[INTERACTIVE PLAYGROUND] Kaleidoscope Kisah- A Malaysian Mosaic of Imagination

"Kaleidoscope Kisah" envisions a festival where every turn of the storytelling wheel reveals a new facet of Malaysian culture, creating an immersive and ever-evolving mosaic that sparks the imagination and curiosity of our young audience.

promises to be an unparalleled journey into the heart of Malaysian storytelling, where children become active participants in the creation of a cultural mosaic. This festival is not just an event; it's a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the boundless possibilities that unfold when imagination knows no limits. We are eager to bring this kaleidoscopic vision to life, creating an unforgettable experience for children that will resonate for years to come.

ABOUT THE SHOW

 “As supermarkets continue to sprawl across the city, Sue Mei, a curious neurodivergent shopkeeper, navigates to preserve the charm of her 35-year-old whimsical mini-mart, seeking a touch of magic—YOU!”

Welcome to Mei’s Mini Mart Adventure, a fantastical realm where everything is make-believe, and nothing is quite what it seems! Join us on March 2-3 from 11.00am to 6.00pm, as we warmly invite children, adults, and families to play! Immerse yourselves through the joys of role-playing a shopping experience, crafting imaginative food creations, collaborative decorating, interactive storytelling, and a pop-art inspired maze.

Throughout the exhibition, you will be hosted and guided by shopkeeper, Sue Mei. Your participation is a crucial part of her heartfelt journey to revive her mart!

Equipped with a shopping list and a credit pretend budget, visitors are entrusted with the task of gathering ingredients to craft their personalized bowl of noodles or custom donuts. You are free to create fantastical concoctions like purple noodle soup or noodles with frostings! The only rule: Stay within your budget during this shopping spree!

After crafting your food masterpieces, Mei will share a short tale, passing down her grandma’s love and wisdom. Living with Tourette Syndrome, her grandma’s love has given her the courage to stay true to who she is, find strength in her differences, no matter how different she has always felt. And the journey doesn't end there—you are also invited to decorate and paint her mart, expressing yourself while contributing to the visual transformation of this cherished establishment!

Finally, Mei guides you to navigate a vividly illustrated maze, showcasing Malaysian snacks. This maze serves as an archive of popular items sold in the shop since its inception, providing a visual journey through the mini mart's rich history.

Join us for a weekend filled with laughter, creativity, and the joy of exploration at Mei’s Mini Mart Adventure. Come make memories and let your imagination run wild as you shop, create, and contribute to the legacy of this whimsical mini mart. Mei and her mini mart eagerly await your arrival to help shape the future of this cherished space!

*There are two dedicated Relaxed Hours sessions tailored to welcome neurodivergent visitors, including visitors with Tourette Syndrome, Autism, learning disabilities, those with sensory sensitivities, as well as their families, companions, or carers. 

During these hours there will be accommodations and resources including:

• An increased time allocation (a guided interactive exhibition for 120 mins)

• Adjustments to lights, sounds, and multimedia for a lower sensory experience

• Additional volunteers to help navigate visitors

• Visual aids in space  

• A limited number of sensory toys and ear defenders for borrowing (If you have your own, we encourage you to bring them)

• A calm area

• A sensory map of the exhibition space and a social story that includes the activities taking place during the exhibition will be sent out to Relaxed Hours ticket holders, at least 2 days before the exhibition

• Reduced number of visitors in the space for a calmer environment

As there is limited capacity, please be mindful to only purchase Relaxed Hours tickets if you need the accommodation and support in place.

1.        Relaxed Hours Ticket (RM 48.00)
Our Relaxed Hours tickets are tailored to welcome neurodivergent visitors, including visitors with Tourette Syndrome, Autism, learning disabilities, those with sensory sensitivities, as well as their families, companions, or carers.

Accommodations and resources include:

• An increased time allocation (a guided interactive exhibition for 120 mins)

• Adjustments to lights, sounds, and multimedia for a lower sensory experience

• Additional volunteers to help navigate visitors

• Visual aids in space  

• A calm area

• A sensory map of the exhibition space and a social story that includes the activities taking place during the exhibition will be sent out to Relaxed Hours ticket holders, at least 2 days before.   

• Reduced number of visitors in the space for a calmer environment

•  

As there is limited capacity, please be mindful to only purchase Relaxed Hours tickets if you need the accommodation and support in place.

2.        Standard Ticket (RM 78.00)

a.      2:00pm 
A guided interactive exhibition for 75 - 80 minutes
b.     4:00pm
A guided interactive exhibition for 75 - 80 minutes
c.      6:00pm 
A guided interactive exhibition for 75 - 80 minutes

About Presenter

Willwin Yang, Illustrator

Willwin Yang, an illustrator with a deep love for food and all things vintage, specializes in blending the charm of bygone eras with modern topics. She draws inspiration from a wide array of sources, from the alluring American pin-up style to the playful posters of P. Ramlee's movies. Willwin's secret ingredient lies in her adept use of textures and halftones, seamlessly melding styles from different historical periods and cultures.  

Ho Lee Ching, Theatre Practitioner

Ho Lee Ching is a disabled theatre practitioner and a dance/movement therapist working towards her accreditation with Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia. An advocate for mental health and neurodiversity, her theatre work OCD (2018), In/Out (2019), and Dead Water (2022) revolved around those themes. Last December, she presented her first work-in-progress solo piece, Unmasking during her residency in South Korea. Unmasking delves into her journey and experiences with internal and external ableism, as a person living with Tourette Syndrome and co-occurring conditions. Previously an actor/director-in-residence for 8 years at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), she served as the driving force behind klpac’s Theatre for Young People (T4YP) Programme from 2016-2022. She has brought T4YP works to Singapore and Russia. Towards the end of 2021, she founded Commune for Arts, a community-based project that aims to improve wellbeing through creative arts. Under Commune for Arts, she has organized several events, with the most recent being a collaboration with Amnesty International Malaysia for their Human Rights Day. As a dance/movement therapist, she currently works with Autistic children and teenagers, and at- risk youth.

Zen Lin Tan, Curator
Zen is an award-winning multidisciplinary creative with a background in architecture, brand communication and museum design. As the artistic director of TANTHINGS Creative, Zen is passionate about telling multifaceted kisah through emotion, design and art in both physical and digital environments.

About Damansara Children Arts Festival

The Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) is thrilled to propose the organization of a Children Arts Festival, a multi-day event aimed at providing a platform for children to engage with and explore the arts. This festival will feature a diverse range of artistic performances and interactive activities, catering to children of all ages, with the aim of fostering creativity, education, and cultural enrichment.

+  Promote Art and Culture:
The Children Arts Festival will serve as a platform to promote various forms of artistic expression, including music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and more. It will help introduce children to the world of art and culture.

+ Education and Development:
The festival will offer educational workshops, hands-on experiences, and interactive sessions, designed to enhance the cognitive and emotional development of children through artistic engagement.

+ Community Engagement:
The festival aims to bring families and communities together, fostering a sense of unity, belonging, and pride in the local arts scene.

+ Entertainment and Fun:
The Children Arts Festival will be an exciting, fun-filled event for children, with performances, exhibitions, and activities designed to entertain and engage participants.