussion.
For the first time, Cyberjaya will be having a New Year’s Eve festival cum carnival from 10am to 12.30am at Shaftsbury Square.

Organised by iKHASAS Group, the Spectrum of Ideas exhibition will showcase booth art installations, promotions, games and giveaways at booths by Digital Lifestyle Malaysia and Klik-Dengan-Bijak by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Maxis, U Mobile and Media Prima.

There will also be a New Year’s Eve bazaar along with a “Musical Extravaganza” children’s concert and performance by up and coming local bands such as SOAP, Kita Kita, Semesta, five time beatbox champion, Cody ‘Coex’ Foo, Eizaz and The Band, Aseana Percussion Unit and legendary Malaysian rock guitarist Man Kidal leading up to the fireworks display at 11.59pm.

Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s Crossroads NYE Countdown Party themed “Night of The Stars” will bring stiltwalkers, Beyonce and Lady Gaga impersonators as well as a percussions party parade from 7pm.

At a cover charge of RM80 nett, partygoers can expect an exciting evening of retro music with a good mix of House and R&B tracks spun by DJ Ice from 10pm following a special performance by the resident Filipino band, Nightbyrds.
The SOUL Society group has arranged specially-themed New Year’s Eve parties at six of its outlets.

The first Balloon Safari playground at Tropicana City Mall will also host a celebration.
The first Balloon Safari playground at Tropicana City Mall will also host a celebration.

Celebrating the 18th birthday of Souled Out Sri Hartamas, live band M.I.R.A and DJ Reggie will entertain the crowd with the latest hits while counting down to the fireworks display at midnight, along with a Best Dressed competition for costumed partygoers.

Souled Out Ampang’s frat themed party “Sigma Omega Alpha” will feature party tracks by DJ Kev along with drinking games and face-painting while Souled Out Bangsar South’s “Licensed to Party’ will feature performances by LED Poi dancers and live band, Mellowdramatiq.

Inviting guests to dress in white, Tujo Bar-sserie and Grill’s “Luminous” party with glow lights will allow those sattending to bid farewell to 2014 in the dark to the beats of KL’s elite DJ’s Pikazim and DJ Frannie Luv.

W.I.P Cafe and Restaurant’s Ancient Rome themed party will feature a bonanza of decadent Mediterranean food paired with music from DJ Gilbert while Hubba Hubba at Ceylon will greet 2015 with a “Catfight” party featuring an array of tapas and meat platters for hungry “wildcat” dressed partygoers.
-thestar online.

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