After a month of unscheduled break in December due to enforcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), Sharpened Word (SW) is back with a January session, held at 22 Hale Street on Saturday (January 9).
The SW session was a competition—‘Talent Time – Ode to Old Ipoh’, featuring a multitude of budding artists hailing from Ipoh, with a total of RM1,500 worth of cash prizes sponsored by Tourism Perak and a production set designed by Charlie Choong.
According to founding member of SW, Peter Bucher, more known as Pak Peter, the session was a first of its kind to provide a platform for artists to showcase their talents.
“The performances were judged based on participants’ presentation and ‘wow’ factor,” he stated.
Present as a guest of honour was the chief executive officer of Tourism Perak, Nurmalis Musa, who was also one of the performance judges, alongside Marianne Poh from Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA), Shanti Lingam from Ipoh Fine Arts Society (IFAS), KT Pillai, a notable emcee, event consultant and trainer from Ipoh and Puan Ruslina, a music teacher.
There were 13 participants in total.
18-year-old Au Young Bok Mun emerged as the champion, thanks to his astounding juggling skills. He walked away with a cash reward of RM500.
“I have been practicing juggling since I was 12. My motivation comes largely from my father who’s also a juggler,” the St. Michaelian said when met after the session.
Even more amazing was him juggling a ladder!
“I picked this act up just last year,” said Au Young who aims to be a video producer.
Coming in second was Mohd Fozai Joned who performed Joget, a traditional Malay dance, featuring ‘Joget Bunga Melati’ originally by Halil Chik, a locally popular song back in the 1970s. He walked away with a RM400 cash reward.
Next was Chloe Chai, who won third place and a RM300 cash reward. She performed an original song inspired by her experiences growing up, which included a rapping sequence.
Kara Kar Yi was placed fourth and walked away with a RM200 cash reward. She showcased a splendid vocal performance of ‘Back to Black’ originally by the late Amy Winehouse.
Fifth place was reaped by Christine Dai who performed a modern ballet dance. She walked away with a RM150 cash reward.
‘Playtime with Lat’ illustrated calendars designed by Dato’ Lat himself were presented as a token of appreciation to Nurmalis, the judges, Charlie and 22 Hale Street.
For more information, go to Sharpened Word’s Facebook page.
Chris Teh
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