Editor’s Note – July 2017


[Hotel Happenings]
Daily Dining Treats in July at TEMPTationS, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel

 
Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel is giving you added value when you dine at TEMPTationS from 1 to 31 July 2017. 
The ‘Daily Specials’ are:- 
Mojito Monday: FREE glass of Mojito or a soft drink with any main course for Dinner.
Thirsty Tuesday: FREE glass of cocktail at Mezzo with any main course for Dinner.
Women’s Wednesday: Ladies enjoy 50% OFF on all main courses for Dinner.
Thursday Tipple: Guys get a FREE pint of beer at Mezzo with the Dinner Buffet.
Feel Good Friday: FREE glass of house wine with the Dinner Buffet.
Spiced-up Saturday: FREE glass of house wine with the Dinner Buffet.
Wacky Weekends: FREE glass of Mimosa or a sparkling juice with the Long Lunch Buffet.
 
In addition to the above, WACS Global Master Chef Helmut Lamberger has crafted a new a la carte dining menu with signature items such as the Renaissance burger, Nasi goreng kampong, Tagliatelle turandot and the American style rendang pizza.
If you prefer more variety, enjoy the Dinner Buffet with a wide selection of dishes spanning from East to West, with live stations dishing out Chicken shawarma, Roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary jus, Freshly grilled chicken and beef satay and Salt crusted baked whole seabass.
TEMPTationS is located at the East Wing Lobby Level, and for more info or to make a reservation, call 03 2771 6692 or email rhi.kulrn.fb@renaissancehotels.com.
 
SkyBar’s 11th Anniversary Party

 
SkyBar at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur turns 11 and is throwing a 11th Year Anniversary Party on Saturday, 8 July 2017 with DJ KC, DJ Kiddo, DJ Pennie and DJ Mellissa Jo on the decks from 6.00pm onwards. In conjunction with their anniversary, there will be Daily Beverage promotions throughout the month of July, from 11.00am to 9.00pm daily featuring selected Wine by glass priced at RM11.00, Twin Bottle Bonanza at RM700.00 and Beer Buckets at RM110.00. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s even a shooter board of 11 shooters made from 11 different liquors/ liqueurs priced at only RM110.00!
For more info, telephone 603-2332 9888 or head over to http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders/dining/bars-lounges/sky-bar/
 

  
July Promotions at The Saujana Hotel

Ti Chen Chinese Restaurant is serving up the “Dim Sum with a Twist” promo with beef and lamb dim sum specialities priced at RM20.00 per dish onwards. This promo runs from 6 to 30 July 2017 from 12.00pm to 3.00pm.
Beef Dumplings

Steamed Beef Balls with Cheese
Stewed Beef Balls in Brown Sauce
Beef Rouge “Xian” Style

 
Lamb Dumplings

Steamed Lamb Curry “Siew Mai”
Pan fried Lamb Spring Onion Rolls
Deep fried Lamb Roll Chinese Style

 
For enquiries or reservations, telephone (603) 7840 5502 or email dine@thesaujana.com
 

For sweet tooths, there the “Two’s a Treat” Two Plus One Promotion where you get one (1) free slice of cake when you purchase any two (2) slices. This promo runs from 1 to 31 July 2017 from 7.00am to 10.00pm at Cook’s Deli at The Saujana Hotel Lobby.
For enquiries or reservations, telephone (603) 7840 5502 or email dine@thesaujana.com
 

Over at The Club Saujana Resort Kuala Lumpur, Senja Italian Restaurant has “The Longest Pizza in Town” promo which runs from 1 July to 31 August from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
The “Pizza Al Metro” is made in the wood-fired traditional Neapolitan style with naturally leavened dough base. Simply select how long do you like it then choose your toppings.
 
0.5 metres long (choose 2 toppings)
RM96.00 for 4 to 6 persons
 
1.0m metres long (choose 4 toppings)
RM190.00 for 6 to 8 persons
 
1.5m metres long (choose 6 toppings)
RM240.00 for 6 to 8 persons
 
Also available are various other pizzas:
Pizza Margherita
Traditional Pizza with Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes and Mozzarella Campana
 
Pizza Asparagi
Mozzarella Cheese, Green Asparagus, Black Olives and Parmesan Shaving
 
Pizza Pugliese
Burrata Cheese, Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Rocket Leaves
 
Pizza Gorgonzola e Noci
Mozzarella Cheese, Gorgonzola and Walnuts
 
Pizza Salmone
Fresh Cherry Tomatoes, Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Red Onion and Capers
 
Pizza Quattro Stagioni
Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Turkey Ham, Artichokes, Mushrooms
 
Pizza Senja
Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Beef Salami, Pepperoni, Chilli, Olives
 
Pizza Siciliana
Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Smoked Beef Bacon and Mushrooms
 
Pizza 4 Formaggi
Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Taleggio, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella, Robiola
 
