Alena, ‘Kwerdas’ to perform at gala concerts this weekend
KUCHING: International female sape icon Alena Murang, and a musical ensemble from the Philippines known as ‘ Kwerdas’ will be performing at the Sarawak International Music and Arts (SIFMA) Gala Concerts this weekend (June 28 - 29) at the old State Legislative Assembly complex.
According to a press statement from the organisers, the event will start at 7.30pm on both days, and tickets are priced RM100 for the premium seats, and RM50 for normal seats. Those interested in attending the shows can also visit the organiser’s official website at www.sifma.my or www. facebook.com/SIFMAOfficial.
Alena is one of the first and few females to play the sape’, drawing on her heritage to share stories in native languages of Sarawak.
Her music evocatively captures the lyrical, mystical essence of native traditions that are endangered by rapid, relentless modernisation. Her shows have journeyed from Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia), to Førde Traditional and World Music Festival Norway, South by Southwest USA, Oz Asia Festival Australia, Etnosur Festival Spain, Colours of Ostrava Czech Republic and Wonderfruit Festival Thailand.
“Alena’s alluring, mellifluous voice lends an angelic purity and ethereal dimension to the earthy simplicity and soulsoothing quality of these enchanting longhouse ditties. Her consummate skill on the sape’ and other instruments like the pagang (tube zither) gives a polished sheen to the entire production,” added the press statement.
She was a Unesco Youth Ambassador in 2017, and is a youth advisor to Unesco Asia Pacific. In 2018 she was awarded the Miri Mayor award for Tourism.
Kwerdas, on the other hand started out in 1999 as a pluck string quartet with the sole purpose of performing Heitor Villabos’ Bachianas Brasilieras no 5, and since then, it has evolved into a sextet with all of the members being alumni of Silliman University’s College of Performing and Visual Arts (formerly School of Music and Fine Arts).
“Now Kwerdas is one of the most creative and entertaining ensembles in the Philippines. The members have since finished their music studies in Silliman University and have gone on to pursue different paths as professional musicians but still find time to meet regularly for performances thus keeping the tradition alive,” said the press statement.
For more information about the event by Alena and Kwerdas, please call the organisers at 082424658 or 016-8794658.