Our weekend picks

LIGHTS OUT ... AND LET’S HAVE THE MUSIC

Dining in the dark may have started the ball rolling, but a concert in 100% darkness sounds just as fun. A setting like this takes away the distraction of visual conditioning, social etiquette and cell phones. This unique concert, held today at Oasis Village, Ara Damansara in Petaling Jaya, will feature Singaporean musicians Mel & Rani, Flame of the Forest, and Orion Parez, and Malaysian artistes Kavin Jay, JSY and Back2Basixx.

This fund-raising initiative will see takings channelled to the work done by Dialogue in the Dark Malaysia and CEX Arts & Healing.

Showtime: 8pm. Tickets: RM200.

SOUNDS OF SOUTH AMERICA

Mexican pianist and composer Alina Ramirez ( pic) and bassist, guitarist, composer and arranger Mario Lopez hit the stage at No Black Tie, KL. The Latin music exponents, collectively recognised as Ireson, blends tradition with contemporary styles, exploring AfroLatin rhythms and Mexican folklore. The band currently features Moy Olivera on timbales and drums, and a young generation of soneros.

Ireson’s live performances integrate Latin American dance music, traditional Cuban Son and salsa. So, don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Showtime is 10pm for both tonight and tomorrow night, with cover charge set at RM64. For more info, visit www.noblacktie.com.my or call 03-2141 3737.

RUSSIAN RHAPSODY AND RAPTURE

Russia’s musical heritage beckons, with the tribute by Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) to magical fairy tales, in the form of classical gems, come tomorrow (8.30pm) and Sunday (3pm) at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KL.

The concerts will feature excerpts frrom twot full-flllenl th balletbllt scores, both by Russians and based onn beloved, universal stories of a handsomme prince in search of a beautiful girl: Prokkofiev’s Cinderella Suite and Tchaikovsky’s Suite From The Sleeping Beauty.

The MPO will also perform Bartók’s Violin Concerto, collaborating with French violinist Renaud Capuçon (pic).

All concerts will be led by Stéphane Denève. Tickets: RM100-RM200. For more info, visit www.mpo.com.my.