For enquiries or reservations, telephone (603) 7806 7000 or email dine@theclubsaujanaresort.com
 
Escape for the weekend at The Saujana Hotel with the hotel’s Weekend Package which is priced at RM399 per room per night and includes:
∙          Stay in Superior Room with breakfast for 2 Adults and 2 Children below 12 years old
∙          Complimentary WiFi
∙          Complimentary Bicycle Ride in the Garden and by the Swimming Pool
Terms & Conditions: offer valid from now till 31 December 2018 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) ∙ offer is not applicable with other discounts or packages ∙ subject to availability at the time of reservation ∙ other terms and conditions apply
For enquiries or reservations, telephone (603) 7843 1234 or email reservations@thesaujana.com
 
“A Delicious Weekend” at The Westin Kuala Lumpur

 
The Westin Kuala Lumpur introduces “A Delicious Weekend” – a weekend package for guests to relax and unwind as well as enjoy delicious meals at the hotel’s F&B establishments, and perhaps even do a spot of shopping at the shopping centres located around the hotel. There will also be additional benefits such as Sunday 3.00pm late check-out, extended breakfast hours, complimentary carpark and WiFi access, and more.
Enjoy a special dinner menu prepared by the Prego culinary team at the hotel’s award-winning Italian restaurant, and a Weekend Hi-Tea Buffet at The Living Room. The Westin Kuala Lumpur is strategically located in the shopping district of Bukit Bintang and close to the nightlife hotspots of TREC and Changkat Bukit Bintang making it an ideal staycation venue for both KL city dwellers looking to break the monotony of the weekend, or guests from out of town.
A Delicious Weekend stay package includes:
·       Italian set dinner at Prego and weekend hi-tea buffet at The Living Room
·       Complimentary breakfasts with extended hours (Saturday and Sunday) at The Living Room
·       Complimentary car park and WiFi access
·       Above stay package is valid for stays from Fridays till Sundays only
·       Rooms and benefits entitlement are subject to availability upon reservation, other terms and conditions apply
For more information or room reservations, contact 603.2731.8333 or visit westin.com/kualalumpur
 
                                                                               
 
DPAC Arts Festival 2017 – Convergence
 “Puppets” by Hactic Hide & DPAC_Photo by Jackie Yong
 
The 3rd edition of DPAC Arts Festival (DAF), themed Convergence, will feature a diverse mix of performances of theatre, dance and music, fantastic site-specific performances and a family-friendly arts bazaar over a ten-day period, from 10th to 19th July 2017 at Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC). Bernard Goh is the new Artistic Director of Damansara Performing Arts Centre as well as the DPAC Arts Festival this year. The festival combines the richness of the arts from both local and international artists. 
Indigenous Taiwanese singer, Sangpuy Katatepan Mavaliyw, who won the 24th as well as 28th Golden Melody Awards’ Best Aboriginal Artist with the original backup musicians, will be presenting an indigenous concert “Sangpuy Yaangad Concert”. “Yaangad” is Sangpuy’s second album of his very own compositions that awarded the Best Vocal Recording Album and Album of the Year in this year’s Golden Melody Awards. 
A German choreographer, awarded the first prize at the Parisian competition “Danse Élargie“, Paula Rosolen together with her very own dancers from Japan, France and Serbia collaborate with local dancers and musicians to present her latest work, “Puppets”, a new perspective of dance and the perception thereof from the movements of puppets. 
A Spanish mask theatre company, Kulunka Theatre Company presents their widely acclaimed theatre production “André & Dorine”, which tells the story of an elderly couple —André with his typewriter, Dorine with her cello— and how they relive and reinvent their love together as  a disease threatens to become a permanent part of their relationship. Three actors portray more than 15 different masked-characters through the play, whereby a story is told through gestures and movements, with no spoken dialogue. “André and Dorine” has toured extensively in 22 countries, and won awards at the Birmingham European Theatre Festival in 2011, and at the La Habana International Theatre Festival 2011 (Cuba).
Malaysia’s National Arts Awards 2006 winner, Zamzuriah Zahari is considered one of the foremost young experts who has revived the legacy of traditional Malay dance and theatre through her own research and practical results. She combines traditional Malay theatre elements with a fresh modern twist in her performance “Section by Stesen”, which relates the pauses and stops that a woman faces in her journey of the vagaries of life, and this brings the festival to a perfect end. Malaysian renowned director-actress Ida Nerina is on board as the collaborating director with Fairuz Sulaiman as the multi-media artist.
This year, there will be a few family-friendly and free events entitled “pARTiii” which stands for performance, art, innovation, inspiration and ideas. The “pARTiii Bazaar” will feature original handcrafted goods, workshops and a mini showcase. The second edition of “Dancing in Place – City Site 2017” presented by MyDance Alliance remains as a dialogue between dance and architecture, from an industrial walkway to a decorative staircase, where audiences are taken out of the theatre to observe the conversation between dance and the environment. 
Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) is located at H-01, DPAC, Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
For more info, telephone +60 3 4065 0001, 4065 0002 or head over to www.dpac.com.my / https://www.facebook.com/DPACArtsFestival/
 
