A New Beat Beckons at Drum Up JB 2.0

 

After the first season of Drum Up JB! ended in December 2023, the audience and fans of the art of the 24 Festive Drums could not stop talking about their experience.

 

A dramatic scene from "Drunken Drummers"
performed at the first season of Drum Up JB!

From newspaper reports in the English and Chinese media to audience comments captured in interviews and video recordings, it was clear that they were wowed by Drum Up JB, a live presentation that showcased the art of the 24 Festive Drums in a 90-minute programme with creative performances by the artistes in JB Drums and Orang Orang Drum Theatre.

 

Speaking to members of the audience after the shows, the organisers learnt that while some people were captivated by the drum’s thundering beats, many were thrilled to watch the creative choreography in the drummers’ synchronized movements.

 

Some encouraging comments quoted from the audience included:

 

Teck, who said, “I can see the work getting better over time. And the vibe of the seasonal drum is still there, which is great. Thank you to this awesome group of friends who are putting in the effort for the festive drums. Hope we can keep this going.”

 

“Exceptional beyond words. Forever grateful for this experience,” said Marky.

 

“This is beyond my wildest dreams. It is an experience of a lifetime. The passion, intensity, skills and talents of the performers mesmerized and amazed me and all of my friends. We were in tears, watching with joy. Music in culture brings people and hearts together,” he added.

 

Another member of the audience, Fook Guan, said, “An opportunity you cannot miss to experience the cultural heritage of Malaysia.”

 

He continued, “It can be said that if you come to Johor Bahru and don’t see this performance, then your travel experience will lack a part. An activity worthy of your planning into the journey, let you feel the unique charm of Malaysian Chinese culture.”

 

Creative choreography in the drum show as was
seen from this scene at the show's first season

Looking back, the seeds for Drum Up JB! were planted in June 2022, when Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) in collaboration with Think City, and supported by MBJB, the Johor Baru City Council, offered the Downtown Johor Baru Grants Programme: Arts, Heritage and Culture and many applied for this grant.

 

This grants programme was in line with IRDA’s efforts to build a strong community that contributes to reactivating the heritage core of Downtown Johor Baru and to complement the refreshed Sungai Segget and its renewed promenade, to make Johor Baru an amazing place to live, work and play.

 

The grant programme also aimed to support community-based initiatives that provide exciting, surprising and meaningful opportunities to rejuvenate Downtown Johor Baru after the nation reopened its international borders in April 2022.

 

I was among the successful applicants and was delighted to host regular Downtown Johor Bahru Heritage Walks with My Johor Stories, while JB Drums whose proposal to hold Drum Up JB! shows also met with approval.

 

Supported by this grant, the first two Drum Up JB! shows were presented at the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House with much success in January 2023.

 

This encouraging response led to the staging of two shows each month in February, March, April, May and June with more shows in October and December before the season closed for the year.

 

The successful close of the first season of Drum Up JB! with favourable feedback from the audience, encouraged the organisers to reflect on their remarkable achievements in the past year and to appreciate everyone involved in making this showcase such a success.

 

In addition to the audience comments, there was also much encouragement from news coverage by mainstream media.

 

These encouraging comments included the call by The New Straits Times which said: “Catch Drum Up JB drumming extravaganza in JB!” while The Malay Mail said, “Drum Up JB to take place in JB, inspired by Malaysia’s diverse musical instruments.”

 

It was also a proud achievement for Drum Up JB! to be listed among Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Favourites, under Concerts & Shows in Johor Bahru Attractions.

 

Armed with the first season’s experience and encouragement, the team at Drum Up JB! is determined to uphold their aspirations and innovate to develop their team spirit and improve their skills to continue to promote this proudly Johor cultural heritage.

 

The past few months saw new developments in the collaborative effort among JB Drums, Orang-Orang Drum Theatre and theatre director extraordinaire, Yeo Lyle, to create fresh interpretations of this art of drumming, ready to be presented in its next season dubbed, Drum Up JB 2.0.

 

Meanwhile, I am privileged to partner with Drum Up JB! to have a pop-up store for My Johor Stories at the lobby of the Opera House.

 

This is because my collection of Johor stories includes an exclusive on the co-founder, Tan Chai Puan, and the Art of the 24 Festive Drums, documented in my books, that will complement the audience’s experience of enjoying this dramatic drum show.

 

After being wowed by the exciting drumming performances, fans keen to learn more about this art of drumming, can buy my books to learn more about this dramatic art of drumming that was proudly founded in Johor Baru by Johoreans.

 

I will be at the Opera House again for the Drum Up JB 2.0 shows to support the drummers in their passion to preserve and promote the 24 Festive Drums’ art of drumming.

 

Will you be there too?

 

Drum Up JB 2.0 shows will be presented at the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House, R&F Mall, Johor Bahru, from October 4 to 6.

 

Show times at 8pm on Friday, October 4; 2pm and 8pm on Saturday, October 5, and at 2pm on Sunday, October 6.

 

Tickets at RM68, RM88, RM108 and RM128 [4 in 1 Group Package]

Premier seats at RM240, RM320 and RM432

Student Group Deal for minimum 10 tickets at RM50 only per ticket (Terms & Conditions apply)

 

Hotline Tel: +6011-20860282

 

Ticketing Link at https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/2194-drum-up-jb-20-drum