GEORGE TOWN, July 9 – Penang Youth Development Corporation has successfully organised open-mic sessions on Sunday with 7 performances which include singing and playing drums. This platform is for youth in Penang who is interested in music and performing arts. Open-mic is an initiative under Youth with Rhythm which aims to provide opportunities and exposure for youth to showcase their music skills. Among the 7 participants, 5 of them have registered earlier to participate in Open Mic, others are the worker in the mall and shoppers who wish to perform.
Aware of the huge potential among youth in Penang, it is important to provide such a platform for them as the platform provided for amature singers is limited. This could encourage them to strive and shine in the future. The performers are Kwoh Dong, Lucas, Ikhwan, Molika, Teoh Chin Ping, Farisha and Watie, aged 15 to 32 years old. Kwoh Dong and his friends Lucas were excited to perform on stage together as they wish to create more memories since Kwoh Dong will be leaving for the United Kingdom to pursue his study.
‘We are two Penangites who are interested in singing and performing on stage. It is our first time performing on stage together, we hope to bring fun and happiness to our audience whilst creating more unforgettable memories”. The songs that were performed by the drummers on that day include, “Beat It!”, ‘Don’t Hesitate”, and “You Will Win If You Work Hard”. As for the singing performance, the audience was entertained with songs such as “Girl of My Best Friend’, “Judy, Judy, Judy”, ‘“Its Now or Never”, and “There Goes My Everything”, “Mama Papa Larang”, “Bila Nanti”, “Fly Me to The moon”, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and many more.
Open-mic at 1st Avenue is the fourth session organised by PYDC in collaboration with 1st Avenue Mall. The objective of this program is to encourage our musicians to learn, be exposed, discover their talent, and build their confidence to perform live during this event. After two years of the pandemic has definitely affected many especially youth in terms of their personality, confidence, and mental. Therefore, through the open mic, youth could challenge themself to move out of the box and develop their talents.
Open Mic has involved 32 youth who are some of who have already started their career in the music industry. General Manager of PYDC, Dr Gwee Sai Ling believes in the importance of nurturing young people, so we need them to be well-rounded so that they can reach their full potential. “It’s not enough to develop youth in one direction, that’s why PYDC has been contributing to different aspects of development, organising various activities.
With the purpose to get young people to join and learn new knowledge and skills. Besides that, by providing a platform for musicians, this program helps to stimulate the music industry in Penang and contribute to music tourism in the future. This program will create local music communities where young musicians are able to collaborate and learn from one another.