DPAC Arts Festival 2017 · Convergence Schedule

Programme
Presenter
Dates

Sangpuy Yaangad Concert
Katatepan Cultural Studio (Taiwan)
10 – 11 July 2017

Puppets
DPAC & Haptic Hide (Germany)
12 – 13 July 2017

André & Dorine
Kulunka Theatre Company (Spain)
13 – 16 July 2017

Section By Stesen
Zamzuriah Zahari  (Malaysia)
15 – 19 July 2017

pARTiii Bazaar
DPAC & C Plus Culture (Taiwan)
14 – 16 July 2017

Dancing in Place – City Site 2017
MyDance Alliance (Malaysia)
15 – 16 July 2017

 

Tickets / Programme
Sangpuy Yaangad Concert
Puppets
André & Dorine
Section by Stesen

Early Bird Promotion 
 (until 25/06/2017)
RM108
RM50
RM108
RM50

Dcard Members (from 01/06/2017 onwards)
RM 108 / 
 RM 88
RM50
RM 108 / 
 RM 88
RM50

Normal (from 26/06/2017 onwards)
RM 128 / 
 RM 108
RM65
RM 128 / 
 RM 108
RM65

Festival Pass*
RM 350 (Normal) / RM 300 (Dcard Members)
 * Festival Pass is good for one ticket for each performance including Sangpuy Yaangad Concert, Puppets, André & Dorine and Section by Stesen. Applies to walk-in purchases or bank transfers only. Contact Box Office for full details.

 
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Workshop 1: Movements Collector Workshop 
Conducted by Paula Rosolen (Germany)
Date & Time: 1st July 2017 (Saturday) 11.00am – 3.00pm
Venue: Studio 1, DPAC
Fees: By donation
 
Workshop 2: Japanese Traditional Dance Meets Contemporary Dance Workshop
Conducted by Atsushi Heki (Japan)
Date & Time: 2nd July 2017 (Sunday) 10.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Studio 1, DPAC
Fees: By donation
 
[Marketing Matters]
Tim Ho Wan Closes All Outlets in Malaysia

 
The Edge reported that Tim Ho Wan has closed down its two (2) outlets in Malaysia after a lost of close to RM900,000 in the last financial year.
Read more at http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/texchem-shuts-down-tim-ho-wan-restaurant-operator-malaysia
It comes as no surprise to me actually as I’ve noticed their outlets to be empty most of the time. Sure during the first six (6) months there were long queues outside their outlets as many patrons wanted to try their ” Michelin starred” dim sum however that novelty faded away after a while.
Also the brand did absolute no advertising hence they had no share of voice (SOV) and thus it was no surprise that their share of market (SOM) kept on falling until the business was simply unsustainable. This is a concept that I’ve been trying to share with restaurateurs for a while now however most believe that marketing and advertising are simply not an important aspect of running a restaurant (a fact that constantly amazes me).
In this digital age with a high proliferation and usage of social media platforms and digital media among consumers, it’s more cost-effective and affordable than ever to advertise and increase your brand’s SOV which will invariably increase your SOM (unless of course your product/ service is really inferior but for argument’s sake let’s assume that your product/ service is on par with the competition). 
If you would like to explore digital content marketing and social media engagement, contact me at timchew@myhotbloggers.com and I’ll share some of our digital media solutions with you.
  
[Community Matters]
Endemic Lack of Efficiency and Gross Apathy in Malaysia

 
When I was younger, I used to be quite proud of my country with its various races living and working together, each contributing their own strengths making the country progressive and modern. Then came certain persons in positions of power who abused their authority for their own personal gain. In order to stay in that position of power, they systematically dismantled every body capable of check and balance, resulting in a kleptocracy that’s known throughout the world due to multiple nations investigating the case as well as prosecuting and punishing persons/ parties who assisted in the giant embezzlement of funds stolen from the people.
Needless to say, if the top leadership of a country is corrupt and gets away scot free with it, it sets a dangerous precedent and as such you can see the manifestation of the evil through systemic and institutionalised racial and religious hatred encouraged by the powers that be in an effort to divide the population, pitting citizen against citizen. 
As there is no check and balance, the extremely bloated civil service became lazy, inefficient and blatantly abuses power as former Miss World Malaysia Levy Li unfortunately experienced at KLIA 2 earlier today. 
Sadly, this is the current horrible culture of the country, where bad practices and lack of ethics/ morals are eating away at the very soul of the country like a cancer. Only a change of the entire leadership can all these issues start to be addressed and remedied. Do your part to affect change. Educate the ignorant about the dangers of a country with no morals or accountability. For if we continue down this dark path, it’s only a matter of time before the country tears itself to bits.